Qi Qinxue quickly finished her full skincare routine, applied a light makeup, and changed into a flowing dress.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Her whole demeanor was spirited, even her dark circles were concealed. Satisfied, she headed out again to meet Ji Chengsi.
Ji Xiu rested his head on his hand as he watched her leave, shook his head, and closed his eyes to sleep.
When he woke up, it was three in the afternoon.
After coming out of the bathroom, Ji Xiu rubbed his stomach, slipped on his slippers, and leisurely went downstairs.
In the lobby, Ji Chengsi was sitting on the sofa, wearing a neatly tailored black shirt and black trousers. Compared to this morning, he looked like a completely different person—refined and elegant.
Next to Ji Chengsi was the stern-faced Ji Laoye, eyes gleaming with emotion.
Opposite them, Qi Qinxue smiled gracefully and elegantly.
The two flanked Ji Chengsi, their expressions joyful.
In contrast, Ji Chengsi, surrounded by them, showed no joy. He remained calm and even slightly resistant.
Everyone assumed he was just adjusting after returning home, and didn’t pay much attention.
Only Ji Xiu knew that Ji Chengsi was genuinely resisting their closeness.
“Second son, you came down, come over!” Ji Laoye was the first to notice his younger son, waving excitedly. “Chengsi is a bit reserved. Since you brought him back, you two must have things to talk about.”
Ji Xiu touched his nose. “He’s not reserved… I told him why our eldest brother had the accident twenty years ago.”
Ji Laoye’s excitement instantly fell. The hand he raised sank with his mood.
“You told him?”
He froze, expression filled with guilt. “Well, it’s good. This matter will have to be clarified eventually.”
If Ji Xiu hadn’t spoken, Ji Laoye would have preferred to leave it unsaid. But now that it had been said, there was nothing more he could do.
Recalling the past, Ji Laoye’s back bent slightly, as if unable to bear the weight, avoiding Ji Chengsi’s gaze, he quietly said, “I’m a bit tired. I’ll go upstairs to rest. Little Qinxue, take care of Chengsi.”
Then he walked step by step toward the elevator with his cane.
Ji Xiu wanted to help him, but Ji Laoye shook his head. Firmly holding his cane, he entered the elevator.
Ji Xiu stood aside, watching the elevator doors close as it went up.
The small elevator was installed specially for Ji Laoye after the eldest brother’s accident. He had fallen on the stairs and spent a long time recovering in the hospital.
When he returned home, the original owner gave him the surprise of a renovated elevator in the old mansion.
Though Ji Laoye pretended to dislike it, he was secretly delighted. The first time he rode it, his eyes crinkled with happiness.
It wasn’t worth much, but it was the heartfelt gesture of the second son—a gift far more precious than expensive antiques.
Looking at the elevator, everyone in the family realized Ji Laoye was truly aging. In his youth, he never accepted being old; if he truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t ride the elevator every day.
Ji Xiu stared at the elevator for a moment, then turned to sit opposite Ji Chengsi, staring at him without a word.
“What are you looking at me for?” Ji Chengsi, feeling unsettled, frowned and stood up angrily.
Ji Xiu leaned back leisurely. “Nothing, just observing you a bit.”
Ji Chengsi paused, the anger inside him quietly deflating.
Ji Xiu ignored him and looked at Qi Qinxue. “Make more meat for dinner. Chengsi likes it.”
Qi Qinxue was surprised. “How do you know?”
Ji Xiu smirked. “His foster parents didn’t provide much. Kids without much oil or fat always love meat.”
Qi Qinxue frowned slightly, feeling sympathy, and softly looked at Ji Chengsi. “Poor Chengsi.”
Ji Chengsi clenched his teeth, feeling a bit aggrieved.
Originally, he wanted to throw a tantrum and leave the Ji family immediately. Since the truth of his parents’ death was known, he didn’t need to act polite or pretend.
Yet Ji Xiu and Qi Qinxue’s attitude left him without reason to continue being angry.
Ji Xiu then changed the topic, discussing Ji Xian and Ji Linlang with Qi Qinxue.
Ji Chengsi listened attentively.
“Where’s Ji Xian? Why hasn’t he come back to acknowledge me?”
“I haven’t seen him today. He should be at the company replacing Grandpa.”
“And Linlang? Did she come back today?”
“She called. I told her about Chengsi; she said she’ll return tonight.”
“That’s good.” Ji Xiu nodded, stretched, and said, “I’ll go play some ball. Want to come?”
Qi Qinxue’s expression wavered. She seemed to want to stay and continue talking to Ji Chengsi.
But seeing Ji Xiu’s invitation, she couldn’t express her thoughts openly, so she nodded. “I’ll take a walk with you.”
Ji Xiu glanced at Ji Chengsi.
Qi Qinxue smiled: “Seeing Chengsi, don’t you think he looks a lot like our eldest brother?”
Hmm? Ji Xiu hadn’t noticed, but now looking at Ji Chengsi, he did see some resemblance.
Their eldest brother had left home sixteen years ago at age thirty, a young adult, very different from his teenage appearance.
That, combined with thirty years of time, made Ji Xiu’s memory of the eldest brother as a teen blurry.
Yet looking at Ji Chengsi’s youthful face, it was as if he was seeing a dream of the past—both brothers young once more.
Ji Xiu paused, slightly dazed. “Indeed, he looks like our eldest brother.”
Qi Qinxue’s expression darkened. “Forget it. Seeing him, you’ll only get sad. Let’s go and let the boy rest.”
Ji Xiu nodded, took Qi Qinxue’s hand, and left.
Qi Qinxue stumbled slightly, almost into Ji Xiu’s arms, but quickly steadied herself and told Ji Chengsi to rest, then followed Ji Xiu.
Ji Chengsi: “…”
Everyone’s attention had made him want to rage. But when ignored, his anger in the empty hall felt foolish.
He frowned, glanced around, and finally went upstairs to his room, needing some space.
At 5 PM, a small ladies’ car drove from the mountain foot toward the mansion.
They passed a black business car; the ladies’ car overtook it and reached the mansion first.
Ji Linlang got out, changed into black high heels, wearing a black sparkling dress, black sunglasses, and red lips—radiating a cold, elegant aura.
Ji Xian got out of the business car behind her, surprised.
“Sis, were you rushing back from a red carpet?”
“Smack!” Ji Linlang hit his shoulder. “I just finished a press conference. Have you been paying attention to your sister’s news?”
Ji Xian, caught off guard, didn’t feel pain, but inwardly felt aggrieved.
He was already an adult managing thousands of employees. He hadn’t paid attention to entertainment news, focusing only on economics.
Ji Linlang noticed and frowned. “Did it hurt?”
Ji Xian glared at her, said nothing, and entered the house first.
Ji Linlang was amused and slightly angry. The playful side of her personality resurfaced.
Thinking of the new person at home, her smile faded, replaced by a contemplative expression. She wondered if this was the right choice.
“Are you coming in or not?” Ji Xian called from the stairs, urging indirectly.
Ji Linlang felt warmth in her heart and smiled, complaining: “I’m coming. Waiting a bit won’t hurt.”
The siblings entered together.
Ji Xiu was already back, talking to Qi Qinxue in the lobby. Seeing the time, he glanced at them. “You’re just in time for dinner.”
Ji Linlang sat beside Ji Xiu. “I just finished the press conference.”
Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow. “Did the show apologize?”
Ji Linlang shook her head. “No. They’re pretending nothing happened. We’ll wait two more days; if no response, the court will have to notify them.”
Ji Xiu was indifferent. “Our lawyers will handle it. They’ll be ruined.”
Ji Linlang smiled faintly, saying nothing further.
Ji Xian learned about what happened to his sister last night, having been busy with work and study.
His face turned cold. “I’ll handle this myself. How dare they mess with my sister!”
Ji Linlang smiled, playful and affectionate: “Alright, then, leave it to your little brother.”
Ji Xian didn’t notice, nodding seriously: “Don’t worry, I’ll settle them.”
Ji Linlang couldn’t hold it, laughing on the sofa, staring at him.
“What are you laughing at me for?” Ji Xian was uncomfortable, then frowned.
Ji Linlang waved her hand: “Nothing.”
She changed the topic: “Dad, dinner’s ready?”
“Hungry? Let’s eat.” Ji Xiu stood. “I’ll introduce you to our newly returned cousin.”
Ji Linlang’s expression remained indifferent.
Ji Xian, however, was excited: “I finally have a real cousin!”
Though a cousin, he considered him like a brother.
Qi Qinxue helped Ji Chengsi understand the room number.
Ji Linlang sat back, glanced at Qi Qinxue coldly, then turned her attention away.
Ji Chengsi asked about his cousin’s habits; Qi Qinxue shared all she knew, gently patting his shoulder: “Go ahead. We’ll wait in the dining room.”
Ji Xian agreed and hurried upstairs.
Although older and more composed after a year of elite training, he retained youthful vigor.
Ji Xiu and the others moved to the dining room to wait.
The dining room was bright and grand. Five sets of tableware were arranged. Four for Ji Xiu’s family, and one for Ji Chengsi.
Ji Laoye, due to his health, had a special meal and didn’t join them.
After a few minutes, Ji Xian and Ji Chengsi arrived.
Ji Xian, annoyed, sat beside Ji Xiu, silent.
Behind him, Ji Chengsi looked awkward and embarrassed. Everyone pretended not to notice.
Ji Xiu adjusted his chopsticks: “Let’s eat.”
Ji Chengsi hesitated, then, seeing everyone start without reacting to him, quietly sat and began eating.
It was frustrating. No matter what he did, no one reacted.
He wanted to leave in anger, but the only one affected by his words was Ji Xian—the person he wronged in his previous life.
Now, he didn’t want any conflict with Ji Xian. Leaving would only cause Ji Laoye to blame him.
Eating, Ji Chengsi reflected on past meals.
The taste brought memories of harmony before.
He remembered the next day when Ji Laoye gave him half of the company shares, which changed Ji Xian’s attitude instantly.
Learning that his parents died because of his uncle’s message, he condemned the second branch in his heart.
Now, tasting the same food again, his mindset was completely different.
Sometimes he wished he had never known the truth.
But since he asked, and the second uncle answered, nothing could be undone.
Ji Chengsi sighed, looked across, and realized Ji Linlang had been present.
This was the person who killed him in his previous life.
He had imagined meeting her many times but couldn’t anticipate the reality.
“Why are you staring at me?” Ji Linlang raised her eyes, slightly raised her brow, exuding a mix of mischief and elegance. “Never seen such a beautiful sister?”
Ji Chengsi froze, feeling strange.
In his past life, he had been busy contending with Ji Xian and had never dated or focused on personal matters. He had never seen anyone as stunning as Ji Linlang.
Ji Linlang blinked, surprised by his response, then looked away after a few seconds.
“Not bad, kid. You’ve got some taste.”
After that, she ignored him and resumed eating.
Ji Chengsi also didn’t want to speak. Seeing her face reminded him of the past life—being pushed off a building.
That image haunted him.
But her remark finally eased his thoughts.
After dinner, everyone went to rest in their rooms.
Ji Chengsi didn’t want to return yet. After a day in his room, he decided to walk outside.
He knew the Ji family had a tennis court, swimming pool, and greenhouse in the back.
Walking around might bring new ideas.
The breeze, moonlight, and fragrant flowers calmed him.
He resolved to ask his second uncle about moving out tomorrow.
He didn’t want to live with the Ji family, where his feelings were complicated.
Especially Ji Laoye. Though kind in his past life, it was meaningless against his parents’ death.
Better to separate.
Passing the tennis court, he noticed the greenhouse glowing beautifully under the lamp.
Inside, two figures were speaking.
“You didn’t want to inherit the family business, right?”
“Yeah, but Grandpa’s old and Dad doesn’t understand it. Even if I don’t want it, I have to inherit.”
“Dummy! Didn’t you see the kid who came back today?”
“…Sis, you mean I can trick him into inheriting the Ji family?”
“Of course!”
“I got it! Tomorrow I’ll ask Grandpa to choose the heir again!”
Ji Xian was so excited he nearly jumped out of the greenhouse. His excitement was audible.
Ji Chengsi froze. Ji Xian never wanted to inherit the company?
The other voice was Ji Linlang, nodding. “Good. When your team wins the world championship, I’ll announce on Weibo that you’re my brother!”
Ji Xian muttered: “I have to become a world champion first?”
“Stop whining! Do you have enough allowance? A good team costs money. If not, ask me. I saved a lot and even earned millions in stocks with Dad. You can borrow it.”
“Sis, you’re amazing.” Ji Xian’s voice was full of happiness.
Ji Linlang’s tone was complex: “Dummy, I’m your sister. If not me, who else?”
Outside, Ji Chengsi snapped back to reality.
He finally understood why Ji Linlang had urged Ji Xian to give up contending for the family in the past.
Ji Xian’s dream was never to inherit; he wanted to play e-sports.
Ji Linlang encouraged her brother to pursue his happiness.
Ji Chengsi felt envious. They had family and love, while he had none.
Ji Laoye’s past kindness felt like guilt, not love.
Hearing this conversation, Ji Chengsi decided to move out tomorrow. Living here would only make him sadder.
Taking a deep breath, he planned to pass the greenhouse.
At that moment, the greenhouse door opened. Ji Xian stepped out, just meeting Ji Chengsi’s eyes.
They froze.
Ji Linlang, blocked by Ji Xian, nudged him. “Why aren’t you leaving?”
Ji Xian’s face turned red, moving aside to let her see.
Seeing Ji Chengsi, Ji Linlang’s expression changed, but she quickly calmed herself.
“Since you heard it, you should know our stance.
First, your parents’ death was not caused by my father. Don’t think we wanted the inheritance and killed them.
You can take the company if you want. We don’t care.”
Ji Chengsi’s blank expression gradually calmed, eyes fixed on Ji Linlang.
Only after she finished speaking did he speak:
“Why did you say ‘again’?”
The word “again” carried too much meaning.
Ji Linlang’s expression changed.