Ji Mengran’s cries grew distant. At last, the police car door was shut with a “peng” noise, cutting off her voice.
“Nuan Nuan, are you sure you won’t return to the Xiao family with me?” Xiao Zhenjun turned to toward Ji Nuan.
Ji Nuan glanced outside the door. “Mr. Xiao, did you bring your bodyguards with you to kick Ji Mengran out or to forcefully take me away from the Ji family?”
Xiao Zhenjun’s expression faltered.
Ji Hongwen immediately released a cold chuckle. “He is used to authority. Previously, your mother was also forced home by him with similar methods. Since he has decided to acknowledge you as his daughter, he naturally will apply the same methods.”
Xiao Zhenjun spoke softly, “The bodyguards won’t touch you. You can decide whether or not you wish to return to the Xiao family, but I still hope you will think this through carefully and choose to come with me. You once brought up your mother in the past; I know that you are sensitive to this subject and you won’t give in easily. I won’t do anything too forceful, don’t worry.”
Ji Nuan did not speak, but Ji Hongwen laughed coldly. “That’s true. That year, Qing Lin was alone in America and there was no one who could support her. You brought her away as you pleased and no one dared to interfere. By the time I learned of what had happened, it was too late to reverse it. Ji Nuan, on the other hand, is different. The person standing behind her is Mo Jingshen. Even an old thing like you, who has dominated the business world for so many years, won’t dare to provoke him. Naturally, you won’t dare to take her away forcefully. Otherwise, even if Mo Jingshen has to wreck chaos through the entire Xiao family, he would do it to find her.”
“Must you stand between us father and daughter, and try to force a wedge between us?” Xiao Zhenjun’s expression turned ugly. “The grievances from years ago is between us. Nuan Nuan is the daughter I’ve lost for over twenty years. Even if you feel injustice on behalf of Qing Lin, you shouldn’t keep my child to yourself!”
“Force a wedge?” Ji Hongwen sneered. “The truth is right before our eyes. Is there a need for me to force anything? You never made any open moves against her because of Mo Jingshen’s presence, but right from the beginning, you’ve wanted to take her back to the Xiao family. You’ve had such intentions for quite some time. I had already planned to tell Ji Nuan all about her birth, but recently Mengran’s trouble has been causing me frustration. Otherwise, Ji Nuan would already have known about it. Whether she chooses to stay or leave is her own choice. I previously asked her to visit Qing Lin’s old home in Ji City. I’m sure Ji Nuan now knows a lot about the hardships and helplessness her mother experienced in her youth. Right now, at Ji Nuan’s age, old things like us cannot come to any conclusions for her. She has her own feelings and thoughts. Don’t think that everyone is your employee or your puppet and that you’ll be able to make her do as you please. There’s no need for me to keep this daughter to myself. So long as she wishes to leave, I will never force her to stay. But so long as she wishes to stay, she will always be my, Ji Hongwen’s daughter.”
Xiao Zhenjun had one hand placed behind his back. Since the moment he stepped through the Ji family’s door, he remained in that posture with his back straight. He did not do it intentionally, yet his aura and demeanor were dominating, and his words were cold. “If you were able to protect her properly, I wouldn’t have rushed here early in the morning without care for our families’ previous promise to stay away from each other. This time, the schemes Ji Mengran employed against her is already sufficiently vicious and fierce. Previously, I also investigated the old helpers that used to work in the Ji family and found out that when Ji Nuan was in her teens, you brought that Shen Heru and her son, Sheng Yihan, into the family. What were the consequences of that? Because of your carelessness, irreversible harm almost occurred to Ji Nuan. She was nearly forced by that brat, and even ended up with a body weak against the cold!”
Ji Hongwen’s expression fell. He paused for a moment and turned to look at Ji Nuan.
That was the greatest regret in Ji Hongwen’s life, and because of that incident, he was even more enraged by Ji Mengran. His hatred was incomparable.
However, he had to admit that he had been careless that year.
Ji Nuan spoke up coldly at this moment: “Mr. Xiao, even if I grew up in the Xiao family, it doesn’t guarantee that I would have a better life than I did here. The Xiao family business is so big, and the family is also large. Mr. Xiao, you’re typically so busy. Can you say that you won’t have your moments of carelessness? The gratitude for one’s love and care is above all. Right now, you’re nitpicking at the care my Dad has given to me over the years. Don’t you think you’re being too much?”
Xiao Zhenjun stared at her. Her posture remained turned away from him. “Nuan Nuan, you also said that what you have for him is gratitude for his love and care. That means you acknowledge me as your birth father. Must you speak to me in that manner?”
Ji Nuan turned to glance at him. “I’m the person involved. When it comes to choosing between someone who has loved and cared for me, and the person responsible for my birth, I have the best understanding. The right to choose and decide lies in my hand. Mr. Xiao, you don’t have any right to criticize my morals just because of my choice.”
Xiao Zhenjun was choked by her words.
Ji Nuan’s temper was unbelievably identical to his. If his temper could soften in any way, back then, things would never escalate to such a manner between him and her mother. Precisely because he understood himself too well, he somewhat understood Ji Nuan.
During such a time, there was nothing he could do or say to sway her. He could only hope that time could resolve the issues between them and slowly wash away the grievances. Perhaps only that would allow her to acknowledge her identity as a Xiao family member.
At this moment, Ji Nuan’s phone rang. She turned to answer it.
As she did not head to the office on Monday, there were some things the company needed her to rush back for.
She hung up the phone and checked the time. She then turned to inform Ji Hongwen that the company had work she had to rush to and that she would find time to return home again.
As she made to leave, she paused by Xiao Zhenjun’s side, speaking mildly: “Chairman Xiao, please take your leave from the Ji home. Since you both made the promise to stay away from one another years ago, please be more self-aware and leave. My Dad’s mood has been poor recently and his health isn’t doing very well. Please don’t be an eyesore to him.”
Xiao Zhenjun’s eyelids twitched. He turned to look at her but Ji Nuan did not return his gaze. She left without turning back.
——
At this moment, the United States, Los Angeles.
A black off-road vehicle has been parked outside the Shine Group’s headquarters’ entrance for quite some time.
Nanheng, who sat inside the car, gazed toward the helicopter hovering above Shine Group’s rooftop. He picked up his phone and called Mo Jingshen.
“The remnants of Aqib and Dali’s people have gathered from Cambodia. They’ve been hidden in ambush for quite some time. It seems like they are getting ready to take on our base to make an attempt against Shine’s headquarter. This country is too strict, and they haven’t successfully made their way in. Right now, the office has only received a few bomb threats, but the Shine employees are fearful. Almost half of them haven’t been coming in for work. They’re using such a method to force you back to America. What do you plan to do?”
Ji Mengran’s cries grew distant. At last, the police car door was shut with a “peng” noise, cutting off her voice.
“Nuan Nuan, are you sure you won’t return to the Xiao family with me?” Xiao Zhenjun turned to toward Ji Nuan.
Ji Nuan glanced outside the door. “Mr. Xiao, did you bring your bodyguards with you to kick Ji Mengran out or to forcefully take me away from the Ji family?”
Xiao Zhenjun’s expression faltered.
Ji Hongwen immediately released a cold chuckle. “He is used to authority. Previously, your mother was also forced home by him with similar methods. Since he has decided to acknowledge you as his daughter, he naturally will apply the same methods.”
Xiao Zhenjun spoke softly, “The bodyguards won’t touch you. You can decide whether or not you wish to return to the Xiao family, but I still hope you will think this through carefully and choose to come with me. You once brought up your mother in the past; I know that you are sensitive to this subject and you won’t give in easily. I won’t do anything too forceful, don’t worry.”
Ji Nuan did not speak, but Ji Hongwen laughed coldly. “That’s true. That year, Qing Lin was alone in America and there was no one who could support her. You brought her away as you pleased and no one dared to interfere. By the time I learned of what had happened, it was too late to reverse it. Ji Nuan, on the other hand, is different. The person standing behind her is Mo Jingshen. Even an old thing like you, who has dominated the business world for so many years, won’t dare to provoke him. Naturally, you won’t dare to take her away forcefully. Otherwise, even if Mo Jingshen has to wreck chaos through the entire Xiao family, he would do it to find her.”
“Must you stand between us father and daughter, and try to force a wedge between us?” Xiao Zhenjun’s expression turned ugly. “The grievances from years ago is between us. Nuan Nuan is the daughter I’ve lost for over twenty years. Even if you feel injustice on behalf of Qing Lin, you shouldn’t keep my child to yourself!”
“Force a wedge?” Ji Hongwen sneered. “The truth is right before our eyes. Is there a need for me to force anything? You never made any open moves against her because of Mo Jingshen’s presence, but right from the beginning, you’ve wanted to take her back to the Xiao family. You’ve had such intentions for quite some time. I had already planned to tell Ji Nuan all about her birth, but recently Mengran’s trouble has been causing me frustration. Otherwise, Ji Nuan would already have known about it. Whether she chooses to stay or leave is her own choice. I previously asked her to visit Qing Lin’s old home in Ji City. I’m sure Ji Nuan now knows a lot about the hardships and helplessness her mother experienced in her youth. Right now, at Ji Nuan’s age, old things like us cannot come to any conclusions for her. She has her own feelings and thoughts. Don’t think that everyone is your employee or your puppet and that you’ll be able to make her do as you please. There’s no need for me to keep this daughter to myself. So long as she wishes to leave, I will never force her to stay. But so long as she wishes to stay, she will always be my, Ji Hongwen’s daughter.”
Xiao Zhenjun had one hand placed behind his back. Since the moment he stepped through the Ji family’s door, he remained in that posture with his back straight. He did not do it intentionally, yet his aura and demeanor were dominating, and his words were cold. “If you were able to protect her properly, I wouldn’t have rushed here early in the morning without care for our families’ previous promise to stay away from each other. This time, the schemes Ji Mengran employed against her is already sufficiently vicious and fierce. Previously, I also investigated the old helpers that used to work in the Ji family and found out that when Ji Nuan was in her teens, you brought that Shen Heru and her son, Sheng Yihan, into the family. What were the consequences of that? Because of your carelessness, irreversible harm almost occurred to Ji Nuan. She was nearly forced by that brat, and even ended up with a body weak against the cold!”
Ji Hongwen’s expression fell. He paused for a moment and turned to look at Ji Nuan.
That was the greatest regret in Ji Hongwen’s life, and because of that incident, he was even more enraged by Ji Mengran. His hatred was incomparable.
However, he had to admit that he had been careless that year.
Ji Nuan spoke up coldly at this moment: “Mr. Xiao, even if I grew up in the Xiao family, it doesn’t guarantee that I would have a better life than I did here. The Xiao family business is so big, and the family is also large. Mr. Xiao, you’re typically so busy. Can you say that you won’t have your moments of carelessness? The gratitude for one’s love and care is above all. Right now, you’re nitpicking at the care my Dad has given to me over the years. Don’t you think you’re being too much?”
Xiao Zhenjun stared at her. Her posture remained turned away from him. “Nuan Nuan, you also said that what you have for him is gratitude for his love and care. That means you acknowledge me as your birth father. Must you speak to me in that manner?”
Ji Nuan turned to glance at him. “I’m the person involved. When it comes to choosing between someone who has loved and cared for me, and the person responsible for my birth, I have the best understanding. The right to choose and decide lies in my hand. Mr. Xiao, you don’t have any right to criticize my morals just because of my choice.”
Xiao Zhenjun was choked by her words.
Ji Nuan’s temper was unbelievably identical to his. If his temper could soften in any way, back then, things would never escalate to such a manner between him and her mother. Precisely because he understood himself too well, he somewhat understood Ji Nuan.
During such a time, there was nothing he could do or say to sway her. He could only hope that time could resolve the issues between them and slowly wash away the grievances. Perhaps only that would allow her to acknowledge her identity as a Xiao family member.
At this moment, Ji Nuan’s phone rang. She turned to answer it.
As she did not head to the office on Monday, there were some things the company needed her to rush back for.
She hung up the phone and checked the time. She then turned to inform Ji Hongwen that the company had work she had to rush to and that she would find time to return home again.
As she made to leave, she paused by Xiao Zhenjun’s side, speaking mildly: “Chairman Xiao, please take your leave from the Ji home. Since you both made the promise to stay away from one another years ago, please be more self-aware and leave. My Dad’s mood has been poor recently and his health isn’t doing very well. Please don’t be an eyesore to him.”
Xiao Zhenjun’s eyelids twitched. He turned to look at her but Ji Nuan did not return his gaze. She left without turning back.
——
At this moment, the United States, Los Angeles.
A black off-road vehicle has been parked outside the Shine Group’s headquarters’ entrance for quite some time.
Nanheng, who sat inside the car, gazed toward the helicopter hovering above Shine Group’s rooftop. He picked up his phone and called Mo Jingshen.
“The remnants of Aqib and Dali’s people have gathered from Cambodia. They’ve been hidden in ambush for quite some time. It seems like they are getting ready to take on our base to make an attempt against Shine’s headquarter. This country is too strict, and they haven’t successfully made their way in. Right now, the office has only received a few bomb threats, but the Shine employees are fearful. Almost half of them haven’t been coming in for work. They’re using such a method to force you back to America. What do you plan to do?”
