Chapter 16: The Man Zhou Jingchuan

Tang Xi arrived at Mr. Zhou’s private residence, Evening Tide Villa—a Chinese-style abode that seemed like a hidden paradise nestled between mountain and water.

Four bodyguards stood at the entrance, one of whom turned around to lead the way.

Pushing open the antique wooden doors, the delicate scent of tea wafted softly into her nose.

Seated at the tea table was a man with short hair, dressed in a pure black, high-collared traditional Chinese jacket, fastened with exquisite knotted buttons up to the very last one. His appearance was elegant and refined, yet radiated a strong aura of ascetic restraint.

Rumors about Mr. Zhou were scarce; he himself was low-profile and noble, seldom appearing in public.

Last time, Tang Xi had caught only a fleeting glimpse of him through a crowd. Seeing him in person now, she realized how young he was, looking only a few years her senior.

Yet there was a depth to him, forged by countless trials in the business world, making him seem untouchably distant.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, the man at the tea table lifted a pair of profound, ocean-like black eyes. Strands of hair swept past the corner of his eye.

Tang Xi felt as if struck by a sudden spell, standing frozen and stunned.

Time seemed to flow back through a decade's river, echoing in emptiness as if something inside her mind was slowly exploding.

A boy’s face peeked out from a blazing red persimmon tree, the smile in his eyes dazzling and beautiful.

“Miss Tang.”

The gentle voice brought Tang Xi back to reality. Realizing her awkwardness, she quickly lowered her head. “My apologies, Mr. Zhou.”

“Why, do I look frightening?” he asked.

Tang Xi blushed deeply. “N-no, it’s not that. It’s just that seeing you reminded me of someone from my past.”

---

Ten years had passed, yet the image etched in Tang Xi’s mind remained that fearless boy, though his face had long since blurred.

She had once tried desperately to forget, but seeing someone resembling him inevitably stirred memories she could not suppress.

Ten years—was Zhou Jing still alive?

If he were, what would he have become? She did not know.

But the man before her was certainly not Zhou Jing.

“Please, have a seat, Miss Tang.” Zhou Jingchuan placed a teacup before her.

His hands were beautiful—elegantly jointed, slender fingers, with skin of a sensuous, cool pale hue.

Tang Xi, drawn to hands, couldn’t help but glance at them again.

Watching him brew tea was truly a feast for the eyes.

“Do you like Three Purities Cloud Mist tea, Mr. Zhou?” Tang Xi accepted the cup and inhaled its fragrance lightly.

Zhou Jingchuan wiped his hands with a towel. “Miss Tang, you’re not only knowledgeable about antiques but also about tea.”

“I have some modest study,” she replied, sipping gently. The flavor blossomed richly in her mouth. “Excellent tea.”

The tea was indeed superb, but the skill of the brewer was unparalleled.

“Mr. Zhou, when might I see the vase you purchased?”

“Waiting for someone,” Zhou Jingchuan said, glancing toward the door. “They should arrive soon.”

---

Before long, the bodyguards escorted in two elderly men with graying hair.

Zhou Jingchuan introduced them: “This is Master Chen and Master Ouyang, both experts in appraisal.”

The two glanced briefly at Tang Xi, clearly unimpressed by the young woman.

They had heard Mr. Zhou had summoned three experts for the appraisal. Given their own stature in the field, they had assumed the third was also a leading figure, but it turned out to be a young woman barely in her twenties.

They reasonably suspected she was not an expert at all, but rather a kept bird of paradise at Evening Tide Villa.

Once everyone had gathered, the butler and bodyguards carried in two porcelain vases.

Zhou Jingchuan finally rose from the tea table. Clad in black, tall and statuesque, he exuded an imposing presence.

Yet his expression was warm, far from the cold aloofness of legend.

“Gentlemen, these are a pair of entwined lotus-patterned vases I recently acquired at auction.”

The two experts immediately leaned in, carefully scrutinizing the vases.

One of them, annoyed by Tang Xi’s presence, swung his arm and pushed her aside.

Caught off guard, Tang Xi stumbled backward, nearly falling, but a warm hand steadied her shoulder.

The man carried the scent of sandalwood mingled with lingering tea fragrance.