Chapter Fifty-Five: The Way of Teasing

Li Qingqing was truly at a loss for words. Why did Julie keep coming over so often?
“Nana, why do you always drop by every few days? You should know my place isn’t exactly the best spot to hang out.”
Julie, with her boisterous personality and fiery temper, was certainly careless and blunt.
But when it came to her illness, there was little she could do. She couldn’t be exposed to air thick with dust, or anything that felt uncomfortable and gloomy. In such an environment, she would break out in small red bumps all over her body.
Commonly known as an allergy.
“Oh come on, it’s not easy for me to get here—don’t kick me out.”
Julie draped herself affectionately over Li Qingqing’s shoulder. The two had known each other for a long time, close confidantes.
Originally, three strangers, they had become an inseparable trio.
That’s a story for later. The three would come to occupy a place of prominence in the world of fashion.
In the end, they would rely on their own abilities to earn their honor.
“Shouldn’t you be spending time with that other person lately? How come you have time to see me?”
It was from this little chatterbox that Li Qingqing learned what kind of person Yuan Xiangdie was.
Rumors had long swirled in their circle—anyone capable of personally ending their father’s life couldn’t possibly be a good person. At that time, she hadn’t yet turned sixteen, so she escaped the death penalty.
“Alright, get up quickly! If your brother sees this, even I won’t be able to save you.”
Julie always grew furious when her brother was mentioned. That scoundrel was always so gentle with Li Qingqing, while treating his own sister like a stray he’d found by the roadside—her presence seemed entirely optional.
Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, winter arrived.
In the snowy landscape, it was a world frozen solid.
In her previous home, such scenery was impossible to see. Only distant mountains, unreachable no matter how much one longed for them.
“Auntie, have some tea.”
Little Wei was a thoughtful child, and already grown—now six years old.
Seeing him bring over a cup of ginger tea, Yuan Xiangdie’s face instantly fell.
“Can I not drink it?”
She wanted to negotiate, but still rejected it firmly, behind the child’s back.
He waggled his short fingers, imitating a cool pose from television.
Ha, woman, you’ve caught my attention.
“This silly expression should be your father’s, shouldn’t it?”
Yuan Xiangdie mimicked him, tucking all her hair behind her ears to reveal a neat face, adopting a teasing gesture and grabbing her chin.
Eyes scornful, nostrils flared. “Ha, woman. You’re playing with fire; you lit it, so you’ll have to put it out yourself.”
It was hilarious. Little Wei too was rarely like this, but since starting kindergarten, life seemed harder for him.
Jin Yuan was like a madman, packing all the primary school curriculum into kindergarten.
Yuan Xiangdie was deeply dissatisfied for a time, as her little darling would be leaving her side.

Then Xiao Zhi, with heartfelt persuasion, convinced Housekeeper Hu, and the three of them went to face the great villain together.
Jin Yuan needed only a look to defeat the little troublemaker, who clung tightly to his hem, trembling.
Yuan Xiangdie regretted it bitterly—this boy had done it on purpose, right at the crucial moment of her design plans.
Jin Yuan claimed he’d misled his son, and insisted she stay at the villa for three days.
It was during this three-day seclusion that the entire rebirth process appeared on the page—buying fabric, searching for suitable jewelry, planning and revising designs. More than a year had passed already.
During this time, Teacher Han had visited several times, and eventually everyone merged together, offering special advice here and there.
“Auntie, hurry inside! Daddy will be home soon—if he sees you standing at the door without a coat, he’ll scold you.”
It had been nearly a year since Jin Yuan last confessed his feelings or suggested living together.
Yuan Xiangdie felt time had flown, and was glad she hadn’t agreed then.
His moods grew worse and more distant; had she agreed, she’d have become a resentful wife shut away in the inner chambers.
Seeing the child’s mittened hands, Yuan Xiangdie could tell the ginger tea was just the right temperature. She took the handle, and Little Wei felt the cup lighten in his hands.
“Auntie, hurry.”
Those shining eyes stared at her, almost irresistible. He was a year older, but still adorable as ever.
Yuan Xiangdie didn’t linger outside, instead holding the child’s hand, and together they returned to the holiday house—Julie, Li Qingqing, Jin Yuan, and Little Wei.
The others were busy and hadn’t come. Li Qingqing, with her culinary skills, unique insight, and delicate heart, had won Yuan Xiangdie over at first sight. After that, the three often spent time together, pulling all-nighters, always dragged home by the big and little men.
Jin Yuan had also made considerable progress during this period; his company expanded yet again, and his second company, Kunpeng, was preparing to go public.
As soon as Little Wei entered the room, he shed all his heavy winter gear, like a plump dumpling, revealing only his inner layers.
He looked even cuter, and Yuan Xiangdie, to children, was like a beast.
She grabbed his soft cheeks, pinching them until they were bright red before reluctantly letting go, waiting for the next opportunity.
Little Wei had been ambushed countless times, but always forgot, looking like a bullied bride afterward.
“Ultraman Shield!”
This was from the Ultraman show he’d been watching lately. Yuan Xiangdie didn’t understand it, but thought the child seemed more cheerful—a good thing.
She eyed the ginger tea on the table, feeling nauseated, and carried it to the kitchen to secretly pour it out.
But arriving in the kitchen, brimming with joy, she spotted his little feet—and instantly backed down.
“Oh my, why aren’t you playing nicely? The kitchen isn’t for children.”
Her heart skipped a beat—when had this little rascal come over?
“Daddy told me to make sure you finish it, or else you’ll get sick.”
Faced with such sudden concern, Yuan Xiangdie’s heart warmed even more. During this period, their interactions had always been like this. She’d stopped resisting—so be it.
After all, one was a little heartthrob and the other a big one—and the big one was especially handsome.

He kept chasing her; even if she wasn’t interested in romance, they could at least be friends.
“I’m back.”
Just as the little bundle was about to lose ground, a voice from outside sounded like a war drum, and both sides retreated.
Jin Yuan was famous as a “god of slaughter”—in the business world. In ordinary life, he was rather cute.
Yuan Xiangdie had long discovered that this CEO actually liked sweets. Well, it wasn’t surprising.
He always had something in common with her; otherwise, there’d be no chemistry between them.
The air was filled with a faint scent of ginger tea. Jin Yuan, a bit nervous, for the first time removed the black mask hanging by his mouth.
His sexy Adam’s apple moved, and Yuan Xiangdie, the incorrigible flirt, swallowed hard.
But the little troublemaker was quick to stir things up. “Daddy, Auntie didn’t listen to me. She didn’t drink the ginger tea—she was about to pour it down the sink.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I was just about to drink it when you came back, and I went to open the door.”
Little Wei, out of Jin Yuan’s sight, gave Yuan Xiangdie a wink.
…
Yuan Xiangdie gritted her teeth. The boy was doing it on purpose… Jin Yuan placing the child beside Yuan Xiangdie was nothing new. Both were almost used to it; it felt as if they were meant to be a family.
Standing in the courtyard, Yuan Xiangdie stared blankly at the garden, now blanketed in white.
At the corner of the wall, two snowmen had appeared, with delicate decorations.
Their noses, unlike usual, weren’t made from carrots and pebbles. Curious, Yuan Xiangdie approached, reaching out to touch the dark object—which promptly fell off.
It landed in the snow, glinting coldly.
She recognized it, but wasn’t sure where it had come from.
“Micro…”
So Little Wei wouldn’t notice, Yuan Xiangdie quickly picked it up and slipped it into her pocket, missing another one in her haste.
Meanwhile, Jin Yuan placed the child on the sofa. The big and little man were deep in negotiation.
Little Wei’s face was solemn, as if discussing a matter of great importance.
“Auntie treats me very well.”
He punctuated it with a dramatic eye roll; Jin Yuan acted as if he didn’t care. Jin Xiaowei couldn’t always stay outside, and besides, Yuan Xiangdie was only an employee.
Jin Yuan didn’t contradict him, trying to reason with the child.
He took off his suit jacket and draped it over Little Wei. When they entered earlier, he’d held his hand—those small hands were icy cold.
Apparently, Yuan Xiangdie had been out for a while, and Little Wei had waited at the door just as long. With his poor constitution, Jin Yuan’s eyes showed a hint of concern.
“You’re my child, so you must stay with me. Yuan Xiangdie needs to work, and provide for herself.”
Jin Yuan had once thought about publicly declaring Yuan Xiangdie as his woman. Then, as he’d done with others before, handing over a check to help care for Little Wei.