Chapter Forty-Four: The Night of Darkness

Ever since she stepped through those grand doors, Yuan Xiangdie had been tense every moment. It was rare for her to follow Jin Yuan so closely, but she did just that. Wherever Jin Yuan went, Yuan Xiangdie followed. The two parents watched this with delight, and even Jin Yuan himself found he liked the little shadow trailing behind him.

Xiaowei, however, was not so pleased. Just moments ago, when Yuan Xiangdie arrived at their home, the child had been so happy, eager to rush up and speak warmly. But before she could say a word, Yuan Xiangdie stayed glued to Jin Yuan’s side.

Xiaowei had never been overly fond of his father; children are simple creatures—if you treat them well, they like you, and if you don’t, they don’t. In this household, only the old man had truly won the child’s affection; no one else, no matter how hard they tried, could compare.

“Auntie, will you watch TV with Xiaowei?”

Jin Yuan walked to the kitchen, intent on slicing the washed fruit to bring out. Yuan Xiangdie followed, not even glancing to the sides.

“Xiaowei wants to build with blocks now, does anyone want to join?”

Jin Yuan carried a chair to the dining table and, seeing the thick smoke in the kitchen, put down his things and went in. Yuan Xiangdie followed, not carrying a chair, but holding two plates instead.

Back and forth, Xiaowei grew genuinely upset. But the grandmother could see the child’s disappointment and quickly offered a solution.

“I want to watch TV with Xiaowei,” she said, raising her hand.

Her dignity mattered too; the child had already realized this, and though he wasn’t particularly fond, he hugged his toy and dragged his blocks over to her.

Qimei, for her part, relished the rare affection from the child, her smile never fading, which made the old man next to her jealous.

“Oh, so Xiangdie doesn’t want Grandpa anymore? It looks like Grandma is better than Grandpa!”

Age brings its own childishness, and so, thanks to this scene, Yuan Xiangdie’s anxiety eased slightly. Jin Yuan, who usually spent his evenings shut away in the study after long days in the office, now felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

“No need to be so nervous, my parents don’t bite,” Jin Yuan said, amused but struggling not to show it.

Yuan Xiangdie was bewildered that her tension had been noticed. Her mind went blank, and she stood there, uncertain where to put her hands and feet. Had she not been holding a plate, she’d surely have become a decorative statue, waiting for the ordeal to end.

Jin Yuan had never seen her like this. At banquets, she spoke eloquently; in design meetings, she battled fiercely.

“If you really don’t know what to do, just push all the problems onto me,” he said, unusually considerate, as he gently squeezed her hand.

Only then did he notice her palm was slick with sweat; his composure slipped.

Jin Yuan was strikingly handsome, not like the polished men of their social circle but radiating a robust masculinity that made others feel secure.

Realizing she’d been staring at him, Yuan Xiangdie blushed with embarrassment. But Jin Yuan seemed not to notice; she quickly collected herself and shot him a glare.

“What’s so funny? Anyway, this is my first time, alright?”

She looked away, her mind racing. No matter what she said, Jin Yuan surely knew about her misfortune with her child—the news had circulated widely. She felt suddenly inferior, as if she didn’t deserve such a perfect man. She had once admired him, but after what happened, all her fantasies had shattered.

“There are things we can’t change, but we can’t live in the past forever. What happened to your child was heartbreaking; I’ve looked into it. Your sister deliberately orchestrated it.”

“I know,” Yuan Xiangdie replied. She had learned the truth long ago; whatever she had done, Yuan Yao’er had never forgiven her.

The two spent long enough in the kitchen that Xiaowei began to throw tantrums, his small face stormy, rivaling his father’s.

“Oh, young people always dawdle. As grown-ups, we must be understanding, let the young ones have time together to nurture feelings. Otherwise, you’ll scare her off, and if you lose your hard-won daughter-in-law, where will you cry?” Qimei said in a loud voice to her husband. She wouldn’t let the child interrupt; this was a rare opportunity for the couple to nurture their bond. If they lost this daughter-in-law, she’d be inconsolable—her son finally showed interest in a woman.

The old man had nothing to add; his wife, though from a scholarly family, was domineering, almost like a bandit. But after years of marriage, he was used to yielding.

“Yes, yes, you’re right. But if they don’t eat soon, the child will starve. He’s growing, don’t joke about this.”

Hearing this, Jin Yuan didn’t mind, but the new daughter-in-law was embarrassed. Carrying a plate of cold dishes, she hurried out, calling, “I’ll be right there.”

It felt suspicious, especially as she emerged flushed, eyes shining, as if something illicit had taken place in the kitchen.

Jin Yuan had intended to let Yuan Xiangdie hide a bit longer, but as she left, Qimei burst out laughing, privately delighted—her son finally had such moments.

She was reassured; his preferences were indeed for women.

“Oh, don’t do such heavy work. Let the men handle it. We women should sit and chat. The more I see of this daughter-in-law, the more I like her,” Qimei said, casting a glance at Jin Yuan, who shook his head helplessly.

Tonight’s introduction was a one-sided affair, and Qimei wasn’t satisfied, even wanting Yuan Xiangdie to stay overnight.

“Such a good girl, why not rest here tonight?”

She was every bit the bandit; Jin Yuan rubbed his forehead in the shadows. His mother was relentless. Yuan Xiangdie’s chick-like timidity was even more pronounced after meeting the parents.

But according to previous reports, Yuan Xiangdie had always been a staunch opponent of marriage. Why was she so shy and prepared now, as if she’d studied for the occasion? Was she trying to attract the attention of wealthy men or those rebellious young heirs?

Jin Yuan couldn’t deny his imagination was running wild.

Yuan Xiangdie would never stay; she refused immediately, which made Xiaowei throw a fit. Yuan Xiangdie was rarely confronted with such a scene, and even the attentive housekeeper was surprised—the young master was usually obedient, never crying or fussing. Each time Mr. He lost his temper, it was because of Yuan Xiangdie.

He frowned quietly, which Yuan Xiangdie noticed. She bit her lip, thinking her behavior had displeased the housekeeper, and reached out to hold Xiaowei.

Sure enough, once in Yuan Xiangdie’s arms, Xiaowei became much more docile. Yuan Xiangdie patiently comforted him, hoping to calm him quickly.

“There, there, don’t cry. See, no one else is crying, only Xiaowei is making a fuss. Isn’t that not good?”

Xiaowei was already a big boy, five or six years old, able to tell right from wrong. Sniffling, he struggled to hold back tears, his nose red, making Yuan Xiangdie’s heart ache.

If she could, she truly wanted to stay with the child, but it was impossible on her first visit.

She couldn’t just remain; it would seem impolite and signal she had ulterior motives.

Though it was true, being so blunt was not wise.

“The child is still young. Put him to sleep, then leave,” Jin Yuan said from the sidelines, his words carrying weight. Whenever the boss spoke, Yuan Xiangdie could not refuse.

Upon hearing this, Xiaowei clung tightly to Yuan Xiangdie’s sleeve, afraid that if he let go, auntie would vanish, his pitiful expression heartbreaking.

Perhaps because the boss had spoken, and she herself was soft-hearted, Yuan Xiangdie nodded.

Xiaowei immediately hugged her, “I knew auntie was the best.”

Qimei nodded approvingly; Yuan Xiangdie’s willingness to stay was a good sign. The girl was indeed excellent.

The old man added fuel to the fire. Since Jin Yuan brought her home, this woman must be his daughter-in-law. Changing how they addressed her early was no bad thing.

“Xiaowei, you shouldn’t call her auntie anymore.”

Hearing this, the child was confused, his question stuck in his throat, his nose twitching, mouth trembling, about to burst into tears again.

“You old fool! The child just calmed down and you’re stirring things up again?”