Chapter 2- The Wealthy Heiress and Her Childhood Sweetheart(2)

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Chapter 2

Early Morning.

When Zheng Jiayue woke up, the spot next to her was already empty. She smiled to herself, happiness flashing in her eyes as she got up, washed, and walked to the kitchen.

Ji Yang had bought this apartment close to her school so it would be convenient for her to visit—just a five-minute drive away.

The man was in the kitchen, dressed in pajamas, flipping eggs with a spatula. He looked focused, graceful, and steady in his movements. No matter how many times she saw this, Zheng Jiayue was still fascinated.

She stepped forward, wrapped her arms around his slim waist, and pressed her cheek to his back, her voice soft, “A-Yang…”

“Mm?” Ji Yang turned the heat down, moved the eggs to a bowl, and looked at her with an indulgent smile in his eyes. “Hurry and eat breakfast, or you’ll be late again.”

He was three years older than her and had already graduated, while she was still in college.

“Well, that’s your fault.” She released him, pouting, and when he turned to face her, she tilted her head and teased, “It’s all your fault for keeping me up so late!”

“My fault.” Ji Yang nodded, his lips curving slightly. “I spoil you too much, letting you get away with mischief.”

Memories of the previous night flashed through her mind, making her cheeks flush. A glint of mischief appeared in her eyes, and suddenly, she wrapped her legs around him, clinging to him like a koala, her face full of playful defiance. “Say that again!”

“Wouldn’t dare.” Ji Yang laughed, holding her to make sure she didn’t fall as he carried her to the dining table. After a few trips back and forth to bring everything over, he set her down on a chair and handed her a glass of milk. “Drink this first.”

Knowing when to stop, Zheng Jiayue took the glass, smiling as she took a sip. “Alright.”

They were eating breakfast when Zheng Jiayue spoke up, “Ning Wen asked me to go shopping with her tonight. I might stay at the dorm; she wants to buy a dress for my birthday party, so I’m planning to take her to get one custom-made.”

“No.” Ji Yang refused firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I don’t want to be left alone tonight. Your last class ends at five-thirty; I expect you back here by six.”

This kind of “threat” didn’t bother Zheng Jiayue at all; he could never stay angry at her and was always gentle, often coaxing her more than anything else.

“I’m serious.” Seeing her laughing, he put on a more serious expression. “Sweetheart, I’m not joking.”

Zheng Jiayue took a bite of toast, still smiling at him. “But I already promised her.”

Her heart felt warm seeing A-Yang acting so adorable, and she couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“Is she paying for the custom dress?” Ji Yang asked.

“She doesn’t have the money. You forgot she’s an orphan, and she…”

“An orphan who uses high-end skincare products, wears branded clothes, and goes to fancy restaurants? And she plans to wear a custom dress to the party?” Ji Yang interrupted, his tone slow and deliberate.

“I gave her a few things,” Zheng Jiayue explained.

“And what about the things you didn’t give her? If you hadn’t given her anything, would she settle for cheap stuff?” Ji Yang continued to ask.

Zheng Jiayue fell silent.

“People have their own standards of living. Are you planning to support her lifestyle forever? Are you raising her standard of living or dragging her into a world she doesn’t belong to? Are you helping her or harming her?”

Complex emotions flickered in Zheng Jiayue’s eyes as she looked at him. “A-Yang, you used to say it was fine since she and I are close.”

“I don’t like her,” Ji Yang said bluntly. “She’s too opportunistic and approached you with hidden motives. I don’t like anyone trying to manipulate you. When I was at the company, I saw her getting close to my brother. Jiayue, keep your distance from her.”

Through her connection with Zheng Jiayue, Ning Wen had secured an internship at Ji Corporation, where she’d started getting involved with Ji Wei. Even if Ji Yang hadn’t seen it firsthand, it was clear from the timing that they had long been scheming together.

Hearing this, Zheng Jiayue was stunned, unable to believe it. “Really?”

Ji Wei was cunning and had often tried to trip up her A-Yang.

“Mm.” Ji Yang nodded. He knew that Ning Wen had spent years earning Jiayue’s trust, so he didn’t expect a few words to undo it, but he wanted her to be a little cautious.

Zheng Jiayue’s expression grew troubled. “I shouldn’t have let her intern at your company. If she causes you any trouble, I’ll feel guilty.”

Ji Yang shook his head, offering comfort, “It’s okay.”

Looking at him, Zheng Jiayue was already forming a plan in her mind. When it came to him, she always became extra cautious.

The Next Evening, City Center Plaza.

“Jiayue, I think the dresses over there look better.” Dressed in a simple white dress, Ning Wen looked demure and delicate as she spoke to the person beside her.

“The custom shop on the eighth floor?” Zheng Jiayue thought about it. “They have a new store up there with really nice clothes.”

“Yes! Last time I helped you pick out a suit for Ji Yang there; he looked so elegant and distinguished in it, didn’t he say so himself?” Ning Wen leaned in with a smile, “He’s so lucky to have someone as thoughtful and sweet as you.”

“Stop talking nonsense.” Zheng Jiayue chided lightly, though the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Her A-Yang looked good in anything he wore.

“Come on, let’s go up! I want to order a dress, too. I can’t embarrass you at your birthday party.” Ning Wen urged, adding, “Oh, and I already bought your birthday gift! I saved up my part-time earnings for a long time. It’s my heartfelt gift, so you can’t refuse.”

“Alright.” Zheng Jiayue smiled softly, though Ji Yang’s words from last night suddenly came to mind, making her eyebrows furrow slightly. If Ning Wen had saved for so long for the gift, where was she getting the money for a high-end custom dress?

Inside the store, Ning Wen was trying on a long dress with floral patterns, directing the staff with confidence, “I want embellishments here, and pleats on the skirt; the back should have elegant details, and the waist should be fitted…”

A custom dress costing over 100,000. In the past, Zheng Jiayue wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but after Ji Yang’s comments last night, she found herself looking at Ning Wen with a hint of scrutiny, her brows knitting slightly.

She had money, but she wasn’t a fool. Usually, she felt these expenses were minor, not worth the hassle, and thought that as long as everyone was happy, it was fine.

While Ning Wen was in the fitting room, Zheng Jiayue’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, and immediately got up, heading out in a hurry without a word.

At the hospital room doorway, Zheng Jiayue could hear Yin Rong’s voice inside, speaking in a lecturing tone. “Xiao Yang, why did you get into a fight with your brother? Fighting at work is terrible—it’s so embarrassing for the employees to witness. Whatever the issue, we should resolve it at home; there’s no need to get physical.”

Hearing this, Zheng Jiayue’s heart dropped. She heard Ji’s father’s angry voice next: “You’re the general manager, and I was even planning to recommend you for the CEO position at the next board meeting! Is this your idea of effort? You’re not considering the big picture at all!”

“A-Yang!” Zheng Jiayue couldn’t stand it anymore and burst in, pretending she had just arrived. Seeing the bruise at the corner of Ji Yang’s mouth, she immediately felt a surge of anger and pain.

“Jiayue, what brings you here?” Yin Rong’s expression tightened, feigning surprise.

“What happened here? Why is A-Yang hurt?” she asked worriedly, looking at Ji Yang, and then indignantly demanded, “Who hit him so hard? Do they have any conscience?”

Ji’s father’s face grew uneasy, and Yin Rong’s expression stiffened as she spoke directly, “Xiao Yang hit Xiao Wei. He’s lying in a hospital bed on the second floor, complaining of pain, undergoing a full examination, and we don’t even know where he’s injured. Aunt isn’t taking sides, it’s just that the impact isn’t good. Even between blood brothers, there should be mutual understanding and tolerance. Why resort to physical fights?”

Thinking of her own son crying out in pain, she wanted nothing more than to tear Ji Yang apart. In her mind, Ji Yang’s mother had disrupted her own happiness, though she’d conveniently forgotten that she herself had secretly given birth to a child to trap Ji’s father, drawn by the wealth of Ji Yang’s grandfather and hoping for a life of comfort.

“There must be some misunderstanding. A-Yang would never hit someone without a reason. Something really awful must have happened!” Zheng Jiayue looked at the two of them, her tone full of trust.

Ji Yang sat on the hospital bed, with his father and Yin Rong standing beside him. Zheng Jiayue couldn’t hold back her temper any longer and raised her voice, questioning their intentions and standing up for Ji Yang.

Ji Wei was always like this—he’d cause trouble, then hide away, leaving Ji Yang to bear the brunt of their father’s anger. As a result, the father-son relationship had only worsened over time, and Ji Wei would swoop in to take advantage afterward.

“Xiao Wei said Xiao Yang started it, and Xiao Yang was just too impulsive.” Yin Rong pretended to be generous, looking over at Ji Yang. “I’ll talk to Xiao Wei later. He’s the older brother, and it was wrong of him to hit you. He should come and apologize to you. Brothers should support each other, not come to blows.”

First, she framed it as though Ji Yang started the fight, then she suggested that Ji Wei should apologize. Ji’s father’s face darkened, recalling how he had always been made to feel inferior ever since he married Ji Yang’s mother.

If Ji Wei had to bow his head, didn’t that mean he, too, had to bow his head?

Zheng Jiayue’s expression turned cold, and she said in a low voice, “Aunt, don’t you think it’s a little early to talk about who should apologize? Even if A-Yang threw the first punch, shouldn’t we ask what Ji Wei did to make him so angry? My guess is that he must have used his usual filthy mouth; he’s never managed to change that bad habit!”

“Ridiculous!” Ji’s father yelled angrily, “We are the elders, and you’re the junior. How can you speak to your elders like this? Where are your manners? If Ji Yang threw the first punch, he’s in the wrong! Who are you to lecture us? Can a girl like you even be accepted into the Ji family?”

His words struck a nerve in Zheng Jiayue. Her face changed, but she stubbornly stood in front of Ji Yang.

Yin Rong, seeing Zheng Jiayue visibly shaken as though her throat had been caught, felt a surge of satisfaction, her lips curling slightly. Ji’s father was beginning to see Zheng Jiayue as a reflection of Ji Yang’s mother back in the day, resenting Ji Wei simply for coming from humble beginnings like himself.

So what if she was a rich heiress or a business prodigy? One day, she’d pave the way for her own son!

“Jiajia.” Ji Yang stood up, took her hand, and interlocked their fingers. He faced his father with a stern expression, showing no intention of backing down. “What she said is true. Besides, I’m the one marrying her, not the Ji family. Father, in the future, please avoid saying things that would make us a laughingstock.”

Ji’s father choked, his face turning pale with anger, his fury building up inside.

Ji Yang continued, “It was wrong of me to fight, but my brother has gone too far. This project has just shown some progress, yet my brother keeps sabotaging me behind the scenes, spreading rumors about my incompetence. After working overtime for so long, I’m now at risk of losing all my effort. I can’t bear this burden anymore.”

“Since my brother is so capable, I propose to resign as general manager and suggest that father appoint him to take over.”

Zheng Jiayue stood there, stunned, letting him lead her.

Ji’s father’s eyes widened in disbelief. His once-docile, obedient son had learned to resist? His first reaction was pure anger, a desire to crush him completely, so he shouted, “Fine, if you have the guts, then don’t ever come back! If you walk out that door, don’t expect me to consider you my son!”

Yin Rong, too, was shaken, but she was confident that Ji Yang would eventually return. Then, Ji’s father would be a bit kinder, and he’d keep working tirelessly for them, expecting nothing in return.

But Ji Yang’s expression remained unchanged. Holding Zheng Jiayue’s hand, he walked out without sparing them another glance, not even pausing in his steps, disappearing from their sight.

Ji’s father and Yin Rong were left completely dumbfounded.