Chapter 32
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 .
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