CHAPTER 64: TEN ICE CREAMS

She reached out and grabbed his sleeve again, this time with a soft smile.

"I won’t suffer," she said, "Because I have you."

Yuanfeng inhaled sharply, eyes growing misty again.

"...I’ll buy you ten ice creams after this."

"Deal!" Huaijin grinned.

***

The car drove through the tall iron gates, entering the sprawling estate of manicured gardens, towering trees, and the intimidating old manor.

Servants lined up neatly near the entrance, bowing as soon as the car door opened.

Yuanfeng stepped out with the expression of a man walking into an execution chamber.

Huaijin hopped down beside him, holding his hand.

Inside the manor, the air smelled faintly of sandalwood and old money.

And there—

Standing at the top of the stairs, hands behind his back, stern and dignified in a dark traditional robe...

***

Was Chi Wenzhou, or say in short, Grandfather Chi, the patriarch of the family?

His gaze landed immediately on Huaijin with a complicated expression.

His gaze was heavy and deep as he stared at Huaijin.

And filled with something like...

Expectation.

"Yuanfeng. Huaijin," he said with a commanding voice. "You’ve arrived."

Yuanfeng nodded stiffly.

"We came."

He did not add "against my will," but it was obvious from his expression.

Grandpa Chi’s gaze softened by a fraction when it turned to Huaijin.

"Come here," he said. "I have something to discuss with you."

Huaijin blinked.

Oh no.

Here it comes.

The plot.

The family problems, succession issues, and drama.

Of course it was time to eat watermelons!

She inhaled deeply and straightened her posture, not letting her excitement to show as she looked up at her father.

"Let’s go, Dad."

"Baby... if he tries anything—"

"Dad, breathe."

"I AM BREATHING!"

"Then breathe quietly."

They slowly approached the old patriarch.

And thus—

Her peaceful days came to a temporary end, replaced by the heavy shadows of the Chi family.

***

Grandpa Chi didn’t reprimand Chi Huaijin at all. He didn’t even frown.

This was surprising, considering that the old man’s eyebrows were notoriously rigid, two knife-sharp slashes that usually rose the moment anyone under the age of fifty so much as breathed incorrectly.

Yet when Huaijin finished explaining why she accepted the variety-show invitation, Grandpa Chi only stared at her for a long moment... then grunted and nodded.

"Since you’ve already agreed, then go. Just remember: If anyone bullies you, hit them back."

The servants standing around nearly dropped their trays.

Second Uncle, in the corner, choked on his tea.

Even Yuanfeng, who had been trying to hide behind a decorative vase, looked like he might faint.

And Yuanying, who stood beside Huaijin in a perfect "I was not eavesdropping, but yes, I was absolutely eavesdropping" posture, blinked rapidly.

"...Grandpa?" she whispered, unsure if she heard correctly.

Grandpa Chi stroked his beard. "What? Should she let others step on her head?"

Yuanying, stunned, shook her head. "No... but usually you scold me for hitting people..."

"That’s because you hit people badly," Grandpa Chi replied expressionlessly.

"Your technique lacks firmness. No strength in the wrist. No stability in the elbow. You’d lose to a goose in a fight."

Yuanying froze.

Huaijin covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Even though she was technically six, her mental age had long since exceeded three world cycles. Of course, she knew Grandpa Chi meant well; this old man was the type who loved his grandchildren so much that he nagged them into excellence.

But the way Yuanying’s face flushed, puffed, and trembled like a kettle on the verge of exploding...

Absolutely priceless.

Still, instead of retaliating, Yuanying sniffed, huffed, and crossed her arms.

"Hmph! I’m supporting Huaijin this time," she muttered. "She worked really hard... and she even helped me earlier. I’m not... I’m not unreasonable!"

Huaijin’s heart melted on the spot.

Ahhh—! What to do with this tsundere little adorable villainess sister!

Such a prickly hedgehog outside, but a soft dumpling inside!

Huaijin reached out and ruffled Yuanying’s hair, ignoring the horrified gasp of the maid nearby. Everyone knew Yuanying hated people touching her hair.

But today, surprisingly...

Yuanying didn’t smack her hand away.

She just blushed and tried to pretend she didn’t like it while definitely liking it.

"Yes, yes," Huaijin teased cheerfully. "Our little Yingying is such a good girl."

Yuanying’s face instantly burned scarlet.

"I—I’m older than you! Don’t call me Yingying!"

"Mm-hmm. Yingying~"

"Huaijin!!"

The servants struggled not to laugh. Even Grandpa Chi’s shoulders shook.

This atmosphere might have continued forever...

But then Grandpa Chi clapped his hands loudly.

"Enough! Yuanfeng! You—come with me!"

Huaijin blinked. "Eh?"

Yuanying blinked. "Oh no..."

Because whenever Grandpa Chi called someone in that tone...

Someone was about to lose a piece of their soul.

.

.

.

The moment the door closed, Grandpa Chi swung around like an ancient general ready for battle.

His eyes gleamed sharply.

"Yuanfeng."

Yuanfeng had been prepared.

Or so he thought.

"Yes, Father?" he said politely, voice steady, posture calm.

Then—

"You will return to the Chi Corporation."

Instant refusal burst forth:

"No."

Grandpa Chi slammed his desk hard enough to make the inkstone jump.

"You useless brat! Do you know how messy the board has become? Your brothers fight all day and accomplish nothing! I raised three sons and not a single one inherited my brain—"

"Father." Yuanfeng kept the same gentle smile, but his tone cut through like a blade.

"My brothers can handle the business."

"Handle?!" Grandpa Chi’s beard trembled violently. "Handle?! They’re handling it straight into bankruptcy! Look at Chi Yuantian, last week he approved a project about... about... AR solar-powered dancing teapots?!"

Yuanfeng coughed politely into his fist. "...Creative."

"Idiotic!"

"Still creative."

"And Chi Yuanjie!" Grandpa Chi bellowed. "He spent fifty million investing in a luxury pet hotel for alpacas! Alpacas!! We don’t even have alpacas in this province!"

"...That one I can’t defend," Yuanfeng admitted.

Grandpa Chi stabbed a finger at him. "See?! I need you back!"

"No."

"Why?!"

Yuanfeng straightened his shirt and answered without hesitation:

"Because I have to take care of my daughter."

Grandpa Chi froze.