Chapter 16 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 16

"Where did you go today?"

Ji Ze stepped out of the study and stood on the third floor, looking down at Ji Wu, who had just returned to the living room.

Ji Wu walked in carrying a small handbag. Looking up and seeing him, her eyes lit up with joy. "Brother, you’re not asleep yet? Great, I have something to ask you!"

Ji Ze frowned. Ji Wu didn't notice. She hurried upstairs in ten-centimeter high heels, the clacking of her shoes echoing through the entire villa. Once in front of him, she adopted her "good girl" persona and called him "Brother" before asking as if casually, "Do you know Ye Yiyang?"

Ji Ze: "..."

Seeing him stay silent, Ji Wu felt something was wrong. She asked again, "You don't know him?"

"I do!" Ji Ze’s eyes were complex as he asked in a heavy voice, "Why are you asking about him?"

Ji Wu paused, thinking of how to phrase it. Should she say she liked him and ask Ji Ze to introduce them? She shook her head inwardly. That wouldn't work. Ji Ze was a proud person who loathed such things; he held the old-fashioned view that girls should be reserved—that if a girl took the initiative, she was cheapening herself. If she said that, Ji Ze would get angry.

What about a business marriage? No, Ji Ze wouldn't care. He took pride in being Ji Xiu’s son; Ji Xiu was a legend, and Ji Ze wanted to be just like him. He disdained common business schemes, so why would he trade her for profit? She secretly detested this "noble" side of him, as it prevented her from marrying into a high-status family.

Struggling for an excuse, she finally decided on a lie. She forced a blush and squeezed her bag nervously. "I met him today. He seemed... interested in me. I don't know much about his character, so I came to ask you."

Ji Ze was dumbstruck. He raised his voice: "You're saying he’s interested in you?!"

Ji Wu thought he was just skeptical because they had no prior history. She lowered her head and said ambiguously, "Brother, do you know him or not? He even spoke about you today." To someone who didn't know the truth, it sounded like she and Ye Yiyang were close enough to chat about family.

Ji Ze tried to calm his emotions, studying her with a complicated gaze before nodding slowly. "I know him. We’ve had business collaborations." He suddenly didn't want to reveal the truth yet. Since Ji Wu was such a good actress, he wanted to see how far she would take this performance.

Unaware that she was already completely exposed, Ji Wu asked eagerly, "Great! Brother, what do you think of him?"

Ji Ze thought for a moment and told the truth: "He’s quite good."

Ye Yiyang was Mingzhu's childhood sweetheart. He had worked hard to get into the same schools as her and had never wavered in his affection throughout university. To be worthy of her, he had risked his entire net worth to start a business and succeeded. Even after becoming rich, he remained devoted to Mingzhu.

Though Ji Ze was sad to see his sister marry, he had to admit Ye Yiyang was a great man. His sister being with him gave both him and his father peace of mind.

Hearing this, Ji Wu nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining as she fell into a fantasy. She knew Ji Ze was competitive; if even he said the man was "quite good," then Ye Yiyang must be truly exceptional. Her heart burned with a determination to win him over.

She tilted her chin up with a dignified air. "Brother, since you approve, then I’ll accept his pursuit."

"You mean... he is pursuing you?" Ji Ze stared at her.

Ji Wu was too busy dreaming of her future to notice his tone. She nodded and steered the conversation toward her ultimate goal: "I think he has that intention, but I'm afraid I'm overthinking it. Brother, if there are any banquets he’s attending, take me with you. I want to confirm it with him."

Ji Ze watched her for a long time, then sighed. "Xiao Wu, that's enough."

Ji Wu froze, looking up in confusion. "What?"

Ji Ze gave a bitter smile. "Ye Yiyang has a girlfriend. How could he be pursuing you? There's no need to act in front of me; I am your brother, after all."

Just as Ji Wu thought, they had been "siblings" for fifteen years. Even if they had grown distant, some affection remained. He was angry that she was chasing a man who belonged to another—and doing so in his own home—but seeing her lie to herself so convincingly made him feel a sudden wave of pity. This was the girl he grew up with. He couldn't stand to watch her indulge in these delusional daydreams.

Ji Wu hadn't expected to be caught so quickly. A flash of panic crossed her eyes. It seemed Ji Ze and Ye Yiyang were more than just acquaintances. Her face turned pale as she scrambled for a new lie.

After a few seconds, she put on a look of total confusion. "What? He has a girlfriend?"

Ji Ze watched her perform and said nothing.

Ji Wu panicked and grabbed his hand. "I didn't know! Brother, believe me. I haven't been in the city for years; I don't know anything about him. He showed interest today, so I came to ask you." Seeing Ji Ze remain silent, her heart sank. "Brother, I'm your sister, and he's an outsider. Do you not even believe my words?"

Ji Ze’s gaze held a pity that bordered on sympathy. "Xiao Wu, I’ve known Ye Yiyang for seven years. He is..." He is Mingzhu's boyfriend. Before he could finish, Ji Wu interrupted fiercely: "So what if you've known him seven years? We've known each other for twenty-two! You believe him over me? I know, it's because I'm not your real sister! I took Ji Mingzhu's place! You've resented me all along. In your heart, I'm just a liar with no credibility!"

Ji Ze finally lost his patience. His voice boomed over hers, roaring: "Ye Yiyang is Mingzhu's boyfriend! They are about to get married!"

The room fell into a dead silence. Ji Wu was stunned, frozen from head to toe. Her mind went blank.

Ji Ze pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Now do you understand why I said it's impossible for him to pursue you?"

"What do you mean by that?" Ji Wu snapped back reflexively. She hated being compared to Ji Mingzhu. Since the truth came out, many people had whispered that a "fake phoenix is still a crow." She remembered those insults and would get revenge on those people in secret.

Back at home, Ji Ze’s words hit her right where it hurt. "You also think I'm inferior to Ji Mingzhu? Because Ye Yiyang likes her, he couldn't possibly like me?"

Ji Ze frowned. It was clearly her fault, yet she was acting like he was the one in the wrong. He warned her sternly: "Just stop bothering Ye Yiyang. He is Mingzhu’s fiancé."

Ji Wu said nothing, but her eyes were full of malice. They parted on bad terms.

…

Over the next few days, Ji Ze was busy with a crisis at the company and didn't see Ji Wu. Ji Wu, seemingly spurred on by his warning, didn't back down; instead, she pursued Ye Yiyang even more blatantly.

Word of her behavior spread through high society. At a banquet, someone mockingly asked Ye Yiyang for his thoughts. The young man smiled casually. "I'm busy preparing for my wedding. I didn't even know there were such rumors."

The crowd was shocked. Was the bride Ji Wu? Had she actually won him over in less than a month?

Ye Yiyang saw their thoughts and denied it flatly, his tone holding a trace of contempt for Ji Wu. "No."

He hesitated on whether to reveal Mingzhu’s identity yet. "Ji Xiu’s daughter" was a powerful title. Mingzhu worked at Ji Xiu’s company and was known to many in social circles, even if her photos weren't public. If they announced it, it would be headline news for days. But he didn't care about that; he just wanted a normal wedding with the girl who had been by his side since they were young.

Ji Ze’s arrival saved him from the questioning. "Ye Yiyang, what are you doing here?" Ji Ze whispered, "Shouldn't you be at home helping Mingzhu pick a wedding dress?"

The two left the banquet together, guests assuming they had important business. Behind them, people whispered about whether Ji Ze was helping his sister pursue Ye Yiyang. Someone interrupted: "Are you kidding? Ji Wu isn't even a Ji. Why would Ji Ze marry her off to an upstart like Ye Yiyang? That’s making an enemy, not an alliance. With her reputation, she’s lucky to get anyone."

Outside, Ji Ze patted Ye Yiyang’s shoulder. "Sorry about the lack of discipline at home."

Ye Yiyang shook his head. As long as Mingzhu trusted him, Ji Wu’s antics were irrelevant. Luckily, he had reported everything to Mingzhu beforehand. She knew the situation and trusted him completely.

…

Two months later, the wedding date was set.

Originally, Ye Yiyang was in charge of the planning—he wanted to pamper his bride with the best of everything. Later, Ji Ze joined in, fueled by guilt over Ji Wu, and the budget for the already grand ceremony skyrocketed.

Yet, Ji Xiu was still dissatisfied. "Five-star hotels? Six-star? None are worthy of my daughter. I bought a small island last year; Mingzhu’s wedding will be held there!"

His word was law. The island was meant as a wedding gift for Mingzhu anyway; its layout and climate were exactly what she dreamed of. Invitations were sent out like scattered flowers—to business partners, socialite families, and friends. Mingzhu’s two best friends from high school volunteered as bridesmaids.

Finally, the wedding day arrived.

The island was lush and green. The ceremony was held on a lawn by the sea. The morning sun was brilliant, and a warm sea breeze blew. Ye Yiyang entered first, waiting before the priest.

The bells rang, and the choir began the wedding march. It was time for the bride to enter.

Ji Mingzhu stood in the dressing room, wearing a snow-white gown with a three-meter train and a princess tiara. She was nervous. Ji Xiu walked in, wearing a black suit. He remained refined and handsome after all these years. He offered his arm. "Let’s go. Dad will walk you out."

Mingzhu nodded and took his arm, her heart pounding. Ji Xiu patted her hand. "Don't be afraid. Dad is here, and I'll back you up for the rest of your life! If that brat Ye Yiyang treats you badly, Dad will handle him."

Mingzhu looked up at him, her eyes damp. "Dad..."

For seven years, she had lived like a carefree princess by his side. Although she was marrying another man, she would never forget the early summer seven years ago, when this man had knocked on the Zhou family's door to save her.

Even after she married, she would never truly leave him.

They walked out together, flower girls holding the train. They crossed the lawn to the priest. Ji Xiu’s gaze was sharp as he stared at Ye Yiyang, slowly placing Mingzhu’s hand in his while whispering a warning.

Ye Yiyang gave a confident smile. "Dad, don't worry. In this life, I would rather lose a piece of my own flesh than let Mingzhu shed a single tear."

Ji Xiu studied him for a long time before nodding in satisfaction. He stepped back into the crowd, leaving the space for the couple. Not far behind him, Ji Wu watched his retreating back, her expression filled with pain.