BXBX NOVEL Chapter 430: The Imposter
The engines roared to life as the massive airliner soared into the sky, leaving the bustling city of Shanghai far below.
The skies were an endless expanse of deep blue, unmarred by clouds, as the plane carved its path toward Frostgard, the icy capital of Icevale.
Inside the first-class cabin, the atmosphere was serene, and quiet.
The spacious seats, wrapped in rich, fine leather, exuded luxury and comfort.
Each one was equipped with the latest technology, ensuring that every passenger was cocooned in warmth and ease.
Soft, golden lighting bathed the cabin, contrasting with the cold, azure light streaming through the windows.
On the right side of the plane, a family of four occupied their seats, nestled in the lap of luxury.
The business-class cabin was nearly deserted, with only a couple of other passengers scattered throughout, either resting with shades drawn or immersed in the glow of their laptop screens.
A faint, alluring fragrance began to fill the cabin as two flight attendants approached from either side.
The attendant on the left, a woman with a distinctly Scottish appearance, bowed gracefully, her long, chestnut hair meticulously styled into a tight bun.
On the right, the other flight attendant moved with a poised elegance, her smile as polished as the gleaming floors beneath her heels.
Each step was a soft tap, her knee-length skirt swaying gently with her movement, the subtle slit revealing glimpses of her perfectly toned legs.
Her fitted red jacket, finished by crisp white collars, highlighted her slender figure.
Her lips, tinted a delicate red, curled into a professional yet inviting smile, pale blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, framed by long, fluttering lashes that cast delicate shadows on her cheeks.
The platinum hair was styled into a sleek bun, giving her an air of sophistication.
As she moved from seat to seat, her smile brightened, revealing a set of flawless, pearly white teeth as she approached the window seat.
"Good morning," she greeted, her voice as smooth as silk. "I just wanted to check if everything is to your satisfaction. Can I get you anything before we begin our in-flight service?"
"Thank you, we\'re fine," responded Xinyue Zhilan, her voice warm and composed as she sat gracefully in her seat.
Her long, raven hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, perfectly complementing her sharp, intelligent eyes, which were accentuated by subtle, elegant makeup.
She turned slightly to glance at her daughters, each lost in their own world, before shifting her gaze to the man seated beside her. "Xiao Wang, do you need anything?" she asked, a brief flicker of hesitation passing through her eyes.
The flight attendant\'s eyes briefly flickered with curiosity as she turned her attention to the man beside her, though she quickly masked it with her practiced, polite smile.
"Warm water," Wang Xiao—or the man posing as him—replied, his voice calm.
"Certainly, I\'ll get that right away," the flight attendant responded with a nod, turning swiftly on her heel to fulfill the request.
Moments later, she returned, carrying a glass of warm water with practiced grace. But as she extended it toward him, her fingers faltered, and the glass slipped from her delicate hands.
"Oops."
Splash!
The warm water splashed over his head, soaking his hair and dripping down his face.
"..."
"..."
"..."
For a moment, the cabin fell into a stunned silence, the tranquil atmosphere disrupted by the sudden mishap.
The flight attendant\'s eyes widened in horror, her polished composure cracking as she realized what had happened.
"I-I am so sorry!" she stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.
She immediately reached for a cloth napkin from her service tray, frantically dabbing at the water on Wang Xiao\'s face and shoulders. "I didn\'t mean to—I\'m so clumsy today!"
Wang Xiao—or the man impersonating him—remained silent for a beat, his expression unreadable as the water continued to drip down his face.
His eyes, however, flickered with anger as he stared at the flight attendant. He raised a hand, gently but firmly pushing away her attempts to dry him off.
"It\'s fine," he said, his voice calm, almost too calm. "Accidents happen."
But as he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Xinyue Zhilan.
She had turned her head slightly, watching him with a subtle, curious expression.
The water was definitely warm, did it not burn him at all?
There was something in her eyes—a flash of suspicion, perhaps?
Or was it simply concern?
The flight attendant, still mortified by her mistake, bowed her head repeatedly. "I\'ll get you another glass right away. Let me make it up to you!"
Wang Xiao—if that was truly who he was—sighed softly, his fingers brushing the remaining water from his hair. "That won\'t be necessary," he replied, his tone laced with a gentleness that almost felt out of place. "Just... take care next time."
The flight attendant nodded fervently, mumbling more apologies before quickly retreating down the aisle, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
The soft click of her heels gradually faded, leaving behind the ambient hum of the plane and the faint rustle of the other passengers.
Xinyue Zhilan turned her attention back to him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of discomfort or irritation. "Are you sure you\'re alright, Xiao Wang?" she asked, her voice laced with a warmth that contrasted with the cool suspicion she tried to suppress.
He nodded, offering a faint, almost mechanical smile. "Yes, just a minor inconvenience," he said, his tone too smooth, too practiced.
Xinyue Zhilan watched him closely, her instincts as sharp as ever.
The water had been warm, but the way he reacted... it was as if it didn\'t affect him at all.
______
"Xiao!"
Thud!
The door to the first-class cabin slid open with a soft whoosh, and Wang Xiao, sitting calmly and flipping through a magazine, barely had time to register what was happening before a whirlwind of energy in the form of Anran burst into the room, throwing herself above him.
Dressed in a tight, form-fitting flight attendant\'s uniform, she moved with a playful, seductive grace.
Her smile was wide and mischievous, her eyes twinkling with a familiar, teasing light.
The sudden impact knocked the magazine from his hands, sending it fluttering to the floor as she pressed her soft curves against him.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her face inches from his as she grinned, the scent of her perfume—a mix of flowers and something more playfully sweet—enveloping him.
"..."
Wang Xiao\'s expression twitched, a mix of amusement and exasperation crossing his features as he caught her.
The feeling of her warm, supple body against his was familiar, yet still sent a jolt of suprise through him. "Can\'t you act more like a lady?" he asked.
"Ah-uh! I am perfectly ladylike!" Anran shot back, puffing out her chest proudly and punching the air as if to emphasize her point.
Her body shifted in his lap, her hips pressing down in a way that was anything but innocent.
"..."
Wang Xiao shook his head, a small sigh escaping him.
She had indeed become more responsible over the years, especially when it came to their daughters, but at times like this, it felt like she had regressed.
He let his gaze travel down her body, appreciating how the uniform clung to her curves, every line and dip.