Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Preventing Trouble Before It Happens (Second Update)
Back at the apartment, after dealing with Baobao all morning, Ji Rui naturally sent him off for a nap, and even Le Tong was pushed to sleep by Ji Rui.
With both of them in the bedroom, Ji Rui was left in the living room. He sat on the sofa with his laptop, checking a few important emails in his inbox.
Ji Rui was so focused that he didn’t even notice when Le Tong opened the bedroom door and walked out. It was only when a steaming cup of coffee was placed on the table in front of him that Ji Rui looked up.
"Didn’t I tell you to take a nap? Why are you fussing over this again?"
He was indeed touched by the gesture of Le Tong brewing rich coffee for him, but more than a delicious cup, he hoped she could rest well, so he couldn’t help frowning and scolding her.
Le Tong didn’t mind his reproach, "I can’t sleep!"
Saying that, she turned to fetch a small can of cookies from the cabinet and placed it next to the coffee, sitting down beside him.
"While brewing the coffee, Senior Brother called, and we chatted for a bit. From his tone, he seemed to be encountering some difficulties. Do you know anything about this?"
Ji Rui’s eyes flashed with confusion, "Really? He hasn’t mentioned anything to me. I’ll call him later to find out."
Le Tong, however, rejected his idea, "No, if he didn’t tell you, he probably doesn’t want to bother you. How about you have someone look into it?"
Ji Rui thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "You’re right, I’ll ask a friend in Beijing to find out what’s going on. I’ll handle it, so don’t worry."
Even with Ji Rui’s assurances, Le Tong still wore a worried look, recalling how Yang Sheng had complained to her about his disdain for his own privileged upbringing.
"Senior Brother..." Le Tong wanted to ask something, but on second thought, felt it was inappropriate to pry into others’ private matters.
"In the previous generation of the Yang Family, there were many brothers. His father was the eldest, but he only had one son, so technically, he’s the heir. A few years ago, he fell out with Old Sir Yang over some matters and started working independently. Now that he’s back, facing exclusion or schemes is quite normal."
Although Ji Rui hadn’t yet looked into it and didn’t know the details, he could pretty much guess the kind of troubles Yang Sheng might face.
In the north, the Yang Family was quite dominant, with almost no other family daring to challenge them. Although Yang Sheng hasn’t been given any title yet, anyone with some sense knows that among his generation, many are useless, and only Yang Sheng has the potential to achieve something significant. It’s for this reason that Old Sir Yang would pull him back after years of being away. No other family would be foolish enough to provoke the future successor Yang Sheng at this moment, so naturally, the ones creating trouble for him are his own family members.
This was the first time Le Tong heard about Yang Sheng’s situation, and after listening, she felt a bit reassured about his predicament.
After all, Yang Sheng is no fool, and since Old Sir Yang wants him back, he would secretly lend a helping hand.
Feeling relieved, Le Tong turned to Baobao’s bedroom to help organize clothes, and after half an hour, she came out holding a large pile of brand-new clothes from Baobao’s wardrobe, asking Aunt Guan to take them to the orphanage.
After giving instructions, she saw Ji Rui, who was sitting on the sofa, waving her over.
"I’ve found out about Yang Sheng’s matter."
Ji Rui patted the spot next to him, indicating for Le Tong to sit down to discuss.
Le Tong obediently sat down, and Ji Rui gave her a deep look, habitually lifting a strand of hair from her cheek and tucking it behind her ear.
Once Le Tong was settled, looking ready to listen, Ji Rui slowly began to speak.
"It seems Yang Sheng has gotten himself into big trouble this time!"
Le Tong was startled, having just been comforted, her heart again became uneasy.
"Will he make it through? His grandfather will help him, right?" Le Tong was worried but still held a sliver of hope.
Ji Rui shook his head, "If I’m not mistaken, this is a scheme set up by Old Sir Yang."
"What?" Le Tong truly didn’t understand, had Old Sir Yang lost his mind to plot against his own grandson?
Seeing Le Tong’s confusion, Ji Rui patiently explained, "Old Sir Yang needs someone who can take on the entire Yang Family and Yang’s Enterprise, not just a grandson named Yang."
Ji Rui knew that in her kind-hearted eyes, one would certainly believe even a tiger wouldn’t eat its own cubs, let alone humans.
But this world just so happens to have people who regard the rise and fall of their entire family and enterprise as more important than a single grandson. And Mr. Yang, unfortunately, is just such a person.
"You mean that if the Senior Brother can’t handle it himself, his grandfather won’t help, and will just let him fend for himself?"
Le Tong’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
Is it her being too naive, or is this world inherently so cruel? When the blood kin you should trust the most raises the blade without any hesitation?
Ji Rui saw the hope in her eyes extinguished, and the beautiful eyes filled with sadness and worry. Though feeling uneasy himself, he had to speak the truth.
"Probably, that’s how it is!"
Le Tong fell silent, she thought she had already endured enough humiliation from relatives in past years, only to find there’s a kind of familial love more chilling than those who left her to die or hit her when she’s down.
"Are all wealthy families like this?"
Le Tong’s voice was devoid of its usual clarity and cleanliness, replaced with a hoarse fatigue.
Ji Rui knew she was probably thinking about himself and Baobao and rubbed her head, chuckling, "Silly, Baobao is my little darling, I’d never treat him like that. As for his grandfather and uncle..."
Mentioning his closest kin made Ji Rui pause, the smile on his lips involuntarily turning strained.
"As long as I’m here, I’ll never let anyone harm Baobao in the slightest."
Le Tong looked down silently, not seeing Ji Rui’s deep eyes, which at this moment, stared ahead, flashing with a cold gleam.
After a while, seeing that Le Tong still hadn’t spoken, Ji Rui patted her face again, coaxing her with infinite tenderness.
"Don’t worry, I won’t force Baobao like Old Sir Yang. In the future, if Baobao doesn’t love working for the Ji Family, I’ll find a professional manager to run the Ji Family’s business, and I won’t let this become a shackle to bind Baobao."
Ji Rui’s reassurance somewhat calmed Le Tong.
Just at this moment, a sound came from Baobao’s bedroom, Le Tong got up and ran over, with Ji Rui watching her figure slip into the bedroom, before picking up the phone to make a call.
"Lawyer Fan?"
"Yes, it’s me!"
"Come to my office tomorrow afternoon, I have something to discuss with you."
