Hearing these words, He Xiang didn’t react at first.
After accidentally knocking over the teacup beside him, he looked up abruptly, as if someone had struck him hard from behind.
His gaze met Ji Tingzhou’s scrutinizing eyes.
"...Sponsorship?"
He Xiang forced out the two words with difficulty.
His expression was dark and unsettling.
Ji Tingzhou, as if oblivious to his disbelief, leisurely lifted his cup, inhaled the fragrance of the tea, and took a slow sip.
Hmm, good tea.
Only then did he glance at He Xiang, who could no longer sit still, his eyes burning with agitation.
"From your elementary school years until you came of age, it was this child who used her own earnings to sponsor you and cover all your grandmother’s medical expenses."
His calm tone unveiled the earth-shattering secret that rooted He Xiang to the spot.
"The letters you wrote—she even had them specially preserved, every single one intact."
Ji Tingzhou’s mention of the letters only added credibility to the revelation.
Besides, what reason would a man like him have to lie to someone like He Xiang, who had nothing?
Fortunately, He Xiang didn’t remain lost in his daze for long. By the time Ji Tingzhou had taken a few sips of tea, he had silently processed it all.
Looking up, his voice slightly hoarse, he asked, "What do you want me to do?"
He knew Ji Tingzhou hadn’t brought this up casually.
Sure enough, Ji Tingzhou spoke again, his tone unyielding and authoritative.
"Get into S University, study business, and join the Ji Group."
"I want you to become a blade in Ji Nian’s hand."
Ji Tingzhou hadn’t made this decision on a whim. He had been observing He Xiang for years, confirming his potential and temperament before making his choice.
Most of the people Ji Nian could rely on now were his own subordinates.
While he was still alive, he could keep them in line. But once he was gone, things might not be so simple.
Madam Li’s earlier words had served as a reminder.
People were devils driven by self-interest—given enough incentive, even the most loyal could turn into hyenas, tearing their master apart.
And He Xiang’s background made him the perfect fit for the role of an "executioner."
He had no parents, his only relative had recently passed away, and he was utterly alone.
"Of course, if you prove incompetent, I won’t hesitate to cut off all resources invested in you."
Almost before Ji Tingzhou finished speaking, He Xiang agreed without hesitation.
"Fine."
His lack of deliberation earned him a sidelong glance.
As if understanding the unspoken question, He Xiang stood and said quietly, "I only fear it won’t be enough."
Not enough to repay her kindness and devotion.
After He Xiang left, Zhiliao came in to clear his teacup.
"He likes Ji Nian. Won’t that leave a problem for the future?"
Once He Xiang climbed high enough, the unfulfilled longing of his youth might fester into an insatiable void.
And when that happened, the executioner’s blade might turn against its master.
Ji Tingzhou leaned back lazily in his chair, only to straighten again when something dug into him.
"Since when do I only have one contingency?"
Zhiliao understood.
Ji Tingzhou wasn’t the type to do good deeds anonymously. He had deliberately let He Xiang know exactly who was responsible for his current stability.
Some might call it underhanded.
But so what?
Did playing fair ever make anyone rich? Or guarantee their children a smooth life?
...
Ji Nian rubbed her nose.
[I’m not underdressed...]
Assuming someone must be talking about her, she waved off an approaching stranger and scanned the crowd for Lu Jinghuai.
Luckily, she spotted the human spotlight within a few steps.
Lu Jinghuai was easy to find—wherever a crowd had inexplicably stalled, he was usually at the center.
The entrance of S University was already bustling, but Lu Jinghuai’s appearance nearly caused a stampede.
"Aren’t you that pianist from that band?"
"Holy crap, the little prince of O Country—in the flesh!"
"I just texted my O Country classmate, and he’s losing his mind."
In the end, Ji Nian had to drag him out by sheer force.
"Here, put this on."
She fished out a fresh mask and handed it to him like a thief in the night.
Lu Jinghuai obediently lowered his head, brushing his hair aside so she could fasten it for him.
"Wow, busy, huh?"
A mocking voice cut in just as she hooked one ear.
Ji Nian turned to see none other than Wei Junze, his fiery red hair unmistakable.
Today, he’d even removed his eyebrow piercing and wore a sleeveless black tee, showing off his toned arms.
"Just the two of you?"
After a quick scan confirmed no one else was around, Wei Junze ignored Lu Jinghuai and focused on Ji Nian.
Dressed simply for the campus tour, she wore a white cap, her features sharp under its shadow.
Ji Nian swiftly fastened the other side of the mask before turning to answer.
"Yeah, everyone else was busy."
Wei Junze swiped his card and led them inside.
"That’s a tree, that’s a building, and over there’s a lake," he said, pointing at random.
Ji Nian: "......"
This guy.
Totally messing with her.
Sure enough, Wei Junze smirked. "How’s my tour guiding?"
Ji Nian’s lips twitched. "Fantastic."
Their exchange carried a private understanding, one that left Lu Jinghuai outwardly serene but inwardly cold.
S University’s historic architecture and sprawling campus couldn’t be fully appreciated in a single day.
Ji Tingzhou had once offered to give her a tour, but she’d refused.
No way could her father keep a low profile—his entourage would’ve turned it into a spectacle. He’d sulked for five whole minutes before she coaxed him out of it.
Even with just a brief visit, Ji Nian fell in love with the school’s atmosphere. It only solidified her determination to study there.
Wei Junze ended the tour at the canteen.
S University’s dining halls had poetic names, like the one he recommended—Chunhua.
On the way back, Ji Nian was still buzzing with excitement.
The moment she got home and finished replying to Lu Jinghuai’s message, Wei Junze called.
"Hey, if this is small talk, I’m hanging up," she warned.
Wei Junze feigned hurt.
"Business, I swear."
"My aunt mentioned you’ve been working with the Chen Group."
"I’ve got a proposal—interested?"
Ji Nian’s interest piqued at the mention of money. She mentally reviewed Wei Junze’s family background.
"What kind of project?"
Wei Junze said—
"Hemorrhoid cream."
Ji Nian’s eyes flickered.
"Free tomorrow? Ten a.m., Teahouse No. 36 on Seahorse Street. Bring your documents, and we’ll talk details."
That was a yes.
Wei Junze had expected her to balk at the crude subject.
"Deal."
Hanging up, he whistled and pocketed his phone before heading into the batting cages.
"Boss?"
The front desk was empty. Wei Junze called the owner of the place, who soon came running over, sweating profusely. "Young Master Wei, why didn’t you give us a heads-up before coming?"
Wei Junze waved his hand dismissively. "Spur of the moment."
Perhaps in a good mood, he asked casually, "What were you up to? Leaving your business unattended?"
The boss grinned mysteriously. "We’ve got a prodigy here."
"Gorgeous looks, slim figure, yet the moment they arrived, they asked for a 150-speed ball."
Wei Junze raised an eyebrow at his excited tone. "That good?"
The boss nodded vigorously. "Precise and ruthless. If they hit the field, we might see another home run."
As soon as he finished, the boss winked at him.
"There, that’s him."
Wei Junze turned his head and was momentarily blinded by the shimmering strands of pale gold hair.
The person before him seemed entirely different from his daytime demeanor—his hair was braided back, revealing pierced ears, and he wore gloves as he walked over, placing a dented bat on the counter.
"It’s broken. Please calculate the cost, and I’ll compensate."
He stood close to Wei Junze, who glanced down and could clearly see the contours of his muscles through his thin clothing.
Huh, so this guy isn’t just a pretty face after all.
"Hey, Lu Jinghuai."
"Care for a match?"
Wei Junze felt a flicker of interest.
Hearing his name, Lu Jinghuai’s silver-gray eyes flicked toward him. Wei Junze expected to see disdain or some other emotion in them.
But there was nothing—just a calmness that was almost unsettling.
"Sure."
Lu Jinghuai agreed in a tone that was almost cheerful.
