But the modern world was full of wonders, so Ji Mingzhu showed no conspicuous surprise.
After thanking Uncle Chen, Ji Mingzhu went upstairs while Uncle Chen fetched the insulated container he had requested, intending to find something to wear when he went out later.
As soon as he entered his room, Ji Mingzhu picked up the phone beside his pillow.
Oh, right. I almost forgot my phone. That was close.
Ji Mingzhu still had not quite adjusted to the modern habit of taking this thing called a phone everywhere, and occasionally forgot it. He unlocked the phone and looked closely.
The more he read, the colder and darker his eyes became.
Ji Yonglin's text was dripping with arrogance. From the tone alone, anyone who did not know better would have thought he was ordering around some lowly servant he could summon and dismiss at will.
"Clean yourself up. Don't embarrass the Ji Family"?
A mocking smile slowly curled the young man's lips. He opened the text and replied:
[Have the Ji Family cleaned up. Don't embarrass me.]
Since Ji Yonglin could sell off his own son for profit without a moment's hesitation, he should not expect Ji Mingzhu to care about blood ties or family affection. However much of a powerless puppet the outside world might consider the current Ji Mingzhu, he was still better off than shallow-rooted nouveau riche like the Ji Family.
Ji Zhian was the Ji Family's true darling, the apple of their eye.
Afraid of entrusting their clever, sensible younger son to the wrong man, yet coveting the power of a marriage alliance, they had sent the elder son they felt nothing for as a sacrifice. And now they wanted to use him to curry favor?
Ji Mingzhu's brief, cutting reply undoubtedly dealt a vicious blow to the Ji Family's pitiful little sense of pride.
His phone vibrated twice in quick succession. One message was from Ji Yonglin, the other from Ji Zhian.
[Ji Yonglin: Is this how that place you used to live taught you to behave?! You have no manners whatsoever! No wonder everyone says you're a barnyard hen trying to pass for a phoenix. Sooner or later, you'll fall.
I'm telling you, fall if you want, but don't drag the Ji Family down with you! And if I hadn't brought you into this world, would you have any of this today??
Now you've really started thinking you're something special. Careful you don't get so full of yourself that you become the laughingstock of all Kyoto!]
Ji Mingzhu let out a scoffing laugh and replied again:
[Understood. So make sure you sweep the floor properly.]
At the other end, Ji Yonglin's face flushed red with rage. Alarmed, Madam Ji hurried to pat his back and soothe him. Her face full of anger, she spat, "I did have some affection for him before! We never spent any time together, but he was still my own flesh and blood. Who would have thought he'd turn out to be such an ungrateful wretch! Heaven must have taken pity on our Ji Family, sending that ingrate away early and bringing Xiao An to us."
Meanwhile, completely unbothered, Ji Mingzhu opened the other text.
[Ji Zhian: Brother, I know you've suddenly married into a wealthy family, so it's only natural to be a little excited. But we're family. If you take things too far, the gossip out there won't do you or the Gu Family you've married into any good.
You wouldn't want Gu Shang to find out you're this kind of person, would you...
After all, you've only just gotten married. Most men want an obedient, sensible wife. But if you turn out to be the exact opposite of his ideal type, the honeymoon phase might end even sooner. That's just how men are.
In the long run, do you really think you can keep living your dream of being a rich man's wife?
Outsiders will only flatter you to your face and then smear you behind your back. Only your family can tell you the truth like this.]
Reading that string of messages nearly put Ji Mingzhu to sleep, so he did not reply for a long while.
Ji Zhian, however, thought Ji Mingzhu was frightened and immediately piled on:
[Ji Zhian: If you can't even accept a few fair words from your own family, how will you endure the harder days ahead?]
[Yes, who isn't stunning when they're young? But everyone grows old and loses their looks eventually, right? If you don't smooth out that temper of yours, Brother, where will you go to cry if Gu Shang meets someone prettier than you?]
Ji Zhian was deliberately trying to hurt him.
Finding someone prettier than Ji Mingzhu really would be difficult. He had been sick of Ji Mingzhu's seductive looks for a long time.
All men had their base instincts. He truly could not stand the way Ji Mingzhu thought marrying up entitled him to look down on everyone and order them around. He wanted to make Ji Mingzhu understand that his beauty was useless: not only would Gu Shang never love him, he would also go out drinking and carousing without a thought for Ji Mingzhu's dignity.
Someone born lowly could only end up a neglected, resentful spouse, even after marrying into wealth.
Ji Mingzhu had had enough. Speechless, he replied:
[Ji Mingzhu: Rather than listen to all this, I'd be better off making a couple more dishes for my husband.]
Ji Zhian: "...???"
His face twisted with rage, but he forced himself to maintain his cultivated, poised persona instead of losing his temper.
Ji Mingzhu... really had no shame.
Someone as perceptive and sharp-eyed as Gu Shang would definitely see Ji Mingzhu for what he was. His life would certainly be miserable in the future!
Before you continue