Translated by newbienoona
Edited by anks
At that moment! Jiang Yuan’s round eyes pin Qilu’s until he sits down. Otherwise, he’ll slip away.
Regardless, he looks disengaged; pretending he knows nothing, ignoring everything like he’s blind. But despite his demeanor, his back is stiff.
To be honest, he’s nothing to Jiang Yuan!
“Where were you going?” Jiang Yuan screeches, scaring a nervous Qilu.
He turns his head and looks at her. “Back to my room to sleep?”
Jiang Yuan is livid upon hearing his answer that she’s rendered speechless. When she sees Qilu relax, she takes a deep breath to center herself. “Come with me.”
Jiang Yuan turns toward the kitchen, while Han Qilu keeps up. Is this the calm before the storm? Jiang Yuan greets the maid and whispers instructions in her ear. The maid glances at Qilu before lowering her eyes and focusing back on Jiang Yuan.
As he looks at the maid, Han Qilu seems to realize someone’s missing.
”Where’s steward Han?” He circles Jiang Yuan before looking around.
“Did you know he has a son? He asked permission to pack his son’s things and bring them to his residence. His son will go to school with you tomorrow.” Then, she makes a fist with her right hand and raps on the table twice. “Sit down.”
Han Qilu didn’t realize she led him to the dining room table.
During dinner, he was deep in conversation with Mingluo about his brother and his company that he didn’t eat much. Now, he’s more than just a bit hungry.
But he knows Jiang Yuan is not being nice to him by feeding him.
If she wants to talk, why aren’t they sitting on the sofa instead? They don’t need to be at the table.
Despite his confusion, he takes a seat. The chair is quite heavy, he can’t move it with one hand.
“You want me to sit here?” he asks, but Jiang Yuan sits silently as if she’s waiting for him to say something else.
So he waits.
An Chuxia carefully balances the plate of fruit to Han Liuhai. The plate is quite expensive; there might not be a second one like it in the world.
As she approaches the study, she remembers to make her presence known and knocks. From within, Liuhai says, “Come in.” The door is left ajar. An Chuxia gently pushes the door open before entering.
He looks up and takes off his reading glasses. “An Chuxia!”
“Hi.” An Chuxia nods. She rarely enters the study. She’s not alone on this. The butlers are the only one allowed in since there’s a lot of confidential documents.
An Chuxia is stunned when she sees the bookshelf: its height is flush to the ceiling and it needs a ladder to get to the books. Except for the desk, the furniture is rich and deep in texture. It’s not just made of ordinary wood.
An Chuxia quickly says, “Mummy sent some fruit up as you’ve been working since dinner. You should take a break.”
Liuhai quietly closes the folder in front of him and sets it aside. He smiles and says, “It must’ve been hard for you to personally bring in the fruit.”
“You just have to raise your hand.” An Chuxia says as she takes a few sheets of paper and places it under the bowl before setting it on the desk. She’s afraid that the bottom of the bowl is wet.
“An Chuxia, sit down.” Han Liuhai points to the chair next to him. “I have something to tell you.”
Han Liuhai’s demeanor is very serious. An Chuxia sits at the end of the chair, waiting for him to speak.
The Hans don’t do anything unless it benefits their interests. Accepting someone like Chuxia, who has no background to be the future Mrs. Han, is out of love.
“Before your mother’s death, she said something to me.” Han Liuhai swallows hard, his facial expression becomes complex. As a businessman, he has studied people’s expressions without them knowing. He knows that no secret remains one forever.
An Chuxia is surprised. Her hand on her leg that was once relaxed has formed into a fist. She’s eager to hear what her mother imparted.
Han Liuhai’s thoughts are filled with different shades, grainy and amber in color. He seems confused for a moment as if he’s caught in his own thoughts. An Chuxia dare not interrupt him. The man who propped up the entire Han Group is kind when faced with his own reflection. Like any father, there’s a calmness that makes a person want to stay close.
Finally, Han Liuhai returns to the present, and stares at An Chuxia. “My apologies. Now I’m embarrassed. What your mother told me was to make sure you’re taken care of but now, it makes you sad.”
He’s referring to Qilu’s amnesia. An Chuxia shakes her head and smiles. “Don’t be embarrassed. People can’t resurrect. You’ve given me enough.”
“I’m glad you think like this.” Han Liuhai shows relief. “Don’t worry, I’ll eliminate the obstacles on the road for you.”
“Huh?” An Chuxia is confused. Han Liuhai makes light of his statement. All she heard was “eliminate” and “obstacles”.
“Thank you for the fruit.” Han Liuhai pops a grape in his mouth.
With nothing left to say, an Chuxia stands up and says, “Then I’ll see my way out. Remember not to overwork yourself and get tired. Your health is important.”
“Yeah.” He smiles and nods in agreement.
An Chuxia walks out the door and gently closes it behind her. When she’s in Han Liuhai’s presence, she doesn’t know why she feels unsettled. He was about to tell her something but decided against it in the last minute. She wonders if it has to do with being betrothed.
There must be something else, and she needs to think hard about it.
Han Liuhai watches the door close behind An Chuxia. It is only then he drops his smile. Eventually, his expression imitates Qilu’s: indifferent.
An Chuxia’s mother confessed something to him before she died, and it’s not to take care of Chuxia. This secret is what made him determined to bring her home and have her educated in Stein as Qilu’s fiancee as her cover.
An Chuxia is too kind and filial, and a cruel businessman like him can’t bear to see An Chuxia become a sacrifice in the commercial battlefield. Sometimes, there isn’t any other option left than to do so.
Han Liuhai sets the tray of fruit aside and retrieves the documents he was reading. This is the perfect plan: acquire the old home in B City.
“Well… .” Han Liuhai says monotonously as he picks up his pen.
* * *
– Downstairs hall-
Jiang Yuan and Han Qilu remain silent. However, it doesn’t take long for him to identify the scent: if he’s not mistaken, it’s cola chicken wings.
His appetite suddenly awakens, and now, he’s really hungry. He looks to where the scent emanates from. And all he sees are maids, one after another, putting dishes on the table.
Jiang Yuan, why are you going through all this trouble?
“What the hell, mom… .”
“Eat!” She orders angrily. “I I don’t care if you’ve eaten out. You’re eating this home cooked meal. An Chuxia made this for you.”
It comes full circle: she wants him to taste the dishes she prepared!
“I’m hungry!” Han Qilu starts imitating An Chuxia. “Thank you, mommy. You’re the best!”
“Stinky boy!” Jiang Yuan looks at his helpless face.
Before Qilu, Jiang Yuan had a spontaneous abortion, and was told it might be difficult for her to get pregnant again. Eventually, she conceived and gave birth to Qilu, and now, she’s hurting her son.
“Eat more meat so in the future, you can give me a big, fat grandson!” She moves the braised pork closer to him. She’s worried he won’t be able to reach it.
“What kind of mother are you? You’re thinking about me producing your grandson when your son is still in school.”
“Why shouldn’t I? Your grandfather married your grandmother at this age!”
They bicker, but there’s no lack of warmth. An Chuxia stands by the shadows of the stairs on the second floor. The warmth she feels is too hot, and she can no longer feel the touch and love her mother gave to her.
Translated by newbienoona
Edited by anks
At that moment! Jiang Yuan’s round eyes pin Qilu’s until he sits down. Otherwise, he’ll slip away.
Regardless, he looks disengaged; pretending he knows nothing, ignoring everything like he’s blind. But despite his demeanor, his back is stiff.
To be honest, he’s nothing to Jiang Yuan!
“Where were you going?” Jiang Yuan screeches, scaring a nervous Qilu.
He turns his head and looks at her. “Back to my room to sleep?”
Jiang Yuan is livid upon hearing his answer that she’s rendered speechless. When she sees Qilu relax, she takes a deep breath to center herself. “Come with me.”
Jiang Yuan turns toward the kitchen, while Han Qilu keeps up. Is this the calm before the storm? Jiang Yuan greets the maid and whispers instructions in her ear. The maid glances at Qilu before lowering her eyes and focusing back on Jiang Yuan.
As he looks at the maid, Han Qilu seems to realize someone’s missing.
”Where’s steward Han?” He circles Jiang Yuan before looking around.
“Did you know he has a son? He asked permission to pack his son’s things and bring them to his residence. His son will go to school with you tomorrow.” Then, she makes a fist with her right hand and raps on the table twice. “Sit down.”
Han Qilu didn’t realize she led him to the dining room table.
During dinner, he was deep in conversation with Mingluo about his brother and his company that he didn’t eat much. Now, he’s more than just a bit hungry.
But he knows Jiang Yuan is not being nice to him by feeding him.
If she wants to talk, why aren’t they sitting on the sofa instead? They don’t need to be at the table.
Despite his confusion, he takes a seat. The chair is quite heavy, he can’t move it with one hand.
“You want me to sit here?” he asks, but Jiang Yuan sits silently as if she’s waiting for him to say something else.
So he waits.
An Chuxia carefully balances the plate of fruit to Han Liuhai. The plate is quite expensive; there might not be a second one like it in the world.
As she approaches the study, she remembers to make her presence known and knocks. From within, Liuhai says, “Come in.” The door is left ajar. An Chuxia gently pushes the door open before entering.
He looks up and takes off his reading glasses. “An Chuxia!”
“Hi.” An Chuxia nods. She rarely enters the study. She’s not alone on this. The butlers are the only one allowed in since there’s a lot of confidential documents.
An Chuxia is stunned when she sees the bookshelf: its height is flush to the ceiling and it needs a ladder to get to the books. Except for the desk, the furniture is rich and deep in texture. It’s not just made of ordinary wood.
An Chuxia quickly says, “Mummy sent some fruit up as you’ve been working since dinner. You should take a break.”
Liuhai quietly closes the folder in front of him and sets it aside. He smiles and says, “It must’ve been hard for you to personally bring in the fruit.”
“You just have to raise your hand.” An Chuxia says as she takes a few sheets of paper and places it under the bowl before setting it on the desk. She’s afraid that the bottom of the bowl is wet.
“An Chuxia, sit down.” Han Liuhai points to the chair next to him. “I have something to tell you.”
Han Liuhai’s demeanor is very serious. An Chuxia sits at the end of the chair, waiting for him to speak.
The Hans don’t do anything unless it benefits their interests. Accepting someone like Chuxia, who has no background to be the future Mrs. Han, is out of love.
“Before your mother’s death, she said something to me.” Han Liuhai swallows hard, his facial expression becomes complex. As a businessman, he has studied people’s expressions without them knowing. He knows that no secret remains one forever.
An Chuxia is surprised. Her hand on her leg that was once relaxed has formed into a fist. She’s eager to hear what her mother imparted.
Han Liuhai’s thoughts are filled with different shades, grainy and amber in color. He seems confused for a moment as if he’s caught in his own thoughts. An Chuxia dare not interrupt him. The man who propped up the entire Han Group is kind when faced with his own reflection. Like any father, there’s a calmness that makes a person want to stay close.
Finally, Han Liuhai returns to the present, and stares at An Chuxia. “My apologies. Now I’m embarrassed. What your mother told me was to make sure you’re taken care of but now, it makes you sad.”
He’s referring to Qilu’s amnesia. An Chuxia shakes her head and smiles. “Don’t be embarrassed. People can’t resurrect. You’ve given me enough.”
“I’m glad you think like this.” Han Liuhai shows relief. “Don’t worry, I’ll eliminate the obstacles on the road for you.”
“Huh?” An Chuxia is confused. Han Liuhai makes light of his statement. All she heard was “eliminate” and “obstacles”.
“Thank you for the fruit.” Han Liuhai pops a grape in his mouth.
With nothing left to say, an Chuxia stands up and says, “Then I’ll see my way out. Remember not to overwork yourself and get tired. Your health is important.”
“Yeah.” He smiles and nods in agreement.
An Chuxia walks out the door and gently closes it behind her. When she’s in Han Liuhai’s presence, she doesn’t know why she feels unsettled. He was about to tell her something but decided against it in the last minute. She wonders if it has to do with being betrothed.
There must be something else, and she needs to think hard about it.
Han Liuhai watches the door close behind An Chuxia. It is only then he drops his smile. Eventually, his expression imitates Qilu’s: indifferent.
An Chuxia’s mother confessed something to him before she died, and it’s not to take care of Chuxia. This secret is what made him determined to bring her home and have her educated in Stein as Qilu’s fiancee as her cover.
An Chuxia is too kind and filial, and a cruel businessman like him can’t bear to see An Chuxia become a sacrifice in the commercial battlefield. Sometimes, there isn’t any other option left than to do so.
Han Liuhai sets the tray of fruit aside and retrieves the documents he was reading. This is the perfect plan: acquire the old home in B City.
“Well… .” Han Liuhai says monotonously as he picks up his pen.
* * *
– Downstairs hall-
Jiang Yuan and Han Qilu remain silent. However, it doesn’t take long for him to identify the scent: if he’s not mistaken, it’s cola chicken wings.
His appetite suddenly awakens, and now, he’s really hungry. He looks to where the scent emanates from. And all he sees are maids, one after another, putting dishes on the table.
Jiang Yuan, why are you going through all this trouble?
“What the hell, mom… .”
“Eat!” She orders angrily. “I I don’t care if you’ve eaten out. You’re eating this home cooked meal. An Chuxia made this for you.”
It comes full circle: she wants him to taste the dishes she prepared!
“I’m hungry!” Han Qilu starts imitating An Chuxia. “Thank you, mommy. You’re the best!”
“Stinky boy!” Jiang Yuan looks at his helpless face.
Before Qilu, Jiang Yuan had a spontaneous abortion, and was told it might be difficult for her to get pregnant again. Eventually, she conceived and gave birth to Qilu, and now, she’s hurting her son.
“Eat more meat so in the future, you can give me a big, fat grandson!” She moves the braised pork closer to him. She’s worried he won’t be able to reach it.
“What kind of mother are you? You’re thinking about me producing your grandson when your son is still in school.”
“Why shouldn’t I? Your grandfather married your grandmother at this age!”
They bicker, but there’s no lack of warmth. An Chuxia stands by the shadows of the stairs on the second floor. The warmth she feels is too hot, and she can no longer feel the touch and love her mother gave to her.
