Yun Shen looked at the little girl clutching his thigh, her voice sweet and mellow, a pair of bright, glistening eyes looking up at him adoringly and dependently. In her heart, his image loomed like a towering mountain.
Intending to push Yun Ya's hands away, he subconsciously hesitated, and in that moment of distraction, he missed the glint in the girl's eyes, cold and mocking, fleeting like a meteor, vanishing quickly.
Her delicate face was fair, cheeks plump with baby fat, adorably round, especially her bright eyes which irresistibly inspired fondness in others.
Yun Shen subconsciously wanted to reach out and touch the top of her head but suddenly realized something and abruptly withdrew his hand, his gaze turning indifferent, his expression imposing and frosty.
"Let go."
Yun Ya slowly released her hands, a mix of fear and grievance filling her eyes, which brimmed with mist, as if at any moment they could turn into teardrops spilling out: "Daddy, what did Yaya do wrong?" Why doesn't Daddy like me?
Ever since she could remember, her father's gaze had always been indifferent and disdainful. From the time she and Miaomiao were born until now, Yun Shen had never once held them, barely even spoken more than two words to them, always in an impatient tone. She thought it was because she wasn't good enough, so she desperately tried to excel, thinking this would make her father like her.
Ha, she truly was a child, far too naive.
There is no such thing as unprovoked dislike or irrational affection.
"Xian'er is ill, she is your aunt, and you are the only match for her ten to one, so, unfortunately, you have to endure it."
"It's just drawing a little blood, it won't cost you your life. This moribund attitude, who are you showing it to?"
"You disagree? Fine, then you can forget about ever seeing Yun Miao again in this lifetime."
So, in the end, she died tragically in her hospital bed from an allergic reaction to medication. This was what he called not costing her life, ironically enough.
Her and Miaomiao's existence constituted the greatest shame of his life, a constant reminder of the ludicrous acts he had committed in pursuit of revenge, going to extreme lengths without regard for decency, daring to act but not to acknowledge, always ready to push the blame onto innocent children. This man, he was shameless to the extreme.
If you loathe and detest me, well then, I shall become a thorn, deeply embedded in your heart, inescapable, unshakable, haunting you with unbearable pain, all the way to Hell.
Yun Shen's gaze on Yun Ya was complex as he turned his head and instructed the maid, "Take the young miss upstairs to rest."
"Yes." The maid answered and approached Yun Ya.
Yun Ya looked at him eagerly, but the man turned away indifferently. Yun Shen did not realize that as he turned, the girl's lips still curved into a sweet smile, but her eyes gradually became detached, their color dark as ink, shrouded in mist, mysterious and cruel.
Just then, Kang Jinse walked in from outside. Seeing the car parked outside, she knew Yun Shen was back and almost ran inside. Upon seeing the tall and straight figure in the living room, handsome as if divine under the light,
Kang Jinse's eyes filled with infatuation, yet she maintained her composure, her face adorned with a perfect and dignified smile. She walked toward him with a seductive gait, "Brother Shen, you're back."
The red dress alluring, as if a fairy herself, enchanting and sensual.
The media had dubbed Kang Jinse the "National Fairy," a woman with sensuality engraved into her very bones, hard for any man to resist her allure. Yun Shen watched the approaching woman, her fervent figure reflected in his eyes, yet his own gaze remained unaffected.
Kang Jinse knew how heartless this man could be; even in bed, as she used all her charms, he was always distant, neither rejecting nor initiating. She almost believed this man was heartless, a puzzle she could never solve no matter how long she stayed with him. But the more elusive he was, the more she was obsessed, like a moth to a flame, knowing full well it was a fire pit, yet she jumped in without hesitation.
Ji Lanyi was gone, and now the one who stood by his side was her. Given time, she was certain she would capture his heart completely.
Yun Shen responded with a nonchalant "Hmm," having known beforehand that Kang Jinse had moved into the Ji Family's house, hence not surprised to see her here.
"Why have you come back so late?" Yun Shen asked with a hint of displeasure in his tone, frowning at her skirt which reached almost to the root of her thighs.
Kang Jinse smiled, "There was an advertisement shoot, so I got back late. Brother Shen, have you had dinner? If not, I can have the kitchen prepare something right now."
"No need, I'm a bit tired. I'm going to rest in my room," he replied, and turned to walk upstairs, leaving not a trace of affection behind.
Kang Jinse's expression froze for a moment before she forced a smile, "Alright, I'll have the kitchen prepare some late-night snacks for Brother Shen to eat when he gets hungry."
"Whatever." Yun Shen's silhouette soon vanished at the top of the stairs, and Kang Jinse's eyes traced a hint of dejection. Seeing Yun Ya standing off to the side, she frowned, "Why are you up so late instead of sleeping? What are you doing standing around here?"
In her bad mood, she was not patient with Yun Ya. In the future, as the mistress of the Yun Family, even Ji Yunya would have to depend on her whims to live.
"Aunt Jiang, is Father in a bad mood? Why does he seem so unhappy?" Yun Ya asked, feeling downcast.
Kang Jinse couldn't be bothered to explain and waved her hand impatiently, "You're just a kid, why care about so much? Hurry up and go back to your room to sleep."
"Oh." Yun Ya obediently turned to leave. In the moment of turning, the corners of her mouth curled in a mocking smile.
...
Kang Jinse returned to her bedroom, and not finding Yun Shen there, she went out and grabbed a maid, "Where is Brother Shen? Why isn't he in the room?"
The maid replied respectfully, "Sir is sleeping in the guest room now."
Kang Jinse was so angry she gritted her teeth, What are you playing at, Yun Shen?
After standing still for a while, she returned to her room and came back out wearing a rose-red silk low-cut nightgown, revealing her half-exposed breasts, and her face adorned with exquisite and vibrant makeup, looking seductive and enchanting like a fairy in the night.
She went to the kitchen and carried back a cup of warm milk, coming to the study door, she knocked, "Brother Shen, are you asleep?"
A deep and indifferent voice came from inside the study, "What is it?"
"I know you've always had trouble sleeping, so I made a cup of warm milk, drinking it before bed can help you sleep," said Kang Jinse, her voice so enticing it could make someone's body tingle.
"I don't need it, go back downstairs," said the voice, not making another sound afterward.
Kang Jinse bit her lip, her gaze so sharp it seemed like it could pierce the door, stamped her foot, and walked away reluctantly in the end.
Within the study, a tall figure sat at the desk, skimming quickly across the computer screen, his thin lips slightly pursed, cold and sharp.
The phone on the desk rang. He picked it up and answered.
"President Yun, there's been a complication with the land in the eastern part of the city. The Ning's have made a move out of nowhere. I got the news ahead of time; otherwise, we would have been passive at the auction three days from now. What do you think we should do?"
"The Ning's?" Yun Shen's eyes narrowed slightly as his fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
"Yes, that family that migrated from the north. I heard they used to be in the underworld and laundered their reputation through the entertainment industry. Now they're reaching into real estate. The Ning Family members are all ruthless characters, and they seem to know quite a few high-ranking officials. With them getting involved, securing that piece of land just got more complicated."
"Is that so?" Yun Shen laughed lightly, sending chills down the spine of the person on the other end of the phone.
"I must acquire that land. It doesn't matter if they're from the underworld or the legitimate world; no one has ever succeeded in taking something out of my hands." This project was crucial for him to gain complete control of Ji's. He was aware of the Ning Family's reputation, and they were formidable, but what of it? Yun Shen had never been afraid in his rise to his current status.
The person hesitated for a moment on the other end, "The night after tomorrow, Minister Yan is hosting a dinner party to celebrate Lady Yan's thirtieth birthday, and you must be among those invited. If you could establish a connection with Minister Yan, even several Ning Families wouldn't be a concern."
This Minister Yan had been transferred to Jiangzhou two years ago, focusing on economics. Despite his young age, he was a high-ranking official and even the first and second in command in Jiangzhou had to show him respect. Rumor had it that Minister Yan hailed from a major Capital City family, here for a golden job opportunity, and upon completing his term, he'd be called back to Capital City.
Jiangzhou, with its coastal location and booming economy, consistently ranks in the top five in the JDP nationwide. Numerous people wish to be transferred to Jiangzhou, indicating Minister Yan's background is undoubtedly extraordinary. Indeed, if Yun Shen could forge ties with Minister Yan, the Ning Family would indeed seem insignificant.
Remembering something Ji Lanyi had nagged in his ear earlier, an idea sparked in Yun Shen's mind.