A strange feeling suddenly surged within Cheng Songjin. Ji Xixing had chased after him for over ten years, and hearing that she supposedly had found her true love made him feel, for some reason, as though he had been cheated on.
“Rumors stop with the wise, idiot.”
Jian Yao noticed the man inside the Rolls-Royce parked by the roadside waving at her. Not wanting to waste any more time on the two of them, she threw out that remark and left directly.
This time, Cheng Songjin had no interest in dealing with Jian Yao. He only wanted to know who the man was that had supposedly cuckolded him.
He grabbed Ji Chenhuan’s wrist tightly, using so much force that even he failed to notice how out of control he had become.
It hurt, and Ji Chenhuan frowned.
“Brother Songjin, you’re hurting me.”
Only then did Cheng Songjin come to his senses. He quickly let go and awkwardly tried to cover up his reaction.
“I’m sorry, Huanhuan. I was just shocked.”
“It’s alright, Brother Songjin. You and Sister grew up together, so it’s only natural for you to care about her. I understand.”
Ji Chenhuan lowered her voice.
“I’m sorry, Brother Songjin. I don’t know who Sister likes either. Father thinks it’s disgraceful, so nobody in the family dares bring it up.”
“It’s all my fault for not caring enough about Sister and letting her end up in such a difficult situation. I’ll definitely pay more attention to her from now on.”
“When I find out who Sister likes, I’ll tell you right away, Brother Songjin. We’ll help Sister escape from her misery together.”
Ji Chenhuan’s considerate and kind demeanor made Cheng Songjin’s heart ache.
Thinking about it, a woman like Ji Xixing would never find anyone better than him anyway. The nameless anger in his heart gradually subsided.
Instead, looking at the pitiful and delicate Ji Chenhuan before him, he began to feel guilty. He thought that his behavior just now had been unbecoming of a good man.
Cheng Songjin sighed emotionally.
“Huanhuan, you’re too kind. I’ve never met anyone as kind as you in my life.”
After saying that, he remembered something and added worriedly,
“Huanhuan, you’re so kind, but you have to understand that not everyone is as kind as you.”
He paused before continuing,
“You should stay away from your sister. She’s not the same kind of person as you. Even if you’re thinking of her, she might think you’re hurting her.”
Ji Chenhuan put on a confused expression.
“I believe Sister is only temporarily led astray. If enough time passes, she’ll surely be moved by my sincerity.”
Those words caused Cheng Songjin to sink even deeper.
In his heart, Ji Chenhuan had already become an angel with wings.
Unable to restrain himself, he pulled her into his arms again and gently kissed her lips.
Meanwhile, far away from the sweet atmosphere between the two, poor Ji Xixing, who had been scolded countless times by Cheng Songjin without her knowledge, sat under the watch of bodyguards in the car, half asleep.
The road was rough and uneven. The constant jolting made her dizzy.
By the time they returned to the Ji residence, dusk had already begun to settle.
Ji Xixing was brought into the study by Ji Lifeng.
To prevent her from causing any trouble, Ji Lifeng had ordered the bodyguards to tie her hands and feet.
This time, Ji Xixing behaved herself and no longer confronted him head-on.
After the study door was closed, Ji Lifeng kept only one bodyguard inside.
The room was left with just the three of them. The bodyguard stood silently in the corner, and it was obvious that Ji Lifeng trusted him greatly, otherwise he would never have allowed him to remain during such a conversation.
Seated in his chair, Ji Lifeng scrutinized Ji Xixing for a while before tapping his fingers on the desk.
“Give it to me.”
“Dad, I have nothing now. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ji Xixing feigned ignorance. “Besides, you’ve tied me up. Even if I had it, I couldn’t give it to you.”
Ji Lifeng couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on this rebellious daughter. He simply shot the bodyguard a glance.
Understanding immediately, the bodyguard moved to search for Ji Xixing.
A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes, though she forcibly suppressed it.
She knew that now that she had fallen into Ji Lifeng’s hands, he wouldn’t let her off easily.
But if the bodyguard really searched her body and word got out, would she have any reputation left?
Left with no choice, Ji Xixing compromised.
“It’s in my coat pocket.”
The bodyguard took out the black box that Ji Xixing had barely held for long and respectfully handed it over to Ji Lifeng before silently retreating to his corner.
Ji Lifeng opened the box.
The moment he saw the contents, his face darkened with anger.
He threw the box and everything inside it back toward Ji Xixing. Afraid of being hit, she quickly dodged.
The box crashed heavily onto the floor, the sound piercingly loud in the room.
Seeing her avoid it, Ji Lifeng exploded.
“Didn’t you want it? I threw it to you, so why are you hiding?”
Ji Xixing remained silent.
Ji Lifeng’s fury reached its peak.
Pointing at her, he shouted, “Ji Xixing, let me tell you this. Since you bear the Ji surname, you’ll belong to the Ji family in life and in death. In this family, you have to obey me.”
“I’ve already tolerated your nonsense, but you’ve repeatedly crossed my bottom line.”
“Your mother is dead. You have nothing to do with those people anymore. Trying to keep everything will only bring you harm.”
Listening to his rage, Ji Xixing felt utterly speechless.
What kind of absurd chauvinistic nonsense was this? If she wasn’t tied up right now, she would have slapped him twice to knock some sense into him.
Unfortunately, she was in no position to fight back.
All she could do was nod along.
“Got it, got it. I won’t do it again.”
“You still dare talk about the next time?”
“No, no, I don’t dare. Dad, believe me. Heaven can testify, you’re the person closest to me. I only acted like that before because I couldn’t stand seeing you favor my little sister more.”
Ji Xixing softened her tone and put on a flattering smile.
Originally, she had planned to leave the Ji family and make her own way.
But now she has realized something.
If she left the Ji family, with her current circumstances, she simply couldn’t survive on her own.
And once she lost the protection of the Ji family, she would probably be bullied even worse by those two bastards, Ji Chenhuan and Cheng Songjin.
Not to mention, Ji Lifeng himself wouldn’t let her off so easily.
More importantly, she suspected that her mother’s death involved something more.
Staying in the Ji family might allow her to uncover some clues.
Although life within the Ji family would be difficult, it was still the best option available.
“Your sister is obedient and sensible. What’s wrong with me favoring her more?” Ji Lifeng said unhappily. “As for you, you’re always causing trouble and staying out all night. Where am I supposed to put my dignity? I say a few words to you, and you dare talk back. Do you have any manners at all?”
“Yes, yes, Dad is absolutely right.”
Ji Xixing nodded through gritted teeth.
Meanwhile, she had already cursed Ji Lifeng a thousand times in her mind.
So every blind man out there really likes that white lotus green tea heroine, huh?