The speech Nie Xu eventually gave him consisted of only twelve words.
Thank you for your trust. I am young and inexperienced, and unfit for the position.
It was so formal that even Ji Yang was left speechless.
Holding the A4 sheet covered in Nie Xu’s bold, free-flowing handwriting, he put it away and smiled.
“I know I’m still simply too outstanding, which is why I’ve earned the recognition of so many members of the family.”
The moment he said this, the expressions on everyone’s faces became particularly interesting.
Ji Yang continued, “By rights, someone in their twenties is at the perfect age to devote themselves to the family. When the vote count came out just now, I genuinely considered whether, as the legitimate son of the main branch, I should return and shoulder the responsibility that should rightfully belong to me. Unfortunately, I…” He paused before continuing, “I am physically incomplete. The doctor says I may need long-term medication. Every time I go out, I think about how heavy my prosthetic leg is and how difficult it is to walk. But for the sake of the family’s reputation, I have to grit my teeth and endure it.” He gave a bitter smile. “I’m very grateful for everyone’s trust. But I’m truly unable to do anything about it. I’m destined to disappoint everyone’s expectations.”
Thank you for your trust. I am young and inexperienced, and unfit for the position.
Every word had been incorporated perfectly.
Flawless.
Ji Mingyue whispered, “That responsibility that should rightfully belong to you? You praised yourself while putting everyone else down.”
“Wasn’t I being humble enough?” Ji Yang refused to admit that he’d done it on purpose.
He was quite satisfied. And the more dissatisfied certain people became, the more satisfied he was.
Especially when several people from the collateral branches forced themselves to praise him.
“Fourth Young Master is too modest.”
“Fourth Young Master is simply unfamiliar with the group’s business. He certainly has the ability.”
“Fourth Young Master has matured. He still has the Ji family in his heart.”
Ji Yang suspected that these few people who clearly lacked good judgment might have been the ones who voted for him. They seemed completely oblivious to the ugly expressions on the faces of the main branch members.
As it turned out, the old man really did turn around and ask Nie Xu, “Did you write it like that for him?”
“Not at all.” Ji Yang answered before Nie Xu could. Keeping his eyes on Nie Xu, he said, “Assistant Nie’s speeches are just like him—serious and boring. Only his face and figure are worth looking at.”
Nie Xu met his gaze calmly, then lowered his head.
“Fourth Young Master is right to reprimand me.”
Ji Yang felt his teeth ache just hearing that.
The old man put on a stern expression and scolded him, “What kind of thing are you saying!”
“I’m saying something nice.” Ji Yang replied, “Grandpa was the one who originally assigned him to me. You haven’t forgotten, have you? You can’t just arrange things however you like when you’re in a good mood, then have Nie Xu monitor me when you’re unhappy. I’ve hung my whole heart on him. What if one day Grandpa tells him to stab me in the back? Am I supposed to just take it? That would hurt both my body and my heart. I can’t control other people, but surely I’m allowed to control my own feelings?”
Ji Yang was thinking that, at this stage, he could indeed make some appropriate changes to the impression people had of him. That way, when he eventually stopped interfering with the main romantic storyline and ceased being malicious, he could withdraw more naturally.
He also had to thank the old man for providing him with this opportunity. Ji Yang dared to bring up the matter of being monitored so openly because he had guessed that the old man wouldn’t let it continue.
As expected, the old man knocked on the table.
“Enough. That was all to protect your safety. Ah Xu is loyal, which is why he indulges your antics.”
The people on the main branch’s side immediately chimed in.
“Fourth Young Master, what you’re saying sounds like you resent the old man.”
“Everyone says Fourth Young Master likes to make trouble. Now I see you’re no less troublesome than anyone else. Nie Xu has been with the Ji family since childhood. He doesn’t belong exclusively to any one person.”
“Exactly. Back then, Fourth Young Master even argued with Third Young Master over him. When it comes to maintaining appearances, Third Young Master still has a much better grasp of things than Fourth Young Master.”
“Why are we going on about all this? Third Young Master, hurry up and give your speech.”
Ji Chengyi, who had been called upon, was different from Ji Yang. He genuinely adopted a very humble attitude. He said, “I wouldn’t dare delay an important family matter. There is still a great deal I need to learn. As for shipping, handing it over to Big Brother would be far more appropriate than handing it to me…”
Both members of the main branch showed signs of giving up.
It seemed that the business would naturally fall into Ji Zhonglin’s hands.
Ji Yang was also quite curious about Ji Zhonglin’s attitude.
Ji Zhonglin frowned and remained silent for a long time.
He rested both hands on the table, looked at Ji Yang, and finally turned to look at Ji Chengyi.
In the end, as though he had finally convinced himself, he said, “My position is still the same as it was at the beginning. I nominate Chengyi to take over.”
The Second Madam shot to her feet.
“Ji Zhonglin, are you out of your mind?!”
Ji Yang: “…”
There’s really nothing I can do.
The old man glanced at the Second Madam and said directly, “Begin the second round of voting.”
The second round would be a public vote, with everyone raising their hands.
And because the votes were public, even more people began trying to guess the old man’s intentions.
One after another, the people around the long table raised their hands. Some did so quickly, others slowly, their eyes shifting back and forth between Ji Zhonglin and Ji Chengyi.
The final result was exactly as expected.
Ji Chengyi received twelve votes, Ji Zhonglin received eight, and the remaining five votes—apart from the three abstentions from the Third Branch—went to Ji Yang.
Ji Chengyi won.
The people on the Second Branch’s side changed expressions in unison.
Some even said, “I cannot accept this result. I demand a revote!”
“That’s right, Old Master. It’s not just you. The various senior uncles in the family have all watched Zhonglin grow up. No one is more qualified than you to judge whether he is the most suitable candidate.”
Ji Yansong exchanged a glance with an elderly man sitting closest to him, as though the two had reached some kind of understanding. Even if this man was a senior uncle from a collateral branch, being seated immediately below Ji Yansong meant his status was different from the others.
The other man took a sip of tea. His voice was unhurried, yet every word was clear.
“Zhonglin has a heavy burden to bear, while Chengyi is a little younger. Ultimately, we’re all doing this for the Ji family. Although the Lan Hai Bay project encountered one setback after another, we all saw how Chengyi handled public opinion and appeased the residents during his time in Zhouling. As for shipping, the fishermen, merchants, and business partners down the line don’t care about seniority. They care about the person.”
His words sounded gentle, but the meaning behind them was firm.
The expressions of the people from the Second Branch immediately stiffened.
Ji Zhonglin was their hope. But now that the old man was siding with Ji Chengyi, would Ji Zhonglin inevitably be sidelined? Or would things be even more direct, with him being forced out altogether? This was the concern shared by most of the people on the Second Branch’s side.
The disappointment in the Second Madam’s eyes was even more obvious.
Ji Zhonglin, however, seemed relatively calm.
In particular, Ji Chengyi had been forced to step forward. He looked slightly helpless and shook his head gently.
“Uncle, you flatter me. I merely did what I was supposed to do.”
He spoke sincerely, even showing a hint of embarrassment at being put on such a high pedestal.
No brothers turning against one another, no ugly infighting. This embodiment of brotherly harmony and united cooperation was probably exactly what Ji Zhonglin had envisioned.
That was, until the old man said, “Chengyi, tell us about your plans.”
“Grandpa.” Even now, Ji Chengyi still looked troubled. He glanced back in Ji Zhonglin’s direction, then finally sighed and nodded. “Since all the elders have placed their trust in me, I will certainly do my utmost. Since this responsibility has been entrusted to me, I have a few preliminary plans…”
Although he called them preliminary plans, he covered everything from optimizing shipping routes at Zhouling Port, to adjusting the distribution of profits from cooperation with fishermen and merchants, and even a framework proposal for restructuring the Shipping Association. His presentation was well-organized and supported by detailed figures.
He had even clearly listed the budget ranges, risk assessments, and implementation schedules for every section.
The Second Madam’s expression changed from livid at the beginning to deathly pale, as though the matter had finally been settled.
Ji Zhonglin sat there, his gaze gradually changing from calm indifference to something increasingly complicated.
It was as if a certain puzzle piece had finally fallen into place, only for the completed picture to reveal a truth he had never imagined.
All that humility and yielding had ultimately transformed into four words: Prepared long ago.
Although some of the plans were clearly still rough around the edges and even showed signs of reservation, there was no way he could have presented such a comprehensive proposal, with not a single mistake or flaw to be found, without thoroughly understanding the business.
Ji Yang watched every change in Ji Zhonglin’s expression from beginning to end.
He felt a little sympathy for him.
Although all of this had happened earlier than it had in the book, wasn’t that still better than waiting until the entire Ji family was gone, only to remain foolishly convinced that someone would eventually change his ways and come around?
As Ji Chengyi’s presentation drew to a close, the hall became extremely quiet. Everyone had their own judgment. After today, quite a few people from the Second Branch faction would probably switch sides.
The old man said, “Very good. It’s settled, then. Meeting adjourned.”
And with that, the family meeting came to an end.
Although the meeting had been declared over, the discussions continued for quite some time.
Ji Yang was preparing to leave the same way he had arrived.
But Aunt Mo insisted that he wait. Since he didn’t want to stay at the estate, she had prepared some daily necessities for him to take with him.
Ji Yang leaned against a stone pillar outside the main gate and waited.
As people gradually came out, a few even greeted him. There were hardly any old men among them; most were young people from the collateral branches. Any one of them would have been an outstanding young gentleman even outside the family.
“What are you looking at?” Ji Mingyue had appeared beside him at some point.
Ji Yang nodded toward the steps below.
“I was just wondering. The Ji family’s direct line isn’t particularly prosperous, but the collateral branches are full of talented people. How come no one has tried to usurp the throne?”
Ji Mingyue lunged forward and covered his mouth.
“What are you doing?” Ji Yang stopped her.
Ji Mingyue slapped him once.
“Don’t you know? People outside say that the Ji family’s direct line has so few descendants because they’ve committed too many evil deeds and have been cursed. Grandpa especially hates hearing things like that. My mom said that when they renovated the main building that year, they even specially consulted a feng shui master.”
Ji Yang: “They’re that superstitious? Then why didn’t the master help them have a few more children?”
Ji Mingyue was at her wit’s end. She rolled her eyes at him.
“That’s why the rumors about the curse have never gone away!”
It was already past noon. The clear, sunny morning had given way to a change in the weather, and large patches of dark clouds were gathering on the horizon.
Ji Yang rubbed his knee from time to time.
Judging by the aching sensation, there would definitely be a heavy downpour soon.
“Should I have the driver take you home?” Ji Mingyue asked worriedly, looking at his leg.
Ji Yang shook his head.
“No need. I’m used to it. I can still put up with this much pain.”
Qi Songqing had given him new medication last time, and Ji Yang had also kept up with his physical therapy exercises. Recently, he hadn’t been troubled much by phantom limb pain.
While the two of them were chatting here, the large stone pillar happened to block them from view.
Suddenly, a loud smack rang out from behind them. It was the sound of a resounding slap.
Ji Yang and Ji Mingyue both turned their heads almost simultaneously.
The Second Madam’s eyes were red. She had just slapped her son, who was nearly thirty years old, and was now scolding him.
“Your uncle was just removed from his position, and shipping has already been handed over to the main branch. What does our Second Branch have left in the group now? How are we supposed to maintain our standing in the future? I always thought you were outstanding and steady, and that you never gave me a single thing to worry about. But look at you now! You’ve completely lost your mind. How could you actually believe that the son of the main branch was some kindhearted person?”
“Mom.” Ji Zhonglin reached out and held his mother’s shoulders. “I’ll take care of it.”
“What do you mean, you’ll take care of it?! I don’t have time to scold you right now. All those uncles of yours are currying favor with the main branch. They’ve enjoyed our Second Branch’s benefits for so many years, and now they’re turning against us just like that!” The Second Madam stormed off angrily.
Ji Mingyue said, “Although I don’t like Second Aunt, I think she’s actually quite right.”
Ji Yang replied, “If it were me, I’d make them spit it all back out too.”
Ji Mingyue said, “I was talking about what she said about Ji Chengyi.”
Ji Yang replied, “I never said I disagreed.”
…
“You two, how much longer are you going to lurk around over there?” Ji Zhonglin suddenly turned around. “Come out.”
Ji Mingyue pouted as she stepped out.
“Big Brother.”
Ji Yang remained leaning against the stone pillar without moving.
“We weren’t lurking around. We got here first.”
What surprised Ji Yang a little, however, was that Ji Zhonglin didn’t look as dejected or defeated as he had expected. Judging by his current emotional state, he actually seemed to be doing a little better than before.
He even had the energy to scold Ji Mingyue.
“You can forget about your engagement to Qi Yiming. That’s fine. But what’s going on with that drama you’ve invested in recently?”
Ji Mingyue was surprised.
“Big Brother, how did you find out?”
“The director is from the largest entertainment company in Fanzhou. He specifically asked me whether you were planning to enter the industry just for fun.”
Ji Yang was also quite shocked when he heard this.
“Are you investing in it, or are you planning to enter the entertainment industry as an actress?”
Being asked so openly like that, Ji Mingyue’s face turned red.
“I was just secretly testing the waters. Can you two stop making such a big deal out of it?”
Ji Zhonglin said, “The waters in this industry are very deep. It might not be suitable for you.”
Ji Yang said, “I support you.”
Ji Zhonglin immediately turned his head and glared at him.
Ji Yang was speechless and pretended not to see it.
At that moment, a rumble of thunder sounded in the sky. Raindrops approached from a distance, coming quickly and pattering against the steps.
“Looks like a thunderstorm.” Ji Chengyi’s voice sounded at the main entrance.
He had accompanied several elderly men out last. After shaking hands and exchanging a few words with them, he spoke to Nie Xu, who had come out behind them.
“The elders are getting on in years. Could you arrange for someone to drive them home? I’m a little worried about them.”
“Someone will be here shortly,” Nie Xu said. “The Old Master already gave the instructions in advance.”
Less than a minute later, a group of bodyguards appeared at the bottom of the steps, all holding black umbrellas.
Large raindrops pounded against the umbrella surfaces with a crackling sound, quickly forming streams of water that dripped from their edges.
Ji Yang silently watched the scene at the main entrance.
Ji Chengyi had now become the Ji family’s public face and de facto decision-maker. His former humility and gentleness remained, but he was no longer keeping a low profile. He displayed himself with composure, with his personal bodyguard, Wang Weitao, following behind him. He truly embodied what it meant to be neither servile nor overbearing.
Ji Yang even noticed that Ji Chengyi took a step backward, ending up standing shoulder to shoulder with Nie Xu.
At first glance, Nie Xu didn’t look like someone who was there to take orders. The two stood side by side in front of the Ji family’s main gate, with the once-mighty family now on the verge of collapse.
Ji Yang had an inexplicable premonition. Did Ji Chengyi really not know who Nie Xu was?
And what about Nie Xu? Ji Chengyi had already risen high enough. Did his willingness to let things be mean that he had already noticed something, or did he have some other plan?
By the time the people at the entrance had gradually left, Ji Chengyi turned around and noticed the few people standing over here.
He paused, then walked over.
Stopping in front of Ji Zhonglin, he hesitated and gave a bitter smile.
“Big Brother, do you think I’ve had ulterior motives all along?”
“None of that matters.” Ji Zhonglin’s tone was calm. “We’re both members of the Ji family. I can understand.”
Only Ji Zhonglin himself knew whether the guilt he had initially felt, and the desire to make amends after learning about all the hardships Ji Chengyi had endured along the way, had truly disappeared.
Ji Chengyi lowered his eyes.
“I’d almost rather you get angry with me.”
From behind them, Ji Yang remarked, “What a deeply moving display of ‘brotherly affection.’”
His sarcastic tone made Ji Zhonglin’s temple twitch. He always felt that Ji Yang never had a single normal thought in his head. So he turned around and glared at him.
“I told you to stay at my apartment, but you refused. You won’t stay here, either. Why haven’t you left yet?”
Ji Yang nodded toward the rain outside.
“It’s pouring. I’m waiting for someone to drive me home.”
Who knew that this sentence would touch a nerve with Ji Chengyi?
He frowned at him.
“Ji Yang, do you really have to act like this? Are you doing this just to embarrass me in front of you?”
Ji Yang looked utterly baffled.
“What?”
Did he think that when Ji Yang said he was waiting for someone to drive him home, he meant Nie Xu?
Ji Chengyi said, “I know I was being awkward in the past. But now that you’ve seen through it, you keep doing this over and over again. Don’t you think you’re being childish and ridiculous?”
Ji Yang asked Ji Mingyue, “Do you understand what he’s talking about?”
Ji Mingyue nodded and said coldly, “A successful man is finally confronting his true feelings. He likes Nie Xu too, so he’s calling you a scheming green tea and saying you’re childish.”
“Oh, I see.” Ji Yang nodded.
Then he shouted toward the steps.
“Nie Xu!”
The person holding an umbrella and talking to someone at the bottom of the steps turned around.
The moment Ji Chengyi saw him being called over so directly, his expression darkened.
“What are you trying to do? Complain to him? Just like at the meeting. Ji Yang, not everyone’s feelings are as shallow as yours.”
Ji Yang: “…”
Not only was he busy seizing power, but he had also remembered that one remark about his face and figure so clearly?
Ji Yang nodded.
“That’s true. How could anyone’s feelings be as profound as Third Brother’s?”
Nie Xu came up the steps holding his umbrella, then folded it and planted it on the ground, where water began pooling around it.
He stood there.
“What is it?”
“I was scolded,” Ji Yang said expressionlessly.
Nie Xu glanced over everyone present, then asked, “And?”
“So, can I hit someone?” Ji Yang asked.
This question didn’t just make Nie Xu raise an eyebrow. Everyone else also seemed to freeze, one after another, as though their brains had stopped working.
Nie Xu took two steps closer. “Are you asking for my opinion?”
“Mm-hmm.” Ji Yang folded his arms and sneered.
After all, he’s your official love interest.
Nie Xu said, “If you’re asking for my opinion, then no.”
Ji Yang closed his eyes briefly. He knew it! In the end, some people were simply more important than others!
Ji Chengyi’s voice softened.
“Nie Xu.”
Nie Xu continued looking at Ji Yang, his gaze dropping downward. “You have to lean on something just to stand. Who do you think you can beat in your current condition?”