Before the old master’s side had produced any result, Ji Xiu had already moved first.
“Linlang, that thing from last time. Has there been a result?”
Ji Xiu logged onto Weibo and saw someone had tagged him. When he clicked it open, it was follow up coverage on the incident where the program crew had slandered Ji Linlang.
After playing dead for several days, the program’s official account finally responded. Last night, they posted a Weibo apology, admitting their mistake.
Of course, they still insisted on saving face. They explained that it was not intentional framing, but that they had been too angry that day and failed to properly coordinate with Ji Linlang’s manager, which led to a misunderstanding. They expressed their deepest apologies.
The melon eating masses were delighted.
Whether or not they were trying to salvage their dignity, the fact that the program crew apologized already felt extremely satisfying.
Previously, there had been an extreme sports show on a satellite TV channel where an artist was injured during filming, and the production gave no explanation at all, simply brushing it off vaguely. Compared to that, this program crew being willing to apologize was already a huge step forward.
Of course, everyone knew that the reason for this apology was inseparable from the connections behind Ji Linlang.
She was the Ji family’s eldest granddaughter.
With the halo of the Ji family’s eldest granddaughter on her, anyone who dared to publicly smear Ji Linlang would be asking for trouble.
Ji Linlang’s status in the entertainment industry also rose above the rest overnight because of this apology post.
Even though many rich young ladies were entering the entertainment industry nowadays, there truly were none from a family as prominent as the Ji family. And there had never been a rich young lady who could make a TV program crew apologize.
As soon as the news came out, Ji Xiu’s fans could not help but celebrate.
After reading through the entire sequence of events, Ji Xiu lifted his head and looked at Ji Linlang beside him, a trace of inquiry in his eyes.
“Are you satisfied with this apology? If not, we can keep suing.”
Ji Xian agreed. “I already consulted the group’s professional legal team these past few days. They said we can sue, and it would be a hundred percent win.”
Ji Linlang froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“That’s enough, that’s enough. Public opinion always sympathizes with the weak. I read that statement. The program crew already apologized. If we keep pressing them, people will start saying we are using our power to bully others.”
In her previous life, Ji Linlang had fought her way through the entertainment industry for many years without ever revealing her identity.
Two years later, when she won Best Actress at an international A class film festival for the first time, she was jointly targeted and smeared by several top actresses. Ji Xian stood up for her, and only then was her identity exposed.
Later, to vent her anger, Ji Xian canceled several endorsements between those top actresses and companies under the group.
However, even though it was those actresses who struck first, netizens did not care about that. Instead, they felt that the Ji family was being too harsh on celebrities, hoping the Ji family would not stoop to arguing with small stars. Some of the comments were shocking even to normal people.
After that, Ji Linlang understood that the public sympathizes with the weak. No matter how excessive the other side had been before, once they admitted fault, continuing to beat a drowning dog would make you the one in the wrong.
Of course, suppressing them in private, where the outside world would not know, was still acceptable.
Ji Linlang glanced at Ji Xiu’s phone, her eyes sweeping over the program director’s name. Recalling that director’s arrogant demeanor, her gaze darkened, yet a bright, relaxed smile appeared on her face.
“Let’s not talk about them anymore. Let this matter end here. I do not have the energy to get tangled up with them.”
Ji Xiu nodded, listened to his daughter, and stopped discussing the topic. He then casually asked about another subject he was interested in.
“Linlang, do you have any interesting work lately?”
Ji Linlang was startled. She did not quite understand why her father suddenly brought this up. She shook her head honestly.
“Anyway, the family does not rely on the little money I earn. When something happened to you, Dad, I took a few days off and stayed home to spend more time with you all.”
When she entered the entertainment industry, it had initially been to realize her life’s value.
But she had already won Best Actress at international film festivals several times. Her life had reached its peak. What more value was there to realize?
She had lived a whole lifetime and was not even afraid of death. At the final stage of her life, with a clear and transparent state of mind, she truly understood that the family members who loved and protected her were the most precious existence in this world.
Having returned for another life, those flashy fame and fortune had already become passing clouds in her eyes. She did not care about them at all, nor did she care whether she had to join a crew and continue struggling in the entertainment industry.
Perhaps she would take on a few projects she had been interested in during her previous life but missed out on because she refused to reveal her identity. Other than that, she had no interest.
And within this year, there was no such work.
So she requested a long leave from the company, planning to stay home and accompany her father and younger brother.
But Ji Xiu had brought this up on his own. Did he have other thoughts?
Ji Linlang looked at Ji Xiu and asked naturally, “Dad, do you want me to take on work?”
Ji Xiu rubbed his chin, his face full of inscrutable meaning.
“These past few days, your grandfather and your cousin have been locked in a game. It is still unclear who will win or lose. I think we can use a move to pull the rug out from under them.”
What did that mean?
Ji Linlang was slightly stunned, not quite understanding the implication of that sentence.
She knew that Ji Xiu and Ji Xian had gone to see the old master to propose changing the heir.
But should this not be something that happened naturally when the time was right? Why pull the rug out from under them? Was Ji Chengsi unwilling?
She frowned inwardly, her gaze turning cold, harboring some disdain toward Ji Chengsi’s hesitance.
In her previous life, he had fought Ji Xian tooth and nail, fighting to the point of life and death. Now that he had taken the initiative to give it up, he had become coy instead.
She decided inwardly to go find him again tonight and make him be more decisive.
At this moment, Ji Xiu finally voiced his plan.
“I want you, Linlang, to take on a job out of town. Preferably one that lasts a bit longer, and take Ji Xian with you for a while. Once the people are not at home, the old master and Chengsi will have no choice but to change their minds.”
Ji Linlang snapped back to her senses and looked at Ji Xiu, her expression blank. This could work?
She knew her father had a bit of a rogue personality and liked to do things that caught people off guard.
But doing this, would it really be okay?
Ji Xiu waved his hand. “Relax. I still have some confidence when dealing with the old master. As long as you take Ji Xian out for a trip, you do not need to do anything else. Everything will be settled.”
Ji Linlang gathered her thoughts, considered it, and decided to follow Ji Xiu’s request. She was just a bit reluctant.
“Dad, I originally wanted to stay home and keep you company for a few more days…”
Ji Xiu looked at his daughter’s dejected expression and was about to say something.
Beside them, Ji Xian suddenly spoke up. “Why does Dad not come with us?”
Hm?
Ji Xiu paused and looked at his son.
Just to avoid the issue of the heir, was it necessary for the whole family to run away together? Was that a bit too much?
Ji Xian’s expression was calm. He did not look at him and continued, “It would be best to bring Mom too. Our family of four has not traveled together in years.”
Ji Xiu was taken aback, then laughed, understanding what Ji Xian was thinking.
This was actually good. He had been busy changing the plot these days. Now that Ji Chengsi had returned to the Ji family early, the plot was about to change. There was no need to keep watching the progress of events. Spending some time cultivating feelings with his family was also good.
Ji Xiu never saw himself as a mere passerby, because he stayed in each world for decades. If he did not integrate and spent it all alone, it would be far too boring and lonely.
In this world, he also wanted to get along well with the original body’s family.
“Alright. I will go talk to Qin Xue and arrange a time,” Ji Xiu said. Then he looked at Ji Linlang and spoke casually. “Since our whole family is traveling, you do not need to take on work. We will just go on our own.”
Ji Linlang responded as usual.
Only after Ji Xiu stood up and went upstairs to look for Qi Qinxue did her expression turn cold as she looked at Ji Xian.
Ji Xian subconsciously took a step back. “What are you doing? Sis, I was speaking up for you. You even said last month that you wanted to travel with the whole family.”
Ji Linlang froze.
She had been reborn on the very day something happened to her father. After living through more than ten years of her previous life, she had long forgotten what happened last month.
But judging by her past personality, she really could have said something like that.
At nineteen, she was impulsive and naive. Even after entering the entertainment industry, she would not neglect communicating and bonding with her family, to ensure her position within the household.
“Forget it. I will not yell at you.” Ji Linlang felt weak. She could only blame herself. It had nothing to do with Ji Xian.
This silly kid was just wholeheartedly trying to please her.
Because across both her previous and current lives, he was the only one who saw through the inferiority hidden in her heart.
Ji Linlang thought of some unpleasant memories again. Her eyes grew slightly warm. She turned away to hide it and said in a normal tone, “I just remembered something. I will go upstairs first. I will look for you later.”
Ji Xian responded, watching Ji Linlang leave. Only then did he furrow his brows slightly and mutter thoughtfully, “Strange. Why has the relationship between Sis and Mom become a bit subtle lately?”
When he suggested going out with Dad, Sis’s expression had been normal, even with a hint of surprise in her eyes.
But when he mentioned bringing Mom along, Sis’s aura changed instantly.
He had wanted to give Ji Linlang a surprise, so he watched her closely and saw her abnormality most clearly.
Could they have had a falling out?
Ji Xian sat alone on the sofa with a serious expression, thinking about this puzzling matter.
…
Ji Xiu went upstairs and found Qi Qinxue in the room, where she was doing her daily skincare routine, and told her about the trip.
A flash of surprise crossed Qi Qinxue’s eyes as she turned around. “Really? You are not lying to me?”
Ji Xiu looked innocent. “When have I ever lied to you?”
Qi Qinxue revealed a meaningful smile. “You stand me up at least three times a year. Every time you promise to accompany me somewhere, you disappear in the blink of an eye, who knows where you run off to have fun. Have you lied to me little?”
Ji Xiu, seemingly influenced by this body’s thick skinned nature, said without changing his expression, “The me from before was a bit immature. But now, did I not say I would settle down and spend more time at home with you all? Do you still not believe me?”
A trace of hesitation flashed in Qi Qinxue’s eyes. “Alright. I will believe you one last time.”
Ji Xiu smiled. “Where do you want to go?”
Qi Qinxue’s eyes brightened as she counted carefully. “Let me think. Fusang Country, Maple Leaf Country, Iron Tower Country…”
A carefree wealthy madam, whose daily life was well protected, had the mindset of a young girl. Once she started talking about topics she was interested in, she spoke endlessly.
Ji Xiu leaned casually against the wardrobe, waiting for Qi Qinxue to finish.
After counting for a long time, Qi Qinxue finally chose a country.
“Let’s go to Iron Tower Country. Autumn is coming soon, perfect for seeing whether the fallen leaves on the Champs Elysees are beautiful.”
She had often gone to Iron Tower Country before, but back then there was no one accompanying her. She went alone to have gowns custom made. Going with family and her husband was a completely different feeling.
Qi Qinxue spoke excitedly about the itinerary, then suddenly stopped halfway through.
“Wait. If we go to Iron Tower Country, would the house not be left with just the old master and Chengsi? Chengsi just came back from outside and is still adapting to life at home. After we leave, will he misunderstand something?”