Chapter Twenty-Two: In One Breath

Jin Yuan watched as the petite woman blinked at him, and on a sudden impulse—a choice he’d never made before—he decided to replace Yuan Xiangdie with his own hands.

For a child at this age, nothing offers more security than the familiar scent of someone closest to them.

“This is part of the agreement. The old master ordered me to look after your health,” he said, his tone somewhat forceful. Yuan Xiangdie could only acquiesce, glancing back at every step.

Butler Hu sighed in resignation. Miss Yuan Xiangdie really was something else; couldn’t she have come after finishing her meal?

“Please come this way. The food is rather plain. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste,” he said.

“It’s fine. I’m not picky,” she replied.

Though she used to be particular, after those five harrowing years, she’d learned to eat anything—no matter how tough the bread or how strange the flavor of the rice. As long as it kept her alive, it was good enough.

Besides, the meal set before her now, so fragrant and appetizing, was far superior to the best she’d had during those years.

For a cook, nothing is more joyful than their craft being appreciated. In this house, there was no chef, only a professional nutritionist who planned the meals daily.

Butler Hu prepared all the dishes himself, for at his age, he enjoyed caring for the younger generation.

She ate with decorum—nothing amiss, but nothing remarkable either. The earnest way she chewed reminded him of the young master.

This thought startled Butler Hu. Could it be…

Feeling as if he’d touched upon some forbidden topic, he quickly resumed his usual cool demeanor. Yuan Xiangdie noticed his sudden coldness before she left.

But she soon consoled herself, “After all, he’s their butler. He only cooks for me because the little one likes me.”

She decided to rinse her mouth before returning, though she wasn’t sure why. She simply felt she shouldn’t disturb the quiet intimacy of the room, and, strangely, she rather liked this feeling.

If only she could marry Jin Yuan…

Just then, Butler Hu approached. “Miss Yuan Xiangdie, your company called—Yuan Xiangdie Nanzhi needs a minor surgery. It’s not serious, but a direct family member’s signature is required.”

Yuan Xiangdie immediately understood. Her grandfather’s health had been poor, and while abroad, he’d always had proper care. But upon returning for her sake, he hadn’t received the same attention.

She felt like a failure as a granddaughter, always burdening others, never managing to do anything right.

“Mr. Jin… may I?” she asked hopefully.

“I’ll have the butler drive you,” Jin Yuan replied.

“No, no, the butler should stay here to look after you and the little one. It’s not far—I know the way. I can go by myself.”

Jin Yuan didn’t stop her, but after she’d left, he instructed the butler to follow her quietly by car.

He himself stayed behind to care for the little one. Sure enough, as soon as Yuan Xiangdie left, the child’s eyes shot open.

Sitting up calmly, the child peeled off the fever patch and tossed it into the trash by the bed.

“Daddy…”

“No need to pretend anymore,” Jin Yuan said. He’d seen through the act from the start—even at the port today, the child had been feigning illness. Yuan Xiangdie, holding him, hadn’t noticed his constantly shifting eyes or those fluttering lashes, like tiny dancing butterflies.

The little one had always been an understanding child, but Jin Yuan found it surprising just how shrewd he was for his age. How could someone so young possess such cunning and composure?

“Why did you do it?” Jin Yuan asked, his expression unreadable—not truly angry, but intent on teaching a lesson. His heart had skipped just now; had he not anticipated the child’s trick, he might have rushed him to the hospital.

The child knew he’d been wrong, but couldn’t help wanting Yuan Xiangdie to stay. Small hands twisted at the hem of his shirt, tears brimming in wide, expressive eyes, biting his lip in silence until it nearly bled—looking more and more like someone else.

Jin Yuan couldn’t help but remember: Yuan Xiangdie had just bitten her lip in exactly the same way.

Their shadows overlapped ever more; a certain memory in Jin Yuan’s mind became sharper.

“Don’t let it happen again.”

With that, he scooped up the child, coaxing him gently, “I need to step out for a bit. The butler will be back in two minutes.”

The little one obediently hugged Jin Yuan’s arm, his voice sweet and soft. “I’ll go right to sleep. When Grandpa Butler returns, I’ll be fast asleep.”

Satisfied, Jin Yuan tucked the child in, dimmed the bedside lamp, and after a while, donned his suit jacket and strode out.

The butler followed discreetly, knowing it was impossible for her to get a ride here. At this hour, public transport had stopped, and no private car would pick up a woman wandering around so late—it would immediately raise suspicions.

“Sir, Miss Yuan is still sitting at the little park’s bus stop. Before long, the temperature will drop even further.”

Butler Hu was worried, and Jin Yuan recalled his warning: a woman chilled at night would always suffer for it. He frowned, but only briefly.

“Go back and watch the child. I’ll pick her up.”

Jin Yuan took the wheel himself, driving a low-profile silver supercar—the cheapest in his garage, chosen to avoid attention. He had agonized over the choice, almost to the point of losing his hair.

Of course, that was a joke. President Jin’s hair was as thick as ever—no sign of a receding hairline.

Yuan Xiangdie huddled at the wind-sheltered stop, shivering. She wore only a light suit, hair let down to keep in what little warmth she could. The roar of engines nearby sent gusts cutting through her, chilling her to the bone.

She paced in tiny steps, hugging herself and rubbing her arms to generate any heat, desperate for warmth.

“Well, well, where’d this girl come from? Out here in the freezing cold. Want to hear a tip from your big brother?” a voice jeered.

She forced her eyes open, stung by the wind. “There’s no bus service in a rich neighborhood at this hour. This stop is just for show. Anyone with sense knows that. Are you… one of them?”

He spoke with mocking disdain, but Yuan Xiangdie, after five years away, was clueless. She’d only learned about the city’s latest landmarks by researching online—otherwise, she wouldn’t have known a thing.

“No, thank you,” she replied, cutting him off with icy finality.

Of course, her refusal only piqued his interest. Local hooligans cared little for such responses—any woman out at this hour was fair game, most likely seeking to catch the eye of some wealthy patron or make a quick profit.

“There’s no need to be shy. It’s all the same—those people and me. No difference at all, so why be picky? That suit looks expensive. Your last sponsor must’ve been quite the boss!”

His brazen gaze made her uncomfortable.

“Sir, show some respect,” she said.

The earlier engine roar hadn’t been a supercar, but a motorbike. Across the street was the territory of the biker youths, who frequented this open space near the gated community—the quiet suited them, and no developer would ever build a shopping center here, not among the wealthy who craved peace.

“Don’t play the virtuous maiden. It’s your luck I’m interested,” he sneered, advancing with unwelcome hands.

Though chilled to the core, Yuan Xiangdie remained clear-headed—perhaps even more so because of the cold. She kept retreating, circling the stop, hoping a good Samaritan might pass by and help her.

But such people were rare at this hour, and regret gnawed at her—would she reach her grandfather in time? She should’ve troubled the butler for a ride after all.

“My, you’ve got some energy in this cold. Want to warm up? I’ll show you a workout you’ll love,” he leered.

She was disgusted. The man dressed the part of a rich young master, but his thoughts were vile.

“Keep away from me. I’m not what you think I am,” she said.

A lone woman, chilled and vulnerable—had she not eaten earlier, she’d already have fainted from the cold.

Jin Yuan arrived just in time. The car’s headlights blazed onto the young man’s face. Though the silver car was the least expensive in Jin Yuan’s collection, outside the garage it was unmistakably rare. The biker, recognizing its worth, hesitated. Glancing at the license plate, he realized he’d better get out—fast.

But before fleeing, he made sure to memorize the woman’s face. If he’d offended the wrong big shot, he’d suffer for it—better know who might seek revenge. A closer look startled him. The clothes, though simple, were all signature pieces from Mr. William’s exclusive runway shows.

Damn it, he thought, I’ve really messed up this time.

With no further hesitation, he donned his helmet, swung onto his bike, turned the key, and sped away—all in one fluid motion.