"In recent years, China has seen a rise in the construction of luxury rehabilitation resorts, but there aren’t many domestic cases to reference. I’ve gathered some overseas projects. Most clients of these resorts are elderly, so the hospital is a top priority. Take the Osborn Rehabilitation Center, for example—they prioritize..."
When it came to business, Wen Yan spoke with ease.
Her eyes were bright, her long lashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks. She had a habit of pausing lightly when deep in thought.
She was professional.
That was Ji Zhiyuan’s assessment of her.
As he watched her sparkling eyes, he couldn’t help but think of his late wife. Though the two women bore a striking resemblance in appearance, their personalities were entirely different.
"Mr. Ji, is something wrong?"
Under the weight of his intense gaze, Wen Yan felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine.
Ji Zhiyuan snapped out of his thoughts and said, "Dr. Wen seems very familiar with these rehabilitation centers. It must have taken a long time for market research."
Wen Yan smiled. "I’ve lived abroad for years. Since I had family in a rehabilitation center, I did my homework."
Ji Zhiyuan probed, "The States?"
"Yes, my family is settled there—in Los Angeles," she replied.
Just then, Duoduo, who had been sleeping in her arms, murmured softly, "Mommy..."
The little girl nestled against Wen Yan, smiling in her sleep.
Wen Yan’s heart softened. "Mr. Ji, Duoduo has school tomorrow. She should go home to sleep. As for the project, I can visit Ji Corporation another day to discuss the details. Would that be alright?"
Ji Zhiyuan nodded, stood up, and reached out. "Let me take her."
Wen Yan felt a pang of reluctance.
If only this were her daughter.
She lifted Duoduo to hand her over—but in that moment, the little girl’s tiny fingers caught the button on Wen Yan’s blouse. Without warning, the button popped off.
She was wearing a professional suit, the buttons fastened meticulously from the collar down. Now, with one missing, her undergarments were exposed.
"My apologies, Dr. Wen."
Ji Zhiyuan handed her the suit jacket draped over the chair.
A cold, masculine scent instantly filled her nostrils. Wen Yan instinctively recoiled. Instead, she grabbed the files on the table and held them against her chest, covering the gap. With an air of indifference, she said, "Mr. Ji, you should take Duoduo home now."
Ji Zhiyuan’s eyes darkened.
She’d rather risk exposure than accept his jacket.
Too guarded.
Carrying Duoduo, he walked toward the exit. Wen Yan followed, opening the car door for him and shielding the top of the frame with her hand...
A few meters away stood Kou Xing, founder of Kou Technology, and his companion, Lan Rouxue.
Lan Rouxue watched the scene, her lips pressed tightly together.
Hadn’t she and Ji Zhiyuan just broken up? How could he move on so quickly?
For some reason, this new woman looked familiar—like she’d seen her somewhere before.
Her gaze shifted to Duoduo’s face, and suddenly, it hit her. This woman resembled Duoduo’s mother.
But on closer inspection, not quite.
This woman was dressed like a corporate elite—sharp and polished.
Duoduo’s mother, Ke Man, had been heavily pregnant, her face swollen and covered in hormonal blemishes. She’d never been a threat in Lan Rouxue’s eyes.
But Ji Zhiyuan was too responsible.
Even though he didn’t love Ke Man, he accompanied her to every prenatal checkup.
Lan Rouxue had spent so much effort gradually diverting his attention away from Ke Man...
"What are you staring at?" Kou Xing’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She looked away, lips sealed.
"Regretting it now, aren’t you?" Kou Xing’s words were gritted out. "Go on, grovel at his feet. Maybe he’ll spare you a glance."
Lan Rouxue’s face twisted in humiliation. "If it weren’t for you—"
Kou Xing cut her off. "Yes, if it weren’t for you, Kou Technology wouldn’t be in this mess. I wouldn’t be begging at every banquet, humiliating myself. I’ve never been this low—all thanks to you!"
Her resentment flared. "You blame me? You’re the one who seduced me, tempted me! If not for you, I’d still be the future Mrs. Ji, living comfortably. But you—"
Kou Xing grabbed her chin. "You never take responsibility, do you? Everything’s always someone else’s fault. Being with you was the worst mistake of my life. Lan Rouxue, we’re done."
He shoved her away.
In her heels, Lan Rouxue stumbled, barely catching herself.
She clutched his sleeve. "You promised I’d be the lady of Kou Technology! You can’t just—"
"Because of you, Kou Technology is nearly bankrupt," he spat, shaking her off. "Here’s 200,000. Don’t come looking for me again."
Lan Rouxue almost laughed.
200,000? That’s it?
Ji Zhiyuan used to spend that much on a single dinner for her. The clothes, bags, jewelry—all worth hundreds of thousands. Even the stuffed toys he bought Duoduo were exorbitantly priced.
She tore the check in half.
Kou Xing’s eyes darkened. "You refused it. Don’t come crying later."
Lan Rouxue trembled.
Done? Just like that?
She’d lost Ji Zhiyuan, lost her place as the future Mrs. Ji. How dare Kou Xing end things unilaterally?
She’d gained nothing. Why should she bow out?
"Kou Xing," she said slowly, "I have information. Pay me 10 million, and I’ll sell it to you."
He didn’t even turn around.
"It’s about the Ji family," she pressed. "Enough to make their stocks plummet. With Ji Corporation in trouble, Kou Technology can rise. Isn’t that what you want?"
That night, rain fell softly.
Listening to the patter, Rong Yu slept unusually well. When she came downstairs the next morning, she found Old Master Ji on the sofa, glasses on, flipping through a photo album.
Inside were pictures of his five grandsons.
His fingers traced each face, and he sighed.
Word of what happened at last night’s Ji family banquet had reached him. He couldn’t understand—how had his once sweet, obedient fourth grandson, after four years abroad, turned out like this?
"Stop sighing," Rong Yu said, joining him. She flipped through the album. "A crooked tree can still be straightened."
She had little affection for the Ji family’s younger generation, especially the fourth grandson—practically a stranger. And she had no patience for strangers.
If a tree grew crooked, chop it down.
But the fourth grandson was Old Master Ji’s flesh and blood. She had to consider his feelings.
"Let’s go," she said. "We’ll visit him at the hotel."
