Compared with the leisurely Ji family, the other families’ trip to Iron Tower Country appeared frantic and rushed.
Only the Yuan Shi family seemed relatively fine.
Since Yuan Shi had a stable position in the circle, he didn’t need to compete for exposure. He joined the program simply to accompany his parents and enjoy the sightseeing.
The program required them to check in at various locations, and he genuinely followed the schedule, visiting almost all the famous spots and taking in countless sights. He treated the reality show as an ordinary travel experience, without the rush or ulterior motives seen in other families.
After watching the others, the Ji family recognized the rest’s impatience and gradually grew closer to the Yuan Shi family.
Compared with other guests who wanted to latch onto the Ji family, showing their small schemes in their eyes, the Yuan Shi family was simply adorable.
After Yuan Shi explained things, his mother had also cleared up her misunderstanding about the Ji family. Every time she saw Ji Xiu, she felt embarrassed and treated this noble family with even greater kindness and warmth.
Whether it was because the Ji family was worth befriending or simply due to their name, interacting with them was always the right choice.
With mutual trust growing, they became a bonded pair in the show. Whenever a task required two families to work together, it was naturally them.
Time passed. After staying four days in Iron Tower Country and sightseeing, the program team moved on to Lan Country.
During these days, Ji Xiu spent lavishly on his son and daughter—hotels, food—and most of the money they had earned in such a short time was spent.
They bought three first-class plane tickets, and by the time they landed, Ji Xiu’s cash was nearly gone.
Seeing this, the program team was delighted, especially the director. Finally, they thought, they could use a task to embarrass the famously wealthy second-generation heir, Ji Xiu, on national television!
But that dream didn’t last long.
Because it coincided with Lan Country Fashion Week, the Ji family’s money had run out, and as soon as they landed, they went to work as models.
The Ji family was exceptionally beautiful and tall. Ji Xiu, in particular, carried a rare noble and mature aura far more valuable than merely being tall.
After several recommendations, the Ji family directly made it to the mainstream runway.
Other guests’ jaws dropped, some eyes reddened. How did the Ji family always find such opportunities? Even without payment, appearing on a mainstream runway could generate PR content back home, giving exposure as much as the show itself.
Of course, this was a perfect opportunity for them.
For Ji Xiu, it was actually a little humiliating. His original self never did runway work; he always watched from the audience.
Luckily, it was just this once. The pay for the runway was even higher than the guest appearance in the film. Even being lavish with spending, it was enough for the family to complete their poor-travel trip without having to work themselves to exhaustion.
Afterward, the program visited several other cities.
With the money earned from runway work, the Ji family enjoyed themselves thoroughly—no hint of “poor travel” anywhere.
The program team, however, still stubbornly wanted to embarrass them. The more they watched the Ji family enjoy themselves, the more they tried to devise tricky tasks.
But no matter what they tried, Ji Xiu could handle it effortlessly.
After a few rounds, the program team completely admitted defeat. They no longer tried to mess with the Ji family.
The Ji family was just that powerful. Despite being the famous frivolous second branch, they were not people that the team could easily mess with.
The team disappointed the audience who wanted to see Ji Xiu fail. It was impossible to produce the kind of exciting clips they had hoped for.
Half a month later, the program wrapped up, and everyone returned home.
While the program team rushed post-production on their side, Ji Xiu posted a Weibo update and returned home with his son and daughter.
Worried that their grandfather might not allow the driver in, they retrieved their wallets and phones and took a taxi home directly.
On the way, the siblings, still immersed in the joy of traveling with their father, chatted endlessly with Ji Xiu about the trip. Only when they reached the foot of Lishan and had to get out and walk did they finally recall that half a month ago, they had sneaked out.
“Dad, do you think grandpa will be so mad he hits us?” Ji Xian asked, feeling guilty and uneasy.
Ji Xiu glanced at him, then at Ji Linlang, noticing his daughter’s calmness. She cast him a faint, composed look. “Look at your sister. You’re going to be a future e-sports champion. Can’t you stay calm?”
Ji Xian protested, “I’m not the world champion yet!”
“Then treat this as mental training. Just relax. At worst, you get a scolding. If grandpa feels a scolding isn’t enough and wants to hit, you block the door. Your sister and I will run first.”
Ji Xian: “…Dad, I think Yuan Shi’s mom is right. You favor my sister!”
Ji Xiu chuckled, ruffling his son’s head. “Little rascal.”
The three of them walked slowly up the hill toward the Ji family mansion.
“Second Young Master? Miss, Young Master?” Old Wang was stunned. It was the first time he had seen the family walking home.
Ji Xiu did not explain. He asked instead, “How’s the old master?”
Old Wang paused, then nodded quickly. “He’s fine, fine. Just that half a month ago, he found out you sneaked out. He got mad, but the second young master (Ji Chengsi) appeased him, so he didn’t keep angry every day.”
Ji Chengsi, of course, was the younger cousin, two years younger than Ji Xian. After transferring his household registration back, Ji Xiu and Qi Qinxue had instructed the butler and servants to adjust family titles. Ji Chengsi was respectfully called Second Young Master, and Ji Xian was called First Young Master.
Knowing Ji Chengsi had calmed the old master, Ji Xiu nodded. “Good.”
Regarding the old master’s reaction, Ji Xiu had already prepared himself.
Because the body he was using originally had an unreliable personality, the old master was used to it. His anger would not go far.
Plus, with Ji Chengsi present, how could the old master constantly be angry? Otherwise, it would show that he only cared about the second branch and not the newly returned eldest grandson.
Overall, the family situation was roughly as Ji Xiu expected—not serious.
Nothing else to do, they went inside.
Ji Xiu handed the suitcases to Old Wang to take to his room and then went in with his children.
It was already six in the afternoon. The old master and Ji Chengsi had just returned from the office and were talking on the sofa.
Suddenly, Ji Chengsi stopped speaking and looked up behind the old master.
The old master noticed something and turned. His face darkened. “You’re back?”
Ji Xiu was startled by the shout, momentarily feeling slightly unsettled, but his expression remained calm as ever. He approached the sofa and sat next to the old master. “Dad, what are you talking about with Chengsi?”
Old Master Ji sneered, “Don’t try to change the subject! Explain to me where you’ve been for the past half month! Sneaking off alone is one thing, but taking Linlang and Ji Xian with you? Are you trying to make me furious?!”
Ji Xiu’s serious expression softened into helplessness. “Dad, you’re already old. Don’t put the word ‘death’ on your tongue so easily.”
Old Master Ji glared at him, his tone sour. “You left me behind while going on a trip and you still care if I die or not?”
Ji Xiu understood, and together with Ji Linlang and Ji Xian, he sincerely apologized. “Sorry, we were wrong. Next time we’ll go together!”
The old master was caught off guard. The kids apologized and expressed willingness to accompany him next time. How could he continue scolding?
“Forget it, forget it. Don’t bother arguing. Go back to your rooms and rest. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Old Master Ji, despite his stern appearance, was soft and easy to get along with at home.
Ji Xiu smiled and gently hugged the old master before heading upstairs.
Ji Xian followed suit.
Ji Linlang hesitated but eventually also hugged him.
The old master looked surprised and uncomfortable.
Although they were a family, ever since returning to the country after his wife passed and the two sons grew up, he had gradually drifted from his busy work-focused life as a father. He hadn’t felt such open affection from his family in a long time.
What had the kids learned on this trip?
Old Master Ji felt both picky and delighted.
Ji Chengsi sat across, noticing the old master’s change in mood. Feeling soft inside, he also hugged the old master.
Old Master Ji was stunned.
“Grandpa,” Ji Chengsi said shyly, as if nothing had happened, and continued with his previous topic. “Let’s continue discussing the group’s matters.”
Seeing his second grandson’s ears turning red, the old master’s mood suddenly improved.
The family was slowly getting better.
…
After resting upstairs, Ji Xiu and the others went downstairs for dinner with Old Master Ji, discussing household affairs and explaining what they had done during the trip.
They learned that Old Master Ji had indeed designated Ji Chengsi as heir. Ji Xiu and Ji Linlang exchanged a satisfied glance.
Knowing his sons were avoiding the inheritance role by sneaking out, the old master muttered, “Never seen anyone dislike money this much before.”