Chapter Six: The Unspoken Melody

Jinyuan watched the awkward atmosphere in the room. That heartless little brat Xiaowei—now that he had this woman, he didn’t need his own father anymore.

Yet Yuan Xiangdie couldn’t read any emotion on this man’s face; she only knew that if she didn’t go back soon, those two women would surely make her pay for it later. Lost in thought, she failed to notice the change in the little darling she held.

After all, he was just a child—there was always a faint milky scent about Xiaowei, gentle and soft. An indescribable feeling was fermenting in Yuan Xiangdie’s heart, a powerful impulse rising in her mind. The words hovered on her lips, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

“Auntie, take Xiaowei with you, please!”

Outside, rain poured down, the damp air mixed with the child’s milky fragrance, rushing into Yuan Xiangdie’s senses. She looked at the child’s rosy cheeks and those moist, sparkling eyes—her heart melted. How could a child be this adorable?

Jinyuan just watched as the pair—one big, one small—clung tightly to each other, as if they were a family themselves.

“Ahem, Xiaowei hasn’t eaten yet. Here’s his milk for the evening, and some meals the nanny prepared.”

The sudden cough made Yuan Xiangdie look up. The exceptionally handsome man was holding a childish yellow duck backpack. The whole scene was oddly comical; if the shop weren’t so dimly lit, Yuan Xiangdie would have suspected that the flush on Jinyuan’s face was from embarrassment.

“You’re responsible,” he said abruptly. Yuan Xiangdie, still not fully comprehending, instinctively took the yellow bag with one hand while holding Xiaowei with the other.

Jinyuan only turned awkwardly and walked out. “It’s still raining outside…”

But it was no use—he was already gone, the door shut, the rain falling so hard she couldn’t see where he’d gone.

Xiaowei was a little traitor, indifferent to it all, using his soft childish voice to charm a certain strange aunt’s heart.

“Auntie~ Xiaowei doesn’t want to eat.”

Heavens, how could there be such a precious child in the world? Yuan Xiangdie stopped overthinking; catching this little cutie was all that mattered.

The place was a mess, beer cans everywhere from earlier. She couldn’t teach the child bad habits, so she took him straight to the design studio in the back. After all, there was nothing worth stealing in her little shop, and there were security cameras anyway.

“How can that be? Xiaowei, you’re still growing. Soon you’ll be even taller than your father, and then no one will dare bully you.”

This odd aunt spoke so earnestly as she tried to convince the child. Jinyuan’s height was hardly short—nearly one meter eighty, with a model’s build, a walking clothes hanger. Even after five years in prison, as a designer, she’d never lost touch with this kind of information.

She strode briskly to a small door and, pushing it open, found a different world within.

Xiaowei, still a child, was unhappy about having to do something he didn’t want. But not wanting to upset Auntie, he obediently lay his head on her shoulder.

Inside was a huge mirrored wall. Yuan Xiangdie saw his sulky reflection in it—but he was adorable no matter what, his little face so soft and tender.

She couldn’t help but laugh, setting the bag on the table. With her free hand, she fluffed up his silky hair—if only this child were her own!

“If you finish your meal, Auntie will make you new clothes to wear, how about that?”

It was a huge temptation. Xiaowei had already noticed—the clothes in this room were even prettier than those outside, especially the sky-blue little suit on the mannequin.

Watching his expression, Yuan Xiangdie truly felt he was a treasure. But thinking of this made her sad again; there was loneliness in her gaze, and a sorrow that clung to her. If only he were her child… If only she’d had the power to protect him.

“Auntie, be good—Xiaowei wants new clothes.”

A pair of small, soft hands gently touched her brow. Xiaowei hated to see the pretty aunt frowning, on the verge of tears.

“Auntie, be happy. Xiaowei will eat.”

In that instant, all Yuan Xiangdie’s emotions were soothed. Perhaps these plump little hands really could heal the pain deep within her.

She hugged the child tightly to her chest, almost as if she were a strange aunt bullying a well-behaved child.

“My precious, you’re just too cute. Come, let’s eat—no more sadness, no more tears.”

It was as if she were comforting herself as much as the child.

Jinyuan had left early in the morning, now feeling irritable—not because of Xiaowei’s closeness with Yuan Xiangdie, which somehow felt entirely natural.

He stood beneath the eaves, steam rising in the glow of the streetlamp, making the entire street look even gloomier. In the shadows, it was as though some dark conspiracy lurked, waiting to devour him.

The crimson glow of his cigarette flickered as he inhaled sharply, only to choke.

He checked his watch—past nine.

His brows furrowed, a haze in his eyes that wouldn’t dissolve. He pulled out his phone and dialed an unfamiliar number.

“Tell Yuan Lan he’s had enough time to enjoy himself abroad. Things are out of control. If he doesn’t want his granddaughter to get hurt, it’s time to come back…”

But this was only a temporary fix. Yuan Lan was Yuan Xiangdie’s grandfather. Ever since the death of the eldest child, the devastated old man had emigrated overseas, leaving everything in the hands of Yuan Xiangdie’s stepmother. No one expected things to go so wrong.

Meanwhile, in the family mansion, Yuan Yao’er was in a rage.

“What is all this? That nobody designer dares compare herself to me? I’m a top-tier designer—my brand is worth a fortune!”

Some third-rate “country chicken” designer had suddenly started stealing her business. The movie queen had ordered her twilight fringe evening gown, even paid the deposit.

Zhang Xi lounged like a grande dame, sipping tea, watching her daughter’s tantrum with the air of a madwoman. She set down her coffee cup with a crisp clink, as if striking some raw nerve.

“Mother, why don’t you say something? You told me Si Tu didn’t like old-fashioned clothes—so what if he’s a foreigner? What does he know about aesthetics?”

Her once-bright face was now twisted with malice. She had nowhere to vent her anger—so what if it was the movie queen? She had plenty of other clients; one more or less made no difference.

“It’s all that wretch’s fault!” At this point, Julie still didn’t know who the buyer of the dark evening gown was. She only knew the client’s figure was so perfectly proportioned it made even her, as a woman, blush and race.

A man in black stood nearby, huge sunglasses hiding his eyes, but his aura alone showed he was no ordinary person.

Julie dared not speak, knowing she couldn’t risk losing a new client over a trivial matter.

“This gown is entirely hand-crafted to fit the body’s curves. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, we can alter it immediately.”

No one responded, making Julie feel awkward; she quietly stepped aside.

After five or six minutes, there was finally movement behind the curtain. A woman with jet-black hair emerged from the fitting room, her face hidden by a large mask, her fringe long.

But every gesture exuded a mesmerizing allure—familiar, yet indistinct.

“This dress is exactly what I wanted, but could you replace the pearl on the chest? My profession has its peculiarities—such a revealing gown isn’t really appropriate.”

On her, the dress looked as if it had been made just for her. The pearl pendant lengthened her neck, but her figure was so striking it bordered on vulgar.

“I think it looks good. With a shawl, the media wouldn’t be able to write whatever they please.”

The two conversed as if no one else were there. Their shop had originally been on a less busy street, but all the finished designs were auctioned online. That’s why Mina brought the clothes home, turning her house into a fitting room—a perfect arrangement.

“Don’t be willful. You know your position now—you can’t risk any stir from that side. Even a hint of scandal and I wouldn’t be able to protect you.”

The man seemed not to hear, insisting the woman pick a shawl. She didn’t look willing. As a designer, Julie was always partial to models with great figures, but now she swallowed nervously, meaning to speak up, yet never finding the right moment.

Julie, come on, this is your own shop—you can’t let this man bully your client. A little white angel fluttered in her mind, only to be stomped on by a black shadow. But this was her golden goose; it was obvious these two were as close as she’d guessed. If she didn’t step in, the man’s advice was actually sensible—only, it contradicted her original design intent. Did that really matter?

She thought of her savings, and of her best friend just released from prison. Julie truly needed this money; with it, they could expand the shop, make more beautiful clothes, create more things people would love.

But time waited for no one. The man was already half-shoving the woman toward a Chanel-style shawl over a stacked leather jacket.

He was overbearing, but his taste was impeccable.

He commanded, “Go take that jacket off the rack.”

The masked beauty, unwilling as she was, still felt the dress exposed too much of her back—a cutout that made her seem even taller. But given the current climate, any new scandal could ruin her career.

Her attitude was almost pleading. Shao Yanqiu truly didn’t want to be manipulated by this man any longer. Though they were betrothed from childhood, that was an old-world custom.

“I’m begging you, stop doing this. Don’t you want me to accompany you to the film premiere? Don’t you want a docile, obedient contract bride? Fine—I’m an actress, I can do all that. But please, stop treating me like this. I’m a person too. I have my own life.”

The man made no response, remaining stubborn.

Julie wasn’t one to fear the powerful—otherwise, she’d never have stayed friends with Yuan Xiangdie.

“Sir, didn’t you hear? The lady said she doesn’t want the shawl. Besides, if you pair that leather jacket with my gown, you’ll ruin my design—and all the hard work my friend and I put into it. If that’s your attitude, you’re not welcome here.”

Her firm stance finally piqued the man’s interest, though it was a chilling sort of interest. Shao Yanqiu saw this girl, younger and shorter than herself, standing in front of her, shielding her. The man’s aura was intimidating, but she couldn’t let her own recklessness ruin this young woman.

In her anxiety, she hurriedly took down the gown herself, moving quickly—but in his eyes, the man only seemed more detestable.

“She’s your client. I’m only offering advice. Whether she wears it or not is her choice—no one can force her.”

His voice was pleasant, but she hadn’t expected him to be so unconcerned for a beautiful model’s feelings.

So long as there was hope for reasoned argument, Julie would never let her model client down—in that, she was even more innocent than Yuan Xiangdie.

“This dress can be altered, but the pearl at the chest is non-negotiable. We can add a cheongsam-style collar. The original sketch was meant to make the model look even taller, but we had delays, so it’s not finished yet.”

She spoke as she worked, hurrying to sketch a quick template.

Looking at the newly revised dark gown in her hands, Shao Yanqiu was overjoyed.

“I want this version. However long it takes, I’ll wait—but please make it as quickly as possible.”

While Julie worked swiftly on the alterations, elsewhere a certain woman was feeding a child, basking in the little one’s gentle obedience, her heart utterly melted.

“Darling, you’re just too good. Auntie’s heart is turning to mush. Tell me, how did your cold-faced daddy ever have such a sweet child as you?”

Yuan Xiangdie muttered, occasionally sketching Jinyuan’s stern expression. Xiaowei, for his part, was certain—soft and sweet, his certainty became an accusation, his bright eyes shining.

This only made Yuan Xiangdie love him more. For no reason, she wanted to be truly good to this child, never wishing to see him hurt.

“Auntie, can Xiaowei stay with you?”

His small hands clung tightly to her clothes, his eyes full of hope and longing. Yuan Xiangdie knew this child had lost his mother young. Maybe it was because she resembled his mother, but she knew she couldn’t. Not only did she have many unresolved issues, Jinyuan would never let her raise his precious son.

She waited, but there was no answer. Xiaowei, stubborn as a calf, refused to let go—until Jinyuan returned, flanked by bodyguards.

“Come here, it’s getting late. I’ve arranged for someone to take Miss Yuan back to the villa. Xiaowei, be good.”

Truthfully, Jinyuan didn’t want the child to leave this woman either. There was something mysterious about Yuan Xiangdie. He could investigate her life, but what she revealed was always more than what he found. Whether it was her studio or Xiaowei’s unusual affection for a stranger, it all seemed significant.

“In that case, thank you very much, Mr. Jinyuan.” The words were polite, but in Yuan Xiangdie’s mind, Jinyuan was a great villain, standing between her and her beloved little one.

“No!”

The small voice rang out abruptly. Xiaowei clung with all his might, unwilling to let go.

Jinyuan didn’t argue. He’d already made sure that, after this, the woman would not be troubled by his stepmother or those other women. With her grandfather’s return, as the granddaughter she must attend the reunion—or all the arrangements would be in vain.

Jinyuan himself didn’t know why he was suddenly looking out for this woman. Perhaps it was for the child’s sake; Xiaowei had finally found a woman he liked. He had to fulfill the child’s wishes, and could not let anything happen to her now.

The car she rode in had plates money couldn’t buy. “Didn’t expect him to be so powerful.”

But if Jinyuan weren’t formidable, so many wouldn’t covet him—Yuan Yao’er among them. If not for that day, blocking Yuan Yao’er’s path, she might still have been fine. There would have been no need to marry that idle young master, and whatever was done to her voice, she never knew. That day was sickening enough. Lost in thought, Yuan Xiangdie couldn’t pull herself out of her own world.

Soon, they arrived at the Yuan villa. Gone was its usual tranquility; lights blazed everywhere, brightening not just the house but the whole stretch of sky.

“What’s going on? Doesn’t the family care about the electric bill? Don’t they know how to save?”

She braced herself for a confrontation—if they were going to attack, she might as well strike first. But halfway through speaking, she saw the old man sitting there—the only one who ever truly believed in her. But because of his ill health, he’d been sent abroad to recuperate. Zhang Xi took the opportunity to seize the house; only some shares remained in her name, so the stepmother could only frame her and send her to prison.

Thinking of this, Yuan Xiangdie’s heart ached. Yuan Lan saw his granddaughter, so like his own eldest child, especially those eyes, that high nose.

“Grandpa…”

Her voice trembled, and before she knew it, tears streamed down her face.

She hadn’t seen him in years—it should have been two and a half years ago, when his hair was still black. Now, in such a short time, it was all white.

“Don’t cry, child…”

It was a touching scene. The old man was about to comfort her when he was interrupted.

Yuan Yao’er came down the spiral staircase, proud as a princess. Now that everything was in her hands, not even that old man’s return would change a thing. Did he really think he was needed here, when he could be enjoying life abroad? What did she lack, that he had to come back and stir up muddy waters?

Zhang Xi, too, no longer bothered to play the dutiful stepmother. The old man’s shares had already been transferred to her; once he passed, the whole estate would be hers.

“Xiang’er, you’re back. It’s been so long. Don’t blame your mother—it was Grandpa who returned unexpectedly. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have disturbed you.”

Her words dripped with meaning: as the eldest daughter, Yuan Xiangdie hadn’t come home to welcome her grandfather, but stayed out running wild, so improper.

Yuan Xiangdie met it with a cold smile, masking her unhappiness.

“It’s my fault. But there was no way to know Grandpa would return so suddenly, or I’d have taken better care of him.”

She stood obediently by Yuan Lan, slowly dabbing at the old man’s lips, moving the water jug far away—the water was from when she’d gone out early that morning. Giving him cold water like that—how could he stay healthy? These two women were too much. Even if Grandpa was ailing, they shouldn’t treat him like this.

“Stop pretending. Didn’t you always want to leave? There are plenty of chances. Just accept Young Master Ou’s proposal and everything will be fine. Otherwise, Grandpa’s health can’t take it.”

The tone and expression from Yuan Yao’er were chilling. Yuan Xiangdie heard the threat behind her words.

Mother and daughter were using Grandpa’s life to threaten her…