The eldest branch of the Yan family’s previous generation actually had a child.
However, Yan Jisheng and his son’s family were estranged. After the eldest son died, his wife took the child and left the family, never returning in all these years. Yan Jisheng, being ruthless, didn’t leave a single cent for his estranged grandson in his will.
Ji Ling looked at the person who had arrived. Although he was quite handsome, there was no mistaking the resemblance to the Yan family. Judging from Yan Yixuan’s reaction, this must be the lost grandson of the Yan family.
The man, with his beautiful eyes scanning the surroundings, seemed to have something flashing in his gaze. He let out a hum and said, “It’s been years, and it’s still the same. Doesn’t look like much has changed here.”
Yan Yixuan stepped forward, smiling faintly. “How could it not? The house has been renovated countless times.”
He seemed visibly excited, and Ji Ling rarely saw him like this. Yan Yixuan continued, “Welcome back, Yan Xi.”
The person called Yan Xi also smiled, replying, “When the old man was buried, you told me to come back and take a look. I figured if I had shown up back then, the old man would’ve probably been spinning in his grave with rage. So, I waited until now to come.”
Ji Ling was a bit stunned again. The guy looked good, but once he opened his mouth, his roughness was a bit surprising.
Yan Xi turned and saw Ji Ling. He gave him a once-over, then said to Yan Yixuan, “Oh, Xuanxuan, still hiding a little lover at home, huh?”
Ji Ling: “…”
There were so many things to comment on that Ji Ling didn’t even know where to start. All he could do was glance at Yan Yixuan.
Yan Yixuan, clearly embarrassed, responded, “Stop calling me that, we’re not kids anymore.”
He finally introduced them, “This is my cousin, Yan Xi. And this is Ji Ling, my…” Yan Yixuan paused, thinking carefully about his wording, and then continued, “A very good friend.”
Yan Xi teased, “Boyfriend?”
Yan Yixuan turned his head away without saying a word, silently acknowledging it.
Yan Xi laughed loudly, walking over to slap Yan Yixuan’s shoulder. He then casually threw his arm around Yan Yixuan’s shoulders, guiding him into the house. The whole movement had an air of confidence and dominance.
Ji Ling thought to himself: This guy is really the Yan family’s young master. When he’s not talking or moving, he looks like a cold, beautiful person. But the moment he opens his mouth, his image completely falls apart.
As Yan Xi walked, he casually observed the house’s decor, saying, “You said it’s been renovated, but the style is exactly the same as before. Just like the Yan family’s granite-headed approach—stubborn and inflexible, just like the people.”
He didn’t seem to care that he was including himself in the criticism and continued, “But after all these years of not being back, it does bring some feelings.”
He spoke somewhat coldly, “When I left here, I thought I would never set foot in the gates of Jin Garden again.”
Ji Ling thought to himself, just how serious had the situation been for Yan Xi to feel like he never wanted to return, and how severe must things have been for Yan Jisheng to refuse to leave even a single cent to Yan Xi before his death?
That old man, Yan Jisheng, had truly affected the lives of his grandsons.
Ji Ling silently disagreed, but didn’t say anything.
Yan Yixuan and Yan Xi had already settled down on the wooden sofa in the living room. Ji Ling offered to step away, but Yan Xi waved him off, saying, “It’s fine, you can stay. There’s nothing you can’t hear.”
He then turned to Yan Yixuan, saying, “We’ll catch up later. I’m here today for two reasons: one, to answer your invitation, and to settle my own personal matters. The second reason is that I heard you’re short on money?”
Yan Yixuan chuckled and shook his head, replying, “It’s not that I’m short on money. It’s Yan Yili who needs to cash out. He’s looking for the right buyer to make his exit.”
Yan Xi listened, somewhat uninterested, and casually said, “So, basically, you just need money.”
Yan Yixuan was at a loss for words but had already figured out Yan Xi’s intentions. He asked, “So, what are your thoughts on this?”
Yan Xi answered, “I don’t have any particular plans. I’m living my life just fine. But my mother has a plan.” He continued, “She wants to acquire Yan Yili’s shares.”
Yan Xi sneered, clearly not fully agreeing, and added, “Ever since Mom and I left home, the old man has been suppressing us. She only managed to develop overseas. It wasn’t until you started to gain power that things at home began to ease up for us.”
Ji Ling, hearing this, finally understood that the reason Yan Xi was back wasn’t to stir trouble, but rather to offer help in return.
At first, Ji Ling had thought of him as a second Yan Yili, someone who might make things a mess, and had his head spinning. But after hearing their background, he realized Yan Xi was actually here with good intentions.
Yan Xi continued, “If it weren’t for you always being in the middle, dealing with the old man’s crazy behavior, Mom and I would’ve been finished by now. Thanks to you, my mom has made a pretty good fortune overseas.”
Yan Xi gave Yan Yixuan a few more pats on the back, saying, “Over the years, I guess my mom’s getting older and has started caring more about reconnecting with her roots. Most of her business has shifted back to the country. She was thinking of getting involved in the whole Yan Yili thing, but hesitated—after all, it’s internal family business.”
He paused for a moment, then smirked, “I don’t see it that way. Everyone’s seen the old man’s actions over the years. The older he gets, the more foolish he becomes, messing up both the family and the company. If I had the ability, I’d’ve gone against him long ago!”
As he spoke, his emotions grew more intense, his brows furrowing, his face full of anger. It was like he was challenging everything that had been done.
But Ji Ling actually found it refreshing.
He had long disagreed with Yan Jisheng’s decisions, but Yan Yixuan, being a dutiful son, never voiced his opposition. Now, with another member of the Yan family standing up and loudly pointing out the old man’s mistakes, it felt quite satisfying.
Ji Ling understood now why Yan Jisheng had never liked this grandson—if they had ever met while Yan Jisheng was alive, their argument would’ve likely torn Jin Garden apart.
Yan Yixuan had no choice but to interrupt Yan Xi, saying, “That’s all in the past now. Things are moving in a much more stable direction.”
His underlying message was clear—don’t stir up trouble.
Yan Xi’s expression softened, and he said to Yan Yixuan, “Fortunately, it was you who ended up staying in charge of this family.” He spoke sincerely, “Among all of us troublesome children, you’re the one with the most tolerance.”
Ji Ling found himself liking this Eldest Young Master more and more. He was always speaking the truth.
Even though Yan Jisheng had his selfish motives, in the end, the one who took charge of Jin Garden had to be Yan Yixuan.
Only Yan Yixuan had the patience and the capacity for tolerance to manage the entire Yan family. Only he could bring stability to the family.
Yan Yixuan had listened to him for a while before finally steering the conversation back on track. “You said your mother wants to buy the shares. Why don’t you tell me more about it?”
Yan Xi frowned, saying, “Every time we talk about business, it gives me a headache. Mom sent me to feel things out with you. She wants to replace Yan Yili and take over the shares he holds.”
He looked at Yan Yixuan, his eyes full of sincerity, “Then she’ll officially retire, and she wants to entrust all the voting rights of the shares to you.”
At this, both Yan Yixuan and Ji Ling were stunned.
When Yan Xi had mentioned his mother had plans, Ji Ling had thought he was going to negotiate terms with Yan Yixuan. He hadn’t expected the mother and son to be so generous—willing to not only take the shares but also step back and leave all the power in Yan Yixuan’s hands.
This was the fruit of what Yan Yixuan had sown. All those years ago, when he had defied Yan Jisheng and treated Yan Xi and his mother kindly, he had set the stage for such a return.
Yan Xi finally stopped being so dismissive and asked Yan Yixuan, “My mother wants to reconnect with the family through this shareholding. Now that you’re the head of the family, will you accept us?”
Yan Yixuan smiled, as resolute as always. He said, “Of course. I said at Grandpa’s funeral that Jin Garden will always be your home, and you are always welcome to return at any time.”
Ji Ling watched the two cousins and felt the atmosphere shift again, this time becoming softer and filled with hope.
Seeing such a positive outcome, Ji Ling couldn’t help but smile.
Yan Xi looked over at him again, sizing him up, then said, “Your little boyfriend is quite good-looking.” He asked Ji Ling, “Are you close with the Luo family?”
Ji Ling nodded, saying, “I’m friends with both brothers from the Luo family.”
Yan Xi scoffed, “When I was dealing with the Luo family, you probably weren’t even around.” He looked down, patted his clothes, and said, “I heard you’re involved in the cultural industry? Since we have some connection, I’ll give you a phone number. If you need it, you can reach out to him.”
Ji Ling had no idea how he knew about his work, but he watched as Yan Xi fumbled through his clothes, finally pulling out a wrinkled business card and handing it to Ji Ling.
“He works in media. He should be useful to you.”
Ji Ling took the card and looked at it, raising an eyebrow.
The person’s last name was Jiang, and he was a big player in the media world, controlling several traditional and new media companies. If Ji Ling could connect with him, it would be very helpful.
Ji Ling didn’t know what kind of relationship Mr. Jiang had with Yan Xi, but he genuinely said, “Thank you.”
Yan Xi smiled, waved his hand impatiently, and said, “Business matters, you business people handle it yourselves.” Then he turned to Yan Yixuan, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been back. How about you take me around the garden?”
Although Yan Xi complained about how bad the Yan family was, he must have had some nostalgia in his heart.
After all, how could he not feel excited after being away for so many years?
Yan Yixuan, always accommodating, agreed and led him to tour Jin Garden, giving the two cousins space to catch up. Ji Ling decided not to follow, allowing them their time together.
Yan Xi ultimately didn’t stay overnight. He mentioned that his mother would send an agent to discuss further matters with Yan Yixuan, while he planned to spend some time enjoying S City.
After Yan Xi left, Yan Yixuan had a thoughtful expression on his face.
Ji Ling asked him, “Your cousin doesn’t seem to be in business. What does he do?”
Yan Yixuan thought for a moment with a strange expression and answered, “The service industry?”
He wasn’t entirely sure himself, but clearly didn’t want to discuss it further, so he added, “I never expected things to turn out like this.”
Ji Ling chuckled.
Indeed, who could have expected that the dispute within the Yan family would end with the return of another member of the Yan clan?
In the end, the Yan family, this large family, had come to this point, and Yan Yixuan had truly achieved what he had sought.
Nightfall gradually approached. Since it was spring, the days were getting longer, and when the sunset came, the coldness of winter had faded, replaced by a warmth.
Ji Ling remembered the first time he had come to Jin Garden, which was also in the evening.
At that time, he had watched Yan Jisheng’s black car drive into Jin Garden and then saw Yan Yixuan walk in, as though he was about to be swallowed by the beauty of the garden.
But now, with spring in full bloom, Jin Garden’s scenery had come alive in the twilight, as though nightfall wasn’t an end but a prelude to rest, waiting to wake up and welcome another dawn.
While Ji Ling was lost in thought, Yan Yixuan suddenly said to him, “I see you running around all the time; it must be quite troublesome.”
Ji Ling looked at him in confusion, and Yan Yixuan said, “Why don’t you just live here?”
“…” Ji Ling finally understood, and smiled, “Are you inviting me to live with you?”
Yan Yixuan’s gaze flickered, and he asked, “Don’t want to?”
Ji Ling laughed, “Don’t you care about other people’s gossip?”
Yan Yixuan snorted, mimicking Yan Xi, and said, “As long as we’re rich enough, who dares to gossip? Besides, would gossiping make me lose a penny?”
Ji Ling burst into laughter, “I like it when you’re like this.”
He looked at Yan Yixuan and then at the fading twilight over Jin Garden, thinking to himself.
He had finally become a part of this place.
Author’s note:
Yan Xi: I don’t rely on my husband, I rely on my mother.
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)
Awnnn
So heartwarming 💖 💕