"Shen Jingxiu, do you even believe yourself when you say such things? Don't you really have any selfish motives at all?"
Shen Jingxiu frowned: "Yuanzhou, what are you trying to do? Why do you keep emphasizing this point? Do you think that if you force me to admit it, I will stop opposing all your actions?"
"No, I'm not trying to force you to admit anything. As a friend, I'm just reminding you not to go down the wrong path."
"I know what I'm doing."
"Then you should also know that your adopted sister is a free-thinking person. You can't stop her from loving anyone she wants to love, but that person can never be you. You are indeed her family, but you can only be her brother."
Shen Jingxiu's breath hitched for a moment, but he quickly spoke: "I know, I know this better than you do. She and I will always be family, so stop your unfounded speculation."
Shen Jingxiu's demeanor and tone were so normal that Ji Yuanzhou began to doubt his own judgment.
He frowned as he scrutinized Shen Jingxiu, his tone filled with uncertainty: "You really don't? I really misunderstood you?"
"Otherwise what?" Shen Jingxiu looked at Ji Yuanzhou with a completely calm expression. "You were too excited just now, you were almost speaking without restraint."
Ji Yuanzhou chuckled lightly, with a hint of self-mockery: "Who told you to touch my sore spot? Sure enough, the closer you are to someone, the more you know where to stab them to hurt them the most."
Shen Jingxiu knew what he was talking about.
He was the second son of the Ji family, and in the eyes of outsiders, he was incredibly successful, but his father always preferred his eldest brother.
He wouldn't have been called back if his older brother hadn't had some health problems.
"I'm sorry, I won't bring this up again. But regarding Wen Yan, my stance won't change. I'll say it again: go pursue someone else. I don't believe you're so fixated on her after only meeting her a few times."
"What if I still want to give it a try?"
"I've already said all this, if you want to continue, are you not planning to be friends with me anymore?"
"But I finally met someone I clicked with."
"This is dopamine. Perhaps the next second your dopamine will be released for another woman, or perhaps for some man."
"Shen Jingxiu, you're going too far. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with my sexual orientation."
"Maybe one day a certain man will come along and you'll realize that your sexual orientation has always been wrong."
"..." Ji Yuanzhou was speechless. "Do you want to fight?"
"I don't want to."
"Then there's only one possibility left between me and your sister."
No, there's no possibility between you two.
"Could you please let me finish what I have to say? Perhaps we are destined for each other. Maybe I'll run into her again, once, twice, three times. If that happens, I hope it won't affect our friendship. You've heard the saying 'marriage is predestined,' right?"
"I don't believe in predestined marriages; I only believe in deliberate planning and long-term scheming. Just like your coming here this time, it's no coincidence at all."
"Shen Jingxiu, you're so cruel. Do you really think desire is so easy to control?"
"Is it hard to control? Losing control is a terrible thing. I like the feeling of being in control."
"Yes, I agree. Losing control is a really scary thing."
"So, have we reached an agreement?"
"Jingxiu, I don't want to."
"I didn't ask you whether you were willing or not, or whether we had reached an agreement."
Ji Yuanzhou let out a long breath and was about to speak.
His phone suddenly rang.
He looked quite tired after seeing the caller ID.
"Hello, Dad."
"...No, I'm not in the country right now."
"……travel.
"...Was it decided on short notice?"
"……good.
"...Tomorrow at the earliest, it won't arrive tonight."
"...Okay, I'm fine."
Although he couldn't hear what Ji's father said on the other end of the phone, Shen Jingxiu could guess the gist of it from Ji Yuanzhou's reply.
Ji Yuanzhou is good in every way, except for this one thing: he can't fully control his own life.
Based on this alone, he is not suitable for Wen Yan.
“You heard everything,” Ji Yuanzhou said, putting his arm around Shen Jingxiu’s shoulder after hanging up the phone. His tone sounded somewhat dejected. “You’re right, it’s very difficult to get past my dad. I can answer you now, we’ve reached an agreement.”
"Thanks."
"Anything else? You seem hesitant. If there's anything else you want to say, just say it."
Shen Jingxiu nodded: "Since you've figured it out, I'll be frank. Your father is a man who values strength very much. Although you've done quite well abroad over the years, it's still far behind the Ji family's influence in China."
Now that your older brother has stepped down, you should achieve something to show your father. When you become the leader, you will naturally have control over everything, including your own life. This is a great opportunity; you should focus on your career.
"Thank you, Jingxiu. I was planning to indulge myself these past few days, but it looks like my vacation will have to end early. I have to go now, see you back home."
"See you later."
"Please say goodbye to Uncle Shen and Aunt Su for me."
"I will."
Watching Ji Yuanzhou stride away, Shen Jingxiu felt he should breathe a sigh of relief.
But his heart was stuck somewhere, neither moving forward nor backward.
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