“Ye Ye, from now on, you can choose your favorite plants, and I’ll have them transplanted to the island later… You can also mention any details of Chinese architectural styles you like, and I’ll have them included in the designs tomorrow!” Dean said, holding her slender waist.
“Such a large island in the middle of the lake, you’re giving it to me? Are you sure? Selling it might be more profitable!” Ye Ye pouted, trying to overturn Dean’s decision.
“Try saying one more word against it!” Dean whispered coldly in Ye Ye’s ear, and under the table, his hand gave her a firm smack.
“Ow—I got it.” Quickly covering her backside, she surrendered. Ye Ye’s usual philosophy was to make the best of the situation, and her experience from multiple confrontations with Dean told her not to argue with him directly. Instead, she should influence him through details, go along with his major decisions, and perhaps secretly defy him… With this in mind, Ye Ye decided not to oppose Dean’s plan.
“Miss, your phone upstairs has been ringing non-stop,” the maid rushed in to say.
“Oh, Ho, I’ll go take the call!” Ye Ye jumped up, and Baron, with his tail wagging, followed her upstairs with a clatter. [From Passion to Burning Love: Eighty-One, Interrupted Warmth]
After Ye Ye left—
“Ho, don’t you think you’re giving her too much?” Ximen Xu said.
“Yes, besides money, you never put effort into giving women gifts!” Nangong Xun raised his eyebrows in agreement.
Jones never questioned Dean; he only executed orders, always silent and diligent, but even he couldn’t help but look at Dean with a questioning gaze this time.
Watching Ye Ye leave, Dean said thoughtfully, “This is all I can give her…”
The three men looked at Dean and suddenly realized that this man they had always respected, the cold emperor, was indeed different this time…
“Ho, what about Misha?” Ximen Xu asked directly.
“She’s your wife! Your family allows you to be romantic, but they won’t agree to a divorce!” Nangong Xun murmured, his eyes holding a trace of something, but it faded too quickly to be caught.
“I won’t divorce. I just want to give her the best because she gave me the best!” After saying that, Dean stood up and left the greenhouse, heading towards the main house.
The three men watched Dean’s towering figure, each sighed with their own thoughts… Hopefully, nothing earth-shaking would happen… But their instincts told them it was impossible!
Ye Ye hung up the phone, sat on the bed, hugging Baron: “Oh—Baron, I miss my brothers too!”
Baron responded with a low whine, seemingly understanding.
“Whose call was it?” Dean entered the room and sat beside Ye Ye.
“My brother, they miss me… Ho, I miss them, my brother, my dad, I miss them all… I’ve never been away from home before…” Ye Ye murmured softly.
“Silly girl, children grow up and eventually leave their parents. You need to get used to being independent,” Dean said, holding her, but inside he worried that her longing for family might make her want to leave sooner.
“Parents? But I only have my father and brothers, my mom… I miss her so much… but I can never see her again…” Her mother was Ye Ye’s deepest wound. Children are always attached to their mothers, but after the age of five, she lost that chance…
“What happened to your mom?” Dean asked quietly.
“When I was five, she left… to save the man she loved the most… my father… she left us, her children…” Ye Ye’s tears flowed silently; she rarely showed vulnerability, except when it came to her mother.
“It’s all in the past, baby…” Dean kissed her cheek, comforting her. So she too had such a sad past…
Baron also whimpered softly in Ye Ye’s arms, licking the back of her hand.
“Yes! I’m okay! Am I really going to start whining for my mom at nearly 19?” Ye Ye wiped her tears, trying to be strong, but her smile was tear-stained, revealing her inner fragility. Even when hurt before, Ye Ye had never shown such vulnerability, but now, her heart overflowed with tender pain. Dean just held her tightly, saying nothing… But he knew, no matter how old a child gets, they always have a special attachment to their mother…
“Knock, knock, knock—”
“What is it?” Dean asked softly.
“Sir, Miss, dinner is ready. The three gentlemen are waiting in the dining room,” the maid said respectfully.
“Hmm!” Ye Ye went to the bathroom to wipe her tears and freshen up, then followed Dean downstairs.
Tonight’s dinner was arranged in the villa’s Chinese dining room because Ximen Xu and Nangong Xun were authentic Chinese, and Dean had a quarter Chinese blood, so they all had a special preference for Chinese cuisine. Plus, with Ye Ye, a pure Chinese girl, they often had Chinese meals. Ye Ye looked at the dishes on the round table, all her favorites, not greasy or soy-sauce laden; she knew it must have been arranged by Butler Zeta, considering her injury.
