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Xu Zhiqiao’s biological Father, Mu Chengguang, held the public image of a cultured businessman.
In his youth, Mu Chengguang had captivated many women with his dashing looks, and even now, in his early forties, he maintained his figure through regular fitness routines. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched elegantly on his nose lent him a refined and scholarly appearance—deceptively so.
In the video, Mu Chengguang was patient and gentle, distributing supplies he had gathered to the children at the orphanage.
During a media interview, he even managed to tear up with practiced ease, sighing that he too was a Father and felt especially guilty toward his eldest daughter.
That eldest daughter was Xu Zhiqiao.
Wei Long’s teeth ached at the sight. “Your dad is really… something.”
But he kept the words to himself. No matter what someone’s parents were like, it wasn’t his place as a junior to judge.
Qu Xiuxiu smacked him. “Are you going or not?”
“Going!” Wei Long grumbled, turning to Xu Zhiqiao. “Qiao Bao, you take care of yourself, alright? If you’re not happy here, come back after you graduate. I’ll take over my dad’s company and we can spend the money together.”
Qu Xiuxiu chimed in, “No need for him. I’ll make something of myself and take care of my Qiao Bao!”
Xu Zhiqiao couldn’t bear to part with them, feeling as if the ‘National Day’ holiday had passed in a blink.
Her eyes were red as she saw them off, then returned to the Ji Family with the driver.
As soon as she entered the Courtyard, she noticed Ji Shou and Xu Shu had returned.
Ji Huailuo was there too.
The atmosphere in the living room was tense—something was clearly wrong.
Xu Zhiqiao stood silently for a moment. “What happened?”
Ji Huailuo was bristling with sharp edges, his attitude reverting to that earlier prickly hostility.
“Ask your Mother.”
“…” Xu Zhiqiao turned to Xu Shu. “Mother, what’s going on?”
Xu Shu’s expression was unreadable. “This is an adult matter. Go upstairs.”
Ji Huailuo sneered, “Can’t even admit to what you’ve done? Afraid your daughter will see your true colors?”
Ji Shou slammed the table. “Watch your mouth when you speak to your Aunt.”
“What kind of attitude do you expect from me?” Ji Huailuo snapped, his temper flaring. “My work wasn’t bad at all—just missed one order and suddenly I’m being reassigned? You two are just perfect in everything, aren’t you?”
Ji Shou said, “I already explained! And the Finance Department is a core division!”
“Oh, a glorified errand boy in Finance,” Ji Huailuo’s voice rose, “Who doesn’t know the Ji Corporation is run by Madam Xu now? All the important clients are in her hands. What good is Finance, even if it’s the core? The moment she pulls those clients, am I supposed to conjure money out of thin air?”
Ji Shou’s chest rose and fell sharply, breath coming fast with anger.
Ji Huailuo spat, “Get a stepmother, and you get a stepfather to match…”
With a sharp crack, Ji Shou slapped him across the face.
The living room fell silent.
Ji Huailuo’s eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulging faintly on his forehead. He spoke slowly and clearly, “Since she came into this house, how many times have you hit me? Ever counted?”
“Stay in the Finance Department if you want,” Ji Shou snapped. “If not, then get the hell out of the company!”
Ji Huailuo gave a cold laugh. “Fine. I’ll leave. Just waiting for me to make room, aren’t you?”
He didn’t linger a second, striding away with cold finality.
The light in the living room was dim, steeped in a quiet, desolate chill.
Xu Zhiqiao looked at Xu Shu and asked softly, “Mother… are you really trying to push Big Brother out?”
“…” Ji Shou answered first. “Don’t blame your Mother. It was all my idea.”
Xu Zhiqiao asked, “Why?”
Why were they doing this to Ji Huailuo?
She had only just gotten a New Home.
And a Big Brother who, for all his sharp tongue, had a soft heart.
Ji Shou glanced at Xu Shu, who nodded—giving him permission to speak.
“It’s the Ji Corporation,” Ji Shou sighed. “There’s a mole in Finance. Aside from Huailuo, I don’t trust anyone else. But we couldn’t risk tipping off the mole. So your Mother had to pick a fight, use it as an excuse to reassign him…”
Xu Zhiqiao said, “Then why not just tell Big Brother the truth?”
Ji Shou rubbed his forehead. “With his personality? One drink and he’ll spill everything. The folks in Finance are all seasoned old foxes. I wouldn’t dare be honest with him.”
“Baobao,” Xu Shu said calmly, “Go bring your Brother back.”
But how could Xu Zhiqiao possibly persuade him?
This wasn’t like the old days.
From Ji Huailuo’s perspective, it really did look like Xu Shu was forcing him out.
Everyone knew that business development was the lifeblood of any company.
Xu Shu said, “Go try. Don’t let him do something reckless and get manipulated.”
“…”
–
Xu Zhiqiao didn’t know where Ji Huailuo had gone. She decided to first check the garden villa he often stayed at.
Just as she stepped out of the Courtyard gate, a familiar black car drove up.
The window rolled down, revealing a strikingly handsome face. “Where are you headed?”
Xu Zhiqiao blinked in surprise. “Big Brother Zhou Cong, what are you doing here?”
“You’ve got nerves of steel, huh?” Zhou Cong sounded annoyed. “So you’re just going to leave behind that Xue Bie Zhen, huh?”
“…”
The car unlocked with a click. Zhou Cong jerked his chin. “Get in. I’ll drive you.”
When it came to tracking down Ji Huailuo, Xu Zhiqiao felt Zhou Cong was her best bet.
She climbed into the car, clutching Xue Bie Zhen to her chest. “Can you get in touch with my Brother?”
“…” Zhou Cong was silent for a moment. “He ran away from home again?”
Xu Zhiqiao mumbled, “Yeah.”
Zhou Cong said, “This time’s pretty serious, huh?”
“…”
How did he know?
Zhou Cong gave a short laugh. “Your Brother didn’t even tell us. Must be too mad to think straight.”
“…” Xu Zhiqiao pressed her lips together. “Can you find him?”
Zhou Cong shot her a look. “Drop the formal tone. Say it like you mean it—‘can you find him?’”
Xu Zhiqiao hesitated, then corrected herself, “Can you find him?”
Zhou Cong said, “Take me off your blacklist.”
“…”
Zhou Cong added, “Unblock me from your friend circle.”
“…”
–
Zhou Cong took her to the garden villa first. It was empty.
After a brief moment of thought, Zhou Cong made a call and said casually, “Reward for tips—two World Cup A-tier tickets for anyone who finds Ji Huailuo.”
Two minutes later, someone messaged with Ji Huailuo’s location.
The group chat exploded with 99+ messages, full of questions like whether Ji Huailuo had committed some crime or was about to be executed.
Zhou Cong ignored the noise and drove straight to a bar.
It was quiet inside, given the hour—soft music played in the background.
Zhou Cong glanced at the girl beside him. “Stay close to me.”
If it weren’t for finding Ji Huailuo, he wouldn’t have brought her here.
They headed upstairs.
At the final step, Zhou Cong narrowed his eyes, looking toward a booth.
At the same moment, Xu Zhiqiao saw him too.
Inside the booth sat Ji Huailuo, along with two other men and a young woman.
The woman leaned against Ji Huailuo, laughing sweetly as she poured him a drink.
Xu Zhiqiao’s lips moved. “Big Brother…”
Suddenly.
A large hand caught her wrist without warning, stopping her words.
Zhou Cong looked down at her, his expression unreadable but slightly menacing. “Don’t speak. Let me handle this.”
“…” Xu Zhiqiao was dazed. “Who are they?”
There was no time to explain. Zhou Cong’s lips curved into a faint, teasing smile. “Do you trust your Big Brother?”
Xu Zhiqiao hesitated, then nodded.
Zhou Cong ruffled her hair. “Little Bao is so good.”