Edge of A Burning Kiss - Chapter 40

The group stepped out of the car and arrived at the entrance of the estate, immediately stunned speechless by its luxurious grandeur.

The main gate was meticulously forged from heavy wrought iron, its lines smooth and rhythmic. Flanking the gate were towering stone pillars, carved from flawless white marble with a fine texture and naturally flowing grain.

Just then, a mechanical voice sounded from the entrance.

“Visitors detected. Initiating iris recognition!”

Jiang Qingli gasped, “Wow, this is so high-tech!”

The next second, the mechanical voice rang out again: “Welcome home, Miss Xiao Jin! And welcome, honored guests, to the Yunjin Estate!”

Chen Suihe’s eyes widened. “Is this President Xia’s property?”

Everyone froze. The revelation was so sudden it left them completely unprepared.

Xia Jin quickly waved her hands, trying to explain, “It’s not mine. It belongs to a… friend.”

“A friend?” Qin Yu’s gaze was loaded with implication.

The automatic gate slowly swung open, and a uniquely designed robot stepped out.

It stopped in front of Xia Jin and spoke in a sweet voice, “Welcome home, Miss Xiao Jin.”

As it spoke, it extended a mechanical arm, offering a bouquet of vibrant red roses.

“These were carefully selected for you by the master.”

The entire production team was dumbfounded, their jaws practically hitting the ground.

No wonder the estate owner hadn’t charged any rent, this was the hidden connection all along!

A friend of Xia Jin’s? Or perhaps a suitor?

The live chat exploded instantly, flooded with wild speculation and awe.

[Holy crap! What kind of fairy-tale plot is this? A domineering CEO falling for me?]

[President Xia’s friend? This is next-level generosity letting the show use the estate for free!]

[A robot! Iris recognition! This is what real high-society living looks like!]

[That robot looks familiar… I think it might be the latest model from Dujin’s R&D.]

Guided by the robot, the group made their way into the estate.

Qin Yu deliberately slowed his pace, sidling up to Xia Jin with a raised eyebrow. “A friend’s place that has your iris on file?”

His tone was teasing, but beneath it lay a probing curiosity.

Xia Jin’s heart skipped a beat.

“Just… a coincidence…”

She forced out the words, trying to brush it off.

Three years. A full three years!

Shen Du had endured for three years, and now he was finally back in the country to collect what she owed him.

Her mind was like a tranquil lake suddenly disturbed by a pebble, ripples spreading uncontrollably.

Passing through a meticulously landscaped garden, they arrived before a majestic building.

The grand hall was opulently decorated, bathed in the soft glow of crystal chandeliers that cast everything in an aura of luxury.

A man stood at the center of the hall, smiling as he watched them approach.

He wore a perfectly tailored white shirt, the collar slightly open to reveal delicate collarbones. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, adding a scholarly refinement to his demeanor.

His features were exquisitely chiseled, every line smooth and flawless.

But it was his eyes, deep and mesmerizing, as if brimming with endless starlight that stood out the most.

Every movement he made exuded an innate nobility.

Shen Du. Even after all these years, his appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest.

If anything, Xia Jin thought, his allure had only grown stronger since three years ago.

Shen Du gazed at Xia Jin, the corners of his lips curling into a tender smile.

“Xiao Jin, long time no see.”

His voice was deep and magnetic, as if imbued with a mesmerizing power.

Xia Jin forced a smile and replied, “Long time no see.”

Her smile was stiff, appearing somewhat unnatural.

“Since they’re all your friends, we must treat them well.”

Jiang Qingli’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Teacher Xia with close friends before.”

Xu Lingqing studied Shen Du carefully, feeling as though she’d seen him somewhere before.

“But this gentleman seems somewhat familiar…”

Shen Du smiled faintly and explained, “When Stellar Cube was founded, I was the one who took your photos. It’s truly an honor that Teacher Xu still remembers me.”

Xu Lingqing suddenly realized, yes, it was him!

Back when Stellar Cube was established, she had even thought he might be Xia Jin’s boyfriend.

After all, the way he looked at Xia Jin was so tender it could melt water.

But since she hadn’t seen Shen Du again after that, she’d dismissed the thought.

Now, it seemed things were far more complicated than she’d imagined.

Qin Yu’s gaze grew even more profound as he stared intently at Shen Du, as if trying to see right through him.

This man was definitely not simple.

The way he looked at Xia Jin was anything but ordinary.

An invisible tension filled the air, as if a silent battle was about to begin.

“You must all be tired from the journey. I’ve arranged rooms for everyone, why not rest for a while?” Shen Du broke the silence politely.

His eyes remained fixed on Xia Jin, as though no one else existed.

Xia Jin felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew the days ahead were unlikely to be peaceful.

The robot reappeared, leading the guests to their respective rooms.

The rooms were luxuriously and comfortably decorated, with every detail reflecting the host’s thoughtfulness.

Xia Jin’s room was on the third floor, facing the garden, offering a beautiful view.

Xu Lingqing and Jiang Qingli, the two female guests, were also on the third floor.

Shen Du, Chen Suihe, Ke Yun, and Qin Yu were assigned rooms on the second floor.

Xia Jin stepped into her room and let out a long sigh of relief.

At least for now, she was free from the gazes of Shen Du and Qin Yu and could relax a little.

Just then, Xia Ziling called: “Sis, I saw Brother Shen Du is on your show too.”

Xia Jin scoffed, “You little brat, don’t think I don’t know you’ve been in touch with Shen Du.”

Xia Ziling laughed nervously before suddenly asking, “So, sis, what’s going on between you and Qin Yu?”

Now it was Xia Jin’s turn to feel guilty: “Well, uh… what if I told you Qin Yu and I are together? Would you believe me?”

Xia Ziling fell silent for a moment. “Then what about Brother Shen Du?”

Xia Jin was equally frantic. “I don’t know why Shen Du suddenly came back either!”

Xia Ziling was now completely silent, leaving only one sentence before hurriedly hanging up:

“Sis, you’d better pray for yourself!”

Xia Jin tidied up her room briefly, hanging a few changes of clothes from her suitcase in the wardrobe.

Then she checked her makeup in the mirror and, satisfied that everything was in order, headed downstairs.

The production crew was already waiting in the living room, chatting idly.

Once everyone had gathered, Director Zhang made an announcement.

“Today, apart from Master Shen Du, we have another new guest joining us.” The director cleared his throat and raised his voice, “Let’s give them a warm welcome!”

Xia Jin raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of the newcomer.

Well, well, another familiar face!