Chapter 4 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 4

Song Ruyue had spent the last few days waiting for Ji Xiu to return and admit he was wrong.

Her health was poor, and her family had been incredibly considerate toward her for twenty years; there had never been a single argument. Whenever a decision needed to be made, she barely had to speak—once she opened her mouth, Ji Xiu would agree. Having been pampered for all these years, combined with her prestigious background and a lifetime of people following her every whim, she appeared soft-natured but was actually quite proud. She had never bowed to anyone in her life.

Furthermore, she knew exactly how much Ji Xiu valued the company. Holding the company as her ultimate trump card, she wasn't worried at all.

In her view, once Ji Xiu thought the whole matter through—considering his family and his career—it would take three days at most before he realized his mistake and called to apologize.

However, three days flashed by, and she received no call from him.

Instead, the company’s vice manager called her first to ask what was going on.

Song Ruyue was quite concerned with appearances, so she tried to dismiss him with a few gentle words.

The other party, however, said anxiously, "That won't do, Madam. Something has happened at the company, and we're just waiting for President Ji to handle it. I can't reach him by phone. Is something wrong? Can you put him on the line?"

Song Ruyue’s heart tightened. "What happened?"

The man quickly explained: "It’s like this—there’s a problem with the production line at the factory the company recently acquired... Also, there’s an issue with a batch of raw materials from Australia. The contract was signed, but the other party... And then a major incident happened yesterday; someone leaked online that the company's products don't meet standards. Actually, these are all..."

He went on for a full ten minutes about various corporate affairs.

Song Ruyue didn't understand any of it. She only felt it was complicated, dizzying, and sounded extremely serious. She couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, gritting her teeth as she thought. "I understand," she said quietly. "I will contact Ji Xiu immediately and have him go to the office."

"Alright, thank you, Madam. Please hurry. President Ji hasn't been seen at the company for days, and a lot of matters are piling up waiting for his decision."

Song Ruyue frowned, her expression displeased. She hummed in response and hung up.

Standing in the living room, she stared at her contact list. Her eyes landed on the name "Ji Xiu," and she reluctantly dialed the number.

"I have something to say to you. Come home."

She received some sort of response that made her face sour. "In that case, you pick the place. I’ll come find you."

The person on the other end finally agreed, gave a time and location, and abruptly hung up.

Song Ruyue’s eyes widened. She couldn't believe Ji Xiu dared to hang up on her.

"Mom, was that Dad on the phone?"

Ji Ze had just come home from school with his backpack. Passing through the living room and seeing his mother in such a state, he asked with a look of expectation.

Seeing the hope in her son's eyes, Song Ruyue nodded.

Ji Ze’s eyes lit up. "Is Dad coming back?"

Song Ruyue’s expression dimmed. Thinking of the man who had suddenly grown a spine, she said helplessly, "I’m going to talk to him tomorrow and have him come back."

Ji Ze felt for his mother’s poor health, but he wanted Ji Xiu back even more. He said repeatedly, "Then you must persuade him well tomorrow, Mom. Make him come back soon."

The day Ji Xiu left home, Ji Ze had wanted to chase after him to stop him, but Song Ruyue had been stubborn and forbade it. Out of concern for his mother’s health, he had obeyed and stayed. He hadn't expected his father to actually leave and never return.

Ji Ze was a "chosen son of heaven." Perhaps in the future, he would grow to be exceptional—an uncrowned king of the business world. But right now, he was still young and viewed his father with infinite admiration and idolization.

With Ji Xiu away for a few days, he truly felt out of sorts.

Most importantly, Ji Wu had been asking about it.

Song Ruyue didn't want anyone telling Ji Wu that she wasn't a biological child of the family, fearing it would break her heart. Thus, Ji Wu was kept in the dark, knowing nothing of the truth.

For Ji Xiu to suddenly not come home for several days was strange. Though Song Ruyue vaguely claimed he was away on business, Ji Wu had asked about him several times.

This couldn't go on; Ji Wu would eventually get suspicious.

If possible, Ji Ze truly hoped his mother could persuade his father to return. He wanted the four of them to live together as a family, just like before.

However, hearing this made Song Ruyue feel quite annoyed and aggrieved.

She felt that by lowering her status and seeking her husband out to make amends, she was already being incredibly humble. Yet her son didn't pity her at all; he only cared about Ji Xiu.

Sons take after their fathers; they are simply not as considerate as daughters. If Ji Wu were here, she would never say such things.

Song Ruyue gave a perfunctory agreement, her expression turning cold as she turned to the door to greet her daughter.

Ji Ze didn't notice the change in her mood. Knowing his father might return, his spirits lifted. He also worried about his precious sister, so he dropped his bag and joined Song Ruyue to meet her.

Ji Ze and Ji Wu were three years apart; one was in his third year of high school, the other in her third year of middle school. They attended different schools and naturally got out at different times.

Previously, Ji Ze doted on his sister and would have the driver pick her up after his own school let out. But over the last few days, his mind had been in a mess wanting his father back, so he hadn't gone himself and had sent a different driver instead.

By this time, Ji Wu should be back.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of waiting at the door, they saw a familiar car enter the garden garage.

Ji Wu stepped out of the car.

She wore the uniform of an elite private school—a pleated skirt and a small tie—and carried a designer schoolbag. She was beautiful and dazzling. With a bright, innocent smile, she greeted the driver before turning to run toward the two of them.

"Mom, Brother, I'm back!"

Ji Ze gave a shout of acknowledgment and took her bag.

Song Ruyue stood there, her eyes filled with maternal affection. Her heart softened. This well-behaved, polite, and exceptionally beautiful girl was the one she had raised herself. She was her daughter.

Her heart was full of pride and love.

At the same time, she became even more resolute in her previous conviction: no matter what Ji Xiu thought, she would not send Ji Wu away. No one could take her child from her side.

Not even Ji Xiu!

...

Holding onto this thought, Song Ruyue maintained a fairly tough stance when she went to meet Ji Xiu the next day.

Ji Xiu was unimpressed.

The marriage between the original owner and Song Ruyue held significant commercial importance. Only as long as he remained Song Ruyue’s husband would the shareholders trust him to continue managing the company. Similarly, it was because Song Ruyue’s husband was Ji Xiu that outsiders didn't dare covet the Song family business.

Once they divorced, both sides would lose.

Since Song Ruyue had proactively sought him out, regardless of her attitude, she must have made a decision.

They met at a coffee shop in a shopping mall. Once she arrived, Ji Xiu ordered a coffee for himself and a flower tea for her, adopting the posture of a quiet listener.

When the tea was served, Song Ruyue was stunned. A flash of confusion crossed her eyes as she couldn't help but recall their days of dating twenty years ago. She seemed to waver.

However, "a mother is strong for her children," and she quickly regained her composure. After all, no matter how deep the love, after twenty years of living together, it had become as thin as air. To her, the children were the most important thing.

She pushed the tea aside, her face looking rather sour. "You must have heard about the trouble at the company."

Ji Xiu nodded. "I know. But rest assured, since I chose to leave that day, I was prepared to leave with nothing. The trouble at the company has nothing to do with me; I didn't cause it."

Song Ruyue’s pupils shrank, and a chill of horror struck her heart.

She suddenly realized that if they truly split and her husband—who had managed the company for twenty years—wanted to destroy it, it would be child's play for him.

How laughable that she had felt the win was in her grasp, waiting for her husband to return and admit his fault. If they truly turned against each other...

No matter how much of a hothouse flower Song Ruyue was, she knew exactly how much her life would change without money.

Thus, the cold tone she had just used softened significantly, replaced by a facade of trust. "Husband, of course I believe you. I didn't come to blame you. I felt we both needed to cool down and have a proper talk. We shouldn't do something we’ll regret out of a momentary impulse."

Ji Xiu took a small sip of his coffee. His gaze swept over Song Ruyue as he said flatly, "I never regret my actions."

Song Ruyue persisted. "But separating... it’s always bad, isn't it?"

Ji Xiu lowered his gaze. "I’ve worked at the company for twenty years. Even if there’s no credit, there was effort. Yet when outsiders talk about me, they still look down on me. They think I'm just a 'Phoenix Man' who rose up by relying on you and your family’s business. Even you think I'm dispensable. Separating is fine; I’ll take this chance to start my own business and finally build something of my own."

Song Ruyue froze.

She never expected Ji Xiu to think this way. Was it because they fought that day and she had said, in the heat of her anger, that he should leave with nothing? Had she wounded his pride?

A man's pride is vital, and her husband—hailing from the countryside—was what the world called a "Phoenix Man," making him value his dignity even more. If that was the cause, it was no wonder he, who once valued the company so much, was willing to let go.

She only blamed herself for being too headstrong; saying that had left her in a dilemma. If she ignored him, Ji Xiu would leave, the company would fail, and she would no longer be able to enjoy her life as a socialite.

If she apologized and yielded, Ji Xiu would return, and she could continue being a carefree housewife. But...

She truly could not accept a daughter from such a background.

Song Ruyue fell silent. Lowering her stance, her voice became plaintive and pleading. "Husband, I don't want to lose you, and the two children at home don't want to lose you either. They’ve been asking about you constantly these last few days. Is there really no way to have both?"

Ji Xiu remained silent.

Song Ruyue bit her lip and proactively brought up the taboo subject.

"Did you... truly go and bring that child back?"

There was no need to ask who "that child" referred to.

At the mention of Zhou Qingqing, Ji Xiu’s expression softened considerably. He nodded with a smile, adopting the look of a doting father. "Qingqing is very well-behaved. Do you want to meet her? She’s nearby."

Song Ruyue was startled and quickly looked left and right. In public, if a crude girl in tattered clothes actually called her "Mom," where would she put her face as the eldest daughter of the Song family?

Ji Xiu saw the disdain in her eyes. His brow knitted slightly, and his tone cooled. "Don't worry. If you don't want to see her, I will never let her appear before you to irritate your eyes."

Song Ruyue’s heart tightened, and she quickly explained, "No, it's just... I'm not psychologically prepared yet."

Not wanting to argue this volatile topic with Ji Xiu, she proposed the solution she had just thought of. "Husband, I don't want to divorce you, and I believe you feel the same. Since that’s the case, can we discuss a proper arrangement? Something that’s good for everyone."

Ji Xiu didn't know where her confidence came from. What did she mean by "believing he felt the same about not wanting a divorce"?

He didn't speak, but his eyes held a hint of mockery.

Song Ruyue frowned, feeling a subtle sense of strangeness. Looking at the husband who had become quite unfamiliar over the last few days, she changed her phrasing. "Even if you don't think so, surely that child thinks so? Does she really not want to live with her biological mother?"

Ji Xiu paused. He had to admit, that sentence hit him right where it hurt.

Seeing him waver, Song Ruyue quickly doubled down on her promise. "Last time, you insisted on sending Xiao Wu back because you were afraid I’d be biased. I promise you, as long as you come back, I definitely won't be biased. Whatever Xiao Wu has, that child will have a share too. Can you be at ease with that?"

This was a choice made of desperation. She couldn't give up Ji Wu, and she didn't want to give up her life of luxury, so she had to find a balance in the middle. Of course, if Ji Xiu refused even this... she would have no choice but to send Ji Wu away temporarily.

Ji Xiu glanced at her. Seeing her urgent and expectant expression, yet knowing she still had cards to play, he smiled inwardly with satisfaction while feigning hesitation outwardly.

He was a natural pursuer of profit and liked to squeeze every bit of potential out of a person. Although he had decided to return long ago and was just waiting for her to come begging, seeing that she would continue to back down if he thought about it a bit longer, he felt no need to agree so quickly.

However, Song Ruyue’s brain was working particularly well at that moment, and she proposed a deal he couldn't refuse.

"That child's household registration is still over there, isn't it? Don't you want to transfer it back? If we divorce, it will certainly delay the child's registration transfer."

Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow. This was true. The school transfer was being processed, and she would be starting at the new school soon; the household registration really couldn't be delayed. Most importantly, now that Zhou Qingqing was with him, she needed to change her name. And for that, he temporarily couldn't divorce...

Forget it. Squeezing her too hard was pointless. Ji Xiu thought about it and finally nodded.

"I hope you can keep your promises."

Song Ruyue wept with joy and quickly agreed. She was elated. As long as she didn't have to send Ji Wu away, everything was negotiable.

At this moment, she had forgotten the air of superiority she had held before her husband for twenty years. She only wanted the company to safely weather this crisis.

But sometimes, that is exactly how control is lost—bit by bit.

Now, the person who had the final say in the Ji family was likely Ji Xiu.