Ding Yixin practically ran back to her room. Once she turned the corner and was out of sight, tears she could no longer hold back began to silently stream down her face.
She knew exactly what her place was in this household and where she stood in Yan Tianyou''s heart.
Just as he had said, she was nothing more than his bedmate—a tool for him to vent his frustrations, a punching bag for his unfortunate life.
Hearing the man she loved say such things, whether he meant them or not, was heartbreaking.
Loving such a cold, ruthless, and deeply conflicted man—a man torn between arrogance and insecurity—how could she not be hurt?
She couldn’t help but recall the first time she had met him when she first entered the Yan household.
At seven years old, Ding Yixin was young but already remarkably mature.
She genuinely admired the beautiful and gentle Mrs. Yan, the kind and scholarly Mr. Yan, and the lovely, straightforward older sister, Weien. She was deeply grateful that they had welcomed her into the Yan family with open arms.
However, there was one exception: Yan Tianyou, the boy who was supposed to be blessed by heaven. His spoiled and unruly behavior was something she had never encountered before. She had never met a boy so thoroughly indulged and willful.
Following closely behind Mrs. Yan, Ding Yixin tried to imagine what the young master of the Yan family would be like. Would he be as beautiful and gentle as his mother, or as kind and approachable as his father?
However, the image in her mind was quickly shattered by the high-pitched voice of a young boy.
"No! No! Throw them all away!" The boy''s loud, commanding voice echoed through the room, as if he wanted to make sure everyone in the house could hear him.
Without waiting for the little girl behind her, Mrs. Yan hurried into her son''s room to see what was wrong. "What''s going on?"
The large room was littered with stuffed animals and toys of all kinds. A thin, delicate-looking boy sat on the thick carpet, panting. Dressed in soft cotton clothes, his small frame seemed weak, but his large, fiery eyes were full of energy. He stubbornly turned his face away, refusing to look at his mother.
"Madam, the young master wants me to throw away all his toys," the maid standing nearby explained, looking both innocent and aggrieved.
"Tianyou, why do you want to throw them away? Don''t you like them?" Mrs. Yan carefully studied her son''s profile.
The boy suddenly turned to his mother and shouted, "I''m not a girl! I don''t want stuffed animals! I want remote-controlled cars and robots, like the ones I saw on TV!"
"You can''t have those, they''re too dangerous. You could get hurt," his mother gently reasoned.
"I don''t care! I want them! Buy me robots and remote-controlled cars!" The boy grabbed his mother''s clothes, his tone more of a demand than a request.
"Really, you can''t. Tianyou, be a good boy and listen to your mother."
"I want them! Buy them for me!" The boy wouldn’t relent, flailing his arms and legs to emphasize his point.
"Tianyou, stop this. You''ll hurt yourself," his mother pleaded, watching his exaggerated movements with worry but not daring to physically stop him. She could only try to soothe him.
"I know you get lonely playing by yourself all the time, so I found a lovely little friend for you. From now on, she''ll be with you. You can play together, study together, and do everything together."
The boy finally stopped and looked eagerly at the "little friend" his mother was pointing to. But when he saw it was a girl, his face fell, and he looked away in disdain.
"I don''t want a girl! Find me a boy! Boys can play soccer and have pretend battles!"
"You can''t play those dangerous games. Your body can''t handle it."
"Mom, you never let me do anything! You don''t love me at all!" The boy pouted, looking as if he was about to cry.
His accusation broke his mother''s heart. She loved him more than anything—how could he think she didn’t?
"Tianyou, Mom—" Mrs. Yan reached out to touch her son, but he pushed her hand away.
In the next moment, a small cut appeared on the boy''s hand, likely from his mother''s fingernail. Blood quickly welled up, and the small wound wouldn’t stop bleeding.
"Quick, get the medicine!" Mrs. Yan frantically ordered, grabbing a towel to press against her son''s wound while the maid swiftly brought the necessary supplies. "Why weren''t you wearing your gloves? I''ve told you so many times to always wear gloves when you play!"
In the midst of this chaos, little Ding Yixin was utterly confused. Why was everyone so panicked over such a small cut? Curious, she moved closer to get a better look, but her attention was drawn to the boy''s expression.
What she saw in his dark eyes was a cold detachment. Though he let his mother tend to his wound, he seemed completely indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Feeling her gaze, the boy suddenly looked up and glared at the unfamiliar little girl standing before him. His eyes were full of disdain.
Ding Yixin took two steps back, frightened. This boy seemed... scary!
After the scare, Mrs. Yan managed to calm her exhausted son and put him to sleep. She then led Ding Yixin to the adjacent room.
"Yixin, this will be your room."
"Okay," Ding Yixin replied, noticing that her simple belongings had already been brought in.
"From now on, this is your home. Please make yourself comfortable," Mrs. Yan said, sitting gracefully on a chair. She looked visibly tired, rubbing her temples as if to soothe a headache. "I''m sorry about what just happened. I hope it didn’t scare you."
"It''s okay," Ding Yixin replied. She thought Yan Tianyou seemed unusually small and fragile for a boy his age. "Is... is he sick?"
"Tianyou is only a few months older than you. You don''t need to call him ''young master.'' Just call him Tianyou," Mrs. Yan said, taking Ding Yixin''s small, delicate hand in hers. "Tianyou was born with a very serious condition. He needs to be taken care of very carefully."
"Can''t the doctors or medicine help him?" Ding Yixin asked, startled. If she remembered correctly, adults called illnesses that couldn’t be cured "terminal," and those could kill people!
Mrs. Yan shook her head gently, her beautiful face clouded with sorrow. "Tianyou has a condition where his blood doesn’t clot. You saw it just now—his wound bled so much. If we don’t catch it in time, his blood will keep flowing until... until there''s none left, and he''ll die."
At her young age, Ding Yixin had never heard of such a disease. Her wide, innocent eyes grew even rounder, and her lips parted in shock. That stubborn, scary boy had such a strange illness?
"Are you scared? Do you not want to be near Tianyou?" Mrs. Yan asked, worried by her reaction.
"I... I''m not scared. I just feel really sorry for him. He must be so... unhappy," Ding Yixin said, unable to bring herself to say the word "pitiful."
Mrs. Yan gently stroked the girl''s smooth, delicate cheek. "Because of Tianyou''s condition, he can''t go to school like other children or make friends. He''s always been at home, studying and playing alone. He''s never known other children, and I think that''s why he''s so lonely and has such a bad temper. He can be difficult to get along with."
What child wasn’t their mother''s precious treasure?
The fact that her son had become so spoiled and willful was her fault as a mother. She had failed to raise him properly!
"Yixin, could you help me take care of Tianyou? Stay by his side and be his friend?" Mrs. Yan entrusted her beloved son to this young, innocent girl.
Though Yan Tianyou seemed a bit scary and hard to get along with, Ding Yixin couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Her sympathy won out, and she nodded without hesitation. She was more than willing to do her part.
"Auntie, don’t worry. I’d be happy to take care of him. I’ll definitely be his friend."
"Thank you, Yixin. You''re such a kind-hearted child," Mrs. Yan said, deeply grateful. With this thoughtful little girl by her son''s side day and night, she felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders.
After Mrs. Yan left, Ding Yixin found herself alone in the large room. She sat down on the bed—wow! It was an incredibly soft and comfortable spring mattress. Still a child at heart, she excitedly threw herself onto the bed, feeling its bounce and softness.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
After playing around for a bit, Ding Yixin got up and began exploring the room. She walked around, carefully examining every detail. The floor was covered in thick carpet, and the room was furnished with a standard double bed, a simple dressing table, a high-quality leather sofa set, and even had its own bathroom and walk-in closet. A floor-to-ceiling window led out to a balcony.
Ever observant, Ding Yixin quickly noticed that there were no sharp edges or unnecessary decorations in the room. All the furniture was smooth and rounded—the dressing table was semicircular, the nightstand and chairs were round, and everything felt incredibly smooth to the touch. She realized that her room was identical to Yan Tianyou''s next door.
Though Yan Tianyou''s condition was undoubtedly tragic, it was clear that his family loved him dearly. Growing up in such a caring, well-protected environment was a silver lining in his misfortune. Compared to her own situation—losing her parents and being separated from her siblings—who was truly more unfortunate?
From the moment she stepped into the Yan family''s mansion, Ding Yixin knew this was an extremely wealthy household. The sprawling garden villa in Tianmu, spanning thousands of square meters, was worlds apart from her modest 40-square-meter home.
Even now, she could hardly believe that she would be living in this luxurious castle, with a whole team of servants at her beck and call. She suddenly felt like a little princess. She wondered if her brother and sister were as lucky as she was.
However, despite the warm welcome from the Yan family, the seven-year-old girl still felt uneasy in this entirely new environment. There was one particularly troublesome person to deal with—Yan Tianyou. Thinking of his stubborn, defiant face, she couldn’t help but feel a little scared. Would she be able to get along with him peacefully...?
The frail little boy stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, silently watching the girl and the large dog playing in the garden. His sad eyes couldn’t hide the longing and envy. He really wanted to touch the fluffy, soft fur of the dog, to run freely, to chase and play without a care—even if just once.
"Fluffy looks just like this stuffed dog. Its fur is so soft and comfortable. You should feel it too."
A gentle, childlike voice suddenly spoke up. A little girl with two braids appeared timidly in front of the boy, holding a large white stuffed dog. Her smiling face showed two adorable dimples, and her bright eyes sparkled with friendliness.
But this lovable little girl was met with disdain by the boy. He found her utterly annoying. Ever since she had arrived at the Yan household, she had stuck to him like glue, no matter how much he yelled at her or tried to push her away.
Yan Tianyou felt a surge of anger whenever he saw Ding Yixin. Her prying eyes made him feel like she pitied him, as if she were looking down on him. It infuriated him.
"Who asked you to meddle?!" Yan Tianyou shouted, throwing the stuffed dog aside and shoving her away.
Ding Yixin fell to the floor with a soft thud.
"Miss, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Cai Jie, the maid who had been taking care of the young master since he was a child, quickly rushed over to help Ding Yixin up. She patted the girl''s clothes and checked her over with concern.
"Thank you, Cai Jie. I’m fine," Ding Yixin replied, shaking her head. It only hurt a little; it wasn’t a big deal.
It was her meek, obedient demeanor that annoyed Yan Tianyou the most. "Hmph! What ''miss''? She’s just a parentless stray who showed up out of nowhere!"
"Young Master!" Cai Jie could only murmur in protest. As a servant, she had no right to scold the young master.
His insults always hit the mark. Ding Yixin lowered her head, hurt but silent, as she always was when he lashed out.
"Am I wrong? You’re an orphan with no parents, and I can’t stand the sight of you!" Yan Tianyou stepped forward, pointing directly at Ding Yixin’s forehead. "Not only will I insult you, but I’ll hit you too!"
With that, he actually slapped her.
Despite his frail appearance, his slap was surprisingly strong. Ding Yixin’s cheek immediately turned red and swollen.
"Oh no! Young Master, how could you hit Miss Yixin?" Even though Cai Jie had witnessed many of the young master’s outbursts, this was the worst yet. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the girl.
"She deserves it for sticking to me like a leech. I hate girls like her!" Yan Tianyou showed no remorse, continuing to berate her loudly.
Tears welled up in Ding Yixin’s eyes as she gently touched her stinging cheek. She bit her lip, enduring the pain. Being slapped out of nowhere, it was impossible not to feel anger or resentment. But her naturally gentle and forgiving nature quickly helped her let it go.
"Are you a boy?" Ding Yixin wiped her tears with the back of her hand and asked calmly, her voice soft.
"Of course I am," Yan Tianyou snapped, annoyed by her question.
"Then do you know that boys who bully girls are the worst kind? A real boy doesn’t use his strength to hurt others." At least, that’s what her brother Ding Yixi had always taught her. She had often seen him scolding the bullies at the children’s home.
Ding Yixin’s tone wasn’t angry or accusatory. She wasn’t trying to scold Yan Tianyou; she just wanted to advise him, hoping he would change his violent behavior. But to the boy, who already felt guilty, her words felt like a harsh reprimand.
Oh, so she’s trying to lecture me, huh?
Yan Tianyou clenched his fists, his thin face flushing red with anger. He glared at the girl, ready to shout back, but before he could, a cold sensation ran down his upper lip. A trickle of blood began to flow from his nose, quickly turning into a steady stream.
In an instant, the quiet room became a flurry of activity. Cai Jie immediately pinched the bridge of the young master’s nose and called out to the stunned Ding Yixin.
"Miss, quickly get the medicine! Then call the others for help and inform Madam. Have Ah Han prepare the car to take us to the hospital!"
Snapping out of her daze, Ding Yixin hurried to follow the instructions.
Within moments, the room was filled with servants rushing to help, and Mrs. Yan arrived, her face tense with worry.
Towel after towel was soaked with blood, the sight of it frightening and overwhelming.
This was the first time Ding Yixin had ever seen so much blood, and it showed no signs of stopping. She felt shock, fear, worry, and guilt all at once.
Seeing Ding Yixin’s pale, frightened face, Yan Tianyou actually smirked with satisfaction!
This shocking scene would stay with Ding Yixin for the rest of her life.
A luxurious car pulled away from the Yan family mansion. The two inside chatted casually, though the mood was heavy.
"I’m sorry for ruining your family day on a rare day off," Ding Yixin said, forcing herself to sound cheerful despite her heavy heart.
"Don’t be silly. We’re family. No need to be so formal," Wu Juncheng replied, treating her like a younger sister.
"Didn’t you see Tingjun and Tingya’s disappointed faces? I can’t help but feel guilty," Ding Yixin joked.
They had promised to take the kids horseback riding, but the plan had been canceled at the last minute. The children had been well-behaved about it, but as a father, Wu Juncheng couldn’t help but feel bad. Still, he had no choice—he had been unanimously chosen to be Ding Yixin’s escort for the day.
"You saw the pressure from the Yan family too. I couldn’t just stand by," he said half-jokingly.
"Actually, Uncle Yan is overthinking it. I can handle this on my own," Ding Yixin replied.
It wasn’t that Wu Juncheng doubted her ability to protect herself, but having someone else around would likely keep the young Chiba heir in check. Thinking of Yan Tianyou’s earlier outburst at the table, he couldn’t help but vent a little about the Yan family’s troublemaker.
"Knowing full well that Chiba’s intentions are less than honorable, Tianyou still sent you into the lion’s den. He’s so selfish," Wu Juncheng said, the only one brave enough to criticize the "Yan family tyrant." "I’m not trying to badmouth him, but his actions are really inappropriate."
Those who hadn’t witnessed Yan Tianyou’s struggles as a child couldn’t fully understand his twisted personality. But Ding Yixin knew Wu Juncheng meant no harm; he was just standing up for her.
"Tianyou was always alone as a child, with no friends. He never learned how to get along with others, so he acts on his own whims," she explained.
"You always defend him. With your explanations, even the most wicked person could be painted as a victim," Wu Juncheng said, unable to stand how Yan Tianyou often used his illness as an excuse for his behavior.
"Actually, he’s not a bad person at heart. He has his endearing side too," Ding Yixin said. Who knew Yan Tianyou better than she did?
"I’m afraid I’ll never get to see that side of him in my lifetime," Wu Juncheng said with a knowing smile, believing that sweetness was reserved for lovers. "Seriously, have you ever thought about giving up on Tianyou and leaving the Yan family?"
"Why would I?" she asked, confused.
"Why not pursue your own happiness? I’m sure no one in the Yan family would object," he said earnestly.
Did everyone else really see Tianyou as cold and indifferent toward her? Did no one believe in their relationship? Ding Yixin felt both bitter and disappointed. No matter what, she couldn’t lose faith in herself!
"Thank you for your concern, but my happiness has always been in the Yan family. I don’t need to look elsewhere," Ding Yixin said with unwavering certainty.
Wu Juncheng glanced at her quickly. Her gentle face was filled with determination. But as her brother-in-law, he felt it was his duty to remind her. "Don’t take this the wrong way, but Tianyou can’t give you a normal family. He’s not the kind of man who can make a woman happy."
Wu Juncheng was being diplomatic. What he meant was that Tianyou and Ding Yixin couldn’t have children. With Tianyou’s chromosomal abnormalities, it would be irresponsible to bring another life into the world, perpetuating the cycle of suffering.
Ding Yixin had long understood this. From the moment she realized she loved Tianyou, she had accepted it. She never burdened him with her feelings, never demanded promises or commitments. The only thing she prayed for was one thing.
"Even though I didn’t choose to come to the Yan family and grow up with Tianyou, I’m here willingly now. I love him of my own free will," Ding Yixin said, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, her heart heavy with emotion.
"I won’t force Tianyou to accept my feelings or demand anything from him. I know that promises and marriage would be a heavy burden for him. I don’t want to be a source of pressure or stress for him. Just seeing him healthy and happy is enough for me. That’s my happiness."
For someone whose life was constantly under threat, survival was the most basic requirement. Staying alive required constant vigilance, and nothing was more important than living a healthy, happy life.
Wu Juncheng suddenly understood. He had never fully grasped the relationship between Ding Yixin and Yan Tianyou. While it was clear that Ding Yixin’s feelings for Tianyou were written all over her face, she had never actively pursued his love. She never asked for commitment or marriage, not even a formal relationship. And Tianyou’s attitude toward her was always inconsistent—sometimes warm, sometimes cold. That’s why their relationship seemed so ambiguous to everyone else.
In the eyes of the family, their relationship was mysterious and unclear, as if they were maintaining a delicate balance. But now he realized that this was simply their way of being together.
Tianyou must have noticed Ding Yixin’s thoughtfulness and deep affection for him.
Beneath Ding Yixin’s gentle exterior was a remarkably strong personality. She was kind but not weak, obedient but not blindly loyal, forgiving but not naive. Her stubbornness was no less than Tianyou’s.
"You’re really head over heels for Tianyou!" Wu Juncheng concluded, hoping that the heavens would bless them with happiness.
Ding Yixin smiled but didn’t respond.
Was it tragic? She didn’t think so. Even if the rewards didn’t match her efforts, she was happy to give. Because being able to love someone wholeheartedly was, in itself, a deeply fulfilling and joyful thing.