Lan Yue clung tightly to Ji Zhiyuan's leg.
Tilting her chin up, large teardrops fell one after another, soaking a patch of the carpet beneath her.
"Xiao Yue, I'm not your father. You should call me Uncle Ji," Ji Zhiyuan bent down to help her up. "Only a man who's truly married to your mother can be called 'Dad,' understand?"
Lan Yue, her eyes brimming with tears, rolled on the floor in protest. "No! I don’t understand! I won’t remember! I want to call you Dad! Dad, Dad! You are my dad!"
"Xiao Yue!"
Lan Rouxue had just stepped into the Ji Family home when she witnessed the scene.
Ji Zhiyuan sat calmly on the sofa while her daughter lay crumpled on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Not a single adult in the room had bothered to help the child up.
Trembling with anger, Lan Rouxue rushed forward and scooped Lan Yue into her arms.
Her eyes burned red. "Ji Zhiyuan, how can you be so heartless? Even a stranger would help someone who’s fallen—let alone Xiao Yue, who’s called you 'Dad' for four or five years! In her heart, you’re the only father she knows. How could you be so cruel to her?"
"Rouxue-jie, that’s not quite accurate," Ji Zhouye interjected without looking up from his game. "One night by the riverbank, we all heard Xiao Yue calling another man 'Dad.' Since she already has a new father figure, why should my brother bother stepping in?"
Lan Rouxue’s blood ran cold.
That night by the riverbank—it was when Kou Xing had just returned from abroad, their first reunion in years.
Had Ji Zhiyuan known about Kou Xing’s existence all along?
This man had long stopped trusting her, yet he’d continued pretending to be the devoted boyfriend. What a cunning, ruthless scheme.
Thankfully, she’d cut ties in time—otherwise, she’d have been devoured without a trace.
Steward Yu spoke up, "Miss Lan, a car has been arranged to take you back—"
"I don’t want to go back!" Lan Yue wailed. "Uncle Kou is horrible to me! I don’t want Uncle Kou! I want Dad!"
But Ji Zhiyuan’s patience had run out.
He picked up his laptop, walked into his study, and shut the door behind him.
"See that? He doesn’t acknowledge you anymore! Why are you still throwing yourself at him?" Lan Rouxue dragged the crying Lan Yue toward the exit. She refused the Ji Family’s car, hailing a taxi instead, directing it to Kou Tech.
Now working at Kou Tech, she was swamped with tasks, often staying late into the night.
As she mulled over work, her phone rang—Kou Xing’s call. "Rouxue, where are you? Have you contacted those executives I asked you to?"
Lan Rouxue explained, "Xiao Yue ran off alone, so I went to get her. I’ll be back at the office soon."
"Why is Xiao Yue so inconsiderate?" Kou Xing’s voice dripped with impatience. "Adults have work to do. Can’t she be less of a burden? Just hire a nanny to take care of her already."
Lan Rouxue’s expression darkened. "I’ve told you before—the last few nannies I hired abused Xiao Yue when I wasn’t around. That’s why I—"
"Enough. I don’t want to hear it," Kou Xing cut in coldly. "Just get back to the office. Those executives need to hear from you."
The call ended abruptly.
Lan Rouxue bit her lip.
Those executives were clients she’d once handled at Ji Corporation—they’d always treated her with respect.
Kou Xing was using her to secure deals with them.
To him, she wasn’t a girlfriend—just a pawn to be drained of value.
"Mom, I don’t like Uncle Kou," Lan Yue sniffled. "He always says I’m naughty and disobedient. Being with him makes me sad. I like Dad Ji better—he spoiled me, loved me, protected me..."
Lan Rouxue scoffed. "If he loved you, he wouldn’t have thrown us out just now."
She’d chosen Kou Xing.
Even if this path led to darkness, she’d grit her teeth and walk it.
Her skills weren’t lacking—once she helped Kou Tech through this crisis, she’d soon become its madam...
Rong Yu paid no mind to the drama.
After dinner, she stepped onto the balcony to practice her song.
Her group members had to record a hundred daily rehearsals in their chat. Having lost most of the day, she had to make up for it tonight.
Her voice, clear and resonant, poured out the melancholic melody, drawing listeners into its embrace.
Duoduo’s piano room was also on the balcony. After a few listens, she memorized the notes and began accompanying Rong Yu.
With the music layered in, the song became even more enchanting.
As the last note faded, a crowd of servants had gathered below, cheering.
"Miss Rong, you’re amazing!"
"You’re definitely winning first place this time!"
"When you debut, we’ll be your oldest fans!"
"Pfft, you call yourselves 'old fans'?" Old Master Ji popped his head out. "I’m the original fan!"
Duoduo raised her hand. "And me! I’m the junior original fan!"
Rong Yu laughed softly.
The next morning, on her way to school, the car passed by Ji Corporation’s towering headquarters—a landmark of Haicheng.
Amid the rush-hour bustle, the building stood tall, radiating vitality.
Then, she spotted a familiar figure.
"Zhouye, pull over."
Ji Zhouye parked by the curb.
Rong Yu stepped out and approached the crowd outside Ji Corporation’s entrance. Sure enough, it was her cousin, Yu Qingbai, at the center of the commotion.
"You’re the manager of our Hongyun Supermarket! Who gave you permission to work at Ji Corporation?" Hong's Father bellowed. "Get back with me now!"
Hong Xia shouted, "Ji Corporation, as Haicheng’s top conglomerate, dares to poach employees from our small business? Is there no justice left?"
She never imagined Yu Qingbai would be hired by Ji Corporation again.
Her husband belonged at the supermarket—she wouldn’t let him grow wings and fly away.
Yu Qingbai’s face was stormy. "After all we’ve been through as husband and wife, must you go this far?"
"Weren’t you Hongyun Supermarket’s manager?" Hong Xia sneered. "The supermarket never received your resignation, never approved it, never processed any paperwork. Your records are still tied to us. Do you really think Ji Corporation would hire you without proof of termination?"
The scene had drawn the attention of Ji Corporation’s lobby manager.
After assessing the situation, the manager turned to Yu Qingbai. "Show me your resignation letter."
Yu Qingbai had no response.
He was the supermarket’s manager—but forced into the role. His in-laws had barred him from leaving. How could he possibly have a resignation letter?
The manager’s gaze hardened. "Seems their claims hold water. If your previous employment wasn’t properly resolved, I’m afraid Ji Corporation must revoke your contract."
In that moment, Yu Qingbai’s hope shattered.
Escaping the Hong family’s quagmire—why did it have to be so impossible?
"Wait a moment."
Rong Yu's voice called out.
