Chapter 17#

After taking on the promotion work for the Lanwan Bay project, when Ji Yang returned to the twelfth floor, the department had already caught wind of it — though most didn’t quite dare to believe it.

When they sought confirmation from Peng Jiaying, all she said was that everything was following orders.

Following whose orders?

“Assistant Nie’s arrangements.” Ji Yang stopped at the door of the manager’s office and said to the person who was last to walk in: “Follow him, and I guarantee you’ll save yourselves at least ten years’ worth of mortgage payments.”

A department member asked on instinct: “Holy crap, real or fake?”

“Real.” Ji Yang nodded with an air of perfect seriousness.

Ji Yang understood ordinary people’s lives all too well.

When he was young, he’d seen all manner of chaos just to survive. Later he’d met the manager who signed a contract with him, and that person had once proposed going independent.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t pay the rent afterward, and the venture died halfway through.

Back then, Ji Yang had also sat at drinking tables, downing glass after glass, watching the other party grovel for a pitiful scrap of investment.

Often, a single decision from those in power could spell devastating consequences for those below. He couldn’t exactly tell everyone that Lanwan Bay was a project destined to fail. Since Ji Chengyi’s target was Nie Xu, Ji Yang naturally wouldn’t mind binding himself with Jian Yuan in advance — and that was the main reason he’d agreed.

Nie Xu tapped the nearest desk with the folder in his hand as he walked in. “It’s fake. Everyone should follow Director Peng’s arrangements for work. The promotional content for this project will be sent to your inboxes.” He pointed at Qian Yitian and the female colleague who had delivered coffee earlier. “You two, get ready. You’re coming on a business trip with me next Monday.”

Ji Yang was stunned. “A business trip? How come I didn’t know about this?”

Nie Xu glanced at him. “It was mentioned at the end of the meeting. Huizhou. There are two successful projects similar to this one over there, one completed half a year ago and the other three months ago. We’ll go over to conduct promotional research and collect data.”

Ji Yang: This level of investment — it looks exactly like something Ji Chengyi deliberately arranged.

Nie Xu looked at him, then said abruptly: “You’re coming too.”

Ji Yang pointed at himself in disbelief. “Me?”

Nie Xu: “Since you agreed to take it on, I’ll handle the supportive content. There are industry banquets and networking events locally. As the manager, it’s more appropriate for you to go in that capacity.”

Ji Yang vaguely sensed that things weren’t as simple as Nie Xu made them sound, but with so many people around, it wasn’t a good time to ask. So he nodded. “Alright.”

That evening, squeezing into the elevator after work.

Ji Yang usually left ten minutes early to avoid the rush, but because of the meeting, and it happened to be a Friday, the moment he stepped out of the office he ran right into peak traffic.

His wheelchair took up space. He waited at the elevator entrance through two full cycles before one finally had room for him to board.

Anyone in the entire group who saw a wheelchair could guess who it was, and would instinctively make room for him.

Ji Yang still tucked himself into the corner.

The elevator was quite packed, and some people were chatting about dinner and gatherings after work.

“Stand in front of me.” Ji Yang pulled over someone who was standing against the elevator wall.

Nie Xu looked down at him from above. “Are you afraid of people seeing you?”

“It’s not that I’m afraid.” Ji Yang raised his hand to forehead level and gestured. “I just don’t want to be seen from this particular angle.”

The moment he finished gestating, he realized something was wrong.

His hand had accidentally brushed against someone’s waist area.

Then his gaze drifted downward, helplessly, bit by bit.

“See anything you like?” someone asked from above.

Ji Yang looked up, blinking innocently and denying it. “I didn’t see anything. What are you asking about?”

Just then, more people entered the elevator.

The space compressed further. Ji Yang felt his right foot press against the other man’s shin, and at the same time, a distinctive dry, cold, and crisp scent assaulted his senses — a reminder that the distance had exceeded the safe range.

Ji Yang’s upper body was forced to lean back. Before he could speak, he felt the wheelchair spin in place. By the time he caught on, he was already facing the wall.

Ji Yang met his own blurry reflection in the elevator mirror: “…”

A terrifying man.

Someone who had just gotten on — couldn’t tell who — launched into an animated conversation with the person next to them.

“I’m really optimistic about this Lanwan Bay project. Since the news was announced, the group’s stock price has been climbing steadily. It’s bound to be another milestone for the Ji family.”

“The halt two years ago did have an impact. We missed the optimal construction window.”

“If only we could get an invitation to the Ji family’s Saturday business banquet. I heard your nephew has been running into some trouble lately and is looking for connections. Wasn’t he on good terms with the Fourth Young Master Ji? That would be a great opportunity. Sure, that young master is a good-for-nothing, but he wouldn’t refuse such a small favor.”

Ji Yang hadn’t expected to hear gossip about himself just like that.

The only ones who wouldn’t be able to reach him were Wei Qiming’s group. Wei Qiming had already inexplicably gotten him thrown in jail ahead of time, so naturally it wasn’t him.

And while these people were calling him a good-for-nothing on one hand while using him as a scapegoat on the other, Ji Yang immediately wanted to turn around and see who was spouting such nonsense.

He couldn’t turn.

He looked down at the foot blocking his wheelchair.

In his ear came a single sentence.

“Be quiet.”

Ding.

Not a second earlier, not a second later — the elevator stopped precisely at the basement level.

The entire elevator’s worth of people surged out like sardines from a can.

Ji Yang was finally freed.

Exiting the elevator into the underground parking garage, he asked: “Why did you block me just now?”

Nie Xu: “That person in the design department — his nephew is the only son of the Fu family, owners of Fanzhou’s largest agricultural and sideline food processing plant.”

Ji Yang was baffled, turning back to look at him.

The underground parking garage was dimly lit, but Ji Yang could somehow feel that the darkness couldn’t conceal the danger in Nie Xu’s calm tone. “That factory of his discharges all its wastewater within the maritime jurisdiction of the Lanwan Bay project. Two years ago, you were hoodwinked by Wei Qiming’s bunch, and you helped them falsify the reported data.”

Ji Yang suddenly remembered. Yes — the problems that erupted after the Lanwan Bay project all started with an apparently insignificant degradation in water quality.

Ji Yang simply hadn’t expected that the original owner had already been one link in the chain two years ago.

Ji Yang looked at him, probing. “So do you think they’ll try the same trick again? Then should I… agree? Or… not agree?”

Nie Xu stepped closer, stared at him for two seconds, then turned in the direction the driver was bringing the car and said coolly: “Since you say you’ve forgotten everything, then forget it thoroughly.”

Meaning he shouldn’t intervene?

Was that a reminder or a threat?

Ji Yang faced the same direction as him. “Alright.”

Then added: “I promise I won’t do anything.”

Nie Xu glanced at him. “The way you looked in that elevator, it seemed like you really wanted to jump up and get right in someone’s face.”

“I’m in this condition — how am I supposed to jump?” Ji Yang protested his innocence. He straightened the thin blanket over his knees, then looked at Nie Xu and asked: “But don’t you think we look a bit like we’re doing a secret handoff here?”

Silence spread through the air.

Ji Yang surrendered. “Fine, forget I said anything.”

The next day was Saturday. Before bed, Ji Yang felt a dull, stifling ache in his leg that even a warm compress couldn’t quite relieve.

When he woke in the morning, the sky was indeed overcast and gray, as if it might rain.

His body predicted the weather better than the forecast.

The Ji family’s business banquet was held at a hotel called Yuming Tower.

As the focal point of the event, the couple of the main branch had been making arrangements up and down since returning from abroad. From what wines the banquet required, how the pastries were to be displayed, even the clothes to be worn on the day — everything was specially commissioned with tailors coming to the house.

Ji Yang had a set too.

When Yao Zhaoling handed him the clothes, her smile was slightly forced. “Little Yang, this is what Auntie had the tailor make to your measurements. You and Chengyi each get a set. His is white — you used to love wearing black, so I had black made for you.” Then she praised him: “You’ve changed a lot lately. You’ll look very handsome when you put it on.”

A black suit, white shirt paired with a black bow tie.

It was indeed very nice.

When Ji Yang was looking at the pants, she immediately said: “Don’t misunderstand. Auntie noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time in a wheelchair lately, and this widened cut is more suited to your current situation. I hope you won’t overthink it.”

So she never forgets to remind him he’s a cripple.

“I haven’t said a word yet, Auntie.” Ji Yang beamed. “You didn’t mind what happened at the auction either, so why would I overthink it? I’ll accept the clothes. Thank you.”

Yao Zhaoling’s smile stiffened slightly at the mention of the auction, but she said: “That’s all in the past. The police said it wasn’t you, and of course Auntie believes you.”

That was far too insincere.

If the other party wanted to put on this magnanimous, virtuous act, Ji Yang didn’t mind cooperating.

Ji Yang: “That’s good.”

“Madam.” Mo Yi appeared from who knows where, reaching out to take the clothes. Her face was expressionless. “How thoughtful of Madam, but our young master’s legs were uncomfortable last night. Perhaps Madam shouldn’t disturb his rest.”

Yao Zhaoling’s expression stiffened.

Then she said considerately: “Oh, Auntie forgot. This kind of wet, rainy weather is hard on you. If you’re really not feeling well, you don’t have to attend tonight’s banquet. I’ll speak to your father — he won’t hold it against you.”

Ji Yang smiled: “Thank you, Auntie, but Third Brother’s important moment — I’ve even prepared a gift specially. I certainly wouldn’t miss it.”

A flicker of doubt crossed Yao Zhaoling’s eyes.

Then she nodded and left.

The moment she was gone, Mo Yi spat behind her back.

“Putting on an act! That kind of look might work for seducing the Master, but what’s she showing off for over here!”

Ji Yang laughed out loud twice.

“Auntie Mo, don’t be so blunt.”

He was practically confirming his role as the vicious villain.

But having a mother like Yao Zhaoling — one who could only sneak around with petty little tricks like this — was truly enough to make the righteous protagonist Ji Chengyi miserable.

By eight o’clock that evening, the rain suddenly came pouring down.

Outside Yuming Tower, luxury cars lined up in rows, elegant figures mingling beneath shimmering lights.

Servers weaved through the bustling banquet hall. Beneath massive crystal chandeliers, businesspeople busied themselves networking and exchanging calling cards, female companions clustered in groups occasionally chatting — a lavish and lively scene.

Anyone who looked up would notice that on the second floor, a group of people moved back and forth, maintaining constant vigilance.

Nie Xu stood at the best vantage point on the second floor overlooking the hall below, wearing professional sunglasses and earpiece. On the comms, it was a freshly switched one-way channel — only Jiang Lei’s voice came through.

Jiang Lei: “Today, aside from us, no one else has been arranged. Is this Ji Yansong’s way of expressing trust?”

“Just a test,” Nie Xu said. “He lost a batch of goods recently. He wants to use this to test whether the supply source has also been compromised.”

Jiang Lei: “Only an idiot would cause trouble at a time like this. But Ji Chengyi has invited you to formally join the project multiple times and you’ve refused every time. Now it’s clear he’s taking an indirect approach — did you really agree because of Ji Yang?”

Nie Xu’s gaze swept over the lounge area on the first floor below.

Expressionless. “The timing is simply right.”

Seated there were several young men who looked somewhat uneasy.

On the surveillance comms.

Their conversation came through clearly.

“Fu Cheng, Brother Wei is already in jail — could it really have been that Fourth Ji brat?”

“He’s been working at Ji Corp recently. If he won’t even give face to Brother Wei, what standing does the Ji family have? Your factory might really be gone.”

The man presumably called Fu Cheng replied: “Of course not. Is this the first time you’ve dealt with him? If he had that kind of brain, he wouldn’t have been unable to earn a single ounce of respect in the Ji family. Look at today’s affair — the main branch didn’t even want to bring him along.”

“I heard he hasn’t been out of his wheelchair lately. Must be some kind of health problem.”

“That’s normal. When he went crazy with a whip last time, Brother Wei said he was done for. He’s still fine now — just lucky. He’s easy to manipulate. Just mention Ji Chengyi and stir up some trouble, and it’ll be a breeze.”

……

Jiang Lei was monitoring from the back end and naturally heard all of it. “You’re still planning to use Ji Yang to kick this off?”

“That was two years ago.” Nie Xu braced both hands on the railing, his tone unreadable. “It’s unnecessary now.”

Someone who could easily read the meaning behind his words.

Only able to serve that much of a purpose — what a waste.

Nie Xu: “The evidence from Huizhou has been mostly collected. We’re just missing the right person.”

Jiang Lei hesitated. “You know how dangerous this is, right? Once exposed, he’d be a walking target. Do you want him to die in Huizhou?”

Nie Xu: “Do you think this is still over a decade ago?”

Jiang Lei: “Well, in your eyes, as long as someone’s breathing, they count as alive. That young master did help me at one point.”

Jiang Lei didn’t want to beat around the bush. He knew better than anyone how they’d gotten to where they were today, and Nie Xu was not someone who went soft easily.

Jiang Lei continued: “Wasn’t it Ji Chengyi who arranged for him to go to Huizhou? Do you actually like him? Sure, you two have a bit of history, but to send Ji Yang to—”

Nie Xu’s tone was icy: “You’ve been reading too many gossip columns lately. During working hours, keep your brain functioning normally.”

Jiang Lei: “But you—”

Nie Xu: “I only want someone obedient.”

Even if, most of the time, the nature that young master revealed was the exact opposite of those two words.

Just then, a commotion rose from the entrance.

Because of a moment of sudden silence.

The words that the Ji family’s main-branch madam had been saying to someone became particularly conspicuous: “Little Yang complained of leg pain this morning. I’m afraid he can’t make it. Everyone knows his condition.”

Beyond the ballroom doors that the servers pushed open, a young man stood tall and straight — black hair, dark eyes, delicate and beautiful features, fair skin.

His fragility didn’t make him look fragile at all.

Instead, it accentuated the slim waist and long legs beneath the tailored formalwear.

When he lifted his foot, his movements were smooth and natural, with no trace of anything amiss.

Many faces showed astonishment.

And on the second floor’s public comm channel, a conversation also started.

“Fourth Young Master used to wear a prosthetic leg all the time too — why does he look so different today?”

“Maybe we’re just used to seeing him in a wheelchair lately?”

“I think it’s because he’s gotten good-looking.”

“He’s still the same person — how different can he get?”

Jiang Lei’s voice cut in. “It’s more like he looks well-behaved now, wouldn’t you say?”

Someone else asked: “Well-behaved?”

Jiang Lei: “The kind of well-behaved where you just know he’d be very obedient.”

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it.”