Chapter 60: So Worth It

That day, Cheng Yuan returned home as usual. After washing her hands, she went to put her things away in her room, washing her face and feet along the way. If she planned to shower, she’d just grab her clothes then.

But the moment she pushed open the door, she froze.

The room before her had completely transformed. It was still hers—but it felt like a brand-new space.

The old, peeling walls had been covered in fresh calendar paper, brightening the entire room. The pink curtains matched perfectly with the pink bedding set, and the light wooden wardrobe made the space feel much more open. Her new desk was spacious, no longer forcing her to stack her books on the floor.

Beside it, a neat bookshelf now held all her books in organized rows. The once-cluttered floor was clean and open, giving the room a fresh, airy feel.

Overwhelmed, Cheng Yuan’s eyes filled with tears. She turned around and saw Cheng Huaien standing awkwardly nearby, rubbing his hands nervously.

“Yuanyuan, don’t worry—I put all your clothes back exactly where they were. I didn’t touch anything else,” he said quickly.

“Dad…” Cheng Yuan’s voice choked. She threw herself into his arms. For a second, his body stiffened, but then he slowly patted her back.

“Dad, thank you. I really love it. I love the room you prepared for me.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes, and her smile curved with warmth. She was so, so thankful for this second chance to love her father right.

“Glad you like it. I only used calendar paper on the walls since we’re moving to Hai City next year anyway. Besides, if I redid the walls properly, you wouldn’t be able to stay here while it dried,” Cheng Huaien explained. Even now, he stood stiffly. Ever since Cheng Yuan was about five, she’d rarely shown affection like this.

“The Simmons mattress I bought isn’t too hard or too soft—just right for you. You won’t lose sleep over an uncomfortable bed anymore.”

He had noticed her pale complexion and constant yawning lately, which finally pushed him to act.

“Thank you, Dad. I really love it,” Cheng Yuan said again, voice husky with emotion. Her peach blossom eyes sparkled with joy, brighter than stars.

“Once we buy a place in Hai City, I’ll decorate an even bigger room for you,” Cheng Huaien promised, patting her shoulder. “Now go set your things down. I made meat sauce noodles for dinner—your favorite. Do your homework after you eat.”

“Mmm!” Cheng Yuan nodded, turned back around, and set down her things. She wiped at her eyes, then looked around her new room with a glowing smile.

The aroma of the beef sauce noodles was mouthwatering. Cheng Yuan took a big bite and said sincerely, “Dad, if you opened a noodle shop, you’d definitely be raking in the money.”

Every time she ate one of her dad’s late-night snacks, she thought they were better than anything at a night market.

Dumplings, fried dumplings, egg noodles, beef noodles, meat sauce noodles, stir-fried rice noodles, stir-fried wheat noodles, chive pancakes, wontons—he had enough variety to run a different special every day of the week.

“You’re just flattering me now. I’m going to get a big head,” Cheng Huaien replied with a smile. But seeing how much she loved the room made all his hard work feel completely worth it.

“I mean it,” Cheng Yuan giggled, eyes crinkling with laughter. She gently patted her stomach. “I think I’ve gained a little weight.”

Her usually slender waist seemed a little fuller now.

“You’re so skinny. Even if you gained ten more pounds, it wouldn’t be too much,” Cheng Huaien said, wishing his daughter looked a little less fragile.

Cheng Yuan: “…” If I gained ten pounds, I’d look like a meatball!

Meanwhile, in Hai City, the Jun Family resided in Imperial View Garden—an exclusive villa district in the heart of the city where each property cost a fortune.

“Nanye,” Old Master Jun said, his white hair stark against his sharply observant eyes, “tell me—was Feng Jin’s car accident your doing?”

Though he admired Jun Nanye’s abilities, he would not allow internal strife to harm the family.

“No,” Jun Nanye replied coolly. “Grandfather, Wu Jin was only with me for three months. If he had a problem with Feng Jin, that’s his own decision.”

“Wu Jin is your man! He left Feng Jin critically injured—how can you pretend this has nothing to do with you?” Jun Weide roared, his finger trembling as it pointed at Jun Nanye’s face, fury rising at the thought of his youngest son lying in the ICU.

Jun Nanye reclined lazily on the sofa, unfazed. “Then investigate. But don’t forget—when I had an accident on the outskirts of Hai City, Wu Jin turned on me. Feng Jin hired killers to take my life. If I hadn’t been lucky…”

He snorted. “Out of respect for you, I didn’t retaliate. As for why Wu Jin switched sides, the truth is in the documents.”

“He’s your brother!” Jun Weide snapped, glaring at Jun Nanye’s face—so much like his mother’s, and nothing like his own. “If not for you, would Wu Jin dare lay a hand on him?”

His face twisted. Every time he saw Jun Nanye, he felt a mess of emotions he couldn’t explain.

“Grandfather, please take a look,” Jun Nanye said, ignoring his father and handing the folder to Old Master Jun.

Old Master Jun accepted the file, expression darkening as he read.

“He’s clearly trying to smear Feng Jin! These are fake—” Jun Weide’s protest was cut short as the old man flung the folder at him.

With a thunderous crack, his cane slammed against the floor. “The Jun Family does not harm its own blood!” he roared, his fierce gaze silencing the room.

Jun Weide opened his mouth, but at the sight of his father’s furious eyes, he swallowed his words.

Not a single member of the extended Jun family dared to speak.

“Jun Nanye,” Jun Weide ground out, eyes blazing, “if anything happens to Feng Jin—”

Jun Nanye stood and flicked him a glance. “President Jun, maybe focus on holding your position first. Grandfather doesn’t like idle hands.”

With that, he turned and walked out.

Once in the car, even the usually talkative Tao An fell silent, sensing the storm still lingering in the air.

Though both sons of Jun Weide, Feng Jin was his pride and joy, while Jun Nanye had been treated like trash. He had driven them out of the family home, refused to pay for his wife’s medical care, and left them to fend for themselves.

And yet… Brother Nan made it out alive.