Lu Yanchu wore an impeccable smile, betraying not a hint of unease. "President Ji, what a coincidence."
Ji Yanzhi gave a cold laugh. "A coincidence? This is my home."
Sensing something off about the atmosphere, the bodyguard hurried forward to explain. "Mr. Lu came to return something. The Second Young Master left his phone in his car."
Ji Ting's phone?
Ji Yanzhi fixed his cold gaze on Lu Yanchu. "Why did you meet with Ji Ting?"
Lu Yanchu's lips lifted in a particularly bright, easy smile. "That's between the two of us. I don't think I need to report it to you, do I?"
A trace of mockery lifted Ji Yanzhi's brow. "You think Ji Ting won't tell me just because you don't?"
"That's his choice. I've never liked forcing people to do anything."
In the passenger seat, Liao Kai felt a chill at the back of his neck. Good grief. It had been ages, but Mr. Lu's tongue was still just as sharp.
"It's been so long, and you still love talking in circles."
Lu Yanchu's lips curved slightly. "Tactful communication is always much better than hurtful words. Wouldn't you agree, President Ji?"
Ji Yanzhi couldn't be bothered to trade barbs with him. He raised the car window, his face expressionless. "Drive."
Watching the Cullinan pull away, Lu Yanchu's smile slowly faded.
With Ji Yanzhi there, even if he managed to coax something out of Ji Ting, Ji Yanzhi would inevitably pick up on it too.
But if I leave now... Forget it. I'll just treat this visit as a chance to set up the next one.
There was still some distance between the estate's gates and the main building. Traveling by car, Ji Yanzhi naturally arrived first.
As soon as he entered, he summoned the butler. "Where's Ji Ting?"
"The Second Young Master went to the west building half an hour ago. He's probably playing games."
Ji Yanzhi's voice was icy. "Bring him here."
"Yes, sir."
The butler hurried to the west building and knocked on the game room door. "Second Young Master."
He waited outside for quite a while before the door finally opened.
Ji Ting opened it only a crack, slipped out sideways, and pulled it shut behind him. "Uncle Yang, did you need something?"
"The eldest young master is back. He's asking for you in the front hall."
Ji Ting's brow twitched. It was only three in the afternoon. Why had Ji Yanzhi come home so early today?
The two headed toward the main building. On the way, the butler kindly warned Ji Ting that the eldest young master seemed to be in a bad mood.
Ji Ting was long used to it. If Ji Yanzhi ever came home smiling, that would be the real sign that something was wrong with his mental state.
Stepping out of the elevator, Ji Ting spotted Ji Yanzhi sitting on the sofa from a distance, clear displeasure etched into his features.
Ji Ting didn't approach. "Did you want something?"
Ji Yanzhi looked up and said coldly, "Why are you standing so far away?"
"Go ahead. I can hear you."
Ji Yanzhi took a deep breath, choosing not to argue with him for now. "Did you go out today?"
Ji Ting nodded slightly. "Yes. I went to Ruihe to get my stitches removed."
Was Ruihe some secret rendezvous spot? Why did Ji Ting meet Lu Yanchu there every time? Ji Yanzhi stared coldly at him. "Didn't you say you didn't know Lu Yanchu? Then why did you two meet today?"
Ji Ting looked at him for two seconds. "Ji Yanzhi, are you having someone follow me?"
"Why would I need to? Lu Yanchu is right..."
"Ji Ting."
Speak of the devil. Ji Ting turned toward the voice, sudden surprise flickering in his eyes. ...Lu Yanchu?
His brow twitched, and he instinctively glanced toward the sofa. Did these two come back together?
Ji Yanzhi sneered inwardly. Come back together? If he hadn't wanted to see what Lu Yanchu was up to, he wouldn't even have let him through the gates.
"Mr. Lu, what brings you here?"
Lu Yanchu gave him a small smile. "I came to return something of yours."
He didn't mention the phone outright, or his lie would be exposed far too quickly.
Ji Ting thought back for a moment, then blinked in confusion. "What is it?"
"It's your..." Lu Yanchu suddenly paused, then gave a faint, rueful smile. "Sorry. I came in so quickly that I left it in the car. If you don't mind, come outside with me to get it."
Ji Ting was just about to speak when Ji Yanzhi let out a cold scoff. "Lu Yanchu, you have to take the long way around even to return something. You really haven't changed, always harboring some ulterior motive."
Lu Yanchu had an ulterior motive for returning something? Ji Ting glanced at him, unable to understand what that motive might be.
A hint of helplessness appeared in Lu Yanchu's expression. "Why are you always so prejudiced against me, President Ji? I'm just returning something. How does that make me scheming?"
"Prejudiced? Hah." Ji Yanzhi's eyes were full of cold mockery, as though he had seen right through him. "Can you honestly say you weren't just trying to trick Ji Ting into going outside alone with you?"
"You're getting a little paranoid, President Ji. There's nothing illicit going on between Ji Ting and me. Even if we did go outside alone, that would be perfectly normal, wouldn't it?"
Ji Ting glanced between the two men. For some reason, this scene felt strangely familiar.
As he pondered it, he suddenly recalled the descriptions of love rivals clashing in the original novel. Reason instantly flashed a red warning light, telling him to get away from the battlefield at once.
Ji Ting promptly withdrew his gaze without a fuss and turned to head back.
The butler froze, then stepped forward and asked quietly, "Second Young Master, where are you going?"
How can you leave? The eldest young master is still arguing with someone over you.
"Oh, I haven't finished my game. I'll go back and..."
"Stay right there!"
"Ji Ting, wait."
The two voices rang out almost simultaneously, but their tones were worlds apart.
The two men exchanged a look like blades clashing at close quarters. Ji Yanzhi spoke first, asking bluntly, "Ji Ting, where's your phone right now?"
My phone?
Ji Ting blinked softly. "In the game room."
Ji Yanzhi looked back at Lu Yanchu, his thin lips curling coldly, as if daring him to keep making things up.
Surprise flashed across Lu Yanchu's face, looking utterly natural. "Then I must have gotten mixed up. You were the only person I gave a ride to today, so when I saw an extra phone on the passenger seat, I assumed you'd left it behind."
Lu Yanchu looked back at Ji Yanzhi, raising his brow almost imperceptibly, as though asking whether that version satisfied him.
Meanwhile, Ji Ting simply answered again, "That's not my phone."
Lu Yanchu nodded and walked toward him. "This was my mistake. I'm sorry. I may have caused you a bit of trouble today..." As he spoke, he cast a pointed sidelong glance toward Ji Yanzhi. "I'll make it up to you next time I get the chance."
With Asperger syndrome, he couldn't even understand metaphors in speech, let alone hints conveyed through a glance. A touch of bewilderment entered Ji Ting's otherwise calm expression. Caused me trouble? Didn't he come here to argue with Ji Yanzhi?
Hearing that thought, Ji Yanzhi scoffed inwardly, amused that Lu Yanchu was wasting his coy looks on a fool.
Lu Yanchu didn't show it, but he found this strange. Weren't these brothers supposed to be sworn enemies? Why did their relationship now seem less hostile than the rumors suggested?
Just then, Ji Yanzhi walked over with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Finished your performance, Mr. Lu?"
Before you continue