Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 71

The Ji family’s ancestral worship ceremony proceeded as scheduled.

At that time, Ji Tanyuan was with her mother. According to tradition, they could have attended the Ji family’s ancestral rites, but neither mother nor daughter went.

Ji Tanyuan scooped a spoonful of ice cream while watching a TV drama.

Beside her, her mother was reading a book. Bored by the quiet atmosphere, she asked, “Why don’t you go out with your friends?”

Ji Tanyuan shook her head, leaning against her mother’s shoulder. “I’m spending the day with you today.”

Sheng Wan closed her book. “What are you worried about?”

“Have you heard the rumors? That your brother has been found?”

Ji Tanyuan looked up in surprise, her eyes wide. She had specifically asked people to keep this from her mother.

“Did Auntie tell you? Don’t believe it…”

Sheng Wan chuckled lightly. “Of course, I don’t believe it. It’s just some people using this as an excuse to stir up trouble.”

She gently tucked a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Remember, I’ve already told you, you’re an only child now. How could that be false?”

Ji Tanyuan held her mother’s hand. Deep down, she wanted to ask about Ji Zhihe’s true identity, whether he was her father’s illegitimate son.

But she held back, considering her mother’s health condition.

She didn’t dare to ask.

Then she smiled softly. “I know.”

“So, go and see what’s happening today. I dislike those people, so I won’t go. But Huanghuang, you must go. There are some things you have to face. Think of it this way: those people in the Ji family are the first ‘stepping stones’ in your path to inheriting the family legacy.”

Ji Tanyuan set down her ice cream and hugged her mother.

“I understand. But don’t worry about me. No matter how bad things get, my life won’t be difficult.”

Even if she failed, she wouldn’t be poor, nor would she fall into the hands of the powerful. After all, she was already in Zhong Yan’s grasp. Even if they divorced, as Zhong Yan’s ex-wife, no one would dare to bully her.

After leaving her mother’s house, Ji Tanyuan received a call from Zhong Yan, asking when she would return to Yanjing.

There were only three days left until New Year’s Day. It would be their first New Year as a married couple, and they had already agreed to spend it in Yanjing.

Ji Tanyuan didn’t specify when she would return, only saying, “I have something to do right now. We’ll talk later.”

Zhong Yan asked, “What are you doing?”

“Going to the ancestral worship.”

Zhong Yan stared at the ended call, falling silent.

He set down his phone and remained quiet for a long time.

In fact, Assistant Liang had noticed Zhong Yan’s somber mood these past few days. He knew better than to pry too deeply into Zhong Yan’s affairs.

Knowing too many secrets could get you killed.

But Zhong Yan spoke first. “After the Spring Festival, I’ll take on the overseas project.”

He needed to distance himself from Ji Tanyuan and figure out his next move.

He could no longer keep up the act in this marriage, yet he didn’t dare to turn the pretense into reality. So, the only option was to sober up first.

After saying this, he closed his eyes, exuding a cold, detached aura. His silence made Assistant Liang uneasy. Something must be wrong. The boss seems really troubled.

The next moment, Zhong Yan opened his eyes. “Find out where the Ji family ancestral hall is. We’re going.”

Might as well go see the spectacle first.

Assistant Liang was taken aback. “Huh?”

“What do you mean, ‘huh’? Don’t you want to see the drama between my wife and her father?”

Assistant Liang thought to himself, Why would I care? She’s not my wife.

At a mansion in Huangjiang

Over a dozen luxury cars were parked outside, an impressive sight.

Inside, the ancestral hall was decorated in a classical style. Multiple high thresholds stood before the hall, its doors tightly shut. Through three successive courtyards, dark fir beams and pillars loomed solemnly, casting a solemn and dim atmosphere.

Ji Tanyuan parked her car in front of the gate and stepped inside.

The threshold was high, higher than before, and her father had played a part in that. This ancestral hall, now worth hundreds of millions, had been fully funded by him.

Some people held deep affection for their clan, perhaps finding here emotional value and a sense of dignity and status that were hard to come by elsewhere.

Yet she couldn’t help but wonder: the Ji family had offered little support to her father’s career and had even overlooked him in the past. Why, then, did he still hold them in such regard?

Ji Tanyuan could only think of one explanation:

To crave someone’s approval is to become their slave.

She stepped over the threshold and walked further in.

Some had already noticed her, but their faces registered surprise, after all, it was her first time here.

Ji Tanyuan smiled lightly. “Good day, uncles. Am I late?”

Her third uncle was the first to snap out of his daze. “Why are you only arriving now?” he asked.

Ji Tanyuan wore a beige overcoat, her hair neatly styled in a center-parted low ponytail. Her makeup was immaculate, her eyebrows delicately shaped without sharpness. Her lips, naturally full, were painted with a velvety, luxurious lipstick. It was those plump lips that lent her an air of grace and gentleness, especially when paired with her smiling eyes, which could easily give the illusion of kindness.

Ji Ting snorted coldly. “Ji Tanyuan, you’ve arrived just in time.”

“Before our ancestors, why don’t you explain how you could commit such an unforgivable act?”

Ji Tanyuan feigned surprise. “What have I done, Uncle?”

Ji Ziqian, who had been standing behind, stepped forward to support his father, who leaned on a cane. “Tanyuan, you owe us an explanation about my father’s leg.”

“Fourth Uncle, you may not be aware, but my father’s leg injury might be related to Tanyuan. As family, shouldn’t you intervene when kin turn against each other?”

Ji Qing didn’t seem surprised by Ji Tanyuan’s sudden appearance. Hearing Ji Ziqian’s words, he shot him a glance.

In a low voice, he said, “You said it yourself, ‘might be.’ Without evidence, we cannot make accusations.”

Ji Ziqian sneered. “No evidence? How about a recording? Does that count?”

One of the elders asked, “What recording?”

“Of course, a recording of her admitting it was her doing!”

Ji Tanyuan, with her hands clasped behind her back, was leisurely studying the interior decor. “I never admitted to anything. I merely scolded Uncle for betraying the family.”

“My mistake, I was just too angry.” As she spoke, she pivoted gracefully to face them.

Standing before the ancestral tablets, her back to the plaques and the massive inscribed board, she stood tall and poised. Her expression remained gentle, but her eyes pierced Ji Ting like needles hidden in cotton:

“Of all people, why did you have to involve Shen Xichen? Do you really think you can outmaneuver him?”

Ji Ting took a step forward with his cane. He had grown noticeably thinner since the car accident, his face haggard, his eyes filled with suppressed hatred. “Ji Tanyuan, don’t go too far! How dare a junior like you raise your voice and lecture me? Kneel down at once and apologize!”

Ji Qing interjected, “She doesn’t need to kneel.”

Then, turning to his daughter, he said, “Go back now.”

Ji Tanyuan chuckled softly. “Go back? So it’ll be easier for you to acknowledge your son and restore his name in the family registry today?”

Ji Qing warned, “Ji Tanyuan, don’t talk nonsense.”

Ji Ting sneered. “So you know? Yes, and we have Young Master Shen to thank for that, he lent a hand as well.”

“Otherwise, we’d be mourning another cold corpse. Fourth Brother, your daughter tried to kill me, all because I mentioned that we’d found Zhihe, didn’t she?”

“To fight over family assets with such disregard for kinship, how is someone like that fit to be the heir?”

“The other shareholders won’t be at ease either! If business partners catch wind of such a scandal, have you ever considered the future of the Ji family?”

Ji Qing ignored his remarks. “You said you found Zhihe. Where is he?”

Ji Ting sneered, “You need to give me an assurance first. Otherwise, I’m afraid he might lose his life again if I bring him back.”

The room fell silent. Everyone was waiting to see what Ji Qing would do, force Ji Tanyuan to admit his mistake?

A glint of schadenfreude flashed in Ji Ziqian’s eyes, but as he glanced at a message on his phone, his expression shifted dramatically.

[Zhihe] was kidnapped?

Before he could inform his father, the crisp sound of leather shoes clicking against the floor echoed from outside the door.

“My apologies. I happened to run into him on the way, so I brought him along.”

Hearing that elegant, melodious voice, Ji Tanyuan froze in surprise.