The other family members, observing Yuanfeng's undivided attention toward Huaijin, whispered among themselves. Some shook their heads, others smiled faintly, but none dared disrupt the tableau.
As breakfast ended, Yuanfeng leaned slightly over Huaijin, whispering softly, "Soon, we'll leave the manor and go home. But remember, no matter what happens, Daddy will always make sure you're safe."
Huaijin nodded vigorously. "I know, Daddy. And I'll always stick with you, too. No one can scare me while I'm with my hero."
His eyes softened. There was a moment of stillness, a quiet bubble of peace amidst the larger, noisier world of business and family politics.
He knew that even as Grandfather Chi's words about corporations, profits, and collaborations floated around them, for now, he had exactly what mattered most, the tiny, trusting presence of his daughter at his side.
And in that quiet morning, he silently vowed: whoever tried to disturb this peace, whoever tried to cast shadows over Huaijin's innocence, would be met with consequences they couldn't imagine.
Because from this day forward, no one would touch Chi Huaijin. Not Xu Meilin, not greedy relatives, not corporate rivals. He would ensure it, with his intelligence, his resources, and, if needed, with his strength.
For now, though, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the warmth of the morning sunlight, the soft sound of Huaijin's laughter, and the rare, fleeting tranquility of father and daughter in their little world.
***
After breakfast, the heavy silence that had lingered at the dining table still hadn't dispersed. The faint clinking of porcelain and the muted scrape of chairs against the polished marble floor had been the only sounds to fill the air that morning.
The sunlight filtering through the tall windows of the Chi family's ancestral manor was golden and warm, yet somehow, it couldn't soften the chill that had taken root among those seated there.
Huaijin's laughter, which had brightened the dinner table the night before, was nowhere to be found.
Her little hands played absentmindedly with the rim of her teacup as she sat beside her father, her big eyes darting between him and her grandfather, who was unusually quiet this morning.
Yuanfeng didn't say much either; he seemed calm, though the faint furrow between his brows betrayed his alertness.
When the maids cleared the last of the dishes, Grandfather Chi finally spoke in that calm, steady voice that commanded the entire family's attention.
"Yuanfeng," he said, his tone neither warm nor cold, "bring Huaijin with you to my study."
Every conversation in the room fell silent instantly. Huaijin blinked in confusion, her spoon clinking against the plate. The servants exchanged glances before retreating soundlessly. Her small hand instinctively reached for her father's sleeve.
"Grandpa wants to talk to us?" she whispered.
Yuanfeng gave a small nod and smiled faintly, his hand patting her soft hair. "It's all right, princess. Let's go."
The two walked through the corridor, their footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floor. The air in the manor was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and old paper, mixed with the distant chirping of birds outside the courtyard.
The Chi family's study was a vast room lined with shelves of ancient books and calligraphy scrolls. It had an old-world dignity that pressed down on anyone who entered it.
Grandfather Chi was already there, seated behind his wide mahogany desk. His white hair glowed faintly under the light streaming in through the latticed windows, and his sharp eyes, still as intimidating as they had been in his younger days, looked up as they entered.
"Sit," he instructed simply.
Yuanfeng bowed slightly and guided Huaijin to the seat beside him. The little girl hesitated for a moment before climbing into the chair, her feet barely reaching the floor.
She clasped her hands on her lap, her expression wary but curious.
Grandfather Chi's gaze softened for a brief second as it landed on her, but when he turned back to Yuanfeng, his tone grew grave. "I have something important to discuss."
"Yes, Father," Yuanfeng replied evenly.
There was a brief silence. Only the faint ticking of the grandfather clock filled the study. Then Grandfather Chi folded his hands and leaned slightly forward.
"I've been thinking about your position in the family," he began. "It's been years since you stepped away from company affairs. You've always preferred your quiet research work, your experiments and laboratories, and I didn't interfere out of respect. But things are different now."
Yuanfeng's expression didn't change, but the line between his brows deepened slightly. "Different, how?"
"The company is preparing for a major collaboration," Grandfather Chi said. "One that could determine our family's future influence. I've already spoken to your brothers; they're doing their part. But I want you back in the company, Yuanfeng."
That sentence alone would've been enough to surprise most of the Chi family members. Grandfather Chi had long considered Yuanfeng too detached, too unambitious. But there was something else behind his words, and Yuanfeng could sense it.
He smiled faintly. "You want me to return? That's quite unexpected. May I ask why now?"
Grandfather Chi's eyes sharpened. "Because you are still a Chi, and because you're wasting your potential hiding behind the excuse of raising a child alone." His gaze flicked briefly toward Huaijin. "She needs to grow up properly, under discipline, not indulgence."
The air around them stiffened. Huaijin's small fingers tightened around her dress. Yuanfeng's calm face grew darker.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked quietly.
"I mean," Grandfather Chi said, his tone as steady as a judge's, "that it's time for Huaijin to receive proper education and upbringing. The girl is intelligent, too intelligent for her age. But she lacks manners, restraint, and understanding of her station. You've spoiled her."
"I didn't—" Yuanfeng began, but the older man raised his hand.
"You're her father," Grandfather Chi continued, "but you're also a member of the Chi family. You've neglected your duties long enough. You should think about the family's future."