Chapter 67#

In the end, Ji Yang stuffed everything in bite by bite.

Nie Xu sat across from him, seemingly chatting with the people beside him, yet his gaze never left Ji Yang’s face, his peripheral vision betraying not a trace. He watched as Ji Yang chewed until his jaw ached, and when Ji Yang finally swallowed the last bite — wearing that unmistakable expression of at last, I’m free — Nie Xu lowered his eyes, concealing the faint glimmer of a smile deep within them.

“Done.” Ji Yang set down his chopsticks, pushed the tray forward, and grabbed the document folder beside him. “I’m finished eating. I’m leaving.”

Nie Xu looked up at him, turned his head to the middle-aged man, and said, “I’ll walk him out.”

“Naturally.” The middle-aged man waved his hand with a smile. “It’s rare for the Fourth Young Master to visit, and so hurriedly at that — there’s no reason not to see him off. Rules are rigid, after all.” He then spoke to Nie Xu with a warm expression: “No need to rush back either. We can’t let someone leave in a huff.”

Ji Yang raised an eyebrow in surprise, rolled his eyes inwardly, and said nothing as he stood from his seat.

The two walked out of the cafeteria one after the other, through the corridor, heading toward the main gate of Building 4. The two guards on duty from the previous night were still there. Upon seeing Ji Yang, they averted their gaze. Ji Yang had no time to enjoy their awkwardness — his mind was turning over other matters.

Beyond the door, the post-rain air was humid and cool. The ground was still wet, producing a faint splashing sound with each step.

Past the checkpoint, the same car that had brought him last night was still parked at the entrance.

Ji Yang stopped beside the car door and turned around to face the person behind him.

He stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice: “Something felt off during dinner. That person in charge turned his attitude around so quickly — did you do something? Also, I heard this morning that he originally wanted to speak with me privately.”

Not only had they caused no trouble, their attitude had done a complete one-eighty.

Nie Xu stood with one hand in his pocket. Having spent these past few days at Building 4, his demeanor was more relaxed than Ji Yang had imagined. He said, “Don’t worry about it. They’ll be gone in a few days.”

“Think they’ll let it go?” Ji Yang was highly skeptical. Having found nothing through investigation, he’d assumed they would hold out indefinitely.

Nie Xu looked at him: “Chu Zhengqing of the Chamber of Commerce — his private email received an anonymous message this morning. It contained fragments of clues about the cover-up of the Qiming. The sending IP address was right here in Building 4. So tell me — whether they let it go or not, is that really up to them?”

Ji Yang: “…”

Was this a threat?

And so brazen, too.

Plus, not sent earlier or later, but precisely this morning — precisely when the head of the oversight group was about to seek him out.

Ji Yang didn’t like being presumptuous, but the situation left him no choice but to think it instinctively.

Nie Xu did this for him.

He could have waited two more days — or perhaps this wasn’t even part of his plan.

Ji Yang said nothing, but Nie Xu seemed to see through his thoughts and spoke up: “It was prepared for Chu Zhengqing from the start. Your coming only provided a more fitting and legitimate occasion and reason. At most two more days, no more than three — the Chamber of Commerce will make a public announcement.”

Ji Yang looked up at Building 4 behind Nie Xu.

Its existence had once been a symbol of the Ji family estate, renowned throughout the security systems of all the major families and the business world at large.

The first time Ji Yang had seen it, he thought it was plain and simple — utterly out of place with the Ji family.

Looking at it now, it was still the same.

Yet its plain exterior had, from beginning to end, concealed walls of iron and steel — walls that Nie Xu had spent nearly two decades reinforcing. Not only did it keep the outside world at bay; now, even under the watchful eyes of multiple parties, no one could peer into its inner workings. Not even the Ji family, which had long since lost its true control over it.

So what would become of it next?

“Will all of you move out of here?” Ji Yang asked.

Nie Xu: “‘Jianyuan East District Affairs Center in Fanzhou.’”

Ji Yang looked puzzled.

Nie Xu: “With the Ji family’s liquidation, the majority of assets will transfer to Jianyuan — including Building 4. This is the new registered name for Building 4’s system center. The office location will be adjacent to Jianyuan’s main building.”

Ji Yang let out a long sigh of relief — though the breath didn’t quite leave him entirely.

The underground transaction Ji Yansong had carried out at his own hotel.

The true cause of the Qiming incident.

The Chamber of Commerce, the other several families of Fanzhou — with all of these intertwined, Building 4 being the linchpin of core security, could it really be severed so cleanly?

Ji Yang: “And what about you? From now on, you’ll nominally fall under Jianyuan?”

“Naturally not.” Nie Xu gave a soft chuckle, though the smile was cold and devoid of warmth. “Nie Xu is the private property of the Ji family. There’s a contract on file.”

Ji Yang frowned, about to ask what contract —

when a voice from the side abruptly cut him off.

It was Lu Li.

Fang Qi was still by his side.

Lu Li stood with his arms crossed: “I thought the Chamber of Commerce was so capable, yet they just let people come and go as they please after only a few days.” As he spoke, his gaze fell on Ji Yang.

Ji Yang shot him a glare and retorted with icy sarcasm: “Even after the Ji family’s decline, they still have a loyal dog like you. Where I come and go is my freedom — what’s it to you?”

Fang Qi’s face flushed red and white on the spot.

Lu Li, however, remained composed.

He turned to Nie Xu: “You can let him meet with the Chamber of Commerce’s people, even let him stay at Building 4 — so why turn a cold eye on Xiao Yi’s suffering? He’s already lost everything, and he’s received the punishment he deserved, hasn’t he?”

Nie Xu’s tone was frigid: “Are you referring to how he tried to use Jin Husheng to funnel funds away, only to be swallowed up clean?”

“Jin Husheng fears you,” Lu Li said. “If you’d just help him, it would be nothing more than a single word.”

Ji Yang stood to the side, listening to their exchange, completely bewildered.

These past days his attention had been entirely on the bidding materials, and since Nie Xu’s situation had been quite tense, he had no idea that Ji Chengyi was in trouble.

Ji Yang knew that after Yongsheng’s cash-out had failed, only a hollow shell remained. Ji Chengyi had already been transferring funds through underground channels via Jin Husheng — but based on what he was hearing now, Nie Xu was right: he’d been skinned alive and hadn’t gotten anything out of it.

So what was Lu Li’s angle?

Unable to bear watching the person he loved finally climb to the heights, only to come crashing down. So even at the cost of enduring the agony of a pierced heart, he’d rather have his greatest enemy lend a hand?

Truly noble.

While Ji Yang was making this observation, he also recalled that Ji Chengyi was a reborn soul.

Ji Chengyi could use Ji Zhonglin — by the same logic, he could use Lu Li too.

So the idea of asking Nie Xu to put in a good word with Jin Husheng wasn’t necessarily Lu Li’s own initiative — very likely it was the result of Ji Chengyi’s prodding and hinting.

Nie Xu: “I can’t help him.”

Lu Li: “Do you have to be so absolute? I promise — if you get Jin Husheng to cough up the funds, I’ll take him abroad.”

Clap, clap, clap. Ji Yang applauded from the side.

Lu Li turned to glare at him.

Ji Yang: “I’m curious — does my Third Brother know you plan to take him abroad?”

“That’s hardly the Fourth Young Master’s concern,” Lu Li said. “I have my own channels. And equally, with the Ji family’s current situation, it’s not suitable for him to stay here either.”

Ji Yang’s face went cold in an instant: “If you already know the Ji family isn’t a suitable place to stay, why force Nie Xu into helping him? Just because he likes you?”

Lu Li: “That has nothing to do with the Fourth Young Master, does it?”

“Oh, it has everything to do with me.” Ji Yang reached over and grabbed Nie Xu’s arm, looking straight at Lu Li: “My man — why should he have to wipe your asses for you? Because of your oversized face? Or because Ji Chengyi is stupid? Don’t think you can moralize with your childhood friendship and use it to pressure him. Let me tell you — no. Not helping. Impossible.”

Lu Li swept his gaze across Ji Yang’s face. “You think you can make decisions for him?”

Ji Yang stepped forward, placing himself in front of Nie Xu.

“I can’t,” Ji Yang said slowly. “But when I say no, do you think he dares to disobey?”

Ji Yang then turned to look at Nie Xu, a clear threat in his eyes.

It signaled: if he dared not follow along with him, this matter would be absolutely over.

From the moment Ji Yang had stepped in front of him, Nie Xu’s gaze hadn’t left him. Having received the threat signal, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His eyes remained on Ji Yang, but his words were directed at Lu Li: “Indeed. I wouldn’t dare.”

Lu Li: “…”

This man — promoted by the old master himself, regarded by people like Fang Qi as someone brought up to rival Nie Xu — saw his expression crack, ever so subtly.

Fang Qi quietly took a step back beside him.

Fang Qi had always felt that Lu Ge’s temper was wildly unstable. Coming here to beg on behalf of the Third Young Master was already trampling on his dignity.

But he couldn’t help feeling that Lu Ge’s reaction to Nie Xu was even stronger, the words themselves just as cutting: “Nie Xu, is there something wrong with your brain? Playing house with the First Young Master?”

Nie Xu looked up: “Watch your tone.” Two seconds passed, then: “You won’t be going abroad. The Lu family has arranged a marriage for you. They’ll be pushing you to meet within two days.”

Ji Yang: “…”

Lu Li froze as well. In the next second, he kicked the iron railing beside him. “Fuck.”

The bang echoed loudly, making the guards in the watchtower snap to attention and look over.

Lu Li walked away, face dark with irritation.

Ji Yang: “He’s going on a blind date?”

Nie Xu said: “He comes from a collateral branch of the Lu family — his status is very low. The Lu family has recently felt the tension from the Chamber of Commerce and decided he could be put to use.”

Ji Yang shook his head: “What I’m asking is — he’s a gay man. A forced marriage is basically fraud, isn’t it? So morally bankrupt.”

Nie Xu pressed on the back of his neck, guiding him into the car. “You don’t need to concern yourself with him.”

“I’m expressing contempt, okay?” Ji Yang got into the car, leaned out the window, thought for a moment, and then said: “Even if you don’t help Ji Chengyi, try to avoid contact with him as much as possible.” Ji Yang felt this sounded very much like jealousy, so he added another line: “His situation is probably a bit more complicated than any of you realize. Keeping your distance isn’t wrong. Mm.”

Nie Xu braced one hand on the car roof, leaning down to study him carefully, as if trying to see through something. His tone was calm as he asked: “For instance?”

“For instance… he might just be a master playwright.” Ji Yang tossed out the cryptic remark, then ducked back inside.

He slapped the seatback: “Let’s go.”

The car drove out ten meters. Ji Yang looked in the rearview mirror at the figure still standing there, and wondered whether he’d said too much.

Ji Chengyi had been directing and performing all these years — wasn’t that exactly a master playwright?

But Ji Yang couldn’t say it outright.

After all, the reborn one at least came in the original package. A villain who’d swapped out the soul — wouldn’t that be unforgivable?

After the car carrying Ji Yang disappeared around the corner,

Nie Xu used his phone to send out a segment of encoded text.

The reply came back quickly — same encoding — and the meaning was: “Investigating Ji Yang again?”

Nie Xu: “No. Ji Chengyi. Don’t look for a biography — start from the web of relationships around him. For his early years, find neighbors, classmates, coworkers. Have people recall anything unusual. Understood? Even if it sounds absurd, don’t leave anything out.”

…

Three days later, the oversight group voluntarily withdrew from Building 4, citing that their document review was complete and there was no need for a prolonged stay. Between Jianyuan and the Chamber of Commerce, a delicate balance had formed: each holds leverage over the other, neither strikes.

The Chamber of Commerce would not exert direct pressure for the time being.

The transfer of the Ji family’s assets proceeded smoothly.

The relocation of Building 4 was a heavy and protracted process.

Nie Xu had been summoned by Ji Yansong for a full-day meeting regarding the surface-level personnel inventory and redeployment.

Han Biao called a few brothers over to help transport some of Nie Xu’s personal belongings and materials back to Boman.

The subordinates all felt complicated emotions.

They had been hired under formal contracts. They had assumed that even if they left, Nie Xu would be the one leading them out. But he was still working under the Ji family now — everything following the arrangements of Old Master Ji.

Han Biao actually wanted to tell them: your contracts were never transferred to anyone else from the very beginning. But he couldn’t say this out loud.

After all, Nie Xu’s true identity was still classified.

Outside the Boman apartment building, from the moment they got out of the car to the elevator ride, the atmosphere had been heavy.

Nie Xu held a bag in one hand, leaning against the elevator wall, scrolling through his phone.

Han Biao had no choice but to step forward and console them: “What’s with all the long faces? We might even see each other every day going forward.”

“How could we?” one of them said glumly. “Over these years, even though the missions have been intense, we all know — whether it’s the welfare system or security guarantees, Brother Nie fought to get us the best. Most of us were selected from Jianyuan’s system center, but thinking about going out on solo missions from now on… it just doesn’t sit right. Forget about seeing each other every day — whether we’ll even get the chance is up in the air.”

The person beside him agreed: “That’s right. I’ve gotten used to life at Building 4.”

Han Biao grumbled: “One or two of you — don’t bite the hand that feeds you. You’re all first-tier now. Taking a job protecting a politician or a big star — how is that less relaxing than these days running through wind and rain? Do you have any idea how much effort the boss put in behind the scenes just to make sure you could get out cleanly?”

The elevator arrived. Nie Xu pushed off the wall.

He said: “Enough. Building 4 isn’t necessarily the best place to be. Since you’re leaving, look forward.”

Han Biao followed behind: “Exactly. Let me tell you — the Fourth Young Master is living here with the boss now. It’s still early, he definitely hasn’t slept. With his lifestyle, the place must be a mess. We can grab a bite to eat and tidy up on the way…”

Beep! Nie Xu swiped his card and entered.

The scene Han Biao had described did not materialize.

The entire apartment was empty. Not a single sound.

“Where is he? Asleep?” Han Biao stepped forward and flipped the switch.

The lights blazed across the whole room, revealing a cold and vacant space. Han Biao felt as though he were seeing the boss’s old, spotless model room once again.

And someone with no sense of the room walked in behind and asked: “Didn’t you say the Fourth Young Master lives here?”

Han Biao turned back awkwardly: “Boss.”

Nie Xu set the car keys down nearby, let his gaze sweep across the apartment, and told Han Biao: “Ask Jiang Lei.”

Han Biao immediately pulled out his phone.

“Lei Zi!” Han Biao covered the phone’s mouthpiece. “Where’s Ji Yang?”

Jiang Lei: “You guys finished over there? We’re on South Island. Yi Yuan just got the bid result notification, and then something came up at the fishing port here. We’re planning to take a detour toward the Zhoud direction. Should take about a week.”

Han Biao was speechless: “They didn’t even tell us they were going out.”

Han Biao noticed the boss glance at the balcony, then the well-ventilated bathroom, and the open door of the first-floor bedroom — even the bedsheets were gone from the bed.

A flash of insight hit him: “Even if they’re going out, they wouldn’t need to take all their luggage, would they?”

“Before we left, he’d already found a place and moved out,” Jiang Lei said, equally bewildered. “You guys didn’t know?”

Han Biao listened to the sliding of the balcony door, and didn’t dare look up.

Han Biao: Obviously, nobody knew, okay!

Han Biao remembered how Ji Yang had called Sister Jiao on the phone before, saying he was moving out. Sister Jiao had said he was just being petty with Brother Nie — that he didn’t mean it.

Han Biao suspected he’d been thoroughly bamboozled.

He hung up the phone.

Han Biao stammered: “So, um, Boss… they’re all on South Island.”

“I just heard,” Nie Xu said.

Han Biao: Even less daring to move now.

Two seconds later. “So, um, I forgot something. I’ll just head out first, Boss.”

“Right, right, I have something too. I’m leaving too.”

“Let’s go together — I’ll hitch a ride.”

…

Nie Xu ignored the whole bunch of them entirely.

He picked up the water mug on the kitchen island, the one printed with “Not worked to death counts as winning.” There had originally been two. The other one read “Not starved to death will do.” When Ji Yang had placed the order, he’d said they suited him perfectly.

Now only one mug remained.

Nie Xu stared at the line of text, standing in the empty apartment, and laughed — hard enough to be angry about it.