Before he died, my grandfather forced me to marry the richest man in the capital.

The hot pot gathering has ended.

On the way back, the Maybach drove smoothly toward Yixinyuan. The man held the woman's hand in one hand, and a pair of rings that sparkled in the darkness found their place.

After gazing at the passing scenery outside the window for a while, Tang Junyao looked away, glanced down at the man holding her tightly, and asked, "You really don't like Brother Su Yu?"

Ji Hancheng's eyes flickered. Looking ahead, he turned the steering wheel with one hand, swerving the car onto another road. He opened his mouth and said, "Do you think I could fall for someone who has designs on my wife?"

He must have a huge heart. If he can accept this, he's not just a prime minister with a belly that can hold a boat, he can hold a villa.

It's impossible for us to like each other; avoiding a fight is already the best outcome.

Tang Junyao rolled her eyes at him where he couldn't see, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just hope that you won't let my actions worsen the conflict. He has never said that he likes me. In my eyes, he is just my brother. I explained this to you last time."

"Furthermore, he has helped me a lot. Whether it's out of friendship or as a brother, I owe him. I'm not saying this to make you thank him like I do, but simply because I don't want things to get too tense between you two."

On one hand, Su Xue is her best friend, and Su Yu is like an older brother to her. Now that Ji Hancheng is her husband, she hopes that they can get along well, and even if they can't, she hopes that things won't get any worse.

She wouldn't force Ji Hancheng to treat Su Yu any way; she just hoped they wouldn't clash.

Ji Hancheng squeezed her palm with one hand, very satisfied with Tang Junyao's answer. A smile played in his eyes as he slowly said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to him since he hasn't confessed yet. I'll take your feelings into consideration."

Tang Junyao: "............"

The car arrived at the parking lot of Yixinyuan.

Ji Hancheng was in a good mood and leaned over to carefully help her unbuckle her seatbelt. Just then, his phone, which was on the car's center console, rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

After unbuckled his seatbelt, Ji Hancheng sat back down, picked up his phone, hesitated for a few seconds before answering, listening intently while looking at Tang Junyao.

He didn't say a word, not even a twitch of his lips. The call lasted only a few seconds, and he didn't know who was on the other end or what they said. His face remained expressionless. After hanging up, he smiled and said in a conciliatory tone, "Honey, something's come up. Can you go upstairs first? I'll be right back."

Tang Junyao wasn't the coy type, nor was she the clingy, submissive kind. She readily agreed and added, "Okay, be careful."

Ji Hancheng leaned down again and kissed her eyes. "Goodbye, wife."

Tang Junyao got out of the car and walked towards the elevator. After entering the elevator, he checked the surveillance footage on his phone. Only after seeing Tang Junyao enter the suite did he turn off his phone, put it back in the center console, and start the car again.

Ji Group.

There were hardly any people left in the company at this time. The security guard at the door was very uneasy when he saw the boss walking towards them.

After all, the boss hadn't worked overtime for a long time and rarely came to Ji's in the evenings. This sudden visit—was it to check up on them? This made those still on duty tonight wonder, fearing they might have done something wrong.

It's like a mouse's first reaction upon seeing a cat; regardless of whether it has done anything wrong, it will react in the most genuine way.

Fear, wanting to run away.

"President Ji!" the security guards called out in unison, their voices loud and clear, as if afraid of being criticized for lacking presence.

Ji Hancheng was in a good mood today. Although he didn't smile, he surprisingly responded with, "Yeah, you've worked hard."

security guard:"............."

The boss is possessed by a ghost.

After walking a few steps, Ji Hancheng seemed to remember the purpose of his visit and said to the receptionist on duty, "Whoever comes to see me later, take them directly to my office."

The receptionist stood ramrod straight, sporting a standard professional smile. "Yes, Mr. Ji."

Ji Hancheng didn't even glance at the receptionist's face. Adhering to male virtues, he gave his instructions and strode into the private elevator, leaving the security guard and the receptionist looking at each other.

None of them reacted to Ji Hancheng's politeness.

The only reason they could think of was that President Ji had been "trained" by the boss's wife.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the office door. Ji Hancheng remained unfazed, calmly making coffee and casually replying, "Come in."

The receptionist opened the door after hearing permission from inside. A moment later, a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses walked in. He was about the same height as Ji Hancheng, but much more refined and gentle, and seemed like a very easy person to get along with.

The man glanced at Ji Hancheng, who was still making coffee, and sat down on the sofa. His hand, adorned with a light blue watch, unbuttoned his suit jacket.

Ji Hancheng kindly placed a cup of freshly ground coffee in front of the man, his politeness tinged with a hint of feigned politeness, "Try it. It's your first time here, I can't not even give you a glass of water."

The man didn't seem to mind, and naturally accepted it, his tone revealing neither liking nor disliking, "Should I say thank you?"

Ji Hancheng sat down opposite him, his legs crossed, the shirt buttons at his wrists undone, looking languid and unrestrained. He held a cup of coffee in his ringed hand. "Out of manners, you should say thank you, but I'm a generous person and won't hold it against you. You don't have to say it."

Upon hearing this, the man picked up his coffee, took a sip, and automatically ignored Ji Hancheng's words, commenting, "Not bad."

Ji Hancheng didn't care about his opinion. He took a sip, the ring on his finger was unusually dazzling under the light, and asked bluntly, "You like my wife."

It is an affirmative sentence.

The man didn't answer, but took another sip of his coffee, glancing around the office before pushing up the frame of his glasses with his index finger and thumb.

Ji Hancheng continued, pressing his chest to his lips, "Su Yu, I'm actually quite curious. I can tell you've liked my wife for a while now, so why don't you just confess?"

"Should I say you're calm and patient, or cowardly?"

These words stung Su Yu, who had been restraining himself. He finally put down his coffee, clasped his hands tightly on his lap, and with a hidden wound in his eyes, slowly said, "Would you feel better if I said Yao Yao didn't like me?"

You can tell if someone likes you from their eyes. Su Yu was very cautious. Just like Ji Hancheng said, he could have confessed long ago. It wasn't just a year or two ago. He had missed so many opportunities to confess. But all he ever saw in Yao Yao's eyes was the look a younger sister had for her older brother, nothing more.

Many people can't be friends after being rejected, but he would rather secretly stay by her side like a younger sister than let Yao Yao distance herself from him.

It was only after he saw Ji Hancheng's proposal video that he realized he was wrong. You have to fight for what you like. If you're too cautious and overthink it, you'll miss out forever.

He was cowardly in this regard, and even more so after Yao Yao became pregnant. He was so cowardly that he couldn't even take a single step forward, putting the Su family first. Now, what reason does he have to say he loves her?

When he saw Yao Yao again that evening, he didn't even have the courage to greet her. He gave a self-deprecating laugh and said, "I guess I'm not worthy of loving her anymore."

Ji Hancheng noticed his disappointment, but his mood improved considerably. He took pity on him and said, "You do feel better now. Before we came, Yao Yao told me not to be confrontational with you. Considering how you've always taken care of her, I want to say thank you. This is sincere, so you can accept it without worry."

Su Yu gave a bitter smile, raised her head, and met his gaze. "If I said that I've always been so good to her because I had the intention of marrying her, you would thank me."

Ji Hancheng wasn't angry. He curled his lips and said, "Your plans are futile. She's my wife. Do you prefer married women?"

Su Yu was speechless, unable to utter a single word.

The large office was quiet; for a moment, no one spoke.

After a long pause, Ji Hancheng finally spoke, "I heard you've been working on the furniture market lately?"

Su Yu's clenched hands gradually loosened, as if he had let go of his worries. "President Ji, you seem to be quite well-informed. How about we cooperate? You can take a stake, and I can borrow the dock resources."

Ji Hancheng's eyes remained calm and indifferent, showing no interest whatsoever. He countered with a question, "Is this your second purpose for coming to me today? The Su family is truly fortunate to have you as their heir, someone who can take things in stride."

The Imperial Capital Wharf is controlled by Han Yue and him, which is why Su Yu had to seek cooperation with him today. Only by making appropriate concessions can he expand his future.

After a moment, Ji Hancheng refused without hesitation, "However, I am unwilling."

Just as Su Yu was about to persuade him, Ji Hancheng spoke up again, "You can cooperate directly with Han Yue, but the offer you make has to be attractive to him."

Ji Hancheng continued to rub salt in the wound, "I'm petty and possessive of my food. I don't want Yao Yao to have much contact with you."

Yao Yao now comes to the Ji family occasionally, and whenever they cooperate, Su Yu and Yao Yao will run into each other.

Su Yu: You're really petty. I thought I had made things clear.

"I don't have a penchant for stealing married women. After all, she's treated me like an older brother for so many years. Before I get cocky, I need to remind myself to treat her well. If you ever treat her badly, I'll still hold you accountable."

Without even thinking, Ji Hancheng blurted out, "You're overthinking it. Instead of wasting time, you should be thinking about how to make empty promises to Han Yue."

Su Yu: What exactly does Yao Yao see in him? There's not a single thing about him that I find pleasing to the eye.

The next second, Ji Hancheng kindly said, "I'll put in a good word for Han Yue, consider it as repaying Yao Yao's kindness to you."

Once the debt of gratitude is repaid, the debt is truly settled. This man is incredibly petty; he calculates everything so clearly.

Su Yu neither answered his question nor said yes.

Of course, Ji Hancheng stopped talking. Looking at Su Yu's lonely figure, he felt no sympathy. There were some things he could not back down on, and Yao Yao was his bottom line.

Some say that the more outstanding a man is, the more he needs to take the initiative to pursue him. No one will wait for you to have the courage, to take the first step, or to figure things out.

He is a good example.

Su Yu was ultimately cowardly and too hesitant.

This may be why he lost Yao Yao.