Chapter Twenty-Six: Husband and Wife, Hand in Hand

“So tell me, what should we do then? Are you planning to let the entire company perish for that brat?”
Perhaps her tone was sharp, but Mrs. An had never imagined that this man would dare speak to her in such a way.
The two of them had weathered storms together since their student days, walking hand in hand to become husband and wife.
Mrs. An sobbed as she covered her face, as though she had suffered an immense grievance.
“Stop crying. This isn’t something we can resolve at will. Have you even considered who’s backing that woman you chose?”
“Who could possibly support a woman like her? It’s just that old man, and his health has deteriorated. Most things are already…”
Women are always so short-sighted, thought Wei Hongfang, deciding not to play riddles and simply tell her the truth.
“Jin Yuan is the benefactor behind Yuan Xiangdie. Did you really think he came to our company that day to discuss business with me? There was no need for the CEOs of two companies to sit together for such a matter.”
Mrs. An was not unreasonable; their family had built everything from scratch, and it had not been easy to reach their current status.
As her husband explained, she gradually understood.
“So you mean Jin Yuan has taken a liking to that woman?”
Looking back, it did seem there were signs—she’d sensed something at the ball when he gave Yuan Xiangdie a bouquet of origami roses in the absence of real ones…
And why did the CEO in red at the William Fashion Show linger around Yuan Xiangdie?
“What should we do then? If we call off the engagement now, what will happen to our son?”
“Let him fend for himself. That brat only knows how to cause trouble. If only he could show some promise like others, I wouldn’t expect him to accomplish much, but at the very least, he should stop making trouble.”
Wei Hongfang truly lamented his son’s failings. If only he’d kept a closer eye while working, things might not have turned out this way.
Mrs. An was startled; she hadn’t expected the real driving force behind all this. She’d once been smug, thinking the other company valued the contract so much their CEO came personally.
Early in the morning, someone awoke from dreams to find his mother standing by his bedside, her face full of worry.
Jin Junming nearly died of fright; moments before he’d been dreaming of his beloved, doing all sorts of romantic things—now, he opened his eyes to see his mother. “You scared me! What are you doing here? Don’t tell me today’s the engagement ceremony—I’m not ready yet. Let me sleep a bit longer. Getting up so early, I’ll die of exhaustion; last night was too late.”
Mrs. An wouldn’t let her son entertain such thoughts. Though she was satisfied with the girl, she couldn’t risk the company’s future.
She slapped her son on the forehead—a mother who never laid hands now came in the morning to pour cold water on him.
Young Master An couldn’t fathom it. He bounced up from bed, shouting,
“Mom, what are you doing?”
“You brat, go call off the engagement right now, and tell the media it’s all your fault. The girl has nothing to do with it.”
Had his mother lost her mind this morning?
How could a few nights change her mind so drastically?

Wasn’t she always telling him how wonderful this girl was?
He stubbornly refused to accept it—was he not allowed any say?
“I won’t do it. That woman is beautiful, she suits my taste. What’s there not to like? I’ve already served time in jail, haven’t I?”
He spoke with a hint of pride, lifting his chin arrogantly.
Mrs. An was furious—how had her son turned out like this?
She was never even-tempered; her past indulgence was merely blindness to the child’s faults.
Now, seeing clearly, unconditional spoiling was over…
She slapped him on the backside—her own child, after all, she could discipline him as she pleased. Obedience was key; filial sons grow beneath the rod.
“Why are you acting crazy, old woman? Are you mad, coming here at dawn to make a scene?”
The words nearly made the elder behind the door cough up blood. Old Master An, now aged, quietly gave a thumbs up from behind the door before closing it.
“My son, you’re remarkable—doing what I dared not, saying what I wouldn’t, but I mourn for you.”
Mrs. An was infamous for her fiery temper when she was young, though she mellowed with age and motherhood.
Today, she was determined to teach her son a lesson he’d never forget.
Meanwhile, Yuan Xiangdie lay in the hospital, quietly recuperating, never expecting that her greatest worry would soon resolve itself. Amidst the clamor, it was as if the matter had never occurred.
That day, the news made headlines again—Wei Hongfang announced personally:
“My son isn’t good enough for such a fine girl. We won’t hinder her; we’re withdrawing the engagement. He’s such a scoundrel, destined to be alone, and we’ll keep him from harming other good girls. Let everyone here bear witness.”
Watching this news on TV, Yuan Xiangdie was stunned. Wasn’t this the financial segment? Why was it airing entertainment gossip?
Jin Yuan sat nearby, peeling an apple, carefully carving it into little rabbit shapes. Yuan Xiangdie had told him many times she wasn’t a child, and eating with the peel was perfectly fine.
“What’s wrong? Staring at me—could it be you’ve fallen for me?”
Yuan Xiangdie felt as if the sun had risen in the west. The An family had not only called off the engagement, but promised to transfer the money to her personal account, not the company’s.
“Mr. Jin, are you out of your mind?”
She was skeptical, but realizing her words might offend the big boss, she quickly corrected herself. She couldn’t afford to provoke him.
“No, no, I didn’t mean that, it’s just…”
The man looked over, his eyes calm, without a trace of storm—clearer than ever, perhaps from sitting by her side all night.
“I’m perfectly fine.”
When Xiao Wei came in, he saw his boss acting like a fool, peeling apples. Yuan Xiangdie awkwardly stared ahead, feeling her neck nearly snap.
“Auntie, I came to see you.”
The little darling appeared as a savior, and Yuan Xiangdie quickly pulled him onto the bed.

Soft and fragrant, he was simply adorable. Yuan Xiangdie held the child close, blocking the intense gaze of a certain man—finally, she could breathe easy.
“Auntie, did you miss me?”
Lately, Xiao Wei visited the hospital more often, and Butler Hu indulged him, letting him stay longer each time.
Jin Yuan sliced the apple with a crisp sound.
With a “crunch,” Yuan Xiangdie turned to see the apple split cleanly in two.
If she angered this big boss, she’d end up just like that apple—cut in half.
“Auntie, don’t be afraid.”
Xiao Wei, like a little man, stood between the two, glaring fiercely as if facing a mortal enemy.
Jin Yuan raised his brow: “Brat, you’re far too green to challenge me.”
“You’re already five, and most children your age are in kindergarten.”
Mentioning kindergarten was like a thunderbolt. Xiao Wei had once wanted friends, but since Yuan Xiangdie appeared, he’d lost interest.
Now he just wanted to stay by Auntie’s side. His little mind spun rapidly—this was just a ploy to separate him from her, hmph.
Yuan Xiangdie quietly sat nearby, eating apples and watching TV, oblivious to the sparks flying between father and son.
“Auntie, I don’t want to go to kindergarten. Whenever I see those kids, I feel sad.”
Seeing the child’s tearful eyes, Yuan Xiangdie thought he felt different from other children, and her heart ached. She stopped eating apples, promising he wouldn’t have to go—but she had no say, after all, he wasn’t her child.
Even if he acted spoiled, it was useless, since she couldn’t decide for him.
At last, he nearly tore at his little handkerchief, “Auntie, you must visit me often.”
Wet-eyed like a little abandoned kitten, Yuan Xiangdie knew she shouldn’t, but couldn’t help herself.
She tried to resist, but seeing his pitiful face, she clenched her teeth and turned away, silently reciting “emptiness.”
She refused to look back, and Jin Yuan found her even more interesting.
She’d loved Xiao Wei so much before, but now, despite his pitiful pleas, she still steeled herself to send him to kindergarten.
Once Butler Hu carried the child away, only the two of them remained in the ward.
“He’s gone now.”
Jin Yuan spoke coldly, not noticing his tone.
Yuan Xiangdie drew a sharp breath, her unreliable heart beating faster.