The call ended as quietly as it had begun, leaving the wind outside to whistle through the balcony.
Yuanfeng's gaze shifted downward to where his daughter slept peacefully, completely oblivious to the subtle wars of power and influence surrounding her. Relief washed over him, a warmth that had nothing to do with the morning sun.
He crouched slightly, looking into her tiny, sleeping face, his voice soft now, almost a whisper. "It's okay, Jin'er. Daddy has it all under control."
Her small hand twitched in sleep, and he smiled faintly. A smile that wasn't just about fatherly affection, it was about protection, determination, and a silent promise. No one would hurt this child again. Not while he still had breath in his body.
*
*
*
By the time breakfast was laid out in the dining hall, Huaijin was awake. She waddled into the room, still half-drowsy, holding onto her father's hand.
She yawned cutely, tugging at his sleeve as they passed the polished mahogany table. The table was set lavishly, with fresh fruit, soft pastries, congee, and delicate dim sum that were all arranged meticulously by the staff, gleaming under the morning light from the high windows.
Grandfather Chi sat at the head of the table, as imposing as ever, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp, scanning the room as if analyzing every person present. The usual household staff moved quietly, taking orders, pouring tea, and filling plates with practiced precision.
Yuanfeng gently seated Huaijin beside him, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead. The child immediately leaned against his shoulder, her small hands clutching his sleeve while she munched on a soft bun.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked quietly, his gaze soft.
"Mm-hmm," Huaijin replied sleepily, her voice muffled by the bun in her mouth. "But… I dreamt weird things again. Bad dreams."
Yuanfeng's lips pressed together, and he brushed her hair once more. "It's okay. Daddy's here. Nothing bad can touch you while you're with me."
The morning air was light, and for a moment, father and daughter existed in a bubble of warmth and simplicity.
Huaijin's little legs swung under the chair, occasionally bumping against his knee as she yawned again. Yuanfeng sipped his tea, his attention partially on her, partially on the subtle undercurrents of the Chi family's dining hall.
Grandfather Chi, clearly satisfied with the calmness at the table, chose this quiet moment to introduce the morning's main topic, business. The elder's deep, authoritative voice cut through the soft chatter, drawing the attention of all present.
"Yuanfeng," he began, turning slightly in his chair to face his youngest son, "I want to bring up a matter concerning our upcoming corporate collaboration. You know the country's largest corporation, the one led by President Chi? Their name coincidentally carries the same surname as ours."
Yuanfeng nodded, sipping his tea without expression, his eyes occasionally flicking down at Huaijin, who was happily poking at a plate of steamed dumplings, clearly oblivious to the adult conversation.
Grandfather Chi continued, "This collaboration is vital. If successful, it will yield immense profits and strengthen the Chi family's influence in the market. I expect all of you, especially Yuanfeng, to ensure that our portion of the project is executed flawlessly. No mistakes are allowed."
The two other sons and their families murmured in acknowledgment, each weighing the implications in their own minds, already strategizing how to maximize their gains.
The table, despite the casual appearance of breakfast, had turned subtly tense. Everyone except Yuanfeng and Huaijin seemed to be mentally calculating profits, contracts, and influence.
But Chi Huaijin, entirely unconcerned, tilted her head at her father, a curious look in her round eyes. "Daddy, what's a corporation?"
Yuanfeng smiled faintly, brushing her hair from her forehead again. "It's like a very, very big company, Jin'er. They make a lot of things, help a lot of people, and sometimes… they even make money that can be used to buy houses for pandas if you want."
Huaijin's eyes widened. "Pandas? Really?"
"Of course," Yuanfeng said solemnly, suppressing a chuckle. "But only if we behave and work hard."
The little girl leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms in mock seriousness. "Then we'd better behave. Daddy mustn't be distracted."
Yuanfeng's lips twitched in amusement. "I see. That's my clever princess."
Grandfather Chi cleared his throat, drawing Yuanfeng's attention back to him. "Yuanfeng, this isn't a subject for amusement. I need your full focus."
"Yes, Father," Yuanfeng replied politely, though his eyes never left his daughter.
Huaijin, however, wasn't finished. She leaned closer to him and whispered conspiratorially, "Daddy… remember the woman in red? She might try to cause trouble again."
Yuanfeng's expression darkened slightly, a shadow crossing his calm demeanor. "I've already taken care of it, Jin'er. Nothing will disturb you. Not today, not ever."
Huaijin smiled faintly, her small hand resting on his arm. "Good. I like it when you protect me. Daddy is the strongest in the world!"
Yuanfeng allowed himself a brief, private smile. He knew this wasn't just fatherly affection; it was a promise and a vow. Whoever thought to harm this child would find themselves dealing with him first.
While the adults discussed the collaboration, shares, and profits, Huaijin remained completely immersed in her own little world.
She poked at her steamed buns, occasionally glancing at Yuanfeng with admiration and small giggles, whispering comments about the fluffiness of the buns or the funny shapes of the dumplings.
"Daddy, look! This one's shaped like a dragon!" she exclaimed, pointing at a dumpling that vaguely resembled a dragon's head.
Yuanfeng bent slightly, observing the dumpling with her. "Hmm… a dragon? You're right. Very detailed work."
"You can eat it like a dragon, right?" she asked seriously.
He laughed softly. "Of course, Princess. The dragon must be defeated to save the village."
Grandfather Chi watched quietly, his expression neutral, though there was a faint twitch at the corner of his lips. Even in the midst of serious discussion about billion-dollar corporate deals, the innocence and simplicity of his granddaughter's world cut through like sunlight.