Although the movement was subtle, it did not escape Ji Zhi Xiu’s eyes. He asked casually, “Yes, what is it?”
Jiang Mian shook her head, “It’s nothing.”
“Did Mom do anything to you in the few days I was away?”
“No, I’m going upstairs to change. Wait for me.”
Jiang Mian thought about it and didn’t tell him the truth. Anyway, she hadn’t agreed to Ji’s mother’s request, so there was no need to say it and cause discord between mother and son.
“No rush, go ahead.” He released his arm around her and didn’t press further.
Jiang Mian came down after changing her clothes and saw Ji Zhi Xiu sitting at the dining table.
He looked up when he heard her, calling her, “Come here. Aunt Song said you didn’t have breakfast, eat first.”
Jiang Mian said, “Mom is still waiting at the old house.”
“No rush, Mom won’t mind this little time.” His tone was gentle and unhurried. “I didn’t eat when I rushed for my flight this morning either. Come and join me?”
Jiang Mian curled her lips and walked over, “Okay.”
Ji Zhi Xiu ate slowly, one hand resting on the table holding his phone, his gaze occasionally dropping to it.
Jiang Mian took a bite of a banana cake and asked him casually, “Is this matter going to be very tricky?”
Ji Zhi Xiu looked up, his tone teasing, “Don’t doubt your husband’s ability.”
“Ahem…” Jiang Mian put down her pink spoon, almost choking on the banana cake.
Ji Zhi Xiu frowned, put down his phone, and quickly picked up the milk on the table, leaning over to offer it to her lips. “Have some.”
Jiang Mian took a sip from his hand. The warm milk slid down her esophagus. Jiang Mian recovered, “I’m fine.”
Ji Zhi Xiu sat down again. “What’s wrong with that sentence? It’s worth choking on your meal for.”
Jiang Mian licked the milk from her lips and said honestly, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood.”
She directly picked up the small bowl, finished the white fungus and lotus seed soup, then wiped her mouth with a tissue in one go. “I’m done.”
Ji Zhi Xiu and she put down their chopsticks at the same time and stood up. “Let’s go.”
The Ji family was all in the living room.
Unusually, Ji Zhi Lan wasn’t hiding in her room today and was sitting on the sofa with them.
The two entered hand in hand, and four pairs of eyes immediately looked over.
Old Master Ji was the first to wave, “Xiu’er and Mian Mian, come sit with me.”
Jiang Mian released Ji Zhi Xiu’s arm and sat down obediently. “Grandpa, Dad…” When it came to Ji’s mother, she paused for a moment, then smiled, “Mom, and Zhi Lan, good morning.”
Old Master Ji responded with a smile, “Good, good, good. Have you eaten breakfast?”
“We’ve eaten. Grandpa, have you?”
“We have too.”
“Alright Dad, don’t talk about these pointless things so early in the morning. Let’s talk business.” Ji’s mother couldn’t help but interrupt.
She was so furious that she dared to interrupt even Old Master Ji’s words.
In the past, she would never have dared, nor would it have been possible.
As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere in the room became quiet.
Ji’s father opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
“I’m sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean to interrupt you.” Ji’s mother turned to Old Master Ji, saying, “I was really confused with anger, how could I speak to Father like this?”
Old Master Ji waved his hand, broad-minded, “It’s alright, I know you’re anxious. Xiu’er is back now, so you can say whatever you need to say.”
Ji Zhi Xiu sat down beside Jiang Mian. “Mom, did you see the news online too?”
Ji’s mother was so angry her head hurt. “Of course I saw it! I’m not blind. Every app is pushing this as the top headline.”
She had planned to go hiking with friends early in the morning. As soon as she picked up her phone, she saw this news.
How could she face anyone now?
“I knew that mother and son would definitely come back! They wouldn’t let our Ji family off!” she said, both angry and annoyed.
“Don’t rush, Mom.” Compared to her excitement, Ji Zhi Xiu appeared very calm.
“How can I not rush? I knew this person was no good from the start!”
“You knew from the start?” Ji Zhi Xiu seized on the key point in her words. “You knew Ye Yi was that child from the start?”
“I knew before this matter was exposed. I saw this person online once and thought he looked familiar, so I asked Dad to help me check. I didn’t know until I checked, and I was shocked to find out it was indeed that woman’s child!”
Ji’s father was surprised. “Then why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“Heh, say it earlier? What would you have done if I said it earlier? Bring this illegitimate child back to acknowledge his ancestors?” Ji’s mother sneered repeatedly.
Ji’s father remained silent like a mute, and she wouldn’t have been so angry, but he had to say something like that when she was already upset.
It only added more fuel to her anger.
Ji’s father mumbled, “After all, he also has the blood of our Ji family…”
“Yes! He has your blood! Then go and acknowledge him! See if he’s willing to call you ‘Dad’! Ji Wu Sheng! How dare you say that in front of your two children?”
Ji’s mother suddenly stood up, her eyes shooting flames, staring directly at Ji’s father.
“All these years, have you fulfilled your duty as a father? I ask you, do you know the birthdays of our two children? Do you know how old they are this year? After handing the company over to Zhi Xiu, you spent all day at home, playing the birdcage and chess. Don’t think I don’t know! You’re also holding something in! It’s just that you’re unhappy that Father handed the company directly to Zhi Xiu!”
Her every word was sharp, directly piercing Ji’s father’s heart.
Ji’s father also stood up, a hint of anger appearing on his face. “Yes! I am unhappy! I know you and Father requested that Zhi Xiu inherit the Ji Corporation directly, but I am his father!”
Seeing that they were about to quarrel fiercely, Ji Zhi Xiu said, “Mom, don’t get too angry. Please sit down first.”
Ji Zhi Lan helped Ji’s mother sit down. “Mom, don’t be angry.”
Ji’s mother sat down, her shoulders trembling, her eyes red. “You finally said what you’ve been holding in your heart all these years! You don’t have us three in your heart at all.”
Ji Zhi Xiu rubbed his forehead. He was really afraid his mother would cry in front of so many people.
Afterward, his mother would definitely feel very embarrassed.
He spoke up to change the subject. “Alright, Mom, let’s talk business. As soon as the news of my return was released, the stock price has already recovered. You don’t need to worry about the company.”
Old Master Ji nodded. “I’m not worried about the company. I naturally believe in Xiu’er’s ability.”
Ji’s mother calmed her emotions. “I’m not worried about the company since you’re back. I’m only worried about that mother and son! That woman back then, she barged in and asked me to give up my position as Mrs. Ji and to leave with you. Now that her son is back, he’s naturally not a good person.”
“Xiu’er, Mom hopes you’ll be on guard.”
“That woman died of illness long ago, and now the Ji Corporation is completely under my control. Mom doesn’t need to worry so much.” Ji Zhi Xiu said slowly, comforting Ji’s mother.
When he saw the news, he had already instructed Fan Cheng to investigate, and now he basically knew the whole story.
He knew that his mother was so worried and scared because of the shadow cast by past events.
“Mom, I’m not the weak child I was back then anymore. I’ve grown up now and am capable of protecting you.”
Hearing this, Ji’s mother felt both relieved and sad. “No, you don’t know, they and their son are very cunning. What does it matter if she’s dead? Her son is still here, and he must have inherited her despicable methods!”
“This matter was suddenly exposed. He must be involved! It’s very likely that he’s trying to force our Ji family to submit! I will never allow such a thing to happen!” Ji’s mother gritted her teeth.
“I’m already investigating who the mastermind behind this is. Even if it’s him, I’m not afraid.” Ji Zhi Xiu said lightly.
“So, stop worrying. Do what you need to do. Play mahjong, meet with friends, just go ahead. Don’t trouble yourself.”
Under his comfort, Ji’s mother gradually calmed down. “You’re right. You are now the head of the Ji Corporation. If she wants to fight, she can’t, as long as I don’t let her into the Ji family gate!”
“But there’s one more thing I need to tell you.” Her expression turned serious.
Jiang Mian had been listening from beginning to end, quietly minimizing her presence.
Upon hearing this, her small hands on her knees tightened.
As expected, Ji’s mother said the next second, “I want you to divorce Jiang Mian!”
Ji Zhi Lan’s eyes lit up, “Mom!”
Ji’s father was surprised, “You’re being ridiculous!”
“This is not the place for you to speak!” Ji’s mother glared.
Old Master Ji said nothing.
Ji Zhi Xiu’s brows slowly furrowed. “What does this mean?”
“Jiang Mian and Ye Yi have had contact for a long time! They are from the same company, and Ye Yi is her boss! They have been working together for a long time. Marrying you might have been a scheme!” she stated assertively.
Ji Zhi Xiu was amused by his mother’s unreasonable behavior. Not to mention that when he met Jiang Mian, Ye Yi didn’t even know where he was.
Furthermore, Jiang Mian marrying him wasn’t her scheme, but his gradual plan.
Jiang Mian turned her head and whispered in his ear, “When we get back, I’ll explain to you, okay?”
“Okay.” Ji Zhi Xiu held her hand, giving her strength.
Then he said in a deep tone, “I will not divorce.”
“Are you trying to anger me to death, Xiu’er? I’ve already said that she is close to that illegitimate child! Why won’t you listen!” Ji’s mother felt her head buzzing again, and her vision blurred.
Ji Zhi Xiu saw that her emotions were not right. “Don’t get excited, Mom. Let’s talk properly.”
“You must divorce, or you don’t recognize me as your mother!” she said gravely.
Ji Zhi Xiu narrowed his long, slender eyes. “I hate being threatened the most, even by my mother.”
Ji’s mother was stunned by his piercing gaze, her chest heaving. “Fine, you want to protect her, right? Then I’ll die for you to see!”
“Mom, please don’t die! What will I do if you die? Just let Brother divorce her!” Ji Zhi Lan couldn’t hold back.
Ji Zhi Xiu cast a cold glance at her. “Get back to your room.”
“I won’t…” Her refusal seemed particularly powerless in Ji Zhi Xiu’s eyes. Ji Zhi Lan reluctantly stood up. “Fine, I’ll go. But even if I go, I’ll say, good riddance!”
She wished she could stomp a hole in the stairs. She went upstairs unwillingly.
“Mom, you can’t bear to die, so stop pretending. Now that the children are grown and you can enjoy life, you’re free every day, meeting friends, chatting. You even said you were going to Provence next month. How could you die now?”
He said leisurely, easily exposing Ji’s mother’s little scheme.
Ji’s mother felt her head start to hurt again. Not a single one of them was worry-free!
Having a son who was too smart wasn’t a good thing either!
“You, you said I was pretending! How can you talk to your mother like that?”
“Mom, don’t force me. I will not divorce. If you really die, I will die too. In the afterlife, I will still be your son and honor you, thus, I will be worthy of you and will not let down my wife.”