Chapter 102 He believed he was in control of everything, but in reality, not a single piece obeyed his commands.
Ji Tanyuan and Zhong Yan ran into Yuan Yin again when they went out. This time, Zhong Yi was with Yuan Yin.
Zhong Yi, the son of Zhong Yan's second uncle Zhong Shanci, is not tall, less than 180 cm, but he has delicate and weak features, with slightly curly hair, like a young master.
Yuan Yin, standing to the side, exudes a mature and aloof aura, with collarbone-length hair and striking almond-shaped eyes even with a bare face and glasses.
His lips were tightly pressed together, thin and aloof.
When Ji Tanyuan saw the two of them, she suddenly remembered that Zhang Zhang had mentioned earlier that Yuan Yin had been taken away by someone within the system.
She had already taken it to heart back then. After years of tacit understanding, so many artists were connected to the bigwigs, but Zhang Zhang specifically mentioned a vowel to her, which must be related to the families around the Zhong family.
There's always a bit of truth mixed in with rumors.
Now that they've met, Zhong Yi and Yuan Yin together, it's as expected.
But these two look...
Are you playing with a 4i?
Zhong Yi saw Zhong Yan and called out "Brother".
She called Ji Tanyuan "sister-in-law" again.
Zhong Yan responded and then asked, "And who is this person beside me?"
Zhong Yi nodded, "Oh, let me introduce you. This is... my friend, Yuan Yin, from the entertainment industry. You should know her, sister-in-law."
"What do you mean your sister-in-law should know her? You're talking like she's a regular in the entertainment industry," Zhong Yan retorted first.
Zhong Yi scratched his head. "Huh? That's not what I meant."
Ji Tanyuan smiled and said, "It's alright, I do know him. Zhang Zhang is a good friend of mine and has shot many magazine covers for Miss Yuanyin."
Yuan Yin nodded. "Hello."
Zhong Yan glanced at the two of them. "Why are you two together?"
“Yuanyin’s father and my father are good friends and eat together.”
Zhong Yan nodded, "Then we'll be going now."
With that, he took Ji Tanyuan's hand and left.
Ji Tanyuan turned around and looked at Yuan Yin, and they happened to meet eyes. Yuan Yin even smiled at her.
So their fathers are friends? Then what's with the abnormal operations of Yuan Yin's entertainment company that she found out about?
Ji Tanyuan was lost in thought when Zhong Yan wrapped her in a down jacket, interrupting her. Zhong Yan said, "Let's walk back while the snow is still light?"
It takes a few minutes to walk back; driving would definitely be slower.
Ji Tanyuan put on her hat and nodded.
So on this day, the two returned home as the last snow of the year fell.
Ji Tanyuan reached out and caught a snowflake: "Don't you think this means that if we were to get soaked in the snow together someday, we could be considered to have grown old together in this life?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan chuckled, "Impressive, Ms. Ji! Someone who went abroad in her teens and never studied Chinese has actually learned to recite poems based on scenery?"
Ji Tanyuan was dissatisfied, "I can read books, okay?"
Zhong Yan took her hand. "That's not the right way to put it. That line of poetry is a self-consolation for unrequited love. I'm right here beside you, how can you not be in love?"
Ji Tanyuan scoffed and kicked him in the snow, saying, "You narcissist."
Zhong Yan's trouser legs were covered with a layer of white snow, which shone brightly under the streetlights.
Their figures stood out conspicuously in the vast expanse of white.
——
Lunar New Year's eve
Ji Tanyuan and Zhong Yan arrived at the Zhong family's house in the afternoon.
The Zhong family was bustling with activity. Both of Zhong's sons had come, along with the old lady's grandnephew and other relatives from other families, all gathered together to chat.
Ji Tanyuan entered the room with a smile, first greeting the elders with Zhong Yan, and then giving red envelopes to the younger children.
Because there were outsiders present, Mrs. Zhong managed her expression reasonably well, and both of them were mindful of their public image.
Zhou Yanyu pulled Ji Tanyuan aside and said, "Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Zhong Yan is going to pay New Year's visits to those cadres. You should go with him too, but dress simply."
She looked Ji Tanyuan up and down, noting her beige cashmere sweater and dark gray wool ankle-length skirt, and nodded in satisfaction.
Then, looking up, she was momentarily blinded by the dazzling diamonds on Ji Tanyuan's ears. "Don't wear those two huge diamonds tomorrow, okay?"
Ji Tanyuan touched the diamond earring on her ear and nodded, "Okay, Mom, I'll wear something else."
"Don't make it too expensive."
Ji Tanyuan nodded; she also got a good deal.
Zhong Yan's grandfather only came downstairs during the New Year's Eve dinner.
He first glanced at Ji Tanyuan, who then looked up, stood up, and called out "Grandfather."
Old Master Zhong's expression grew cold, but for the sake of appearances, he could only suppress it, grunted in agreement, and took the seat of honor.
Although there were many people at the table, almost no one spoke.
Zhong Yan was already used to it; this family had always been mostly silent, and there were very few instances of endless conversation.
Ji Tanyuan wished that no one would say anything and that they could finish their meal quickly.
But who would have thought that after dinner they would have to stay up all night to welcome the New Year? Ji Tanyuan sat next to Zhong Yan, leaning on his shoulder, watching that boring TV show.
Zhong Yan lowered his head. "Bored?"
Ji Tanyuan nodded, and Zhong Yan thought for a moment before getting up and taking her out to watch the fireworks.
Wen Yi'an was a little confused when he saw Zhong Yan leave. Zhong Jing went to the study, why didn't he go there?
upstairs
Zhong Jing said to his father, "Aren't you going to tell Ayan about this?"
Zhong Fangqi sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed: "I'm not going to say anything more. Ayan is going on a business trip after the New Year, so it's good that he's not here."
"What about Tan Yuan, Dad? If we can't keep it a secret, you'll create a rift between Tan Yuan and A Yan."
“That’s to be expected. Their marriage was a loveless union, and they’re bound to have a rift sooner or later because of their interests. Besides, Tan Yuan won’t act impulsively unless she doesn’t want the Ji family anymore,” Zhong Fangqi said in a deep voice.
Currently, 70% of the Ji family's businesses are located in mainland China and require dealing with the government. It's impossible for Ji Tanyuan to act without considering the Ji Group.
"Keep this from Ayan. If he finds out, he might ruin our plans. As for Tanyuan, I will make it up to her later."
"Besides, I already explained the pros and cons to his father back then. If his father had any brains, he should know what to do."
Sacrificing oneself to protect one's family and the Ji family is the right thing to do.
Zhong Jing understood, "What I mean is, Tan Yuan has a fierce spirit in her bones."
Zhong Fangqi said angrily, "What can she do by herself? What can she do? If I don't let her stir up trouble, what storm can she stir up?"
Zhong Fangqi was getting impatient. "Zhong Jing, you've always had one flaw: you're indecisive!"
Zhong Jing, however, felt that his father was somewhat arrogant.
Don't let the Shen family's failure to investigate cause you trouble and push the Ji family to the brink.
He thought he was in control of everything, but in reality, not a single piece obeyed him.
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