The Chi family was renowned in Hai City, and their private residence was equally among the most luxurious—
This old estate, with over 150 years of history, had undergone three rounds of renovation and expansion, and was worth over a hundred million.
It preserved its original grey tiles, red walls, and tree-filled courtyard, while the back section had been integrated with European-style classical architecture and garden villas. The entire property was astonishingly large.
Assistant Chen Yiming pushed Jing Shun along the path and took on the role of guide.
“Mr. Jing, this courtyard complex over here used to be where the old master lived. It’s been vacant since his passing.”
Normally, the main residence symbolized the head of the family—whoever became the family head would move in.
Vacant?
So where did Chi Gui live now?
A look of confusion flashed across Jing Shun’s face, and he asked.
“Mr. Jing, I’ll take you there.”
Chen Yiming guided him around the old residence. Behind it were seven or eight detached garden villas, spaced far apart due to the vast land area.
He pointed ahead.
“The last villa in the northern section—that’s where sir lives.”
Jing Shun looked over, his surprise deepening.
The villa at the very end looked similar in style to the others, but it was clearly the smallest among the seven or eight buildings.
Given Chi Gui’s status and position, there was no reason for him to live so “modestly.”
Sensing Jing Shun’s confusion, Chen Yiming carefully probed.
“Mr. Jing, you’ve probably heard some rumors about sir’s background?”
Chi Gui had only been recognized by the Chi family patriarch in his early twenties. Rumor had it that he was an illegitimate son left outside by the eldest branch.
Of course, whether those rumors were true or false, only the people involved knew.
“I’ve heard a little, but I don’t know the details,” Jing Shun said directly. “Assistant Chen, could you briefly explain the Chi family’s relationships?”
Chen Yiming recalled Chi Gui’s instructions and nodded.
“The late Old Master Chi was the head of the Chi family. He had one son and two daughters.”
The eldest son, Chi Renpin, was Chi Gui’s biological father.
As the only son of the old master, Chi Renpin had long been publicly recognized as the heir of the Chi Group. He married young through a family alliance with his first wife’s family and had a daughter, Chi Ting.
Upon hearing a familiar name, Jing Shun raised a brow slightly.
Chi Ting was Chi Sheng’s mother—and Chi Gui’s half-sister.
After giving birth to Chi Ting, Chi Renpin’s first wife’s health declined and she could no longer have children. Although Chi Renpin said he didn’t mind, the marriage still ended after sixteen years.
At that time, Chi Renpin was only in his forties, and with the prestigious title of heir to the Chi Group, many elite families were eager to form connections with him.
Less than three years after the divorce, Chi Renpin publicly remarried and had a son in the same year.
“Chi Gui?” Jing Shun asked.
Chen Yiming shook his head.
“No. If anything, he’s Chi Gui’s younger brother—Chi Yuan.”
“……”
Jing Shun fell silent and continued listening.
In theory, Chi Yuan should have been the next heir. Unfortunately, he was a reckless playboy from a young age, indulging in all kinds of bad behavior.
At twenty-one, he died in a fatal overseas illegal street racing accident.
When the news returned to China, Chi Renpin and his wife were devastated.
With the eldest son incompetent and the grandson dead, the aging Old Master Chi nearly couldn’t take the shock.
Meanwhile, collateral branches were outwardly mourning, but privately watching like wolves—waiting for the main family to collapse so they could carve up the enormous empire.
At that point, Chi Renpin finally revealed a hidden truth—
Before marrying his second wife, he had met a young woman during work-related social engagements and briefly dated her.
He never intended to marry her; it was merely a casual relationship.
Within a year, the woman became unexpectedly pregnant, and Chi Renpin used the opportunity to break up with her.
The woman, seeing his cold nature, refused any compensation and insisted on raising the child alone, leaving without looking back.
Chi Renpin thought the matter was settled and never looked back.
“I see,” Jing Shun said. “That woman… is Chi Gui’s mother?”
Chen Yiming nodded.
It was said that Old Master Chi spent great effort locating Chi Gui and confirming his identity, then used certain means to bring him back into the Chi family.
When Chi Gui was first recognized, aside from the old master, no one in the family looked favorably upon him.
They spoke behind his back, and out of resentment, Chi Renpin’s second wife deliberately arranged for Chi Gui to live in the most remote villa at the very back.
“Probably because he got used to it over time, sir never requested to move after becoming the family head.”
Jing Shun asked again, “What about the others in the family?”
“Since sir took control, the collateral branches no longer dare to act openly in front of him. They’ve all moved out. The household population is quite small now.”
Chi Renpin retired from the company two years ago and now lives separately with his wife in the western villa. They also have a daughter who lives abroad.
Chi Ting and her husband live in another villa. Their son, Chi Sheng, owns a separate property outside and only returns home occasionally.
After finishing the explanation, they arrived at the last villa. The butler and servants had already come out to greet them.
“Hello, Mr. Jing. I’m the butler here. You can call me Uncle Lin.”
The butler quickly glanced at Jing Shun’s legs, but his expression remained natural.
“Normally I and these four servants handle daily life here. If you need anything, feel free to tell us.”
Jing Shun nodded slightly. “My room, and my belongings…”
After meeting Professor Song, he had reluctantly agreed to Chi Gui’s proposal to live together. But Chi Gui had immediately arranged for him to move in the same day, without even letting him go home first.
Butler Lin answered promptly.
“Your room is on the south side of the second floor. Basic items have already been prepared. There’s an elevator for direct access.”
“As for your things at your previous home, someone will go tomorrow to sort and bring them over.”
“……”
Meticulous to perfection.
With Chen Yiming’s assistance, Jing Shun entered the second-floor south bedroom.
The suite was spacious, with a bathroom, walk-in closet, and study. Assistive devices were installed at accessible heights along the walls to facilitate his movement.
The efficiency of wealthy households was beyond imagination.
Moreover, the window faced the back garden and a distant artificial lake, offering an excellent view.
Compared to his old, cramped apartment, it was worlds apart.
No one didn’t want a better life—and Jing Shun was no exception, even if this “better life” came as part of a transaction that was uncertain and could end at any time.
After confirming the room he would be staying in, he asked:
“…Where is Mr. Chi’s bedroom?”
This suite seemed brand new; it didn’t look like anyone lived here regularly.
“The third floor. The entire floor,” Chen Yiming replied.
He pointed upward.
“Your room is directly below his.”
Jing Shun glanced up, then looked down again.
“Alright. I understand.”
Chen Yiming then got to the main point.
“Mr. Jing, I have a contract here that requires your review and signature.”
He took out a prepared document and handed it over.
Jing Shun took it and opened it.
As expected, the verbal agreement from that night had been turned into a detailed written contract.
The terms were simple:
From today onward, Party A Chi Gui would cover all of Party B Jing Shun’s living expenses and medical costs.
Party B Jing Shun would, when necessary, act as Party A Chi Gui’s “lover,” and any outings must be reported and approved by Party A before proceeding.
The contract duration was one and a half years, ending at the end of August next year.
Because medical expenses were not yet fully determined, after the contract ended, Party B would repay 30%–50% of the total medical costs, with no fixed repayment deadline.
“Any problems, Mr. Jing?”
“No.”
This agreement imposed very little restriction on him, yet the actual benefits were substantial. After all, given his current physical condition, it was already impossible for him to travel far.
Even if the repayment of medical expenses was stated at the end, it had been proposed by Jing Shun himself, and the repayment ratio was already significantly reduced, easing his burden considerably.
Jing Shun approached the desk, picked up a black pen, filled in the necessary identity information, and signed his name.
“Please thank Mr. Chi for me.”
Chen Yiming smiled and reminded him, “Mr. Jing, please also fill in the date.”
Jing Shun froze slightly. “Date?”
He picked up his phone to check the current date. After seeing the numbers, he was slightly surprised, but quickly wrote it onto the agreement.
Everything was settled.
Chen Yiming collected the contract documents.
“Mr. Jing, I won’t disturb your rest for now. I’ll come get you again at dinner time.”
“Alright.”
After the door closed, Jing Shun finally let out a breath of relief.
He turned his wheelchair toward the window. Looking at the dimming sky, the long-gray heaviness in his heart was faintly touched by a glimmer of light.
The worst outcome would have been that his legs could not be cured—but after meeting Professor Song Chunhui today, the hope that had long withered in him was finally rekindled.
Come to think of it, this new beginning should be credited to—
“Chi Gui.”
Sitting alone in his wheelchair, Jing Shun softly repeated the name, a faint light flickering in his eyes.
It was still early, and he wasn’t tired.
He didn’t go to bed to rest, but instead mentally replayed everything that had happened in his previous life after becoming disabled. He also noted down key time points and related events in his phone’s memo app for future reference.
Until faint footsteps echoed outside in the corridor—back and forth, as if someone had walked past several times.
Jing Shun snapped out of his thoughts and realized the sky outside had already turned completely dark. He wheeled himself toward the closed door.
The moment it opened, he was met directly with the figure of Chi Gui heading upstairs.
“……”
“……”
Their eyes met. Chi Gui stopped.
This time, Jing Shun spoke first.
“Mr. Chi, are you done with your work?”
Chi Gui seemed to be very busy in daily life. After meeting him briefly in the afternoon, he had left in a hurry again.
“Mm.”
Chi Gui responded flatly, his expression still calm.
“Do you like the room?”
Jing Shun had not yet found the correct way to interact with him, so he maintained a careful distance.
“It’s very good. My wheelchair makes a bit of noise sometimes when moving, but I’ll try to stay quiet and not disturb your rest upstairs.”
Chi Gui looked at him and said:
“You won’t disturb me. Do as you like. If you need anything, you can tell Chen Yiming directly… or you can tell me directly as well.”
Jing Shun paused for a moment, then genuinely smiled.
“Alright.”
The gloom that had gathered around him seemed to be instantly washed away by that smile, even brightening his peach-shaped eyes.
Chi Gui’s mind briefly went blank.
“…Why are you smiling?”
Jing Shun suppressed the curve of his lips and answered honestly.
“Just feel like you’re much easier to get along with than I imagined, Mr. Chi.”
“……”
Chi Gui fell silent for a few seconds, then gave a very low “mm” in acknowledgment before heading upstairs.
The third floor was Chi Gui’s private living and working area.
Chen Yiming was already waiting at the study door.
“Sir.”
Chi Gui walked into the study and immediately asked, “Was the agreement signed?”
Chen Yiming handed over the file folder.
“Yes. Mr. Jing had no objections. He signed very cleanly.”
Chi Gui only glanced at the folder and didn’t take it.
“Got it. You can go now.”
“Understood.”
After the door closed, Chi Gui opened the folder.
He didn’t bother reading the terms and conditions, and directly flipped to the last page.
The signing date was 2.14.
On the Party B line, there was the name “Jing Shun”—written in neat, delicate handwriting.
The sharp coldness in Chi Gui’s eyes softened slightly.
His fingertips brushed lightly over the name on the paper.
Then, he picked up a black pen and steadily signed another name in the Party A column.