The two of them sat down, and to their surprise, it was Zong Jiqi who spoke first.
“Mr. Ji always leaves a deep impression on me,” Zong Jiqi said with a smile. “We’ve barely met a few times, yet I always feel like we’re familiar with each other.”
They were, in a way. Ji Ling glanced at the face of the younger brother he had known since childhood. He just smiled and said, “I suppose this is what they call a ‘familiarity at first sight.’”
Zong Jiqi nodded and said, “But this time, Mr. Ji really does have something to discuss, right?” He smiled, his gaze curious. “If I’m not mistaken, you came here specifically to see me?”
Ji Ling didn’t address his reason directly. Instead, he brought up something else. “I heard Mr. Zong was originally an academic, but suddenly switched to business. To manage such a large company so well is really impressive.”
Zong Jiqi didn’t expect him to say this and was slightly surprised, but quickly regained his composure. “I’m not an academic, just a student,” he said. “I only took over the family business because my elder brother had an accident.”
His tone was steady as he continued, “I thought everyone in the business world knew about this. Didn’t Mr. Ji know too? I remember you once offered your condolences.”
Ji Ling knew he was referring to a past dinner party. That was a long time ago. He looked at Zong Jiqi and said, “That’s why I admire Mr. Zong. You’ve kept going all these years.”
Hearing this, Zong Jiqi was slightly moved, and he finally smiled. “Many people say that the company was a lucky find for me. If my brother hadn’t had his accident, I wouldn’t be sitting in this position.”
Ji Ling shook his head. “Let those who like to gossip talk. Gossip won’t change how much you earn, nor will it affect your profits.”
That was something Yan Yixuan had once said.
Zong Jiqi laughed along. “That’s true. In business, only money has real influence.”
Ji Ling replied, “That’s why I think Mr. Zong is very capable.”
His tone was sincere and full of approval, though Zong Jiqi couldn’t quite figure out on what grounds Ji Ling was making such a judgment.
Having finished the pleasantries, Ji Ling finally got to the main point. “I’m negotiating a deal with a software company, but suddenly Zong’s investment firm stepped in, trying to compete with me.”
Zong Jiqi smiled. “Is this what Mr. Ji is here for? These kinds of projects that don’t even make it to the financial report are usually handled by the lower levels. If you’re not happy about it, why not just compete openly? There’s no need to involve me.”
Ji Ling didn’t respond to his comment but continued, “I took a look at the projects Zong Investments has been backing. They’re all over the place. So, I wanted to ask, Mr. Zong, what direction do you plan to take in the future?”
Zong Jiqi furrowed his brows.
They were practically strangers, and Ji Ling’s question was almost unreasonable.
Zong Jiqi said, “There’s no need for me to report our strategy to Mr. Ji, is there?”
Ji Ling still ignored his comment and continued, “Relying on mergers and acquisitions to maintain profits is not a long-term solution. Besides casting a wide net, you also need to incubate—why not focus on one field and concentrate on nurturing investments?”
His tone had already crossed the line of what would normally be considered polite. If they were familiar with each other, it could have been seen as being frank, but they weren’t.
Zong Jiqi’s expression slowly darkened as he said, “Mr. Ji seems to have liked advising me for a long time. You seem quite interested in how I manage my company.”
However, Ji Ling didn’t respond to Zong Jiqi’s remark and continued on his own, “Isn’t this strategy of yours because you haven’t really figured out which direction to take? So you’re just blindly groping around like a headless chicken? I think you can’t give up on your core business. If you’re chasing after the profits of new industries and are wildly merging, that’s really putting the cart before the horse.”
Zong Jiqi’s anger was finally triggered by his repeated dismissive attitude, especially the part where Ji Ling called him a headless chicken.
Zong Jiqi was no longer the anxious newbie trying to cover up his inexperience with seriousness. He suppressed his anger and said to Ji Ling, “Years ago, you told me to focus on getting the core business right first, then talk about the rest. You said that we must maintain stability before venturing into anything else. What I’m doing now is exploring, and before I’m completely confident, I won’t take any hasty actions.”
But Ji Ling didn’t argue back; instead, he smiled and said, “I’m truly honored that Mr. Zong has kept my words in mind.”
Only then did Zong Jiqi realize that he had walked right into Ji Ling’s trap. He was suddenly at a loss for words, glaring at Ji Ling.
Ji Ling sincerely said, “Back then, because you were just starting out, I was worried that the high profits of other industries would cloud your judgment, so I said that.” He looked at Zong Jiqi, his eyes filled with affirmation and encouragement. “But now, I think you’re ready to go forward boldly.”
“Since you’ve already tried so many times, pick a field that interests you and continue to delve deeper.”
Zong Jiqi was a bit confused.
What position was this person speaking from?
How could he speak so naturally, and no matter how much Zong Jiqi felt he had grown, in front of Ji Ling, he always felt like he was being gently guided.
This was a feeling he had experienced before.
He had once felt this way in front of his elder brother.
His brother, whom he could never catch up to, the one he could only look up to.
A huge sense of confusion overwhelmed Zong Jiqi. He narrowed his eyes at Ji Ling, but he ultimately calmed himself down a great deal. He said to Ji Ling, “I’ll accept your expectations of me, but the company’s strategy is not just up to me. Mr. Ji’s interest in my company is rather surprising.”
Zong Jiqi stood up, looking down at Ji Ling as if that would help him regain his sense of authority. “There’s a dinner tonight, I need to go prepare.”
With that, he straightened his clothes and strode out of the lounge.
Zong Jiqi’s final words were filled with clear rejection, and Ji Ling sighed as he watched his retreating figure.
After Ji Ling returned to S City, he spent his days either at the company or locked himself in his room at Jin Garden.
Initially, he had been quite disdainful of the room that Yan Yixuan had prepared for him. But in the past few days, he had retreated into it, tapping away at the computer, not coming out at all.
With Ji Ling not around to cling to, Yan Yixuan found himself feeling a bit unsettled.
After some thought, Yan Yixuan greeted the kitchen and then made his way to Ji Ling’s room.
Ji Ling was sitting in front of the computer when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.
He smiled, knowing it could only be Yan Yixuan. He called out loudly, “Come in.”
Yan Yixuan entered, carrying a cup. He walked over to Ji Ling’s side and placed the cup next to the computer.
Upon seeing the cup, Ji Ling’s smile deepened. “So it’s not alcohol, but coffee. When did the chairman become so health-conscious?”
Yan Yixuan replied without a hint of surprise, “It’s for you. I’m worried you’re so busy that you’ll work yourself to death.”
Ji Ling took the cup and took a sip. “How could you curse your dear husband like that?”
Yan Yixuan had long since become numb to Ji Ling’s occasional cheeky remarks and didn’t even bother to retort.
He said, “Every time you go out, your expression changes. First it’s gloomy, then sunny, then cloudy. Now that you’re back, it’s like a sunshower—sometimes clear, sometimes rainy. I can’t even keep up.”
Ji Ling just kept smiling at his words. “Our young master is very observant. He’s my personal weather forecast.” He sat at his desk and looked up at Yan Yixuan. “There have been some things recently, but thanks to you, I’ve finally made up my mind.”
Yan Yixuan didn’t understand how his recent ups and downs had anything to do with him. He had been standing by Ji Ling’s desk, but to make it easier to talk, he shifted and leaned against the edge of the desk, now able to clearly see Ji Ling’s computer screen.
His gaze fell onto the screen and stuck there.
Yan Yixuan leaned forward and moved the mouse, scanning through Ji Ling’s documents. As he read, his pupils gradually contracted slightly.
The document on Ji Ling’s computer thoroughly analyzed the situation of the Zong family’s company. It then combined that with the company’s own situation and proposed a new, feasible industry plan—very detailed and practical. Yan Yixuan felt that it could be immediately handed over to the strategy department for implementation.
Feeling incredulous, he asked Ji Ling, “What is this? Have you switched to consulting or investment banking?”
Ji Ling simply smiled and replied, “I’ve had some ideas for a long time, but I never had the chance to share them.”
To be more precise, before he could even put them into practice, the car accident happened, burying all those plans for the company deep in the grave.
Later, he decided to give up his former career and start over. As for the Zong family business, it should be managed according to his younger brother’s vision, with only a few words of advice here and there.
During this period, after meeting Zong Jiqi again and seeing his struggles, Ji Ling recalled the ideas he had once had. Some were no longer relevant, but he adjusted them according to the current situation. Now, he wanted Zong Jiqi to see them.
He had wondered whether he would be hurting his younger brother’s pride.
But after meeting Zong Jiqi this time, he felt that his younger brother had grown strong enough to accept advice, distinguish between right and wrong, and take further steps on the path of his career.
Therefore, he was willing to offer his humble support.
Yan Yixuan looked steadily at Ji Ling, and Ji Ling also raised his eyes to meet his gaze.
Suddenly, Yan Yixuan blurted out, “I like your eyes.”
Bright and determined, they reflected his personality—never meandering, always facing everything head-on.
The Zong Group was an industrial enterprise, with factories and production lines. Even Yan Yixuan himself wouldn’t dare claim to fully understand the inner workings. If someone hadn’t truly worked in this field, they absolutely couldn’t come up with a viable plan for a production-based business.
No matter how Yan Yixuan thought about it, he couldn’t understand why Ji Ling knew so much about these things.
Nor could he understand how Ji Ling was connected to the Zong family at all.
Looking directly into those eyes he was so fond of, Yan Yixuan said, “I know you have some secrets.”
Ji Ling looked up at him gently. “Oh? What kind of secrets?”
Yan Yixuan lightly patted his cheek. “There you go again, playing dumb.”
He wasn’t an idiot. After all this time, it was obvious that Ji Ling’s background was far from simple. If his skills could still be chalked up to genius, his maturity and experience were something else entirely.
How could someone so young have such rich experience?
Seeing that Yan Yixuan was lost in thought, Ji Ling smiled and leaned over, wrapping his arms around his waist and burying his head in his embrace, enjoying the warmth of his body.
Ji Ling said, “I’m giving all of myself to you. Come on, take a look at my secrets.”
Usually, he would joke around, teasing and saying ridiculous things. Yan Yixuan would just brush them off. But now, as Ji Ling spoke seriously and sweetly, Yan Yixuan could feel a warmth rising within him.
Yan Yixuan knew that Ji Ling had been going through emotional ups and downs recently. Something must have happened.
He looked up at the words on the computer screen and then down at the big head resting in his arms. Suddenly, he said, “It’s fine. We’ve got plenty of time.”
Even if he didn’t understand it now, he would in the future. They still had a long, long time ahead.
Yan Yixuan narrowed his eyes, seeming a bit hesitant, but eventually, he decided to speak up. “No matter what you have in mind, I’ll support you.”
“Because you’ve always supported me.”
As he spoke, Yan Yixuan began to feel awkward, as if he couldn’t quite control the emotions building up.
He had always been insincere in the past, using empty words. But now, just wanting to speak a few heartfelt words made him anxious.
“Because of your support, I was able to get through those things calmly.”
“You mean everything to me, just like… just like…”
Ji Ling lifted his head from Yan Yixuan’s embrace and looked at him with intense sincerity. The chairman now had a slight flush on his ears.
In Ji Ling’s gaze, there was encouragement and affection, and Yan Yixuan finally spoke the words from his heart. “You’re like the sun.”
Like a scorching, radiant sun, lighting up the entire Jin Garden.
Ji Ling smiled and pulled him closer, making Yan Yixuan sit on his lap. They kissed each other passionately.
From light teasing to passionate entanglement, the sounds of their intimacy echoed in Ji Ling’s room.
Ji Ling thought—his young master probably didn’t fully understand just how much he meant to him.
If he hadn’t met Yan Yixuan, he wouldn’t be the person he was now.
The person Yan Yixuan knew from the beginning was ‘Ji Ling.’
And the person who truly got to know Yan Yixuan—was also the one who became Ji Ling.
Between them, from beginning to end, there had never been any secrets.
The Zong Group was no longer some unattainable goal for Ji Ling.
He had a thousand ways to hand over his thoughts on the Zong family to Zong Jiqi.
Ji Ling handed over his ‘battle strategy’ to Zong Jiqi.
Now, he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in the company’s office, arms crossed, quietly watching the bustling city outside, waiting for his younger brother’s response.
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)
They are so cute awnnnn🥹