Chapter 7 - 004 Entering the Hall and the Inner Chamber
"Alright, bring my things in," Kang Jinse said to someone outside the door, and shortly after, a woman in her twenties wearing braids walked in with a suitcase in her left hand and a luggage bag in her right.
This woman was very thin, wearing black-framed glasses, and appeared plain and obedient.
Ji Yunya watched this woman, the smile on his lips growing ever more innocent.
Su Ye felt a gaze on her and raised her eyebrows to look, only to see a doll-like pretty girl watching her with a pair of clean, bright eyes. Though the gaze was pure, it carried an unsettling calmness and mockery that belied her young age, causing Su Ye to feel momentarily bewildered.
This girl must be the Ji Family’s little princess, the so-called prodigy Ji Yunya, who despite her young age, indeed looked extraordinary.
Yun Ya quickly shifted her gaze. Su Ye, Kang Jinse’s personal assistant and most trusted person, was unaware at the time that this seemingly obedient and docile assistant would later ruthlessly stab her in the back.
As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend; this Su Ye might be worth using.
"Yes, Ye, take the things upstairs," Kang Jinse commanded like a mistress of the house.
"Yes," Su Ye responded, lifting the luggage effortlessly and climbing the stairs without needing specific instructions from Kang Jinse, heading straight into Yun Shen’s bedroom, which had formerly been Yun Shen and Ji Lanyi’s bedroom. Kang Jinse was really making herself at home now.
Kang Jinse glanced at Yun Miao, who was quietly and obediently eating, a hint of contempt flickering in her eyes. A deaf-mute, and a simpleton to boot. What was the point of this child’s existence?
Yet Ji Lanyi was indeed fertile, having given birth to twins; however, the difference between them was staggering—one was intelligent and lively, while the other was simple-minded and deaf-mute, virtually invisible except for their looks, which were worlds apart.
Yun Ya walked over to Kang Jinse, holding Yun Miao’s hand, "Aunt Jiang, this is Miao Miao, he’s very well-behaved."
Kang Jinse glanced at the quiet little boy standing beside Yun Ya. He was indeed beautiful, especially his eyes, memorable to anyone who saw them. Yet he was far too quiet, also simple-minded and deaf-mute, which caused impatience to flicker in Kang Jinse’s eyes. However, she smiled and patted Yun Miao’s hair. "Such a well-behaved, handsome child."
Yun Miao flinched and moved closer to Yun Ya. Kang Jinse’s gaze turned cold, and the smile on her face slowly faded.
This child was indeed not fit for public appearances, no wonder Ji Lanyi had never taken him out. To do so would be an embarrassment.
Yun Ya smiled at Yun Miao, "Miao Miao, she is Aunt Jiang, she’ll be our new mom. Don’t be afraid, she’s really nice."
𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Only then did Yun Miao slowly walk up to Kang Jinse, head bowed, hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, clearly uneasy.
Kang Jinse’s patience had run out.
"Alright, I’m tired. I’ll go upstairs to rest for a bit." With that, she tiredly stood up and walked upstairs in her high heels.
It wasn’t long before Yun Ya heard Kang Jinse’s voice from upstairs: "Throw all these out."
"Miss Jiang, how should we handle these?" It was Su Ye’s voice asking.
"Do you really need to ask me that? Take them out and burn them. Do you think we should keep them overnight?" Kang Jinse’s voice was full of annoyance and impatience.
Ji Die clenched her teeth, unable to control herself any longer as she headed upstairs. Yun Ya’s soft, gentle voice lightly drifted over, "Aunt Die, what are you about to do?"
His light, floating voice made Ji Die unconsciously pause in her steps, turning her head with bloodshot eyes, "What right does that homewrecker have to throw her weight around at the Ji’s? Miss treasures her jewelry and handbags the most. How dare that woman?"
"Why wouldn’t she dare? She has our father’s favor; that’s her capital to show off. Aunt Die, impulsiveness is the devil; you need to cool down," his calm words from the mouth of a five-year-old girl shocked Ji Die; she looked at the pretty girl before her, resembling a doll with her deep, bright eyes like unfathomable whirlpools, eerily calm.
Ji Die felt a tightness in her spirit under that gaze, such a little miss was unprecedented for her, yet strangely comforting.
"Little miss, you... what’s wrong?"
Yun Ya walked upstairs leading Yun Miao by the hand, and as he passed by Ji Die, she heard a soft voice murmuring like a murmur,
"To bring about their downfall, you must first drive them mad, just wait."
Ji Die watched Yun Ya’s receding figure in shock, so frail yet somehow, in her eyes, he seemed resolute and towering.
Miss... she...
The great contrast between them made her shiver involuntarily.
After that, Ji Die indeed settled down; she took care of Yun Ya and Yun Miao without meddling in any other matters. Even when the servants of the Ji Family were all changed within two days, Ji Die made no objections. Initially, Kang Jinse, who had planned to get rid of this stubborn woman, saw her compliance and decided to keep her for a few more days.
These two days, Yun Shen was busy merging Ji’s business, hardly having time to sip water, let alone return home. Kang Jinse, however, left early each morning with her makeup beautifully done and returned each night drunk. Yun Ya and Yun Miao stayed in their room, avoiding her.
One morning, Kang Jinse left early again. From the window, Yun Ya watched the red Audi A3 slowly exit the gates of the Ji Family Manor and take Panshan Road. He then let the curtain fall.
Ji Die opened the door and walked in, "Miss, everything has been arranged. Let’s go."
Yun Ya nodded, dressed Yun Miao in his coat, and led him by the hand to leave.
A black Volkswagen sedan was parked at the door. Ji Die opened the rear door, intending to lift Yun Ya, but he refused, "I’ll do it myself."
Using her hands and feet, she clambered into the car. Seeing Ji Die about to lift Yun Miao, Yun Ya said calmly, "Aunt Die, let him do it himself."
"But, the young master—he..."
"There are no buts. I can’t protect him forever. Some things, he must try himself. It’s a step that must be taken." Otherwise, what difference would it make from raising a disabled person?
Yun Ya smiled and extended her hand to Yun Miao, "Miaomiao come up yourself."
Hesitant for a moment, Yun Miao gripped the car door and climbed in. Even after failing a few times, he didn’t get discouraged, glanced up at Yun Ya’s encouraging gaze, and with a grunt, finally scrambled into the back seat.
Yun Ya took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead and said with a smile, "Miaomiao, well done."
Receiving the praise, Yun Miao pursed his lips and smiled quietly.
The driver was a middle-aged man, towering at over six feet tall, muscular and well-built, with a fierce appearance that included a scalp-tattoo, making him look like a gangster, but Yun Ya knew this man had a kind and genuine heart underneath his fearsome exterior.
His name was Chang Hong, affectionately called Uncle Chang. He had been saved by her grandfather during a perilous time and, to repay the favor, he worked as a driver for the Ji family, ensuring Yun Ya’s travels and safety. Yun Ya didn’t know his full background nor had she seen him strike, yet she knew he was no ordinary person.
Yun Miao seldom went out. He had mostly been confined at home by Lanyi, only able to look at the outside world through a small window. As he watched the quickly reversing landscape outside the car window, Yun Miao excitedly tapped on the glass, making some stifled monosyllables.
Pointing at the world outside the window while turning his head to give Yun Ya a jubilant smile, the sunlight suddenly shone through the window, casting fragmented shadows across his cheerful face, making him seem as warm as a little angel.
Yun Ya’s smile grew tenderer, her eyes shimmering as if touched by the sunlight, disappearing like mist.
At Jiangzhou Television Station, staff members were already waiting, their hearts melted at the sight of the little girl stepping down from the car.
This was the young star the station intended to promote. Tch, the leadership really had a keen eye—little girls were all the rage nowadays. One could almost envision the popularity of the show once broadcast, along with the ensuing stream of advertisements and investments.