Chapter 31#

In the end, Ji Yang still got up and washed up briefly.

He had thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but after lying down again, he fell asleep quickly. It was a deep sleep, and he didn’t dream at all.

When he opened his eyes again, it was broad daylight outside the window.

Sunlight slanted in through the window, casting a bright band of light across the army-green quilt. Ji Yang stared at it for a long while before his awareness slowly returned, and he remembered this was Nie Xu’s bed. The air carried the faint, cool scent of soap unique to a certain person.

The entire dormitory was quiet; the several beds were so neat it seemed as if no one had ever lain in them.

Ji Yang fished out his phone to check the time.

To his surprise, he found that Ji Zhonglin had actually sent him messages.

Several of them.

The first was from last night.

“Where did you go?”

Five minutes later, he added one: “Don’t be willful in the middle of the night. Come back at once.”

Then there was one at six this morning.

“…”

“You really are something. Call me when you wake up.”

Ji Yang had no such intention. He lifted the quilt and prepared to get up and wash his face.

But who knew Ji Zhonglin’s call would come in first.

Ji Yang frowned at the phone for two seconds, but ultimately picked it up and tapped answer.

“Hello.”

“Where are you?” Ji Zhonglin asked.

Ji Yang: “Don’t you already know?”

Ji Zhonglin seemed to be brewing something, and said in a low voice: “You’re quite self-righteous, aren’t you? You said before that you liked Nie Xu—I took it as a whim. But now? Your head is completely muddled?”

Ji Yang got a torrent of scolding, and was deeply baffled.

If he were Ji Chengyi, his anger would be understandable, but he wasn’t.

“Hey, Eldest Brother.” Ji Yang got off the bed, bending to look for his shoes as he spoke: “I’m just a temporary lodger. First, I haven’t even won the guy over; second, I haven’t slept in the same bed with him. Even if I wanted to lose my head, I couldn’t do it.”

As soon as Ji Yang finished speaking, a sharp inhale came from the other end.

Ji Yang barely managed to pull on one shoe, then continued: “If you feel disgraced, you can just pretend the Ji family doesn’t have someone like me.” At this point, he sighed and complained: “But I have to take the wheelchair with me. Prosthetics are so heavy, putting them on and taking them off is too troublesome.”

Ji Zhonglin: “…No one is driving you away.”

This eldest brother’s sense of responsibility was a bit exaggerated.

Ji Yang: “It’s fine. I don’t have to live in the Ji family home.”

Ji Yang had already asked Peng Jiaying to help him look for a place; moving out was only a matter of time.

Ji Zhonglin didn’t know what he was thinking, but said: “If you really want to move, there’s a property by Qingyu Lake. You can move there, and when your dad…” He seemed unwilling to mention this eldest uncle either, then turned two degrees more serious: “However, Nie Xu is absolutely not as simple as he appears on the surface. The Ji family has had too many matters lately; it’s better not to get involved.”

Ji Yang felt a moment of complicated emotion internally.

Ji Yang asked him: “In Eldest Brother’s heart, what exactly is the most important?”

Ji Zhonglin: “I’m talking about you. Don’t change the subject.”

Ji Yang: “I won’t move to that whatever lake. I have my own arrangements.”

If you say Ji Zhonglin doesn’t care about family, he seems to care.

If you say he doesn’t care about the group’s reputation, he can argue with the old man over it.

But if you say he cares, for the sake of an immoral relationship, he can later collapse completely and be utterly ruined.

In the end.

Love-brained people can’t be relied on.

Ji Yang hung up and walked out of the dormitory.

At the corner on the second floor, he ran into Deng Jiao carrying a stack of documents.

“Sister Jiao,” Ji Yang greeted.

Deng Jiao paused, looked him up and down, and smiled meaningfully.

“Awake only now?”

Ji Yang knew what she was thinking. “Don’t look at me like that. I know coming over last night made a bit of a scene, but that’s a communal dorm. I didn’t even touch a corner of your boss’s clothes, okay.”

Deng Jiao couldn’t suppress the corner of her mouth and gave a hum. “The boss gave orders. The matter of you staying in Building 4 last night is not to be spread around. He also said logistics should ask you: if you want to keep staying, they’ll set up a separate dorm for you; if not, you can go to the cafeteria for breakfast, and a new bodyguard will be assigned to you.”

Ji Yang walked forward with Deng Jiao and asked, “Where’s Nie Xu?”

Deng Jiao was puzzled for a moment: “The boss didn’t tell you?”

“Why would he tell me?” Ji Yang sighed. “Unrequited love is destined to be a lonely journey.”

Deng Jiao was convinced. She followed along: “Then he really has no obligation to report. Your eldest brother has returned to hold down the group. To cut costs, the Ji Corporation implemented a shipping route blockade. I heard this decision caused trouble down below, and the boss was sent to Zhou Ling, a major town under Fan Zhou, to handle it. He won’t be back for ten days to half a month.”

Zhou Ling?

Wasn’t this an important plot point later in the book?

Jian Yuan kept encroaching on the Ji Corporation’s logistics industry, causing the Ji Corporation shareholders to unanimously pass this decision—another major decision-making error after delisting.

And Zhou Ling was the beginning of Ji Chengyi discovering clues and falling into pain.

Hate Sea, Love Sky ushers in a high-angst turning point.

“What are you thinking about?” Deng Jiao waved a hand in front of his eyes.

Ji Yang shook his head: “Nothing. Did my third brother go too?”

Deng Jiao said, “He went.”

Then she leaned close to Ji Yang’s ear and whispered, “Everyone’s saying now that your third brother plans to kick out your eldest brother and usurp power.”

Ji Yang’s eyes widened slightly.

He felt an absurd sense of “What on earth have I missed?”

If he remembered correctly, Ji Chengyi had only declared his stance to Ji Zhonglin last night, saying he had no interest in the Ji Corporation. So he had specially mentioned it because such rumors were already circulating outside?

Ji Yang wasn’t surprised that Ji Chengyi was ambitious. What surprised him was that he hadn’t noticed even a trace that Nie Xu and Ji Chengyi were already allied.

But if Nie Xu hadn’t “helped” him, then given Ji Chengyi’s caution, he shouldn’t have let such rumors spread.

But no matter what.

This matter had little to do with him.

As long as it didn’t affect him, everything was negotiable.

As a result.

That afternoon.

“You’re saying Boss Huang’s small-town cultural tourism project is in Zhou Ling?!” When Ji Yang received Peng Jiaying’s call, he couldn’t help but lament this damned coincidence.

Peng Jiaying was puzzled: “Why are you reacting so strongly? Boss Huang and the Ji Corporation have deep cooperation to begin with. As long as you act as the fourth young master of the Ji family, you inevitably can’t avoid the Ji family.”

Ji Yang shook his head: “No.”

“What’s not right?” Peng Jiaying asked.

Ji Yang: “It’s because I’m vicious.”

“Huh?”

The vicious villain Ji Yang was the catalyst for this high-angst turning point.

In the original book, “Ji Yang” followed Ji Chengyi to Zhou Ling.

And because of the Ji Corporation’s decision, Zhou Ling’s marine fishery industry was greatly restricted. The original host, under the name of the Ji family’s fourth young master, nearly caused a death, and it was another highlight of Ji Chengyi turning the tide.

It was also during this process that Ji Chengyi sensed that Nie Xu might be the mastermind behind all this, realized he had been used, and for a time was entangled in love and hate.

Peng Jiaying: “Boss Huang says there’s no problem with the contract and we can sign directly, but they have one condition.”

Ji Yang: “I’m not going.”

Peng Jiaying: “…Boss Huang values your personal IP. He said as long as you can prove your commercial value, aside from a thirty percent concession, he can also give you a separate share of profits.”

Ji Yang thought of his wallet. If he moved out…

Ji Yang: “How much money?”

Peng Jiaying: “The down payment for an apartment in the city center.”

Ji Yang: “…I’ll go!”

If he really couldn’t avoid it, he’d accept being the vicious villain.

Compared to being broke, he’d rather be vicious.

It was just that after going in circles, he’d become a wage slave again; Ji Yang was somewhat speechless.

Two days later.

On the boat to Zhou Ling with several colleagues.

The straight-line distance was only a two-hour voyage. The boat was a two-deck tourist boat with a capacity of about forty or fifty people.

Ji Yang sat at the stern on the first deck, constantly feeling an indescribable discomfort.

In his previous life, he had rarely taken boats either; if given a choice, he would instinctively choose another mode of transport. This time, the land route to Zhou Ling was very winding, taking almost more than half again as long. Everyone agreed unanimously, so Ji Yang couldn’t say much.

Until he saw You Li jump aboard with a backpack. Ji Yang said with disgust, “Why is it you?”

“You should feel honored it’s me, okay? Sister Jiao told me to come.” You Li took off his backpack and hugged it to his chest. “I heard you got kicked out by the Ji family? If it weren’t for the fact that I happen to be on summer vacation and Zhou Ling is my hometown, I wouldn’t even bother running around with you.”

Ji Yang raised his eyes: “Zhou Ling really is your hometown?”

“How could that be fake?” You Li said, taking off the baseball cap on his head, revealing a buzz-cut head.

Ji Yang found it hard on the eyes: “You’d better put the hat back on.”

“This is the highest standard for testing a man’s attractiveness. You’re a young master; you don’t understand us college students,” You Li said.

The colleagues sitting behind them giggled at their conversation.

A colleague asked, “Boss Yang, who is this little brother?”

“A fool,” Ji Yang said. “Don’t mind him.”

You Li was unconvinced. He turned and asked a female colleague with a smile, “Who’s more handsome, me or him?”

The colleague actually looked them over.

After sizing them up for a long while, she finally shook her head: “No way to judge.”

“Why?” You Li didn’t understand.

The colleague covered her mouth and laughed. “You’re obviously a sunny, energetic little handsome guy at first glance. Young Boss Yang is different—he’s simply good-looking.”

Because Ji Yang didn’t work regular office hours, he hardly managed the concrete affairs of “Yiyuan.”

Everyone had interacted with him. On the surface they called him Young Boss Yang, but in truth there wasn’t much distance.

The colleague secretly sized him up.

The person sitting by the window had his hair gently lifted by the sea breeze. The sun reflected off the shimmering sea, and the light reflecting upward made his skin so clean and clear that one could see the fine little hairs.

There wasn’t the slightest air of a rich young master; he was simply a pretty little thing.

It was just that no one expected Ji Yang would get seasick.

Including Ji Yang himself.

He hadn’t had this problem before. Perhaps low blood sugar had worsened the reaction. Less than ten minutes after the boat set off, Ji Yang felt nauseous. His colleagues hurried to get him things to suppress it and water. Even You Li stopped with the nonsense, constantly checking the time.

Ji Yang said he was fine and closed his eyes to rest.

You Li muttered beside him, “We’d have been better off taking the land route. It’s just a bit longer.”

“It’s a physical constitution thing. I might get carsick too,” Ji Yang said with his eyes closed.

“Stop talking,” You Li reminded him.

Ji Yang heard him tapping on his phone, but didn’t know what he was tapping.

Ji Yang forcibly endured it for two hours.

When they arrived at Zhou Ling, it was not yet noon.

As soon as he got off the boat, he threw his luggage to You Li and rushed straight to the public restroom at the pier.

He couldn’t even wait for the stall door to open. He turned on the faucet at the sink, and his stomach convulsed uncontrollably.

He hadn’t eaten that morning and had only drunk water on the boat, so he couldn’t throw anything up; he just couldn’t suppress the physiological nausea. Acid and tears surged out together. He felt so awful that Ji Yang decided that after this trip, he would wring another hefty sum out of Boss Huang.

Ji Yang’s vision went black. A burning, bloody sweetness surged up his throat, but none of it could suppress that unbearable feeling.

He wanted to rinse his mouth. He was psychologically resistant to using the restroom’s tap water, yet there was an urgent need to relieve things in his wretched state. His hand couldn’t find the faucet accurately, his fingertips trembling slightly.

Just as he couldn’t control his weakening legs, a hand suddenly wrapped around his waist and steadied him upward.

The man’s voice was steady and deep. His thumb pressed against Ji Yang’s stomach: “All right, close your eyes and breathe first. Take a deep breath, yes, slow down.” Ji Yang recognized the voice. He grabbed the forearm at his waist, then heard him say: “That’s enough, rinse with this.”

Ji Yang blurrily looked at the bottle of mineral water with its cap unscrewed and took it.

After half a small bottle, Ji Yang’s discomfort finally eased. The hand holding his waist finally loosened a little. The heel of the hand no longer pressed his stomach, but it didn’t move away either, preventing him from losing his balance.

Nie Xu leaned over and pulled two tissues from beside the hand dryer, handing them to him.

“Very dizzy?”

Ji Yang took them and shook his head, his voice hoarse: “I threw up hard. I’m better now.”

Nie Xu hummed in acknowledgment.

Ji Yang: “Why are you here?”

At that moment, someone popped their head in at the restroom door.

“I called him,” You Li raised his hand. “Sister Jiao told me to contact my brother if there was a situation I couldn’t handle. You had phantom limb pain and low blood sugar—I didn’t dare gamble, so I called my brother.”

You Li then asked cautiously, “Bro, I didn’t delay your business, did I?”

“It’s fine,” Nie Xu said.

His gaze swept over the person in front of him, and he asked, “What are you doing in Zhou Ling?”

Ji Yang raised his eyes: “Business trip.”

In the mirror, their eyes met.

Nie Xu was in a formal suit and leather shoes, as if he had just come down from some proper occasion. Ji Yang didn’t know whether he believed him. He only heard him speak slowly: “If you’re fine, go out. Zhou Ling has been very chaotic lately. Don’t wander around.”

Ji Yang knew the gist, and nodded.

He turned on the faucet again, splashed two handfuls of water on his face, shook his wet hair, and was the last to leave the restroom.

At this hour, the pier was quite lively: people selling fish, and many mobile vendors.

If you looked carefully, you’d notice many faces carried the anxiety of the scorching sun. Those ordinary people holding bamboo fans, squatting or sitting on the steps, their skin sunburned yellow-dark, had empty baskets or crates beside them.

Colleagues gathered around: “Are you okay?”

“Young Boss Yang, your seasickness is really severe. Are you all right?”

Ji Yang replied, “I’m fine. I haven’t ridden in so long, maybe I just haven’t adapted.”

A colleague teased, “The young master of a shipping family actually gets seasick. If word got out, probably no one would believe it.”

Ji Yang wagged a finger and denied it: “We’re all miserable working stiffs.”

The colleagues all laughed.

Just then, Nie Xu walked over.

The surroundings quieted for a moment.

They saw him snap open the thing in his hand with his bare hands and hand it to Ji Yang: “Drink this, glucose.”

“Where did you get it?” Ji Yang was a little surprised.

Nie Xu: “There’s a pharmacy right nearby.”

While Ji Yang drank, Nie Xu took the luggage, then tossed it back to You Li. He swept his gaze over everyone’s faces and said, “You’ll stay at You Li’s home for the next few days. The project is tied to county-level cultural tourism. Have him find locals to guide you.”

“Huh? Is that okay?” The colleagues were pleasantly surprised.

“Wouldn’t it be too much trouble?”

“Yeah, there are several of us.”

Everyone looked at You Li.

You Li had obviously known in advance. He said warmly, “My home is very big. Don’t feel burdened, everyone.”

It was naturally better to have locals guide them; Ji Yang had originally intended to do so. But he still asked everyone’s opinion. After confirming there were no objections, it was decided.

The group walked outward.

The colleagues whispered behind them.

“Why is Assistant Nie in Zhou Ling? Does Haicheng have a project here?”

“Just now when Young Boss Yang went to the restroom, he suddenly appeared and startled me. Only afterward did I remember he’s still the fourth young master’s bodyguard.”

“So responsible. But Assistant Nie actually knows about our little company’s project, and even arranged things for us.”

“Is he very close with You Li? I heard You Li call him brother. Is he his real brother?”

…

Ji Yang didn’t walk fast. He glanced at Nie Xu on his left and thought that he helped arrange things because he was the boss of “Yiyuan’s” boss. Then he thought of something and asked, “Are you also staying at You Li’s home?”

“We’re staying at a hotel.” Nie Xu raised an eyebrow. “‘We’?”

Ji Yang: “Ji Chengyi. Didn’t you come together?”

Nie Xu: “We traveled separately.”

After saying that, he went straight to get the car.

You Li came over. “The third young master is also in Zhou Ling?”

Ji Yang nodded, suspicious. “What do you want to do?”

“Let him…”

“No!” Ji Yang immediately interrupted, rolling his eyes. “What kind of trouble are you rushing to stir up?”

Afraid this basin of dog blood isn’t dark enough?

You Li looked innocent and said slowly, “You really are so jealous. I can’t even let him taste our local seafood?”

Ji Yang was stunned: “I thought you meant letting him go to your home?”

You Li was rendered speechless.

He thought: How blind would I have to be? Without my brother’s orders, would I dare bring people home on my own?