Chapter Sixty-Three: Dearest Princess

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Yang Jiekai closed his eyes, but what flashed through his mind was the hazy silhouette that had lingered there for as long as he could remember—a face that was kind and gentle, yet always just out of reach. No matter how hard he tried, he could never recall it in detail. He had attempted countless times to summon more memories, to piece together more fragments, but each time it was futile. In his memory, the last time he saw that indistinct face was on a bright, sunny day, surrounded by wildflowers and butterflies. He was sitting on the grass when a man picked him up. He cried and struggled with all his might, and after that, he never saw that blurry face again.

From then on, his memories were filled only with the smoke of battle and the stench of blood.

The ringing of the telephone pulled Yang Jiekai out of his reverie. He drew a deep breath, composed himself, and glanced at the caller ID, a knowing smile curling at his lips.

The call was from Mrs. Wang, asking if he would be home for dinner tonight.

Home for dinner? Home?

Yang Jiekai chuckled. "Mrs. Wang, I'll definitely be home for dinner tonight!"

After starting his SUV, Yang Jiekai didn’t drive straight back to Bamboo Grove Villa. Instead, he made a detour to the market and the fruit stand before heading home.

"Sir, you're back!" Mrs. Wang greeted him with her usual beaming smile. She had fully accepted this young man who was always cheerful, even though at first she’d been ready to tear him limb from limb. But after spending some time together, she realized he was actually quite good-natured. Although he often sparred with Han Ning, in the end, he was always the one to give in.

Whatever Han Ning’s feelings, Mrs. Wang had already settled on this future son-in-law. Initially, it was for Han Ning’s sake, but gradually she’d come to genuinely like this sweet-mouthed young man.

"Sir, why did you buy so much fruit? If you want something, just tell me next time, you shouldn’t have to do it yourself." Seeing the bags of fruit in his hands, Mrs. Wang hurried over to take them from him.

Yang Jiekai didn’t stand on ceremony. "Mrs. Wang, would you please wash and disinfect these fruits for me? I’ll need them later."

"Of course, sir. I’ll call you when they’re ready," Mrs. Wang replied, taking the bags into the kitchen.

Yang Jiekai slipped into his own room, closed the door, and began busying himself with something unknown inside.

Han Ning had only just returned to her room herself. She’d been in meetings with Yongcheng Group all day, discussing the launch of several projects. It had been exhausting, but she was in good spirits. Han Wei had gone abroad with the signed contracts to secure final authorization, and should be back in a few days. Once that was settled, the projects could launch immediately.

"Mrs. Wang, that’s a lot of fruit," Han Ning said, feeling a little hungry and wandering into the kitchen. She saw Mrs. Wang washing fruit and picked up a clean strawberry, popping it into her mouth.

"So sweet!" Han Ning exclaimed with genuine delight. "Mrs. Wang, where did you buy these strawberries? They’re delicious!"

"Your son-in-law bought them," Mrs. Wang replied with a smile as she washed the fruit.

Han Ning had been about to reach for more, but stopped short. "He bought them?"

Mrs. Wang nodded. "Yes, he just brought all these back."

"What does he need so much fruit for? What a waste!" Han Ning muttered, pouting. Although her resentment toward him had faded somewhat after everything that had happened recently, it didn’t mean she liked the man who’d ruined her happiness.

To be fair, Han Ning had found little about him truly detestable—apart from being a bit slovenly, crude, lazy, and unambitious, he wasn’t especially objectionable. After what they’d been through together, she’d even wondered if, had he not forced her into this legal relationship, she might have been able to accept him.

But everything she’d endured—the Han family’s coldness and abuse, the destruction of all she’d worked for—was because of Yang Jiekai’s sudden appearance.

He had destroyed her happiness.

That thought brought a fresh ache to her chest. She tossed aside the fruit she’d been holding and stormed out, pausing only to tell Mrs. Wang, "From now on, anything he buys, just leave it in his room. Don’t let me see it—it’s an eyesore!" With that, she stomped upstairs to her room.

Mrs. Wang sighed softly, shook her head with a wry smile, and continued washing fruit.

When Yang Jiekai appeared in the kitchen, Mrs. Wang’s eyes widened in astonishment.

"Sir, what are you…?"

He was dressed in a perfectly pressed black Zhongshan suit, his shoes shined to a gloss, and, most peculiar of all, he wore a brand-new, cylindrical chef’s hat with the tag still attached.

Yang Jiekai ignored Mrs. Wang’s confusion. After a quick survey of the kitchen, he began rummaging through cupboards, soon producing several eggs and a bag of flour.

Mrs. Wang assumed he was hungry and thought her cooking was too slow, so she hurried to say, "Sir, are you hungry? Dinner will be ready soon…"

Yang Jiekai waved her off. "I’m not hungry."

"Then what are you…?" Mrs. Wang was more puzzled than ever.

Without further explanation, he replied, "Mrs. Wang, would you mind stepping out for a bit? I’m adding a dish to tonight’s dinner."

She wanted to protest but, seeing the determination on his face, she hesitated, then left the kitchen, still full of doubts.

Yang Jiekai shut the kitchen door behind her. He selected a few freshly washed fruits, lined them up on the cutting board, and, with a flick of his fingers, sent a kitchen knife spinning into the air. He caught it deftly, smiled at the colorful array before him, and with a deft shake of his wrist, the blade flashed through the air.

Meanwhile, after stewing in her room for a while, Han Ning’s anger faded. Truly, it wasn’t just Yang Jiekai she was upset with—her bitterness was rooted in her own misfortunes. After sitting in silence for a bit, her hunger grew, prompting her to head downstairs.

She found Mrs. Wang sitting dazed on the sofa, the dining table empty. At this hour, dinner was usually already set.

Concerned, Han Ning glanced from the bare table to Mrs. Wang’s strange expression and asked, "Mrs. Wang, are you feeling alright today? Do you need to see a doctor…?"

Mrs. Wang snapped out of her reverie and turned to Han Ning. "Sir said he wanted to add a dish tonight and wouldn’t let me help. Little Ning, do you think he’s unhappy with my cooking? Is that why he insisted on making something himself?"

After being shooed from the kitchen, Mrs. Wang had been anxious, wondering if her food wasn’t to his taste.

Seeing her remorseful face, Han Ning’s temper flared. She frowned and said sharply, "Why do you care what he thinks? If he doesn’t like it, he can eat elsewhere! I like your cooking just fine. If he’s so picky, let him make his own meals from now on!"

Mrs. Wang sighed. "Maybe my food really doesn’t suit him. I’ll buy some cookbooks and ask him what he likes…"

"Stop spoiling him!" Han Ning snapped, her voice rising. "Just make enough for the two of us from now on. If he’s not happy, let him eat out!"

Mrs. Wang, at a loss, simply sighed again and said nothing more.

At that moment, the kitchen door swung open.

Han Ning was about to storm in and give Yang Jiekai a piece of her mind, but she froze.

A rich, sweet aroma filled the entire room, making her stomach growl. She swallowed involuntarily.

Yang Jiekai emerged from the kitchen, carrying a lidded metal tray in one hand. He wore the chef’s hat and Mrs. Wang’s apron, with flour dusting his face and nose. Yet, he managed to look thoroughly debonair, a gentleman’s smile playing on his lips.

"My dearest princess, dinner is served," he announced, setting the tray lightly on the table and making an inviting gesture.

Seeing Han Ning rooted in place, eyes wide, Yang Jiekai smiled and walked over. One hand behind his back, he bowed slightly and extended the other to her. "My beloved princess, your dinner is ready. May I have the honor of inviting you to dine with me?"