Sunday, August 5th, 2046
Daxing Airport, Beijing, China
The sky over the city was cast with dark clouds, and from ti to ti, flashes of lightning could be seen from far away, announcing the impending arrival of rain that would likely continue well into the night.
A greyish-blue private jet landed on the Reserved Air Strip of the Daxing Airport, piquing the interest of so people from the nearby terminals, who imdiately recognised the model of the Jet. And it was easily recognisable since it was the world's most luxurious and fastest Jet, the Zephrys Blue.
There were not many of these machines in the world as these Jets were ridiculously expensive, and this got them all thinking about who had just landed in Beijing.
Unfortunately, the Reserved Air Strip was quite far away, and though they could see the Jet, they could not really see who disembarked it.
However, they did notice that there was not a lot of security, which confused them even more.
Surely soone who flies in this Jet is entitled to so protocol. So, why was there no security? Or was the Jet here to pick soone up?
They had a lot of questions on their minds, and it wasn't until a girl, who had zood in with her cell phone, gasped when she saw the ridiculously handso man exit the plane that the people ca to know who the Jet belonged to.
Before Keith even stepped on the soil of this country, his image was already on Social dia. Needless to say, the news of his arrival was bound to shake the Capital.
But it was all just as he had intended.
Taking a deep breath, he looked at the sky and smiled, and then he slowly descended the stairs followed by Yingying, Iseul, and Fiona.
He did not have to wait long because soon a couple of cars ca to pick them up, and he could not restrain his smile when he looked at the models of these vehicles.
It was an SUV and a Sedan, and both the vehicles were special as they were only made for either the High-Level Governnt Officials in this country or for the truly rich and powerful people who could afford them.
These two cars by Hongqi, Z-HS9 and S-95L, were a status symbol here in China, and they were two of the most sought-after cars in the world. Unfortunately for the enthusiasts, it was illegal to take them out of this country.
"Why am I not surprised?" He grinned as he watched the girl exit the Sedan, and she could not help her smile either at seeing him.
"Well, they were more than willing to sell these to . I did not even have to ntion your na. Besides, I don't like using rented cars." Qingyue told him as she ca over and entered his arms, hugging him tightly. "Do you like them?" She knowingly asked and smiled when he said yes.
She knew well that the only reason these cars were so effortlessly acquired by her was that she was the wife of Keith Argus Demiliore, one of the richest n in the world, and soone, who had a lot of his Business in China, thanks to Social dia platform, moir.
"I missed you." He honestly told her, and his words ward up her heart and eyes.
She imdiately tiptoed to capture his lips, and after sharing a sweet kiss, she separated from him and allowed the other girl, who had been driving the SUV, to co forward and enter his arms as well.
Ayesha was not too shy about it anymore, and she no longer cared about the eyes of people when she hugged him and kissed him. However, she did keep their intimacy brief in public.
"I see you haven't gained weight this ti." He took a jab at her, and she playfully glared at him before she looked at the young lady whom she had never t before.
Qingyue and Ayesha knew about Fiona, and they had even talked on a live call where Ingvild had introduced them, so, it was not awkward at all for any of them as they greeted each other.
The two were quite impressed by her manners and temperant just within a few minutes of eting her in person, but it would have been a lie if they had not expected her to be this way since Keith had chosen to keep her by his side.
"You still haven't told why we are here." Qingyue reminded him, and he smiled at her.
"We will talk over supper. Let's go."
"We are not here for just business, are we?" She asked after she got into the driving seat of the sedan, and it was clear that she would not start the car unless he answered her question.
"No, we are also here to have fun and explore the country." He told her, and it was the answer she wanted to hear.
"Good!" She enthusiastically nodded her head and then clicked on navigation. "Where are we eating?" She asked as she looked at the list of Restaurants.
"The Imperial Inn." He said and he helped her find the location on the map which was on the outskirts of the city, nearly an hour away. "The hotel has one of the best Chinese Restaurants in the world. And it's been a while since I had Chinese Food."
"Have you been here before?" She curiously asked as she started driving.
"No."
"Then how do you know they have the best Chinese Food in the world? Don't tell that you looked at the reviews " She teasingly asked, and he chuckled at her question.
"You will see." He knew that she loved Chinese Cuisine, and his words had already piqued her interest, making her ardently look forward to their al.
Since they were the only ones in the car, she unreservedly started asking him questions about the ti he had spent away from ho.
They had talked over the calls, but now that he was by her side, she wanted more details. So, for the rest of the journey, Keith chatted with her about the six months he had spent in Iceland, and even though he knew what she had been up to, he too asked her about how she had spent her days.
To say that Qingyue was a little surprised when they arrived at their destination would have been an understatent. She was shocked to see that it was a place that resembled a dieval Chinese Palace, but of course, made with modern technology and had a modern touch as well.
It was an artistic building, and the first thought that crossed her mind was how much Alia would have liked this place. The building was elegant, yet imposing, just the way her sister-wife liked to design the places.
After the valets took the cars away, she locked her arm with his and took a good look at the surroundings. She was happy that no caras were waiting for them here, and by the looks of the things, this was not a place where people could co as they pleased.
"Who owns this place?" She curiously asked.
"The Wei of Beijing." Keith smiled at her surprise.
The Wei Family was one of the richest Families in the world, and they were global giants in Tech and Retail.
"Didn't know they owned Hotels as well."
"It is the only one that they own. And this place is special as only special people are allowed to co here."
"I can see that." She giggled as she appreciated the architecture in the lobby.
"By special, I also an the Ancients," Keith inford her, which made her a little curious. "Behind every big family in China, there is an Ancient Family or a Sect, directly or indirectly related to them. And Wei Family is no exception. The one behind them is Jian Zong, the Sword Sect. The Wei of Beijing is their Vessel by Blood."
"How Powerful are they?"
"They are among the Top Ten Ancient Families and Sects in the world. And they are just as strong as the Qin, Yun, and Wang Families. Together, they are the four Pillars of China, and the reason why this country is as Powerful as it is."
"Grandpa always used to say that China was the land of Crouching Tigers and Hidden Dragons." She nodded to him and giggled as he laughed at her use of the idiom.
"He was not wrong." He nodded his head. "Did he ever tell you about the Lin Family?"
"No." She shook her head. "Which Ancient Force is behind them?"
Qingyue rembered the words he had just told her, and since every Big Family in China had an Ancient Force behind them, then the Lin Family, which her Grandfather was never made a part of, was definitely backed by so hidden dragon as well.
"The Lin Family is backed by a Sect called the Jade Sect, and they are an Influential Force in alliance with the Ancient Wang."
"Oh..." She nodded her head and then turned quiet as they entered the restaurant he had talked about, which was a giant hall, and there were open and reserved galleries on the next storey and the storey above it.
"Welco to the Zao Shen!" Two female attendants imdiately approached them and bowed to them in a greeting, and since they were speaking in Netherian, it ant that they knew who they were.
"Thank you," Keith replied in Netherian but then chose Chinese to speak with them. "We don't have the reservation, but could you arrange for us to sit in a Private Gallery?"
The attendants were a little stunned at how fluent he was in Chinese, but they recovered soon and then contacted the manager, who was already on his way to greet them.
"Please, Master Demiliore." The Manager, who was a refined man in his late forties, asked him to follow him, and they were led to a Private Gallery on the Second Floor. "Are you satisfied with the table?" He respectfully asked, and Keith smiled at him.
"Yes. Thank you."
"You are most welco, Master Demiliore. These two will be your attendants tonight and they will take your order for the al as soon as you are ready. If you need anything, you can ask ."
The man bowed to them again before he left, and Keith let Qingyue order for him.
Since Fiona and Ayesha could not read Chinese and did not know much about Chinese Food, Qingyue ordered for them as well, but Yingying and Iseul placed their own orders.
Since this was a very special place, it also ant that it was not crowded at this hour of the day.
It felt like they were the only ones in this royal restaurant, and Qingyue liked the serenity and the beauty of the place.
Since everything was made fresh for them, the food took over half an hour to arrive, but it was worth the wait as his dear wife was stunned at how delicious it was.
"This is the best Chinese Food I have ever had." Iseul honestly said, and Qingyue could not help but nod her head after she tasted the soup again.
It was indeed the best Hot Pot she had had in her life.
The attendants were probably expecting them to waste the food when they had ordered so much of it, but when they saw them finish it all up, they could not help their pleasant surprise.
They did not even ask if they liked it or not as it was obvious, but they did ask about the wine that the Manager had sent to them.
"It is good. Do thank Manager Ding from ." Keith smilingly said.
"Of course, Master Demiliore." And with that, they wiped the table and left them alone to enjoy the tea.
"So, why are we in China?" Qingyue finally asked with a smile.
She had been wanting to ask the question over their al, but since everyone was busy enjoying it, she had kept the question.
"I am here for soone." He honestly replied, and it piqued his wife's curiosity.
"Who?"
"Qin Rouxi."
Qingyue raised her brow at the na, and even though she did not know who Keith was talking about, she did rember what the na Qin ant from what Rebecca had told her.
The current Hades was actually an estranged child of the Ancient Qin Family.
"Is she related to Hades?" Her question caught Ayesha and Yingying by surprise. Fiona did not understand what they were talking about, and Iseul already knew the answer.
"They are third cousins." He nodded to her. "But she is not really a part of the Qin Family."
"Estranged?"
"You could say that." He nodded to her.
"I see." She nodded to him, and Keith was amused when she no longer raised another question about it.
She did not even ask what he wanted to do with Qin Rouxi, but it was clear on her face that she was a little upset with him.
"We will start on our road trip tomorrow."
Hearing his words, she raised her head to look at him curiously.
"To where?"
"Hangzhou."
"She lives there?"
"Yes."
"Then why are we in Beijing?" She narrowed her eyes.
"You will know in a while." He mysteriously smiled.
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