I think my luck is turning around.

"First of all, let me state that I have no employment contract with Le Si Fang, and I do not belong to Le Si Fang, understand, Mr. Ji?"

An Ge deliberately emphasized the last form of address, and Ji Xia looked at An Ge, genuinely surprised that she would say that.

What is she doing? How could Mr. Ji not get the person he wants? It's just a matter of methods. Everyone around was thinking the same thing. This person in front of them wasn't an ordinary person; she was Ji Xia, who could control everything!

No matter how impressive his title was, in An Ge's eyes he was a bully.

"Perhaps we should talk again."

An Ge made the request, and Ji Xia didn't refuse, but simply turned and went back into the private room. Seeing An Ge sit down again, Ji Xia also returned to her seat opposite her.

“We should have followed the same social rules, and I believe you will respect my rights.”

An Ge's words were indeed a bit too confident. Ji Xia merely glanced at her.

"You're being a bit too presumptuous, and besides, do you really not know where I am?"

"Your position? It's nothing more than being the number one person in the world! Such empty fame is your business, but after I die, you'll have even fewer talented people to use."

"You... indeed, I won't touch you, but you must take full responsibility for Ji Ran's problem."

Was An Ge too confident in herself? No, An Ge knew her own identity and that what the other side wanted was simply her, the person with the ability to read books.

But how did the Book of Peeping come about? It came about through its owner, and only the owner could obtain the information. One could say that the Book of Peeping is an independent entity, but it simply needs a medium.

An Ge naturally agreed with Ji Xia's words, since the advantage of being in full charge was that she could completely control the direction of the story. However, whether Ji Ran would feel uncomfortable was another matter.

"Of course I will. That's my job—to push the storyline forward. So now Ji Ran can see her mother, right?"

Ji Xia was naturally aware of An Ge's renewed mention of your storyline, but her restless heart still couldn't stop.

"Are you really going to do this? The Su family's fate is sealed; they'll soon decline!"

"These are all decisions you make. Decline, how it will decline, and to what extent it will decline are all up to you! Remember, you have the power to change the course of events."

An Ge's words were calm, yet resolute. This was guidance! Guiding Ji Xia onto a controllable path, but how Ji Xia would choose was left to chance, one step at a time!

"No matter what happens to the Su family, Ji Ran must not be affected in any way! Absolutely not!"

Ji Xia's emotions began to surge. Was this truly her genuine emotion, or was she putting on an act for An Ge? An Ge couldn't tell, but she couldn't help but become wary.

"In any case, Ji Ran needs to get involved in order to break the deadlock. If she doesn't get involved, how can we break the deadlock? I will ask Ji Ran for her thoughts and then come up with a suitable solution."

Ji Xia didn't know what expression she should make, so she just sat there expressionless, but she couldn't hide her trembling hands.

It's not that Ji Xia doesn't trust An Ge, it's that she lacks trust!

"I hope."

Ji Xia was powerless to stop her now. He had taught Ji Ran to be free, to have relative freedom in all her actions, thoughts, and marriages.

Freedom is rare in this era, but Ji Ran absolutely possesses it. At this moment, Ji Xia will no longer stop her; Ji Ran in that state would not be free.

Ji Ran met her mother, but it was Lan Hui who saw Ji Ran when she entered Le Si Fang. Ji Ran sat there, looking at the person in front of her.

She should have been a wealthy woman nearing forty, but she looked so old, visibly aged. One can only imagine the hardships Lan Hui had endured over the years, but now she had finally seen the daughter she had longed for day and night.

At first glance, it was clear that this was her daughter; no further tokens of proof were needed.

Lan Hui burst into tears at that moment, and she cried genuinely. She had never dared to cry before, fearing that her daughter had really met with some misfortune. But now that her daughter was right in front of her, she could no longer hold back her tears.

"Li'er, my daughter."

She was originally a dignified lady, but at this moment she was so indifferent to how improper her manners were.

Standing to the side, Sugami's eyes also welled up with tears. She was truly happy at this moment, truly happy for her mother, and truly happy that her sister was safe and sound.

"Li'er, I'm so glad you're alright. We should head back now, we have to go..."

Lan Hui clearly hadn't finished speaking, but she couldn't say it! Sending her daughter home was unreasonable and impossible. Did she really not know how terrible the Su family was?

She just didn't want to pay attention to her, but she also wanted to see her daughter more often. Lan Hui looked at Ji Ran gently, while Ji Ran sat there somewhat awkwardly.

"I hope you take good care of yourself, Mother. I will visit you when I have time."

Ji Ran's words, spoken after careful consideration, naturally delighted Lan Hui. However, this Su family was off-limits, but the Qingshan Temple to the south was a good place.

"Good child, I'm happy that you're thinking of me. I often go to Qingshan Temple, which is only ten miles to the south. The scenery there is quite nice. You can go and visit it when you have time."

I often spend time there because I need peace and quiet.

Everyone present understood the blatant implication, but no one said anything.