Chapter Twenty-Five: House Arrest

Of course, he could easily find out where Yuan Xiangdie was from his own resources. He’d been to this hospital before, but Zhang Bing remained curious.

A woman like Yuan Xiangdie, even if she managed to land those wealthy ladies’ motivational commissions, shouldn’t possibly afford the staggering expenses of treatment at this private specialty clinic.

The two sports cars parked so brazenly at the entrance inevitably drew considerable attention.

Zhang Bing entered and inquired at the nurse’s station before finally locating Yuan Xiangdie’s room.

Inside, there was no one accompanying her—only a woman quietly seated, absorbed in her book.

One might call it a tranquil moment, or simply say this woman’s beauty was genuine, though flecked with a certain daftness.

“Excuse me, are you Miss Yuan Xiangdie?”

She looked up, drawn out of the world of her book.

The novel had been recommended by Butler Hu—an engaging read, its writing fresh and its subject matter cleverly chosen.

She closed the book and raised her eyes with a gentle composure. Zhang Bing wished he could take back what he’d said earlier. If Yuan Xiangdie seemed simple and naive, then Yuan Yao’er was nothing short of a madwoman.

“I am.”

Wasn’t this the young man who, at the William Fashion Show, tried to get in with Yuan Yao’er but was stopped?

“I’ve come to discuss a few matters with you… I came in a hurry and brought nothing this time. I’ll make up for it later.”

Shouldn’t he dislike her? Yuan Xiangdie searched her memory. Yuan Yao’er had always done everything possible to smear her, so his associates ought to hate her to the bone.

She shouldn’t look so bewildered—could it be a delusion?

“Mr. Zhang, if you need medical treatment, I’m afraid I can’t make any recommendations.”

What? I’m not here for treatment.

“No, no, you misunderstand. I came today to talk about your engagement with the An family.”

So it’s about that. Yuan Xiangdie was utterly indifferent. It wasn’t just that the An family wanted to break off the engagement—even if she herself went to end it, they’d hardly dare object.

Xiaowei had already told her everything. The day after Jin Junming’s engagement to her was announced, Jin Yuan himself had come to their company and sat there an entire afternoon.

Wei Hongfang had been scared half to death and later gave Jin Junming a severe beating. He’d even issued a direct order to break off the engagement, though Yuan Xiangdie had yet to confirm whether this was true. With the engagement date fast approaching and no sign of the other party, she remained uncertain.

“Mr. Zhang, are you just here to ridicule me? And what would you gain by doing so?”

He desperately wanted to explain himself, wishing he could take back his past blindness. The woman before him was leagues more beautiful than Yuan Yao’er—her very demeanor was beyond comparison.

“I’m here today to say that I’m willing to help you make Jin Junming withdraw from the engagement, but we need to cooperate.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Yuan Xiangdie had learned that well since entering this world. Her current situation was grim—if the engagement were finalized, they’d be tied together regardless. Although it could be broken off, she found the prospect as distasteful as marriage itself.

“I won’t make any excessive demands. I don’t want revenge on Yuan Yao’er, though she tricked me into doing many things. When I lost my usefulness, she discarded me. I despise such a foolish woman. If we join forces, we can ruin her reputation completely.”

Zhang Bing was eager to persuade her, so much so that he forgot to control the urgency on his face.

Yuan Xiangdie simply regarded him with a cool gaze, saying nothing. Even if she did speak, what good would it do?

Jin Yuan would never allow someone of this sort near him. Their family's record was clean, and even if they’d done anything illegal, they could easily make amends.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, but my affairs are not for others to meddle in. If you truly want revenge, let me remind you: evildoers always meet their end.”

She refused without hesitation. Wasting more time talking to him was less productive than reading another chapter of her novel.

“If there’s nothing else, Mr. Zhang, please leave. I need to rest—there are many things waiting for me tonight.” Her words were a clear dismissal. She pressed the call button at her side.

A nurse and doctor came from the front desk, seeing a man blocking the door.

“I need to rest. Please see this gentleman out.”

Goodness, are we doctors or nurses, or this lady’s private attendants? One moment they were receiving guests, the next, sending them away. Later, they’d likely be delivering documents and brewing tea.

Still, though they grumbled inwardly, they dutifully escorted the man out. The hospital was expensive but prided itself on excellent service.

Jin Yuan returned in haste, showered, and came straight over, burning with impatience to see her. However, as he was about to enter the room, someone pulled him aside.

Yuan Lan, supported by two male nurses, was led to the corridor. It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but he could never guess Jin Yuan’s intentions. Yuan Xiangdie was just an innocent girl.

“Old man, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting in your room?”

In an instant, he regained his earlier composure. He was in the midst of delicate negotiations with their family; such matters couldn’t be handled emotionally.

“Mr. Jin, what are your intentions toward my granddaughter? My body may be failing, but my judgment is sound.”

Caught off guard by the blunt question, Jin Yuan saw no reason to hide.

“I do care for your granddaughter. Xiaowei likes her too. I’ve decided to make her my wife, and I will see that she agrees.” The implication was clear: she hadn’t yet consented. Yuan Lan breathed a sigh of relief—at least his granddaughter hadn’t accepted him.

Still, anxiety gnawed at him. He’d heard about Jin Yuan’s methods abroad; if not for his health, he’d be even more troubled. This man was formidable in every role.

“No need to worry, sir. I’ll take good care of her—I won’t let anyone bully her, except myself.”

…You’re something else.

“Take the old man back to rest. The surgery is tomorrow. Save your strength—don’t make Yuan Xiangdie see someone off herself.”

Regardless of his wishes, the two attendants escorted him away. Yuan Lan, frail as he was, couldn’t resist.

Jin Yuan watched the old man disappear down the hall, composed himself, and entered the room.

Yuan Xiangdie didn’t look up, her eyes closed in silence.

She still held a book in her hands. Jin Yuan glanced at it and couldn’t help but smile—it was Butler Hu’s favorite. Clearly, the butler was satisfied with such a daughter-in-law, and Xiaowei even more so.

“To fall asleep like this—you truly are foolish.” Though his words were mocking, he couldn’t mask the deep affection in his eyes—a certain possessiveness, if one looked closely.

He adjusted her position, took the book away, covered her with a blanket, and sat by her side, keeping vigil.

He hadn’t rested in a long while, all for the sake of seeing this woman. He’d left work behind—he’d never been this distracted, not even when Xiaowei was ill.

He wondered what had come over him. Perhaps this woman was skilled in poisons—like the masters in martial arts novels, who used some trick to make escape impossible.

On Mina’s end, she’d been unable to reach Yuan Xiangdie by phone and finally went to her house to look for her.

When she arrived at the mansion, she found only those two women who had taken over the place coming and going.

“Who knows where she’s gone? How is the business supposed to run?”

The society ladies had been hounding her, urging and urging as if they expected her to abscond with their money.

“Wretched woman—what is she up to? If she ignores me again, I’ll ignore her forever.”

In a fit of pique, she nearly plucked a sapling bare. The little tree had only a few leaves, and the estate’s landscaping was always well-tended, with security patrolling daily. When they saw the abused sapling, they naturally set out to find the culprit.

“Hey, young lady, what are you doing over there?”

“Not good!”

Seeing them approach, Mina turned and fled. She couldn’t let herself be caught! She glanced back as she ran, checking if the guards were pursuing her—her reputation was at stake.

The An family hadn’t been peaceful lately. Since that big shot’s visit to give her father a warning, Jin Junming had been confined at home. At the mere mention of going out, Wei Hongfang would go berserk, sitting at the door with a cane and sealing all the windows and back doors.

“If that brat dares go out again, I’ll break his legs. He’ll stay put until Yuan Xiangdie finds someone and marries. Only then can he leave.”

Perhaps the threat had frightened him—after two days, Jin Junming stopped protesting. Even Lady An was at a loss.

“Wei Hongfang, why go to such lengths? They’re all like this—if Yuan Xiangdie refuses to marry, are you going to let your son remain alone for life?”

Mothers’ love often ruins their sons—this boy had been utterly spoiled.