Chapter 298: Chapter 298: From now on, I will protect you as you protect me!

Translator: 549690339

The black sedan was driving slowly on the streets of Jin City, keeping a low profile.

The man looked serious, “Do you want to come with me?”

Ji Baijian looked at him.

The man said, “You set the conditions.”

Ji Baijian remained somewhat silent.

Not like before when he would directly refuse, but he also didn’t agree.

The man quietly waited for his answer.

Ji Baijian said, “Let me think about it.”

The man just looked at him, without any extra emotion, he said, “My phone number is XXXX, I know you can remember it.”

The implication being, Ji Baijian didn’t need any extra tools to assist him, he was more than capable of remembering it by himself.

Ji Baijian gently nodded his head.

The man asked the driver to park the car at the side of the road, he said, “Since you don’t want to take me to taste the food of Jin City, then I won’t waste any more of your time. Ji Baijian, I’ll wait for your call.”

Ji Baijian opened the car door and left.

The man watched Ji Baijian leaving.

If he hesitated, there was certainly hope.

A deep smile climbed onto his face. He suddenly asked his driver, “What do you think of Ji Baijian?”

“He’s always been someone that the young master wanted to win over. He must be very good.”

“Indeed, he is very good, but difficult to control.” The man turned his head to look out of the window, saying meaningfully, “However, when compared, I still hope he can help me. Men like him pose a considerable threat no matter where they are.”

The driver respectfully said, “Yes.”

“Let’s go.” The man ordered.

The driver started the car and left.

At this moment, Ji Baijian was walking down the street, watching the black sedan drive away before him.

He had always been reluctant to get involved with the official family, adhering to the Ye Family’s admonition, not to deal with the official family. Since he has chosen to part ways back then, he shouldn’t get entangled deeply. Now it seems that he might only have the option of cooperating with the official family.

Meanwhile, in the Song Family’s grand yard.

Song Shan just came back from the memorial service. Song Zhizhi and Song Zhidao were in his study, with Wei Ziming respectfully standing in one corner.

Song Shan’s face looked somewhat gloomy, “Ye Taiting said he’s dead, and indeed he’s dead. I couldn’t even think of it! How could a man like him die so easily! When I received the call from Qian Guanshu, I thought he was playing some plot. If I hadn’t seen Ye Taiting’s corpse lying in the ice coffin today, I wouldn’t have believed it!”

“Isn’t it better that he’s dead?” Song Zhidao said bluntly.

“It would have been better if he was dead, but all of a sudden, an heir popped up!” Song Shan got angrier as he spoke, “That Yi Wenhan, who I never took seriously, turns out to be Ye Taiting’s son! Ye Taiting, that old fox, really fooled everyone in the world, he was just playing us for fools. I’m grinding my teeth in hatred just thinking about it. I took his words so seriously, and almost started to work according to his instructions wholeheartedly. If I’d followed his wishes, I’m sure I would have died of anger at this very moment!” Song Shan got angrier and angrier as he spoke.

Song Zhizhi just watched her father.

Song Zhidao seemed indifferent.

Song Shan abruptly changed the subject, asking his daughter, “Did you know about Ye Taiting’s visit to Jinghe Village?”

Song Zhizhi turned her gaze towards Wei Ziming.

Seeing where his daughter was looking, Song Shan said, “Ziming didn’t say anything.”

Song Zhizhi answered her father, “Ye Taiting did indeed come to Jinghe Village, I was also very surprised. I thought he would only send someone to kill me. As I told you before, killing me would weaken the Song Family’s power. I just wanted to use myself as bait to let Wei Ziming and Xiaolang capture the person who came to kill me, then use the incident to report Ye Taiting. However, I didn’t expect Ye Taiting to personally come to Jinghe Village for Yi Wenhan. I never thought that a man like me could possibly alarm Ye Taiting to the extent that he personally got involved. Looking back now, it is probably all for Yi Wenhan. Likely, he was worried about Yi Wenhan’s safety and wanted to personally save him.”

“Was he really killed by the rioters?” Song Shan asked full of doubt.

How would the rioters possibly get close to Ye Taiting?

Whenever Ye Taiting traveled, wasn’t he always closely protected by professional bodyguards.

“I don’t know.” Song Zhizhi said, “I left with Wei Ziming and Luo Xiaolang in the chaos, so I don’t know what exactly happened to Ye Taiting in the end! I was also shocked to hear the news today, I had never thought that he would die so unexpectedly.”

What Song Zhizhi said was the truth, not just for her, but Ji Baijian felt the same way too

The person they had always longed to kill, the worst enemy they wanted to avenge their family against, died unexpectedly right in front of her after she let him walk free. Song Zhizhi couldn’t guarantee whether she fully understood all of Ji Baijian’s feelings, but she felt that he must be bitter!

Not being able to have Ye Taiting die by his own hand, he must have regrets.

Thinking this way, she said again to her father, “Since Ye Taiting is already dead, Dad, you should stop worrying too much about him. Now that Yi Wenhan has suddenly taken over, let’s see how he performs first!”

Song Shan still seemed quite unwilling, “I just feel irritated! I originally thought that with Ye Taiting’s death, we would at least have a chance. Now, out of nowhere, a Yi Wenhan appears, and I find it really hard to swallow.”

“We don’t really have a choice.” Song Zhizhi advised.

“On the other hand…” Song Shan looked at Song Zhizhi, “Back in the day you were with Yi Wenhan…”

Song Shan didn’t finish his sentence.

At this moment, he obviously regretted something, perhaps regretting that she missed out on Yi Wenhan.

Perhaps they didn’t expect that Yi Wenhan, who they all looked down upon, could suddenly sit in such a supreme position.

At that moment Song Zhizhi was very sure and directly told her father, “Ji Baijian is a hundred times better than Yi Wenhan. Dad, you don’t have to feel any regret.”

Song Shan let out a sigh!

Since things had come to this, he didn’t say any more.

Song Zhizhi said, “Dad, right now the situation is very obscure. No one knows what will happen after Yi Wenhan takes over. No one knows if it will be smooth sailing. I think it’s best for us to sit back and observe.”

“I understand that.” Song Shan agreed, “I won’t act rashly and stir up trouble at this time. The bird that sticks out gets shot. I won’t make myself a target. Though, now I am becoming more and more suspicious of Qian Guanshu.”

Song Zhizhi looked at her father.

She knew that her father had been in commercial management for many years, and his achievements were definitely due to his capabilities.

“When I was with Ye Taiting, I felt Qian Guanshu was just a hired hand. Not just me, even Qin Wenguo and Chu Zhaotian thought the same. Though I did speculate later that Ye Taiting was considering handing commercial management over to Qian Guanshu, deep down, I still thought it was impossible for Qian Guanshu to handle such a huge responsibility. At that time, I thought it wouldn’t be difficult to pull Qin Wenguo and Chu Zhaotian together and bring Qian Guanshu down. However, today my impression of Qian Guanshu has completely changed. He no longer solely relies on Ye Taiting, and his scheming is so deep that I can’t see his real intentions at all!”

“Yes, Qian Guanshu indeed is much more cunning than we ever thought. Think about it, Qian Guanshu went with Ye Taiting to Jinghe Village, and he came back unscathed, while Ye Taiting suddenly died. It all seems too strange.”

Song Shan nodded.

But they didn’t dare to voice out many of their bold suspicions.

Because without proof, it would only cause unnecessary panic.

Song Zhizhi said, “Dad, what we need most now is to adjust our own mentality. Yi Wenhan’s abilities are insufficient, and it’s not easy for him to truly take over all of the commercial management responsibilities. I don’t think we need to be too desperate about this. Of course, we can’t take any radical actions either. Now that Yi Wenhan has just inherited the helm, if we cause any stir, the commercial management will catch us all on the charge of deliberate rebellion. At least at a time when the entire situation is still unclear and no one knows what is happening at the commercial management, Dad, you must stay calm!”

Song Zhizhi, feeling uneasy, said again.

Song Shan nodded, “Don’t worry, I won’t be impulsive.”

“That’s good.”

“Zhizhi.” Song Shan suddenly called her.

“Hmm?”

“Why did you take Ziming and Xiaolang and run away first back then?” Song Shan asked her.

Song Zhizhi was taken aback.

Song Shan said, “Of course, ensuring your absolute safety is the most important thing, but today Chu Zhaotian took advantage and said that my daughter, Song Shan’s daughter, is a coward. I actually feel a bit embarrassed.”

“Does Dad think that my life is more important, or is it face?”

“Of course, it’s my daughter’s life!” Song Shan was very certain.

“Then there’s no need to pay attention to these rumors. The more you care, the more it pleases the other party.”

Song Shan nodded.

What Song Zhizhi said made sense.

But being directly confronted by Chu Zhaotian today still made him a bit uncomfortable.

Who would want their daughter to be looked down upon or mocked?

“Dad’s getting tired too. I’m going to rest in my room. Zhizhi, would you stay home for dinner before you leave?”

“No, I have dinner scheduled with Ji Baijian tonight. I’ll accompany you at home this noon.”

“A married daughter is like water spilled out. I’m not a hardheaded person.” Song Shan said with a laugh.

Song Zhizhi also laughed, chatting and joking with her father.

Everyone left the study and Song Shan retreated to his own room.

Wei Ziming was planning to go back to his room too when-

Song Zhizhi suddenly called to him, “Brother Ziming.”

Wei Ziming turned around.

“I want to talk to you privately.”

Wei Ziming nodded.

The two of them went straight into Wei Ziming’s room.

Wei Ziming closed the door.

Song Zhizhi said, “You didn’t tell my father about going to Jinghe Village this time, did you?”

“No.” Wei Ziming replied.

He remembered the words Ji Baijian said to him in the car.

So, from now on, he wouldn’t tell anyone about Song Zhizhi, including Song Shan.

Song Zhizhi said, “Thank you.”

She didn’t want her father to know, so she concealed many truths, including Ji Baijian’s identity, which wasn’t suitable for many people to know. Even at this moment when the snake had been startled from the grass, Qian Guanshu and Yi Wenhan already knew that Ji Baijian posed a great threat and could even deal with Ji Baijian mercilessly.

Fortunately, Yi Wenhan’s most pressing concern is to secure the helm of Commercial Management. She believed that there would be many things he needs to do next, so he won’t initiate any actions against them anytime soon, but this would not last long.

In this short period, they had to figure out how to protect themselves, or even stage a lethal counterattack.

Song Zhizhi felt a slight movement in her heart.

If it weren’t for her, if it weren’t her… it all would have ended.

They wouldn’t have to spend their days living in fear.

“Brother Ziming,” Song Zhizhi called to him.

“Hmm?”

“I hope that from now on, you will keep everything you know about Ji Baijian and me from everyone. I won’t harm my family; I will only protect them. There are many things between Ji Baijian and me, and now is not the time to tell my father.”

“I understand.” Wei Ziming nodded.

He understood well how extraordinary Ji Baijian was during their trip to Jinghe.

In this world, apart from the strongest official man who might have forced the helmsman of Commercial Management to such a desperate corner, there was probably only Ji Baijian left who could do so.

Undeniably, he was in awe of Ji Baijian.

He had underestimated his strength before, but now, he was truly convinced.

Of course, he wouldn’t hide things from Song Shan, who had given him the grace of a second set of parents, out of admiration for another man. But he clearly noticed that Song Zhizhi had hidden many things from her father. Naturally, he wouldn’t help Song Zhizhi reveal them.

To Ziming, Song Zhizhi had once saved his life, and naturally, he would repay the kindness.

“Thank you,” Song Zhizhi smiled at him.

She knew that when Wei Ziming promised something, he would definitely follow through.

“I should be the one thanking you, if not for you I might have…”

“Nothing is more important than family. I admit, I am a bit upset that I let Ji Baijian lose such a great opportunity, but compared to your life, I don’t regret it.”

Wei Ziming looked at Song Zhizhi.

His previous feelings for Song Zhizhi felt somewhat like a profanity compared to her purity towards him.

“From now on, I’ll be your real brother, and just like you protect me, I’ll protect you!”

“Hmm.” Song Zhizhi smiled.

To her, family was paramount.

She genuinely felt bad to let Ji Baijian lose such an amazing opportunity, but she had no regrets at all.

If given another chance, she would still choose to preserve Wei Ziming’s life.

Song Zhizhi left the Song Family mansion after lunch.

She and Luo Xiaolang returned to the upscale residential district.

Song Zhizhi pushed the door open. Ji Baijian was sitting on the sofa, not smoking, just sitting there.

Song Zhizhi could always sense that Ji Baijian was preoccupied.

Looking at the current situation, indeed nobody could afford to be careless.

She slipped into her slippers and moved toward Ji Baijian, leaning into his embrace.

Ji Baijian held her securely.

Song Zhizhi asked, “Have you eaten lunch yet?”

“I have.” Ji Baijian answered, “It was sent by the housekeeper.”

“Oh.” Song Zhizhi nodded, taking the initiative to say, “My dad asked me to go back, and asked about Jinghe Village.”

“Hmm.”

“I didn’t tell him anything, I just said that Brother Ziming and Xiaolang escorted me to escape early.” Song Zhizhi said.

“Hmm.”

“Ji Baijian, do you think Ye Taiting’s death was really the doing of Qian Guanshu?”

“Ninety percent certain.” Ji Baijian confirmed, “Although in my case, that ten percent is an almost impossible probability.”

“I also think it was Qian Guanshu’s doing. But Yi Wenhan is Ye Taiting’s son. What good does it do for Qian Guanshu to do this unless…” Song Zhizhi suddenly stopped, raising her head to look at Ji Baijian.

Ji Baijian gave the compelling answer, “Unless Yi Wenhan isn’t the son of Ye Taiting but the son of Qian Guanshu!”

“So the person who had been hidden the deepest all along wasn’t Ye Taiting but Qian Guanshu. I wonder if Ye Taiting was bleeding from his seven orifices from anger and died with his eyes wide open.”

“Yes.” Ji Baijian replied.

Song Zhizhi hadn’t expected Ji Baijian to offer such a serious response to her offhanded comment.

She felt a little sick to her stomach and asked, “Do you regret not personally killing Ye Taiting?”

“Not at all. As long as he’s dead, I’m satisfied. I don’t take a pleasure in torturing people.” Ji Baijian said.

Song Zhizhi looked at him, with disbelief in her eyes.

“What I do regret is that Commercial Management is still under someone else’s control.” Ji Baijian said clearly.

“What do we do now?” Song Zhizhi asked. “It seems that my father is not willing to just accept it. Not just him, both Qin Wenguo and Chu Zhaotian have their respective feelings. But if they publicly oppose Yi Wenhan’s ascendancy now, they’re going to gain a reputation for being disloyal and unjust. It’s not worth it.”

“There’s only one way to completely bring down Qian Guanshu and Yi Wenhan.”

Song Zhizhi looked at him.

Staring at Ji Baijian, with a face covered in blood.