Lan Rouxue's lips were bitten pale.
Born into a modest family, her only asset had been her beauty. A government scholarship took her abroad, where she witnessed endless glamour, and her heart gradually grew restless.
Being with Ji Zhiyuan brought her joy.
Yet watching him wash dishes at restaurants and juggle multiple part-time jobs daily was more than she could bear.
She couldn’t understand—why would someone from the wealthy Ji family endure such hardships? It had even led her to mistakenly believe he was poor.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too late to rectify things.
She lifted her gaze. "Whatever my reasons, I am Ji Zhiyuan’s girlfriend now. Please leave."
"Your calculations might be in vain," Kou Xing said with a faint smile. "Perhaps you’re unaware, but all shares under Ji Shunying, the chairman of Ji Group, have been transferred—and not to Ji Zhiyuan. In other words, Ji Zhiyuan is not the heir to Ji Group."
Lan Rouxue froze. "Th-That’s impossible!"
Ji Zhiyuan had been groomed since childhood to take over the family empire. By his teens, he was already managing Ji Group, and now he served as its president.
How could he not be the heir?
"As the former secretary-general of Ji Group’s president, verifying this should be easy for you," Kou Xing remarked. "To maintain their status, wealthy families avoid dispersing their assets. Ji Zhiyuan won’t inherit much in terms of shares or wealth..."
Lan Rouxue’s mind went blank.
She immediately pulled out her phone to contact former colleagues.
Though she had resigned, her influence lingered, and as Ji Zhiyuan’s girlfriend, they were eager to share what they knew.
"The president still holds only 5% of the shares. I can’t access the chairman’s records, but rumors suggest he’s gradually transferring control, and his shares seem to have been reallocated..."
The revelation struck Lan Rouxue like lightning.
Hadn’t she left her marriage for Ji Zhiyuan precisely because he was the heir?
If he were just an ordinary rich second- or third-generation, why would she lower herself to becoming a stepmother?
Clutching the edge of the table, she asked, "Then who is Ji Group’s new heir?"
"Likely Ji Yanting," Kou Xing replied. "Rumor has it Ji's Entertainment is already fully under his management. Taking over Ji Headquarters would be the natural next step..."
Lan Rouxue dug her nails into her palm, dizzy with disbelief.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang abruptly.
Before Lan Rouxue could react, Lan Yue dashed out of the room and pulled the door open.
Ji Zhiyuan stood at the threshold.
Both Lan Rouxue and Lan Yue were stunned.
The little girl nearly called out "Daddy," then hesitated—Kou Xing was still here. What if both men responded?
Young as she was, she wasn’t naive.
Ji Zhiyuan had just driven out of the villa area when he noticed the newly bought evening gown Lan Rouxue had left in the passenger seat.
He turned back to deliver it personally.
Upon seeing Lan Yue, he frowned—why was she still awake at this hour?
Then he spotted the stranger in the room.
Ji Zhiyuan’s sharp phoenix eyes narrowed.
Wasn’t this the man who had strolled along the riverbank with Lan Rouxue that night?
And hadn’t Lan Yue called him "Daddy"?
What was he doing here so late?
"President Ji," Kou Xing stepped forward, extending a hand. "An honor to finally meet you."
Ji Zhiyuan ignored the gesture.
Lan Rouxue’s heart leaped to her throat. She hurried over, forcing an explanation. "Zhiyuan, this is Kou Xing, the one I mentioned—we studied abroad together. Remember that Spring Festival gathering for international students? He was there too."
Ji Zhiyuan recalled the name.
Kou Xing had been notable in their circles—a self-made entrepreneur who’d launched his company before graduation.
"I came to invite Ms. Lan to be my secretary," Kou Xing said smoothly. "With her credentials and experience as Ji Group’s former secretary-general, it’s a waste for such talent to remain idle."
"However," he added with a smile, "she insisted on consulting her boyfriend first. I won’t intrude further."
At the door, he bent to pinch Lan Yue’s cheek. "Goodbye, Yueyue."
Lan Yue waved. "Bye, Uncle Kou."
Unfazed by the sudden title change, Kou Xing ruffled her hair and left.
Once the door closed, Lan Yue turned to Ji Zhiyuan and loudly exclaimed, "Daddy!"
Ji Zhiyuan’s expression darkened.
Clearly, the girl knew better than to address two men as "Daddy" simultaneously—hence her guilty tone.
She recognized it was wrong yet chose to do it anyway.
This child was far too cunning.
"Daddy, what’s wrong?" Sensing his mood, Lan Yue scrambled onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a loud kiss on his cheek. "I love you the most!"
Normally, such words would melt Ji Zhiyuan’s heart.
But tonight, his face remained impassive.
Setting her down, he said to Lan Rouxue, "Your career is your decision. It’s late—get some rest. Goodnight."
He turned and walked out.
Lan Rouxue pressed her lips together, lost in thought.
---
Early the next morning, Rong Yu trudged to school, yawning. She’d barely slept, having spent the night crunching coefficients.
At the gate, she ran into Rong Ruoyao.
Stepping out of a car, Rong Ruoyao’s gaze locked onto Ji Zhouye beside Rong Yu.
Her eyes swept over him.
Every item he wore was a luxury brand—expensive, exclusive.
Even the affluent Rong family couldn’t casually afford such a wardrobe.
And Rong Yu was dressed just as lavishly.
Ji Zhouye spared no expense on his girlfriend...
A bitter taste filled Rong Ruoyao’s mouth.
She approached in her polished leather shoes, smiling. "Ji Zhouye, happy belated eighteenth birthday. I regret missing the celebration, but here’s your gift."
She offered an elegantly wrapped box.
Ji Zhouye frowned. "No need."
He glimpsed a belt inside.
Seriously? Couldn’t girls gift anything besides belts? A game skin would’ve been better.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he strode off.
Rong Ruoyao bit her lip, turning to Rong Yu.
He refused because he’s afraid of upsetting her.
Why did Ji Zhouye indulge Rong Yu so much?
Yawning again, Rong Yu headed to class.
