Chapter Forty: Serious and Earnest

To speak seriously, Tian Xiaomeng could hardly figure out what was wrong with the boss. Seeing him with lines of frustration etched across his face, she instinctively ran to seek help from Pin Hua.

“Oh dear, who has provoked the boss? He was just fine before. How could a simple errand to deliver a document change him so much?” The fright almost made her little heart give out.

In contrast to the panic, Pin Hua remained remarkably composed, her mind lingering on Tian the assistant’s endearing address.

She adjusted her glasses and hid a smile at the corner of her lips. “Don’t worry. He’ll have his share of hardship soon. Let’s just watch, no need to rush.”

Seeing herself so flustered, Tian the assistant grew more embarrassed, sticking out her tongue.

“You’re right. Xiao Wei adores Designer Yuan, but the boss doesn’t know how to win her favor.”

“I happen to have two years’ worth of dessert vouchers. Perhaps I could try my hand at currying favor.”

At this, Tian Xiaomeng’s eyes sparkled. She cried, “Count me in! Xiao Wei is just a child—maybe Master Qin could share a few vouchers with me as well, so I can help shoulder the boss’s burden.”

Such clever antics truly melted Qin’s heart. He had to resist the urge to pinch her cheek, feeling something stirring deep in his gaze.

Jin Yuan had barely finished speaking before regret seeped in. For her, this was always a calamity, yet seeing Wu Wentao’s expression and their close rapport, a strange feeling gnawed at her heart.

“Tian Assistant!”

He called twice and received no answer, his face growing worse by the second. He strode out of the office, wrapped in coldness, but worry gnawed within.

Could that woman really have gone to intercept someone?

Lawyer Zhao’s car soon arrived downstairs. Yuan Xiangdie hesitated for a moment before settling in the back seat, fixing her makeup and hair.

Her eyes were still brimming with tears from moments before as she pressed powder onto her face.

“Miss Yuan, your skin doesn’t need this much embellishment. Though perhaps not what you want to hear, I’d advise you that showing vulnerability can draw out a man’s protective instincts.”

“Thank you, Lawyer Zhao, but I don’t need to appear vulnerable.”

Watching her determined silhouette recede into the distance, Lawyer Zhao was transported back to that day.

Yuan Xiangdie was condemned by Yuan Yao’er’s testimony, accused of killing her father. That day, guarded by two prison officers, she was utterly different: stumbling, weeping, retreating with every step.

“Boss Yuan… your daughter has grown up.”

When she reached the company’s first-floor reception, Yuan Xiangdie was surprised to see the boss alone in the lounge, sipping coffee.

He looked displeased, as if someone had irked him.

Dazzling, vibrant, she tried to make her entire appearance more refined, though it amounted to little more than adjusting her clothes. Her mind replayed their first encounter and the recent times Jin Yuan had pressed her with questions.

“Will you marry me and become Xiao Wei’s mother?”

Yuan Xiangdie had always believed her answer would remain a resolute no, no matter how many times she was asked. Yet now, she desperately hoped Jin Yuan would ask again, even if he misunderstood her intentions.

“Mr. Jin, may I speak with you?”

Yuan Xiangdie approached, her subtle fragrance enveloping Jin Yuan.

All the agitation and indescribable expressions on his face seemed to vanish. Those strange thoughts felt suddenly unnecessary.

He discreetly pressed his phone to switch it off; from this moment, Wu Wentao would no longer be able to reach his boss, no matter how urgently he wanted to speak.

“Sit.”

“Thank you.” Yuan Xiangdie shifted seats. She’d intended to sit beside him—a spot sure to invite speculation, especially in the busy lobby—but in the end, she moved to sit opposite him, bowing politely before taking her seat.

Jin Yuan’s gaze swept past, finding none of the airs of women he’d seen before. Even before bowing, she discreetly covered her chest with her hand.

For this, Jin Yuan was prompted to speak first.

“Designer Yuan, you’re here about your family, aren’t you? Xiao Wei holds fifteen percent of the shares; I can transfer them to you unconditionally.”

“Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t need the fifteen percent in the child’s hands. I’d like to borrow money in my own name, and I promise this spring’s profits will surpass previous years.”

Interesting—Yuan Xiangdie was making guarantees to him.

“I know your talents go far beyond this. I’ve witnessed them a long time ago.”

He picked up his coffee, swirling it as though it were fine wine.

Nervous sweat dampened Yuan Xiangdie’s back. Jin Yuan was unfathomable. She was here to plead with him, uncertain what unreasonable demands he might make.

In fact, Yuan Xiangdie hoped he would make unreasonable demands; it was better to know what he wanted than to be left guessing.

“I’ll cover the Old Master’s expenses, but I need a reason. Otherwise, if the media gets wind of it, my family will be affected.”

Jin Yuan turned his gaze, letting it drift toward a glimmering spot in the distance.

Yuan Xiangdie instinctively followed his line of sight. Neither was ignorant—they knew exactly what that meant: a camera flash.

Sweat pooled in her palms as she gripped her skirt tightly. This was the greatest gain she could hope for, but as she understood it, Jin Yuan was still unmarried.

The woman before him bowed her head deeply, and if one looked closely, she trembled. Jin Yuan recalled the materials he’d once received, and for no reason, felt a sudden urge to protect her.

“Xiao Wei likes you. He will be my only child.” Such a promise clearly stated Jin Yuan’s position. Yuan Xiangdie relaxed a little, yet knew her obligations.

“Thank you truly. I’ll treat Xiao Wei well. I just hope you’ll give me some time—I’ll make myself useful.”

Hearing this, Jin Yuan felt relief. The days ahead were long; no matter how steely Yuan Xiangdie’s heart, sooner or later she would be his.

Lawyer Zhao lingered at the entrance, able to observe the lobby clearly from his vantage. Suddenly, an uninvited guest—a paparazzo—slipped in. Jin Yuan mused that Yuan Xiangdie was the perfect partner for him.

Xiao Wei liked her, her achievements were high. She had already suppressed Xunfang, and her appearance and demeanor matched his expectations for a partner.

Most importantly, she could shield him from the so-called romantic gossip outside, and his parents wouldn’t have to nag him about marriage.

Since things were settled, Jin Yuan wasted no time in bringing her home. Xiao Wei had been practicing for days; if his beloved aunt wasn’t brought back soon, the boy would run amok.

“I won’t eat you. Come home with me today.”

With that, Jin Yuan walked away. Yuan Xiangdie sat, her eyes still brimming with unwillingness. The speech she’d prepared was left unused, her chance gone.

She watched him enter the elevator as her phone rang.

The caller was familiar. Yuan Xiangdie immediately recognized it as the hospital.

“Hello, Miss Yuan Xiangdie. Your grandfather has been transferred to the director’s private hospital. Was this move authorized by you?”

Yuan Xiangdie was uncertain how to reply, asking foolishly, “Can you tell me who did it?”

The caller did not hide it. “It was the hospital you transferred from previously.”

Yuan Xiangdie breathed easier. Jin Yuan could be a scoundrel, but he kept his word. He’d settled things as soon as they were confirmed, not fearing her second thoughts.

“Yes, I authorized it. But I hope you’ll keep the Old Master’s information confidential from now on, not under my name or anyone else’s.”

The hospital staff belonged to the company and understood.

“Rest assured, Miss Yuan Xiangdie. We’ve served the Old Master for years. Even if you don’t send the payment this afternoon, we won’t forcibly discharge him.”

Yuan Xiangdie was silent for a long while, softly murmuring her thanks.

After hanging up, she felt as if she’d finally exhaled. She was utterly drained.

This must be what surviving a disaster feels like, Yuan Xiangdie thought.

Wang Yichuan, upon spotting the paparazzo’s camera, quietly followed. His car was already parked, so there was no worry.

The man looked familiar; Wang Yichuan had handled many cases and knew plenty of paparazzi’s shadowy benefactors.

Though the man seemed familiar, Wang Yichuan couldn’t quite place him—surely a skilled operator.

Likely a specialist in digging up dirt. Lately, any news about Yuan Xiangdie had been thrust into the spotlight.

“Ha, who’d have thought? Jin Yuan actually likes this type. Yuan Xiangdie—what a catch. Everyone in this circle knows her. This is big news.”

Just as he grew excited, footsteps behind him made him freeze like a startled mouse. He tried to turn and flee.

But a hand caught his collar, and instinctively he shielded his camera to his chest. Wang Yichuan’s eyes, hidden behind glasses, glinted—this must be a special surveillance device. The strong light outside, and the company likely had anti-spy glass installed.

“Comrade, where are you off to? I’ve been watching you for a while. If you’ve got something good, share it—after all, finders keepers.”