Night had fallen deep. The ride home was silent; the back seat was quiet.
Ji Xiu leaned back, eyes half-closed. It seemed that after the events of today, he had little energy and was resting with closed eyes.
Xiao Chen wisely turned off the radio and focused on driving.
Only Ji Chengsi remained in the back seat, hands on his knees, eyes fixed ahead, quiet and shy. Noticing that the other two hadn’t paid attention to him, he finally moved.
He turned to look to his right, his gaze casually sweeping over Ji Xiu. There was a hint of scrutiny, and a subtle complexity in his eyes.
Could this be the second uncle he never met in his previous life?
In his past life, when he returned to the Ji family seven years later, the family had avoided mentioning this second uncle’s name for fear of touching Old Master Ji’s heartbreak, leaving him unfamiliar with this uncle.
He never expected that in this second life, this uncle would be the one coming to bring him home.
It seemed that returning early to the Ji family had other advantages—at least he could investigate the truth behind his parents’ car accident.
If it really had been this uncle’s doing…
Though regretful, their positions would differ. He would have no choice but to be at odds with Ji Xian again.
If it wasn’t this uncle’s fault…
Ji Chengsi’s heart tightened. He withdrew his gaze and didn’t dare to think further.
In his past life, he had believed his parents were killed by a conspiracy, which led him to fight over company matters, trying to protect the company his parents left behind.
But if it wasn’t his uncle’s doing?
That possibility was very real. In his past life, Ji Xian had also died in a car accident.
Ji Linlang had thought he was responsible, and after a dispute on the restaurant rooftop, she had pushed him from the high floor.
Opening his eyes, he revisited the memories of his sixteen-year-old self and realized how unreliable such baseless assumptions were.
He had not killed Ji Xian. Ji Xian’s death was an accident, and he too felt sadness and regret.
But telling Ji Linlang this, she would not believe him.
Then what had been different about his past actions compared to Ji Linlang’s?
Every time he recalled his death in the previous life, he couldn’t hate Ji Linlang—only complex emotions arose.
If his uncle hadn’t interfered, all the guilt stemmed from his own misunderstanding at the time, making him the culprit behind subsequent disputes and disasters.
He had caused the death of a cousin, ruined the family company, and potentially burdened his sister with a murderer’s accusation.
By then, only his second aunt would remain—how could the Ji family sustain itself?
Now, it was as if he were covering his ears, refusing to acknowledge this possibility, silently praying the result wouldn’t contradict his hopes.
Once the result came, the sword of Damocles would fall—his delayed judgment after rebirth.
He didn’t know when that sword would strike.
He wavered, wondering whether he should insist on investigating his parents’ death…
……
Lost in thought, Ji Chengsi couldn’t help but drift away.
Ji Xiu opened his eyes, briefly glancing at him. Seeing the boy’s expression, he roughly understood the situation.
It seemed his eldest nephew really had been reborn.
It was precisely because of this nephew’s rebirth that the story had changed, allowing the Ji family to learn of his existence sooner.
Or perhaps, it was this nephew actively contacting the family, which quickly conveyed the news.
Ji Xiu remained calm.
Ever since encountering a reborn individual last time, he had gotten used to it.
Every world had collapsed before. The Time Bureau forcibly reversed time, returning everything to the start of the storyline. Some escaped this reset, retaining memories from the previous life, which was perfectly normal.
He didn’t know what this reborn eldest nephew thought of the Ji family.
After all, he had once died at Ji Linlang’s hands…
Ji Xiu recalled the storyline, steadied himself, and quickly decided to separate himself from the nephew in mind, resolving to guide him prudently in the future to prevent impulsive mistakes.
After all, this was his daughter’s life. Even if she was the “villain,” until she committed any egregious acts, he would not allow harm to come to her.
Moreover, the Ji family was currently in its most ideal state.
If Ji Linlang suffered, the fragile peace would shatter, and events would spiral back to the chaotic trajectory of the previous life.
Ji Xiu feared that, then, Ji Xian might be the one sending Ji Chengsi off.
Though Ji Linlang and Ji Xian’s sibling relationship was not particularly close, observing Ji Linlang’s devastation after Ji Xian’s death proved they were truly siblings, not superficial.
If one faltered, the other could easily act recklessly.
If recklessness ensued, Ji Chengsi could die, and the Time Bureau could not reverse time again.
This time, he could not reveal his identity to his eldest nephew.
Rebirth was a sensitive topic, even among biological parents. Moreover, he was only Ji Chengsi’s second uncle—and last life, his daughter had killed him.
Absolutely no recognition!
……
Ji Xiu settled on a plan, composed himself, and looked at Ji Chengsi, deciding to show some goodwill, hoping the boy would at least restrain his impulsiveness.
“You’re called Chengsi, right?”
Ji Xiu spoke, looking at him with a complex but pleased expression.
Ji Chengsi was startled but quickly returned to himself, replying quietly, “Yes. My adoptive parents named me Ji Chengsi.”
Ji Xiu nodded. “Good name!”
Compared to his real name, Ji Li, this name sounded far better. It seemed the world’s fortune favored the protagonist, giving him a name distinct from ordinary bystanders.
Among the sea of Ji Xiu, Ji You, and Ji Xian, Ji Chengsi stood out—a name that marked him as a main character.
After praising him, Ji Xiu continued: “I took the initiative to come for you today, at Old Master’s request. I’m your second uncle, your father’s brother.”
Ji Chengsi silently nodded. “I understand, second uncle.”
Ji Xiu understood he was putting on a show, playing a thirteen-year-old withdrawn boy. He had no intention of exposing him and even wished to join in the performance.
“Let me introduce the family situation. The head of the household is Old Master, your grandfather. Then there’s me and your second aunt. Below us are your cousins, who are called…”
Ji Xiu rambled on, stating things Ji Chengsi already knew. After finishing, he patted the boy’s shoulder. “About your father’s past, I also bear some responsibility. Since your father isn’t here, consider me your dad. I’ll take good care of you.”
Ji Chengsi’s heart skipped a beat. Things were proceeding surprisingly smoothly.
His second uncle had brought up the past himself!
Ji Chengsi subtly probed: “Second uncle, I know I was adopted, but I’ve never heard about my parents. Can you tell me about them?”
Ji Xiu, here to clarify misunderstandings, naturally agreed.
He let out a long sigh, tapped the car armrest, and waited for Xiao Chen to raise the divider, creating a quiet space. Then he began slowly recounting childhood stories of his father and uncle, including anecdotes, how the eldest brother met his wife, and how they eloped…
Ji Chengsi was stunned.
In his past life, Old Master Ji had suppressed these reports. He had searched for the truth but never knew his parents had eloped because of the grandfather’s opposition.
Ji Xiu also explained the cause behind the eldest brother and wife’s car accident.
But Ji Chengsi no longer focused solely on this.
Though it wasn’t the second uncle’s fault, he could still resent him for informing, which had forced his parents to flee hastily.
Now, his attention shifted to Old Master Ji.
The whole ordeal had stemmed from Old Master Ji refusing their union.
“…Child, what are you thinking?”
When troubled, Ji Chengsi’s expressions were obvious. Ji Xiu looked back and immediately noticed.
He assessed the situation—though love can make one more demanding, this was a tragedy, and the grandfather shouldn’t bear it alone.
Ji Xiu sighed. “Child, meeting me for the first time today, I’ll teach you something—you can’t only see things from your parents’ perspective. You also have to consider others! Standing from one perspective is easy; you only need to hate one person to feel satisfied. But if that person is a close relative, you won’t feel happiness.”
“If you must hate, hate your second uncle. Don’t hate the grandfather.”
Ji Chengsi looked at Ji Xiu, dazed.
Ji Xiu habitually patted his head: “This was a tragedy. No one was entirely wrong, but when it happened, everyone had some fault.”
“You can’t blame everything on one person. That would be cruel. If hating one person makes you feel better, then hate me for informing. If I hadn’t, Old Master would have gone directly. Your eldest brother would have returned, and none of that would have happened.”
Ji Chengsi’s head was overloaded with information, revealing a trace of real emotion through clenched teeth.
“But what good does hating you do?”
“Yes. Hating me does nothing. So don’t. Think it through.” Ji Xiu patted his shoulder. “Over the years, the Old Master and I have regretted, and it took years to move on. I don’t want you trapped in the past like us.”
Ji Chengsi felt absurd. “You’ve moved on, but my parents are dead!”
Ji Xiu sighed again, unsure how to explain.
He had said everyone was at fault. They were wrong. Weren’t the eldest brother and his wife also at fault?
But the dead speak for themselves. There was nothing more to say.
In the end, it was a sudden, unforeseen accident. No one anticipated it beforehand, and when it occurred, everything seemed pale.
Ji Xiu didn’t want to speak of the deceased’s fault. He stayed silent, letting Ji Chengsi think. If he couldn’t figure it out, he could come back.
Ji Chengsi looked at Ji Xiu in disbelief.
Why was his second uncle so calm about his parents’ death?
Ji Xiu turned away, closed his eyes, regretting talking so much en route.
It seemed he hadn’t cleared the misunderstanding, only deepened it.
Yet, it looked as if he had successfully transferred Ji Linlang’s hatred onto himself.
……
After several hours, the car returned to the old Ji family mansion before dawn.
Ji Xiu wearily got out, opened the car door for Ji Chengsi.
Ji Chengsi hesitated for five seconds, then carried his backpack, followed Ji Xiu inside.
He didn’t yet know how to face Old Master Ji.
Fortunately, it was early, and Old Master, still restless from last night, hadn’t risen—saving him the trouble.
Ji Chengsi’s room had been prepared the night before. Ji Xiu personally brought him in and left him to rest, then returned to his own room.
Being a reborn adult, Ji Chengsi’s quiet shyness was just a façade. He needed no one to clarify things for him.
His only struggle remained the internal conflict between reason and impulse. He could resolve it himself.
Ji Xiu returned to his bedroom.
It was still early. Qi Qinxue lay resting, dark circles under her eyes. She had clearly stayed awake all night after learning of Ji Chengsi’s return.
Ji Xiu paused, observing her.
Qi Qinxue was a refined and elegant wealthy heiress, fond of beauty routines, shopping, and afternoon tea.
Her personality was rather cold, taking time to warm up to others.
By all logic, she shouldn’t care so much about Ji Chengsi. Even if he was the long-lost eldest son of the Ji family, it shouldn’t be this important to her.
Not even a falling sky would stop her beauty sleep.
Yet a single piece of news had kept her awake all night.
In the story, Qi Qinxue had always taken special care of Ji Chengsi, even more attentively than the rest of the Ji family.
The original character had died, yet Ji Xian and Ji Linlang were still alive.
She cared for Ji Chengsi so much it even made Ji Xian jealous—a clear and unique sentiment.
Ji Xiu couldn’t understand why.
Was it maternal instinct, pity, or guilt?
Was she somehow involved in the accident thirteen years ago?
All of this was speculation. Ji Xiu saw no evidence. He felt Qi Qinxue’s behavior was less about guilt, more about protective affection.
He stroked his chin, gave up on conclusions, and jumped into bed.
Qi Qinxue, startled by his movement, looked at him helplessly: “You’re forty-two.”
Implying he should act more maturely.
Though slightly annoyed, she didn’t complain much. Instead, she straightened the blanket for him.
Ji Xiu then said: “After a long night, the child is finally back. I’ll sleep now. Do you want to check on him?”
Qi Qinxue hesitated: “The child really returned?”
Ji Xiu nodded: “He’s on the second floor. He has little luggage, wears old clothes, carries a small backpack. If you have time today, buy him some new clothes.”
Qi Qinxue paused, then got out of bed, wearing her pajamas, expression complex: “I’ll go see him.”
Ji Xiu calmly watched until her back disappeared, then withdrew his gaze.
Qi Qinxue had heavy personal habits. Even at home, she wore beautiful clothes and makeup before leaving the room. She would never dash out in pajamas, unwashed face.
What about Ji Chengsi had such appeal to make her care this much?
Just as the thought formed, the closed door was pushed open from outside.
Qi Qinxue returned, slightly embarrassed: “Forgot to wash and change. I’ll wait and go later.”
Ji Xiu: “…”
Clearly, Ji Chengsi still couldn’t surpass her personal habits. Situation wasn’t as severe.