Zhan Mohan's intention was to lure Old Master Ji and Ji Tong back into a trap. Ji Qun, though timid, was not foolish, and he understood this clearly.
Hence, he hesitated to make the call, even attempting to placate Zhan Mohan and beg for mercy for the Ji family.
"Mr. Zhan, your past with Ji Tong is long gone. He was in the wrong back then. Can you be magnanimous? If not, just name your price. Our business is very profitable, and we can offer you a larger share of the profits."
Seeing his wishful thinking, Zhan Mohan sneered, "You're not a child anymore, so calling you naive might be inappropriate. But do you really think I would accept what you're offering? Do I, Zhan Mohan, look like someone who lacks money?"
He certainly wasn't short of money, but businessmen often couldn't resist high profits. Ji Qun, despite his cowardice and love for money, understood the principle of "losing money to avoid disaster."
If sacrificing some money could prevent the Ji family from utter ruin, then it would be money well spent.
However, it was clear his approach was misguided with Zhan Mohan, who had no intention of profiting from this.
They stood outside the torture chamber. Zhan Mohan didn't want to waste more words. "If you refuse to make the call, that's fine too. This room has been sealed for a long time. It would be nice to refresh it with your blood."
With a wave of his hand, Fang Xun was about to push Ji Qun back inside for another "experience."
Upon reaching the doorway, Ji Qun felt his wounds throb more intensely. If he were sent back in, he was sure he would die there.
He immediately cried out, "Mr. Zhan, let's talk. I'll make the call, okay?"
Hearing this, Fang Xun stopped pushing him inward and handed him the phone.
Caught in a difficult situation, to spare himself physical pain, he had no choice but to make the call, however unwilling.
He dialed the number he hadn't used in a long time. The call was answered almost instantly. Old Master Ji's voice sounded agitated, "A'Qun, why are you calling me? Did something happen over there?"
Ji Qun glanced at the people around him, forcefully suppressing his urge to seek help. "Dad, something has indeed happened. That child from back then has found me, and I can't handle it. You and Ji Tong should come back. After all these years, this matter needs to be resolved."
Old Master Ji seemed momentarily confused about who he was referring to. After a moment's thought, he recalled the mother and son he had turned away years ago.
Knowing his son's weakness, Old Master Ji quickly asked, "How is that boy doing now? Why is he looking for you?"
Ji Qun couldn't come up with a reason and vaguely replied, "Just come back with Ji Tong as soon as possible. He insists on seeing both of you."
Old Master Ji was well aware of his son's capabilities and knew that when faced with trouble, he was less capable than his grandson. Therefore, returning to the country was now imperative.
"Alright, we'll return as soon as possible. You just take care of yourself."
The conversation between father and son was not a secret to those present. Hearing Old Master Ji's final words, Zhan Mohan knew the fish had taken the bait.
Fang Xun had investigated and found that Old Master Ji doted on his son and grandson, to the extent of raising his son into a weak and incompetent failure. Yet, he still cherished his useless son, his only expectation being that he wouldn't cause trouble.
Upon receiving this information, Zhan Mohan immediately devised this plan: to have his son personally invite them into the trap. They would surely come.
Indeed, things were unfolding as they had predicted. Ji Qun, this cowardly creature, would even betray his own father and son. Truly the most foolish and laughable person in the world.
It remained to be seen how Old Master Ji would react when he learned that he had been led into a trap by the son he had doted on for a lifetime.
He looked at the displeased Ji Qun with amusement. "The show is about to begin. Take Mr. Ji to a hotel and ensure he's well protected. Make sure the father and son get to meet properly."
Ji Qun dared not resist and could only let Zhan Mohan make the arrangements.
In Country Y, when Old Master Ji told Ji Tong that they had to return to the country, Ji Tong was reluctant.
Setting aside the poor relationship between father and son, and his indifference to his father's past romantic entanglements, the return itself was fraught with danger. They had to consider that once back, they would be in Zhan family territory. What if they walked into an ambush? They lacked the strength to resist.
"Grandpa, have you considered that Zhan Mohan and his people are still alive? They will surely seek revenge for what happened before. If we return and fall into their trap, there will be no return."
Old Master Ji had considered Ji Tong's words, but he had already decided that they must return to the country this time.
"Ji Tong, if what you say is true, then your father is in great danger over there. We should go and rescue him. No matter what, whether you admit it or not, he is your father. How can a son stand by and watch his father suffer in hardship?"
These words successfully enraged Ji Tong. He vehemently denied, "He is not my father. I do not have a father like him."
Years ago, if it hadn't been for Ji Tong's numerous romantic troubles, and Min Mo's mother and son coming to their door repeatedly, his mother would not have divorced Ji Qun in anger. Since then, he had never seen his mother again, and now, he felt as if he had forgotten her appearance and voice.
All of this was thanks to his good father, which was why he had never forgiven Ji Qun. Their father-son relationship had never improved over the years.
Son unlike son, father unlike father.
Old Master Ji also found their father-son relationship a headache. He was already ninety years old and might pass away at any moment. Yet, with these two locked in such a hostile relationship, he couldn't rest in peace even in death.
Therefore, his return this time was not only to resolve the matter of the illegitimate son that was left unresolved twenty years ago, but also to persuade these father and son to reconcile.
Ji Tong could not stay in the country back then. Although he loved his son, he had to send him abroad for the sake of his grandson. He had been away for so many years, and his visits back home were few and far between. He hadn't had a proper conversation with his son in a long time.
Taking advantage of the opportunity for the three generations to be together, he was determined to persuade the father and son to unite. If he were to pass away one day, and they remained estranged, not only would their business suffer, but with the formidable enemy like the Zhan family, they would easily be defeated one by one.
For the sake of his son and grandson, and for the legacy of the Ji family, he had to take Ji Tong back.