The four set off back to the manor villa. Ji Wangchen and Xie Zhuzhou a car, with the latter driving.
Ji Wangchen was sitting in the passenger seat when he suddenly received a phone call.
The eldest brother instantly switched to a cold and ruthless mode.
After Ji Wangchen hung up the phone, Xie Zhuzhou asked, "Brother, who called so late?"
"It's my uncle. He said he was kidnapped to a tribe in Africa, and after finally escaping, he was forced to grow bananas."
Xie Zhuzhou remembered that his uncle had once tried to kill him, so he didn't feel sorry for him.
How did he remember your phone number?
"I don't know." Ji Wangchen straightened his collar. It was rare for him to joke with his younger brothers, but he was playing such a childish game, which was not like him at all.
"If he and his second uncle are such good friends, why doesn't he contact his second uncle?" Xie Zhuzhou asked, puzzled. Wouldn't it have been easier for his uncle to die if he called the eldest branch of the family?
"I heard that my second uncle has a terminal illness and was hospitalized today. According to my second aunt, he probably won't make it through the summer."
Xie Zhuzhou's eyes showed a hint of shock, "So sudden?"
The car drove back to the Ji Family manor and stopped in front of the villa. Xie Zhuzhou got out and walked back side by side with his elder brother. On the way, he covered his mouth and whispered, "Brother, something seems... off."
Ji Wangchen stopped and looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"This matter may not be true; it may have started because of me." Xie Zhuzhou told his older brother the whole story of what happened after he met Gao Jilan at school.
Ji Wangchen: "..."
"Well, I just mentioned it casually back then, who knew my second uncle would actually cheat on me." Xie Zhuzhou began to speak with increasing self-righteousness, "My second aunt said some very hurtful things back then, and I never hit women, so I could only use magical attacks and sowing discord."
Ji Wangchen sighed, realizing that his younger brother wasn't just causing trouble openly, but also behind the scenes.
For a moment, he didn't know how to educate his younger brother and teach him to be a more upright child.
"My second uncle's illness might not be real; it could be a means for my second aunt to achieve her goals," Xie Zhuzhou speculated after analyzing the situation.
Ji Wangchen frowned slightly, seemingly pondering his younger brother's words.
Xie Zhuzhou appears indifferent to everything, but in reality, he is meticulous and always analyzes things rationally and draws conclusions quickly, no matter what happens.
"You mean, Second Aunt deliberately spread the news of Second Uncle's illness in order to control the overseas company?" Ji Wangchen finally spoke, his tone tinged with doubt.
"My second aunt seems more suited to managing the company than my second uncle. She was able to make quick judgments and react within days of her husband's infidelity, and she kept my second uncle firmly under her control. She's definitely not someone to be trifled with."
Whether my second aunt has the ability to trip up Aurora Future is another matter, but the future will certainly not be peaceful.
After listening to Xie Zhuzhou's reasoning, Ji Wangchen frowned. "What you said makes sense, but we can't draw conclusions based on mere speculation. Second Aunt does have some methods, but she might not dare to act rashly under Grandpa's watchful eye."
Xie Zhuzhou shrugged. "Grandpa is getting old, and my uncle isn't around to help him. There are some things he can't do. I know you're saying this to keep me from blaming myself, but I have no sympathy for them. Don't worry."
Ji Wangchen glanced at his younger brother, who was noticeably more cheerful than before. Although he was still as sharp-tongued as ever, there was no denying the significant changes Chu Yanzhang had brought to his brother.
The younger brother has become more talkative, and he no longer feels so distant from his older brothers.
Xie Zhuzhou used to communicate with the people around him, yet he seemed detached from the world.
"In short, analysis is analysis, but we can't interfere in this matter. Let my second uncle and aunt resolve their own issues as much as possible."
"Alright." Xie Zhuzhou agreed verbally, but he actually held a grudge. How could he forget what his second Ji Wulin, had done?
The interest will be collected little by little.
They've driven people to the brink of despair.
**
On the same night, Li Yankai, who had traveled to another city, suffered from severe acclimatization problems and, fearing that his parents would worry, returned home early.
Because he came back early, he overheard his parents' conversation while standing at the door.
His already pale face turned even paler, and in an instant, all the heartache welled up in his heart.
He entered the password to open the door and saw his parents sitting on the sofa, their clothes clearly from a banquet they hadn't had time to change out of.
His voice trembled, his tone a mix of sadness and anger, "So, Mom and Dad, you've been lying to me from the very beginning? You were happy to see me looking like a fool?"
When Li Shangfeng and his wife saw their son return, they both stood up at the same time. Stunned, their hearts pounded like drums, and they were flustered and at a loss for what to do.
Li Yankai knows he can be a bit slow at times, but he feels that his parents are at least tolerant and loving towards him.
But now he knows his family is very wealthy, and his parents didn't tell him.
He even got his cousin's family to conspire to deceive him.
As he spoke, his laughter became more like a grimace. "That's true. Someone like me has neither brains nor a talent for business. Dad really should have kept it a secret from me to prevent me from squandering the family fortune later."
Li Yankai's voice echoed in the empty living room, carrying a heartbreaking tremor. Li Shangfeng and his wife stood there, pale-faced, wanting to explain but not knowing where to begin.
"Son, let us explain..." Li Shangfeng's wife, Madam Li, tried to step forward, but stopped in her tracks because of the extreme disappointment in her son's eyes.
Li Yankai took a step back, shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Explanation? What other explanation do you want? From childhood to adulthood, you've always told me that our family went bankrupt, but thankfully you could still work, that your circumstances were average, and that I should study hard and not waste money. I always thought we were just an ordinary family. I even worked three jobs a day to ease your burden. And yes, Dad's money isn't my money, so what reason do I have to covet it..."
His voice trailed off, finally settling into a bitter laugh. "So, it was all a lie. You all watched me, like a fool, meticulously calculating every penny for living expenses, watching me run around looking for work... Did you find that amusing?"
Li Shangfeng finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse. "Son, we didn't mean to lie to you. We just... just wanted you to live a normal life, and not be blinded by money and profit."
Li Yankai raised his head, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. "So, you chose to protect me with lies? To keep me 'naive' through deception? Have you ever thought about what this kind of protection means to me?"
Madam Li choked with emotion. "Actually, at first we just didn't want you to go astray, and also, we were planning to be honest with you recently..."
Li Yankai's eyes gradually lost their light. "It's good. With money at home, I don't have to worry about my parents' retirement. This is actually something to be thankful for, so what right do I have to complain about you?"
He turned and walked towards the door. "I'm going back to school. Mom and Dad, you should get some rest. Don't worry about me."