The butler led the servants in serving the dishes.
The Ji Family's dining table was a traditional Chinese square Eight Immortals table.
Old Master Ji sat at one side, Rong Yu at another, Ji Zhouye and Duoduo shared one side, while Ji Zhiyuan held Lan Yue in his arms on the opposite side.
Lan Rouxue fluttered her eyelashes. "Miss Rong, you don’t mind if I sit beside you, do you?"
"Secretary Lan can just sit next to Zhiyuan. Don’t crowd Miss Rong." Old Master Ji picked up a piece of fish belly and placed it in Rong Yu’s bowl. "I remember you love this. Have more."
Lan Rouxue froze.
A man of Old Master Ji’s status actually serving a junior personally—how much must he favor her?
And Rong Yu accepted it without even a word of thanks.
If Rong Yu was trying to win Old Master Ji’s favor, shouldn’t she be the one flattering him? Yet she acted so relaxed, as if she were at home…
Just how many times had Rong Yu been to the Ji Family?
Lan Rouxue sat down, puzzled.
"Daddy, I want a meatball," Lan Yue chirped sweetly from Ji Zhiyuan’s arms. "And fish too, but I’m scared of the bones. Can you pick them out for me?"
Ji Zhiyuan smiled. "Of course."
Duoduo bit her lip, mustering courage. "Daddy… I want fish too."
It had been over a month since she last saw him.
She longed for him to hold her, to serve her food, but he barely seemed to notice her.
She had to speak up.
Yet Ji Zhiyuan only glanced at her indifferently. "Duoduo, you’re grown up now. You should learn to pick out fish bones yourself. You can’t always rely on others."
Lan Rouxue smirked.
When she had given birth to Lan Yue, Ji Zhiyuan had stayed by her side the entire time, even seeing the baby before she did.
But Duoduo’s mother meant nothing to him.
How could he care about a child born from a woman he never loved?
Duoduo lowered her head.
Even though Lan Yue was older than her by several months.
"Duoduo, you’re already so big," Ji Zhouye chimed in from beside her. "When I was your age, I did everything myself."
Rong Yu shot him a glare and pulled Duoduo to her side. "You want fish?"
Duoduo nodded, then shook her head.
It wasn’t about the fish—she just envied Lan Yue for having her father’s attention.
Rong Yu grabbed an entire fish and dumped it into Old Master Ji’s bowl. "If your eyes aren’t too far gone, pick out the bones for Duoduo."
A Ji Family descendant, neglected in her own home.
Wasn’t the family patriarch responsible for this?
Old Master Ji sensed his mother’s anger and silently began removing the bones.
Lan Rouxue was stunned.
Miss Rong dared to order Old Master Ji around?
Had she also just insulted him by implying he was going blind? How audacious!
Old Master Ji had founded the Ji empire, weathered decades in the business world, and stood at the pinnacle of Hai City’s elite—even politicians and military leaders treated him with deference. Yet a high school girl was bossing him around?
She glanced at Ji Zhiyuan.
He showed no reaction.
Ji Zhouye also continued eating calmly.
Had she misheard?
After the meal, Old Master Ji tried to appease his mother. "Zhiyuan, cancel your afternoon schedule. Take Miss Rong shopping."
Lan Rouxue clenched her fingers.
She was starting to understand—Miss Rong was likely Old Master Ji’s chosen bride for Zhiyuan.
Why else would he ask Zhiyuan to drop everything just to accompany her?
She nudged her daughter subtly.
Lan Yue immediately piped up, "But Daddy, you promised to take me to the movies this afternoon! Can we go, please…?"
Old Master Ji frowned.
Lan Yue was usually so well-behaved—why was she being difficult now?
Children shouldn’t interrupt adult arrangements.
He glanced at Ji Zhiyuan.
To his dismay, his eldest grandson hesitated.
This was his great-grandmother, newly arrived in this era and unfamiliar with everything. As her descendant, shouldn’t he prioritize attending to her?
Yet he was willing to neglect family for a girl with no blood ties.
"Fine. Zhiyuan, take Lan Yue to the movies. I’ll accompany Miss Rong myself." Old Master Ji stood with his cane. "Zhouye, since you’re an expert in leisure, you’ll guide us."
Rong Yu lifted Duoduo into her arms. "You’re coming too."
Ji Zhouye eagerly fetched the car keys.
His monthly allowance was tight, and there were so many things he couldn’t afford. But with Old Master Ji footing the bill today, he could splurge.
First stop: the car dealership. He’d get Rong Yu a car, then sneakily pick out a sports car for himself. Surely the old man wouldn’t notice…
When the car arrived, Rong Yu carried Duoduo inside, followed by Old Master Ji.
Ji Zhouye floored the accelerator, and the car vanished beyond the estate gates.
Ji Zhiyuan pressed his lips together.
Why did he suddenly feel… abandoned?
"Daddy, let’s go to the movies!" Lan Yue beamed. "My classmates say it’s amazing! There’s even a limited-edition doll from the film—it costs over 50,000 yuan, more than Mommy’s monthly salary! But I really, really want one…"
Ji Zhiyuan snapped out of his thoughts. "After the movie, I’ll buy it for you."
"Yay! Daddy’s the best!" Lan Yue jumped in excitement. "If you get me a gift, you should get Mommy one too, okay?"
Ji Zhiyuan obliged without question.
Meanwhile, Rong Yu’s group had already reached the dealership.
Seventy years ago, cars were rare luxuries only the elite could afford. The Ji Family had managed to acquire one back then, and Rong Yu knew how to drive. Having a car now would make life much easier.
She selected a sleek black model.
Old Master Ji pulled out a stack of black cards.
Ji Zhouye reached for them eagerly, but Rong Yu intercepted and handed them to Duoduo instead.
"Little Duoduo, can you go pay for us?"
Duoduo shrank back timidly.
Ji Zhouye groaned. "She’s just a kid! Let me handle it!"
He’d already eyed an 8-million-yuan car—this was his chance!
"Move aside." Rong Yu pushed him away.
It was because of neglectful men like him that Duoduo had grown up so timid.
She softened her voice encouragingly. "See that lady over there? Give her the card and say you want to buy the black car. She’ll help you with everything."
Duoduo hesitated. "Can I really do it?"
"Of course! You’re the best, Duoduo."
The little girl smiled shyly, took the card, and walked toward the counter.
Ji Zhouye trailed behind her. "Good Duoduo, just let Uncle handle this, okay?"
"No." Duoduo mustered unexpected boldness. "Auntie Rong gave me this task. I’ll do it myself. Step aside, Uncle."
Ji Zhouye sighed.
Fine. Rong Yu’s car cost over 10 million anyway—he could just borrow hers later for a joyride.
