Chapter 114 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 114

The past life’s plot line felt like a complete mess.

Comparing the plot line with the original body’s memories, Ji Xiu was astonished to discover that there were many misunderstandings within it.

Because the plot line was mainly told from Ji Chengsi’s perspective, in Ji Chengsi’s view, he was a wealthy family’s eldest grandson who had been left outside, with both parents dead, and only a loving grandfather who cherished him.

His grandfather hoped he could become the one in control of the group. He studied hard, but the cousin who was already the group’s heir seemed to not welcome his arrival and was always cold and distant.

His older cousin sister, Ji Linlang, was an Empress of the entertainment industry, rarely at home, and treated him very indifferently as well.

Only his second aunt was fairly kind, caring about whether he would feel unaccustomed after returning to the Ji family, caring about whether he could adapt to the group’s affairs, caring about whether he would be tired.

But a second aunt was still only a second aunt, not parents. The one he felt closest to was still Old Master Ji.

After working hard to meet his grandfather’s expectations and becoming a qualified successor, he suddenly learned the truth behind his parents’ deaths. Back then, his father had received a private notice from his already deceased second uncle, learning that Old Master Ji was coming to seize them, which was why they had hurriedly fled.

After twenty years, the process of that car accident was already hard to reconstruct.

No one knew why second uncle Ji Xiu had notified his parents to escape, nor did anyone know how the car accident actually happened. Judging only from Ji Xian and Ji Linlang’s cold attitudes, Ji Chengsi naturally believed that his second uncle had done all this to obtain the position of heir, thus causing his parents’ deaths.

From the protagonist’s perspective, this speculation was reasonable and perfectly normal.

However, Ji Chengsi was still fairly rational. Because it was all conjecture, with no evidence, and the parties involved were already deceased, he did not target the second branch of the family. He simply refused to give up the power that was already within his grasp.

Whether for Old Master Ji’s expectations, or because of his parents’ deaths and his own identity, he wanted to inherit the Ji family group and, in place of his deceased parents, develop the group properly.

This was the reason he stubbornly refused to retreat.

As for Ji Xian refusing to let go…

The original plot line did not explain it, but with a bit of thought, Ji Xiu could guess.

At the beginning, Ji Xian had not wanted to become the group’s heir.

He was a rebellious teenager who loved games. Before the age of sixteen, his dream had always been esports. He hoped to form an outstanding team and lead it to win a world championship.

But Old Master Ji insisted on cultivating him, forcing him to strive upward, for a full eight years.

He gave up his most beloved dream, gave up esports, and stayed at home to receive elite education.

From adolescence to adulthood, the ideas instilled in him were all the same: you are the heir, you must become the family head, you are the leader of the next generation, in the future you must be excellent and lead the group forward…

So he carried that pressure and worked desperately hard, only for the responsibility to not be handed to him in the end.

Ji Chengsi returned, more talented than him, and within one or two years was already at ease within the group.

At that time, Old Master Ji handed half of the shares to Ji Chengsi and leaned even more toward him in group affairs.

So just because there was a more outstanding child, he was to be abandoned?

All the effort he had put in over twenty years, under Old Master Ji’s favoritism, became a joke…

No normal person would be willing to let their life be a joke. It was precisely because of this that Ji Xian refused to give an inch, clashing head-on with Ji Chengsi. In the end, the two formed two opposing factions within the group, once nearly driving the Ji family group to the brink of bankruptcy.

Later, relying on protagonist halo and greater talent, Ji Chengsi obtained victory.

Ji Xian could only withdraw from the group and live at home off dividends.

Of course, Ji Xian’s death was an accident.

In the previous life, Ji Linlang sought revenge against Ji Chengsi because she had also misunderstood, mistakenly believing that Ji Xian’s death was caused by Ji Chengsi and wanting revenge.

But in fact, from beginning to end, Ji Chengsi had never made a move against Ji Xian. Ji Xian died because he encountered a drunk-driving heavy truck driver and suffered an accidental car crash. On both sides, it was normal business competition, with no private grudges and no life-and-death enmity.

Two car accidents, three misunderstandings, turned a perfectly good family into a tragedy.

…

After spending five minutes recalling the plot line, Ji Xiu had a rough idea of what to do next.

First, the male lead Ji Chengsi could not die. If he died, the world would collapse.

It was best not to become his enemy either.

He was actually quite tragic. Clearly a wealthy family’s eldest grandson, yet due to twists of fate he lost his biological parents, wandered outside at a young age, and no one knew how much suffering he endured.

Finally returning, only to be killed by his own cousin sister because of a misunderstanding.

He was at fault, but his fault did not warrant death.

Moreover, in the previous life, Ji Linlang had killed him. No matter how grave the sin, it had already been repaid.

Most importantly, back then when eldest brother hurriedly fled, it was indeed because of that notice sent by the original body. This fact could not be denied.

Since Old Master Ji felt so guilty toward Ji Chengsi, the best choice was to bring Ji Chengsi back in advance and hand the Ji family over to him.

First, to make up for Old Master Ji’s and the original body’s guilt toward him.

Second, to conveniently leave a way out for his unlucky son Ji Xian.

Ji Xian liked esports, so support him and let him play without worries.

His son’s life should be like his own, eating and drinking every day, living freely and carefree like an untroubled salted fish.

Wasn’t this the happiness a wealthy family’s second son should enjoy?

Holding half the shares without needing to work, lying down to collect money every day, going out to have fun, sleeping when he wanted, playing when he wanted…

Ji Xiu deeply felt that this world was a vacation world given to him by the Time-Space Bureau.

His son should be just as happy as he was.

As for other matters, those could be discussed later. First, he would rescue Ji Xian from those complicated studies.

Ji Xian had only started receiving elite education last year and had not yet developed a sense of responsibility toward the Ji family group. Every time he skipped class, he would curse nonstop…

With a plan in mind, Ji Xiu got out of bed while thinking about how to quietly send Ji Chengsi’s information onto Old Master Ji’s desk.

Actually, saying it openly would also work.

The original body was a salted fish and had never thought about harming his elder brother to become the group’s first heir. If Ji Xiu spoke up and brought him back early, it could just as well dispel Ji Chengsi’s misunderstanding.

With a rough idea formed, Ji Xiu opened the door and went downstairs, planning to find an opportunity to speak.

Walking down the stairs, he casually lowered his head and glanced over, seeing Old Master Ji sitting on the sofa on the first floor, sitting upright as if waiting for some news.

At that moment, the butler hurried in from outside and whispered something into Old Master Ji’s ear.

Complex emotions surged in Old Master Ji’s eyes. In an instant, tears streamed down his face as he slammed his cane heavily against the floor several times.

“Good, good, good, we’ve finally found him! We searched for thirteen years, and we’ve finally found the child A You left behind!”

The voice was so loud that Ji Xiu could not pretend he had not heard it.

Ji Xiu: “…”

But he clearly had not yet revealed the plot, so why had the plot already changed?

Ji Xiu quickly walked down and confirmed what he had heard.

“Dad, what did you say, Ji Li has been found?”

Old Master Ji saw his second son, his excitement easing slightly, and nodded. “Second, we’ve found our Ji Li!”

Ji Xiu froze, doubt rising in his heart. With no mind to act, he casually responded, “That’s really great.”

Old Master Ji did not notice, immersed in the joy of Ji Li’s impending return.

“Yes, it’s great. I can finally make it up to A You and that child. It’s all my fault for being such a stubborn old man, making A You unwilling to come home, and also my fault for acting rashly, causing A You to flee with his wife and child and encounter a car accident on the road…”

Old Master Ji was seventy-seven this year. Coming from his generation, having class prejudice was not unusual.

But three years after his biological son left, he had already figured it out.

As long as his eldest son was willing to return, he was willing to accept the woman who had taken his son away for three years.

Thirteen years ago, with that thought in mind, he went to seek reconciliation with his eldest son, only to receive the news on the road that his son and daughter-in-law had died in a car accident. Unable to bear the blow of a white-haired man sending off black-haired ones, he fainted on the spot.

It was also this fainting that brought about the second great regret of his life.

Because his subordinates were anxious about his health, they did not promptly send people to pick up Ji Li, leading to young Ji Li’s disappearance.

After searching for thirteen years, they finally found little Ji Li. No wonder he was so agitated and excited.

Ji Xiu understood his feelings. Coming back to his senses, he supported his arm. “Dad, then what are you waiting for? Hurry and send people to bring the child back!”

Old Master Ji nodded. “Right, right, send people to bring him back.”

Ji Xiu volunteered. “Why don’t I go? Dad, your health isn’t good. I’m the child’s second uncle. Let me go.”

Old Master Ji looked at his second son in confusion, his eyes clearly saying: why are you being so diligent?

Ji Xiu rubbed his nose. “Back then, when big brother and sister-in-law had their accident, I also bore responsibility…”

As soon as these words came out, both father and son fell silent.

The original body had a very good relationship with his elder brother. Back then, seeing Old Master Ji aggressively chasing down his elder brother’s whereabouts, he thought Old Master Ji was going to forcibly separate the couple again, so he hurriedly notified his elder brother. The brothers had always kept in private contact, just hiding it from Old Master Ji.

That one notice caused disaster.

After Old Master Ji learned the truth, he was so furious that he nearly kicked the original body out of the house.

But in the final analysis, this matter was not the second son’s fault alone. Both father and son bore responsibility. Neither could blame the other.

Later, Old Master Ji suppressed all matters related to this, only continuing to search for little Ji Li, hoping to make up for the only bloodline left by his eldest son.

“Sigh…” Old Master Ji let out a long sigh, his face weathered, and waved his hand. “If you want to go, then go. Since you know you were at fault back then, handle this matter properly. Don’t scare little Ji Li, and let him return home at ease.”

After speaking, Old Master Ji seemed to age ten years in an instant. His figure stooped as he leaned on his cane and turned to go upstairs.

The butler looked toward Ji Xiu. “We’ve already found the child’s address. Shall I send it to your phone?”

Ji Xiu nodded and waved his hand. “I’m not in a hurry. You send Old Master upstairs first.”

The butler nodded and followed after him.

Standing in place and watching Old Master Ji’s back, Ji Xiu felt somewhat complicated, somewhat sympathetic.

Old Master Ji’s life, though he always stood at a high position with power and wealth in his hands, saw his parents die in calamity when he was young, his wife die in childbirth in middle age, and in old age his eldest son and daughter-in-law pass away, his eldest grandson go missing, and a few years later even his second son go missing while surfing…

Being able to endure and live to eighty-four was no easy feat.

Yet in the end, because of illness-induced confusion, he caused his two grandsons to oppose each other, the younger grandson to die, and the eldest granddaughter to kill the eldest grandson…

The Ji family’s glory began with its ancestors and was destroyed by his own hands.

How could a person’s life be so turbulent, yet so tragic and lonely?

Perhaps in outsiders’ eyes, he was just an inflexible old fossil. But Ji Xiu, possessing the original body’s memories, could understand Old Master Ji from a son’s perspective.

He might have been an unqualified patriarch, but his love for his children had always been broad and selfless.

For twenty years, the mistakes he made had constantly tormented his heart, leaving him restless even at night.

Being able to find Ji Chengsi ahead of time was a good thing for everyone, and for him as well.

…

Ji Xiu did not stay overnight at home. After receiving the address, he called the driver and went out, rushing overnight to another province to pick up Ji Chengsi.

Aside from the responsibility belonging to the original body, there was another reason he was so proactive: he wanted to know whether someone in this world had reincarnated again.

Otherwise, why would the Ji family have found Ji Chengsi’s information before he even made a move?

If someone had reincarnated, Ji Chengsi was perhaps the most likely candidate.

Ji Xiu pressed his lips together, sitting in the back seat, watching the scenery on both sides of the road flash past as he pondered how to probe after finding Ji Chengsi.

“Second Master, want to listen to some music?” Driver Xiao Chen did not know why Ji Xiu was leaving the province. Driving properly, he suddenly had the thought and casually asked.

In the Ji family, only Second Master was the most approachable, so he dared to ask.

Ji Xiu did not mind. “Go ahead. Anything is fine.”

Xiao Chen happily turned on the car radio and began searching for music stations.

“…At the filming site, Ji Linlang suddenly threw a tantrum and stopped recording, commandeering the production team’s helicopter and, ignoring airspace restrictions, flew away from the filming location. Afterward, the helicopter was retrieved by the production team, but Ji Linlang did not return to report in and did not issue an apology statement regarding the incident, remaining out of contact for a time. The production team posted on Weibo stating that they would absolutely never cooperate again with such a rude newcomer. Once the matter was exposed, it climbed the trending searches…”

No one knew which station it had tuned to when Ji Linlang’s name suddenly popped up.

Xiao Chen had been with the Ji family for several years and naturally knew Ji Linlang. Hearing this, he froze and did not change the station, so gossip news filled the car.

Xiao Chen: “……”

Ji Xiu turned his head, glanced toward the radio, and asked, “Is this talking about Linlang?”

Xiao Chen hesitated. “If I heard correctly, it should be the eldest young lady.”

Ji Xiu frowned slightly and took out his phone to call Ji Linlang.

“Dad, you mean the thing on Weibo? Don’t worry, it’s fine. I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry.” Ji Linlang seemed to already be away from the Ji family, back at the company. Voices of managers and assistants sounded around her, noisy and chaotic.

Ji Xiu was very dissatisfied with this response. “You clearly borrowed the helicopter to save me, yet they dare smear you for throwing a tantrum. Which production team is it? Tell me the name. I’ll go smash them to death with money right now!”

Ji Linlang laughed, her voice softening with a hint of coquettishness. “Dad, don’t worry. I really can handle it myself.”

Ji Xiu fell silent. “If it really doesn’t work, just expose your identity and explain the whole situation to the public. My daughter cannot be scolded by outsiders for nothing. You’ve grown up this big, and I’ve never scolded you.”

Ji Linlang’s voice grew even softer. “Alright, I’ll listen to Dad. I’ll handle it that way.”

When Ji Linlang entered the entertainment industry, she had not disclosed her identity as the Ji family’s eldest granddaughter. Because of this, she suffered quite a bit of obstruction and criticism early on.

She had filmed two television dramas and one movie, all big IPs and big productions.

Among them, she played second female lead twice and female lead once.

It should be known that casting for big IP, big production crews was always a bloody battle. Quite a few young actresses had their eyes on the role Ji Linlang got, even releasing related marketing on Weibo, trying to use public opinion to secure the role.

Yet none of them managed to beat Ji Linlang, a newcomer.

The outside world did not know Ji Linlang’s identity, nor did they know that those two dramas and the movie were all invested in by subsidiaries under the Ji family group to promote the eldest young lady. If Ji Linlang had not taken a liking to those scripts, the productions might not even have existed. Instead, people believed she had a sugar daddy, felt she did not deserve her position, and thought she had seized roles that should have belonged to capable actors.

In addition, although Ji Linlang was very talented at acting, no matter how talented she was, she was still a newcomer. Inevitably, her roles had flaws.

After several actresses stirred the waters, every hater felt that if not for Ji Linlang’s existence, the role she played should have belonged to their own idol.

Thus, when the dramas and movie were released, she gained countless fans and attracted countless haters.

The original body saw it all and felt heartache. Many times, he angrily wanted to step out and support his daughter publicly, letting everyone know Ji Linlang’s identity, letting them know there was no sugar daddy. From beginning to end, there was only one dad, him. He was Ji Linlang’s father.

Ji Linlang, a little stubborn, was unwilling.

The original body could not win against his daughter and ultimately gave up in frustration, not exposing it.

Unexpectedly, today she suddenly had a change of heart.

Ji Xiu was quite surprised, but quickly expressed satisfaction. “Good. Just say it directly. Dad also has a Weibo account with quite a lot of followers. Once you post your statement, I’ll repost it for you!”

Ji Linlang’s voice carried laughter and coquettishness. “Okay, then I’ll tag Dad.”

As the Ji family’s second young master, Ji Xiu had no idea what restraint meant. From the moment Weibo became popular, he registered an account and verified his identity, attracting a group of netizens who called him Dad.

Over the years, he had continued playing on Weibo, occasionally posting photos of his travels. Though they were all everyday life, they still let people see the wealth and joy of a rich family, turning netizens into sour lemons as his follower count steadily grew.

Now, his follower count had exceeded forty million, twenty million more than Ji Linlang’s.

After hanging up with Ji Linlang, Ji Xiu opened his phone and logged into Weibo, waiting for his daughter’s statement to be posted so he could repost it in time.

After about ten minutes, he received a tag notification.

Because both father and daughter were public figures and he received countless tags daily, Ji Xiu had disabled notifications from strangers. Only people he followed could tag him.

With this notification sound, without even thinking, he knew it must be Ji Linlang’s post.

Ji Xiu opened the notification and went to Ji Linlang’s Weibo, quickly skimming through her statement.

Ji Linlang’s statement explained the entire incident of the day. She stated that while filming, she received news from her family that her father had gone missing while surfing by the seaside. In her urgency, she took the production team’s helicopter. Afterward, she accompanied her father during his hospitalization, had her manager apologize to the production team, but because there had already been conflicts before filming, the production team ignored the apology and even smeared her reputation on Weibo. After discussing with the company, she decided to sue the production team for infringing on her reputation rights.

Ji Linlang: To prove that I am not lying, @Ji Xiu Dad, can you help me testify? [statement screenshot]

When this Weibo post came out, many netizens were initially dumbfounded.

[Wait, baby Linlang, why are you tagging Ji Xiu…]
[I told you Ji Linlang has a sugar daddy behind her. Look, now she’s not even hiding it, directly calling someone Dad on Weibo. Have you no shame?]
[This batch of netizens is unqualified!!! Haven’t you noticed that Ji Xiu and Ji Linlang share the surname Ji?!!]
[Damn!]
[Damn!! I think I understand something!!]
[I think I understand too. So it’s not a sugar daddy, it’s biological dad?]