The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the strained, nervous breathing of Fang Youcheng and his mother, Shi Zhiyi.
Lu Xiaoxiao also turned to look at Ji Yunhuai, a trace of curiosity in her eyes and... even more certainty.
She had already guessed his answer. From what she knew of Ji Yunhuai, even if Shi Zhiyi and Fang Youcheng had not stepped forward with evidence today, he would never have bothered making trouble for them as long as they behaved themselves and stayed out of his way.
Ji Yunhuai was not the sort to take his anger out on innocent people and leave them no way out.
Besides, they had now voluntarily handed over the crucial evidence that could bring Ji Cheng down for good. Whether Ji Yunhuai admitted it aloud or not, he would surely remember this favor.
Sure enough, just as Lu Xiaoxiao had expected, Ji Yunhuai's gaze lingered briefly on Fang Youcheng's and Shi Zhiyi's pleading, anxious faces. His icy demeanor gradually softened into a calmer appraisal, even carrying... the faintest, almost imperceptible hint of relief.
He spoke slowly, his voice still quiet but carrying an unquestionable certainty as it broke the silence:
"All right."
Those simple words were like a pardon. In an instant, much of Fang Youcheng's and Shi Zhiyi's tension melted away, and their eyes lit up with incredulous delight and relief.
But Ji Yunhuai was not finished.
He paused, his gaze settling on Fang Youcheng's face, which held a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Then he continued calmly, as though stating a decision he had made long ago:
"Not only that, I'll separate the Create the Future subsidiary in South City from the group's operations and transfer full ownership to you. From then on, the company will operate independently and be responsible for