The driver opened the car door on the passenger side.

Ji Chi thanked him politely: “Thank you.”

Mother Su felt that her friend’s son was overly reserved. She asked him, “Is your mother in good health lately?”

Ever since something happened in Fang Qin’s family, Fang Qin had seldom contacted her.

“She’s doing well, thank you for your concern.” Ji Chi answered Mother Su’s question in a proper, serious manner.

“If you and your mother need any help, just say it, don’t be polite.” Thinking of her friend’s current situation, Mother Su felt regret as well as heartache.

Fang Qin’s husband’s company went bankrupt, and later he was even involved in a car accident and died on the spot, leaving behind a pile of debt. Fang Qin could only raise her son alone, constantly working odd jobs to repay what they owed.

She had wanted to help Fang Qin, but the woman had a stubborn temperament, and Fang Qin was unwilling to let their friendship be tainted by money. Only once, when the debt collectors came knocking and Fang Qin was at her wits’ end, did she have no choice but to borrow money from her.

Fortunately, over the past few years, Fang Qin had gradually paid off the debts, and her son had been admitted to B University.

It could be said that Fang Qin had finally pushed through the clouds and could see the moonlight.

Ji Chi’s voice softened a little, “Thank you, Auntie Su.”

His mother had told him that Auntie Su was her good friend, but there was no need to trouble her at every turn.

By the time they returned to the Su residence, it was nearly dusk.

Ji Chi had heard of the Su family’s situation from his mother. He knew the Su family was a top-tier wealthy family. Being allowed to stay at the Su residence for a period of time was already a stroke of luck. His mother kept reminding him to avoid causing trouble for the Su family and Auntie Su as much as possible.

He looked at the room the servants were leading him into. Even if it was the so-called insignificant guest room, the guest room alone was larger than the entire area of his home combined.

“Young Master Ji Chi, this is the second floor. The third room to the left is Miss’s room, and the other two rooms next to it belong to Young Master Su Ning and Little Tiancai Young Master.”

Ji Chi responded one by one.

“Young Master Ji Chi, these are the clothes Madam asked me to bring you. They’re some clean and brand-new clothes from the eldest young master. See if they fit you. If they’re not suitable, Madam said she will buy new ones for you.” The servant spoke very politely.

Even though the boy in front of her was wearing worn-out clothes and pants washed until faded, Madam had specifically instructed them to take good care of him, and the servant did not dare look down on him.

Ji Chi knew that since he was temporarily staying in the Su residence, the clothes he had on were not appropriate. With a family background like the Su family’s, going in and out while wearing shabby clothes would reflect poorly on them, and might even make people laugh at the Su family.

Ji Chi had strong self-respect, but he was not someone who failed to appreciate others’ goodwill.

He looked at the clothes in the servant’s hands, then selected two sets — one black, one white — the simplest-looking ones. “I’ll just wear these two sets. I don’t need the rest.”

Even if the design seemed ordinary, the fabric felt completely different from regular clothing.

Ji Chi pressed his lips together. He would treat this as something he owed the Su family; he would repay them in the future.

After changing into the clothes the servant brought, Ji Chi went downstairs and saw Mother Su playing with two children in the living room. On the sofa sat a girl with a lazy expression.

“Ji Chi came down?” Mother Su noticed Ji Chi’s figure descending the stairs. “Mm, you look quite spirited in those clothes. Dinner will be ready soon. Sit for a while first.”

“Thank you, Auntie Su, for sending the clothes.” Ji Chi was now wearing a black outfit. The clothes had a high-quality feel. Combined with his tall build and well-defined features, dressed like this, he carried an unexpected touch of nobility.

“No need to be so polite.” Mother Su patted the two little ones beside her. “This is Ji Chi-gege. You should greet your gege.”

Little Tiancai was very well-behaved. In his tender, childish voice, he called out to Ji Chi, “Hello, Ji Chi-gege.”

Ji Chi nodded. “Hello.”

Little Su Ning had a mouthful of pudding, his small cheeks puffed up. He covered his mouth, looking like he was in a hurry to swallow it down.

Su Ci smoothed his back, half amused, half helpless. “Ning Ning, don’t rush.”

Little Su Ning nodded. His cheeks puffed even more, his round, dark eyes wide and shiny. His adorable appearance made Mother Su and Su Ci laugh nonstop.

After a while, once Little Su Ning finally swallowed the pudding in his mouth, he lifted his head to look up at the tall Ji Chi. His little milky voice seemed to carry a hint of pudding’s sweetness as well. “Hello, Ji Chi-gege.”

Ji Chi noticed that this even smaller child resembled Su Ci, who was sitting on the sofa. His delicate features looked like a little carved angel.

“Hello.”

Mother Su gestured for Ji Chi to sit, telling him there was no need to keep standing. “Xiao Chi, sit down, don’t be so tense. What do you usually like to eat? Or is there anything you can’t eat?”

Ji Chi sat on the single sofa opposite, sitting upright with a straight back. “Auntie Su, I don’t have any dietary restrictions.”

Mother Su nodded with a smile. “That’s good.”

Over on the other side, Little Su Ning had climbed onto the sofa, his chubby little body leaning toward Su Ci.

“What is it?” Su Ci had been about to send a message to Lu Zhe, but her younger brother leaning over made it impossible to type.

She had no choice but to put down her phone and support Little Su Ning’s chubby little body. Had he gained weight again recently?

“Jiejie,” Little Su Ning leaned close to Su Ci’s ear, even lifting one tiny hand to block the side of her ear as if sharing a secret. Pressing down his little milky voice, he whispered to her, “Ji Chi-gege looks like Brother-in-law.”

What?

Little Su Ning said Ji Chi looked like Lu Zhe?

Speechless, she flicked his forehead. “Your brain is silly. You’re banned from eating pudding for two days.”

Little Su Ning had thought that mentioning Brother-in-law would earn him a reward of pudding from his sister.

He remembered that last time, when he told his sister Brother-in-law had arrived, she rewarded him with lots of pudding. Why was he punished now for thinking Ji Chi-gege looked like Brother-in-law?

To Little Su Ning, Ji Chi was tall and thin, with a cold expression. He didn’t talk much either. That was just like Brother-in-law.

Punished by his sister, Little Su Ning pouted in grievance, and the toy in his hands suddenly wasn’t fun anymore.

Su Ci lifted her gaze, looking toward Ji Chi, who was chatting with Mother Su.

Her eyes slid from his face down to his hands.

When Ji Chi reached out to take the tea the servant brought over, Su Ci saw the HP on the inside of his wrist — a thin red line, with one month marked beside it.

Su Ci narrowed her eyes. She didn’t call out Fugui anyway. Since there was still one month left, Fugui wouldn’t be able to see how he died just yet.

Resting her hand on the sofa, propping up her chin, her eyes half-squinted, Su Ci wondered if this counted as another golden cotton candy delivered right to her door.

But after calculating for a moment, Su Ci felt… she was really busy.

Her eldest brother only had two weeks of HP left.

That trending young idol Zheng Hao, if she remembered correctly, had around three weeks left.

But she had never interacted with Zheng Hao. Their only connection was that he was an artist under Chuangshen Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Su Group. Whether she could save him or not depended on the circumstances.

And the Ji Chi in front of her only had about one month left as well.

Su Ci was both happy and troubled. She suddenly had the feeling she wouldn’t be able to handle everything.

During dinner, Father Su and Su Zhiyuan returned home.

Mother Su told them that Ji Chi would be staying at the Su residence for a while.

Father Su was familiar with his wife’s friend Fang Qin. Back when he and his wife were dating and quarreling, Fang Qin had even helped pass messages between them. Knowing that Ji Chi was Fang Qin’s son, he showed extra concern and asked several more questions about Ji Chi’s studies.

“Big Brother.” Su Ci sat beside Su Zhiyuan. She asked him, “Has the company been really busy lately?”

Her brother left early and returned late every day. She rarely had the chance to see him.

Su Zhiyuan wore a fitted silver-gray suit with a black shirt inside. His features were exquisite, and paired with the natural authority of someone in power, he was the complete image of an aloof, domineering CEO.

Su Zhiyuan appeared cold toward outsiders, but toward family — especially toward his younger sister — the lines of his face softened, showing the gentleness of an older brother. “The company has a lot of investment projects lately.”

The Su Group covered many industries, but mainly real estate, hotels, financial investments, and new energy development.

“Then do you have anything especially important going on in the next two weeks?” Su Ci asked tentatively.

Su Zhiyuan’s dining etiquette was elegant, carrying an indescribable nobility. He paused, set down his chopsticks, and reached out to pat his sister’s head. “Why are you suddenly so concerned about your brother today?”

Su Ci blinked, her expression firm and righteous. “I’ve always cared about you. Brother, do you have your schedule for the next two weeks?”

Her brother often traveled for business. If he flew somewhere else at the critical moment, it would be hard for her to rush over and save him in time.

“This week I have several meetings. Next week, I need to fly to City C to negotiate a contract and check the progress of a project. I should be staying there for a few days.” Su Zhiyuan answered everything his sister asked. “You’re starting school in a month, right? I’ll make time to send you when the time comes.”

“City C?” Su Ci frowned. Was her brother going to have his accident in City C?

Su Zhiyuan noticed the slight crease of her brows. “What’s wrong?”

“Brother, do you have to go to City C next week?” Su Ci still didn’t know the cause of his death. She didn’t know whether he died in City C. If she prevented him from going this time, then what about next time?

Only by finding the cause could she truly prevent his death.

“If you must go, take me with you. I don’t have any program schedules next week anyway.” Su Ci looked at him. “I’ll go with you to relax a bit.”

Su Zhiyuan was slightly surprised. “I’m going for a business trip. I won’t have time to accompany you.”

“I know, don’t worry. I won’t get in the way of your work.” Su Ci promised.

When she was little, his younger sister loved following behind him, like a small tail. Wherever he went, she followed. But after growing up, she became a gentle and quiet little princess, no longer clinging to her brother the way she had when she was a child.

Now that his sister was asking to go out with him, Su Zhiyuan was surprised but also pleased. “I’ll have someone make arrangements. But I’m saying this first — if you get bored, you’re not allowed to back out.”

“I absolutely won’t back out.” It wasn’t like she was going for fun anyway.

– – – ˗ˋˏ♡ˎˊ˗ – – –

The atmosphere during dinner was warm and harmonious. Ji Chi never expected that although the Su family was a top-tier wealthy family, their family atmosphere would be this good.

After dinner, when he returned to his room, he received a call from his mother.

Hearing the worry in her tone, Ji Chi spoke to reassure her: “Auntie Su treats me very well, and everyone in the Su family is very kind. I’m only staying here temporarily. Once school starts, I’ll live in the school dormitory.”