Chapter Twenty: After All, Xiaowei Is Still a Child

Yuan Xiangdie was startled by this overwhelming presence. She’d always assumed all men were just empty shells, incapable of anything remarkable no matter how formidable they seemed.

But Jin Yuan was different—he was nothing like those gaudy, superficial types. He was akin to a cold, aristocratic youth among a crowd of flamboyant pretenders, a shining gold member in a sea of imitators.

It was as if he pressed the space bar on his racing hovercar, proclaiming to the world: I am the king of this realm.

A laugh spilled from Yuan Xiangdie’s lips, unable to contain it. Her imagination had run wild, and the picture was simply too comical. Only after she finished laughing did she realize the man himself was still right in front of her.

She quickly waved her hands, flustered, her gestures awkward like a spinning propeller. “Miss Yuan, are you planning to ascend to the heavens?” came Yinyin’s voice from ahead, and Yuan Xiangdie felt embarrassed. She sensed she was being too forceful, her face flushed red, and to avoid further missteps, she sat down.

Jin Yuan seemed to find teasing her amusing; it was rare to witness such expressive emotion on Yuan Xiangdie’s face.

“Miss Yuan, there’s no need to be alarmed. I don’t act without reason. I hope you’ll play the role of Little Wei’s mother.”

It was merely a transaction—if Yuan Xiangdie accepted, her life would forever be entangled with Jin Yuan. If she refused, she might be thrown into the sea to feed the fish.

She stole a glance across the centerpiece, seeing Jin Yuan calmly sipping red wine, slicing his steak with elegance and bringing it to his mouth. Every movement of his was naturally pleasing, compelling her gaze.

Jin Yuan noticed the watchful eyes upon him, but he continued his performance as if oblivious.

Little Wei rolled his eyes; Daddy was such a villain. He’d rushed him to change clothes earlier, but now Daddy was the slow one, leisurely eating while Auntie watched.

But Little Wei was a good child; the butler coaxed him away, promising tasty treats next door.

Butler Lu, please don’t leave me alone!

Yuan Xiangdie wished she could conjure a pair of Erkang’s hands and cling to the butler like Ziwei, vowing to follow him to the ends of the earth. Yet she dared not voice such thoughts; Jin Yuan’s expression was far from pleasant.

For her own safety, Yuan Xiangdie retracted her imaginary Erkang hands and reverted to her composed façade, though only her trembling fingers beneath the table betrayed her anxiety.

“Mr. Jin, may I ask why you believe I’m suited for this role?”

It was too awkward—they sat in silence, and although there was food before her, she couldn’t simply indulge. Eating nonstop might leave the impression she was just a glutton.

Jin Yuan ignored her, waving for the waiter to place a silver platter before her.

A classic roasted lamb chop appeared, its aroma tantalizing. “This dish uses fresh ribs specially shipped from the source, minimally processed so you can taste its pure, original flavor.”

Yuan Xiangdie suddenly felt as if she were in a high-end restaurant. She’d been to such places before, but now she felt strangely out of sorts, as if she didn’t belong.

A hazy memory drifted into her mind. A year ago, before she was released, she’d sought treatment for just such confusion. The result was always the same: her brain had suffered severe trauma.

Given her unusual circumstances, Zhang Xi had appealed to certain people to take good care of her in prison. So even the doctors, keen on self-preservation, said nothing more than, “She’s suffered a head injury.”

Seeing the woman across from him dazedly rubbing her forehead, Jin Yuan wondered if the dish didn’t suit her taste. But that was unlikely—according to her habits, this lamb chop should be right up her alley. Was the information from Yuan Lan inaccurate?

“Do you not like it?”

The sudden question nearly startled Yuan Xiangdie out of her reverie. When thinking, she often became completely absorbed.

She blinked, gradually regaining awareness. Little Wei was at her side, tugging her sleeve, meek as a lamb.

Milky, milky... What was that? Something smelled milky...

What a sin, Yuan Xiangdie thought, feeling a milky scent linger in her nostrils as she pondered. Little Wei, still a child, carried that unique aroma only children have. Yuan Xiangdie found it comforting.

Just as Little Wei felt safe with this auntie, Yuan Xiangdie felt a similar reassurance from him.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Jin.”

Under everyone’s gaze, she picked up her knife and fork. Normally, lamb chops with their long bone wrapped in foil were meant to be gnawed on, especially among familiar company. Yuan Xiangdie would never let such a delicacy go to waste.

But now, living together, her image mattered.

Fate always had a way of bringing the destined together.

Jin Yuan had suspected from the start—how did Little Wei come about?

But the trail was broken. The child appeared before him immediately, and all he knew was that this woman had been beaten and forced to bear the child without his knowledge.

That’s why, when Little Wei was first brought before him, he was no bigger than a newborn kitten. After years of careful attention, his health reached normal levels. Yet, being premature and lacking maternal nourishment, Little Wei was withdrawn and rarely spoke.

Jin Yuan, sensitive by nature, could seize every opportunity with his keen perception.

“Miss Yuan, what do you think of the lamb chops on this ship? Little Wei has always liked such flavors, but because of his health, he doesn’t eat them often.”

“I find it delicious, but for such a young child, eating lamb chops requires some caution.”

She stroked Little Wei’s head as she spoke, finding the feel exactly as she imagined—soft hair and a fluffy little head.

She timed her gesture carefully, doing it when Jin Yuan was distracted. After all, touching a child’s head in front of their parent could be seen as challenging their authority. When Yuan Yaor first arrived at her family, Yuan Xiangdie wasn’t as averse to her as she later became.

After playing together for a long time, Yuan Xiangdie instinctively treated Yuan Yaor as a younger sister, even patting her head. But she was scolded for it, and Zhang Xi accused her of harming Yuan Yaor, even uncovering a large lump on her head.

That small moment of satisfaction was fully captured by a certain man’s gaze. Jin Yuan was not inexperienced with women, but it seemed only this woman could stir his nerves. His heart quickened, obsessed with the idea of choosing her.

Yet he didn’t want to frighten her. Little Wei, being that person’s son, carried a special weight. Jin Yuan’s years of exemplary conduct had earned Little Wei’s trust as a father.

Little Wei could easily read Jin Yuan’s expression. Though his legs were numb, he still chose to stand beside Yuan Xiangdie, even for just a moment longer.

“All right, good boy. No need to keep standing—you’re not on solid ground. Why don’t you sit down and eat with me?”

Yuan Xiangdie allowed herself a moment of indulgence. Little Wei remained at her side, silent and obedient.

But just now, a flicker passed over his face, and Yuan Xiangdie, always attentive, noticed it.

She thought perhaps the child was feeling seasick, so she scooted over to make room. Jin Yuan’s slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, a barely audible sound.

“Yes!” Little Wei was delighted, thrilled to be so close to Yuan Xiangdie.

He gave a mischievous smile, baring a few newly grown teeth, and flashed his father an even bigger grin.

What a good boy—so bold in competing with his father for affection!

Jin Yuan was not displeased in the slightest. Yuan Xiangdie felt she wasn’t the prettiest, nor the gentlest, and certainly lacked the best background, but she was the one who satisfied him most.

“It’s almost time…” Butler Lu had just returned from gathering information from Old Master Yuan.

The two had negotiated some terms, one of which was Jin Yuan’s protection. It wasn’t that the old man feared death, but rather worried his granddaughter might fall victim to treachery.

“Ahem, Miss Yuan. At the old master’s request, I’ll have the Wu family initiate the annulment. But your cooperation will be necessary…”

“I’m willing to help, but I’d like to know how my grandfather is doing.”

Yuan Xiangdie respected and cared about her grandfather. He was the only one who ever believed in her, though distance prevented him from defending her. If she survived the machinations of that mother-daughter pair, it was thanks to his efforts to have her cared for.

Jin Yuan had expected this matter would require some persuasion. After the last fashion gala, many ladies quietly investigated Yuan Xiangdie’s true identity. Breaking free from the Wu family would be no difficult feat.