Ji Ling sped down the road, his car cutting through the air.
Spring had arrived again. Though there was still a chill in the air, there was that hopeful sense of warmth coming.
He rolled down the window, letting the cold wind rush into the car.
Yan Yixuan had always appeared calm, but the dangers surrounding him were no secret. Ji Ling had felt the pressure, but he hadn’t realized it had escalated to this point.
Yan Yili was already at the gates, yet Yan Yixuan still strolled on the walls of the city, unfazed, not even worried that Yan Yili might shoot him down with a bow and arrow.
A sudden thought struck Ji Ling, and he froze for a moment.
Yan Yixuan’s confidence wasn’t just arrogance—he probably knew that even if he fell from the wall, someone would be there to catch him.
The anger Ji Ling had been feeling slowly started to dissipate.
He found himself thinking, strangely, that the person who could catch Yan Yixuan… was probably him.
It could only be him.
From the very beginning, Yan Yixuan had entrusted his fate to Ji Ling’s hands.
If Ji Ling weren’t someone to be trusted, the information he held could be enough to bring Yan Yixuan down.
But despite this, Yan Yixuan had handed his life into Ji Ling’s hands, without revealing that he was locked in a deadly struggle with Yan Yili.
Ji Ling was puzzled.
What was Yan Yixuan really thinking?
He pondered, as someone who prided himself on his abilities, confident in his career, certain he would never lose to anyone, and experienced in handling people. He considered himself skilled at reading others.
He’d lived through two lifetimes, and there were only two people who had ever defeated him.
One was his former secretary, the one who had dragged him into the abyss. That secretary had been by his side for so long, only to unleash his feelings one rainy night. Before Ji Ling could address it, everything ended.
And now, he had met Yan Yixuan.
This time, he had willingly given in.
Ji Ling drove faster, quickly reaching Jin Garden.
It was already getting late. Ji Ling hadn’t called ahead; driven by a certain determination, he just showed up.
The security guard usually let him in without question, but today he hesitated and said he needed to report first.
Ji Ling waited until the guard confirmed it with someone before he was allowed inside.
As he crossed the driveway and came out of the garage, heading into the main building, he finally understood why the security guard had stopped him.
In the lobby, the only one there to greet him was the aunt. She told him that both Mr. Yan and Miss Yan were in the dining room.
So Yan Yili had come. It seemed like today was another one of those family gatherings at Jinyuan.
It was already well past mealtime, yet the three of them hadn’t come out of the dining room, clearly engaged in serious discussion.
But knowing the explosive nature of the meetings between Yan Yixuan and Yan Yili, it wasn’t surprising they were taking their time.
Ji Ling had planned to wait in the lobby, but the aunt came over and said Miss Yan wanted him to come to the dining room.
It was actually Yan Yueshi who called for him?
That caught Ji Ling off guard, but he decided to accept Miss Yan’s invitation.
As he walked into the Yan family’s dining room, he noticed that the seating arrangement had changed since the last time.
Yan Yixuan was seated at the head of the table, with Yan Yili and Yan Yueshi sitting on either side of him.
The room was empty except for a few cups of tea placed before each of them.
Ji Ling entered, and the first to speak was Yan Yili.
“Mr. Ji, you always seem to show up at just the right moment. Isn’t that a bit too convenient?”
It had been a while since they last met, and Yan Yili, who had always spoken so bluntly, now seemed to have mastered sarcasm. He gave Ji Ling a half-smile as he sized him up.
Yan Yixuan didn’t acknowledge Yan Yili’s indirect jabs about him being a messenger. Instead, he simply looked up at Ji Ling and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Ji Ling thought to himself, ‘I came here to question you,’ but instead, he ended up walking into what looked like a family meeting.
Yan Yixuan’s tone didn’t seem particularly happy, almost tired. Ji Ling thought it was probably because he’d just had another argument with Yan Yili. He replied, “I had something to talk about.”
He looked at the two Yan brothers, who, despite their intense conflicts over shares, were still able to sit together at the same table. It was a strange kind of composure.
Ji Ling still felt a bit angry. Since Yan Yixuan hadn’t brought up his issue with Yan Yili, he figured there was no need to stir things up, and maybe he should just leave. He said, “I’ll come back another time.”
But it was Yan Yueshi who stopped him.
“Hey, don’t go. It’s the perfect time for you to help me persuade my brother.”
Yan Yueshi waved at Ji Ling, motioning for him to sit down. She blinked her big eyes, still looking like a pretty, fashionable young girl.
It seemed like she had shaken off the gloom from her heartbreak and was back to being that innocent princess. But there was something different in her eyes now. She stared at her brothers and Ji Ling with a determined look.
Once Ji Ling had sat down, Yan Yueshi spoke up. “We were just talking about it. I want to go abroad.”
Ji Ling froze for a moment at her words, and instinctively looked at Yan Yixuan. Yan Yixuan furrowed his brows, clearly not in agreement.
“I’ve thought about it for a long time before making this decision. That’s why I asked Brother Yili to come here today, to inform you both,” Yan Yueshi continued.
She smiled as she spoke, and Ji Ling finally realized what was going on. Today, the three Yan siblings were once again in the same frame, but this time, the focus was no longer on the two brothers. The spotlight was on Yan Yueshi.
It was why Yan Yixuan and Yan Yili could temporarily hold their peace and sit at the same table.
With a tone that bordered on pleading, Yan Yueshi turned to Yan Yixuan and said, “I really thought it through. I’ve never been so serious about something—serious enough that it’s giving me a headache.”
Yan Yixuan glanced at her and replied, “There’s no need to leave home.”
Yan Yueshi replied firmly, “That’s exactly why I need to go. You’re always so protective, that’s why I have to go out and experience the world for myself.”
Seeing that Yan Yixuan was about to explode again, Yan Yili interjected, saying, “You spoil her too much.”
He shot a glance at Yan Yixuan and, unusually calm, added, “It’s not that spoiling is a bad thing, but you should also consider what she wants. She wants to go abroad to study—why stand in her way?”
Yan Yixuan didn’t reply, his eyes dark and brooding as he stared at Yan Yueshi.
Yan Yueshi was a little startled by her brother’s expression, but she still gathered her courage and continued, “Brother, I know you’ve been both a father and a mother to me ever since Mom and Dad passed away, raising me with so much care…”
Her words started to drift off, and Ji Ling couldn’t help but feel a bit odd hearing them. He couldn’t hold back and let out a small laugh.
Yan Yixuan realized that Yan Yueshi was deliberately teasing him, and interrupted, “What are you saying? Is it really that exaggerated?”
Yan Yueshi flashed a playful smile and said, “Maybe a little exaggerated, but I know you care about me.” She continued, “But I can’t stay like this forever.”
“You’ve said it yourself, haven’t you? You said that when I grew up, I would understand what’s good and what’s bad. Well, now I think I’m grown up, and I want to go out and see the world.”
As she spoke, she shot a glance at Ji Ling.
Ji Ling caught her eye and cleared his throat. Though he still felt a little angry, he couldn’t help but go along with Miss Yan’s words. He turned to Yan Yixuan and said, “If you want to make sure Miss Yan doesn’t suffer any more harm, you need to let her become stronger on her own. No matter how much others worry, no one can make choices for her.”
Ji Ling was subtly referring to Xu Jing’s matter.
The incident with Xu Jing not only hurt Yan Yueshi, but also deeply frustrated Yan Yixuan.
Yan Yixuan realized for the first time that he couldn’t entirely shield his sister from risks. Some things, Yan Yueshi had to face and solve on her own.
As for how to grow stronger, she would have to arm herself.
Yan Yueshi’s thoughts were still rather simple. She just wanted to move on from the heartbreak of her failed romance, like her brothers and Xu Jing had hoped for her, to become more mature.
As an elder brother, Yan Yixuan knew exactly what was on her mind. He understood and agreed with her, but his refusal to openly accept it was simply because he couldn’t bear to let her go.
Seeing Yan Yixuan’s expression soften, Yan Yueshi continued, “I may be naive, but I still want to try. I’ve found something I’m passionate about, something I want to further study. In the future, I also want to have my own career.”
As she spoke, Yan Yueshi revealed another shocking idea. “I have no interest in the family business, but Grandpa left me shares. After thinking it over for a long time, I’ve realized that I don’t want to be involved with the company.”
At this, both Yan Yixuan and Yan Yili fixed their eyes on her, staring intently at their sister.
Yan Yueshi took a deep breath and continued, “I want to turn my shares into cash and then set up a fund. Part of it will go to charity, part for my further education, and the rest will be entrusted to an agency for management. Once I complete my studies, I’ll use it for my career.”
After she finished speaking, her two brothers shared a rare moment of unspoken understanding. They both turned to look at each other.
The next moment, Yan Yixuan immediately reacted, firmly rejecting her. “No.”
Yan Yueshi, who had just seen her brother soften, was suddenly confronted with such a strong objection. The disappointment was overwhelming, and she said, “Brother, I’ve finally made my own decision, and I really hope you’ll support me. I’m not interested in managing the company. What’s wrong with using the money for what I want to do?”
Yan Yili chuckled and said to her, “It’s not that your brother doesn’t support you, but it’s just that he…” His words trailed off as he caught the sharp look in Yan Yixuan’s eyes.
Yan Yili, giving face to Yan Yixuan, didn’t finish the sentence. He refrained from saying that they ‘can’t afford it.’
If Yan Yueshi had no interest in the company, they didn’t need to tell her the truth.
But the timing was sensitive. Although the shares she held weren’t much, involving her in any shift in the shares at this time wasn’t ideal.
Everyone in the room knew this, but Yan Yueshi didn’t.
Yan Yueshi just felt a little hurt that even this small request couldn’t be fulfilled.
Seeing the disappointed expression on his little sister’s face, Yan Yixuan couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. This was the first time she had asked for something, and she had called Yan Yili over to make her decision clear.
As one of the heirs to the Yan family, she had inherited Yan Jisheng’s legacy, and as an adult, she had the right to freely manage her wealth.
She must have thought long and hard before saying all of this.
Yan Yixuan knew exactly what kind of person his sister was. In the past, getting her to pause and reconsider was nearly impossible, but this time, her failed relationship with Xu Jing had made her mature instantly.
Yan Yixuan knew that as an older brother, he had to support his sister.
But…
He subconsciously glanced at Ji Ling, who was looking back at him with his dark, penetrating eyes.
Yan Yixuan really liked Ji Ling’s eyes — bright and sharp, sometimes carrying a soft glow that made people almost addicted to them.
Totally out of place, Yan Yixuan found himself appreciating Ji Ling’s gaze, even in this tense moment. Meanwhile, as the other older brother, Yan Yili stepped in for Yan Yixuan and said to Yan Yueshi, “Go back to your room for now. Leave some time for your brother to think things over. As for me, I have some things to discuss with him.”
Yan Yili’s words made Yan Yixuan snap his attention back to him, and the two brothers locked eyes without hesitation.
Yan Yixuan also instructed Yan Yueshi, saying, “Go upstairs for now.”
Yan Yueshi didn’t understand why, despite the matter being about her, it ended up turning into another battle between her two brothers. Feeling helpless, she looked toward the only bystander.
Ji Ling smiled at her and gestured for her to listen to her brothers.
With that, Yan Yueshi stood up. Looking at the three men in the dining room, the scene felt oddly familiar. The last time it was like this, she had watched the battle between the men from the sidelines.
But this time, she wouldn’t be participating.
Yan Yueshi left the room, and the remaining three men sat in silence for a moment.
After a while, Yan Yixuan spoke first, but he didn’t address Yan Yili; instead, he asked Ji Ling, “What exactly are you here for?”
Ji Ling gave a small, slightly self-mocking smile. “I came because of you all.”
That took Yan Yixuan slightly by surprise. Yan Yili chuckled and said, “So you still haven’t formed a united front yet?”
Turning to Ji Ling, he continued, “Your chairman has been suppressing any movements to keep the stock price stable, creating an image of a bright future for the company, all in an effort to push your project through smoothly.”
Ji Ling, hearing this, glanced at Yan Yixuan.
If the Yan family got caught in internal conflicts, the film industry project wouldn’t proceed smoothly. Yan Yixuan would have to wait until the funding was successfully handed over and the project officially started before he could confront Yan Yili directly.
Ji Ling couldn’t help but smile bitterly to himself.
Yan Yixuan’s actions were both for his and the Yan family’s benefit, but why did Yan Yixuan always have to play the lone hero? They could be more straightforward with each other.
Yan Yili, always maintaining control of the situation, turned to Yan Yixuan and said, “Neither of us anticipated Yueshi would bring up something like this. As for how to handle Yueshi’s shares, I have no opinion. You can do as you see fit.”
Then, with a chuckle, he added, “Although I doubt you’ve got the cash to buy her shares back.”
Yan Yixuan didn’t respond to the jab. He only said, “But I’m not going to let you profit from it.”
Yan Yili gave him a thumbs-up. “That’s the Yan Yixuan I know. I don’t want to play these behind-the-scenes games with you anymore. I want an open fight.”
Yan Yixuan raised an eyebrow and replied, “So, you’re publicly preparing to fight me for the company?”
Yan Yili gave a nod, appreciating Yan Yixuan’s straightforwardness. “Yes. As the major shareholder of the company, I’m calling for an emergency shareholder meeting to vote on the composition of the board.”
“Right now, both of us are gathering shares, and with Yueshi’s shares thrown into the mix, we’ll see who comes out on top.”
Honestly, Yan Yili didn’t even need to say it. The secret was already leaking.
Soon, everyone would know about the shift in Yan Corporation’s power structure.
This long-simmering cold war between brothers had finally exploded into the open. The peaceful facade was torn apart. No one could stay uninvolved anymore. Everyone would have to go all in—for the throne at the top of the company.
Yan Yili stared straight at Yan Yixuan, his eyes burning with intensity, as he issued the final challenge:
“Let’s see who’s better, Yan Yixuan.”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
