Lin Xu had thought that Ting Yang agreed to let Wen Li leave perhaps in a moment of anger or because he was coerced by her âthreat,â and that he would regret it once he calmed down.
After all, in her impression, Ting Yangâs possessiveness towards Wen Li was intensely and terrifyingly obsessive.
However, after observing for a week, she noticed no extreme reactions from Ting Yang, so she gradually eased her worries.
That Saturday, Lin Xu had an appointment with a beautician for a skincare treatment, and by the time she returned, it was already evening.
The butler came running over in a panic to report, âMiss Lin, Young Master Ji seems a bit off today!â
âHmm?â
âYoung Master Ji has been in the study all day long!â
âIsnât he just working? Thatâs quite normal, isnât it?â The last project leak hadnât been sorted out yet, and Ting Yang was still incredibly busy.
âBut when I went to knock on the door at noon to call Young Master Ji down for lunch, I heard noises of things being smashed inside! It happened periodically, all day long!â
Shocked, Lin Xu immediately headed for the study.
Bang!
Something thudded dully onto the floor.
She just so happened to arrive during his smashing spree.
Lin Xu abruptly pushed open the door, and Ting Yang, whose face was still flushed with frustration, was caught off guard by her sudden appearance.
Ting Yang was startled and suddenly felt guilty, as if caught doing something wrong. He was about to explain himself when he saw Lin Xu rush up and embrace him tightly.
âItâs okay, I understand. If you want to cry, just cry; donât keep it bottled up.â Lin Xu comforted him by patting his back.
It seemed he still couldnât let go of Wen Li and even hid in the study to grieve alone, fearing that she would worry.
âHmm?â Ting Yang paused, unable to grasp the current situation.
âWen Li has treated you like this, yet you still stubbornly cling to her, especially when she clearly doesnât like you. Listen to Mom, the world is full of beauties.â Lin Xu said.
Hearing her words, Ting Yang couldnât help but give a bitter smile.
Because of the stolen project, the companyâs stock had dropped several points, and today, phone calls from shareholders bombarded him nonstop, all aimed at blaming him.
Furious, he had grabbed whatever was at hand and thrown it on the floor to vent.
Even his phone screen had cracked from being smashed.
So Lin Xu thought his distress was because of Wen Li?
However, her hug was somewhat comforting. Ting Yangâs irritation gradually eased.
As a child, he wasnât as clingy as Ji Zeqiu, always refusing Lin Xuâs hugs, finding them too cloying.
After her death, he regretted why he had refused and began to miss those few hugs.
Ting Yang wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on her shoulder, and suddenly thought that being a bit clingy might not be so bad after all.
But he still had to clarify, âIâm not upset because of Wen Li.â
âDonât explain, I understand, I understand it all.â Lin Xu felt he was just putting on a brave face, refusing to believe his words.
After all, in the plot she knew, he remained the villain who would pick wild vegetables for love even if he ended up in prison.
It wasnât so easy to just get over the novelâs heroine.
Ting Yang smiled helplessly.
âDonât be sad, Mom will cook you some scallion noodles, okay?â Lin Xuâs tone was like coaxing a child.
When he was a child, it was candies; grown up, it had become scallion noodles.
Ting Yang, his mood brightened by the cajoling, rested his chin on her shoulder and his voice softened remarkably as he bargained, âAdd another egg.â
âOkay!â Lin Xu said.
Ji Tingyang pursed his lips and smiled.
Feeling a bit âsadâ occasionally didnât seem too bad.
After the minor incident, Ji Tingyang was still busy every day dealing with the companyâs old accounts.
Every morning when Lin Xu woke up, Ji Tingyang had already arrived at the office, without even having time for breakfast.
It is said that out of ten CEOs, nine suffer from stomach problems.
Lin Xu worried that at this rate, Ji Tingyang would also end up with a stomach issue, so she even delivered breakfast to him several times.
However, when she arrived at the office, she heard some staff whispering about rumors of Jiâs going bankrupt.
Lin Xu remembered that in the conclusion of the novel, the company was taken over by the male protagonist, but whether it was because of bankruptcy or some other decline, she wasnât quite sure.
Regardless, in order to ease Ji Tingyangâs burden and to prevent potential problems, she needed to find a way to address this matter.
So Lin Xu took out her phone and sent a message to Ji Zeqiuâs agent.
Willow Wadding:[Ji Zeqiu! Jiâs is going bankrupt!]
After waiting a few minutes, she received a reply that took pleasure in their misfortune.
Brother Zhao:[That is indeed cause for celebration.]
At a glance, she knew this reply was from Ji Zeqiu using his agentâs phone.
This wretched kid.
Aggravated, Lin Xu directly made a voice call.
The voice on the other end was a bit noisy, interspersed with the director occasionally yelling at extras, which meant he was probably still on the set.
A voice tinged with mockery replied, âAre you calling to celebrate Jiâs bankruptcy with me?â
âNo, I want you to think of a way to help Jiâs,â Lin Xu said.
âMe? What can I do?â Ji Zeqiu sounded unconcerned.
âActually, Jiâs has a new project, but the daughter of the president of the partner company is a fan of yours and insists that you be the spokesperson. But you know how your brother is, heâs too embarrassed to ask you himself,â Lin Xu explained.
If they could sign this contract, Jiâs financial pressure could be relieved, helping them overcome this crisis.
âSo he had you come and ask me?â Ji Zeqiu raised an eyebrow.
âExactly!â Lin Xu nodded firmly.
Ji Zeqiuâs tone was teasing as he mercilessly exposed her, âYour lying skills still need improvement.â
The new project might be real, but hearing that the partner wanted him to be the spokesperson, Ji Tingyang would definitely have refused outright and wouldnât even consider it, let alone sending Lin Xu to persuade him.
âJi Tingyang might not have said it to me, but he must be thinking it,â Lin Xu wasnât embarrassed by being exposed and even began to persuade, âBesides, thereâs no such thing as lasting resentment between brothers. Although he didnât say it, in his heart, you are his most beloved younger brother!â
Ji Zeqiu: ââ¦If you are here to disgust me, Iâm going to hang up.â
âOkay, okay, Iâll stop talking; donât hang up,â Lin Xu surrendered.
She had intended to mend their relationship, but Ji Zeqiu was impervious.
âDidnât you say last time to go with you?â Lin Xu brought up the past.
âWhat, now that Jiâs is going bankrupt, youâve thought it through?â Ji Zeqiuâs tone was laced with sarcasm.
Ignoring his words, Lin Xu continued, âIf you help Ji Tingyang out with this, Iâll go with you.â
âDo you like Ji Tingyang that much? Even to the point of selling yourself to help him!?â
âJust say whether youâll help or not!â
âDeal.â Ji Zeqiu smiled and readily agreed, âIâll pick you up tomorrow.â
He suddenly looked forward to seeing Ji Tingyangâs reaction when he took Lin Xu away.