Chapter 18: Family Gathering 2

“Mom, Dad, big bro, your little lord is back!!!”

The moment Ji Yuenian stepped through the door with his signature unruly smirk, he came face-to-face with his father carrying a bowl of hot and sour soup from the kitchen. 

The elder Ji’s square-jawed face naturally exuded authority without needing to show anger.

“You’re back?” 

Father Ji glanced at him. 

His voice was calm, not particularly loud, yet carried an undeniable weight that brooked no questioning.

Ji Yuenian’s cocky, arrogant demeanor instantly deflated like a punctured balloon, his head drooping submissively.

“Yeah, I’m back, Dad.”

“Yueyue’s home?” 

A beautiful woman in an apron emerged from the kitchen at the commotion. 

Holding a soup ladle in one hand and smoothing her hair with the other, she beamed at Ji Yuenian with evident delight.

Ji Yuenian’s lips twitched, but he still greeted her: “Yeah Mom, I’m back. Could you call me Yuenian though? Yueyue sounds kinda weird now.”

Yueyue had been his childhood nickname. 

It hadn’t seemed odd when he was little, but now…

As the school’s reigning delinquent, Ji Yuenian absolutely couldn’t accept such a girly pet name!!

“Such nonsense from this child. This was the name the Taoist priest specially chose when your father and I climbed the mountain to consult him.” 

Huang Qingchuan chided her son with a glare before turning to Ji Hong, handing him the ladle. 

“Honghong, go watch the soup I’m simmering so it doesn’t burn. I’ll chat with Yueyue for a bit.”

As Ji Hong nodded and headed to the kitchen, Ji Yuenian immediately straightened up slightly with his father gone.

As the saying goes – strict father, kind mother. 

Ji Hong undoubtedly played the stern patriarch role in daily life!

However, Ji Yuenian hadn’t yet realized this was the prelude to a long-prepared triple interrogation.

“Yueyue, how are your studies lately?”

The first strike aimed straight for Ji Yuenian’s weak point. 

Having already secured enough credits to skip most classes (plus some minor reasons), he’d been living the college lifestyle early – relying on underlings’ cheat sheets and social connections for exams.

“Have you gotten a girlfriend at school?”

The second strike followed mercilessly. 

Ji Yuenian felt his heart sting. 

Not only had his Valentine’s Day confession been rejected, but the entire school witnessed his humiliation – especially losing to that inferior Jiang Chi in every way!!

“Did you bring Mengrou’s boy to club activities? How’s he doing recently?”

The third strike nearly made Ji Yuenian spit blood.

Mom! Couldn’t you care more about ME?! 

That pretty boy Jiang Chi isn’t even your son! 

Always going shopping with your friend and listening to her brag about her son – don’t tell me you’ve actually adopted him as your godson?!

As for how Jiang Chi was doing recently?

Ji Yuenian answered venomously in his heart.

How else? After making me lose so much face, I “created” a girlfriend for him. 

Once she’s reeled him in, she’ll dump him, play him, collect him like another fish in the sea! 

Let him cry his eyes out in agony!!

But the relentless triple interrogation still left Ji Yuenian momentarily petrified, his signature arrogant, unruly smirk completely wiped away.

“Alright Mom, little bro barely comes home. Stop grilling him like this.”

The thin, dark-eyed man on the sofa finally spoke up to rescue Ji Yuenian.

“Alright then, I’ll go check on my soup. You two brothers have a good chat.” 

Huang Qingchuan finally stopped her questioning and returned to the kitchen.

Ji Yuenian shot a grateful glance at the thin man on the sofa-truly a brother through and through.

Ji Haotong patted the spot beside him on the couch, signaling for Ji Yuenian to sit down.

Ji Yuenian obliged and took a seat.

In front of Ji Haotong was a laptop. 

After rescuing Ji Yuenian from the interrogation, he didn’t say much, focusing instead on his work.

The pale glow from the laptop screen reflected on his slightly dark-circled face, making him look utterly exhausted.

Curious, Ji Yuenian leaned over to take a look. 

What was on the screen wasn’t some company secret, but rather a series of mildly suggestive lingerie photos of beautiful women.

“Bro, take it easy. You’ve already got dark circles under your eyes. Everything should be done in moderation,” Ji Yuenian said with concern.

“Take it easy?” 

Ji Haotong blinked, momentarily confused.

“I mean this stuff.” 

Ji Yuenian pointed at one of the lingerie photos—a woman in lace-patterned underwear, her fair shoulders half-exposed, along with her slender waist and the curve of her cleavage.

“Bro, no offense, but you’re almost 30. Just looking at these pictures isn’t going to do much. You should really find yourself a girlfriend. 

Even if you’re not ready for that yet, staring at these too much is just going to get you worked up. We’ve got money-you could go out and unwind once in a while if you wanted.”

Hearing this, Ji Haotong’s expression darkened. 

He promptly smacked Ji Yuenian on the forehead, sending him stumbling backward. 

“These are the latest models our company hired. You know we’re in the clothing business. What kind of nonsense are you thinking about, kid? You’ve only been in high school for what, a few days?”

Rubbing his sore head, Ji Yuenian muttered, “I wasn’t wrong though. You’re not getting any younger-it’s about time you found a girlfriend.”

“Get lost!”

Ji Haotong huffed, then glanced back at the countless lingerie photos waiting for review on his laptop. 

For some reason, they didn’t seem as appealing anymore, so he shut the lid.

“Bro…” 

Ji Yuenian sidled up again, wearing a cheeky grin. 

“I’ve got a few friends. Want me to introduce you to-“

“You asking for a beating?” 

Ji Haotong reached out to tickle him, and Ji Yuenian dodged just in time.

In an instant, the two brothers were tussling playfully.

Huang Qingchuan, still wearing her apron, leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching her sons roughhouse with a soft, affectionate smile.

“Tongtong, Yueyue, stop playing. Dinner’s ready.”

“Okay, Mom!” they answered in unison.

*    *    *

Warm, bright light spilled over the cozy little home like sunshine, gently caressing every corner.

The family of four gathered around the dining table, which was laden with steaming, delicious dishes. 

The enticing aroma danced through the air like little spirits of happiness.

Ji Hong took his seat first. 

At the company, he was the decisive and authoritative chairman. 

To his children, he was the stern, no-nonsense father. But at home, he was nothing less than a devoted and loving dad.

Ji Haotong and Ji Yuenian quickly took their seats as well. 

Ji Yuenian devoured his meal with gusto while cheerfully recounting amusing incidents from school. 

His hearty laughter, resonant like drumbeats, filled the room and had everyone in stitches.

Huang Qingchuan occasionally served him dishes, asking about his school life with maternal concern shining in her eyes.

Ji Haotong chimed in now and then, sharing snippets from his work with his younger brother, his tone laced with affection.

The entire room was steeped in the warmth of familial love, their laughter and chatter weaving together like a tender melody that gently tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.

This harmonious atmosphere radiated the comfort and happiness of home, as if capable of dispelling all weariness and sorrow.

Meanwhile.

At the Jiang residence.

A brand-new incandescent bulb hung from the center of the ceiling, its harsh glare vainly attempting to pierce the endless darkness and solitude.

Yet the silence had already seeped through the living room like ink dispersing in water, enveloping the blue-eyed young man completely.

He sat alone in the spacious living room, surrounded by an abundant spread of dishes with no one to share them with.

The crisp clinking of chopsticks echoed starkly in the quiet night, each tap a lonely beat against the human heart’s isolation.

Jiang Chi picked up a strand of shredded potato, placed it gently in his mouth, and chewed slowly. 

At this moment, the vast house held only his solitary figure.

His parents were out attending social engagements, their return time unknown. 

The bright lights illuminated the lavish meal on the table but couldn’t disperse the pervasive chill in the air.

Seventeen-year-old Jiang Chi could have accompanied his parents to the banquet. 

After all, as the family’s only son, he would eventually inherit the company’s mantle.

Yet the mere thought of the thick smoke and pungent alcohol fumes permeating such gatherings made his stomach churn.

His acute mysophobia made him particularly averse to these odors—as if inhaling even a whiff would suffocate him.

After eating briefly, Jiang Chi quietly stored the leftovers in the refrigerator and retreated to his bedroom alone, pulling out his phone in silence.

ChiLongBabyLovesBaths: “Feeling down, looking at hands.”