Just as Ji Rui's car drove out of the mansion's gate, the phone rang, and after two rings, it automatically answered.
"Ah Ru, Jiarong has come. You should keep her company. Don't let the girl wait too long," Mr. Ji's loud voice came through the headphones.
"Dad, I'm not familiar with her. There are some issues at the company that need me to go back and handle. You guys can chat with her."
Ji Rui opened the window halfway, and the cold north wind rushed in, instantly dispelling some of the irritation in the car.
"Ah Ru, you're almost thirty, and you should..."
Mr. Ji rarely spoke to Ji Rui so calmly, but Ji Rui wasn't interested in listening and interrupted his father.
"Dad, didn't we have enough drama a few days ago? What did you say back then? You said as long as someone succeeds, you don't care about me. Have you forgotten?"
Six years ago, Mr. Ji could use the inheritance of the Ji Family to threaten Ji Rui. Today, after personally taking the Ji Group from tenth place in the country to the top three, Ji Rui's wings are strong enough; besides father-son ties, Mr. Ji has no leverage to threaten Ji Rui.
Unfortunately, the father-son relationship between the two had almost broken apart when Ji Rui was eight years old. Trying to use the little shallow father-son bond to make Ji Rui listen is impossible.
Over the phone, Mr. Ji seemed to understand this point, fell silent for a while, then said, "Ah Ru, Ji Baby needs a mom."
Ji Rui remained silent. Ji Baby's tearful little expression flashed before his eyes.
"Dad, don't meddle in this matter."
After saying so, he reached out and hung up the phone.
Soon after Ji Baby was born, Ji Rui's two brothers each had a son and a daughter, but those two children clearly weren't as favored in the Ji Family as Ji Baby.
Ji Rui vaguely understood why Mr. Ji favored Ji Baby exclusively, but he was unwilling to think about it or delve too deeply into it.
Some things, once wrong, are simply wrong. No matter how you try to remedy it afterward, it can't change the outcome. Just like a cracked mirror can't be made whole again, no matter how hard you try.
Ji Rui returned to the company to find only one receptionist at the front desk, realizing it was Saturday.
Originally, he planned to comfortably stay in the apartment until noon and then return to the mansion to accompany Ji Baby.
Now it seems he'll have to work overtime here today.
Sitting behind the desk looking at a pile of documents, Ji Rui felt something was missing. After thinking for a while, he called the front desk reception.
"Xiao Liu, make a pot of coffee and bring it in for me."
The habit of having a cup of coffee before work has persisted for many years. With Le Tong absent today, and others not around, he instructed the receptionist to help make a pot.
Fifteen minutes later, Xiao Liu brought the coffee in, standing at the desk without leaving.
"What's up?"
Ji Rui put down the cup just lifted and looked up at Xiao Liu.
"President, lunch... I brought a lunchbox. Do you want to try it?" Xiao Liu blushed and stammered.
The Ji Family has a dedicated cafeteria, but today everyone is off, including the cafeteria. Usually, if Ji Rui worked overtime, his personal secretary would certainly follow and also work overtime. Thus, making coffee or ordering takeout didn't trouble others.
Ji Rui withdrew his gaze, opened the file, and coldly said, "No need!"
Xiao Liu looked embarrassed and despondent, bowed his head, and ran out swiftly.
The coffee from Xiao Liu, Ji Rui only drank a sip. Probably spoiled by Le Tong's culinary skills over the past six months, he almost spat it out after the first sip.
There were quite a few documents on the desk. His capable assistant, also his special assistant, had gone to Europe recently to expand business, so Ji Rui had more work on his hands.
Ji Rui drank a glass of water and buried himself in carefully processing the stack of documents. During this time, he received several calls, mostly business friends inviting him to dinner or golf.
With no interest today, he declined all these invitations citing overtime.
By noon, his stomach growled right on time.
This should also blame Le Tong.
Originally, he didn't have regular meals, especially when busy, often eating only one meal a day. But after Le Tong became his secretary, his daily meals became very punctual.
Because, at some point, she started delivering meals to him every day on time; lunchtime was consistent, and if he worked late, dinner was also consistent.
Ji Rui picked up the phone, wanting to order takeout, but his mind was blank, not knowing where to call.
No idea how Le Tong managed, but she seemed very aware of his tastes. Even when it wasn't cafeteria food, the takeout tasted just right.
Hence, he always ate contentedly, never bothered about where the takeout came from.
"Oh... I knew it, did she fancy you? No wonder..." Zhuo Jiarui's words suddenly echoed in his ear, causing Ji Rui to frown.
If that night hadn't happened, he would consider Le Tong a very attentive, smart, and obedient girl. But now, it seems things aren't that simple?
Ji Rui called a frequently visited hotel, where the general manager, upon hearing it was Ji Rui, assured repeatedly to deliver the meal at the fastest speed.
Within half an hour, the meal Ji Rui requested was personally delivered by the hotel general manager, along with a private card, saying that he could ask for any food he wanted in the future.
Dinner was also personally delivered by the general manager. After dinner, Zhuo Jiarui called, inviting Ji Rui to play golf on Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, Ji Rui arrived at the golf course as agreed. Zhuo Jiarui spotted him from afar and jogged over without speaking, cautiously watching Ji Rui.
Ji Rui glanced at him, "Got a stomach problem?"
Zhuo Jiarui coughed a few times, "It's you with the problem! I was afraid you were still angry!"
Actually, up till now, Zhuo Jiarui hadn't figured out how he offended Ji Rui that night.
Ji Rui took the golf club offered by the caddy, "I'm not angry."
Upon hearing Ji Rui's words, Zhuo Jiarui sighed in relief.
Ji Rui, albeit inscrutable, rarely lies. Saying he's not angry, he truly isn't angry.
For Ji Rui, that night didn't count as anger; the sudden irritation and disinterest, looking back, still seemed inexplicable.
Zhuo Jiarui grabbed a club and caught up, walking beside him.
"Hey, President Ji."
Normally, when Zhuo Jiarui calls him like this, it's usually to ask him for a favor.
"Speak."
Ji Rui swung the club, hitting the ball out.
"Your young secretary's phone number, I want to ask her out for dinner!"