Chapter 156: The Real and Fake Daughters Who Were Switched at Birth – 15

Yuan Huan had originally wanted to scold her daughter a little, but when she thought about how the girl only spent a few days a year at home, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She handed over the fruit she had just cut and offered it to her daughter, studying her carefully before speaking in a low voice:

“Just look at yourself—how skinny have you gotten?”

At the mention of this, Yuan Huan took a bite of fruit herself and sighed helplessly.

“Mom, my figure is actually pretty standard.”

“Standard? You look like a gust of wind could blow you away.”

Classical dance costumes were usually form-fitting—any extra weight would be obvious. Yuan Yu loved eating, sure, but she was always careful when it came to her figure.

“Mom, was Sis cute when she was little?”

Yuan Yu munched on fruit as she sneakily scooted closer to her mother, curious. Ever since she was little, her sister had hidden away all their childhood photos.

Aside from the image of two little pigtails, her memories of her sister as a child were fuzzy at best.

“Your sister… well, she was pretty cute when she was little, I suppose.”

Just then, Xie Hui walked in. Hearing Yuan Huan and Yuyu’s conversation, he couldn’t help but smile at the memory of Jinjin as a child.

“Your sister? Not cute at all when she was little. Bald little head with just a few tufts of hair, and yet she insisted on having people tie it into pigtails. Her hair was thinner than the elastic bands.”

“One time, a guest asked her why she had so little hair. She got so mad she picked up a little toy hammer and chased them all around the yard.”

“Oh right, and then you grabbed a pink hammer and chased her, saying girls should only hit people with pink things.”

Yuan Yu had never heard any of this before. After listening, she couldn’t for the life of her reconcile the sister in these stories with the one she knew in real life.

Xie Hui had been surprised when Jinjin told him she was bringing “that man” home to meet him. After chatting with Yuyu, he went to find the steward and asked him to prepare some cash and red envelopes.

It was the man’s first visit, after all—he had to be properly welcomed.

As the steward turned to leave, the Entruster in the space unexpectedly spoke to Xie Hui for once.

“Jinjin… she used to love having Yuan Huan do her hair. She once said the happiest moment of her life was sitting on a little stool before school, letting her mom tie her hair.”

Later, in that world, Yuan Huan had died protecting her. The only light in her life was extinguished, leaving behind nothing but darkness.

After her mother’s death, she spent every second punishing herself. Those warm memories became the sharpest weapons.

Xie Hui didn’t know how to respond when he heard the Entruster’s words. But after thinking it over, maybe no response was needed.

In their household, the man visiting didn’t need to do much. He sat on the sofa, hands on his knees, posture so proper he looked like a schoolboy.

“Are you still running your dessert shops?”

Xie Hui pushed the tea the steward had brought toward him and asked politely.

He wanted to ease the tension, though he worried the question might make the man even more nervous.

“Hello, Uncle. My name is Jiang Yu, I’m twenty-nine. I own two dessert shops, both still in operation. I have one property and about two million yuan in savings, plus a few investments.”

“If you’re okay with it, I’m willing to hand it all over to Jinjin. My parents told me I don’t have to live with them after marriage, and they won’t interfere with my life. I just need to visit during the holidays—we can spend New Year’s wherever we want.”

“I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t gamble or have any bad habits. I’ve never had an ex.”

Jiang Yu rattled off everything in one breath. When he noticed everyone in the living room staring at him, he realized he had just recited the entire speech he’d prepared. His face flushed red.

Seeing him like this, Xie Hui couldn’t help but reflect—was he being too intimidating?

He had dressed more formally today, but only because he thought it was respectful to the guest.

“No need to be so nervous. I was just asking.”

He even smiled a little, hoping to help the young man relax.

“Uncle, I-I-I’m really not nervous at all!”

When Xie Hui saw his wide, toothy grin, he chuckled softly.

“Good. That’s good.”

After hearing Jiang Yu’s introduction, Xie Hui was quite satisfied—especially with the part about not being too involved with his parents.

Of course, Xie Hui never planned to have Jinjin live with them after marriage. As long as she came back to visit when she could, that was enough.

His precious daughter, whom he had spoiled with his own hands, had grown up. No matter how attentive her boyfriend was, he could never compare to her father.

Even asking Jinjin to cook a meal felt like a grievance to Xie Hui—though she herself never saw it that way.

He figured Jiang Yu’s parents probably felt the same.

Overall, the meeting went smoothly, and within a few days, wedding preparations were underway.

Xie Hui had personally vetted this man. His character and temperament were solid, and his parents were open-minded and not overly controlling. With Jinjin’s strong personality, she was unlikely to be taken advantage of.

At the wedding, Xie Qianjin didn’t toss the bouquet. Instead, she handed it directly to Yuyu, gave her a hug, and whispered in her ear:

“I hope you’ll be as lucky as I am.”

After the wedding, Xie Qianjin remained busy with work, while Jiang Yu shifted more of his focus to their home life.

Xie Hui didn’t want to meddle too much in their affairs. Shoes only feel right when they fit—you never know, maybe Jinjin found that kind of freedom comfortable.

But the villa Xie Hui had prepared for them nearby hadn’t even been lived in for a full week.

One day, Xie Qianjin had a rare day off and, out of habit, asked the driver to take her there. She was so tired that she ended up staying the night.

The next morning, Xie Hui saw Jiang Yu lugging several suitcases over, moving in like he was planning to stay for good. He didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, and Xie Hui didn’t have the heart to kick him out.

After the wedding, Jiang Yu hired new managers for the dessert shops. He didn’t give up on his investments, but most of his energy went into cooking.

Especially after hearing from Xie Qianjin’s assistant that her irregular meals due to work had led to some stomach issues, Jiang Yu became obsessed with researching nourishing recipes and delivering them to her office.

While Xie Hui stayed at the villa, Jiang Yu always made extra portions for both him and Yuan Huan.

It was only after getting married that Jiang Yu realized how much Yuan Huan meant to his wife—she had filled the void left by her absent mother. So he treated Yuan Huan with the utmost respect, like a true elder.

His own parents had always looked down on him for being so into cooking. Back when he was eager to cook for them, they’d mocked him in front of relatives, calling him useless.

He broke free from that toxic environment, but even after getting married, he still loved to cook.

Now, no one was there to rain on his parade or call him worthless. Dad would praise his cooking, even joke that if he weren’t worried about tiring him out, he’d fire the chef altogether.

Jinjin loved the food he made. Every time he delivered meals to her at work, those rare moments they spent together felt light and easy.

Before meeting Xie Qianjin, Jiang Yu’s life had been as bland as plain water.

After meeting her, it was like every breeze carried the scent of cotton candy.

Xie Hui really liked Jiang Yu’s personality. They often played chess and drank tea together, even went to the market to buy groceries. His retirement life had become unexpectedly rich and colorful.

Xie Hui had thought he could enjoy this peaceful life forever—but once Xie Qianjin got pregnant, he found himself drawn back into the fray.

Although her pregnancy symptoms weren’t severe, she once rushed to a meeting in high heels without feeling anything wrong. But it scared Xie Hui half to death.

He wished she could relive her childhood, even now.

After that incident, Xie Qianjin lost her freedom at work.

Her father took care of things at the company, and Jiang Yu stayed home, constantly experimenting with new dishes for her.

Xie Qianjin’s complexion became so radiant it even outshone Yuyu’s. She even gained a little weight. She wasn’t thrilled about looking so baby-faced, but Xie Hui and Jiang Yu were relieved.

Because she couldn’t stand greasy smells during pregnancy, Jiang Yu went out of his way to cook meals that were light and easy on the stomach.

Especially those nourishing chicken soups—there wasn’t even a trace of oil floating on top.

It was as if life was making up for that once-prickly little hedgehog of a child. These days, aside from reading and taking leisurely walks, Xie Qianjin lived a life so sweet and carefree it felt like she was soaking in a jar of honey.

Even though Xie Hui had been retired for quite some time, getting back into the swing of things wasn’t too difficult for him.

After the leadership changed, the company underwent a number of adjustments in its future development plans and internal policies. Xie Hui adapted quickly, but he understood all too well how demanding this new model was for the person at the helm.

And the more he realized that, the more reluctant he became to let his daughter return to that world.

Back when she wasn’t pregnant, her mind was completely focused on work—which was perfect for a driven young person full of ambition.

But now… as her father, Xie Hui couldn’t bear to see her work so hard anymore.

After ten months of pregnancy, Xie Qianjin gave birth about half a month before her due date.

At the time, Jiang Yu, Xie Hui, and Yuan Yu—who had rushed back overnight from an overseas performance—were all anxiously waiting outside the operating room.

They stared fixedly at the doors, every second dragging by like a year.

Finally, the doors opened, and a nurse came out holding the baby.

“Born at 1:35. Seven pounds, six ounces.”

Jiang Yu gave the baby a cursory glance, then immediately tried to peer into the operating room.

“Doctor, how’s my wife?”