Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 44

Zhong Yan opened the car door, and Ji Tanyuan grabbed his wrist. “Do you want me to go?”

Zhong Yan looked down at her sparkling eyes, then bent over and gently touched her face. “I don’t.”

As the two entered the house, they saw the elderly lady surrounded by people, being urged to take her medicine.

Ji Tanyuan stepped inside, and everyone turned to look at them upon hearing the commotion.

“You still remember to come back?”

Zhong Yan stepped forward. “We’ve only been gone for a week, not a year. What, is it really like ‘a day apart feels like three years’?”

The elderly lady wore a dark green Xiangyun gauze jacket, her hair completely white, adorned with silver earrings. Her eyes held a hint of cloudiness.

There was no warmth in her gaze as she looked at Zhong Yan, and he returned the look with equal indifference.

Zhou Yanyu said calmly, “You’re back?”

Ji Tanyuan, holding onto Zhong Yan’s arm, responded with a soft “Mm.”

As soon as they stepped into this house, all emotions seemed to freeze. It didn’t feel like a home, nor did it resemble a workplace, it was an awkward, uncomfortable mix.

“Your grandmother isn’t feeling well. Elderly people enjoy liveliness. If you have time, come and keep her company,” Zhou Yanyu said to Ji Tanyuan.

Zhong Yan remarked coolly, “Shouldn’t the sick rest quietly?”

“…”

No one answered.

Ji Tanyuan chimed in, “Grandma loves excitement, she’s different from other patients. I’ve recently taken a liking to opera. Grandma, do you enjoy it? I’ll hire an opera troupe for you.”

Whether her words were sarcastic or sincere, they couldn’t quite tell.

Both of them were experts at making others uncomfortable. Zhong Fangqi and the old master were in the study when the butler came to inform them that Zhong Yan and his wife had arrived.

The old master looked at his son. “I’ve told you many times, if you don’t break Zhong Yan’s rebellious spirit, it will lead to trouble.”

Zhong Fangqi put away the chess pieces. “He just got married and hasn’t settled down yet.”

The old master snorted coldly. “Fangqi, you’ve spoiled him too much. Back when he went into business, you handed Zhongheng directly to him, giving him wings at the peak of his rebellion. He’s only 26, barely ten years into society, and already at the top. What life experience could he possibly have?”

Zhong Fangqi disagreed. “As long as he has the ability, that’s what matters. I don’t agree with deliberately crushing him into the mud just to make him grow. Whether it’s for A-Jing or A-Yan, I won’t do it.”

“If I don’t fall, they’ll remain at the top for life. If I fail, they’ll have no choice but to roll in the mud. Why force them to suffer intentionally?”

The old master’s face turned cold. “But your son doesn’t understand your good intentions. When the time comes, will he cooperate with you in acquiring the Ji family’s assets?”

Zhong Fangqi pondered for a moment. “Even if he cooperates, the Ji family won’t. Acquiring a state-owned, thriving industry isn’t that simple. Ji Qing protects everyone, there’s no opening for me to exploit.”

He had thought Ji Tanyuan’s trip to Shanghai would yield some results, but all it revealed were some moral issues with her uncle.

“In this matter, we’ll have to see what Tanyuan thinks.”

The old master tossed a chess piece aside. “She’s already a daughter-in-law of the Zhong family. Doesn’t she understand that when one prospers, all prosper, and when one falls, all fall? Do we really need to consider her opinion? I’ll find an opportunity to speak with her.”

Zhong Fangqi sighed. “Please don’t. The collaboration between our families has just begun. No matter what, we need stability. I have a plan, don’t rush.”

The old master snorted again. “This second daughter-in-law of yours has a strong will. She’s not exactly bowing to the Zhong family.”

Zhong Fangqi nodded. “You’re right. I’ll keep an eye on it.”

“In a couple of days, for your birthday, Second Brother and his family will come directly from Dong Province.”

Old Master Zhong nodded without saying a word.

When the two went downstairs for dinner, Zhong Yan was in the courtyard corridor talking with Zhong Jing, while the old lady and Zhou Yanyu were chatting, with Wen Yi’an occasionally chiming in.

As for Ji Tanyuan, she sat to the side, listening to their conversation but not interjecting a single word.

Zhong Fangqi came downstairs and asked, “Did the Ji family meeting go smoothly?”

Ji Tanyuan replied, “Not very smoothly.”

Zhong Fangqi paused mid-step.

“Then stay in Yanjing with peace of mind. Your father and uncle will have their own conclusions. You’re still young, and your position is sensitive, perhaps going wouldn’t be of much help anyway.”

Old Lady Zhong snorted coldly, “It’d be a miracle if she didn’t make things worse. A married woman should support her husband at home. Look at her, always out in public, mingling with all sorts of questionable people. What kind of decorum is that?”

Ji Tanyuan leaned back slightly, observing the old lady. She didn’t seem ill so much as using her “illness” to torment the younger generation.

According to Zhong Yan’s advice, the best approach in such situations was to pretend not to hear. Otherwise, if you fought back and provoked the old lady, even if it wasn’t your fault, it would be blamed on you.

When dealing with unreasonable elders, treat them as if they’re mentally unstable and consider yourself unlucky.

Even with only 10% of their energy, their attack power is still 100%.

Ji Tanyuan had once asked if this was his own conclusion. Zhong Yan neither confirmed nor denied it, only saying that the old lady had always been this way.

Outside the door, Zhong Yan held a cigarette between his fingers, his face pale, with only his lips retaining a touch of red. The swirling smoke blurred his features.

Zhong Jing gazed into the distance and asked, “Are you having second thoughts?”

Zhong Yan chuckled, “Second thoughts about what? The Ji family is exceptionally united. I haven’t found an opening. Don’t be fooled by their internal conflicts, they’re quite cohesive when facing outsiders.”

Zhong Jing looked at him, unconvinced. “We both know this plan was decided before the marriage. If Father finds out you’ve changed your mind, his intervention won’t be as gentle.”

Zhong Yan coughed twice, his voice hoarse, and for the first time wished time would slow down. “Ji Tanyuan is very clever. Just make sure Father doesn’t stumble because of her.”

Zhong Jing was surprised that Zhong Yan seemed to be giving up. “Are you serious? What are you going to do?”

Zhong Yan’s expression darkened as he looked through the doorway at her. She wore a linen dress, her fair arms glowing like milk, her face flawless, so perfect she seemed like a figure from a dream.

“I don’t know, but Brother, I want a future with her.”

Future, such an extravagant word.

Zhong Jing hadn’t expected the usually reliable Zhong Yan to falter at such a critical moment.

“Zhong Yan, do you understand what you’re saying? If you truly want a future with her, talk it out properly. Even if it’s a merger, she won’t be treated unfairly, she’ll have even greater security. Once you’re fully aligned, that’s your future. She is the Zhong family’s daughter-in-law, and that’s her ultimate destiny.”

Zhong Yan hummed in agreement, “I know.”

Zhong Jing watched as Zhong Yan extinguished his cigarette, popped a mint into his mouth, and crunched it loudly before heading inside.

“Does Ji Tanyuan know?” he asked Zhong Yan.

Zhong Yan paused mid-step, and Zhong Jing added, “She doesn’t know she’s the Zhong family’s daughter-in-law. Many people are watching her in secret, trying to find a weakness to attack our family.”

Zhong Yan chuckled, “Brother, to be honest, marrying me is actually a disservice to her.”

“Have you fallen for her?”

After a moment of silence, Zhong Yan replied, “No, I’m just being objective. She hasn’t benefited much from the Zhong family’s advantages, instead, she’s endured the drawbacks of our elders’ influence.”