Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 42

Jiang Wan sat quietly in the spacious, sunlit conference room, surrounded by colleagues and assistants shuffling papers and reviewing slides. Outside, the California sky stretched clear and blue, the sunlight spilling across the glass windows of the high-rise building. Yet despite the beauty around her, her thoughts drifted thousands of miles away to where Han Zaijing was.

This business trip, meant to last over two weeks, was a crucial inspection of the group’s real estate investment in California. It wasn’t just important professionally—it also meant an extended period of separation from her beloved.

Jiang Wan’s secretary, a competent young woman with a sharp eye for detail, was arranging the project schedule. She placed maps, project blueprints, and lists of contacts in front of Jiang Wan, explaining each detail. Another assistant, more attuned to Jiang Wan’s personal needs, was coordinating meals, accommodation, and local transportation. Every part of Jiang Wan’s day was planned with precision.

Before the trip, Han Zaijing had taken special care to get in touch with Jiang Wan’s assistant. Knowing Jiang Wan’s tendency to bury herself in work, often skipping meals and sleep, Han Zaijing entrusted the assistant with reminders to ensure Jiang Wan would be well taken care of. “Watch her, please. Make sure she eats,” she had said, half-joking, half-serious.

Now, as Jiang Wan stared at the spreadsheet on her laptop, her fingers tapping softly on the keyboard, her eyes frequently wandered to the view outside. She missed Han Zaijing more than she wanted to admit.

She tried to pour herself into work, thinking that completing the project faster might mean she could return to Han Zaijing sooner. Her thoughts kept returning to what Han Zaijing might be doing at that very moment.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Wan, Han Zaijing was standing in their kitchen back home, carefully preparing Jiang Wan’s favorite dessert. Every movement—measuring the ingredients, stirring the batter—was filled with warmth and longing. On the counter stood a bottle of Jiang Wan’s favorite red wine. Han Zaijing looked at it for a long time, a smile forming slowly on her lips.

A spontaneous thought struck her: why not bring the dessert, the wine, and herself to California? Within minutes, she was booking a ticket, her suitcase flung open on the bed as she tossed in essentials. The more she thought about seeing Jiang Wan, the more eager she became. She knew it was impulsive, but love often ignored logic. She wanted to appear at Jiang Wan’s door, unannounced, to see her eyes light up with joy.

That night, in a quiet hotel room in Los Angeles, Jiang Wan stood by the window, the night air cool through the slightly ajar glass. The city glowed below, alive and glittering. She whispered into the darkness, as if Han Zaijing could hear her: “I miss you.”

Just then, her phone buzzed.

“Wan’er, I miss you. Guess where I am?” the message from Han Zaijing read.

Jiang Wan’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly typed back, “Are you at home?”

A smiley face appeared on the screen.

The doorbell rang. Caught off guard, Jiang Wan glanced toward the door. Assuming it was a flower delivery, she called out, “If it’s flowers, just leave them there.”

No answer.

She opened the door and blinked in disbelief. Standing there, holding a bouquet of fresh roses, was Han Zaijing.

“Surprise!” Han Zaijing said, moving the flowers aside to reveal her bright smile.

“You were just making dinner! How are you… here? In California?” Jiang Wan asked, completely stunned.

“I made the dessert and poured the wine, but something was missing,” Han Zaijing replied playfully. “You. So, I came looking for you, Your Majesty.”

Jiang Wan threw her arms around Han Zaijing and held her tightly. “I missed you so much.”

“Me too,” Han Zaijing whispered, kissing her hair.

When they finally entered the room, Han Zaijing’s eyes swept over the stacks of documents. “You’re working yourself into the ground again. Why are you still up working?”

“Because I can’t sleep without you,” Jiang Wan admitted softly. “If I can finish early, I can come home sooner.”

Han Zaijing touched her forehead gently. “You silly woman.”

She pulled Jiang Wan close and kissed her deeply, expressing all the longing that had built up between them.

After a warm shower, the two curled up on the hotel sofa, sipping red wine and sharing the dessert Han Zaijing had made. They talked and laughed, fed each other cake, and teased one another like carefree lovers.

Every now and then, Jiang Wan would lay her head on Han Zaijing’s lap, and Han Zaijing would play with her hair, their voices echoing with laughter.

During their playfulness, Jiang Wan accidentally spilled red wine on Han Zaijing’s bathrobe. Covering her mouth with mock horror, Jiang Wan tried to apologize through her giggles.

“Look what you’ve done!” Han Zaijing exclaimed with feigned outrage.

She stood up, shrugging off the stained bathrobe, revealing her toned figure. She opened the closet, searching for a spare, but found none. Turning around, she saw Jiang Wan lounging on the sofa, chin resting in her hand, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“No spare? Then I guess I’ll just have to do this,” Han Zaijing muttered, walking over and picking Jiang Wan up in her arms.

Jiang Wan laughed, wrapping her arms around Han Zaijing’s neck. Their eyes met, their laughter fading into something softer, more intimate. Han Zaijing laid Jiang Wan down on the sofa and kissed her slowly, deeply. Their lips explored familiar territory, igniting sensations born from days apart.

“You drive me crazy,” Han Zaijing murmured, her fingertips tracing Jiang Wan’s cheek.

“You make me feel alive,” Jiang Wan whispered back.

The night unfolded with passion, each kiss and touch a language of its own. In that dimly lit room, all the distance, the stress, the loneliness vanished.

The following days were some of the happiest of Jiang Wan’s professional life. After work, Han Zaijing would take her out to local restaurants, spas, or parks. They even went fishing one morning, laughing over tangled lines and slippery fish. In the evenings, they visited cozy jazz bars, sipping wine and enjoying each other’s company. For the first time on a business trip, Jiang Wan felt she wasn’t just working, but living.

When the trip ended and they returned to their city, Jiang Nuan was waiting at the airport to pick them up.

“You guys ditched me for half a month! I nearly starved!” she joked as she helped with their luggage.

“We brought you gifts,” Han Zaijing laughed. “And I’ll make your favorite tonight, deal? Now hand me the keys. You can chat with your sister in the back.”

Jiang Nuan rolled her eyes but obeyed. The car ride home was filled with stories and laughter. Outside, the city lights gleamed. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and filled with joy.

But amid the calm, a radio host’s voice filled the car, speaking about a rising figure in the political and business worlds.

“Ni Jia, tech heiress and president of TK Group, has become the youngest news director in the cabinet. Her cool demeanor and impressive career have made her an icon online…”

Jiang Wan’s smile faltered. She stared out the window, her fingers tightening slightly around the wine glass she held at dinner that night. She remembered the rumors, the stories leaked online—the whispered triangle between Ni Jia, a powerful heiress, and someone from their circle.

As the audio continued, Jiang Wan remained quiet. She drank more than usual, and by the time they returned home, she was slightly tipsy. Han Zaijing helped her to the sofa.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Why did you drink so much?” she asked gently.

“Just happy,” Jiang Wan said, though her words were slightly slurred. “Accidentally drank too much with my sister.”

Han Zaijing wiped Jiang Wan’s face with a warm towel and brought her a glass of water. She gently brushed hair off Jiang Wan’s forehead.

“Zaijing,” Jiang Wan whispered, her voice trembling slightly, “Will you always stay with me? What if… what if someone tried to take you away?”

Han Zaijing’s heart ached. She cupped Jiang Wan’s face. “You silly girl. Drunk and still asking silly questions. I’m yours, now and always. I promise.”

She raised three fingers in a mock solemn vow, making Jiang Wan laugh softly through her tears.

“Carry me to bed,” Jiang Wan murmured.

Han Zaijing lifted her effortlessly. Jiang Wan clung to her like a koala, whispering sweet nothings into her ear. In the bedroom, under the soft light of the moon, Han Zaijing laid Jiang Wan down. They kissed, slow and tender, their lips moving in perfect sync.

Their bodies found each other again in the night, the unspoken promise between them reaffirmed in every embrace. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they drifted into sleep, where no rival, no distance, no fear could touch them.

For now, love was enough.