Chapter 41 Past Events 4 Rebound

"60 million! It seems both distinguished guests tonight share remarkably similar tastes. Isn't that a kind of fate?" The auctioneer's voice brimmed with enthusiasm. "Is 60 million the highest bid for the 'Eye of the Forest' today?"

Guest No. 3: "65 million."

Guest No. 2, without hesitation: "80 million!"

"80 million! Guest No. 2 seems determined to win. Will Guest No. 3 continue bidding?"

"90 million!"

"Alright, 90 million... 100 million!"

The auctioneer smiled, "Bidder No. 2 has offered an excellent price of 100 million. Are there any higher bids?"

The entire hall fell silent. This time, No. 3 also raised an "X" sign to indicate withdrawal.

"Final confirmation: the current highest bid for the 'Eye of the Forest' is 100 million galash. 100 million galash once... 100 million galash twice..."

"100 million galash three times! Congratulations to Guest No. 2 for successfully acquiring the 'Eye of the Forest'! We also extend our gratitude for your contribution to public welfare. Congratulations!!!"

Downstairs, the auction lots proceeded with new items, but inside Box No. 2 in Area A, it was already dead silent. Wen Qi listened to the auction result in disbelief but still felt a sense of relief. Meanwhile, Jian Youan looked pale as death, his mind entirely occupied with how he had ended up with such a wasteful person.

Ji Yaoming chuckled softly and then answered a phone call. "Bring them up... Yes, bring those three items up as well."

Not long after, there was a light knock. After exchanging glances, Jian Youan and Wen Qi watched as Ji Yaoming directly allowed the person to enter—

A whole procession of seven people filed in. The head of the group, who appeared to be the foreman, walked empty-handed at the front. After stopping in front of the three of them, the six people behind naturally lined up in a row. On the trays they held were displayed the items just auctioned: Jian Youan's "old man three-piece set," the all-diamond dark-series bracelet Wen Qi had procured for Wen Lifei, and Ji Yaoming's two items.

"All the items you have procured so far are here. If both of you confirm there are no issues, they will be packaged and delivered to you immediately." The foreman then turned to Ji Yaoming. "Young Master, would you like them packaged or taken directly?"

Ji Yaoming thought for two seconds. "Package them this time. Pick two nicer ones."

The foreman nodded. But one person exclaimed.

"Wait, wait a minute?" Jian Youan pressed Ji Yaoming's shoulders, forcing him to look directly at him. "Young Master? How come I never knew the Ji family had such a family business? So all the money I spent before went into your account?"

Ji Yaoming thought for two seconds. "Didn’t I mention it before?" He added, "It’s from my mother’s side. I only recently took over."

"Feel free to visit if you have anything you’d like to auction in the future. I’ll give you a 20% discount on the handling fee."

"Damn, can’t you just waive the fee entirely? A 20% discount still leaves over 30%! You cutthroat businessman."

"Warm-hearted."

Amid the noise, Wen Qi directly asked the server for the bracelet. He lowered his head, snapped a photo with his phone, and sent a message to Wen Lifei with two words attached: "Gift."

When it came to giving gifts to his sister, Wen Qi had plenty of experience. It wasn’t even troublesome. Gifts for Wen Lifei didn’t need any flashy extras—just one word: quick.

Wen Qi suddenly looked up, his eyes lighting up. "So, are you taking it directly or charging it to the Ji family account?"

"Ji family."

Jian Youan complained, "What’s the point of transferring money from your left hand to your right? Trying to summon Shenlong by rubbing fireballs?"

"That’s different." Ji Yaoming raised an eyebrow but didn’t elaborate.

The remaining auction items were uneventful. The three of them—mainly Jian Youan—went through the recent gossip about celebrities, and then, carrying his father’s three trophies, they left. Reflexively, as they passed by Door No. 3, they instinctively glanced inside and found it empty. The person inside had left at some point.

"What’s wrong?" Ji Yaoming’s voice sounded above him. Wen Qi jumped and shook his head twice. "Nothing. I almost walked into the wrong door when I came back from the restroom earlier. Just instinctively wanted to take a look."

"Whoa," Jian Youan also took two steps back, waving for the butler and entourage to go home first. "I thought you wanted to see who that bidder who kept raising the bids was." He also glanced inside. "Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite curious too."

That’s not something to be curious about. Wen Qi thought.

His phone buzzed twice. Wen Lifei had sent a thumbs-up, praising his effort, followed by a message:

What time are you coming home? Your dad wants to talk about the summer gala in two weeks. (PS: Feel free to stay out longer if you want. I’m not home yet anyway.)

Wen Qi smirked. Ji Yaoming unconsciously glanced at the screen. He thought for half a second but then turned his head away.

"Ah, sorry," Wen Qi put away his phone. "There’s a family meeting tonight. I have to head home early. See you at school tomorrow!"

Jian Youan’s eyes lit up. "Family meeting?! Is Sister Fei going to be there too? Can I come? Let me tag along, buddy... Please... Hey, Ji Yaoming, stop pulling my collar!! I’m choking!!"

Ji Yaoming nodded to Wen Qi. "Take the car at the door. We’ll just grab a taxi later."

"Me, take a taxi?" Jian Youan laughed in disbelief. "Not only are you not calling your family driver to take me home, but you want me to take a taxi? What’s that supposed to mean? If anyone’s taking a taxi, it should be you."

"I’m not taking one. The driver is coming to pick me up."

Jian Youan: "..." He waved to Wen Qi. "Bye, see you tomorrow."

After seeing Wen Qi off, Ji Yaoming dropped Jian Youan off at home. The driver wound its way up to the mountain villa. Watching the scenery quickly receding outside, Ji Yaoming gently stroked the two exquisitely packaged white boxes on his lap—one containing the M1911 and the gemstone, and two others stacked beside his legs, gifts for his mother and sister.

"Young Master, Lieutenant General Ji is outside."

The butler’s reminder came just as expected. Looking toward the entrance, they saw a figure in a military uniform, standing straight-backed, watching them from the doorway.

"Shall I help you take these to your room?"

"No need. I’ll take them up myself."

Holding several gift boxes, Ji Yaoming steadily got out of the car and walked to the entrance, locking eyes with Ji Dufeng.

"Slap—"

The right side of his face burned with pain. Ji Yaoming lowered his eyes and took a step back, ensuring the items in his hands didn’t fall to the ground.

"Bastard!" Ji Dufeng’s forehead veins bulged. "Where have you been? Why didn’t you go to the monitoring center?"

Ji Yaoming looked up expressionlessly, his eyes calm as water. "I went shopping."

The next second, the items in his hands were violently slapped away!

"Can’t you distinguish priorities?" Ji Dufeng’s inherent dominance made him intolerant of anyone acting outside his plans. "Do you have any idea how much impact missing a single dose of the reagent could have?"

Even after such a heavy blow, the gift boxes on the ground remained intact. Ji Yaoming bent down to pick them up again. Though not yet differentiated, Ji Yaoming’s height was already catching up to Ji Dufeng’s. Ji Dufeng glanced at the ground, noticing the familiar packaging, and frowned.

Ji Yaoming, head still lowered, unaware of his change, straightened up and said, "Mother is home today. I hope you’ll mind your image, Lieutenant General Ji. I’ve done everything you asked of me. Please do what you’re supposed to do—be a good father and a good husband."

His voice was steady, as if nothing had just happened.

"I am seriously teaching my son a lesson right now!!" Ji Dufeng’s body trembled. "Stop wasting your time with those two from the Jian and Wen families. You’re not like them. In the future, you will—"

"How am I not like them?" Ji Yaoming interrupted him.

Then, he glanced at the constantly vibrating bracelet on Ji Dufeng’s wrist. "Official business comes first. Don’t delay. We’ll have dinner on our own tonight."

Ji Yaoming turned around calmly, took a step, and closed the door.

He didn’t look back at him again.

"Ji Yaoming, you're back?"

The woman sitting upright in the sandalwood chair put down the yellowed play script in her hand and walked forward with a beaming smile. To others, Shi Yuewei was heaven's darling, blessed by the gods.

At least, that was the case before she married Ji Dufeng.

Her parents had gifted her with striking beauty—almond-shaped eyes paired with delicate eyebrows—and she had differentiated into an S-class Omega, with an indescribable charm in her every move. Though she had experienced hardship in her childhood, surviving by performing on the streets of the slums, that period didn’t last long. She was discovered by chance and introduced to theater and performance, and her debut work, *The Setting Sun*, became an instant hit, making her an overnight sensation.

Ji Dufeng had taken notice of her for that very reason.

He was drawn to her reputation and her beauty.

"Yeah," Ji Yaoming smiled at his mother. "What would you like to eat tonight? I recently learned a new dish—I’ll make it for you. Tell me how it tastes."

But Shi Yuewei paid no attention to what he said, grabbing his school uniform instead. Ji Yaoming was forced to bend down as a cold hand firmly turned his head. The woman’s face instantly turned stern.

"Did he hit you again?"

Ji Yaoming nodded, then added, "It’s okay. I'm not hurt."

"Didn’t I tell you to hit back?" Shi Yuewei's gentle demeanor vanished in an instant. "And what exactly is he making you do? You come home so late every day."

Ji Yaoming didn’t answer, instead picking up the gift boxes. "I went to pick out a gift. See if you like it."

Shi Yuewei frowned, then let out a soft sigh. "Let me get some ice for that later. It’s already swollen."

Ji Yaoming smiled and said okay.

"Brother, brother!!"

Suddenly, his knees were hugged tightly. Looking down, he saw a head of black hair, inherited from their mother, hanging loosely down her back. Behind her stood a worried-looking nanny.

"Oh dear... little one, let’s get you dressed properly before coming down, alright?"

"No!" Ji Yue shouted. "I want to see Ji Yaoming."

"Call me ‘brother,’" Ji Yaoming said, crouching down to pat her head. "Be good and listen to Auntie. Don’t make things difficult for her."

"But I really wanted to see you," Ji Yue mumbled, her voice growing softer as she looked down dejectedly.

"Then I’ll take care of it," Ji Yaoming said, bending to carry her upstairs. After quickly getting her cleaned up, he brought her back down. In the meantime, Shi Yuewei had asked the nanny to fetch some ice.

"Ji Yaoming, are all these for me?"

Ji Yaoming pointed to the smallest of the three gift boxes. "Only that one is yours."

Ji Yue pouted unhappily. "You’re dating someone!"

Ji Yaoming was taken aback.

"No," he said, equal parts amused and annoyed. "Who told you I’m dating someone?"

"Then who else would it be for?"

Without hesitation, Ji Yaoming replied, "For Brother Wen Qi."

Hearing this, Shi Yuewei glanced at her son with an amused smile, remaining silent.

"Ah!" Ji Yue’s eyes lit up. "For Brother Wen! Ji Yaoming, when you go to give it to him, can you take me along?"

Ji Yaoming crossed his arms. "So eager to see Brother Wen, huh?"

"Mm, mm, mm, mm!!"

Ji Yaoming said firmly, "No."

"Aaaah~~~~" Ji Yue threw herself into Shi Yuewei’s arms. "Waaah, Mom, brother is so mean! He won’t let me go play with Brother Wen."

Ji Yaoming: "..." So she only calls him "brother" at times like this, huh?

Shi Yuewei patted her head. "How about Mom takes you to see Brother Wen another time? Just the two of us, without your brother."

"Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm!!"

Watching the two of them teasing him, Ji Yaoming gave a light chuckle. He changed out of his uniform, rolled up his sleeves, and headed toward the kitchen. Suddenly, the whole room started spinning around him. He blinked, trying to steady himself, but the next moment, all he saw were Shi Yuewei and Ji Yue’s anxious faces, their mouths open as if shouting, but no sound came out...

Huh, Ji Dufeng must have hit him too hard, Ji Yaoming thought.

***

When he woke again, his body felt as if it were weighed down with lead. It had never felt so heavy before.

"Hey, there’s someone on the left, someone!!" A noisy voice came from the foot of the bed. A virtual screen was glowing brightly, and two heads were leaning against the bedframe.

What's happening?

"...Ugh, how did I die first again!" Jian Youan sighed dramatically, entrusting the task of clearing the level to the person beside him. "You’re up, buddy..."

The next second, the red screen illuminated two pairs of eyes—six eyes in total.

Wait, what?

"Ghost!!!!"

Jian Youan screamed and practically jumped back several feet, breathing heavily as he stared wide-eyed at Ji Yaoming, who had woken up unnoticed and was now silently sitting behind them.

"You’re too loud," Ji Yaoming frowned, his head still throbbed with discomfort. He rarely got sick, let alone passed out for no reason.

"What are you two doing here?"

Wen Qi quit the game and turned to explain. "You slept through the whole day—did you not know?"

A whole day?

Ji Yaoming froze and quickly looked at the time on the virtual screen.

Wen Qi raised an eyebrow. "You didn’t come to school at all today. We asked your house manager and found out you were sick, so we came to see you."

Ji Yaoming glanced at the sunset outside and the curtains fluttering on the balcony. "How did you get in?"

Wen Qi tilted his chin toward the balcony. "The obvious way."

Jian Youan very cooperatively made a peace sign.

"Oh, right," Wen Qi added, producing two invitations from somewhere. "This year’s summer banquet is at my house. My father insisted I hand-deliver the physical invitations to you two personally. Remember to come in two weeks—don’t be late." "Got it, got it," Jian Youan replied casually. "Just remind me to take my inhibitors then. Unless you want your best friend to make a fool of himself."

Jian Youan was the earliest among them to differentiate, but he had only just passed his first rut cycle two weeks ago and was still unstable, needing suppressants to keep it under control.

Bringing this up, Jian Youan looked back and forth between them: "Hey, what do you think you'll be? Alpha or Omega?"

"Alpha or Omega, probably," Wen Qi said thoughtfully. "After all, both my father and mother have high designations, so it could go either way."

"Beta," Ji Yaoming's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Both Jian Youan and Wen Qi were taken aback, especially Jian Youan: "What are you thinking? If you were a beta, could you even stay in the Ji family? Doesn't Lieutenant General Ji hate betas and Omegas?"

Ji Yaoming forced a smile. Though his face was still pale, his gaze toward Wen Qi was as clear as spring water: "Then I'll have to trouble you two to support me."

"That's called adoption, you crazy," Jian Youan rolled his eyes. "Sickness really messes with your head."

"Recently, multiple incidents of small alien creature invasions have been discovered on Hailait Planet. These incidents have resulted in 4 deaths and 7 injuries. Citizens are advised to avoid going out unless necessary. If you must go out, remain vigilant. If you encounter any suspected alien creatures, call for help immediately, escape to a safe location, and wait quietly for rescue."

Jian Youan tsk'd twice.

"Hailait Planet's defense system is the best in the galaxy. How can they not even handle the small ones?"

Wen Qi merely glanced at the news before lowering his head again, fiddling with something on his phone: "Someone will take care of it, don't worry. Speaking of which, where should we hang out in a couple of days? Vacation starts tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, Wen Qi dismissed his own idea: "Never mind, I have training every day anyway. I might as well just 'travel' in your family's training ground." He nudged the frowning Jian Youan.

"Ah!!! Come on, who would want to go to that stuffy, deathly boring place?"

"I have to go too," Ji Yaoming chimed in.

Jian Youan: "...Even if both of you go, I'm not going. I'm not like you two, aiming for Hailait University. I'm going to be a carefree slacker."

Wen Qi and Ji Yaoming: "...As long as you're happy."

Ji Yaoming remembered the gift he hadn't had time to put away and was about to tell Wen Qi he was going to fetch it. But as soon as he opened his mouth, a strange, metallic taste flooded his throat. He swallowed twice.

"Wen Qi, could you go to the wardrobe—"

Gush—

Bright red blood stained the floor. Ji Yaoming leaned over the edge of the bed, trembling hands staring in disbelief.

"Ji Yaoming!!" It was Wen Qi.

"Ji Yaoming, open your eyes..." It was Jian Youan.

Gush—

Another mouthful of blood. He struggled to prop himself up, but his arms lacked strength. His body was burning with an unnatural heat, as if something were gnawing at him from the inside.

Running footsteps approached quickly. The next moment, an authoritative voice ordered:

"Contact the researchers! Get him to the monitoring center now, immediately! Hurry!!"