Chapter Thirty-Three: Truly No Easy Feat
Do not disturb the beautiful life that Auntie and I share.
...
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go and rest now. Mr. Jin, you should get some sleep early too. Xiao Wei said she’d like crystal pan-fried dumplings for breakfast tomorrow.” Her smile was professional and flawless, honed through countless hours before the prison mirror. Only after lingering in such places for a long time could she begin to polish herself.
Jin Yuan nodded, and they each retreated to their rooms, closing the doors behind them. On Jin Yuan’s computer screen, an email appeared, revealing the origins of the surveillance camera found in the corner of the courtyard that day.
That little thief had dug up the HD camera equipment Jin Yuan had discarded long ago. It had taken immense effort to assemble this set, a reward he’d purchased for himself upon coming of age.
It had been neglected for ages.
Jin Yuan suppressed the matter without a trace. Yuan Xiangdie would never guess that the device she had searched for in vain was actually planted by Jin Yuan himself.
Life went on quietly. That afternoon, Yuan Xiangdie had nothing pressing to do, nor was she rushed. She spent a rare moment with Xiao Wei, helping with homework. At first glance, nothing seemed unusual, but upon closer inspection, she was startled.
Xiao Wei was at a loss. She had managed to muddle through before, but when certain questions arose, they seemed to have no answer at all.
She scratched her head and looked at Yuan Xiangdie pitifully. But Yuan Xiangdie wouldn’t let the child’s schemes succeed again. Sometimes she wondered if this child was, as the novels say, some sort of reincarnation.
But reality doesn’t accommodate such fantasies; most things are gradually forgotten.
“Some things must be faced. If you never take a step forward, you’ll never gain anything new.”
This was a phrase left by her roommate when Yuan Xiangdie departed—a reminder that avoidance is not the solution to all problems.
“Alright then!”
Xiao Wei could only grip her pen with tearful eyes, head bowed—utterly pitiable.
Yuan Xiangdie gently patted the little head. After all, they spent every day in the room, attending classes diligently.
She was striving to advance her design career. By day, she completed crucial design tasks for Jin Yuan, and every evening, no matter how tired she was, she persisted in her advanced courses.
Sometimes, Xiao Wei would wake in the night, worried for her, wiping her sweat and even stealing a kiss.
But things would not always go smoothly. Yuan Yaor was bound to reappear.
“Someone like you still wants to stay with me? Have you even considered whether you have the ability? I had no idea this training studio had sunk to such a level.”
Contempt, disdain, and curiosity mingled to create a peculiar expression.
Yuan Xiangdie always found this woman remarkable—such complex emotions, so vividly performed.
“With your expressive face, you should be an actress. That way, no one could tell you’re acting. You’re a born liar.”
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A smile that wasn’t quite a smile—Yuan Yaor discerned its meaning.
“Someone as poor as you, what leverage do you have to compete with me? Believe me, I can make you fall and never rise again, just like before.” For the first time, this heiress abandoned all concern for her own reputation. In this training class, everyone was two-faced; what difference did it make?
Yuan Xiangdie had chosen the most comprehensive training class, returning to study whenever she had free time. She sought to fill in the gaps of five lost years and to re-explore the intimately familiar yet strangely distant world of design.
“I suggest you speak more pleasantly, so I won’t embarrass you too much later. Don’t mess things up—I wouldn’t even know how to clean it up.”
Her confidence was unwavering. Yuan Xiangdie refused to believe her designs were as worthless as this woman claimed.
She picked up the sky-blue dress that had been trampled—this fashion show’s theme was minimalism.
Thus, the models went onstage without makeup, perhaps only a dab of blush or a hint of foundation, all to express the designer’s vision.
“Yes, yes, that’s it. Raise the sign a bit. Wait, no, move it to the left a bit, make sure you hold it steady.”
The old man, whose former occupation was unknown, simply ordered people about without lifting a finger himself. In time, complaints arose.
Yuan Yaor assumed her status hadn’t changed, that Yuan Xiangdie was still the disgraced eldest daughter, and though her own identity was unsavory, her life was the best.
“There are things I don’t want to clarify. Whatever happened before is over—arguing with you won’t benefit me.”
Yuan Xiangdie no longer dealt with such people; ordinarily, she would ignore them.
Yuan Yaor was inexplicably reprimanded in her ear, leaving her with a strange feeling spreading inside…
“Talking as if someone will back you up—Mr. Jin, perhaps?”
Once everyone had left, Yuan Yaor didn’t pay any more attention, standing there in a daze.
Jin Yuan did have a connection with her, but only because of the child. With a woman like Yuan Xiangdie, lacking any backing, even if the boss was willing, the shareholders wouldn’t be.
Yuan Xiangdie didn’t dwell on it, simply living quietly. Since that day, Xiao Wei hadn’t come to her.
Jin Yuan seemed to vanish; a vague impulse lingered. Yuan Xiangdie couldn’t understand why Xiao Wei stopped visiting her. For once, she found herself wanting to check on him, even going so far as to obtain his address and phone number.
After work, Yuan Yaor still hadn’t managed to run into the pair at the company. Instead, she attracted many cold stares, especially from the receptionist.
They talked about her all day, each remark harsher than the last.
“Some people are just unlucky. Others are only joking with you—did you really take it seriously?”
Covering her mouth, she sped past in a luxury sports car. Yuan Xiangdie recognized the face and the car—it was the same one Jin Yuan drove when he took her to the hospital.
Indeed, it was the same vehicle. Jin Yuan had taken the child home and thrown himself into work.
Having fallen for a scheme, the big shot was quite displeased with Jin Yuan’s absence from the meeting.
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Even if Jin Yuan was young and capable, even if he could afford not to care, his employees needed to eat; as a boss, he couldn’t be so reckless.
“Mr. Xu, regarding our long-term development project, I hope you’ll give it serious consideration.”
Jin Yuan sat at the dining table, diligently cutting his steak into pieces. He wasn’t serving anyone—this filthy, chaotic restaurant was a first for him.
The steak was so overcooked he could barely cut through it—it might as well have been well-done.
He didn’t show disdain or storm out; this was the most tolerant he’d ever been.
Xu Juntao, a returned overseas Chinese, had grown up abroad and received a Western education. Recently, however, the domestic fashion industry had surged.
Suddenly inspired, Master Xu felt his homeland calling to his creativity. He decisively declined the fashion editor’s show, relinquishing all control.
“Don’t talk about such dull matters over dinner; it’s not good for digestion.”
Master Xu was genuinely focused on his meal, and Jin Yuan regretted provoking him.
Silence fell. Jin Yuan sat across from him, struggling to cut the steak—the cutlery was blunt, the plate’s paint peeling.
... Jin Yuan found the environment almost unimaginable. What kind of person was Xu Juntao, meeting him only to unleash a storm?
Only when Tian Xiaomeng called for help did Jin Yuan realize that his handpicked assistant must be exceptionally capable; if even she struggled, Xu Juntao must be very difficult.
Now it was clear—he was a tough nut to crack.
Jin Yuan didn’t eat, merely sat there, keeping Xu Juntao company. Passersby gawked at their looks, astonished.
Heavens, how did these two handsome men end up eating at a night market? Some even took out their phones for photos, but security followed and demanded the pictures be deleted.
“Sitting here with me, eating on the street—do you find it embarrassing? Mr. Jin, you really should experience how peaceful the bustling street can be.”
Jin Yuan had no intention of making conversation. The company’s biggest project was in his hands—it was his mistake, and he had to fix it himself.
“Recently, I saw a design sketch. It wasn’t by the designer I expected. It closely resembled the early days of a certain brand—aren’t you curious, Mr. Jin?”
He didn’t respond, yet Xu Juntao didn’t get angry. Jin Yuan was increasingly baffled by him, though he sensed something as well.
Sure enough, Xu Juntao read his expression. “Haha, I didn’t expect you to feel the same. If you’d be willing to introduce me to that designer, I’d be most grateful.”
So this was what he’d been waiting for. Jin Yuan lifted his head, eyes dull. To endure his temper and stay this long was no small feat.
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