Chapter 40 The Next Task

Airport.

Secretary Chen hung up the phone and reported to the person sitting by the window: "Yanfeng's cash flow is in serious trouble. Xu Weibing had a meal with President Zhou a few days ago, likely leveraging your name to secure a fraudulent loan. He managed to secure a significant investment from the bank these past couple of days."

Yanfeng was a company Xu Qiting built while relying on the Sun family's influence, and it was also the pledge of allegiance he presented to the old man to secure his position. Xu Qiting, young and capable, was the shining star the old man boasted about everywhere, making him stand out early among the second-generation elites in the business world.

Now, compared to those days, it's no longer the same. Without the Sun family's behind-the-scenes support, it's impossible for Xu Weibing and Xu Qiting to create a second Yanfeng. They are unwilling to let go, unable to make the painful cut, and can only get stuck deeper in the mud.

Secretary Chen: "With this money, Yanfeng's projects can move forward more easily, and they can be happy for a while."

However, this money was secured because of Xu Huaiting's influence. Outsiders are unaware of the internal dynamics of the Xu Family. To them, it's all one family, indivisible. For Xu Huaiting's sake, they have to give Xu Weibing and his son some face. Someone like Xu Qiting would see this as nothing but 'charity,' and he probably wants to tear Xu Huaiting limb from limb.

Xu Huaiting seemed unfazed: "Let them have their fun for a while longer. Once they've had their fill of joy and give back what they took from me, then it'll be their turn to feel the pain."

A message popped up on his phone.

Xu Huaiting glanced at it casually, then his gaze fixed.

Secretary Chen watched as the man, who had just had a cold glint in his eyes, now rested his chin on his hand, the corner of his lips curling up as he gave a short chuckle.

His fingertip tapped the screen, as if encountering something very interesting, kept tapping the screen to keep it from dimming.

The midday sun bathed the man in a black coat in a golden light, making him appear remarkably tall and well-built, and unexpectedly soft.

How could he laugh while discussing such serious matters?

Secretary Chen pretended to take a casual look at his boss's phone screen.

He sat up, puzzled. The message seemed pretty mundane. What was so amusing?

Xu Huaiting's mood had clearly improved, and he kept glancing at his phone now and then.

He covered his mouth with his hand, masking his grin: "Secretary Chen, I might be getting married soon."

Secretary Chen: "?"

When? To whom? Young Master Chi? That's not possible, is it? He only gave you a polite greeting earlier? Did you even get his approval?

Before boarding the plane, the phone dinged again.

Xu Huaiting quickly took out his phone.

"I will also work hard to keep an eye on my second brother and your nephew. Please rest assured, boss. With me around, they will definitely not succeed!"

Xu Huaiting stared at this message over and over.

"Mr. Xu?" The flight attendant cautiously spoke up.

Xu Huaiting: "It's nothing."

He sat down in his seat, his face wooden as he sent a reply: "Don't work too hard, don't tire yourself out."

After some thought, he added another message: "Let me know before you do anything, and absolutely no drugging."

Seeing the other party reply with an "okay," Xu Huaiting put away his phone.

He then remembered something and asked Secretary Chen: "Where's Meng Yao?"

Secretary Chen: "Meng Yao said he wants to stay there; if Chi Jue doesn’t leave, he won’t leave either."

Xu Huaiting: "Always following someone around, doesn’t he realize he’s being a nuisance? Send him back to Beijing, and let Viola know Meng Yao needs extra training."

Not sure what Meng Yao did to upset Mr. Xu this time, Secretary Chen silently pitied him.

"Alright, sir."

Xu Huaiting closed his eyes.

By the time the plane lands, he’ll get Ye Man’s test results.

...

The doctor spoke privately with Chi Yan and Chi Jue first.

The translator accompanying them conveyed the doctor’s words: "...If they had operated right after the injury, there might have been a chance to restore vision to about thirty percent of its original level. Currently, considering the patient’s quality of life, we advise against surgery, as it could just cause needless pain. Medication can slow the progression to total blindness and help him adapt to his future life as soon as possible, which would be the most beneficial for the patient."

The room felt heavy with tension.

Chi Jue’s face went pale.

"He’s only nineteen."

He just turned nineteen.

Translator: "The doctor said he’s sorry, but there’s nothing he can do."

Chi Jue, too young and confused, stayed silent, so Chi Yan thanked the doctor politely.

When they came out, Ye Man sat on the sofa, listening to a message from the big shot.

He nodded as he listened.

Chi Jue wasn’t sure how to tell him, so Chi Yan walked up to him, called him Xiao Man, and looking at his younger brother’s clueless face, his throat tightened.

But he told him exactly what the doctor said.

Chi Jue wondered if Ye Man could handle it, whether he would be very sad, and whether they should hold off on telling him the worst outcome, but after considering these scenarios, Chi Yan chose to tell him directly.

What Chi Jue was worried about didn’t happen; Ye Man just said "Oh" calmly.

At this moment, he seemed very calm, not making a fuss or showing weakness, as if he had just heard something very ordinary.

Chi Yan: "But you’ll still need to undergo some conservative treatments, requiring you to apply medication on time, get check-ups, and do massage and eye exercises."

Ye Man: "Is it really necessary? I don’t think it’s necessary."

Chi Yan: "It is necessary."

Ye Man scratched his hand: "Alright, it’s not my idea, it’s big brother’s."

Chi Yan: "It’s my request."

Chi Jue watched them, both calm and composed, and suddenly felt that the two were somewhat similar.

Chi Yan went to get the medicine, and Chi Jue squatted in front of Ye Man, took a deep breath, and said, "Sorry, Xiao Man."

Ye Man tilted his head, showing confusion.

Chi Jue ruffled his hair, "It's just that... when you first came home, I wasn't very patient with you, and sometimes I wasn't very nice..."

Chi Jue tried to make sense of his situation and the problems he encountered, managing his family relationships and the series of changes that came with it. But occasionally, he couldn't help but lose patience and become irritable due to the tangled mess of circumstances.

Xiao Man was innocent.

The more he dwelled on it, the more upset he got.

Chi Jue felt like his chest was about to burst.

Ye Man still didn't get it.

He didn't think Chi Jue's attitude was bad; wasn't it him who had been bullying him all along?

"Brother Tong! Look, there's an idiot here!"

"I've been walking all over him, and he's still apologizing to me. Brother Tong, I've been so successful, shouldn't you give me a couple more points?"

The system looked at the energetic host, paused, and then spoke softly, "Yes, he's an idiot, and I've added the points for you."

Ye Man's face was about to split into a grin.

He wasn't one to quit while he was ahead. As soon as Chi Jue gave in, he immediately took advantage, and while Brother Tong wasn't around, he leaned over and whispered, "I won't forgive you. You'll have to let me push you around forever."

Chi Yan returned, holding an ice cream cone, and placed it in Ye Man's hand. Ye Man happily took a lick.

"Xiao Man, you've got ice cream on your hand. Hold it out." Chi Jue grabbed a tissue.

"Oh." Ye Man stretched out his hand for Chi Jue to wipe it.

As Chi Jue wiped, he somehow started chuckling softly, "Then you can happily push me around forever."

Ye Man stopped mid-lick.

"Damn it, he's faking it! He must be faking it! He must be seething inside!"

"Sigh..." the system said sympathetically, "Don't choke."

After the check-up, the three Chi brothers got ready to fly back.

On the way, Chi Jue casually asked how Ye Man's eyes got hurt.

But whenever this came up, Ye Man would dodge the question and just refused to talk about it.

"If someone messed with you, you can tell your second brother, and I'll secretly get someone to help you get back at them."

Ye Man suddenly grabbed Chi Jue's wrist, unusually serious, and said with a dark face, "No, you can't."

Chi Jue had never seen him with such an unpleasant expression and was stunned, "Xiao Man..."

Ye Man emphasized again, "I said no—you—can't."

"Don't meddle in this matter anymore. It has nothing to do with you."

Chi Jue's heart sank with a thud, "Alright."

When they got home, both Chi's father and mother were there.

The family had prepared a table full of dishes to welcome them back.

At the table, Chi Yan asked Ye Man if he had encountered anything interesting during his trip. As they chatted, Qin Fangrui remembered something as the New Year was approaching in a few months.

"Xiao Man, during the New Year, we are planning to return to the old Chi family residence. Your grandparents have been abroad for medical treatment and haven’t returned in recent years. We’ve told them about you, and they plan to come back this New Year to see you," Qin Fangrui smiled, "and your maternal grandmother is also coming back. Our family is usually spread out, and it’s been years since we’ve all been together. This year, we can have a lively reunion."

Not to mention the grandparents and maternal grandmother, even the four members of the Chi family sometimes don’t celebrate the New Year together.

Everyone has their own busy schedules, and they don’t particularly care about it.

Ye Man said "Ah," said yes, but felt unsure inside.

System: "What’s wrong?"

Ye Man: "I originally planned to spend the New Year with someone else."

The system was confused: "Who?"

Ye Man hesitated and didn’t say.

The system became even more curious, and Ye Man only said that it would know when the time came.

Chi Yan and his family took Ye Man to see the professor they had arranged, and the final verdict was nearly identical to the last, both recommended against invasive surgery and suggested conservative treatment.

Illness strikes fast, but recovery is slow. Ye Man stayed at home for a while longer to recuperate.

Once he felt better, he got back into gear and prepared to take on tasks.

Ye Man: "Brother Tong! I definitely won’t fail this time!"

"Have I heard this before?" The system felt a bit weary.

The system, not holding much hope, flipped through the script, deleted some that were too difficult, and picked one that seemed manageable: "Meng Yao privately arranged to meet Chi Jue at the mountain, the scheming troublemaker followed to catch them in the act, snapped photos as proof, and then ratted them out to their parents and older brother..."

Chi Jue had promised the family not to contact Meng Yao again, but still secretly met with him, which gave the scheming troublemaker the leverage.

The system took a deep breath: "...Call Xiao Wu, and also, it’s cold outside, remember to wear more clothes."

It’s a simple task, going up the mountain to take some photos and tattle, it shouldn’t lead to anything serious, right?

Taking it one step at a time, the system picked this plot out of ten thousand.

Ye Man gave a firm nod.

Thinking of the big shot’s orders, he took out his phone, ready to update the big shot on his plans.