Chapter Seven: Seeking Flowers and Courting Willows-The Baby Boss(Little Saint)

Yuan Yao’er’s tone and expression sent chills down one’s spine; even Yuan Xiangdie caught the underlying meaning. The mother and daughter were threatening with Grandfather’s life.

The next morning, the old man was startled awake by a knocking at the door. He opened his eyes sluggishly, a flicker of anger in his gaze.

“How late are you still sleeping? Do I have to come up and wake you? Elderly people are such trouble! Do you really think you’re some ancient lord, with people waiting on you?” The voice belonged to Yuan Yao’er. She had been thoroughly displeased ever since this decrepit old man had moved into the house.

“Are you going to get up or not? Do you expect me to help you dress too?” she scoffed.

Yuan Lan had never imagined he would be humiliated by a younger generation in this way. His face darkened, but he didn’t argue, rising unhurriedly from the bed. He looked around the small, empty room, decorated only with a few tasteless trinkets, and felt a pang of bitterness. He had once been the head of the household, after all.

On the other side, Yuan Xiangdie had also woken. After changing her clothes, she fetched the breakfast she had prepared for her grandfather from the kitchen; she recalled how her father used to make noodles for her, topped with freshly blanched greens—a breakfast filled with affection. She inhaled the aroma, savoring the scent; she’d even drizzled a few drops of fragrant sesame oil, as recommended by a nutritionist. Grandfather had flown in from abroad, weary and worn—who knew if he’d rested well, or if he was uncomfortable, or if he’d slept poorly?

But when she reached Grandfather’s room, Yuan Xiangdie was stunned, whispering, “Grandfather…”

She had expected him to still be asleep, but was shocked by the scene before her. Standing at the top of the stairs, she watched as the housekeeper dragged Grandfather from his bed and hauled him out. He hadn’t even donned his slippers; clad in pajamas, he was propped up in the corridor. A sudden crash rang out, and Yuan Xiangdie rushed over, the scalding soup splashing her leg and raising red blisters.

“Get away! What are you doing? Grandfather is old, he can’t stand this, especially so early!” she cried.

Yuan Yao’er was surprised to find the young lady awake so early; she should have summoned her first, it would have been more entertaining—next time she’d be sure to torment her. With her head held high like a peacock, she sneered, “Don’t fuss about who’s first or last. You dropped the tray yourself; you should clean it up.”

Yuan Xiangdie said nothing, only stared unwaveringly at the woman.

“Isn’t there a housekeeper? You said yourself, everything should be left to her. You woke Grandfather so early—if waking him is the housekeeper’s job, then cleaning up certainly is too.”

Because Yuan Lan’s health was poor, he could only stand with the housekeeper’s help. When he had heard his granddaughter was being bullied abroad, he had hoped his feeble frame could somehow help her. He hadn’t expected that coming back would only make things worse.

“You unfilial girl… cough cough. Do you want me to discipline you for your father?”

The old man grabbed his cane, intending to strike, but he was too slow; lacking rest, his face was pallid, though his eyes were bloodshot. Yuan Yao’er had only wanted to intimidate him this morning, and easily dodged. She signaled to the housekeeper, a burly woman from the countryside whose strength was astonishing. Her footsteps thundered so loudly that even Yuan Xiangdie, standing afar, could feel the floor shake.

“Don’t touch my grandfather! Get away!” Yuan Xiangdie shouted, powerless against the housekeeper’s strength—she had never encountered anyone like this even during her time in prison.

The housekeeper, unconcerned, looked down her nose at them. “Sorry, I only listen to the young lady—she’s my employer. You, a pauper, couldn’t even pay my wages.”

It was such a scornful remark, but true. At present, Yuan Xiangdie couldn’t afford even a housekeeper’s salary; how could she protect her grandfather?

“Grandfather will be fine. The private doctor said my medical records are archived abroad; if I were to die suddenly, they’d definitely be implicated.”

Yuan Yao’er hadn’t expected the old man would play such a sly card, clearly prepared for this. Yet it was of little use, perhaps just a diversion.

Yuan Yao’er patted her mouth sleepily, and to Yuan Xiangdie it looked like an abyss, threatening to swallow her whole, leaving her powerless to resist.

“Forget it, let him go.” Her tone was as if she ruled the world. The housekeeper obeyed, letting go, which was another slap in the face.

“You two can chat here. Remember to tidy up your attitude. This afternoon, someone will come to discuss the engagement ceremony. If you don’t cooperate, beware for your beloved grandfather.”

All these events were overwhelming for Yuan Xiangdie. If she refused, the mother and daughter would surely harm Yuan Lan.

Yuan Xiangdie slid to the floor, head bowed, clutching her clothes as if they were her last warmth.

Yuan Yao’er saw this and was quite pleased, smiling widely as she left, satisfied that this was Yuan Xiangdie’s proper place.

“I sent you inside once, and you’ll never escape now! You pathetic creature think you can contend with me? Know your place!”

“Stay away from me, or you’ll only bring yourself misery!”

Tears blurred Yuan Xiangdie’s eyes; she remembered sitting by her father’s cold corpse, hearing that woman’s shrill voice—which, to others, sounded tragic, but to her, seemed a victorious celebration.

“Aunt…”

Whenever she remembered Xiao Wei calling her “Aunt,” her sorrows seemed to ease.

Yuan Xiangdie’s large eyes shimmered with tears, confused as she looked up to see Yuan Lan hobbling toward her.

Grandfather, I’m sorry—it’s my own inadequacy…

But suddenly, Yuan Xiangdie was struck by a thought! No, Grandfather’s health is weak; he mustn’t walk barefoot on these floors. “Grandfather, please don’t move—I’ll help you to your room.”

Stubbornly wiping her tears, Yuan Xiangdie no longer cared what might happen. At least Grandfather had returned; in this cold house, he was her only warmth.

That little face had always brought him surprises when he was still well; Yuan Lan loathed his own uselessness. If only he had cared for her properly before, taken her away even if he was ill, none of this would have happened.

“Child, you’ve suffered so much; it’s Grandfather’s failure to protect you.”

“Grandfather, please don’t say that. It’s all a scheme by those two; besides, in that place…I learned a great deal. I’m not suffering.”

She deliberately called it “that place” instead of prison, not wanting her loving, hopeful grandfather to know of her disgrace.

When she entered Grandfather’s room, she found it little better than her own—aside from hot water and his daily medicines, it was like a cell.

“How can they treat you like this?” Her voice rose, and she was about to rush out and confront the mother and daughter.

“Xiang’er, come back.”

Grandfather’s words were commanding, but filled with helplessness, his brow tightly furrowed.

With effort, Yuan Xiangdie settled him onto the bed, found a warm towel to wrap his feet; it was already past nine. Usually, the mother and daughter rose around ten, but today, having caused trouble, they had taken a second nap. This gave Yuan Xiangdie a rare chance to breathe and speak with Yuan Lan.

“I will never let this happen. That boy from the Ou family—I know he’s no good. Those two women dare introduce you to him? They must think I’m dead!”

Yuan Xiangdie wasn’t sure how Grandfather knew; Yuan Yao’er hadn’t named anyone as she left.

“Grandfather, how did you find out? I don’t even know myself.”

Surprised, she didn’t press further. Grandfather’s face was poor enough; to ask more would only make it worse.

Only before her grandfather did Yuan Xiangdie revert to the little girl who would curl up on his knee, listening to fairy tales until she drifted to sleep.

Looking at his granddaughter’s bright eyes, Yuan Lan felt even more unwilling; the mysterious figure had urged him to return, but even now, he could do nothing.

“Grandfather, don’t worry—I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m not the foolish girl I once was. Once I earn some money, we’ll leave this place.”

Yuan Xiangdie vowed to Yuan Lan, her determined gaze astonishing him.

Seeing her resilience, Yuan Lan felt even more guilty. His aged hand took her small one, “Grandfather used to hold little Xiang’er’s hand like this, step by step, into this house.”

Back then, the house was filled with the original family; the old man hadn’t handed over his authority yet, and even if quarrels arose, harmony soon returned. But now, it seemed everything had changed, and only the two of them remained to keep each other warm.

“Oh dear, am I disturbing you, old man? You and the little wretch—oh, I mean Xiang’er—having your whispering time?”

Zhang Xi, the detestable stepmother!

When the old man was still alive, he had vehemently opposed this marriage; Zhang Xi had not been the lady she was now, but a woman from the countryside, bringing a child with her. Soon after, that child vanished, and no one knew where; she had married into the family while pregnant.

“What are you doing here? Get out! My old face doesn’t need your presence.”

Yuan Lan gave her no courtesy.

Zhang Xi showed no anger; she seemed immune to such words. Her expression was contemptuous as she delicately held her cigarette, exhaling smoke like a deity.

A pale cloud drifted out, blurring the room and her face. Yuan Xiangdie coughed twice from the irritation, but the old man beside her coughed even more.

“Don’t you know Grandfather can’t stand the smell? What are you trying to do? Get out now!” Yuan Xiangdie’s tone was heavy with gloom.

But Zhang Xi ignored her entirely, taking another drag before setting it down and casting a cold glance. No longer the lady she once presented, but like any old woman next door.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t think you’re still some heiress; in my eyes, you’re not even that. Do you know how expensive what I hold is?”

Yuan Xiangdie bit her lip—these things were all bought with their family’s money...

The Yuan family’s gaze—so strikingly similar!

Zhang Xi sneered; was this the look that the dead man had given her before he died?

She laughed coldly and said no more. They were merely stepping stones, sacrifices for her own ascent. Now that she had become a phoenix, what did it matter how the sacrifices fared?

“All right, enough dawdling. Go upstairs and change your clothes. Don’t wear those outdated, lifeless things—look good, wear designer brands! If you don’t have any, I can have Yao’er lend you some.”

Ouyang Xiao had already arrived; Madame Ou was sitting downstairs.

Yuan Yao’er was playing her part perfectly, acting the role of a noble lady.

“Madam, please wait a little; my sister needs to dress up. Meeting her future husband, she must look her best, don’t you agree, Young Master Ou?”

Ouyang Xiao, slumped on the sofa like a boneless worm, was suddenly dragged into this drama. “This has nothing to do with me. That woman is just here because you all want it. If I take her home, she’ll be a decoration. I’ll pursue pleasure as I wish—why would I consult her?”

Any normal person would be furious at such words. Sending a good daughter to marry into a family only to be treated like this—who could bear the insult?

Yuan Xiangdie stubbornly wiped away her tears, resolved not to care about the future. At least Grandfather had returned; in this cold house, he was her only warmth.

That little face had always brought him unexpected joys when he was well; Yuan Lan hated his own impotence. If only he had cared for her, taken her away even if ill, none of this would have happened.

“Child, you’ve suffered so much; it’s Grandfather’s failure to protect you.”

“Grandfather, please don’t say that. It’s all a scheme by those two; besides, in that place…I learned a great deal. I’m not suffering.”

She deliberately called it “that place” instead of prison, not wanting her loving, hopeful grandfather to know of her shame.

When she entered Grandfather’s room, she found it little better than her own—aside from hot water and his daily medicines, it was like a prison cell.

“How can they treat you like this?” Her voice rose, and she was about to rush out and confront the mother and daughter.

“Xiang’er, come back.”

Grandfather’s words were commanding but full of helplessness, his brow furrowed.