Ji Zhiyuan's face showed a rare hint of embarrassment.
He pressed his lips together and asked, "How much is the bill?"
The manager was slightly surprised.
This Mr. Ji had never asked about prices when dining at the restaurant before—he simply swiped his card without hesitation.
Today was unusual.
The manager replied, "A total of seventy-eight thousand six hundred yuan."
Ji Zhiyuan silently winced at the cost.
He had been bringing Lan Rouxue here every few days, meaning he spent roughly three to four hundred thousand yuan a month at this restaurant alone.
In the past, this amount hadn’t seemed significant.
But now…
He raised his hand. "Give me a moment."
The manager nodded and stepped away.
Lan Yue blinked her big eyes and asked, "Daddy, how can your account have insufficient balance? Don’t you even have seventy thousand yuan… Mmph!"
Her mouth was quickly covered.
Lan Rouxue understood.
Old Master Ji must have imposed financial sanctions on Zhiyuan to pressure them into breaking up.
She couldn’t comprehend it.
Just a few days ago, the old master had seemed fond of her—even asking when they planned to hold their wedding.
How had things taken such a sudden turn with the appearance of Rong Yu? It had all happened too fast for her to react.
She had the seventy thousand yuan.
After her divorce, she had received a settlement of over two million, and she had saved all her earnings from work over the years. On top of that, Ji Zhiyuan often gifted her luxury items, which she resold if she didn’t like them. Financially, she wasn’t struggling.
But wasn’t it a bit awkward for a woman to pay during a date?
With that thought, Lan Rouxue stayed silent.
Ji Zhiyuan scrolled through his contacts and sent a borrowing request to a friend.
The friend replied, puzzled, "You borrowed over two hundred thousand just a couple of days ago, and now you’re asking for eighty thousand? What’s going on? Is the Ji family going bankrupt?"
Ji Zhiyuan didn’t want to explain.
After a brief pause, he typed, "Just lend me a million."
The next second, his WeChat notified him of a one-million-yuan transfer.
He promptly settled the bill.
"I knew Daddy wouldn’t be unable to pay for dinner!" Lan Yue giggled. "Mommy says Daddy is the richest man in the world, so I’ll be the richest little princess."
Ji Zhiyuan frowned imperceptibly.
Had Rouxue really been discussing money with their child?
Lan Rouxue noticed his displeasure and was about to smooth things over when her phone suddenly vibrated. An unknown number flashed on the screen, and she answered absentmindedly.
"Is this a relative of Lan Zigang? He has been detained for exploiting his position for illegal profit. You are required to come to the police station immediately to assist with the investigation…"
Meanwhile, Rong Yu was already seated at the Ji family’s dining table.
The Hibiscus Manor employed eight chefs, each specializing in a different Chinese cuisine, ensuring no meal was ever repeated.
Ji Zhouye, who rarely came home for meals, was unusually attentive, serving Rong Yu dishes with exaggerated courtesy.
After the meal, he rubbed his hands together and grinned at Old Master Ji. "Grandpa, since I’ve been taking such good care of Great-Grandma, don’t you think I deserve a little reward?"
Old Master Ji turned out his empty pockets. "What exactly do you expect me to give you?"
Ji Zhouye whined pitifully.
Before, he would grab a quick bite after school and then head to an internet café to game.
But today, he realized he didn’t even have enough money to eat out—his credit cards were maxed out, and his WeChat balance was a measly five yuan and sixty cents. Pathetic.
Just then, Ji Zhiyuan returned.
Ji Zhouye hurried over, putting on his most pitiful expression. "Big Brother, I’m broke. Can you spare some cash?"
"I don’t have any either," Ji Zhiyuan said, pulling out his empty wallet. "All my bank accounts and credit cards have been frozen."
Ji Zhouye: "…"
Well, damn. Even his mighty older brother had fallen on hard times.
Strangely, that made him feel better.
Ji Zhiyuan strode into the hall, his lips pressed into a tight line. "Lan Zigang is Rouxue’s only living relative. He’s only been with the company for six months and is still learning. A few mistakes are understandable. I don’t think this needed to escalate to the police."
Rong Yu spread her hands. "I couldn’t reach you, and Lan Zigang was nowhere to be found. What else could I do but let the authorities handle it?"
She smiled faintly. "The accounts show he embezzled four hundred and eighty thousand yuan from Ji Corporation in half a year. What would you have done in my place?"
Ji Zhiyuan clenched his jaw.
Four hundred and eighty thousand wasn’t much to him—his monthly dining expenses far exceeded that.
If it had been an ordinary employee, he would have followed protocol without hesitation.
But Rouxue had lost both parents. Lan Zigang was her only family…
"Lan Zigang’s a decent guy," Ji Zhouye chimed in. "Last month, he took me and my friends out for drinks. Super generous. I agree—no need to involve the police. The Ji family can just cover the loss."
"You little fool!" Old Master Ji smacked Ji Zhouye’s forehead with his cane. "You’ve lived too comfortably if you think four hundred thousand is pocket change!"
"And you!" He glared at Ji Zhiyuan. "How did I raise such a blind successor? That parasite Lan Zigang is gnawing at the foundations of Ji Corporation, and you’re defending him? I ought to disown you!"
Rong Yu handed him a glass of water. "No need to work yourself up over this."
She turned to Ji Zhiyuan. "If Lan Zigang repays ten times the amount within three days, Ji Corporation will withdraw the charges."
Ji Zhiyuan froze.
Ten times—that meant four point eight million.
He’d have to sell one of his sports cars at a loss…
"To prevent you from using Ji family assets to bail out the Lans," Rong Yu continued coolly, "all your properties, cars, collectibles, gold, and luxury items will be repossessed by the family." She raised her voice. "Steward Yu, please handle the confiscation of the young master’s assets. You have two hours."
Whether the Lan family ended up in jail didn’t concern her.
She simply wanted Ji Zhiyuan to see them for what they really were.
Still, blood ties were hard to sever.
Ji Zhouye gaped.
His brother was the future head of Ji Corporation, a man whose word was law. Even Old Master Ji used to consult him on major decisions.
Now, with Great-Grandma’s return, his invincible older brother had been reduced to… this.
He lit a metaphorical candle in his heart.
Old Master Ji hardened his tone. "If you mix personal and professional matters like this again, I’ll have no choice but to transfer you to a subsidiary for… reevaluation."
Ji Zhiyuan stood in the hall for a long time.
He couldn’t blame Great-Grandma or the old master—Lan Zigang was undeniably at fault.
His own leniency had allowed the situation to spiral.
He called his second brother first. "Yanting…"
Ji Yanting cut him off. "I don’t know what’s going on between you and Grandfather, but he’s made it clear—no one is to lend you a single cent. Third Brother and Fourth Brother must have gotten the same warning. Sorry, Big Brother."
Ji Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. He tried a close friend next.
"What the hell happened? Your grandfather called me tonight and threatened to cut ties with my family if I helped you financially…"
The moment Ji Zhiyuan hung up, Lan Rouxue’s call came through.
Her voice was hoarse from crying. "Zhiyuan, what’s the update? Is the old master willing to drop the charges?"
