11 En and Jun

"Call me if you need anything," Lijie muttered while they were walking towards the door. Rushi's teammates are going back to their office now.

"Yes Dad! Drive safe," Rushi tiptoed and kissed her friend left cheek.

"I'm serious Mandu," Lijie leaned and squeezed her cheeks between his hands. Her friend called her Mandu ever since childhood because of her plump cheeks. He always abuse her cheeks by pinching it and called it affection.

Rushi pushed her friend and punched his arm playfully. He reached out and tousled her hair then jogged outside the restaurant. Rushi chuckled slightly, they are always acting like children when they are together. She faced her workmates and said goodbye, she waited for them to exit before marching towards Qingshan's table.

Qingshan lifted his gaze. "Rushi, are you ready?"

"Yes. Are you done eating? I can wait for you guys to finished."

"We're done. We are just waiting for the bill. We can go outside while Secretary Han settles it," Qingshan stood up and guided her to the parking lot. Two men in a suit greeted them outside. "Sir, I prepared your car," said the other man.

Qingshan nodded and turned to her. "These two are my personal guards. The man on the left is En, the other man is Jun."

Rushi wasn't surprise, of course, a powerful man like Jian Qingshan needs to be protected from his enemies. If the rumors were true that he deals with mafia groups he absolutely needs security. Rushi shivered, she must put her guard up. She exchanged pleasantries to the guards and after, the two men ushered them inside the white luxury SUV. They got in the back seat and the two guards stood at either sides of the vehicle. The awkward silence stretched between Rushi and Qingshan. Rushi is never the quiet type but at this moment she can't think of a word to say. Uncomfortable, she stared outside the window, she could feel the weight of Qingshan's gaze on her.

"Your father told me that you love arts." Qingshan started.

Rushi whipped around to face Qingshan. She was stunned by his words. Did her father discussed her with this man?

"Yes. I love looking at different kind of artworks. Painting, sculptures, all visual arts. They calm me and give me an inner peace whenever I look at them," Rushi stopped talking, she already said too much. She glanced at Qingshan and caught a hint of smile on his face.

"Just looking? You're father mentioned you have a studio in your house. He looked proud of you and your works when he told me."

She's beyond surprise that his father shared her personal life with this stranger.

"I didn't know you're that close with my father, that he even shared my hobby to you," she accused.

"I saw a huge beautiful landscape photograph in your father's office and he said that it was taken by you," Qingshan said matter of factly.

Rushi shrugged. "Well, as I've said it's just a hobby. The studio in our house was originally built for my mother. Now, I made it my own dark room." She bowed her head, suddenly feeling somber.

"My mother was also an artist. She loved painting when she was still alive. Maybe that's why I feel fascinated looking at others' artworks."

Rushi looked up and thought she saw a deep sadness crossed Qingshan's face but then it vanished almost immediately before she can stare, leaving his face clear of expression. She became curious of Qingshan's family, she only knew about his father, his life is very private even the media can't dig any information about him. She opened her mouth to ask him but shut it again as she saw his face has closed off. Rushi stay still, unsure if she should say something.

"I actually really want to try that place," she mumbled after a moment.

Qingshan examined her quietly.

"Did you invite me to Cafè On the Gogh because you knew that I love arts?" Rushi continued.

"Secretary Han recommended it when I told him that you love visual arts. I saw their brochure and I thought that you will like it."

She started to say something but was cut off by someone's knocking on the driver's seat window. Secretary Han got in and buckled his seat belt, he twisted around and faced them, grinning. "Ready Boss?"

Qingshan frowned but nodded. Secretary Han chuckled and begun to drive.

"How about your personal guards?" Rushi asked.

"They are following us."

Rushi shifted in her seat and looked outside the rear windshield, she saw a black car tailing them. Rushi settled and relaxed. The drive to the Cafè is peaceful with an occasional conversation between Rushi and Secretary Han while Qingshan works on his laptop. Rushi can't hide her excitement, she imagined all the artworks that she's going to see, she wished that she had her film camera with her. The ringing of a cellphone snapped Rushi from her own thoughts. Secretary Han pressed his bluetooth earpiece and started talking, he suddenly swore and shouted something to the person on the other line. He ended the call, his face grim. "Qing! We're being followed. En and Jun are trying to stop them."

Qingshan cursed under his breath then reached to a small compartment in front of him and took out a gun. Rushi's mind went blank for a moment, and then faced Qingshan. "What's going on?"

Qingshan's jaw clenched and eyes darkened, he focused his gaze on her. "Someone's been following us, we still don't know how many of them or what their intention is but I want you to stay alert and listen to what I say. Understand?"

Panic clawing at her throat, Rushi was unable to form a word. She nodded absently.

Qingshan could see the panic and fear swirling in Rushi's eyes. He pressed his left palm on her cheek, trying to calm her down. "Hey, I won't let anything happen to you so focus on me and just listen to what I say. Okay?"

"Qing, En said that there's two vehicles following us, we need to lose them, he said to turn left at the next intersection where the street has a lot of people and buildings." Secretary Han has been contacting the two guards for more information. He concentrated on driving. He checked into the rearview mirror and saw the guards' black car trailing closely behind theirs. When they reached the intersection he immediately drove to the left. He stuck to the speed limit as to not gain any attention. He kept going until he saw another intersection and sighed with relief when the the go signal stayed on long enough for him to drive straight through. He saw the guards' car left behind. After driving around a few blocks he turned sharply to the right. "I think we lost them. En and Jun will deal with them. I already called a back up."

"We have to stay alert. Try to drive around for a while more until we are sure that no one's following us anymore. I'll contact En and Jun to get updates." Qingshan said, not loosening his hold on Rushi. He swept his eyes outside, he saw no threats in the surrounding area but he remained alert.

Secretary Han continued driving, they were nearing the end of the block and he spotted an exit to their left. The squeal of tires were the only warning they got before a black van appeared in front of them. The doors opened revealing several armed men.

"Down!!!" Secretary Han shouted before a hail of bullets ripped through the front of their SUV.