Chapter 79

Chapter 79: It’s Her

The Ji family charity auction ended with Old Ancestor Ji buying the grandmother green gemstone necklace for 800 million.

And in one night, all of Cloud City learned the Ji family’s Old Ancestor had come in person.

“Old Ancestor,” Ji Chang An asked softly once the crowd thinned, “I was going to win it and gift it to you. Why did you bid yourself?”

Third Master Ji’s face looked as if he’d bitten into sour fruit. He couldn’t stop himself from muttering, “Right, Chang An…”

That extra 100 million still felt like a knife twisting in his chest.

Old Ancestor Ji swept Third Master Ji with a calm, slow glance that made him fall silent at once.

“I’m not short on money,” she said evenly. “And it’s worth that price.”

Her gaze returned to the necklace, reverent.

Her trembling hand lifted, reaching as if she were touching a spouse she’d finally reunited with after a century apart.

“Qiang Wei girl,” she asked, voice suddenly tight, “have you found the donor?”

Ji Qiang Wei shook her head. “Old Ancestor, that Miss already left. When I chased after her, she was no longer at the hotel.”

Ji Chang An understood immediately.

“Old Ancestor wants to meet the donor?” he asked.

Old Ancestor Ji’s grip tightened on his hand. “Chang An knows her?”

Ji Chang An nodded. “I wouldn’t say I know her. I just know who she is. She’s a celebrity from the entertainment industry. It won’t be hard to contact her.”

He softened his tone, soothing. “Old Ancestor, you traveled a long way. It’s late. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll contact her, all right?”

Old Ancestor Ji’s fingers trembled harder. “What’s her name? If she’s in entertainment, we should be able to find her online.”

Ji Chang An felt the strength in her shaking hand and couldn’t hide his confusion. Still, he kept his voice patient.

“How about this?” he said. “I’ll help you go home first. Once we get home, I’ll have A Chan find her information online for you.”

Su Zi Chan had been in the entertainment industry. She was better suited to explain what kind of world it was.

And besides—

Ji Chang An had his own motives. The entertainment circle was chaotic. With Su Zi Chan there, at least Old Ancestor wouldn’t hear only one side and mistake it for truth.

Old Ancestor Ji nodded at last. “Okay. Chan girl, help me…”

Madam Ji stepped forward quickly, supporting Old Ancestor. She signaled Ji Chang An, and together they left the hotel.

Third Master Ji and his daughter lingered at the doorway, watching them go, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

“Why does Old Ancestor insist on finding that donor?” Third Master Ji muttered. He turned to his daughter. “Qiang Wei, who is the donor?”

Ji Qiang Wei stared after the disappearing figures, her expression heavy.

“Qiao Qing Yan,” she said.

Third Master Ji scratched his head. “Who?”

He’d never even heard the name.

A celebrity? Fine. As long as she didn’t threaten him, it didn’t matter.

But Ji Qiang Wei’s hand was pressed tightly over a small note. A string of numbers was scrawled across it, and one corner had gone soft and dark with sweat.

—

In the car, Si Jin Nan’s voice was strained. “Miss Qiao… what did you write on that note? Who are you leaving it for?”

Qiao Qing Yan yawned lazily, not bothering to hide it. “Your future wife. Ji Qiang Wei.”

The car braked so hard Si Jin Nan nearly bit his tongue.

Qiao Qing Yan’s voice stayed mild, almost amused. “From now on, you probably need a driver first.”

Beep, beep, beep… Beep, beep, beep… Beep, beep, beep…

In the angry chorus of horns behind them, her tone sounded gentle and utterly casual.

Si Jin Nan took a deep breath, started the car again, and eased back onto the main road, jaw tight.

“How do you know she’ll see it?”

“If she sees it,” Qiao Qing Yan said, smiling, “that’s our luck.”

She paused, letting the rest hang in the air.

“If she doesn’t…”

She didn’t finish. She only smiled.

That look made Si Jin Nan so angry he wanted to hit someone.