Chapter 24: The Person I Dislike

"Little one, we haven’t bullied her. If you don’t believe me, just ask. We only want to help her," the nurse spoke softly, but her gaze was unwavering as she looked toward the back. By chance, Yuan Xiangdie caught the look and, for once, understood.

We will definitely get you out of here. Don’t worry.

...

What is wrong with me? All I want is to go out and sign for my grandfather’s surgery, yet it’s so difficult.

The two adults and the child stood at an impasse when Steward Hu returned, carrying a thermal container. He had gone straight back to the villa, prepared a meal with ingredients from home, and delivered it. There was still time, yet in that brief moment, the child and the doctor were already at loggerheads.

"Steward Hu, come here! Don’t help those two bad people—they’re trying to bully Auntie," Xiao Wei rattled off, as if he’d spotted his savior. Steward Hu nearly forgot that this child used to seem like he had autism, but ever since meeting Yuan Xiangdie, his words had grown longer and his emotions richer. Regardless of whether this woman was good or bad, it was a blessing for the child.

"Young master, you shouldn’t be standing on the bed. If sir finds out, your little bottom will suffer." Persuasion was impossible with the stubborn temperament of this little master; only the threat of his father would do.

Far away in Canada, Jin Yuan sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping red wine as he gazed into the distance, seemingly melancholic. But only he knew that he had just sneezed twice, violently. Even the wine had been overturned, emptied out. Having showered and emerged, he poured himself another bottle, intending to savor it slowly.

He had packed all his work into a single day. At last, only one task remained, and he would solve it as soon as he stepped out. He’d bought a plane ticket home overnight—who knows if that little woman missed him.

He was just about to take a sip when another tickle came to his nose.

Not long after, the front desk heard from the VIP suite again, "Hello, this is the hotel front desk. How may we assist you?"

"Clean the room again," Jin Yuan’s voice was icy. Who on earth was cursing him behind his back? Twice now, he’d spilled wine all over himself; the shower was wasted.

His face was gloomy, his mood darker still.

But Miss Zhu was in high spirits. Although Boss Jin’s business trip habits were rather odd, always wanting to take photos with others and then have her send them to his phone, the presidential suite’s amenities were superb—especially the massaging bathtub and the array of delicacies.

Just as she was about to indulge, the bathwater ready and a layer of rose petals scattered, she opened a jar of luxury bath salts she’d longed to use. Annoying knocks sounded at the door—thump, thump, thump.

Who could be so tactless? She refused to answer.

Miss Zhu was annoyed, but she picked up the unopened bath salts and ignored the person outside. Yet the knocking persisted—thump, thump, thump.

"Who is it? Why keep knocking? I didn’t request room service!"

Wrapped in a bathrobe, hair tied up, she flung open the door, furious. Wasn’t this icy beauty supposed to be at the office? "The president left me here to coordinate the final task with you—may our partnership be pleasant." The icy beauty dropped this bombshell and squeezed inside.

Miss Zhu was stunned—why was she seeing this beautiful man in Canada? Had she gone crazy from longing for him?

"Wait, explain yourself. What’s going on? Where’s the boss?"

"You don’t want to see me."

Behind cold glasses, his eyes flashed with frost, as if warning Miss Zhu: if you wish to return and keep your position secure, best choose your words carefully.

...

"No, no, I’m very happy—overjoyed, actually—but surely it’s reasonable to care about the boss’s whereabouts?"

She was as timid as a quail, genuinely afraid of the handsome man before her, wondering why he’d entered her room. But the question was ignored, and it wasn’t until that night, when they were about to sleep, that they realized the weight of it.

After spilling red wine on himself a second time, Jin Yuan decided he was fundamentally incompatible with foreign soil and resolved to return home immediately.

At five in the morning, he stood at the airport and looked toward the rising sun in the distance. Standing on the land of his homeland, his mood was instantly improved.

"I really shouldn’t have gone on this trip."

Luckily Miss Zhu wasn’t at his side, or she would surely poke at her boss’s conscience and ask, "Boss, swear on your soul—are you really here for work, or just for photos?"

These days, after sending him photos, Jin Yuan would insist that Zhu Xiaomeng personally delete them from his phone, including backups, before allowing her to proceed with the next task.

After much inner turmoil, Yuan Xiangdie finally managed to return home, paid a lifetime’s worth, and understood the situation. Upon inquiry, she learned that the hospital could transfer patients for treatment when the time came.

Although Yuan Xiangdie had been shut away in that sunless place for five years, this hospital’s reputation far exceeded that. Getting access was a blessing, and she’d already asked about the surgery. She had several million in her hands—enough.

Steward Hu shook his head; earlier, the doctor kept winking at him as he spoke. Xiao Wei, like a little dragon guarding his treasure, coiled by Yuan Xiangdie’s side. Whenever the doctor or nurse approached, he would give off a vibe: come any closer and I’ll rush out and bite you.

Jin Yuan returned to the villa only to find it empty. A phone call revealed that everyone was at the hospital, their affections firmly lodged there.

He rushed out in his little car, attracting many glances along the way. After all, those who lived here weren’t poor.

These days, Yuan Yao’er had been dating Su Chai. There was no official progress, but she was receiving gifts left and right. Every time he picked her up, the man would bring her all sorts of things.

Yuan Yao’er hadn’t dared to tell Zhang Xi; if she did, her mother’s only response would be to cut things off. "How many times have I told you? Until you’re absolutely certain, never accept anyone’s pursuit definitively."

Yuan Yao’er had always followed this advice and still believed it was right.

But a man who’s good to you, who picks you up and drops you off every day, is hard to resist. Yuan Yao’er relished the stark contrast, feeling content as her inner void was filled.

Meanwhile, the usual young gentlemen could only suffer—watching as the goddess fell into the hands of that older man, powerless to intervene, forced to witness the goddess being devoured by this hungry wolf.

Many hearts were broken; they bit their hands in frustration, as if they were biting Su Chai himself.

"You lot, stop it. He’s rich—check your own status before comparing. Stop calling her ‘goddess’; she’s just a gold-digger, what’s there to want?"

Zhang Bing sat aside, elegantly swirling his glass, nothing like the earlier fury. Watching Yuan Yao’er leave day after day, adorned with new jewelry and clothes, their hearts soured. Who hadn’t spent lavishly before? But no matter how much they spent, they got nothing in return. He saw through her—she cared only for money.

Yet not everyone could awaken so quickly. There were still plenty of diehard fans, for the goddess was always kind.

Yes, very kind.

Sometimes she’d go with you to a movie, a date, maybe buy a diamond ring or try on clothes. Then she’d dine with someone else, go on another date, see another film. She could visit three places in a day—such a person was indeed formidable.

At first, Zhang Bing didn’t believe the rumors, even when the Zhang family matriarch laid evidence on the table, including recordings. He insisted they were fake, but after what happened that day, his doubts only deepened.

He hired a private detective to investigate Yuan Yao’er—not an ordinary one, but a company that had once helped his family. If not for their support, his family might not exist today.

The results were identical; Zhang Bing was stunned, hatred born from love. Such a woman, always playing both sides—he must have been blind to be attracted to her.

Even her fashion designs; he must have been blind to believe that only such a pure woman could create minimalist, stylish classics. Yet all her designs were plagiarized; Yuan Xiangdie was the true artist.

Falsely accused and locked away for five years, now forced to marry the useless heir of the An family—Zhang Bing was determined to destroy this mother-daughter scheme.

Madam Zhao was overjoyed—her child finally saw sense, no longer circling around that woman. She was delighted!

But upon learning another piece of news, she stopped celebrating. The steward returned to tell Madam Zhao, "Madam, something’s wrong. Young master has gone to find Yuan Xiangdie." No matter what, her child could never escape the entanglement of the Yuan women!

The Zhang family matriarch, clutching her cane, trembled, "Quick, go bring the child back!"

But the young master was swift; there was no chance to catch him. He sped off and arrived in no time—but to be fair, he wasn’t a fool.