Chapter 26

The door was firmly closed. Jin Yuchuan’s brow furrowed slightly, and the gentle, indifferent light in his eyes sharpened into something fierce and commanding.

“If you have nothing to do, I don’t mind helping the old man find some work for you.”

Ling Qiao shrank back, his arrogance deflating instantly.

“Please, Lord Jin, I only meant that I felt sorry for your sister and wanted you to spend more time with her. That young girl was so upset just now, almost in tears—I really couldn’t bear to see her like that…”

“Couldn’t bear to?” Jin Yuchuan interrupted suddenly.

“Yes!” Ling Qiao mistook it for empathy and eagerly embellished his words.

“I see your sister is no longer a child; she just found her family and learned that her parents have passed away. Surely, you wouldn’t let her return to the Jin household. The two siblings rely on each other in Jin City, with you as her only support. Yet you left her here in this desolate place, rarely coming back to see her…”

Jin Yuchuan closed his laptop. “Since you’re so compassionate, the task of protecting her falls to you.”

“What did you say?” Ling Qiao stared in disbelief.

Jin Yuchuan was the heir to the family legacy, a formidable figure in the martial arts world. For him to assign such a responsibility to guard a mere girl was an insult, a blatant slight.

“No matter if she’s your sister, it’s out of the question!”

What a joke. Jin Yuchuan had countless bodyguards and ample wealth. Given the old man’s temperament, he could easily assign a few martial artists to the task without involving Ling Qiao. If he was going to work, at least a proper price should be offered.

Jin Yuchuan leaned back, lifting his head slightly. His eyes, dark and profound as ink, fixed calmly on Ling Qiao. His voice was measured as he said, “What if I told you she is Bailan?”

Ling Qiao’s eyes widened sharply, his pupils shrinking.

“She’s Bailan?!” he exclaimed incredulously.

No wonder Jin Yuchuan was so fixated on Bailan—she was his flesh and blood.

So much for his fantasies of domineering CEOs and romantic clichés.

Jin Yuchuan ignored his thoughts and issued a final ultimatum:

“Either you protect her, or you return to the old man’s training.”

Ling Qiao shuddered and immediately softened, smiling ingratiatingly. “No, I’ll do it.”

The old man in the family constantly complained that Ling Qiao was aimless and intended to subject him to rigorous training to temper his spirit.

Having been spoiled, such training was a dual torment, both physical and mental.

Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to think of Jin Yuchuan then.

In the old man’s eyes, Jin Yuchuan was always serious and meticulous, thoughtful and calculating. Ling Qiao had proposed going down the mountain to learn from him and see the world—though admitting this openly lacked face.

So when Ling Qiao contacted Jin Yuchuan, he only mentioned wanting to gain experience. No one expected Jin Yuchuan to hit the mark, stating that Ling Qiao had been kicked out by the old man.

“Still, it’s surprising that Bailan, hailed as the rising star of the ancient medical world, is your sister.”

This was Ling Qiao’s first time meeting Bailan.

Suddenly recalling something, his face changed drastically.

“Does that mean the amnesiac girl is your sister too?”

“What a pitiful girl, wandering through life lost, finally finding her brother only to suffer amnesia…” Ling Qiao feigned sympathy, wiping away imaginary tears.

He placed a hand on Jin Yuchuan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. As a good brother, I’ll find a way to contact Master Qiao for you!”

Jin Yuchuan ruthlessly brushed off his hand.

If Master Qiao were so easy to reach, he wouldn’t have had to turn to Bailan as a backup plan.

Even Ling Qiao’s grandfather couldn’t guarantee that such a figure would come out of seclusion.

Compared to that, the medical alliance’s upcoming seminar gave Jin Yuchuan more confidence.

...

Back at the riverside residence, Ye Chunxi encountered Steward Kong approaching.

“Miss Ye, I came to ask what you’d like to eat tonight. I’ll instruct the staff to prepare it.”

Ye Chunxi paused a moment, not answering immediately, but instead asked, “Will my brother be eating at home tonight?”

“Well…” Steward Kong hesitated. “The young master should be staying.”

He had just inquired with Nan Sheng. Most of Jin Yuchuan’s schedule was postponed today, with no other engagements for the time being.

Yet he knew the young master’s reputation as a workaholic meant he might leave unexpectedly at any moment.

Ye Chunxi noticed his difficulty.

Jin Yuchuan’s work was indeed demanding; she didn’t insist.

“I want hot pot. The hospital food is too bland.”

Such rich flavors had never appeared at the Deer Garden estate.

Steward Kong readily agreed. “I’ll have someone arrange it at once, but since you’ve just recovered from illness, it’s best not to have spicy food.”

Ye Chunxi nodded politely. “Thank you, Steward Kong.”

The young girl was beautiful, with a pleasant voice.

Recalling Jin Yuchuan’s instructions, which subtly conveyed his care for her, a smile crept into the corners of Steward Kong’s eyes.

After the others left, he watched her recede into the distance and took out his phone.

“Old man, the young lady is good in every way, just a bit young.”

The steward handed him water at the right moment. Jin Yuchuan drank deeply.

His sharp, sculpted profile was firm and smooth. Tilting his head back, his Adam’s apple moved up and down.

A bead of water slipped down his throat, tracing a quiet, hidden path beneath his clothing.

Sensual and captivating.

Ye Chunxi shook off her distraction, took the oil dip in front of him, and turned to order the servants to prepare a fresh one.

Jin Yuchuan finished his water, his complexion recovering somewhat. Lowering his gaze, he saw the girl placing ingredients into the clear broth.

Only then did Ling Qiao realize what was happening and teased, “Sister, you don’t know—Lord Jin is very sensitive to spicy and stimulating food. The servants usually have to be extra careful. I didn’t expect you to get him caught with just one meal.”

He laughed without a care.

Ye Chunxi turned away, her watery deer-like eyes veiled with steam. As the mist cleared, their clarity deepened, shimmering with a delicate light.

“Sorry,” she murmured, a hint of guilt in her voice.

Jin Yuchuan steadied himself and reassured her, “It’s nothing. You didn’t know before.”

Ye Chunxi lowered her eyes. “I’ll be careful from now on.”

Ling Qiao, feeling ignored, stiffened, his face awash with frustration as he looked at the two.

“She didn’t know, but you do. You can’t eat it but still insist. Are you trying to make her worry?”

Jin Yuchuan said nothing, but his dark, cold eyes swept over Ling Qiao, radiating an imposing pressure.

Ling Qiao immediately fell silent, head down, eating voraciously.

Ye Chunxi cooked several slices of tripe and placed them into Jin Yuchuan’s oil dip, puzzled. “Why force yourself?”

Jin Yuchuan avoided her gaze. “It’s no big deal.”

He hadn’t eaten spicy food in a long time and had forgotten the flush it brought.

He only planned to take a few bites and leave, so he paid it no mind.

Ye Chunxi tightened her grip on her chopsticks and murmured, “You really don’t take care of yourself.”