When Jiang Fuyue first saw the field of purple irises, meticulously trimmed into the shape of a rainbow, she already had an inkling.
The Yi family…
Yi Hansheng, huh!
Twenty years ago, he was the assistant she had personally chosen—and the poor soul she had personally dismissed.
Back then, how could Yi Hansheng have been anything like the mature and composed man he appeared to be now?
At the time, he was just a shy, fair-skinned young man with delicate features, someone who spoke softly and hesitantly, with a slow and deliberate manner.
It was only after he became her assistant that he gradually became more efficient and capable.
But later, both he and Ling Qingzhou left the company, and for a long time, Lou Mingyue struggled to find a suitable replacement.
After that, they never saw each other again.
She hadn’t expected that twenty years later, they would meet again—like this, under these circumstances.
He was Yici’s father, and she was Yici’s classmate. Based on their supposed familial hierarchy, she would technically have to call him “Uncle.”
This was… truly beyond words.
As Jiang Fuyue studied Yi Hansheng, Yi Hansheng was also scrutinizing her.
She was a young girl, radiant and poised. Standing there, she looked fresh and vibrant, like a blooming peony, dazzling and full of life.
But therein lay the problem.
Yes, she was young—but she was too young!
How could she possibly be that person?
By his calculations, the person he was searching for should be his age now. Yet the girl standing before him was the same age as his son!
What was going on?
Yi Hansheng couldn’t help but frown.
Just moments ago, he had been so certain. But now that he was face to face with her, doubts began to creep in.
“Hello,” he eventually said, his voice calm and steady. He gave her a slight nod. “I’m Yici’s father.”
Jiang Fuyue wasn’t sure if he had recognized her or not, but she felt it was only proper to respond. “Hello.”
She didn’t call him “Uncle.”
“You’re classmates with Yici?”
“Same grade, different classes.”
“I see… Welcome to our home.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled politely, all the while thinking: Oh, my little assistant has really changed. Back then, you were so bashful and reserved, but now you’ve nailed the act of exuding authority. Not bad—not bad at all.
But she had already made up her mind: if Yi Hansheng didn’t recognize her, she wouldn’t reveal herself.
No need to stir up unnecessary trouble.
“And how did you meet Yici?” he asked, his tone warm and friendly, with a trace of curiosity in his gaze.
“Dad! You’re asking too many questions!” Before Jiang Fuyue could answer, Yici jumped in, cutting his father off.
Turning to Jiang Fuyue, he added apologetically, “Don’t mind him. My dad’s acting really weird today. He’s never like this.”
Weird? That was putting it lightly.
This man, who normally exuded an air of laziness and nonchalance, had suddenly gone out of character, asking random questions and acting totally out of the ordinary.
Yi Hansheng: “…” Ungrateful brat, always sabotaging me!
“And that birthday card…”
“Dad!” Yici’s voice shot up an octave as he cut him off again. In a panic, he grabbed a slice of cake and shoved it into his father’s hands. “Here, this is really good. Try it!”
Yi Hansheng, now holding a piece of cake with a bemused expression: “?”
Unperturbed by his son’s interference, Yi Hansheng tried to steer the conversation back on track, asking Jiang Fuyue a few more questions, mostly about her family.
Yici wanted to bury his face in his hands. He had no idea what had gotten into his father today. He had been perfectly normal all morning and even through lunch. But ever since stepping out of his study and into the living room, he’d been acting like a completely different person.
In truth, Yi Hansheng’s odd behavior stemmed from his attempts to probe Jiang Fuyue’s identity.
But as the conversation unfolded, he grew increasingly disappointed.
Her answers painted a clear picture of her family: ordinary, unremarkable, yet undeniably genuine.
Every word she said rang true, leaving no room for doubt. At least, Yi Hansheng couldn’t find any flaws.
How could someone with a complete, well-documented life be Lou Mingyue?
The light in his eyes visibly dimmed.
Finally, he said, “…You all enjoy yourselves. I’ll head back inside.”
Yici: “?”
You came out of nowhere, and now you’re leaving just like that? What was the point of all this?
Yi Hansheng strode away, his steps brisk and purposeful. But if one looked closely, they might catch a hint of retreat in his hurried pace—almost as if he were fleeing.
Jiang Fuyue watched him leave, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Entering the house, Yi Hansheng walked to the center of the living room.
A coffee table stood nearby, but the card that had been on it earlier had already been taken away by Yici.
However, the handwriting on that card was unmistakably Lou Mingyue’s!
There was no way he could be wrong!
Yet Jiang Fuyue’s age and appearance were clear facts—something that couldn’t possibly be faked.
Unless… the card was from the girl, but the handwriting was someone else’s?
Just like that sign for Jiang Ji Pancakes!
Yi Hansheng’s eyes suddenly lit up. He spun around and strode purposefully toward the door—he needed to ask Jiang Fuyue directly. Whose handwriting was on that card?
But then, just as he reached the doorway, his steps abruptly halted. His gaze landed on an object in the corner of the room.
Sitting there quietly was a drone!
….
Outside, Yici was a little confused. “Why are you leaving so soon?”
Jiang Fuyue replied casually, “I just remembered I have something to take care of.”
Since she had no intention of revealing her identity, it was safer to minimize her interactions with Yi Hansheng.
Leaving was the best option.
“Oh…” Yici looked a bit disappointed, his mood instantly deflating.
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “Happy birthday.”
His heart warmed, and his face brightened again. “Thanks! Let me call a driver to take you home.”
“No need, I’ve already booked a ride.”
“Alright… Be careful on the road.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Fuyue walked away briskly. Just as she was about to pass through the iron gates, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed behind her, accompanied by a sharp voice yelling: “Lou Mingyue! I know it’s you!”
Her body stiffened instantly.
Yi Hansheng caught up in a few quick strides, moving past her to block her path.
Their eyes met.
One gaze, calm and composed after the initial shock; the other, red-rimmed, trembling with a mix of astonishment and anger.
Well. So much for avoiding him.
Jiang Fuyue sighed softly, a faint smile spreading across her lips. “Long time no see, Little Yi.”
Yi Hansheng’s entire body shook, then trembled as if suppressing something deeply emotional.
She called him Little Yi…
How many years had it been since he last heard that name?
Ever since he left Lou Corporation and moved to Linhuai alone, no one had called him that again.
“President Yi,” “Mr. Yi,” “Boss Yi”…
He had countless titles, but the one he cherished most was Little Yi.
“It really is you…” His voice faltered as his lips trembled.
Jiang Fuyue sighed. “I’m guessing you recognized the KT42.”
The drone she’d given Yici wasn’t the KT39 model that Qi Yang had mentioned. It was a new prototype, the KT42, based on the KT39 but improved. It had existed as blueprints two decades ago but had never been released.
In other words, apart from Dr. L—Lou Mingyue herself—who was the chief architect and core technical authority, no one else in the world could recreate such a drone twenty years later.
The reason Yi Hansheng recognized it was because, back when he was Lou Mingyue’s assistant, both he and Ling Qingzhou were groomed as her most trusted confidants. Had they not left midway, they would likely have been promoted to senior positions at KT Company to manage this private venture of hers.
Yes, KT Company didn’t belong to the Lou family. It was Lou Mingyue’s personal asset.
Yi Hansheng had once been privy to the Black Gold drone’s top-secret projects and had seen the schematics for the next-generation model. Even after so many years, those memories were vivid enough for him to recognize the KT42 at a glance.
“You gave it to Yici?” His voice was low and carried a hint of grievance.
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
It’s been twenty years. Now that you’ve confirmed who I am, shouldn’t you be asking why I look so young?
Yi Hansheng, however, was filled with jealousy.
He was bitter.
Back then, she hadn’t even let him touch the Black Gold drone prototypes. Now she’d gone and given a fully functional version to Yici?
Sure, Yici was his son, but still—not fair!
“You have to promise to make one for me too,” he said suddenly, sulking like a child.
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow, studying him. “Little Yi, I just realized—your skin has gotten much thicker over the years.”
Yi Hansheng: “!”
“…You’re abandoning me, aren’t you? You think Yici is fresher and more charming than me.”
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
“I don’t please you anymore, is that it?”
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
“Time shows no mercy. I’m old, and there’s always fresh blood coming along…” His voice trailed off as his gaze swept over her. But you… you’re still so young and beautiful.
In that moment, a fleeting shimmer of moisture appeared in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a playful smile and teasing tone.
Yi Hansheng thought to himself: Actually, this is good. This is very good. She’s alive. That’s all that matters.
No matter what she had become, how old she was now, or what kind of background she had, none of that mattered anymore.
What mattered was that she was still here.
“Tell me the truth—do you think Yici is more handsome than me?”
Jiang Fuyue’s temple throbbed as she snapped, “That’s your son!”
“And? What’s your point?”
The jealousy persisted.
“…”
Oh, so even after all these years, Little Yi was still the same “proud, stubborn child.”
The only difference was that he’d learned how to hide it better now.
Suddenly, Jiang Fuyue thought of something and asked, “What about Little Ling? How is he doing these days?”
