"You handled that… well, sweetheart," he said softly as they walked out of the hall.
Huaijin smiled faintly as she hugged him, looking up at him. "Because I knew you'd believe me."
His breath hitched for a moment. That simple trust was so natural and so pure that it made something ache inside his chest.
He ruffled her hair gently, the corners of his lips softening. "Always."
And as they walked toward the dining hall together, Huaijin cast one last glance over her shoulder.
At the corner of the hall, hidden behind the shadow of a pillar, Chi Yunyin watched them leave, her small face twisted in anger.
Her tiny fists clenched tightly around her dress.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
But Huaijin's eyes gleamed faintly as she turned away.
'I know,' she thought. 'And I'll be waiting.'
*
*
*
The vast dining hall of the Chi Manor looked nothing short of a royal banquet room. Golden chandeliers sparkled from above like a miniature galaxy trapped inside the ceiling. The long mahogany table was polished so cleanly that Huaijin could almost see her reflection in it, though her eyes were immediately drawn to the spread of glittering silverware and neatly folded napkins that looked way too complicated for their purpose.
Servants bustled quietly around the room, setting down steaming dishes that filled the air with the comforting scent of soup, roasted duck, and delicately spiced seafood. For the Chi family, this kind of grand dinner was an ordinary monthly event, yet for little Huaijin and her father, it was the first time in years they had been invited to such luxury again.
And, by the looks of it, no one had expected them to actually come.
Still, Huaijin's bright smile could have melted the stiff air in the room. Sitting beside her father, her small hands fidgeted with her spoon while her tiny feet dangled in the air. She didn't care that the atmosphere was a little tense or that the servants seemed to walk on eggshells. She was just happy, so very happy, to be there beside her dad.
Yuanfeng, on the other hand, was doing his best to look calm. His handsome features were composed, his posture flawless, but Huaijin could see the faint crease between his brows that betrayed his discomfort.
It was obvious that he didn't like being back here.
"Daddy," Huaijin whispered, leaning closer, "why does Grandpa's house look like a palace?"
Yuanfeng blinked, then chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. "Because, my dear princess, your grandpa likes things… extravagant."
She tilted her head innocently. "Is that another word for showing off?"
Across the table, a servant coughed loudly, trying not to laugh. Yuanfeng nearly spat out his water.
"Where did you learn that?" he asked, trying to look stern.
"From you," she replied with all the sincerity in the world.
The servant who had been pouring wine at the next seat turned his face away to hide a grin.
Grandfather Chi, seated at the head of the table, cleared his throat in that majestic, commanding way only elders of the old noble families could manage. The kind of sound that demanded attention and obedience. The kind of sound that made the servants freeze mid-step.
Yuanfeng straightened up like he'd just been caught stealing candy. Huaijin, however, just blinked at her grandfather with curiosity.
She remembered this man from her previous life. He was stern, proud, a man of few words but many expectations. His every glance carried weight, his voice was law, and his family feared disappointing him more than death itself. But this time… she wasn't scared.
If anything, she found his seriousness funny.
Grandfather Chi's sharp gaze softened a little when it fell on Huaijin. "You've grown," he said slowly, his voice heavy and commanding.
"Yes," Huaijin nodded cheerfully, her tone bright. "I grew up a lot! Daddy says I'm going to be taller than him one day."
The corners of Yuanfeng's lips twitched. "I don't recall saying that—"
"You said I'd grow up strong and pretty," Huaijin interrupted, puffing her cheeks. "Pretty is taller than Daddy!"
A snicker ran through a few servants before they could stop themselves.
Grandfather Chi's strict expression faltered for a second, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. It was gone in a blink, but Yuanfeng saw it. That brief softening was something he hadn't witnessed in years.
He almost forgot to breathe.
"Children are honest," Grandfather Chi finally said, his tone calm, though the faint upward curve of his lips betrayed that he was pleased. "A good trait. It's rare in this house."
Huaijin blinked up at him, not realizing her simple words had made one of the most intimidating men in the business world… smile.
Meanwhile, Luo Ming, the handsome butler, was standing nearby, pretending to supervise the servants. In truth, his gaze kept sneaking toward Huaijin, who had been sitting like a perfectly behaved little doll. Every time she looked up at him, her bright amber eyes caught the chandelier's glow, making her look like a miniature fairy.
He couldn't resist; he smiled, just a little, before lowering his head politely.
Huaijin stared at him with wide eyes.
That smile— that smile! —made her little heart thump, but not in a shy way.
More like—
'Who is this man, and why does he look like he just stepped out of a movie poster?'
She blinked a few times, then turned to her father. "Daddy," she whispered, "that uncle looks too handsome. Is he an actor?"
Chi Yuanfeng nearly choked on his tea.
Luo Ming, overhearing that, coughed lightly and lowered his head even further to hide the grin threatening to break his composure.
"He's not an actor," Yuanfeng said stiffly, glaring at the butler. "He's just… good at his job."
"But Daddy," Huaijin whispered conspiratorially, "he keeps smiling at me like he's selling candy!"
The butler froze, and a faint snort of laughter escaped one of the younger maids.