Chapter Nineteen: Schemes of Mother and Daughter

Yuan Xiangdie was startled by the overwhelming aura before her. She had always believed that all men were nothing but empty shells, and even the most formidable among them were ultimately unimpressive.

But Jin Yuan was different; he was nothing like those flamboyant, superficial types. He stood out among a crowd of gaudy misfits like a cold, distinguished prince among riffraff, the sort who would press the accelerator of his racing car and declare himself the king of the world.

A laugh escaped her lips before she could suppress it, the scene in her mind so absurd that she couldn’t help herself. Only after her laughter faded did she realize that the man in question was still seated right before her.

She hastily waved her hands, flustered, her motions so frantic they resembled the spinning of a propeller. “Miss Yuan, are you planning to take off into the sky?” came a gentle voice from ahead. Yuan Xiangdie flushed with embarrassment, suddenly aware that she might have overdone it. Determined not to make things worse, she sat down at once.

Jin Yuan seemed to find her reaction highly amusing. It was rare to see such vivid expressions on Yuan Xiangdie’s face.

“Miss Yuan, there’s no need to be nervous. I do nothing without reason. I hope you’ll agree to play the role of Little Wei’s mother.”

It was merely a transaction. If she accepted, she would be entangled with Jin Yuan for the rest of her life. But if she refused, she might just as well end up being tossed into the sea to feed the fish.

She stole a glance past the table’s centerpiece. Jin Yuan was calmly sipping red wine, cutting his steak with practiced elegance and bringing each bite to his lips. Every movement was naturally graceful, compelling her gaze.

He noticed her lingering look but pretended not to, maintaining his composure. Little Wei, meanwhile, rolled his eyes—clearly dissatisfied. Just moments ago, Jin Yuan had chided him for changing his clothes too slowly, and now it was Jin Yuan who lingered over his meal, fully aware that his aunt was watching him.

Nevertheless, Little Wei was a well-behaved child. At the butler’s gentle coaxing, he was easily persuaded to go next door for a treat.

Butler Hu, don’t leave me here alone, Yuan Xiangdie thought longingly, wishing she could reach out and cling to him, as if he were her only lifeline.

She dared not voice such thoughts, especially with Jin Yuan’s expression growing colder by the moment. For the sake of her own safety, Yuan Xiangdie quickly reined in her impulses, forcing herself back into a façade of calm. Yet only her trembling hands beneath the table betrayed her anxiety.

“May I ask, Mr. Jin, what makes you think I am suited to this role?”

The silence hung awkwardly between them. Though there was food before her, she couldn’t keep eating—it would only make her appear gluttonous.

Jin Yuan ignored her question, instead gesturing for a waiter to bring over a silver platter.

A classic grilled lamb chop was placed before Yuan Xiangdie, its aroma making her mouth water. “This dish features fresh ribs sourced directly from the place of origin, with minimal processing. You can enjoy the purest taste,” explained the waiter.

For a moment, Yuan Xiangdie felt as if she’d stepped into a high-end restaurant. She’d been to such places before, yet now she felt oddly ill at ease, as if she didn’t belong.

A faint, muddled memory flickered at the edge of her mind. A year ago, before her release, she had sought treatment for similar anxiety. The doctors’ only conclusion was that she had suffered a severe head injury. Given her special status, Zhang Xi had once asked that she be looked after in prison, so the doctors had wisely kept their silence, offering only a vague explanation.

Jin Yuan observed the dazed woman opposite him, unsure what to say. Could it be that she didn’t like the dish? That seemed unlikely—according to Yuan Lan’s reports, this was among Yuan Xiangdie’s favorites.

“Don’t you like it?” he asked suddenly, startling her out of her reverie. Yuan Xiangdie was prone to becoming completely absorbed in her thoughts.

She snapped out of her daze, only to find Little Wei tugging gently at her sleeve, docile as a lamb.

A milky scent lingered in the air… What was it? That gentle, childlike fragrance…

Yuan Xiangdie realized that, as she pondered, the scent had spread through her nostrils. Little Wei, still so young, retained the sweet fragrance unique to children. To her, the child’s presence felt inexplicably familiar and comforting—just as Little Wei felt safe with her.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Jin,” she replied, picking up her knife and fork under everyone’s watchful gaze. Normally, she would have had no qualms about grabbing the foil-wrapped bone and gnawing away, but now, with so many eyes upon her, she had to mind her image.

Fate inevitably brings together those meant to meet.

Jin Yuan had long harbored suspicions—how had Little Wei come to be? The clues had vanished, and the child had first been brought to him unexpectedly. All he knew was that the boy’s mother had been brutally assaulted, resulting in a premature birth. When Little Wei was first carried to him, he was as small as a newborn kitten. Years of careful care had brought the child’s health up to par, but he remained withdrawn, the result of his early birth and lack of maternal nursing.

Jin Yuan, ever sensitive, was adept at reading subtle cues and seizing opportunities.

“What do you think of the lamb chops on this ship, Miss Yuan? Little Wei has always liked this flavor, though for health reasons, he doesn’t eat it often.”

“I think they’re delicious, but for such a young child, it’s best to be careful with lamb chops.”

As she spoke, she reached out to touch Little Wei’s head. As she’d imagined, his hair was soft and his head delightfully fluffy.

She timed her gesture carefully, making sure Jin Yuan wouldn’t notice. After all, some parents saw others touching their child’s head as a challenge to their authority. When Yuan Yao’er first arrived at their home, Yuan Xiangdie hadn’t disliked her at all; after spending so much time together, she’d come to treat her as a little sister, often patting her head. But once, she’d been accused by Zhang Xi of hitting Yuan Yao’er on the head, and sure enough, a large bump had appeared.

The look of contentment on Yuan Xiangdie’s face did not escape Jin Yuan’s notice. He was not a man unaccustomed to women’s company, but his nerves seemed to stir only for this particular woman, an obsessive attraction blooming within him.

Yet he was careful not to frighten her. As the child’s father, he felt an inexplicable sense of connection as well. Over the years, Jin Yuan’s consistent presence had earned Little Wei’s trust. The boy could easily read the subtle shifts in his father’s expression. Though his legs were numb from standing, he remained loyally at Yuan Xiangdie’s side, cherishing every extra moment with her.

“All right, my good boy. No need to keep standing, especially not on a moving ship. Would you like to sit and eat with me?” Yuan Xiangdie said, indulging herself for once. Little Wei had stood quietly by her side, saying nothing. Yet she noticed a fleeting strange expression on his face just moments ago, and her heart ached—he might be seasick. So she shifted to make space for him.

Jin Yuan’s slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, the sound barely audible.

“Yes, please!” Little Wei replied joyfully, delighted at the chance to be close to Yuan Xiangdie. He flashed a mischievous smile, showing off the few new teeth in his mouth, and threw an equally bold grin at his father.

What a cheeky boy—competing with your father so brazenly?

Jin Yuan showed no sign of displeasure. Yuan Xiangdie knew she wasn’t the most beautiful, the most gentle, or the most well-connected, but in his eyes, she was the most satisfying.

“It’s almost time…” Butler Hu had just returned from gathering news from Old Master Yuan. The two men had come to an agreement: Jin Yuan would provide protection. The old man’s concern was not for his own safety, but for fear that his granddaughter might fall victim to treachery.

“Ahem, Miss Yuan. At the old master’s request, I will have the Wu family initiate the annulment of your engagement. However, I will need your cooperation.”

“I am willing to cooperate. But I want to know—how is my grandfather?”

Yuan Xiangdie’s heart was filled with both respect and affection for her grandfather. He was the only one who had ever truly believed in her. Though he was too far away to help clear her name, he had arranged for her to be cared for, which was why she had survived the malicious schemes of others.

Jin Yuan had thought this matter would require more persuasion, but after that fateful fashion gala, many ladies had quietly uncovered Yuan Xiangdie’s true identity. Escaping the Wu family’s grasp would not be so difficult after all.