Chapter 28: 

Firefighters came down from upstairs one after another. The damage wasn’t serious—only that family’s kitchen was burned; no other areas were affected.

At first, nobody knew whose apartment caught fire—the building was too tall to see clearly.

Later, an elderly couple came back with several children. The old lady suddenly remembered that there were buns steaming in the kitchen and that she forgot to check before leaving.

Since it was the holidays, both her grandson and grandnephew had come to visit, so she had personally made their favorite buns, intending to steam extra for them to take home in the evening.

After lunch, the kids insisted on going downstairs to play football. Being old, her memory wasn’t so good anymore; distracted by the children, she forgot to turn off the fire in the kitchen.

Several hours passed. Probably the pot boiled dry and caught fire.

She kept apologizing to the neighbors, saying she would take responsibility for any losses.

Many understood—old age brings forgetfulness—and comforted her, saying as long as no one was hurt, the kitchen could be renovated.

Chu Zheng also hurried toward the community. The crowd under the apartment building had dispersed. The fire was out; those who needed to go home had left, but the traffic at the community entrance was still heavily congested.

Cars were stuck and unable to move, so he got out and walked over.

The boss couldn’t make the afternoon video meeting, and even if he could, he probably wouldn’t have the mood to rush back to the company. On the way, he had reported to Chairman Mu that the apartment building where Miss Ji lived had caught fire.

When Chairman Mu heard that Ji Xingyao was almost in danger, he expressed concern and tacitly approved that Mu Jinpei need not attend the rest of the meeting.

Chairman Mu was particularly fond of Ji Xingyao. When they were in New York, he had even personally cooked for her. The only reason Chairman Mu liked Ji Xingyao was that Pei Yu liked her.

He had stuck to the idea of “love me, love my dog” for over thirty years.

“Chu Zheng.”

Just after getting out of the car and taking a few steps, someone called from behind—it was Xu Rui’s voice. Chu Zheng thought he misheard, but when he turned, it really was her. Xu Rui got out of her car, which had also been stuck in traffic, barely moving a few meters.

Xu Rui came closer. “How is Ji Xingyao? Is she okay?”

Chu Zheng: “I heard she’s fine.” He knew about her upcoming marriage. “I haven’t had time to congratulate you yet.”

Xu Rui smiled. “Thank you.” Then she asked, “Have you seen the news online? So far, your M.K Group hasn’t done anything about it.”

Even though it was positive news, given Mu Jinpei’s personality and his purpose for coming to Beijing, he definitely wouldn’t want to make a big fuss.

Chu Zheng hadn’t had time to check. “What news?” As he spoke, he hurriedly opened his phone.

Xu Rui told him keywords to search. Chu Zheng found it—the original post was from a director at a talent agency. A short video with the caption: [This gentleman’s girlfriend (wife) might be on the top floor of the apartment, a fairy-like girl, hope she’s safe (praying)(praying)]

Chu Zheng opened the twelve-second video. It only showed Mu Jinpei’s back. Bodyguards were blocking Mu Jinpei from going upstairs; he struggled but couldn’t break free, then kicked a bodyguard and ran toward the elevator.

Seeing Chu Zheng was shocked, Xu Rui said, “From now on, never say I’m different in Mu’s heart.” She pointed to the video with her chin. “This is what different really looks like.”

Chu Zheng came back to his senses. Earlier, he wasn’t sure if the boss was on the right track, but now it was certain—the boss had gone off the rails.

He put away his phone and comforted Xu Rui, “Most people have to meet a few wrong ones before finding the right one. Qi Chen is good.”

Xu Rui reluctantly agreed. Earlier, Qi Chen had been pulling her, afraid she’d do something foolish and rush into the complex.

She showed Chu Zheng the video not to express jealousy. “Your M.K Beijing branch’s PR seems pretty bad. They haven’t handled this yet. With the current number of shares and discussion speed, it won’t be long before it hits trending.”

That was indeed Chu Zheng’s fault. “I’ll report to Mu right away.”

“You just came here not long ago and don’t know domestic media well,” Xu Rui volunteered, “If you trust me, I can help you handle it. It’s not just about Mu Jinpei’s face.”

Chu Zheng knew Xu Rui had her own motives. She didn’t want people to recognize Mu Jinpei and drag Ji Xingyao into this. With Ji Xingyao’s talent, background, and looks, it would be hard for her not to go viral on social media.

Once she got a lot of attention, if the Ji Group went bankrupt and Mu Jinpei broke up with her, who knew how many clueless people on the internet would come to ridicule her?

That kind of violence was even worse than the blow Ji Xingyao would suffer from the Ji Group’s bankruptcy.

“Xu Rui, don’t blame yourself.”

Xu Rui looked at him and asked, “Does blaming myself help?” Now the only thing she could do was minimize the harm done to Ji Xingyao within her ability.

Even if someday Ji Xingyao lost everything, outside of the business world and those close to her, she wouldn’t have more people paying attention, and there would be no online gossip.

At least it would be quieter.

“You go find your boss. We’ll keep in touch by phone.” She turned and left.

Chu Zheng watched her leave, then hurried toward the community.

Mu Jinpei borrowed a gas mask from the property management and went upstairs with Ji Xingyao. Most of the smoke had cleared, but the hallway still had a choking smell. He pulled Ji Xingyao along briskly.

Once inside the room, the smoke smell was much weaker.

Ji Xingyao had come upstairs to get her phone and coat. Mu Jinpei helped her put on her coat. “Don’t come here for the next couple of days. Wait until the smell is completely gone.”

“It’s okay. The wind is strong; it’ll clear in an afternoon.” Ji Xingyao urged him, “You should go back to your meeting now. It’s fine now. I’ll go downstairs for a bit later.”

Mu Jinpei didn’t reply, holding her hand as they walked out.

After closing the door, he gestured to her, “Put my fingerprint in.” He was still uneasy, afraid the fire was in her apartment and the door might not open.

The door and lock were indeed secure, but in an emergency, even forcing them open would take more than ten minutes, maybe longer.

Ji Xingyao looked at him for a few seconds but didn’t refuse. She fiddled with the fingerprint lock, then held out his finger to register—but delayed pressing it down.

Mu Jinpei: “…”

At a time like this, she still wouldn’t give in. He knew what she was thinking. Looking into her eyes, he said, “I’ve already registered your fingerprints on the locks at my office and home. I’ll do it tonight.”

Ji Xingyao was satisfied and immediately registered three of his fingers.

In the elevator, Ji Xingyao handed Mu Jinpei her coffee cup to hold, then helped him put on his watch, carefully adjusting his cufflinks and shirt sleeves.

Mu Jinpei kept his eyes lowered, watching her. Today she fully embodied her reason and her stubborn, reckless devotion.

She wouldn’t lose out registering his fingerprint; she would demand more in exchange. Yet in the crisis, she hadn’t forgotten to bring his watch and coffee.

Downstairs, the air was much fresher.

Chu Zheng was waiting at the elevator. “Mr. Mu, you don’t need to go back for the video meeting.”

Mu Jinpei glanced at his watch. It was too late to return now. He had forgotten about the meeting earlier—this was the first time he’d put work out of his mind.

Ji Xingyao found a quiet corner to let her parents know she was safe. Mu Jinpei and Chu Zheng waited outside the building for her.

The biting cold wind hit outside, and Mu Jinpei finally felt cold. Chu Zheng wanted to grab a coat but was stopped. “No need.” He needed to clear his head.

Chu Zheng hesitated, struggling, then said, “Mr. Mu, you should…”

Mu Jinpei guessed what he was about to say and interrupted, “I know why I came to Beijing.”

Chu Zheng dared not say more. Now that he was involved, when the day of the final sweep came, he’d have to be ruthless with himself to cut ties and let go.

After a moment of silence, he thought again about the news online. Even though Xu Rui had clearly told him to try to get all the news taken down, after all, he was working for the boss.

He could only occasionally help Ji Xingyao as long as it didn’t harm the boss’s interests. Even so, that was actually against his principles.

He briefly told Mu Jinpei about the video online, “How do you want to handle this? Should we take it down or just ignore it?” If they didn’t take it down, they could gain Ji Changsheng’s trust and improve the Ji family relatives’ impression of him.

Mu Jinpei looked at the Weibo post. He recognized the profile photo of the original poster—it was the director of the brokerage company in the building where Ji Xingyao’s art studio was, someone named Liu who had given him a business card before.

“Contact that director and have him delete the Weibo post.”

“Okay, I’ll get in touch right away.” Chu Zheng began handling it. Since the boss didn’t intend to use the video, he assumed the boss wanted all related news removed.

He let out a quiet breath and messaged Xu Rui to help contact the media platforms.

Mu Jinpei’s car had arrived. He walked over but didn’t get in; he leaned against the car door waiting for Ji Xingyao.

More than ten minutes passed, and he shivered several times.

All his rationality was slowly coming back, but it felt like something was still missing.

“Boss, this spot is windy. You’re lightly dressed. Better come inside and wait,” Chu Zheng approached.

Mu Jinpei still didn’t plan to get in the car. After considering for a while, he told Chu Zheng, “Write down the feud between my parents and Ji Changsheng in Spanish, print it as a book—just one copy.”

Chu Zheng couldn’t quite grasp his intent immediately. “What’s this for? Any specific formatting? And how should the story be told?”

Mu Jinpei replied, “Anything goes.” He paused, “Make it a novel, first-person perspective, change the names of the people involved. I’ll read it myself.”

Chu Zheng said, “Xingyao doesn’t understand Spanish.”

He understood then—Mu Jinpei was standing in the cold wind reflecting on himself. He wanted to write his background and experiences as a novel, print it out, and read it every day as a reminder not to just focus on his romance with Ji Xingyao and forget the hatred between him and Ji Changsheng.

Using this method to force himself—it must be a deeply conflicted and painful heart.

Mu Jinpei took out a cigarette. Just as he lit the lighter, he remembered the community’s no-smoking rule. He threw both the lighter and the cigarette into the trash can.

Twenty minutes passed, and Ji Xingyao still hadn’t come out.

He put the coffee cup in the car and went to the apartment building to look for her.

Ji Xingyao was still on the phone, currently chatting with Tang Jiale.

Before that, she had called her mother, who had no idea what she had gone through.

When the fire broke out in the apartment, Yin He was in the rehearsal room teaching choreography, without her phone. No one in the troupe knew that Ji Xingyao lived in that community.

Later, all online news about the fire was taken down, and few people talked about it anymore.

It wasn’t until Ji Xingyao called her mother to report she was safe that Yin He found out.

The second call was from Tang Jiale. She hadn’t seen the video posted by the brokerage company director, only the news about the apartment fire.

Tang Jiale asked, “Have you told Uncle Ji and Aunt Yin that you’re safe?”

Ji Xingyao: “My mom knows, but I haven’t told my dad yet. Maybe he doesn’t know either. He said he was going on a business trip, probably already on a plane.”

Ji Changsheng hadn’t gone to the airport yet and just learned about the incident. He had been busy entertaining a major client and hadn’t checked his phone. After seeing off the guest, he finally looked at his phone.

Tang Hongkang: [Now you can be at ease. Xingyao has found a good place.]

Ji Changsheng was puzzled. [What do you mean?]

Soon after, Tang Hongkang sent him a video and a link.

Tang Hongkang: [I checked, there’s no problem at the apartment. Don’t worry.]

Ji Changsheng watched it and asked: [Where did this video come from?] He couldn’t find it online. Clicking Tang Hongkang’s link showed the original Weibo post had been deleted.

Tang Hongkang: [It was online, posted by a brokerage company director. That brokerage is in the same building as Xingyao’s art studio. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have believed it.]

Ji Changsheng knew the brokerage company; they had cooperated with Yin He’s dance troupe before.

Tang Hongkang: [They really deleted it, maybe Mu Jinpei ordered it.]

From the video, it was clear Mu Jinpei’s concern for Xingyao was genuine at that moment, but Ji Changsheng never trusted “seeing is believing.” He instructed Feng Liang to investigate thoroughly and called another person to look into the details.

Within half an hour, Feng Liang hurried back with a report. The fire was caused by the neighbor below Ji Xingyao’s apartment forgetting to turn off the stove. The neighbor was elderly and careless.

According to the community residents, Mu Jinpei had argued with the bodyguards for quite a while. The bodyguards blocked him from going upstairs; two others took the elevator.

Feng Liang also checked related surveillance. After leaving the gallery, Mu Jinpei headed toward the M.K branch. Halfway there, his car made an illegal U-turn. Within two minutes, he got out and ran all the way to the community.

After hearing this, Ji Changsheng nodded. “Prepare yourself. We’re going to the airport immediately.”

Feng Liang left, and the door closed.

Ji Changsheng rubbed his temples and watched the surveillance footage of Mu Jinpei running again. He had to admit, he was somewhat moved. Mu Jinpei’s running speed wasn’t slower than the bodyguards’, running seven or eight kilometers nonstop.

He couldn’t do that.

Soon, the phone rang.

The report on the investigation matched Feng Liang’s findings.

After the call, Ji Changsheng stared at the phone screen, his mind complicated.

Maybe, as Feng Liang said before, even though Mu Jinpei was a Gu family child, he probably didn’t know his own background or the grudges between the Gu and Ji families.

Ji Changsheng calmed himself and called his daughter again. Earlier, the line was busy and he couldn’t get through, unsure if she had inhaled smoke.

Ji Xingyao: “Dad, I’m fine. It’s like breathing in a little smog, no big deal. Aren’t you supposed to be on a business trip? Haven’t boarded yet?”

Ji Changsheng closed his laptop. “I’m leaving now.” He reminded his daughter, “No matter what, you have to get a hospital checkup to be safe.”

Ji Xingyao half-heartedly agreed. Then she saw a figure approaching. She looked up; it was Mu Jinpei. She said to her father, “Let’s talk when you get back from your trip.”

She ended the call and walked toward Mu Jinpei.

Mu Jinpei thought she hadn’t come out because she was too tired to walk, so he asked, “Is your leg hurting?”

Ji Xingyao: “I’m okay.” Coming down from the top floor was indeed tiring, and her legs were sore, but it didn’t affect her ability to walk.

Mu Jinpei bent down and gave her a horizontal hug, lifting her up.