Ji Ying returned to her room, slowly unfastening the clasps of her qipao as she walked toward the dressing room. Lifting her gaze, she froze at the sight of an entire wardrobe suddenly filled with qipaos. A few seconds later, realization struck— This must be her eldest brother’s birthday gift.
Stepping closer, she saw not only qipaos but also complete jewelry sets and custom-made handbags. Her slender fingers brushed lightly over the delicate stitching.
Ji Ying lowered her long lashes, momentarily lost in thought. It had been a long time since she felt as happy as she did tonight. Her eldest brother had returned, her second brother had sung for her, and now… this gift.
But when she came home and saw her mother waiting, the joy scattered like the wind. Her freedom had always been built upon her mother’s constant worry.
Ji Ying’s fingertips curled unconsciously. In her ears, her brother’s conversation with her mother replayed. How could she prove that she was capable of taking care of herself?
Suddenly, Ji Chen’s last words flashed through her mind. Her bright eyes lit up, and a thought began to take shape.
If she got married, would that mean she could live freely, without restraint, doing whatever she wished?
That night, she slept soundly for once. Even several alarms failed to wake her; in the end, it was Yu Wanqing who roused her.
“Today you mustn’t be late,” Yu Wanqing said, gently patting her daughter’s cheek. “Your grandfather is waiting.”
Ji Ying blinked her drowsy eyes, then suddenly sat up, throwing off the covers. Her voice was still thick with sleep: “Mom, did I oversleep?”
“You still have half an hour,” Madam Yu replied gracefully, arms folded.
Ji Ying let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.” She hurried through her morning routine. When choosing clothes, her gaze lingered on the wardrobe full of qipaos gifted by Ji Chen. She finally picked a pink modernized design.
The qipao was exquisitely crafted, with a hollowed front and embroidered clusters of cherry blossoms that stretched from the waist to the chest.
Ji Ying loved it and even matched it with peach-blossom makeup in the same color palette. Everything was done in just half an hour.
Her grandfather lived in a manor on the outskirts of Beijing. Disliking the city’s noise, the old man enjoyed farming and fishing there, living contentedly.
Today was Ji Ying’s birthday. The two elders had long set the date to host a family banquet at the manor to celebrate her special day.
Early in the morning, Ji Chen drove Ji Ying and their parents out to the suburbs of Beijing.
An hour later, the car slowed to a stop at the manor gates.
Grandfather Ji was already waiting at the entrance. Though in his seventies, he was still vigorous, his voice strong as he called out:
“Where’s Ji Ying? Hurry and get out so Grandpa can see you.”
Ji Ying opened the car door and immediately took his arm. “Here I am.”
Grandfather looked her over and shook his head. “You’ve gotten thinner again!”
“Then I’ll trouble Grandpa to fatten me up,” Ji Ying teased, blinking playfully, which made the old man burst into hearty laughter.
Meanwhile, Ji Tianze helped Yu Wanqing out of the car, and Ji Chen parked before joining them last.
Grandfather’s eyes swept left and right, then his brows furrowed. His tone turned sharp: “Where’s that rascal Ji Huai?”
Yu Wanqing quickly forced a smile to explain: “Ah Huai just took on a new drama. He’s busy every day with schedules. Why, he even called yesterday to send his regards to you.”
“Busy every year, busy every time?” the old man scoffed. “I say his wings have grown hard—he doesn’t take me seriously at all!”
Ji Tianze sneered in agreement: “Don’t just say you, even I can’t control him. He’ll do whatever he pleases.”
Ji Ying and Ji Chen exchanged a glance, both seeing the same helplessness in each other’s eyes. Years ago, when Ji Huai insisted on entering the entertainment industry, he clashed fiercely with both his father and his grandfather. Especially Ji Tianze, who in his fury had ordered Ji Huai out of the house altogether.
Ji Ying quickly linked arms with her grandfather, coaxing him as they walked toward the manor: “Grandpa, Second Brother isn’t like that. Just yesterday, he told me how much he missed you, but he really couldn’t get away. He even asked me to keep it secret from you.”
“Don’t cover for your brother.”
“How am I covering? I’m telling the truth,” Ji Ying feigned innocence.
The old man was easy to placate. Though his face stayed stern, his tone softened: “Then why doesn’t he hurry back?”
Ji Ying blinked mischievously. “Next time, next time for sure!”
As they spoke, the family entered the manor. Grandfather’s mood lifted, and he began chattering about his vegetable plots, orchards, and fish ponds.
Once inside, a golden Labrador bounded straight toward Ji Ying, circling her legs excitedly.
Ji Ying bent down with a smile, her pale fingers stroking the dog’s head. “Shengsheng, long time no see.”
On the sofa, Grandfather called for the maid to serve tea. With the steaming cups in hand, he began cheerfully: “Today is Ji Ying’s twentieth birthday. We’ll keep it simple—just a family banquet, a good gathering among our own.”
“This family banquet, well, we’re all family here, aren’t we?”
Ji Tianze and Yu Wanqing echoed their agreement. Ji Chen sat quietly, his fingers slowly rubbing at the base of his thumb, waiting for what would come next.
Grandfather sipped his tea, eyes crinkling with a smile as he looked toward the slender girl by the door. “I have an old friend you all know. Today, he and his grandson…”
Before the words were finished, a booming voice suddenly rang out from afar at the doorway: “Old Ji! Old Ji!”
“No one’s answering? Then I’ll just come in myself!”
Grandfather Ji deliberately ignored the varied expressions on Ji Tianze and the others’ faces, calling out cheerfully: “They’re here—come, come, let’s go greet Old Fu.”
Silence fell.
A few seconds later, Ji Tianze forced a smile. “Dad, why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“Now you know, don’t you?” Grandfather Ji replied, pulling Ji Chen along. “Jingshen came today, too. You’re the same age, you’ll have plenty to talk about.”
Ji Chen couldn’t even muster a smile. “He and I have topics to talk about?”
Grandfather Ji ignored him, turning to call for Ji Ying—only to find the girl missing from the doorway. He froze. “Where’s Ji Ying?”
Meanwhile, the moment the commotion outside reached her ears, Shengsheng darted out with his tongue lolling, barking nonstop.
Afraid the dog might frighten someone, Ji Ying hurried after it. Outside lay neatly fenced layers of vegetable plots and flowerbeds, with rows of mulberry trees at the end of the path. Shengsheng quickly turned a corner and disappeared beyond the fence.
Ji Ying sighed softly and quickened her pace.
At the bend, Old Master Fu strode inside, urging behind him: “Hurry up!”
Trailing him was Fu Jingshen, both hands weighed down with gift boxes. “…”
“Do you still remember what I told you before we came?”
“I remember.”
“Then recite it again.”
Fu Jingshen paused a moment. “No need.”
The old man turned back with a glare. “What do you mean no need? I think you—”
Before he could finish, Fu Jingshen’s gaze sharpened. “Grandpa, behind you!”
With the rush of wind and sharp barking, a strong Labrador charged forward. The old man, once a soldier, moved with practiced agility—his expression unchanged as he sidestepped neatly, caught the leash, and patted the dog’s head with a smile. “We’re all family here. That’s not very polite.”
“Woof!” Shengsheng barked in protest.
Fu Jingshen exhaled slightly, then turned—and met a pair of familiar eyes.
The girl in the pink qipao came running, clearly not expecting anyone at the corner. Unable to stop in time, surprise and embarrassment flashed across her gaze.
Fu Jingshen could have stepped aside. But he didn’t move.
In that fleeting instant, Ji Ying had no chance to recover—she crashed straight into the man’s chest. What filled her senses was the scent of fir on him—cool, crisp, and cold. The warmth of his body, even through the shirt, seared every inch of skin it touched. It was as if time itself had frozen, except—
Shengsheng suddenly erupted in furious barking. The Labrador bared its teeth at Fu Jingshen, growling a warning.
Startled awake, Ji Ying pressed her pale wrist against the man’s chest and gently pulled away. Though Fu Jingshen’s elbow had hovered protectively near her shoulder, he had never touched her, so Ji Ying easily stepped back.
Only then did Shengsheng stop barking, though his eyes remained fixed warily on Fu Jingshen.
“Sorry,” Ji Ying forced herself to sound calm as she lifted her gaze—only to meet a pair of eyes tinged with amusement. Embarrassment flickered across her face. “Did I bump into you anywhere?”
Fu Jingshen lowered his eyes, his gaze brushing past the faint blush at her pale ear. His throat tickled, and he was about to speak when Old Master Fu, who had witnessed everything, cut in first: “He’s fine!”
Fu Jingshen: “…”
Only then did Ji Ying notice the elder standing nearby. Flustered, she stammered, “…Grandpa Fu.”
“Ah!” The old man signaled Fu Jingshen to step back, taking his place himself. Looking at Ji Ying, he found himself liking her more the longer he looked. Glancing at his grandson out of the corner of his eye, he even began to reflect— How could Fu Jingshen ever be worthy of Ji Ying?
Just then, Grandfather Ji approached, accompanied by the rest of the family.
Ji Tianze’s eyes immediately fell on his daughter standing beside Old Master Fu, irritation flashing in his heart. Ji Chen’s gaze met Fu Jingshen’s for an instant before darting away, his expression turning several shades colder. Yu Wanqing’s smile remained perfectly composed, betraying nothing of her thoughts.
Everyone exchanged greetings, though only the two elders seemed oblivious to the subtle tension, chatting warmly as they walked into the manor.
The adults led the way. Ji Ying took the dog’s leash from Old Master Fu and followed behind.
Ji Chen walked on her left, while Fu Jingshen naturally fell into step on her right.
No one spoke. Even the air seemed to grow heavy.
Only the Labrador in Ji Ying’s hand continued to bare its teeth at Fu Jingshen. He cast it a faint glance, which Shengsheng took as an affront, barking twice in protest.
Ji Ying’s slender fingers tightened slightly on the leash. She bent down to stroke the dog’s head. “Shengsheng, be good, don’t bark.” She glanced at Fu Jingshen, lips pressed lightly together. “He’s not a bad person.”
Fu Jingshen raised his brows faintly. Not a bad person?
Shengsheng licked her fingers, snorted, and reluctantly accepted her words.
Ji Chen had remained silent throughout. He bent down, teasing the dog’s chin with his fingertips, and smiled. “Shengsheng.”
“Woof!”
Calling out while glancing at Fu Jingshen: “Shengsheng.”
“Woof! Woof!”
By the third time Ji Chen called the dog’s name, Ji Ying suddenly realized something. Her bright eyes shifted toward Fu Jingshen.
Shengsheng… Jingshen.
…
“Um,” Ji Ying crouched down, stroking the Labrador as she lifted her curled lashes, carefully explaining: “Its name isn’t the same *shen* as yours—it’s the *sheng* from ‘sound.’”
The moment the words left her lips, the air seemed to freeze. If anything, it felt even more awkward.
“Pfft.” Ji Chen, standing aside, coughed lightly to cover his smile.
Ji Ying’s red lips parted, her pale cheeks flushing with heat. “I didn’t mean that.”
Fu Jingshen feigned ignorance, asking, “Didn’t mean what?”
Even without looking up, Ji Ying could feel the man’s commanding gaze pressing down on her. Every moment spent near him today left her unsettled. She had only wanted to spare him embarrassment—how had it turned into her being put on the spot? Her lips pressed together, and she cast him a glance that was half reproach, half flustered.
Just then, Grandfather Ji noticed the group lagging behind and called out: “Ji Ying?”
Ji Ying seized the chance like a pardon, quickly rising to her feet. Tugging at the hem of her qipao, she answered, “Coming.” She led Shengsheng away at a brisk pace.
Once she was gone, Ji Chen’s smile faded. He shot Fu Jingshen a cold look. “Restrain yourself.”
Fu Jingshen’s expression didn’t change as he walked forward, his tone calm. “What are you talking about?”
Ji Chen’s smile turned icy. “Two years ago, I took that land in Shencheng from you. But business is business—it shouldn’t involve my sister.”
Fu Jingshen was the type to say one thing to Yan Hang and another to their family.
Fu Jingshen suddenly stopped, replying: “I won’t drag her into it.”
“Then what do you mean?”
Fu Jingshen looked at him. After a long pause, his lips curved faintly. “Ji Chen, have you forgotten—”
“Ji Ying is already engaged to me.”