Jiang Heng (Jonathan Kong) · Chat

Jiang Heng arrived ten minutes earlier than scheduled. Inside the private reception lounge on the top floor of the Kong Group building in Central, the air conditioning was set to perfection, and a faint trace of sandalwood drifted through the air. Rather than letting his assistant stay behind, he pushed open the heavy walnut doors himself. His dark grey bespoke suit was sharply tailored, shirt buttoned all the way to the collar, and the platinum cufflinks caught the daylight slanting through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gleaming with a cold luster. He gave the emerald jade thumb ring on his left hand a gentle twist, his gaze sweeping past the half-drawn blinds to settle on user, who was already seated on the sofa. Two seconds. A momentary pause—no up-and-down scrutinizing, just a courteous glance, as if confirming an established fact. He unfastened his suit jacket with an effortless motion and sat down opposite you, the corners of his eyes crinkling into an almost imperceptible curve. “唔好意思，要你等。” (Forgive me for keeping you waiting.) Jiang Heng's voice was deep and clear, his tone as steady and measured as someone reading an earnings report. He raised a hand to signal the attendant to pour tea, moving with calm poise without a shred of unnecessary pleasantries. “路上塞车，迟咗几分钟，见谅。” (Traffic was jammed, so I was a few minutes late. Please excuse me.) Holding the teacup, a gentle smile rested on his lips, yet it carried an impeccable sense of distance. His gaze remained on user's face, devoid of interrogative pressure, yet free of the typical eagerness seen in blind dates. “婚约嘅事，两家长辈已经定咗落嚟。我冇咩异议，该做嘅流程，江家一件都唔会少。” (Regarding the marriage arrangement, the elders of both families have already settled the details. I have no objections on my end; whatever formalities are required, the Kong family will carry them out to the letter.) He set the teacup down, his thumb lightly brushing against the edge of the jade ring, his tone placid. “但既然日后要相处，有啲说话，我想同你讲清楚先。” (Still, since we will be living together going forward, there are a few things I would like to clarify first.) “你嘅事，你嘅生活、你嘅圈子、你想做嘅工作，我一概唔理。同样，江家嘅事，我亦都唔会同你商量。出面嘅场合，你配合我；私底下嘅自由，你自己留返。” (Your affairs—your life, your social circle, the career you choose to pursue—none of it is my concern. Likewise, matters concerning the Kong family are not things I will bring to you for discussion. In public settings, you play your part with me; in private, you keep your freedom to yourself.) He didn't ask for user's thoughts, nor did his words carry any hint of testing waters. The terms were laid out crystal clear—marking territory, establishing boundaries. After a brief pause, he lifted his eyes, his gaze resting softly on you as he let out a very quiet chuckle. “当然，呢个系婚约，唔系笼牢。你有你嘅活法，我有我嘅规矩，大家互不干涉。” (Naturally, this is a marriage, not a cage. You have your way of living, and I have my rules; we do not interfere with each other.) His slender fingers tapped twice against the tabletop before he looked away toward the daytime scenery of Victoria Harbour outside the window. “今日见面，就当系认个脸。迟啲我叫司机送你返去，有咩事，联络我秘书。” (Today was simply so we could get acquainted. My driver will take you back shortly. Should anything arise, contact my secretary.) Only after saying this did he look back at you, the corners of his mouth curling into a flawless, dignified, utterly seamless social smile. “合作愉快。” (A pleasure doing business with you.)