The descent down the mountain was unexpectedly smooth, with no incidents occurring at all. Aside from Jiang Chi’s sudden words—which might have been a mere statement of concern in his eyes, but felt like a blatant confession to Ji Yue-nian—nothing else happened. As they approached the Taoist temple, Jiang Chi gave Ji Yue-nian some face by letting her down from his back and supporting her as they walked the rest of the way.
Over the next few days, because of her sprained ankle, Ji Yue-nian’s National Day hiking plans went up in smoke. Every day, she either played video games or took a quick stroll outside before returning to her guest room to play more games.
On the other hand, Hu Li’s side was full of drama. First, he had a massive argument with his father, Lin Zhengdao, over the matter of refining pills. He even tried to run away from home, and his four older brothers barely managed to hold him back. Later, in the alchemy room that night, a thunderous boom echoed as the place suddenly burst into flames, trapping the pill-obsessed Lin Zhengdao inside. In the end, it was Yao Shiming who wrapped himself in a water-soaked quilt and bravely rushed in to drag Lin Zhengdao out of the inferno.
Well, Ji Yue-nian could see through it now; the so-called “massive argument” was just a spat between father and son. Hu Li clearly still had feelings for Lin Zhengdao, otherwise, he wouldn’t have broken down in tears of worry upon seeing his father trapped in the fire. Because of this incident, the relationship between Yao Shiming and Hu Li seemed to draw closer once again, and even Hu Li’s four brothers started looking at Yao Shiming with much more approval.
Ji Yue-nian didn’t quite understand all the twists and turns involved, so she tried asking Jiang Chi. However, her usually reliable “external brain” chose to play the role of a mystery man this time.
Time flew by like a kite with a broken string. In the blink of an eye, the National Day holiday came to an end, and Ji Yue-nian and Jiang Chi boarded the high-speed train back to school. As for Hu Li and Yao Shiming, they requested a leave of absence from school for personal reasons and delayed their return.
Currently, on the train traveling at 132 km/h, Ji Yue-nian—who had been too slow to snag a business or first-class seat—was sitting by the window, complaining to the person beside her with a frustrated expression.
“Ah, my National Day holiday! How is it gone just like that?”
“The next time we have a National Day break, we’ll be in university.”
“I feel like the heavens are intentionally making things hard for me. First, you were unconscious for three days due to a konjac allergy, and then I was stuck resting at the temple for days because of a sprained ankle. All seven days of the holiday were a total waste!”
“What a massive loss! The more I think about it, the more depressed I get. I should have just agreed to go play live-action CS with Su Tian. At least then the seven days wouldn’t have been so boring!”
Ji Yue-nian rambled on, complaining incessantly.
Listening to her nagging, Jiang Chi temporarily closed his book.
“There will be more time in the future, don’t worry.” He reached out and ruffled her short hair, soothing her in a gentle voice, much like calming a bristling kitten. “I’ll go with you wherever you want to go.”
“Geez! Can you not be so sappy!”
“If people hear you, they’ll think we’re from Chengdu.”
Ji Yue-nian curled her lip in feigned disgust, then muttered, “And what do you mean by ‘you’ll accompany me’? It should be me accompanying you. Besides me, do you even have any other decent friends?”
“Without you, I still have a whole bunch of lackeys and bros, but without me, you don’t have a single friend. In terms of social networking, ten of you couldn’t beat me.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Our School Bully Ji has the widest network; I wouldn’t dare compare myself.” At that moment, the school hunk followed the “cat-rearing manual” he had just read, going along with the “bristling cat’s” pride and praising her without hesitation.
“Tch, so perfunctory.” Ji Yue-nian pouted, but a smile involuntarily curved in her eyes. “Anyway, lend me your shoulder. I’m going to take a nap.”
After saying that, she rested her head on Jiang Chi’s shoulder and drifted into a light sleep. He shifted his body slightly to make her more comfortable. Ji Yue-nian closed her eyes, her long, curled eyelashes trembling slightly as she seemed to fall into a sweet slumber.
So…
Gazing at the delicate face before him, Jiang Chi’s mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.
Ji Yue-nian, aren’t you the fearless school bully?
Why are you being so evasive with me?
Either reject me or agree.
I finally managed to be brave for once, yet you’re being so perfunctory.
What on earth do you want?!
Jiang Chi’s gaze remained fixed on Ji Yue-nian’s face, his eyes not blinking.
Or is it… that you’re also wavering? Neither initiating nor rejecting… do you just enjoy this ambiguous status?
Meanwhile, at the Hongyuan Group, in the top-floor office.
“…Dad, that’s how it is.” Ji Haotong stood before the desk. After explaining everything, he quietly looked up at the man sitting behind the desk and added another sentence. “Dad, stay calm first. We’ll talk to my little brother together. There’s still room to turn this around.”
After the private investigator’s report concluded with the finding that “his little brother is very likely coming out of the closet, and with the only son of their business partner, Uncle Jiang,” Ji Haotong had nearly blacked out in his office.
If it were any other man, he might have been able to cover it up and try to persuade him later. Even if his little brother was dead set on coming out or used threats, the family still had him, the eldest son.
But Jiang Chi? Uncle Jiang’s only son? Uncle Jiang’s only child?! Their strategic-level partner!
Ji Haotong knew that youngsters nowadays played around, but he didn’t expect them to play this hard!!
Of the three ways to be unfilial, having no descendants is the worst!
This was no longer a matter that could be resolved with gentle persuasion; they had to strike hard!
Therefore, after a fierce internal struggle, Ji Haotong chose to inform Ji Hong of everything he had secretly investigated. This matter could no longer be hidden; they had to cut the Gordian knot!!
“Dad, stay calm. Little brother can still turn back.”
Seeing Ji Hong remain silent, Ji Haotong thought his father was too furious to speak and hurriedly pleaded for mercy.
Ji Haotong understood his father much better than Ji Yue-nian did; after all, he had been raised by the man himself. In his mother’s words, the innocent young man who used to blush just from a kiss had now turned into a devious, cunning old fox of the business world.
After Ji Haotong finished speaking, Ji Hong leaned back slightly in his leather chair. His hands rested on the desk, his body leaning forward as his fingers tapped rhythmically. For a moment, the only sound in the office was the steady tapping against the walnut wood, which felt exceptionally loud in the quiet room.
One, two, three…
In that suffocating silence, a long sigh echoed. Ji Hong finally looked up, his eyes as dark and deep as the night falling upon his highly-regarded eldest son.
“Haotong.”
“Dad, I’m here,” Ji Haotong replied quickly.
“I didn’t expect you to find out as well.”
“Huh?!”
Ji Haotong was suddenly stunned.
Dad knew!
How did Dad know?
But in an instant, he quickly regained his composure and gave a silent thumbs-up in his heart. Since his dad even knew about this, as expected, his dad would always be his dad!