Breaking the Engagement with the Jin Family

Chi Yu was overwhelmed with emotion, utterly inconsolable. Fearing her distress would harm her health, Chi He called the doctor to administer a sedative. 

When Chi Yu reopened her eyes, a few more people had gathered in the room. The Jin couple had arrived with Jin Yao to apologize to Chi Yu.

"Yu Yu, Ah Yao was momentarily confused, and that's why he spoke those foolish words. Auntie has already scolded him. Please, be magnanimous and forgive him for my sake."

The woman knew how to speak impeccably, leaving no room for criticism. She appeared submissive, but in truth, she was forcing Chi Yu to swallow her pride. If Chi Yu refused, she would appear petty. 

Chi Yu smiled faintly, evading the woman's outstretched hand. Her voice was icy. "Who are you? And why should I care about saving your face?"

Her words silenced the room. Mrs. Jin's face changed through a rainbow of emotions, displaying a complex expression. 

Mr. Jin cleared his throat loudly, reluctant to say more in Chi He's presence. 

Jin Yao, however, was furious, glaring at Chi Yu with gritted teeth. "You are utterly uncouth! Apologize to my mother!"

Chi Yu blinked innocently, looking pitifully at Chi He. "Uncle, he says I'm uncouth."

Everyone knew that Chi Yu's parents had passed away shortly after her birth. She was raised entirely by Chi He. With one sentence, Jin Yao insulted both of them. 

Chi He's face darkened. "It seems your son's tongue is quite unnecessary on his face."

Mrs. Jin's heart sank. She shot her son a warning glance, hurriedly smiling apologetically at Chi He.

"President Chi, I'm truly sorry. This boy has no filter when he speaks. When we return, I will certainly discipline him. Since Yu Yu needs to rest, we won't stay long. We will arrange a formal apology dinner at a hotel another day."

She bid farewell to Chi Yu, who suddenly returned to her usual self, waving sweetly. "Uncle and Auntie, take care!"

Jin Yao shot Chi Yu a venomous look before leaving, his disgust palpable. Chi Yu didn't even spare him a glance. 

To her, Jin Yao had never understood his place. The Jin family had fallen from grace and, in recent years, relied on the Chi family, picking up crumbs that fell through their fingers just to maintain a facade of prosperity. 

To put it bluntly, the Jin family was selling their son for glory. If Jin Yao had any sense, he would at least pretend to treat Chi Yu well. Yet, he somehow harbored the laughable illusion that he and Chi Yu stood as equals. 

That was a folly beyond redemption. 

Were it not for Mrs. Jin's savvy understanding—sending lavish gifts and flattery to the Chi family during holidays—the Jin family wouldn't even qualify to be their lackeys. 

But now, Jin Yao's arrogance and Mrs. Jin's newfound boldness—perhaps bolstered by recent business success—were becoming intolerable. Chi Yu pondered; it was time to sever ties with the Jin family.

"What are you thinking about?" Chi He poured a glass of water, handing it to Chi Yu. 

Looking at this man who cherished her as if she were his own life, Chi Yu shook her head and pulled him to sit by the bedside. Chi He, puzzled, was soon surprised when the young girl leaned her head on his shoulder.

Chi Yu said, "Uncle, let's break off the engagement with the Jin family."

A fleeting shadow crossed Chi He's eyes, quickly vanishing. He gently patted Chi Yu's head, smiling indulgently. "Why? Still angry at Jin Yao? Uncle will find a time to teach him a lesson and vent your frustration."

Chi Yu had no desire to explain the sordid affair between Jin Yao and Ning Jin. Those two weren't worth wasting her breath on.

"I never liked him anyway. Besides—" Chi Yu spoke softly, suppressing her emotions, "Since I won't live more than six months, I shouldn't drag anyone down with me."

"Yu'er," Chi He's face darkened instantly, unwilling to see her so despondent. "Uncle has said he will find a way to cure you."

She had been hearing these words since she was six years old. Chi Yu was tired of it.

She did not want to blame her uncle for not keeping his promises. He had showered her with love, provided her with the best of everything, indulged her temper, and treated her like a princess.

It was simply fate that played this cruel joke on her, insisting she must die. 

Chi Yu would direct all her negativity at others but never lash out at Chi He. 

She smiled, her delicate, beautiful face a masterpiece crafted by a partial god. Graceful and radiant, noble and alluring. 

Chi He's deep eyes dimmed slightly.

Chi Yu forced a smile, saying, "I always trust Uncle. You've been with me for two days now. The company's affairs must be piling up, right? Qi Hun's flight is in the afternoon. With him around, you can go back to work without worry."

Qi Hun was the bodyguard Chi He had assigned to Chi Yu. He had been away for a few days and was returning today. 

Seeing that Chi Yu was in low spirits, Chi He decided to give her some private time to process her emotions.

"I'll listen to you, Yu'er. The hospital is boring; do you want me to find something to entertain you?"

Chi Yu absentmindedly replied, "Just bring me some books to read."

"Alright."

After Chi He left, Chi Yu fell into a restless sleep, plagued by a terrible nightmare. She sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, her breath coming in heavy gasps. Her face was cold, wet with tears of fear.

The hospital room was dark and silent, like a cold coffin. 

Chi Yu groped in the darkness, turning on every light in the room. The brightness brought her a modicum of comfort. 

But the room still felt lifeless, chilling her to the bone. 

Chi Yu called out for Qi Hun, assuming he wasn't in the room but waiting outside. 

There was no response. 

Her brows furrowed slightly. She distinctly remembered that Qi Hun's flight was at four in the afternoon. He should have arrived at the hospital by now. What was going on?

The unread message on her phone gave her the answer. 

Forty minutes ago, Qi Hun had sent a message saying there was an urgent matter he needed to handle. 

That message seemed more like a one-sided notification than a request for permission. Not getting a reply, he didn't even bother to call. 

Perhaps it was her imagination, but Chi Yu felt that her bodyguard of seven years had grown increasingly negligent and lazy over the past year. 

Had he become arrogant because of the respect she accorded him? Or did he mistakenly think himself indispensable?

Chi Yu's anger simmered, but she did not call to question him. She would wait for his return and make sure he remembered the consequences of acting on his own. 

On the bedside table were a few hardbound books. Chi Yu glanced at them briefly, her interest waning almost immediately.

She had said she wanted to read just to brush off Chi He. For a distraction, playing a game or two seemed more appealing.

As she reached for her phone, something flashed. 

Focusing on it, she saw the book in the middle glowing with a brilliant golden light. 

Curiosity piqued, Chi Yu wondered if Chi He had planned a surprise for her. 

She pulled out the book and noticed it had no cover or title. 

Driven by curiosity, she opened it and began to read. Initially, she intended it merely as a way to kill time. 

Ten minutes later, her expression changed. She began flipping through the pages more rapidly.

Another half an hour later, Chi Yu's world was shattered. 

The book, in its absurdity, revealed a shocking secret.

Chi Yu was not the real Miss of the Chi family! The cook's daughter she despised, Ning Jin, was the legitimate daughter of the Chi family. 

(End of Chapter)