Chapter Eight: A Ray of Sunshine

In the eye of the media, even the most tenuous rumor can be crystallized into reality. There may be no formal vows, no witnesses among family, friends, or clergy, yet public opinion seems to forge its own consensus. As dawn breaks over this era, the first beams of sunlight touch the earth, and the internet swells with rumors—young master Ouyang Xiao and Yuan Xiangdie have pledged themselves to each other, a private promise of lifelong devotion.

Countless versions circulate online, most riddled with derision.
“Ha, who would’ve thought these two losers would pair up?”
“Congrats on tying the knot—let’s just hope they don’t spawn another troublemaker.”
“Disgusting, really. Though that woman does look pretty, I suppose the young master is in for a treat.”
Such vile words, immortalized on the web, become indelible marks. Yuan Xiangdie, at this moment, curls up like an ostrich beneath her covers, unable to face reality. Hadn't she resolved long ago? Whatever it took to come back, she would endure. This is but a minor setback; how could it defeat her, especially before her grandfather’s eyes?

The old man cannot withstand such blows. Only an hour ago, he promised his granddaughter this would never become reality, only for the next moment to prove irreversible. Yuan Yao’er could not be more satisfied; everything was orchestrated by her hand, designed to ruin this woman’s name. She stands now like a proud peacock, clad in the latest summer design—her battle dress, tailored by a renowned designer after countless days and nights. Every lavish word fits Yuan Yao’er perfectly; she glows, a favored daughter of the heavens before the dejected loser.

The sound of her heels, sharp as gunfire, asserts dominance. Each step punctures Yuan Xiangdie’s heart, leaving her chilled to the bone. Yuan Yao’er, triumphant as a hen, lifts her head, a rare pleasant expression as she addresses the woman before her. “Congratulations, my dear sister. All these years, you’ve dreamed of a home—it’s about to come true. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

How cutting—longing for a home, such a pitiful wish.
“Your dreams, like that foolish man’s, are laughable. Wanting a warm family—have you considered if you’re worthy?”
Words spill freely, as if some switch has been flipped. Yuan Yao’er cares for nothing else; as long as she stands above Yuan Xiangdie, anything is worth it—even denying her own father, even calling that repulsive man ‘father’ for over a decade.

“It’s ridiculous. You’re about to marry—you should thank your little sister for finding you such a handsome husband. Your family will be vast, and your children plentiful—though whether they’ll be yours, I can’t say. After all, your fate and mine are worlds apart.”
It’s pure mockery. Everyone knows Ouyang Xiao has many children already; it’s only because the legitimate wife hasn’t entered the household that things have been kept under wraps, but in their circles, it’s hardly a secret.

Elsewhere, someone is restless. Xiao Wei, young as he is, has mastered the internet. Focused on the studio’s fashion designs, he discovers his favorite design house is run by Aunt Yang and starts sharing every post from Julie using the trading site account registered by Situ. Suddenly, the obscure studio is catapulted into fame.

No publicity department could match this momentum. Jin Yuan watches coldly, as if he alone has authorized it. Of course, the news of the woman’s engagement has not escaped the CEO’s attention.

“Boss, here’s today’s list of professions for the joint venture. There’ll be a systematic review this afternoon. If everything’s in order, I’ll issue the meeting notice now.”
As the most diligent assistant, Tian Xiaomeng finds herself at a loss for words to describe her dedication. The boss took her in when she was at her lowest, all thanks to a single lollipop—and, of course, the blessing of the adorable child.

Normally, Tian Xiaomeng assumes the boss won’t reply. After asking, she immediately issues a retreat order; he never responds, but the atmosphere has never been this oppressive. Then she recalls the headline she saw this morning—the main story took up three entire pages.

“Why would that woman fall for such a type? Am I not charming enough?”
Is this the legendary jealous tyrant CEO’s comment? Tian Xiaomeng dares not agree, but can only flatter relentlessly.

She instantly transforms into Jin Yuan’s most loyal minion, “How could that be, boss? You’re the most handsome. If you wanted to be a playboy, women would line up from your door to France.”
A barely perceptible lift of the eyebrow, Jin Yuan’s expression relaxes a touch.

“Boss, please continue thinking. I’ll go collect Xiao Wei’s laptop now.”
She quickly leaves, not wishing to be cannon fodder when the boss is in a slightly better mood. Only then does she realize Xiao Wei’s laptop isn’t at the office. The first thing he does every morning is open the trading site.

“Good heavens, help!”
Her thunderous yell rings through the office. Everyone, well-practiced, grabs earplugs and headphones, accustomed to such outbursts.

Meanwhile, the child’s face is sullen. Aunt Yang said, as long as he eats well, she’ll make clothes for him. But now Aunt Yang is marrying someone else, and that someone is the much-maligned young master from the Ouyang family.

“Aunt Yang’s taste… is poor.”
“Big… coward.”
These few words express the little one’s deep dissatisfaction. The CEO, who rarely receives messages from the child, gets this text and frowns deeply. As always, his reply vanishes without a trace.

Has his charm been underestimated again? Jin Yuan cannot understand why this woman keeps rejecting him. Does she truly prefer such a man?

Every record of the young master, from birth to the previous second, now sits on Jin Yuan’s desk. Ouyang Xiao never imagined his engagement would make him the thorn in a powerful man’s side, who even hired the fastest private investigator.

“Sir, here is the complete dossier you ordered. Everything is documented. We hope you’re satisfied with our service—please remember to leave a five-star review.”

Ignoring the rambling, Jin Yuan surveys the mountain of files stacked across his desk, the air thick with unprecedented tension. Outside, Assistant Tian is in tears, pressed against the glass, hoping the boss will reconsider his earlier decision.

“Boss, you can’t be so ruthless—don’t cancel the afternoon meeting! It’s a rare opportunity; we can’t let it slip away! The assistant from ALS keeps boasting about their success rate.”
After some pleading, she sees the private investigator exit and regain his cold composure.

“The payment has been transferred to your specified account.”
Tian’s impeccable tie and professional suit give her an air of restraint. The investigator privately admires Jin Yuan’s self-control.

“Boss, you can’t do this. I’ll never make the top three assistants list if you do!”

Meanwhile, the obedient child enters the house. His reputation precedes him, and Yuan Yao’er quickly recognizes him as Jin Yuan’s precious one. She wonders if the child is lost and whether befriending him might bring her closer to the CEO.

She adopts what she believes is the most gentle demeanor, but to Xiao Wei, her face is frightening. He found the place by following Aunt Yang’s directions, thankful she had the bodyguard set a tracker.

Does Jin Yuan know his son is so resourceful?
Jin Yuan does not. If he knew, he’d have sent the boy off ages ago.

“Xiao Wei, don’t you recognize me? I’m the sister you met at the ball—the one in the yellow dress with the high ponytail, the prettiest one.”

Enough—who praises themselves so shamelessly?
On the sofa, Zhang Xi thought her daughter mad for speaking to a child at the door. Draped in an ivory shawl and a soft, modified cheongsam, she looks every bit the gentle, wealthy lady, but in truth, she is quite the opposite.

“Oh my, isn’t that Jin Yuan’s child? How did he end up at our door?”
Xiao Wei wonders who taught Aunt Yang to be so peculiar but remains silent, stepping back.

Yuan Xiangdie, still hiding in her room, suddenly feels compelled to go outside. The instant she steps onto the balcony, she sees the little figure she yearns for, clearly frightened.

Yuan Yao’er dislikes children; Yuan Xiangdie fears the mother-daughter duo might harm the child and shouts,
“Don’t touch the child, either of you!”
“Xiao Wei, don’t be afraid—Aunt Yang is coming to get you!”

She rushes downstairs barefoot. Xiao Wei, seeing no sign of the hated man, relaxes, collapsing at her side. Yuan Xiangdie catches him just in time, while Yuan Yao’er’s eyes burn with resentment.

“This woman again! Not enough punishment last time? Now seducing a child? Aren’t you ashamed? If you harm him, you’ll suffer for it!”

Jin Yuan’s reputation in their circles is uncertain, but as an obsessive parent, he’s undisputed. Yuan Xiangdie isn’t afraid; if Jin Yuan returns to trouble her, she feels somewhat relieved—she’s already acquainted with the big shot, and his handsome face makes her appetite double.

Compared to Ouyang Xiao, the big shot is leagues superior, not worth mentioning.

“You’re too loud. You’re disturbing the child.”
Her cold gaze nearly makes Yuan Yao’er explode. The outfit she wears doesn’t suit her skin—she’s not as fair as she pretends, and the forced cold tone makes her look even darker. She insists on wearing white, but the effect is unnatural.

“And your outfit is ugly. Did your designer sketch it with their feet?”
Perhaps Xiao Wei’s arrival has lightened the mood. Cradling the soft child, Yuan Xiangdie lays him on the bed and reaches for her phone. Upon opening her contacts, she finds only one number.

“I don’t even have Jin Yuan’s phone number…”
Internally, she is screaming. She just decided to seek help from the big shot, only to realize she lacks his contact—her plans thwarted before they begin.

But this hardly deters the big shot’s resolve to find her.
Jin Yuan has investigated thoroughly: the woman didn’t consent willingly, the old man was useless, and he was careful not to reveal his identity to the old man’s circle.

Amid the storm, another headline emerges—a fashion week hosted domestically, attracting numerous international brands. It’s a striking, stylish, and opportune trial. Mina, upon hearing the news, wants to share it with her best friend but remembers the morning’s headline.

A fresh wave of hesitation—not unwilling, but the fashion week coincides with Yuan Xiangdie’s wedding to that scoundrel.
Julie, upon learning, grabs her keyboard, furiously typing to battle the injustice, her fingers flying.

Watching Xiao Wei’s peaceful sleep, Yuan Xiangdie slowly awakens from her confusion. Even if she cannot resolve everything, she cannot help it. But if she must fall, she’ll be the kind who falls to the depths, only to rebound.

Her once fragile face now hardens with determination. Beside her is a complete design draft. In her professional opinion, if the clothes from this draft are made—even with the cheapest, most unremarkable models—they’ll shine.

It may be an exaggeration, but Yuan Xiangdie feels no shame. While the child sleeps, she retrieves her secretly stashed tablet and drawing board, recreating her designs on screen, tweaking and revising crucial details.

“Don’t think you can make me surrender. Even if you try to crush me, I have ten days to prepare.”

She vows to stun the world; every woman in the city will seize the chance. If she can stand out during fashion week, she’ll secure her place among the elite. Then, even if she wants to avoid marriage, there’ll be no problem. Ouyang Xiao and his family’s power won’t stop the wealthy women nationwide from seeking her designs.

Coincidentally, Jin Yuan shares the same plan. If he’s determined to protect Yuan Xiangdie—for the child’s sake, of course—he won’t let anyone stand in her way. Businessmen are always distinctive.

Situ receives a complaint from the CEO:
“Yuan Yao’er’s fashion magazine…”
“Why is it so inferior? It doesn’t deserve to be included in Jin Yuan’s fashion week. As a key organizer, I will screen meticulously—no shortcuts.”

Situ is resolute; such poor work won’t make the cut. Meanwhile, a previously obscure workshop has caught everyone’s eye thanks to its sudden online popularity.

“Yuan Xiangdie… little workshop… understood.”
Of course he understands. Situ recalls the beautiful woman he once tried to chat up—the dress she wore and her radiant presence on the dance floor, like a star fallen to earth, claimed by the domineering CEO, making others sigh in regret.

“Do you mean that the little workshop is run by Miss Yuan Xiangdie?”
Hearing Situ’s delight, Jin Yuan sneers on the other end—not in person, but Situ still feels a chill.

Before he can speak, he hears a busy tone.

“What’s going on? Why wasn’t our brand selected for fashion week? Did you even try? Weren’t we promised approval? You guaranteed it!”
Yuan Yao’er’s voice is thunderous. Upstairs, Yuan Xiangdie sketches and muses.

“If his voice were any louder, he could be a megaphone. No need for amplification—everyone would know what’s being said.”
Distracted, she accidentally adds extra strokes to her drawing. Xiao Wei, now awake, lies on the pillow. He grabs Yuan Xiangdie’s stylus, and her previously smooth draft is suddenly covered in doodles.

“Aunt Yang, look.”
Yuan Xiangdie’s heart clenches—her design draft!
She cries inside, but seeing the adorable child’s face, tears flow even stronger—half heartbreak, half maternal joy.

Why does the world have such cute children? It’s enough to make a quirky aunt despair.

“Mr. Jin, hello. This is our upcoming collaborative design project, but isn’t it a bit abrupt to start now?”
Ouyang Xiao, as head of the group, personally greets Jin Yuan—a huge honor. Yet Jin Yuan refuses to grant him any face, leaving him awkward, though he’s competent enough not to care.

A sharp glance, and Ouyang Xiao is left wondering what he did to offend this stormbringer.

Amid awkward stares, he coughs and straightens his tie.
“Please, the meeting room is ready… the plan awaits… please choose.”
Tian Xiaomeng, as the only assistant present, knows well—it’s Jin Yuan’s son who has claimed the CEO’s new bride, and their young master’s new mother. How could Jin Yuan be pleasant?

She quietly rushes to resolve the matter; the CEO’s mood is terrible.

“Mr. Ouyang, this way. Our CEO dislikes anyone blocking his sunshine.”
Ouyang Xiao finds it the strangest excuse but can only comply.

“Oh, sorry, I really didn’t know—”
“Blocking others isn’t good. Not knowing is worse.”
Jin Yuan refuses to show Ouyang Xiao any courtesy—just as Tian predicted.

“Your son’s fiancée is excellent.”
He walks a few steps, then returns to add,
This confirms for Ouyang Xiao that this woman has brought him nothing but trouble. He never should have agreed to let his wife take their son matchmaking—all from that place; how could it bode well?