Chapter 113 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 113 The Salted-Fish Family of a Wealthy Household (Part 1)

Ji Xiu’s identity in this life was very relaxed: the legitimate second son of the wealthy Ji family.

The Ji family rose to prominence thirty years ago, but before that, it already had over a hundred years of history. During times of war, in order to escape disaster, the Ji family sent one branch of its bloodline overseas, while everyone else stayed behind in the country and sacrificed themselves for it. Later, when the domestic situation improved and everything was in ruins, coupled with internal turmoil, at the most difficult time, that overseas branch of the Ji family returned with all their assets, along with advanced talent and technology, to support national reconstruction.

Adding flowers to brocade is easy; offering charcoal in the snow is hard.

Because of this, the authorities had supported the Ji family heavily over the years, with many policies tilting in their favor.

Relying on this, the Ji family had stood firm for many years. Although they did not rank very high on Forbes, they were already the leading family among the country’s old-established wealthy clans.

The original body was blessed by fate. As the second son of Old Master Ji, he loafed around, did not do proper work, and was a useless but not particularly evil second-generation rich heir who lived by lying flat.

Unfortunately, this rich heir played too wildly. While surfing with friends in unfamiliar waters, he went missing and died young.

…

When Ji Xiu opened his eyes, he found himself tumbling in seawater. His eyes burned with pain, his chest struggled to breathe, and the immense pressure of the sea made his whole body ache and swell. His ears rang, and salty, fishy seawater continuously slapped against him, dragging him deeper into the ocean.

The original body had died right here.

And until the world collapsed, the body had never been found.

This thought flashed through Ji Xiu’s mind. He bit the tip of his tongue hard to force himself awake, pressed his lips together, and swung his arms, controlling his body to move with the undercurrent. He endured the dizzying sensation until he noticed a point in the current where the force weakened. He suddenly slipped out through that gap—

It was an extremely difficult maneuver, but fortunately, it seemed the Time-Space Bureau did not want its employee’s mission to die before it even began. The range of the undercurrent suddenly shrank, and Ji Xiu’s effort paid off—he actually escaped the undercurrent.

After breaking free, Ji Xiu was almost completely exhausted. His stinging eyes blurred, and he could not clearly see his surroundings.

With his last bit of willpower, he swung his arms and swam toward the surface.

At the moment he was about to lose consciousness, he heard the sound of a helicopter and a ship above the sea.

The Ji family had sent people to rescue him.

That thought surfaced, Ji Xiu relaxed, lost all strength, and closed his eyes.

Darkness.

…

When he woke up again, he was already in a hospital room.

As soon as Ji Xiu opened his eyes, the girl guarding the bedside noticed and immediately showed an excited, delighted expression. She hurried forward and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Dad, you’re awake!”

“Ahem, Linlang?” Ji Xiu glanced at her. His throat felt uncomfortable, and he frowned. “Can you pour me a glass of water? I drank too much seawater. I’m a bit thirsty.”

The girl froze, then looked both amused and exasperated. “You’re still joking? Do you know I was scared to death?”

Ji Xiu replied righteously, “I really am thirsty.”

The girl didn’t speak. She glared at him, waiting for him to admit his fault.

Ji Xiu calmly returned her gaze. After a moment, the girl sighed and gave up on her overestimation of herself.

“Wait here. I’ll get you water.”

She picked up the cup beside her, turned to the water dispenser to fill it, her back facing Ji Xiu.

Ji Xiu observed her posture and movements and nodded secretly. This was his daughter in this life—indeed cute and pretty.

This body was forty-two years old, with a wife, a daughter, and a son.

His wife was Qi family heiress Qi Qinxue, beautiful and outstanding. Their marriage was a business alliance, but fortunately, their relationship was good.

His daughter, Ji Linlang, was the eldest granddaughter of the third generation of the Ji family and also the only girl. Nineteen years old, she inherited the Ji family’s excellent talents and graduated from university early. However, instead of entering the Ji family group, she entered the entertainment industry, becoming a dazzling newcomer thanks to her strong backing and acting talent.

His son, Ji Xian, seventeen years old, was a rebellious teenager. But once he encountered Old Master Ji, even the Monkey King could not escape the Buddha’s palm. He was currently being pressed by Old Master Ji to study business knowledge.

Speaking of which, the hardships Ji Xian was suffering now were all endured in place of the original body.

Because the original body had no interest in taking over the group, he ate, drank, and enjoyed himself every day—hopeless beyond saving.

After Old Master Ji lost his eldest son and had no other heirs, he had no choice but to bypass the original body and choose the original body’s son, Ji Xian, for cultivation.

Ji Xian, at seventeen, had already begun learning four foreign languages—Japanese, German, English, and French—and had to receive one-on-one elite tutoring from six private tutors. He often accompanied Old Master Ji to the group to learn company affairs. Every day, aside from eight hours of rest, all his time was packed to the brim, not a moment to spare…

In short, extremely exhausting.

But Ji Xian was a responsible good boy. Thinking that if he did not shoulder this burden, his father Ji Xiu would have to be forced to strive at over forty years old, he gritted his teeth and endured it.

—Though he cursed every day, he did not evade the hardship.

The original body also felt very guilty toward his son, but he had been deliberately raised useless by Old Master Ji early on. He was clueless about business and lacked young people’s adaptability to new things, so only his son could suffer.

Overall, Ji Xiu’s family of four had harmonious relationships. They bickered over small matters, but in the big picture, there were no problems—a rare harmonious family among wealthy households.

Ji Xiu knew this situation, so before opening his eyes, he had thought that after waking up, he would see all his family members and would need to properly play the role of the original body.

Unexpectedly, only Ji Linlang was in the hospital room.

“Are you thinking about Mom and your younger brother?” Ji Linlang brought the water back. Seeing Ji Xiu’s expression, a trace of subtle emotion flashed in her eyes. She pursed her lips and explained, “You only slept for three hours. It was a short time. I was filming nearby. When I heard something had happened to you, I urgently dispatched the production team’s helicopter to come over. Mom and my brother were at home and far away. They probably just got the news and are rushing over.”

Ji Xiu nodded in realization. “That makes sense.”

He took the water and drank it all in one go, then asked Ji Linlang, “Do I still need more examinations? If there’s no problem, let’s discharge me and go straight home. No need to make your mom and brother run all this way.”

Ji Linlang shook her head. “The doctors already checked you while you were unconscious. Just some exhaustion, nothing else. You can be discharged anytime.”

“Then let’s leave. If we’re still worried, we can have Doctor Li take a look after we get home.” Ji Xiu put the cup on the bedside table, glanced at the simple hospital room, and showed a look of endurance. “This place is too shabby. We can’t let your mom and brother see it, or they’ll feel sorry that I suffered.”

No matter what thoughts Ji Linlang had, they all vanished under Ji Xiu’s narcissistic words. She sighed. “As you wish.”

They left immediately. Ji Linlang called to inform her mother and brother not to rush over and to meet at home, while also having her assistant handle the discharge procedures.

Someone knocked on the hospital room door, and several heads poked in.

“Second Young Master, are you alright?”

Ji Xiu looked closely—it was the original body’s group of drinking and partying buddies.

This surfing trip had been organized by them to curry favor with the original body.

In the previous life, after the original body went missing, their families were attacked by Ji Xian. To quell Ji Xian’s anger, their families all chose to push them out as scapegoats. Their later misery made Ji Xiu feel sympathetic just thinking about it.

Fortunately, Ji Xiu survived this time. Their families would be safe, and Ji Xian would not lose control.

Ji Xiu casually greeted them, reassured the anxious group, sent them away, then left the hospital with Ji Linlang and took the Ji family’s private plane back to the capital.

The Ji family driver, who had long been waiting, drove Ji Xiu and Ji Linlang back to the Ji family’s old residence at Mount Li.

Qi Qinxue and Ji Xian were waiting in the main hall. When they saw Ji Xiu appear, they stepped forward one after another.

Qi Qinxue looked him over from head to toe and sighed in relief. “I was scared when I got the news. Luckily, you’re fine.”

Ji Xian stood to the side, quickly scanned him, and a trace of relief flashed in his eyes. Hearing Qi Qinxue’s words, he strongly agreed and said coldly, “Dad, you’re already so old. Can you stop playing these young people’s thrilling activities?”

Ji Xiu rubbed his nose. “I am old indeed. I won’t play with those things anymore.”

Ji Xian froze, showing a shocked expression.

So obedient?

Even Qi Qinxue and Ji Linlang didn’t dare believe it and asked, “Really not going anymore?”

“Not going!” Ji Xiu spread his hands. “I may love to play, but I cherish my life. I won’t touch these exciting things again. I’ll stay at home properly.”

Everyone present was stunned, and a hint of heartache appeared in their eyes.

Someone raised in pampering suddenly going against his nature and choosing to rein himself in—this accident must have truly frightened him.

Qi Qinxue softened her voice. “You must have been terrified. Sit down and rest. Have some tea. I’ll have the butler invite Doctor Li to check on you again and prescribe some calming medicine.”

“The butler just went out. I’ll make the call,” Ji Xian added, quickly turning to get his phone.

Ji Linlang glanced at Qi Qinxue and said softly, “The doctor said Dad is a bit weak. I’ll tell Aunt Wang to make Dad’s favorite spring bamboo shoots braised chicken tonight to nourish him.”

Qi Qinxue nodded and urged, “Go, go. Make a few more dishes your dad likes. He was frightened—let him eat more of what he enjoys.”

Ji Xiu instantly enjoyed treatment like a king. Although he had already known this from memory, he was still a little surprised.

The original body was truly a pity.

With harmonious family relations and everyone treating him like an ancestor, how good would it have been if he had obediently stayed home as a salted-fish rich second-generation heir?

“Is he back?”

A rough voice came from the staircase. Immediately after, a seventy-something elderly man with white hair and beard, leaning on a cane, came down from upstairs.

Everyone was startled and stopped what they were doing to help him.

Ji Xian: “Grandpa, be careful.”

Ji Linlang: “Grandpa, I’ll help you. Walk slowly.”

Qi Qinxue didn’t move but was still startled. “Old Master, why did you come down? If you had something, you could’ve just called us up.”

Ji Xiu echoed from the side, “Exactly. Even if you came down, you should’ve taken the elevator. You’re already so old—why walk the stairs and scare people?”

Old Master Ji glared, eyes wide. “Am I the one scaring people, or are you? You went surfing in unprotected waters. If Linlang hadn’t rushed there with a helicopter, your life would’ve been left there!”

Ji Xiu was in the wrong and rubbed his nose. “Didn’t I say I won’t play like that anymore?”

Old Master Ji snorted. “You’d better remember your words and stop making us worry.”

Ji Xiu didn’t say anything further. He certainly wouldn’t do such dangerous things again.

Old Master Ji glanced at him, pursed his toothless mouth, and waved the others away. “Alright, alright. Go do what you need to do. I’ll have a talk with the second one.”

Qi Qinxue and the children exchanged glances. Those who needed to find a doctor went to find a doctor, those going to the kitchen went to the kitchen, and anyone with nothing to do found excuses to avoid the scene.

Because what followed would be Old Master Ji’s “fatherly love” nagging.

Usually, at least two hours.

This suffering could only be borne by Ji Xiu himself. They all fled without loyalty.

Seeing their exchanged looks, Ji Xiu said nothing. But the moment Old Master Ji opened his mouth, Ji Xiu immediately clutched his head and exaggeratedly cried out, “Ow, my head hurts. Must’ve gotten water inside. I can’t listen to lectures.”

Old Master Ji hadn’t even begun before being interrupted. He froze, pursed his lips, and looked somewhat sullen.

Ji Xiu seized the chance to run off, saying he needed to rest in his room. Old Master Ji reached out but couldn’t stop him, only watching regretfully as his second son ran away.

When Doctor Li arrived and checked Ji Xiu, saying he needed a period of quiet rest, Old Master Ji completely gave up on lecturing.

“Thanks,” Ji Xiu shot the doctor a look, lay on the bed with a lollipop in his mouth, waved his hand arrogantly. “You can go. I’ll sleep some more.”

Doctor Li: “…Second Young Master, have a good rest.”

Ji Xiu’s only son, Ji Xian, was about to inherit the Ji family group. Who would dare not accommodate this delicate Second Young Master Ji?

…

Ji Xiu slept on the bed for a while and, in his dreams, reviewed the plot line of this world.

Because the original body died relatively early—before the world line even began—similar to the first world, the original body’s memories in this world could only be used to maintain previous interpersonal relationships and were of no help regarding the plot.

Ji Xiu needed to repeatedly examine the world line to find a way to avoid the death calamity of this world.

Broadly speaking, there were two villains in this world.

Coincidentally, they were the original body’s son and daughter—Ji Linlang and Ji Xian.

However, Ji Xian died earlier. The one who truly resolved the male lead was Ji Linlang, and it was her own push that destroyed this world.

Right now, the Ji family was peaceful and harmonious, but seven years later, when the plot began, all of this would vanish.

Ji Xiu was the second son of the Ji family, with an older brother above him. This elder brother was gentle, capable, and outstanding—the indisputable heir of the Ji family and deeply loved by Old Master Ji.

Sixteen years ago, this excellent heir rejected a business marriage and fell in love with a schoolmate.

In a melodramatic phrase, it was the meeting of a prince and a Cinderella.

However, the irritable old king did not want his heir to marry a poor girl from an orphanage. He forcibly separated them.

So the prince eloped with Cinderella.

They hid in a remote small city, spent a warm and happy period of time, and had a child, naming him Ji Li.

The name Ji Li looked simple, but there was no helping it. That generation followed the “prince” character, so it had to continue downward.

If not for this rule, with the original body’s middle-school syndrome, Ji Xian might not have been called Ji Xian at all, but something like Ji Aotian.

Back to the main point.

When Ji Li was three years old, Old Master Ji discovered the heir’s whereabouts and brought a driver to capture them.

The eldest brother hurriedly fled with his wife and child. On the road, they encountered a car accident. The couple both died, leaving only their son Ji Li alive, protected in their arms.

Because the eldest brother had deliberately hidden his identity and had no legal relatives, and the sister-in-law was an orphan, the funeral was handled by local authorities. Little Ji Li, having no other relatives, was sent to an orphanage.

Old Master Ji first learned of his eldest son’s accident and immediately fainted. When he regained strength and wanted to find Ji Li, he discovered that the orphanage had an incident and Ji Li was missing.

Old Master Ji searched locally for several months without finding him, returned to handle company affairs, and sent trusted people to continue the search.

That search lasted twenty years.

Now thirteen years had passed. Ji Xiu remembered correctly—seven years later, when the story began, the university graduate Ji Chengsi would come to the Ji family group to apply for a job. Because he resembled the eldest brother, he would attract Old Master Ji’s attention.

At the urging of people around him, Old Master Ji took Ji Chengsi’s hair for a DNA test. After twenty years, the eldest legitimate grandson of the Ji family’s main line was finally found.

It turned out that after Ji Chengsi ran away from the orphanage back then, he forgot his original name and only remembered that his surname was Ji. The family that adopted him later gave him a new name—Ji Chengsi. This was also why the Ji family had never been able to find him.

Ji Chengsi returned to the Ji family.

Old Master Ji was already advanced in age and no longer had the energy to manage the group. He decided that Ji Chengsi should learn company affairs alongside Ji Xian and planned to transfer part of his shares to Ji Chengsi.

This move immediately shook Ji Xian’s originally secure status as heir.

The group split into two factions: one following Ji Xian, a small portion following Ji Chengsi. The group was in turmoil, and stock prices fell.

If Old Master Ji had been clear-headed, he should have found a compromise at this time. But he was already eighty-four years old.

An eighty-four-year-old workaholic under constant pressure, willing to step down, actually meant his body was nearing its end.

While Ji Chengsi and Ji Xian were arguing, Old Master Ji was hospitalized in critical condition, even showing confusion and mistaking people.

When the group’s executives came to his bedside, whether out of guilt toward Ji Chengsi or because of confusion, Old Master Ji insisted on giving part of the shares to Ji Chengsi. Ultimately, after Old Master Ji passed away, the brothers Ji Chengsi and Ji Xian fought for control. One side was defeated miserably and died in a car accident; the other took over the group and became the Ji family’s ruler.

The one who lost miserably was, of course, the villain Ji Xian.

As for Ji Chengsi, as the male lead, how could he fail?

His only mistake was not guarding against Qi Qinxue and Ji Linlang.

When Ji Chengsi first returned to the Ji family, Qi Qinxue treated him very kindly, like a meticulous mother, caring for him everywhere—so much so that it once made Ji Xian jealous. Later, when the group split, Qi Qinxue abandoned her biological son and chose to stand on her nephew’s side.

As for Ji Linlang, she had always persuaded her younger brother Ji Xian to give up the Ji family business and not to fight Ji Chengsi.

With these two as preconditions, Ji Chengsi lowered his guard considerably.

What he did not know was that the kindness of the past had been genuine—but once Ji Chengsi caused the death of their son or brother, that kindness would only turn into an even more furious flame of hatred.