The two young masters of the Yan family smoothly completed the transfer of shares. Once Yan Yili received the money, he immediately set off back to the UK, while Yan Xi and his mother completely stepped back from managing things. They signed a power of attorney with Yan Yixuan and happily prepared to sit back and enjoy the money rolling in.
With this, and adding Yan Yueshi’s shares, Yan Yixuan now held half of the voting rights. The Yan family business was now firmly in his hands.
The Yan Group finally entered its period of restructuring, giving Yan Yixuan the space to gradually develop the company.
Meanwhile, Yan Yueshi had also completed the necessary paperwork, tearfully bidding farewell to her brother, and flew off to her desired destination.
To be honest, Ji Ling didn’t understand why they had to make such a big deal of Yan Yueshi leaving, especially since it was just a trip to broaden her horizons. Yan Yixuan was constantly flying overseas every year, so wasn’t it easy for him to visit his sister?
Of course, Ji Ling couldn’t say this out loud—doing so would definitely get him a punch.
On Ji Ling’s side, a new journey was beginning as well—The S City cinema theater finally opened.
For the opening event, Ji Ling had his own company handle the planning, no need to outsource to anyone else, and he made sure it was a grand affair.
This was the first project where the Yan family had invested in the cultural sector, so it naturally attracted a lot of attention. It was also Ji Ling’s first project that he’d personally created, so he was determined to make it the best.
Then, cinema theaters in N City and other locations began operation. These cinemas, backed by Yan Group’s real estate, operated under a unified schedule and management, forming a new cinema chain.
Ji Ling got in touch with the person from the business card that Yan Xi had given him, a media expert named Jiang, who was more than willing to help both Ji Ling and the Yan family. Through his media channels, Ji Ling was able to promote his cinema chain with great success.
As the owner of the film company, Ji Ling also had an entertainment marketing company, and his net worth had grown even more.
Luo Teng personally sent a congratulatory message: “Boss Ji, don’t forget us when you’re rich.”
Ji Ling couldn’t help but laugh: “Before that, let me hold onto your leg a little longer.”
Luo Teng joked around a bit, asked about Ji Ling’s cinema situation, then said: “So, the Yan family’s business is basically wrapped up now, right?”
Ji Ling replied, “Yes, the eldest son of the Yan family is back in action.”
Luo Teng chuckled: “You don’t need to worry about him. He has zero business talent—he just gets by on looks and loyalty.”
Ji Ling knew that Luo Teng and Yan Xi had history. There was a time when Luo had some wild days, and while Ji Ling wasn’t fully clear on the details, he had a general idea, so he never asked directly.
Luo Teng called mainly to check in on Ji Ling: “Since everything’s settled, focus on making money. Try to earn enough for the bride price as soon as possible. Your future wife—she’s got complete control at the company now, I imagine the dowry will be hefty.”
“…” Ji Ling said, “Are you possessed by Luo Tao or something?”
“Honestly, don’t you have business in N City? You should come over more often,” Luo Teng paused for a moment, then added, “The youngest of the Zong family has been running the business on his own for these years. He’s starting to resemble his older brother more and more.”
Ji Ling understood what he meant.
The two of them chatted for a little while longer before ending the call.
Being friends with the two young masters of the Luo family was truly Ji Ling’s good fortune.
Luo Teng’s last remark stuck with him for a long time.
Ji Ling had always been paying attention to the movements of the Zong family, but that was just superficial—mostly focused on the company’s external situation.
As for the younger brother, Zong Jiqi, what kind of person he was now—Ji Ling had no clue.
Ever since meeting Yan Yixuan, Ji Ling felt his view on family had shifted.
Maybe Zong Bolin had really been too arrogant before—so arrogant he didn’t even take his own family seriously.
But after all the events with the Yan family, Ji Ling finally realized that family relationships are definitely not parallel lines.
Ji Ling returned to Jinyuan with a complicated mood.
Yes, when he came back to Jinyuan, it felt like coming home.
When Yan Yixuan invited him to move in that day, it would’ve been foolish not to agree.
The scenery at Jinyuan was beautiful, the host was beautiful, the house was so spacious, and the chef was good. There was no reason not to stay.
Ji Ling was confident and open-minded—he didn’t waste time stressing over complicated little emotions. In his view, if two men could get past the gender thing and still be together, then everything else was small stuff. There was nothing they couldn’t work through.
When Ji Ling arrived at Jinyuan, he found that Yan Yixuan hadn’t returned yet.
After grabbing something to eat, he casually made his way into Yan Yixuan’s room and sat down at the desk in the outer section to look through some things.
When Yan Yixuan came back, he saw Ji Ling in his room, eating fruit while looking at his computer.
Yan Yixuan felt a surge of irritation.
“Why are you in here again?” he snapped. “Didn’t I already set up a room for you?”
Ji Ling innocently looked up and said, “We’re going to sleep together anyway. Running back and forth is such a hassle.”
Although Yan Yixuan thought his reasoning made sense, he still scolded him: “That doesn’t mean you can eat in my room. And what’s with bringing the computer over too?!”
Ji Ling put down his things, smiled, and said, “Our chairman is clearly in control now, so why is he still so anxious?”
He came back and immediately took his frustration out on him.
Yan Yixuan then loosened his tie, plopped down on the bed in the inner room, and said, “It’s not that simple. The more power you have, the more precarious it becomes. When I made mistakes before, someone else could always take the fall. Everyone would just say it was a collective decision. But now, if a decision goes wrong, everyone looks at you, and it’s all on your shoulders.”
Ji Ling knew he was serious, so he smiled and said, “You could delegate more authority to the CEO or add a few more executive directors to the board.” He stood up and walked over to sit beside Yan Yixuan. “And if you have any problems, you can always discuss them with me, your husband will help you solve them.”
Yan Yixuan narrowed his eyes and said, “You’re really getting bolder.”
Ji Ling smiled mischievously, replying, “It’s all your fault for spoiling me.”
Yan Yixuan immediately pinned him to the bed, saying, “Today, I’m going to teach you a lesson.”
Ji Ling laughed as they wrestled around, and as they tumbled, he flipped over and loomed above Yan Yixuan.
With the light falling just right, Yan Yixuan looked up. Ji Ling’s face was half hidden in shadow.
“You really hate being on the bottom that much?” Yan Yixuan asked.
Ji Ling leaned down and kissed Yan Yixuan on the lips, saying, “I have two principles in life. One is that I never work for anyone, and the other is that I never lie beneath anyone.”
He wrapped his arms around Yan Yixuan tightly. “So just keep spoiling me, my dear Young Master.”
After a few more rolls and tumbles, they finally lay still on the bed.
Ji Ling said, “I’m heading to N City tomorrow. First to check in on the theaters, and second, there’s this little app company there I want to meet. I’m thinking of buying it and turning it into our own membership app.”
Yan Yixuan looked thoroughly done with him. “Why is it that other people smoke or drink after sex, but you—every time—you bring up work?”
He groaned, “My head hurts.”
Ji Ling smiled and held his head, saying, “Let me give you a massage.”
Yan Yixuan slapped his hand away, sat up, and said, “Just go already. It’s not like we’re short on money anymore. Most app developers are just small teams these days—if the terms are good, just buy it outright.”
Ji Ling grinned. “Then I’ll be gone for a few days. Don’t miss me.”
“…” Yan Yixuan replied, “I won’t. Don’t worry.”
Ji Ling headed back to N City.
Actually, over the past few years, Ji Ling had been to N City so many times. When promoting movies, N City was also a key strategic location, and he had been to many places, back and forth.
But every time he came, he would intentionally inquire about the development of the Zong family, though he had never encountered Zong Jiqi.
Zong’s company was in the manufacturing industry, which was quite far from Ji Ling’s current field of work.
Ji Ling had once decided to start fresh, to stand on his own two feet with the identity of Ji Ling.
He had achieved it now, and with time, his career would grow even bigger.
But when he looked back, he felt that something was missing.
Perhaps it was because he had moved into Jinyuan. The family atmosphere there had touched him, making him unconsciously seek that sense of familial warmth in his own life.
Recently, he had been thinking about his younger brother more and more often.
Ji Ling went to his company’s cinema theater in N City. The theater was doing well, and they were planning to open a few more next year based on its current scale.
He walked around the theater, checking the sales of snacks and other merchandise.
The merchandise market in cinemas is pure profit, without needing to share revenue. If done well, it can almost cover the cinema’s entire operating cost.
He was standing by the counter, watching. The current promotional activity was a ticket discount package, allowing customers to try a new drink and snack.
If Ji Ling remembered correctly, these products were from Zong’s new line.
Unable to resist, Ji Ling asked one of the staff to bring him a set. He stood aside and took a sip of the drink.
“Is it good?”
Suddenly, someone asked, startling him.
He turned and was surprised to see Zong Jiqi standing there, looking at him.
Ji Ling froze.
Was this just a dream? Was he thinking about his brother too much?
But Zong Jiqi was a little different from how he remembered him.
He was more mature and capable now. The scholarly aura he once had had almost disappeared. His facial features seemed more defined, and his eyes, staring directly at Ji Ling, were filled with determination, no longer carrying the gloom and hesitation of the past.
Ji Ling saw him smile and say, “Sorry to bother you. I remember you—we met a few years ago.”
Ji Ling calmed his emotions and said, “Yes, Mr. Zong, my name is Ji Ling.”
Zong Jiqi said, “Mr. Ji left a deep impression on me back then, and I’ve often seen you in financial reports. Sometimes I even come across your photos on Weibo.”
Ji Ling chuckled. It was true that his face had been posted a few times, but usually only because of his looks.
Ji Ling asked Zong Jiqi, “Mr. Zong also likes watching movies? It’s an honor to have you visit my theater.”
Zong Jiqi’s gaze fell on the drink Ji Ling was holding, and he smiled, saying, “I’m here for market research.”
Ji Ling also smiled. “I remember a few years ago, Mr. Zong was also checking out your products in supermarkets.”
Zong Jiqi seemed a bit nostalgic, but he remained composed. “Yes, I still have that habit. I came to this mall today to take a look.” He gave Ji Ling a playful smile and said, “Isn’t it a bit too petty?”
Ji Ling suddenly felt a little dazed.
The younger brother he remembered had changed so much. He could now stand here, no longer pretending to be mature with gloom and silence, but speaking naturally, just like any businessman in this circle.
Ji Ling sincerely replied, “No, this actually shows that Mr. Zong values the market. It’s a sign of magnanimity.”
Zong Jiqi asked, “So what do you think of our products, Mr. Ji?”
Ji Ling smiled and answered, “They’re pretty good. The taste is smooth, tangy, and sweet. Young people will like it.”
Zong Jiqi nodded and said, “Although it’s a polite comment, I’ll accept it. I hope you like it.”
Ji Ling said, “How could it be just politeness? I mean it.”
Zong Jiqi glanced around and said warmly, “Your cinema chain is doing well too. I welcome you to develop in N City.” He smiled at Ji Ling, and although he smiled more often now, his smile was still rather shallow. “I’ll continue walking around. If we have the chance, we’ll meet again.”
This sudden encounter left Ji Ling feeling as though he were in a dream. When he saw Zong Jiqi preparing to leave, he immediately took out his business card and handed it to him, saying, “If there’s an opportunity to cooperate, Mr. Zong, once I open a few more theaters, we can create a membership package with your products.”
Zong Jiqi took the business card, smiled, and said, “I’ll accept your card, but for cooperation, you might want to contact a distributor.”
After saying that, he quickly left.
Ji Ling watched as his younger brother’s figure disappeared into the crowd of the shopping mall, standing there for a long time.
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)
