The corners of Lu Yanchu's eyes tightened, and his brows suddenly drew together. "What? You're saying Ji Ting is willing to forgive Qin Zaiye?"
Ling Xi's gaze flickered, and he slowly lowered his eyes. "Qin Zaiye was indeed in the wrong. The organization is conducting an intensive investigation now, too. Uncle Qin said... said he might face a very severe punishment."
"But don't you think that would be going too far?" At this, he raised his eyes again. "Qin Zaiye didn't actually cause Ji Ting any tangible harm. It's just that Ji Ting grew up in luxury. He's never experienced such harsh conditions, so he couldn't handle the psychological pressure and developed aphasia."
Shock and suppressed anger flashed through Lu Yanchu's eyes, but in the end, they faded into a silent, bitter smile.
He had thought Ling Xi didn't know that Ji Ting had developed aphasia. But now Ling Xi was saying he knew.
Disappointment spread through Lu Yanchu's heart. For a moment, he even felt that Ling Xi was a stranger. The gentleness and kindness he had once seen in him grew hazy, too. The harder he tried to make them out, the more distant the Ling Xi in his memories became.
Lu Yanchu let none of these thoughts show on his face. Only the emotion in his eyes grew too faint to read. After a moment of silence, he looked at Ling Xi and said, "Even if Ji Ting agrees, Ji Yanzhi won't."
Ling Xi paused, then suddenly gave a little laugh. "Have you forgotten? Ji Ting is an illegitimate son. Yanzhi has hated him and his mother all these years. Why would he get involved in Ji Ting's affairs?"
Something occurred to Lu Yanchu, and his gaze sharpened. "So you..."
He abruptly stopped speaking. Ling Xi leaned