Chapter Three: The Body Stirs Restlessly

He had already investigated her information when he saved her; she was the eldest daughter of the Yuan family, and her younger sister, Yuan Yaor, was the renowned jewelry designer who had emerged out of nowhere a few years ago. Though they were sisters, Yuan Xiangdie’s style was entirely different from Yuan Yaor’s. Take this evening gown, for example: Xiangdie’s dress, full of creative design, seemed to make her look smaller, while Yaor’s gray-white long dress and high heels, with their forced sophistication, made her appear old-fashioned and rigid.

How amusing—Yuan Yaor was the top jewelry designer in South City, acclaimed for both fame and fortune, yet her elder sister’s sense of aesthetics was leagues superior. Jin Yuan had intended to wake his son to see it, but the little bun was already fast asleep nearby... Well, he thought, best not to tell him yet.

Yuan Xiangdie held a wine glass delicately, sipping the red wine inside, utterly unaware she was being watched so intently by a certain someone.

A foreign guest wearing a top hat approached her, expressing surprise and admiration, “Oh my god! Madam, I adore your dress. Who designed it?”

“It’s effective—it’s my own original work,” she replied.

“Wonderful! Here’s my card. I believe we should have a good conversation!” he said, handing her his card. Yuan Xiangdie recognized him as a somewhat famous jewelry designer.

“You can call me Sitou. My Chinese is decent,” Sitou explained. He said he was of Chinese-English descent, studied in America as a child, and came to China as an adult to explore the market. His Chinese was indeed excellent, even tending toward talkative, and he launched into a spirited discussion about her dress, the latest fashion trends, and chatted incessantly with Yuan Xiangdie.

Yuan Yaor, meanwhile, was laughing and chatting with her friends. She suddenly remembered Xiangdie and wanted to introduce her to everyone. Looking around, she finally spotted Xiangdie not far away, engrossed in conversation with a foreigner.

Her expression changed instantly. She’d hoped the grandeur of the banquet would put Xiangdie in her place, but instead, Xiangdie seemed completely at ease and happy. Just as Xiangdie was about to mention her plans to start a brand with a friend—lacking only manpower—her shoulder suddenly felt a weight: a slender hand pressed down.

“Sister, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you forever.” Yuan Yaor abruptly interrupted the conversation, ignoring Sitou’s reaction, and pulled Xiangdie along. “Sister, come, I want to introduce you to my friends.”

Yuan Xiangdie smiled apologetically at Sitou. “We’ll talk later.”

She glanced at the so-called good sisters Yaor spoke of. Each was a wealthy heiress, yet their attire lacked taste, and their manner was full of arrogance, making people uncomfortable.

“So you’re Yaor’s elder sister? She often talks about you. Is the food at Berkeley Hospital good?” one of them asked, her words tinged with mockery.

Yuan Xiangdie’s brow twitched.

Yaor’s face stiffened as she jabbed the girl, “Watch what you say!”

“Haha, just kidding, you don’t mind, right?”

“My sister is a remarkable jewelry designer; you’d best be careful,” Yaor said, seemingly defending Xiangdie but actually digging pit after pit for her.

“Really? Do you have any works? Have you won awards? Do you have your own brand?”

Yuan Xiangdie shook her head. “None of those, but the dress I’m wearing now is indeed my own design.”

Her words prompted laughter among the girls. “Oh, come on—this? You must have made it from Yaor’s leftover scraps! Hahaha…”

Xiangdie remained composed, unfazed by their ridicule and insults. She retorted, “This is inspired by the design philosophy of Master Rong Ran, a jewelry designer from South Asia. Surely you, born to noble families, have never seen such a design?”

Her gaze, sharp as starlight, locked on the girl who mocked her, unexpectedly causing a slight tremor.

The girl, startled, responded after a moment, “What are you talking about? Someone of my status has seen everything!”

Xiangdie’s expression changed, and she laughed. “I knew it. Of course you all know, otherwise you’d really be embarrassed.”

Yaor was baffled, her mind clouded—who was this Master Rong Ran? Was there really such a designer in South Asia? Her knowledge was lacking, and she couldn’t tell truth from fiction, so she joined her friends in clapping and pretending to praise the dress.

But in truth, there was no Master Rong Ran from South Asia—Yuan Xiangdie once had a friend named Rong Ran studying abroad there. She hadn’t expected her casual remark to be believed, and now they earnestly discussed South Asian aesthetics, while Yaor looked utterly confused. If not for the wine, Xiangdie might have burst into laughter.

Sitou took off his hat and sat beside Jin Yuan. “I’ve spoken with her—she’s a rare genius in design. Second Master, your eye is exceptional.” Sitou’s praise was sincere, and his cheeks even flushed.

“To be honest, I kind of like her.”

Jin Yuan’s expression darkened. “Admiration is fine. If you dare to like her, I’ll break your legs.”

Sitou paled, inhaling sharply. “Ah! Second Master, you—”

“Shut up.” Jin Yuan lowered his head, gently stroking the little bun’s back. His eyes shone like a galaxy, filled with tenderness. “She belongs to Xiao Wei.”

Sitou blushed and immediately understood. “Second Master—oh, no—Young Master has excellent taste!”

As they chatted, scores of young men approached Yaor to invite her to dance. Yaor, holding a wine glass, declined each one with a smile. Her friends, green with envy, said, “Don’t be too picky! The ones you turned down were all top-notch!”

Yaor smiled, replying, “But I don’t think we’re suitable…”

Outwardly calm, Yaor was inwardly restless.

Tonight, she was waiting for Jin Yuan! No other man interested her. Yet Jin Yuan hadn’t appeared, despite her careful preparations!

Just then, the host announced, “Tonight, the most beautiful female guest will be chosen, and she will have the honor of dancing with the Jin family’s young master!”

The crowd was instantly electrified. Jin Yuan! What girl wouldn’t want to dance with him? The men held roses, ready to present them to their chosen lady. Whoever received the most flowers would win.

Yaor raised her eyebrows confidently—surely there was no suspense, being so popular.

Xiangdie, on the other hand, paid no mind. Most popular? She thought she stood no chance, having just entered this circle.

Yet the men who received flowers whispered among themselves, “So, the most popular gets to dance with Jin family’s young master? What’s the logic in that?”

“I like Yaor, but I don’t want to see her dance with Jin Yuan… Yaor is mine!”

“Shut up—she’s mine!”

“She’s mine!”

In the end, not a single flower was given to Yaor!

Yaor’s face turned pale—were these men blind? Couldn’t they see who was the most beautiful? She stood alone, empty-handed, her face green with anger. Xiangdie instantly understood their thinking—of course, how could they bear to let their dream goddess dance with someone else?

Xiangdie had anticipated this, and seeing Yaor upset pleased her. She sipped her wine and shook her head, feigning pity. “Yaor, you’re a bit unlucky tonight.”

Behind her, Yaor’s so-called friends approached to console her, “It’s okay, Yaor is the most beautiful.” Their words were kind, but each secretly rejoiced—now the opportunity would fall to them!

As the men finished handing out roses, Xiangdie, eyes lowered, noted she had received only one unopened red rose. She sniffed it elegantly, all her detached charm caught by Jin Yuan from the corner.

What was she so pleased about?

Only one flower, yet she dared to smile so foolishly?

Did she not want to dance with him at all? Jin Yuan irritably adjusted his tie, starting to doubt his own allure.

The lady with the most flowers was an ordinary middle-aged woman, nearly fifty, whose smile revealed dazzling yellow teeth. She was delighted to experience romance again at her age.

Jin Chen laughed uproariously, nudging Jin Yuan. “Those young men really made a choice—they picked someone older than our mother.”

Jin Yuan said nothing, his expression dark as night.

He turned to his bodyguard, “Are there any flowers left?”

“Sorry, Second Master, none left. But we have fake ones.”

“Fake?” Jin Yuan frowned. The bodyguard meant the bundle of paper roses made by the little bun in art class at school. Though shy, the child was remarkably skilled, and the paper roses were incredibly lifelike, dusted with gold foil.

Jin Yuan smiled. “Use these. Send them over.”

The bodyguard hurriedly carried the realistic bouquet straight to Yuan Xiangdie.

“Miss Yuan!” he called, flushed and heading toward Yaor. Yaor, seeing the bouquet, thought at last someone sensible had arrived. She reached out to take it, but the bodyguard executed a flawless spin, dodging her hand and firmly placed the bouquet in Xiangdie’s arms.

Xiangdie recognized him as Jin Yuan’s bodyguard and laughed heartily, “Oh? It’s you? Wait, what’s this…”

The bodyguard, after delivering the roses, backed away and made a heart gesture toward Xiangdie. “Love you, Xiao Weiwei, mwah~”

“…”

Xiangdie was so stunned she nearly froze.

Wait… what’s going on?

Yaor glared at her, mocking, “Sister, you must really suit the bodyguard’s taste!”

Xiangdie stared at the bouquet—weren’t the flowers almost gone? How did such a large bunch appear? She instinctively sniffed, found no scent, and touched the petals, realizing they were made of paper.

Someone had crafted such beautiful roses from paper!

“Now, the lady with the most flowers is Miss Yuan Xiangdie!”

The hall erupted.

Yet Xiangdie knew the commotion was simply because her name was unfamiliar. Her appearance and temperament were so different from Yaor’s that few realized they were sisters.

At that moment, Jin Yuan entered from the side of the banquet hall, accompanied by his entourage. His sharp, eagle-like gaze seemed to pierce everything. With a cool, handsome face and tall, elegant figure, he was striking even without an introduction.

Jin Chen snickered, knowing Jin Yuan couldn’t wait any longer.

Xiangdie watched him approach, feeling inexplicably nervous. Though not their first meeting, Jin Yuan always gave her a new impression.

That feeling… familiar, yet she couldn’t recall who he reminded her of.

She couldn’t read Jin Yuan’s expression, and he didn’t show any sign of recognition either. His restrained aloofness, masculine aura, made her blush, her heart racing.

Was it an illusion? He seemed even more handsome than before!

Out of courtesy to the Jin family, Xiangdie knew she shouldn’t just wait passively. She quickly set down the flowers and walked toward him.

Yaor, furious, suddenly stuck out her leg to trip her. Xiangdie, lost in Jin Yuan’s face, stumbled forward!

Jin Yuan, startled, tried to step forward but it was too late. In front of everyone, Xiangdie grabbed his tie!

Jin Yuan grunted, his neck and body pulled forward, and he landed straight on her cold lips!

The hall erupted in screams!

Jin Yuan was shocked—he’d been tricked! So her modesty was all an act!

Yaor shrieked, “Sister! What are you doing? How could you kiss Second Master?”

Dazed by the sudden chaos, Xiangdie realized her actions—she had kissed the most powerful man in South City, Jin Yuan! And he was staring at her, half-smiling, as if preparing to retaliate.

She quickly let go. Why couldn’t she control her hands? Of all things, she grabbed his tie! This was a disaster!

Yaor hurried to apologize to Jin Yuan, “Sorry, sorry, Second Master, my sister was out of line!”

But instead of anger, Jin Yuan’s smile grew, as if savoring the kiss. Even more astonishing, he actually smiled in public! He was known for his icy demeanor.

Yaor tried to seize the moment to shine before Jin Yuan, gently brushing her hair to show off her face. “Second Master, if you’re angry, punish me instead. My sister is here because of me—I’ll take the blame.”

Jin Yuan raised an eyebrow. He had investigated Yaor—not because he was interested, but because she was Xiangdie’s sister. He knew a bit about Xiangdie’s family.

“No need. Miss Wan’er is so lovely—I couldn’t bear to punish you.”

Yaor blushed, twisting shyly, only to see Jin Yuan already moving to take Xiangdie’s hand.

“Come here,” Jin Yuan beckoned to Xiangdie, “Are you hurt?”

Xiangdie paused, realizing he was actually concerned for her, not seeking revenge. She shook her head, “No.”

“Can you dance?”

“I can!” Xiangdie placed her slender hand in Jin Yuan’s, and together they walked to the center of the dance floor. Her slip did not cause her to lose composure; she quickly recovered, dancing with Jin Yuan.

He was half a head taller than her. Xiangdie’s heart raced; she dared not look up at his face, but sensed his gentle breath from above.

She had studied dance, often competing in school, and her body was incredibly flexible. She was not intimidated by such occasions; as soon as the music began, her feet moved nimbly, as if enchanted.

The black gown hugged her long figure, white tulle wrapped her soft waist, and the rhinestones on her dress, which at first seemed heavy, now sparkled under the lights as she moved, as if she carried a magical filter.

Only then did Yaor realize that Xiangdie’s seemingly cumbersome dress was specially designed for dancing at banquets! No other lady’s dress was as stunning in motion.

At this moment, she was the center of attention!

Even Sitou removed his hat and stared wide-eyed, afraid to miss a second. The dancing woman was like a fairy—pure enchantment!

In the lounge, the sleeping little Softy suddenly awoke, rubbing his eyes in the corner. Huh? What’s happening? Who is Dad dancing with? Huh? It’s Auntie—why is she here?

Dad’s keeping Auntie all to himself! Angry! Softy’s face twisted with indignation—he pouted, deciding never to speak to Dad again!

When the music ended, Xiangdie let go and, after bowing politely to the crowd and to Jin Yuan, received his compliment.

“You dance well.”

“It’s thanks to your lead.” Xiangdie knew that if Jin Yuan hadn’t placed his hand protectively near her waist, she wouldn’t have dared to dance so freely.

Yaor clenched her fists in fury. She had thought Xiangdie would be docile, but from the moment she agreed to attend, she had been plotting!

“Would you like to see Xiao Wei? He said he misses you.”

“Misses me?” Xiangdie was about to agree when Yaor suddenly pulled her back, as if afraid she would get closer to Jin Yuan.

“Sister, your dancing was amazing—I was mesmerized!” Yaor clapped, leaning on Xiangdie’s shoulder as if they were affectionate siblings. She continued, “But we need to head back. Mom called and asked us not to be out too late.”

“Alright,” Xiangdie agreed, then apologized to Jin Yuan, “Sorry, Mr. Jin, I must go home.”

Jin Yuan saw the difficulty in Xiangdie’s eyes. She had no close family left; her stepmother aimed to control her, and he understood, so he didn’t press her.

He felt tonight had been fruitful—this woman had surprised him again and again.

Xiangdie left with Wan’er, while Jin Yuan returned to the lounge, only to find softy furious, arms crossed.

“Angry!”

Jin Yuan removed his jacket, sat on the sofa. “Auntie loved your paper roses.”

“Really?” Softy turned, looking adorably at Jin Yuan.

“Wasn’t you mad at me?”

Softy pouted. “Since you helped me give the roses to her, I’ll forgive you.”

Jin Yuan rubbed Softy’s head. Despite his reluctance, Jin Yuan pulled him into his arms. Softy muttered, “Don’t forget your promise!”

“I haven’t.”

...

When Xiangdie returned home that night, she carefully packed her dress and placed it in her wardrobe. At that moment, Yaor burst in—she never knocked when entering Xiangdie’s room, and Xiangdie had no privacy there. She knew Yaor would monitor her, but had no intention of arguing.

“Sis, you must be exhausted—showing off is tiring, isn’t it?”

Indeed, accused of poisoning kin and sent to Berkeley Hospital… With so many stains, could she even marry?

Xiangdie didn’t look up, continuing to organize her dresses, as if uninterested in Yaor’s words. “It’s fine,” she replied calmly.

Yaor sat on Xiangdie’s bed, acting as if she were the elder sister.

“I just spoke with Mom about your marriage.”

“Marriage?” Xiangdie finally turned. “Why are you discussing my marriage?”

Yaor explained “kindly,” “Sis, you’re not young anymore. You should settle down.”

“Thank you, but that’s unnecessary.”

“It’s too late—Mom has already contacted the Ou family. Their eldest son, Ouyang Xiao, is eager to marry.”

Xiangdie stood up abruptly. “I won’t marry him!”

“You have no choice. Sis, at your age, and after Berkeley Hospital, being able to marry at all is a blessing. Mom fought for this match—don’t be stubborn.”

“If you think I’m stubborn, why don’t you marry him?”

“You’re the elder sister. You marry first, then I’ll marry—it’s only logical.”

Xiangdie sneered, “What if I refuse?”

“Then prepare to be forced into marriage by the Yuan family!” Yaor was ruthless. The Yuan family had plenty of ways to deal with Xiangdie.

Xiangdie knew that if it weren’t for appearances, Lin Ling and Yaor would have forced her into hardship long ago.

“It’s settled. I’ll tell Mom you’re delighted with the match. Sis, don’t be picky—you won’t find a better man.” With that, Yaor left.

Unable to wait…