A pond full of blooming flowers, an ultimate addiction.

"Mr. Chi, Morpheus said the Yu family has checked the immigration records." The next day, Lin Kai reported the task assigned by Chi Ruiche.

"Ah."

Chi Ruiche knew that Jiang Yang had finished sending the message, and those people were impatient and wanted to investigate Jiang Yi, so he immediately encrypted and hid it. How could they possibly find it?

"The Yu family sent invitations to the Jiang family, the Chi family, and the Guo and Lü families. The Yu family patriarch will be celebrating his 90th birthday in two days."

Chi Ruiche stopped signing the papers. Yu Yuanhou's actions were far more complex than simply hosting a birthday banquet. Seeing the video call from Jiang Yi, Chi Ruiche's sharp gaze softened, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Chi Ruiche smiled. Lin Kai wondered if there was something wrong with his eyes, but still maintained his professionalism by silently closing the door and leaving the office.

"Che, are you busy?"

After arriving at her residence, Jiang took a hot shower. It was already past midnight in Xi'an. New Zealand is five hours ahead of Xi'an. Perhaps because she was exhausted, she slept soundly. When she woke up, it was 7 a.m. in New Zealand and exactly 2 a.m. in Xi'an. She then video-called Chi Ruiche.

"woke up?"

Chi Ruiche sent her a message but didn't reply, guessing she was probably resting, but the little one slept for a really long time.

Did I bother you?

Chi Ruiche sat in his office, looking into her eyes, and she could still hear the sound of him typing on the keyboard.

"No, I'm done with work."

Chi Ruiche stopped and looked at the little boy, who was still sleepy and whose voice was softer and more hazy than usual.

Jiang Yi put on her coat, and the villa's maid had already prepared dinner. "Miss."

"What did you eat?" Chi Ruiche asked, noticing that Jiang Yi seemed uninterested.

"I pan-fried steak with broccoli."

Jiang Yi stared at the broccoli on the plate, her face falling. Although she always emphasized not to put vegetables in it, as a New Zealander, she stubbornly insisted on healthy eating.

Chi Ruiche watched her cut the steak with interest. The maid brought over a salad, and Jiang Yi ate two pieces of tomato as a token gesture and then stopped eating.

"Aren't you hungry as you watch me eat?"

Jiang picked up a small piece of steak and shook it.

"I'm not some little glutton."

Chi Ruiche looked at her childish expression, and the corners of his mouth kept turning up.

"Mr. Chi, the old chairman is here." Lin Kai knocked on the door.

"Xiao Yi, I'll get back to you later."

"Okay." Jiang Yi also heard the voice and hung up the phone sensibly. Old Chairman, it's Grandpa Chi who's here.

"grandfather."

Chi Ruiche closed his laptop, Lin Kai bowed and left, and instructed his secretary Su Li to pour tea.

Grandpa Chi examined the furnishings, which remained unchanged. "Xiao Che, it's been a long time since you've come home for dinner."

Su Li placed the teacup on the coffee table, Chi Ruiche left his seat, and Grandpa Chi naturally sat down.

Chi Ruiche didn't say much, but glanced at Chi Jing'an who was following behind him, and said, "Second Uncle." The two then sat down on the sofa.

Grandpa Chi married two wives in his lifetime: Grandma Chi, Shi Qiuping, and Liu Fengni.

Shi Qiuping gave birth to three children: her eldest son Chi Jingwen, her second son Chi Jingan, and her third son Chi Jinghui.

The second son, Chi Jing'an, married Guo Jiayujun but had no children. The third son, Jinghui, was engaged to Jiang Qiao, the third daughter of the Jiang family. Later, he was in a car accident and became disabled. Jiang Qiao and her unborn child did not survive.

The eldest son, Jingwen, was in poor health from a young age. He and Wenlan had a son, Chi Ruiche, who became Grandma Chi's only grandson.

Chi Ruiche was born with everyone's expectations on him. Not only did his grandfather cultivate him, but Chi Jingwen was also extremely strict with him, all in order to make him the most suitable successor.

Liu Fengni was the woman Grandpa Chi married in the countryside, and they had two children who were close in age.

Grandpa tried his best to hide it, but the truth couldn't be kept forever. As a result, the strong-willed Grandma Chi fell ill and passed away not long after.

Liu Fengni gave birth to two children, Chi Zhendong and Chi Zhenwei. Chi Zhendong has two sons, Chi Chengting and Chi Chengling, who are about the same age as Chi Ruiche. Chi Zhenwei's son, Chi Chengyu, has just graduated from university.

Have you seen today's news?

Chi Ruiche was raised by his grandfather from a young age. "What do you think about this?"

"This is a good thing for the Chi family."

He doesn't plan to reveal anything about his relationship with Jiang Yi for now, but if he's not mistaken, they'll push him to agree.

“You and Xiao Yi grew up together and have a deep bond.” Grandpa Chi probed Chi Ruiche’s feelings.

“You treat Xiao Yi differently from others.”

Grandpa Chi had undergone eye surgery years ago and always wore sunglasses; his deep-set eyes, hidden behind the sunglasses, stared intently at him.

"Grandpa said that the relationship between the Chi family and the Jiang family must not be severed."

Chi Ruiche lit a cigarette, his sharp eyes rising through the smoke.

"Dad, let's talk about this later. They've been brothers for so many years." Chi Jing'an was straightforward.

Grandpa Chi took a sip of tea and said, "This tea is a bit lacking."

"I think it's alright." Chi Jing'an also took a sip; the tea was emerald green and had a refreshing, sweet aftertaste.

"Yes, Grandpa, I understand."

Chi Ruiche knew, of course, that his grandfather wasn't complaining about the tea. He had already planned to have Jiang Yi stand openly by his side, and now he just needed to go with the flow.

"You need to pay more attention to Grandpa Jiang. Keeping it a secret for so many years isn't going to be easy."

Grandpa Chi couldn't understand why his old friend had made this move. He was probably still grieving the loss of his daughter, and the marriage between Jiang and Chi had always been a source of anxiety for him.

But now, with Jiang Yi's identity suddenly revealed, he has tacitly approved of it. It is likely that there is another hidden reason for Gu Chi's (Grandpa Jiang's name) hospitalization this time.

"Yes." Chi Ruiche stubbed out his cigarette.

"At this Yu family birthday banquet, the entire Xijing is waiting to see what the Chi family's attitude will be." Grandpa Chi picked up his teacup and then put it down again.

“Yes,” Chi Ruiche echoed.

Chi Jing'an took another sip; he was increasingly unable to understand his eldest nephew. He was incredibly cute as a child, and he and his third brother had spent a lot of time playing with him.

But later, the old man personally trained him. While other children were playing, he was arranged to take various courses. When he got a little older, he was taught to handle company business.

Gradually, Chi Ruiche's personality was worn down; he became serious, taciturn, and aloof, keeping everyone at arm's length.

"Let's go."

Grandpa Chi gave him a meaningful look. After seeing Grandpa off, he lit his cigarette again.

Chi Ruiche sent Jiang Yang a message, saying he needed to discuss some things with him in person. He also called Jiang Yi back via video call.

"Grandpa Chi is gone?" Jiang Yi nestled on the sofa, looking at tomorrow's lesson plan.

"Ah."

"Did you come because of me?"

Jiang Yi guessed in a low voice that the entire Xijing circle should know by now.

"Two days later, at the Yu family's birthday banquet, they've chosen a female companion for me?"

Chi Ruiche deliberately provoked her to see how the little fox would react.

"Female companion?"

Jiang Yi's relaxed expression vanished, her displeasure written all over her face. "Is it Liang Simin again?"

Jiang had contact with this woman as soon as he returned, and she was his first thought.

"Hmm!" Chi Ruiche was very satisfied with her expression.

"But I promised my kids I wouldn't have any female companions?" Chi Ruiche feigned a troubled expression.