Even though Sheng Ciyuan invited her earnestly, Rong Yu still refused. She really couldn't handle Old Madam Sheng's overwhelming enthusiasm.
When she returned home, she found unexpected guests. It was someone from the Xie family—Old Madam Xie's grandson, a man in his twenties named Xie Yajun.
Ji Yanting leaned close to Rong Yu's ear and whispered, "Ever since he arrived, he's been asking me about Great-grandmother. He's up to no good."
"If he doesn't stir up some trouble, how can I make your grandfather see the Xie family for who they really are?" Rong Yu raised her eyes. "Your grandfather is just too soft-hearted. He knows the Xie family harbors ill intentions, yet he keeps holding back and tolerating them. We need to cut the Gordian knot and make him see the truth."
Ji Yanting thoroughly agreed.
Old Master Ji was chatting with Xie Yajun. Seeing Rong Yu return, he stood up to introduce them. "This is the youngest of the Xie family. Recently, Xie Yajun has been handling all of the Xie family's affairs."
Xie Yajun stood up and extended a hand to Rong Yu. "Miss Rong, a pleasure to meet you."
Rong Yu smiled. "Young Master Xie, please have a seat."
Taking advantage of the offer, Xie Yajun sat down right next to Rong Yu.
Old Master Ji raised an eyebrow.
Just a moment ago, he had been thinking that Xie Yajun was a promising young man for taking on the burden of the crumbling Xie family at such a young age.
But now, this punk was sitting next to his mother, with a look of interest in his eyes that only a man could understand, which thoroughly disgusted him.
He was just about to speak.
When Ji Yanting pulled him back. "Old Master, I have something to discuss with you."
Old Master Ji was dragged into the study.
Ji Yanting didn't actually have much to say; he just casually mentioned some of Ji Entertainment's upcoming plans.
Old Master Ji scolded him in annoyance, "You need to consult me for this trivial nonsense? Are you not weaned yet? If you really don't understand, call your older brother and ask him."
Ji Yanting: "..."
Who was the one clinging to Great-grandmother every day like an unweaned child...
Old Master Ji walked out of the study and saw that Rong Yu and Xie Yajun had actually gone to the garden together. The two were sitting in a pavilion, chatting happily about who knows what.
He took a step forward, wanting to go over and see.
"Brother-in-law." Old Madam Xie came down from upstairs and stopped him. "The two young people are chatting. Let's not join the fun as old folks."
Old Master Ji belatedly snapped back to his senses.
He stared intently at Old Madam Xie. "Xiaohui, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Nothing," Old Madam Xie sat on the sofa. "Miss Rong is so outstanding. A good woman is sought after by ten thousand men; it's only natural for Xie Yajun to pursue her. Besides, since you value Miss Rong so much, brother-in-law, don't you want to choose a good marriage for her?"
Old Master Ji was so angry he laughed. "A good marriage? Xie Yajun is a good marriage?"
This punk couldn't even compare to a single finger of Sheng Qingyan!
He would rather it be Sheng Qingyan!
However, turning his head, he saw that his mother, who was usually so aloof, was actually smiling so radiantly. She even reached out and adjusted Xie Yajun's collar.
He was completely dumbfounded.
Wait...
Who exactly did his mother like?
Wasn't she treating Sheng Qingyan exceptionally differently before?
How come she was lured away the moment she saw Xie Yajun?
Xie Yajun was ugly, short, and a bit chubby. He walked with his legs splayed out, looking completely frivolous. Was his mother blind?
"Brother-in-law, look at how well-matched the two youngsters are," Old Madam Xie smiled faintly. "Fate between people is sometimes just this wondrous. Back then, weren't you and my sister also struck by love at first sight?"
Old Master Ji felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.
He stood up, flicked his sleeves, and went into his room.
Old Madam Xie leisurely drank her tea. After a good while, Xie Yajun came in looking smug. The grandmother and grandson went upstairs together and entered a room.
"Grandma, that Miss Rong is way too easy to flirt with." Xie Yajun leaned back on the sofa, stroking his chin. "On our very first meeting, she agreed to go out to the movies with me. The movie starts at ten o'clock tonight, and it will be past midnight when it ends. At that time, I'll just book a hotel room, and she probably won't refuse too much. Once the deed is done, I'll slowly coax her into transferring those shares under her name to me."
Old Madam Xie frowned. "Is it really going that smoothly?"
Xie Yajun nodded. "She looks aloof, but in reality, she's desperate for a man. As long as I crook my finger, she'll immediately fall for me. Just wait, Grandma. Once I get the shares of the Ji Group, the Xie family will be saved..."
"Good, good, good," Old Madam Xie looked relieved. "The survival of the Xie family all depends on you..."
Before her voice could even fade.
Bang!
The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.
When she saw the two people standing at the door, Old Madam Xie's face instantly changed. "Brother-in-law, why didn't you knock before coming in?"
Old Master Ji's face was livid to the extreme. "You... you two are actually scheming for my Ji family's shares?"
"Brother-in-law, you must have misheard," Old Madam Xie maintained her composure. "Xie Yajun and I were discussing the handling of the Xie Group's shares. You misunderstood."
"A misunderstanding?"
Rong Yu turned on the listening device. The voices of the grandmother and grandson conversing—every word, every pause—were broadcasted with crystal clarity.
Xie Yajun abruptly lowered his head.
He looked at his collar; on the underside, there was actually a miniature listening device.
He had thought Rong Yu had taken a fancy to him and intentionally made physical contact, but it turned out she was planting a bug. He pointed at Rong Yu's nose and cursed furiously, "Fuck you! You actually eavesdropped on me!"
Old Master Ji raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap to his face. "You uneducated brat! Who allowed you to point at your elder's nose and curse!"
Xie Yajun covered his face, feeling extremely wronged. "Great-uncle, I wasn't cursing at you. I was cursing Rong..."
"Shut up!"
Old Master Ji delivered a backhand slap, shoving him aside, and walked straight up to Old Madam Xie.
Old Madam Xie sat there, suddenly feeling a chill run down her spine.
Her lips were tightly pursed as she said in a deep voice, "Brother-in-law, you've been bewitched by this little girl. That's why I had Xie Yajun come over—to take back the shares for the Ji family. I was doing this for the good of the Ji family..."
Old Master Ji abruptly raised a hand, directly cutting off Old Madam Xie's words.
"Enough!" His voice was as cold and hard as iron. "You use the banner of doing what's good for the Ji family, but behind my back, you instigate Xie Yajun to transfer the shares. Do you really think I'm a senile old fool?"
Old Madam Xie held onto the chair and stood up. "Brother-in-law, I..."
"Old Yu!" Old Master Ji didn't listen to her defense at all and barked out sharply.
The butler, Old Yu, immediately pushed the door open and entered with two bodyguards, standing expressionlessly behind Old Madam Xie.
"Pack Old Madam Xie's luggage, arrange a car, and see our guests out."
Old Madam Xie violently grabbed Old Master Ji's sleeve. "Brother-in-law! Are you really this heartless? What did my sister tell you on her deathbed back then? Is this how you treat me?"
Old Master Ji forcefully shook off her hand, his eyes frighteningly cold. "If your sister knew you came to scheme against the Ji family, even her coffin lid wouldn't be able to hold her down!"
Old Yu stepped forward and bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet brooking no refusal. "Old Madam Xie, please."
The two bodyguards stood on either side of Xie Yajun. Although they didn't make a move, their presence exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Good, very good!" Old Madam Xie glared viciously at Rong Yu, her voice cold and sinister. "The Ji family can now tolerate an outsider walking all over them, yet there is no room for me, your own relative! My sister was truly blind!"
With that, she flicked her sleeves in a huff and strode outside.
Old Master Ji stood rooted to the spot, his back ramrod straight. Only when the car had driven away did he slowly close his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Mom, I am sorry."
It was all his fault for holding on too tightly to old sentiments.
In the end, all those old ties were torn to shreds, leaving not a single ounce of dignity.
Rong Yu patted him on the back. "Valuing old relationships is not a mistake. The mistake is that some people take a mile when given an inch. Yingbao, do not dwell on this too much."