Ji Hong was unaware of the rich inner monologue of his prized eldest son. Seeing Ji Haotong standing there dazed, a flicker of complexity flashed in his eyes. After a brief pause, he spoke again with a half-sigh.
“Haotong.”
“I’m here.”
“Do you believe that some kind of supernatural power exists in this world?”
Hearing this, Ji Haotong’s expression was a sight to behold. His large, bell-like eyes looked ready to pop out, his face practically screaming: Dad, how many drinks have you had?
“I didn’t believe it once, either, until…” Seeing his son’s look of utter disbelief, Ji Hong let out a rare, bitter smile. He pulled open a drawer, took out a recording pen, placed it on the desk, and pressed play.
“A Mercedes SL63! I freaking love you!!”
An excited scream erupted from the recording pen. Ji Haotong’s lip twitched slightly, his gaze instantly locking onto the black device.
Even without thinking, he knew that distinct voice definitely belonged to his little brother!
The recording continued: “I made a killing this time! I didn’t expect that just dragging Jiang Chi into an act would get me a free car!”
“Tsk tsk tsk! The AI face-swap model is amazing. It even fooled my parents! I’ll use this to deal with them from now on. I’ll play the victim later, and maybe I’ll get a raise in my allowance.”
Hearing this, Ji Haotong’s brow furrowed deeper. An AI face-swap model? So Chi Baobao was a scam?
He even lied to his own big brother?
He’s really getting bold! (Gritting his teeth)
But soon, Ji Haotong’s entire attention was captured by the next sentence.
“Cough, cough, cough… using voice-shifting all the time is really taking a toll. My throat feels like it’s smoking. Damn it. It’s been so long since the gender-swap, and I still haven’t found a way to change back. Damn it!”
Voice-shifting? Gender-swap?
Ji Haotong’s face instantly turned strange.
“Cough, cough, cough. Cough, cough, cough.”
“As I thought, it’s much more comfortable to talk like this. Keeping my voice raspy before really hurt my throat.”
After a few light coughs, a melodious and soft female voice came from the recording pen. The crisp, beautiful tone felt like it could melt someone’s heart.
It was a soft vocal line and a gentle cadence, but the tone was the same irreverent one as before.
Voice-shifting. Gender-swap.
No way.
A staggering thought flashed through Ji Haotong’s mind.
However, as if proving the proverb “blessings never come in pairs, but misfortunes never come alone,” the next sentence from the recording pen hit him like a bolt from the blue, delivering the final blow!
“I really don’t know how much longer I can keep this a secret. Sigh, the changes are getting more obvious. Especially these two lumps of flesh—the binder can barely hold them back anymore. Dad definitely saw something this time. Who’s going to be next?”
“Moo~”
Ji Haotong was petrified on the spot. He stood there blankly, his eyes filled with shock, his mouth twitching, and his expression so bizarre it looked as if he had encountered something truly terrifying.
The sweet, honeyed female voice in the recording sighed again: “Forget it, no use worrying. I’ll go for a few laps in the car and then find Jiang Chi to see if I can get some action. Being celibate lately is so damn frustrating!”
The female voice stopped abruptly. After a long while, Ji Haotong finally managed to recover from his petrified state. He looked up to see Ji Hong pressing the pause button on the recording pen.
“Holy crap, Dad, where did you get this??”
Ji Haotong cried out, his face full of shock and disbelief. Countless questions flooded his mind. What was a gender-swap? What was voice-shifting? What was this recording pen? All of this was simply too inconceivable!
“I know you’re confused, but don’t be confused yet. Keep a level head,” Ji Hong said calmly.
Hearing this, Ji Haotong took several deep breaths, trying his best to suppress his emotions. He asked, “Dad, what’s this gender-swap thing my brother mentioned? Isn’t he a guy? I’ve even scrubbed his back before, and…”
“Anyway, my head feels like a mess right now. My outlook on life, my values, and my worldview have all been overturned! I clearly remember having a bit of a troublemaker for a brother, but this… whew! Whew! It can’t possibly be April Fool’s Day!”
Ji Haotong was speaking incoherently.
“Don’t get excited. Sit down first.”
Ji Hong calmed him down and gestured toward the sofa nearby.
Once Ji Haotong was seated, Ji Hong did something rare: he lit a cigarette in the office. He took a deep drag, exhaled a smoke ring, and then spoke slowly. “Actually, I was very surprised at first too. But since it’s already a reality, I could only stay calm and analyze it slowly.”
“And this recording pen?” Ji Haotong frowned, pointing at the black device on the desk.
“Stay calm and listen to me…”
Ji Hong stubbed out the cigarette, cleared his throat, and gave a general account of what had happened.
As Ji Hong spoke, Ji Haotong began to understand the whole situation. Ever since Ji Yuannian returned from summer break, Ji Hong had noticed something strange about him. At first, Ji Hong didn’t say anything; after all, everyone has a few secrets.
But gradually, Ji Hong realized that Ji Yuannian seemed to be hiding something intentionally. Moreover, the level of secrecy exceeded normal bounds.
The final straw that broke the camel’s back of suspicion was the video call with that “Chi Baobao.” Having spent so many years in the business world, transforming from a naive youth into a sly old fox, Ji Hong had naturally developed a keen eye for reading people.
That Chi Baobao was very off—extremely off. Especially those blue eyes, which looked very much like a certain acquaintance…
As Ji Hong told the story, Ji Haotong couldn’t help but interject: “Dad, get to the point. Where did you get the recording pen?”
Ji Hong, having been interrupted, glanced at Ji Haotong and said calmly, “Remember the Mercedes SL63?”
“Of course I remember. You picked up the car and told me to hand it over to my brother. Weren’t you just being prideful…” As he spoke, Ji Haotong suddenly froze. A moment later, a sharp light gleamed in his eyes.
The Mercedes SL63, the car keys, the recording pen!
Hiss!
Mom was right—Dad really is a sly old fox with way too many tricks up his sleeve!!
So, combining the intel from both of them: crossdressing, voice-shifting, gender-swapping, plus the supernatural power Dad mentioned… what exactly had happened to his little brother?
Ji Haotong pondered, his brow furrowed. Suddenly, he felt a gaze full of testing intent fall upon him.
Crossdressing, voice-shifting, gender-swapping, and even getting involved with the only son of a strategic corporate partner.
Plan carefully, or cut the Gordian knot?
Family or the corporation—how would you choose?
Ji Haotong looked up at Ji Hong, only to see the older man narrowing his eyes slightly, as if waiting for his reaction.
A second later, a heavy voice rang out.
“The direct approach.”
October 7th, evening.
By now, the sky was dimly lit. The setting sun was cut in half by the mountainside, its orange-red afterglow acting like a dreamlike veil, draping the earth in a layer of mysterious color.
Ji Yuannian ran through the gray-bright glow, dragging a suitcase. The streetlights seemed even more brilliant at this hour. The sound of his footsteps echoed crisply in the hallway.
Ji Yuannian pushed open the front door with a slender hand and let out a cheer.
“Dad, Mom, Brother, I’m back!!”
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