Chapter 7 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 7

While the mother and daughter were talking behind closed doors, Ji Ze had already returned with Zhou Qingqing. After seeing her back to her room, he swung his keys and went to find Ji Xiu to claim credit. On this trip, he had been extra careful, bringing his sister out and back without a single hitch—surely that deserved a word of praise from his father?

The youth’s long legs moved briskly as he headed to the third-floor study. He reported the details with an air of "mission accomplished," and as expected, received a "Well done" from Ji Xiu. Ji Ze smiled spiritedly, waving a hand in faux humility. "It was nothing, really."

Ji Xiu chuckled, feeling a bit more curious about this boy. In the original owner’s memory, Ji Ze was a "little wolf cub" who blindly followed Song Ruyue; in any family dispute, he would brainlessly side with her, leaving the original owner with zero authority. But looking at him now, he clearly had a brain—he’d snapped at Ji Wu, shown his annoyance with Song Ruyue, and even knew to buy clothes as a gift for Zhou Qingqing.

Ji Xiu didn't know how the original world-line had developed, but at least for now, this male lead was meeting his expectations.

As for Ji Wu...

World destiny often has favorites. Some worlds favor the hero, some the heroine. When the male lead is favored, whomever he chooses becomes the female lead. Conversely, when the female lead is favored, the person she chooses becomes the male lead, burdened with the "fortune" required to support the world-line.

In this world, the favor clearly rested on the male lead. Ji Ze was the protagonist; since he liked Ji Wu, she was the female lead. If he liked another girl, that girl would be the female lead. Thus, Ji Ze’s performance was worthy of his status. As for Ji Wu—judging by the saying "at three, one sees the sixty"—Ji Xiu felt that if it weren't for Ji Ze's choice, she wouldn't even be fit to be the heroine.

Of course, none of that mattered to Ji Xiu. His responsibility was to correct Zhou Qingqing’s outlook and raise the "villain" well. As long as she didn't destroy Ji Ze, the mission to save the world was complete. And judging by how the two were currently getting along, as long as no major catastrophe occurred, the siblings wouldn't turn on each other. Half the mission was already done.

Thinking of this, Ji Xiu stood up and patted Ji Ze’s shoulder. "Take good care of your sister from now on."

Ji Ze, not knowing the weight of the statement, puffed out his chest. "That’s a given."

Ji Xiu smiled and waved him off. "Alright, go rest. Don't disturb my work."

Even though the company’s immediate issues were handled, he couldn't rest. He had to prepare his own business. He knew his deal with Song Ruyue wouldn't last long; she was likely already scouting for new managers. Ji Xiu needed to be ready with his own company.

Fortunately, the original owner had worked like a horse for the Song family for years and held some dry shares. Combined with his salary, he was worth over a hundred million. Even if he left the Song family, he wouldn't starve. With a bit of effort, he could build an empire that would allow Zhou Qingqing to live a life no less grand than the one at the Ji house.

Ji Ze nodded and turned to leave. Just as he opened the door, he nearly collided with Song Ruyue, who was charging in, fueled by Ji Wu’s instigation.

Song Ruyue frowned. "Watch where you're going next time."

Ji Ze agreed. Song Ruyue waved him away dismissively. "Out, quickly. I have something to say to your father."

Ji Ze shrugged and watched the door close in front of him. However, perhaps because Song Ruyue lacked strength or the door was too heavy, it didn't shut completely, leaving a thin crack. Ji Ze raised his hand to pull it shut but froze when he heard voices from inside.

"Ji Xiu, do you know what Zhou Qingqing used to be like?"

What she was like? Curiously, Ji Ze pressed his ear against the door.

Inside the study, Ji Xiu looked at the uninvited Song Ruyue. Before he could ask what was wrong, she threw out that question.

What was she like? Ji Xiu searched the world-line data for fragments of Zhou Qingqing's past and nodded. "I know. Why are you asking?"

Song Ruyue cried out in shock, "You know?!" Seeing him nod again, her expression became visibly agitated. "You knew, yet you still brought her back?"

She wanted to demand if he truly knew she had "done that kind of thing," but the words stuck in her throat. she paced around the room like a headless fly, struggling with how to say it.

Ji Xiu, who still had work to do, felt dizzy from her pacing. He rubbed his temples. "Why are you pacing? Sit down and speak. If I didn't bring her back, was I supposed to let her live that kind of life forever?"

Song Ruyue was so angry she couldn't breathe. She stopped and glared at him. "And what about us? It’s easy for you to bring her back, but the Song family's reputation will be destroyed by her!"

Ji Xiu’s eyes darkened. He sensed a misunderstanding. "I don't follow. What reputation? Explain yourself."

Song Ruyue hissed, each word dripping with venom: "At such a young age, Zhou Qingqing learned to do 'compensated dating' outside. If this gets out, won't it blacken the Song family name?"

It took Ji Xiu five seconds to process the meaning of those words, and his face instantly turned frigid. "What nonsense are you talking!"

Were these words a mother should ever say? Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. This was her biological daughter, yet she thought of her so filthily and spoke of it so certainly. Was she even human?

Fury surged in Ji Xiu's heart. Seeing the casual look of disgust on Song Ruyue's face, he felt even more enraged. This woman was beyond saving!

He stood up abruptly, his eyes cold. "I don't know where you heard these rumors, but let me tell you—it's impossible! Qingqing is a good girl. She was oppressed by the Zhous but never gave up on herself. When I took her for the school transfer, the teachers said her foundation was solid. She spent all her free time on housework and studying; she didn't have time for the things you’re describing!"

Song Ruyue’s voice went shrill: "Don't try to fool me! I saw it myself—she walked home with a boy after school. Wasn't she doing—"

BANG!

Ji Xiu slammed his palm onto the desk. His gaze was as sharp as a death stare, fixed on Song Ruyue.

Song Ruyue finally went quiet. Looking at Ji Xiu’s chilling eyes, her body trembled. A flurry of thoughts raced through her mind, eventually landing back on the "Company." She argued through gritted teeth, "I... I also heard it from outside..."

Ji Xiu’s patience was gone. He let out a cold, merciless laugh. " 'Heard it from outside'! Have I taken such good care of you for twenty years that you've become this naive? Song Ruyue, you are forty-one, not a child. Use your brain. Who told you this, making you rush in here to spout nonsense without even verifying it?"

"You..." Song Ruyue was speechless. Hearing the man's cold mockery, she shook with rage.

The more Ji Xiu spoke, the angrier she became. Since childhood, no one had ever scolded her to her face like this. It was a humiliation, a pure humiliation! She must have been blind to fall for this man twenty years ago and insist on marrying him. Before they wed, her father had said that aside from being a bit too career-driven, Ji Xiu was a good man who would take care of her—a man with a conscience.

Dad, open your eyes and look! In this state, Ji Xiu's conscience had been eaten by dogs!

If the company weren't still in his hands, she would have torn into him and settled twenty years of scores right then and there!

Ji Xiu finished his lecture, telling her to go back and think about where she went wrong. When he looked up, he saw the resentment and hatred in her eyes. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling weary. From start to end, she didn't think she was wrong. What was the use of talking to her? In her eyes, the moment he defied her will to bring Zhou Qingqing back, he was labeled an ungrateful "white-eyed wolf." Further explanation was futile.

Ji Xiu took a deep breath to calm down. "It was Ji Wu, wasn't it?"

Song Ruyue: "Wha—what?"

Seeing her reaction, Ji Xiu became certain. He said coldly, "I said it before: she shouldn't stay! Since the identities are clear, everyone should return to their rightful place, lest some improper delusions arise."

His expression was dead serious; he wasn't joking. Song Ruyue panicked, her anger forgotten. "You said Xiao Wu could stay."

"I agreed on the condition that you wouldn't be biased and she wouldn't cause trouble," Ji Xiu raised his voice. "Do you think you’ve met that condition?"

Song Ruyue froze. Realizing she had rushed in based on Ji Wu's words, her face turned ash-white. She bit her lip and bowed her proud head, tears falling. "I... I was wrong. Give me one more chance..."

She looked as though she were the one being oppressed. Ji Xiu felt speechless. Thinking of the time needed to build his company and the fact that he returned to fix Zhou Qingqing’s status, he couldn't abandon this mess just yet. "This is the final chance," he said with a frown.

Song Ruyue nodded frantically, not daring to argue further, and hurried out of the study. Her face burned with shame. She didn't want to see Ji Wu’s expectant eyes, nor did she want to be seen in the hallway. She covered her face and rushed back to her room.

Thus, she didn't notice Ji Ze hiding in a panic on the other side of the door.

Once she was gone, Ji Ze emerged from the shadows. Looking at her retreating back, his face twisted with anger as he marched toward Ji Wu’s room.

It was unknown what kind of dispute occurred between the siblings.

Much later, after finishing his work, Ji Xiu came out of the study. He intended to get a late-night snack before bed when he bumped into Ji Ze slamming the door to Ji Wu’s room and storming off. From inside the room, the sound of Ji Wu sobbing could be heard.

Ji Xiu: "..." He’d been back at the Ji house for less than a day, and the drama was already endless.

Ji Ze, full of rage, saw Ji Xiu and couldn't help but complain: "Dad, why didn't I realize before... that Ji Wu was this kind of person?"

"What happened?"

Ji Ze looked conflicted but eventually had to vent. "I didn't leave; I heard you and Mom talking. I went to ask Ji Wu if she was the one who instigated it. She wouldn't admit it, but one look at her guilty face told me it was her rumors." His face was downcast. "Our sister suffered outside for so long and finally came home—why would Ji Wu target her like that?"

Ji Xiu had already guessed as much and wasn't surprised. He said flatly, "I intended to send her back to the Zhous. You and your mother were the ones who refused."

Ji Ze froze, then hesitated. "There’s no need to send her away..." He scratched the back of his head. "I heard the Zhou couple is in jail. If Xiao Wu goes back, how will she live alone? She’s always been sensible; maybe she’s just being stubborn right now. I’ll teach her well, and she’ll understand eventually."

He still had feelings for her and didn't want her gone. Ji Xiu didn't argue. It would be strange if the boy turned on her instantly after fifteen years.

However, he still needed to set some boundaries. "Since you want her to stay, keep her in check. I’m busy with work and can't always be home. Watch her. Don't let her do anything to hurt Qingqing, or I will send her away."

Ji Ze nodded fiercely. "Don't worry, Dad. With me here, I’ll keep her in line!"

Ji Xiu patted his shoulder, satisfied, and continued downstairs for his snack. The boy, bolstered by his father’s encouragement, felt a surge of energy and began brainstorming how to "educate" Ji Wu as he walked back to his room.

Ji Xiu smiled.

...

The original owner had been a workaholic with a different schedule from Song Ruyue; they had slept in separate rooms for years. Naturally, Ji Xiu didn't go to her room, returning to his own to sleep.

The next morning at breakfast, despite the hidden disputes and drama of the night before, the family appeared perfectly harmonious on the surface. The servants looked on with envy. Song Ruyue felt relieved; at least to outsiders, she was still the noble eldest daughter of the Song family and the doting wife of the Ji household.

After the meal, Ji Xiu spoke first. "Today, I'm taking Qingqing to transfer her household registration and change her surname. As for the name... Qingqing, do you want to change it or keep this one?"

Zhou Qingqing, who was cautiously drinking soup, thought about it. "I’ll listen to Dad."

Ji Xiu pondered for a moment. "Then let's change it!" The name 'Qingqing' felt too light, too much like a drifting reed—just like her life had been. If she was home and starting anew, she deserved a new name. "Let's call you Mingzhu. 'Return the bright pearl,' 'Pearl in the palm.' Mingzhu is the precious daughter I’ve lost and found again. It’s a perfect fit."

Though the name was a bit common, it was classic and rolled off the tongue.

Ji Mingzhu...

Zhou Qingqing—no, Ji Mingzhu—repeated the name. Knowing her father considered her a "precious pearl," her eyes lit up with joy, and she lowered her head shyly. "Thank you, Dad!"

Ji Xiu smiled and ruffled her hair. The girl was malnourished; her hair was dry, yellow, and split at the ends. Even after the stylist's efforts, it hadn't fully recovered. But when she leaned into his palm like a small animal, showing her deep reliance on him, the texture didn't matter at all.

Ji Xiu even felt he liked this "job." Watching this "bean sprout" grow into a beautiful, elegant young woman would be a unique sense of achievement.

Ji Wu, watching from the side, felt a surge of jealousy. But after being scolded by Song Ruyue that morning, she didn't dare act out. She gritted her teeth and watched the father and daughter. When they finished speaking, she chimed in with an innocent, caring tone: "Dad, I heard the sister's old school was terrible. Since she's transferring, how about she comes to my school?"

Her eyes were bright as she looked at Ji Xiu. The school was her home turf. Before the banquet, she was still the official Ji heiress. What happened to Ji Mingzhu once she was on her territory would be up to her.

Unfortunately, Ji Xiu only gave her a brief glance. "I've already settled her school. No need for you to worry."

Ji Wu was disappointed. "What school? Is it better than mine?"

Ji Xiu looked at Mingzhu. She blinked and, suddenly inspired, spoke up: "Dad took me to over a dozen schools. Finally, we chose a private middle school called Xiguang."

Xiguang?

Ji Wu’s facade shattered. Her face went pale. Xiguang was the most famous elite private school in the city. Its fame didn't just come from the astronomical tuition or the high Ivy League acceptance rate, but from its brutal entrance exam. To enter Xiguang, one needed both family status and exceptional grades.

Years ago, Ji Wu had failed that exam by several dozen points and had to settle for her current school. She never imagined that Xiguang, a place she couldn't enter, would actually accept Ji Mingzhu.

Didn't this mean the person she looked down upon was actually superior to her? The mere thought made her vision go dark. She couldn't accept it.