Although Ji Nian had decided to help the old lady detoxify, Ji Tingzhou wouldn’t directly go to Gu Jing and say, “I’ve decided to detoxify your mother.”
Adult transactions don’t work that way.
If Ji Tingzhou were to be so blunt, Gu Jing would probably turn and run.
As everyone knows, free things often come with the highest price.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Fortunately, Ji Nian had used her childlike innocence to subtly hint to the old lady.
With that groundwork laid, Ji Tingzhou only needed to wait for Gu Jing to come begging.
Meanwhile, after receiving the news from his subordinate, Gu Jing hurried over.
The old lady’s face no longer held the kindness she had shown in front of Gu Xiuyuan and Ji Nian. Her sharp eyes bore into her son.
“Kneel down.”
Gu Jing immediately dropped to his knees.
“How did I raise you?”
“You mustn’t panic in the face of trouble, nor resort to desperate measures.”
“If I were Ji Tingzhou, knowing what you’ve done, I would’ve already severed ties with you. How could he still attend your son’s birthday party in good spirits?”
After scolding him, she sighed.
“Ji Tingzhou sent his own daughter here. Surely you understand the underlying message.”
Gu Jing nodded. “I understand.”
Ji Tingzhou was aware of the old lady’s condition and had sent his daughter, which was his way of saying,
He had a solution.
Gu Jing couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
This time, he really owed a huge favor, and it was impossible to avoid compensating the Ji Family handsomely.
“If he asks you to deal with the Chen Family, just do as he says.”
Even without such a request, Gu Jing couldn’t pretend this hadn’t happened.
After all, they didn’t provoke trouble, but that didn’t mean they would tolerate being bullied.
Gu Jing nodded.
Before leaving, the old lady’s tone softened. “Xiuyuan… that child cares too much about me. Don’t blame him for coming to me.”
Gu Jing acknowledged her words and left.
Even though he remembered what Ji Nian had said earlier, Gu Xiuyuan was still anxious.
Shen Qingtang, on the other hand, was much more relaxed, feeding the rabbits.
When Gu Jing arrived, he found his son sitting stiffly, fists clenched tightly.
It was as if he was waiting for something.
When Gu Xiuyuan looked up and saw Gu Jing, he visibly relaxed, as if thinking, “Finally, you’re here.”
Gu Jing’s gaze softened.
He’s still so young. Perhaps I’ve been too harsh on him at times. It wouldn’t hurt to indulge him occasionally.
Before the father could say anything, Gu Xiuyuan walked over, straightened his clothes, and tightened his fists.
With a determined look, the boy preemptively declared—
“Gu Jing, you must allow me to make mistakes.”
Gu Jing, being directly addressed by his own son: ?
He looked down at the serious little boy, wondering if his son had lost his mind.
Seeing his father’s lack of response, Gu Xiuyuan steadied himself and bravely continued to speak up for himself.
“Everyone makes mistakes. Ji Nian said her dad even secretly throws broccoli he doesn’t like to the dog. Are you better than her dad?”
A visible vein popped on Gu Jing’s forehead.
He glared at the child. “I don’t know if Ji Tingzhou is better than me or not.”
“But I do know…”
He grabbed Gu Xiuyuan and lifted him into the air.
As if to ensure the child heard him clearly, he spoke slowly and deliberately, “When I spank your butt later, he won’t be able to stop me.”
The boy dangled helplessly in the air, legs swinging, completely stunned.
Oh no, Ji Nian didn’t tell me what to do if I get spanked.
Half an hour later—
Ji Nian met up with Shen Qingtang.
She glanced around. “Where’s Gu Xiuyuan?”
Shen Qingtang shook her head and sighed. “Poor child.”
“He just got spanked by his dad.”
Ji Nian: ?
After taking Shen Qingtang back to the main hall and ensuring her safety, Ji Nian went to find Ji Tingzhou.
Gu Jing had just arrived and was talking to Ji Tingzhou in a private room upstairs.
Several bodyguards stood guard outside.
When they saw Ji Nian trying to enter, they hesitated, unsure whether to stop her.
But noticing that the Ji Family’s bodyguards made no move to intervene—even opening the door for their petite young mistress—they decided to pretend they didn’t see anything, allowing Ji Nian to say “Thank you, brother” and walk in.
How adorable, this tiny little thing, no bigger than a snowflake, with her sweet “Thank you, brother.”
Inside the room, the two men seated on opposite sides of the sofa turned their attention to the door at the sound of it opening.
Seeing Ji Nian enter, Gu Jing looked at Ji Tingzhou.
Ji Tingzhou lounged lazily against the back of the sofa, as relaxed as if he were in his own home. When Ji Nian walked in, he simply gestured for her to come over.
Ji Nian approached, naturally raising her arms, allowing the man to pick her up and place her beside him.
Noticing Gu Jing’s gaze, Ji Tingzhou offered a half-hearted smile. “Sorry, the kid’s clingy. She can’t be without me.”
Gu Jing: “……”
Why does it feel like he’s showing off?
As if I don’t have a child of my own.
Then he thought of Gu Xiuyuan, who had just called him by his full name, and sighed inwardly, muttering, “That rebellious brat.”
Ji Nian sat quietly, peeling a tangerine Ji Tingzhou handed her, eating it without making a sound.
Gu Jing recalled the flame-hand performance earlier.
He thought to himself, this child really is different from ordinary kids.
So he let it go.
Although this was the Gu Family’s territory, Gu Jing was the one seeking Ji Tingzhou’s help, so he naturally had to accommodate the other party.
Of course, Ji Tingzhou had a special reason for allowing Ji Nian to stay.
He glanced at the child stuffing tangerine slices into her mouth and gave her a look.
The message was clear:
‘Just wait. Charity isn’t free. Watch how Dad gets you some benefits.’
The two men resumed their interrupted conversation.
“If Mr. Ji truly has a solution, the Gu Family is willing to help deal with the Chen Family.”
This time, Gu Jing’s words weren’t laced with hidden meanings; he was surprisingly straightforward.
It was clear he had made up his mind.
Ji Tingzhou continued peeling the tangerine, his slender yet strong fingers deftly removing the skin to reveal the fruit. He handed it to Ji Nian before replying leisurely, “Mr. Gu, you jest. What’s this about dealing with the Chen Family?”
“The Ji Group is a reputable enterprise.”
Ji Nian, sitting beside him: Silently listening to her dad’s boasting.
This caught Gu Jing off guard.
Just then, there was a rapid knock at the door.
Gu Jing frowned.
It was his secretary.
Something urgent must have come up.
Apologizing to Ji Tingzhou, he called the secretary in.
As the secretary entered, his eyes briefly flicked to Ji Tingzhou before quickly looking away.
He approached Gu Jing and handed him the latest update.
The moment Gu Jing saw the contents, he paused.
Closing the file, he looked back at Ji Tingzhou with deep wariness in his eyes.
Ji Tingzhou didn’t need the Gu Family’s help after all.
Because—
Just moments ago, the convoy of the Chen Family’s leader, who had secretly left the Gu Family’s premises, was blown up on their way back.
Not only that, the Chen Family’s headquarters building had just collapsed, the cause still unknown.
What Gu Jing had expected from Ji Tingzhou: Competing for projects, seizing resources, dominating the market, cutting off the opponent’s funding!
What he actually got from Ji Tingzhou: Who needs business tactics? Let’s play for keeps.
