Chapter 9 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 9

Raising a daughter only to have her marry another man—this is probably the most depressing thought for every parent on earth.

However, thinking back to the original plot, where Ye Yiyang sacrificed his entire net worth just to take Ji Mingzhu away from the Ji family’s twisted and unhealthy environment...

Ji Xiu rubbed Mingzhu’s head and ultimately said nothing. Everyone has their own destiny. As a father, his job was to protect her as she grew, and to lend a hand when she encountered difficulties. There was no need for him to intervene too much and play the part of the villainous parent breaking up a couple.

The one who would truly accompany her through life was the person by her side.

At the very least, this boy’s character was decent. Even if the "butterfly effect" changed the plot and they didn't end up together like in the original story, Mingzhu wouldn't be too badly hurt.

Thinking of this, Ji Xiu nodded. He patted Ye Yiyang on the shoulder and calmly led Mingzhu to the car.

Ye Yiyang stood at the curb, waving them off. Ji Xiu saw this and, noticing Mingzhu’s dejected expression, teased her: "If you like him, confess. Have a passionate romance. As long as you protect yourself, Dad won't stop you."

Mingzhu’s face turned beet red instantly. "What? Dad, what are you talking about! He and I are just friends."

"You think you can fool your Dad with that look?" Ji Xiu chuckled. "Uncle Chen and I were sitting in the car watching the whole time. You don't need to tell me what happened. Rest assured, your father isn't an old fossil. It’s normal to have someone you like; I won't stand in your way."

Mingzhu’s eyes went wide. She was so shocked she didn't know what to say. Her father was simply too reasonable.

Meeting Ji Xiu’s smiling eyes, she lowered her head. She felt shy, but more than that, she felt warm. No matter what she wanted to do, her father always supported her unconditionally. She was truly grateful. Perhaps the pain of her first fifteen years was just her accumulating luck to trade for such a good father.

…

Life returned to tranquility. Time passed quickly, and the day for Mingzhu to start school arrived.

On this day, both Ji Xiu and Ji Ze took the day off to accompany her. Ji Wu watched the three of them leave from the doorway. Once they were gone, she turned to Song Ruyue, her eyes reddening.

Song Ruyue walked over and hugged her, her heart aching. Her voice betrayed her hatred for Ji Xiu, but she feigned a calm tone to comfort the girl: "Didn't Dad see you off when you started school too? Don't be afraid. Mingzhu just came back, so your father feels guilty. It's normal for him to be a bit nicer to her. After the banquet, he won't care about her anymore."

Ji Wu looked weak and helpless, clutching Song Ruyue’s arm. "Mom, I only have you left."

Song Ruyue’s heart softened. Looking at the daughter who relied so heavily on her, she nodded: "Mom only has one daughter, too. Just wait a bit longer; Mom will set things right for you."

Ji Wu lowered her eyes. "Mom, are you really going to... at the banquet?"

Song Ruyue’s expression turned cold. "Don't worry. No one will find out. If Ji Xiu asks, I'll just say I didn't understand the situation—that I had good intentions but did something clumsy. No one can blame me."

"That’s good..." Ji Wu murmured into her mother's embrace, a dark, expectant light flickering in her eyes.

Ji Xiu wanted to give Mingzhu a formal status and ruin Ji Wu's future? Fine. She would ruin Mingzhu first, ensuring the girl could never shake Ji Wu's position as the Eldest Young Lady of the Ji family.

…

Mingzhu’s enrollment went smoothly. Xiguang Middle School didn't lack wealthy students, but families as rich as the Ji family were still in the minority.

In the past, Ji Ze had been a king on campus—not just for his looks and grades, but because of his preeminent family background. He was the only son of Ji Xiu and Song Ruyue, the certain future CEO. Countless socialites dreamed of marrying him for a handsome husband and a powerful clan alliance.

Now that his sister was enrolling, she naturally received the same VIP treatment. Ji Xiu stayed for half a day. Seeing that Mingzhu was adapting well and her classmates were friendly, he felt relieved and returned to the office.

At the company, a mountain of work awaited him. After finishing his tasks, his personal assistant knocked hesitantly. "President Ji, there’s something I need to report."

"Speak," Ji Xiu said casually.

The assistant approached with a stack of papers. "Regarding the banquet in two weeks—we coordinated with the event planning company and settled the guest list. However, Madam suddenly added dozens of names yesterday. I found it a bit strange and wasn't sure if I should follow her instructions."

Ji Xiu’s brow knitted. "Bring it here. Let me see."

The assistant handed over the list. Ji Xiu scanned the names. He didn't recognize most of them until he saw one: Ye Yiyang. He immediately guessed who these people were.

Mingzhu’s old classmates.

Would Song Ruyue suddenly be kind enough to invite Mingzhu’s old friends? Ji Xiu narrowed his eyes, and his expression slowly turned frigid. She likely knew exactly what kind of environment Mingzhu came from and wanted to invite those people to make Mingzhu lose face at the banquet.

However, Song Ruyue had been pampered for too long. She spent her days shopping and ignored the family’s business; the shrewdness of the Song family’s heiress was long gone. She didn't even know how to properly scheme—trying to go through the event company was laughable.

Did she not realize that the event company’s bills were paid by his office?

Although Ji Xiu had told her to keep an eye on things, the final decision-maker was still him. The company only executed orders after checking with him. Thus, her plan was known to Ji Xiu before it even began.

Ji Xiu took a pen and circled Ye Yiyang’s name. "Make two lists. Give a fake one to Madam to appease her. On the real one, invite only this person. None of the others are needed."

The assistant nodded tactfully and left. Ji Xiu put down the pen, his eyes deep. His main goal for returning to the Ji house was achieved. Since Song Ruyue was relentless and couldn't keep her word, why should he stay and keep up the charade?

The banquet in two weeks would be the perfect time to give Song Ruyue a "big gift."

Meanwhile, at home, Song Ruyue clutched her chest, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of unease.

…

Two weeks passed quickly. The Ji family banquet was held as scheduled.

Mingzhu had made two close friends at her new school and invited them to the party. Being children of wealthy families who often attended such events, they weren't intimidated. They arrived happily in their new evening gowns.

But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't steal Mingzhu’s spotlight. In the half-month since she returned home, her natural cool-white skin had been restored. No longer malnourished or overworked, she looked like a different person.

Her gown was a custom-made piece costing millions. The moment she appeared, she stunned the room. Holding Ji Xiu’s arm as she descended the spiral staircase, the diamonds on her dress reflecting the light, she looked radiant and graceful—completely living up to the title of the Ji family’s heiress.

Standing in the crowd, Ye Yiyang looked dazed and mesmerized. On the other side, Ji Wu’s face was twisted.

Seeing the admiring looks of the guests, Ji Wu scanned the room anxiously. Seeing nothing happening, she rushed to Song Ruyue at the door. "Mom, why haven't the people arrived?"

Song Ruyue grit her teeth, equally confused. Seeing everyone praise Mingzhu, she whispered, "Stay steady. I'll go ask the event planners!"

Ji Wu followed urgently. The "guests" she expected hadn't shown up, and the banquet was proceeding flawlessly. This was not the result she wanted.

The two confronted the staff. The employee looked baffled. "Guests? Which guests? Everyone is here. We confirmed the list with President Ji; everyone invited has checked in."

Song Ruyue froze. "Every list... has to be confirmed with Ji Xiu?"

The employee, sensing he’d said something wrong, replied timidly: "Yes, it’s been like that for years. For every banquet, the company confirms the details with President Ji."

Song Ruyue’s breathing grew heavy. This meant that every move she made had been discovered by Ji Xiu long ago. The realization turned her blood cold. She turned to look at the crowd. Ji Xiu happened to be walking onto the stage to speak. As if sensing her gaze, he looked up and gave her a faint, knowing smile.

Song Ruyue panicked and looked down. Although she had found a manager and placed him in the company, the man didn't know the ropes yet. She couldn't afford a fallout with Ji Xiu right now. She calmed herself, pretended nothing was wrong, and led Ji Wu back into the room.

Ji Wu struggled. "Mom, are we just letting this go?"

Song Ruyue said bitterly, "The banquet is halfway through. What else can we do?"

Tears welled in Ji Wu’s eyes. "Mom..."

Song Ruyue patted her hand. "Endure for two more months. Once I have full control of the company, we won't have to put up with your father anymore."

Ji Wu was frantic. Endure? After today, the news that she was a "fake heiress" would spread through their social circles within three days. Even if her mother got control of the company, her status as an outsider would be set in stone. Who would be her friend then? Who would court her?

Ji Wu stopped, refusing to walk further. Song Ruyue paused, looking at her with a hint of impatience. No matter how much she loved her, Ji Wu’s constant demands were wearing her down. She had spent every day and night for the last two weeks coaxing the girl. On a night like this, Ji Wu was still throwing a tantrum. It seemed her indulgence had made the girl spoiled and willful. That was a bad habit.

Song Ruyue let go of her hand, leaving Ji Wu behind as she walked toward the crowd. Ji Wu’s face changed instantly. Terrified of losing her last supporter, she grabbed Song Ruyue’s arm. "Mom, I'll go with you."

The two returned to the hall, maintaining a facade of peace. Just then, Ji Xiu began his speech.

"Thank you, honored guests, for attending my daughter's welcome banquet. Most of you have heard of the circumstances..."

Ji Wu grit her teeth. Her father... he was actually going to make it all public? She stared at Mingzhu standing beside him, her nails digging into her palms. As Ji Xiu finished his announcement, she felt as if everyone in the room was looking at her with strange eyes. she looked down, trying to hide from the humiliation.

But a flame of hatred burned in her eyes. Even if I'm not his daughter, I've been in the Ji family for fifteen years. After all these years of affection, why must he destroy me? …

Ji Xiu followed his plan and revealed Mingzhu’s identity to the public. Those who knew the situation felt pity; those who didn't were shocked. The truth hadn't been buried deep—since Ji Xiu had called the police, the news had circulated among insiders, but it wasn't public knowledge until now.

This was intentional. The swap wasn't Mingzhu’s fault. By bringing it into the light, he ensured no one could smear her name later or call her an "illegitimate daughter."

However, this wasn't the "surprise" he had for Song Ruyue.

He glanced at Song Ruyue and continued: "There is one more thing. Due to this incident, my wife and I have had disagreements. After discussion, we have decided to separate peacefully. I will hand the company over to my wife and take only my personal assets. From now on, we will go our separate ways. Since the company’s image is tied to my own, I wanted to clarify this with you all to avoid any future misunderstandings..."

In the crowd, Ji Wu was dazed for a moment, then she looked up and grabbed Song Ruyue’s hand: "Mom, we don't have to wait two months!"

He was quitting! He was handing the company over to the manager Song Ruyue had found! Ji Wu didn't know that Song Ruyue had begged Ji Xiu to return; she thought Ji Xiu had been holding the company hostage. She was ecstatic—her bright future and status seemed within reach again.

But as Song Ruyue listened, her face turned deathly pale.

Ji Xiu knew... he knew she had hired a manager. Now, this man was throwing the company back at her like a piece of junk. But could her manager really run it?

A surge of terror hit Song Ruyue. She suddenly felt she had made a mistake that she would regret for the rest of her life.