Chapter 54: Bringing Money Into the Crew

Xiao Chi paused for a moment while reaching for the door, then directly turned on the security camera in the hallway.

Outside the door stood a tall young man with neatly combed hair, a black narrow-collared suit, and a deep blue silk tie. His legs were long and straight, the creases in his trousers almost nonexistent, as if freshly pressed.

He stood there confidently, one hand in his pocket, his features refined, as if he had stepped out of a noble family portrait.

Xiao Chi widened his eyes in surprise. This person… looks so much like Ji Chenxuan!

Even the way he dressed and his posture were identical. If someone else had seen them, they might have mistaken the two for one another.

But for Xiao Chi, Ji Chenxuan was a unique individual. Even if someone were cloned, he would still be able to tell the difference.

Seemingly aware that he was being watched, the man smiled faintly at the camera and even waved.

With a puzzled expression, Xiao Chi opened the door and gave the unexpected visitor a cautious once-over. “Who are you?”

The moment the man saw Xiao Chi, his pupils subtly contracted. He hid his astonishment and quickly replaced it with a refined smile. “Hello, is this President Ji Chenxuan’s home?”

So, he knows Ji Chenxuan.

Xiao Chi nodded. “You’re looking for him? He’s not home. What do you need?”

The man’s smile deepened. “My name is Ji Chenlang, and I’m his brother.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “His real brother.”

“No wonder you look so much alike.” Xiao Chi replied, his expression confirming the resemblance. “Are you going to wait for him? Or would you prefer to call him?”

“No, if he’s not here, I’ll come back another time.” Ji Chenlang seemed to have no intention of entering. He politely bid farewell, then, as if casually, he added, “I remember my brother always lived alone, so I was wondering if you are…”

Xiao Chi hesitated. Ji Chenxuan had told him not to reveal their relationship, but this man was his real brother…

Noticing his hesitation, Ji Chenlang stopped pressing and smiled understandingly. “It’s fine if you’re not comfortable answering. I’m just curious. Well, I’ll be on my way now.”

Xiao Chi watched as the man’s figure disappeared from the front of the villa and slowly closed the door, his mind filled with questions.

Ji Chenlang left Ji Chenxuan’s home but didn’t go far. He got into a black sports car parked at the corner and rolled down the window just enough so he could see a corner of the living room through the large glass windows.

The living room lights were on, and Xiao Chi was busy carrying dishes from the kitchen to the dining table.

Ji Chenlang quietly watched for a while. The rearview mirror reflected an inscrutable smile. After a moment, he rolled the window back up, started the car, and drove toward the gate.

As he passed the security station at the gate, the on-duty security guard greeted him with a smile. “President Ji, just got back and now heading out again?”

Ji Chenlang glanced at him briefly, then replied indifferently, “Yes, just going out to buy something.” His tone and demeanor were eerily similar to Ji Chenxuan’s.

The guard didn’t suspect anything. “Please take care!”

—

By the time Ji Chenxuan returned to the villa on the mountainside, half an hour had already passed.

The on-duty security guard watched as his car slowly entered the central garden, scratching his head in confusion. “Why did President Ji go out and come back in a different car? The world of the rich is beyond me.”

At Ji’s residence, the night sky was covered in clouds, with no stars or moon visible. Even the streetlights seemed half-asleep. The only light was the warm lamp always on inside the house, waiting for him.

As soon as Ji Chenxuan entered, he was greeted by the smell of food. His mind had been focused on getting home quickly, thinking about his little darling waiting for him. His stomach, which hadn’t eaten all day, had temporarily shut off the hunger signals, so he hadn’t even noticed his hunger.

But as soon as he smelled the food, his stomach immediately started protesting, growling loudly.

“You’re back!” Xiao Chi turned off the smart heater on the dining table and waved at him. “Come eat, I’m starving.”

“Why didn’t you eat first if you’re hungry?” Ji Chenxuan asked, feeling a little sorry for him as he gently embraced him from behind.

Xiao Chi, with a justified tone, responded, “I was waiting for you.”

Ji Chenxuan wasn’t a fan of sweets, but after being with Xiao Chi for so long, it felt like he was always surrounded by sweetness, with a hint of slightly sour sparkling water. Sometimes, just an innocent remark from Xiao Chi could make his heart flutter.

There were three simple home-cooked dishes, a pot of carrot soup. The food was simple but to their taste.

Xiao Chi was focused on eating when he suddenly said, “Your brother came looking for you tonight.”

Ji Chenxuan was startled, nearly thinking he had misheard. “What did you say?”

“I said your brother came looking for you,” Xiao Chi looked up at him, surprised. “Didn’t he tell you beforehand?”

“Ji Chenlang? You let him in?” Ji Chenxuan suddenly grabbed Xiao Chi’s wrist, furrowing his brow. “What did he say? Did he do anything to you?”

The chopsticks clattered on the table as Xiao Chi looked confused. “What could he do to me? With that small frame of his, he wouldn’t even last one punch. Why are you worried? Isn’t he your real brother?”

“Him? Hmph.” Ji Chenxuan made sure Xiao Chi was fine before releasing his hand. Speaking about Ji Chenlang, his tone was calm but tinged with disdain. “By blood, he’s my half-brother. His mother is my stepmother, and also my late mother’s sister.”

Xiao Chi recalled that Ji Chenxuan had briefly mentioned this part of his past but hadn’t gone into detail. “So you don’t get along?”

“Not just not getting along, it’s more like enemies,” Ji Chenxuan lowered his eyes and spoke softly, “I once put his mother in prison. Thinking about the time, she should be out by now. Did he say anything to you?”

Xiao Chi shook his head. “No. He left when he saw you weren’t home.”

“That’s good.” Ji Chenxuan’s frown deepened. “He hates me to the bone. If he came looking for me, it must be for another purpose. If you see him again, don’t pay attention to him. Just tell me, I’ll handle it. By the way, you didn’t tell him about our relationship, did you?”

Xiao Chi shook his head vigorously. “Absolutely not.”

Ji Chenxuan sighed. “Why can’t I ever stop worrying? Well, it’s fine if you didn’t.”

Xiao Chi, feeling a bit curious, noticed Ji Chenxuan didn’t want to say more, so he didn’t press the issue. He just nodded. “Oh… but he really looks a lot like you.”

Ji Chenxuan’s eyes twitched slightly. He picked up his chopsticks, then set them down again, pursing his lips. “He’s nowhere near like me. You… didn’t mistake him for me, did you?”

“That’s not going to happen.” Xiao Chi stuffed a piece of carrot into his mouth, puffing out one cheek and squinting confidently. “I have such a good memory, how could I mix you two up?”

“Oh? Then tell me, what’s the difference between us?”

Xiao Chi frowned and thought for a moment. “I can’t really say specifically, but the feeling is just different. He wouldn’t look at me the way you do.”

Ji Chenxuan got intrigued and raised an eyebrow. “How do I look at you?”

“Hm…” Xiao Chi poked his cheek with the end of his chopsticks, thinking hard, then came up with a description. “It’s kind of like a little dog staring at a meaty bone?”

“…” Ji Chenxuan’s face darkened, his expression complicated as he looked at him. “I really shouldn’t have any expectations about your cultural literacy.”

Not wanting to dwell on Ji Chenlang any longer, Ji Chenxuan changed the subject. “There are a few film projects at the company lately. I had someone talk to Liu Bing about them. Are you interested in any?”

Xiao Chi honestly replied, “Well, I am, but the directors don’t like that I come from a singing and talent show background. They don’t want me.”

Ji Chenxuan ladled a bowl of soup for him, speaking casually. “Just choose what you like. If they don’t want you, don’t they still want the investment?”