Chà Chà Novel

Ji Shileng found it utterly absurd.

The recent collapse of Imperial Capital News had dragged far too many sordid secrets into the light.

Netizens might enjoy the spectacle and indulge in gossip, but they didn’t dare direct their attacks at the government.

That didn’t mean they failed to understand the circumstances behind certain events. But what good did knowing do?

Too many exposed scandals had eventually faded into silence.

Even at the height of public attention, no one could do anything about them. Once the uproar died down, there was even less hope.

And what came to light was usually only the tip of the iceberg.

Even that fraction was enough to show how outrageous Shang Jianli’s past actions had been. Surely Ji Shileng didn’t need to spell it out.

How did he still have the nerve to show up in front of him?

A person only had one face. Couldn’t he lose it a little less often?

He picked up his communicator and messaged his sister.

Ji Shileng was fully committing to the ranks of those who relied on their older sisters.

As he sent the message, a news alert appeared in the notification bar.

Ji Shileng suddenly paused. His eyes lowered, dark lashes concealing his expression.

“Imperial University Admits Past Misjudgment, Returns Ji Shileng’s Outstanding Graduate Certificate”

After a long while, his lips twisted into a cold smile.

Clickbait accounts might write whatever they pleased, but they wouldn’t dare do so about Imperial University.

He swiped away the false report and paid it no further attention. His immediate priority was getting rid of the unwelcome visitor outside his door.

When Ji Shiyun received Ji Shileng’s message, she was still holding her smart laptop and attending a remote meeting.

After so many days away from the Federation, matters large and small had piled up at the company.

Since she was returning that evening, she intended to arrange some of them in advance.

She told those on camera to pause the meeting for two minutes, then opened Ji Shileng’s message.

[Winter Snow Is Very Cold]: Shiyun, Shang Jianli’s outside my door.

[Ji Shiyun]: … I’ll handle it.

“My apologies, everyone. Something unexpected has come up. We’ll deal with the rest together at the office tonight”

The executives in the meeting understood. They had seen everything the Ji family had been going through lately.

Many had worked under Ji Jie since their youth and stayed through Ji Shiyun’s takeover of the family business.

They all reached the same conclusion: the Ji family kept too low a profile. That was why people kept slapping false accusations on them and every nobody felt entitled to bully them.

Recently, news that Imperial Capital News had been brought to the brink in less than three days had reached the Federation, making people even more wary of the Ji family.

They suspected no one else. Besides, speculation that the Ji family’s youngest son was the “Admiral’s spouse” was already everywhere.

It was always the ones who revealed the least who were truly frightening.

Ji Shiyun put on her suit jacket and opened the door. Looking up, she found Qin Si facing off against Shang Jianli.

The two men were about the same height, their clothes crisp and immaculate. Both had their edges on full display, making no effort to conceal the chill in their gazes.

Ji Shiyun immediately felt a headache coming on. All she had needed to do was send Shang Jianli away. Now Qin Si had unexpectedly appeared, making things a little more complicated.

“Miss Ji”, Qin Si greeted her courteously, noticing her first.

Ji Shiyun nodded slightly and turned her gaze to Shang Jianli. With no interest in empty pleasantries, she asked calmly, “Admiral Shang, what brings you here?”

Their official business was essentially finished. All that remained was to await the rulings of the Interstellar Court and the Imperial Court.

Shang Jianli tightened his grip on the insulated bag until his knuckles turned white.

The memory of Ji Shileng shutting the door so decisively, without the slightest hesitation or mercy, kept replaying in his mind. His heart contracted painfully, and his voice was terribly hoarse. “I heard you were leaving. I came to say goodbye”

“I brought Xiaoshi some detoxifying soup made with China root. It helps promote circulation and reduce swelling and pain”

“We’ll return when the verdicts are announced”, Ji Shiyun said, somewhat surprised. Instead of smiling, she looked puzzled. “Could you stop disturbing Xiaoshi? As I recall, the two of you no longer have anything to do with each other”

“I’m sorry, Miss Ji”, Shang Jianli apologized hoarsely.

Qin Si cut straight to the point. “You’re sorry, but you’ll do it again?”

Shang Jianli didn’t answer.

“Shang Jianli, get your own family in order first”, Ji Shiyun said, taking her vibrating communicator from her pocket as Ji Shileng’s message appeared. “You probably don’t know, do you? Your family has been doing quite a few things behind your back that can’t bear the light of day”

Shang Jianli hadn’t rested properly, and his face was drained of color. His brow creased slightly. “Things that can’t bear the light of day?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Si’s eyes.

He had arrived in such a hurry that he had only investigated Imperial Capital News. He hadn’t had time to look into the Shang family.

Knowing Ji Shiyun’s character, her words were most likely true.

After receiving no reply for a while, Ji Shileng worried that Shang Jianli was shamelessly refusing to leave. Leaning on his crutch with one hand, he opened the door.

The moment it swung open, he was greeted by a three-way standoff.

Ji Shileng: “…”

He had expected two parties confronting each other. Instead, it had become a meeting of three titans.

Deliberately overlooking Shang Jianli, he called, “Shiyun. Qin Si”

Afraid he might fall, Ji Shiyun took his arm. She had no desire to prolong the conversation. “That’s enough, Admiral Shang. Since you have so much time on your hands, why not sort out your family’s affairs first?”

“Xiaoshi received a little care from you during high school and university. Our family repays kindness, so allow me to remind you: you’d better have a response prepared before we uncover the whole affair”

Ji Shiyun’s words carried a pointed meaning. By referring to that “little care”, she was warning Shang Jianli that she knew everything that had happened before.

If he still wanted to approach Ji Shileng, he should first consider whether he had any right to. He needed to stop finding excuses to bother Xiaoshi every day.

When someone left you a little dignity, you ought to accept it. After all, you only had so much to lose.

“Please leave, Admiral Shang”, Ji Shiyun said, making her intention clear.

Moisture clouded Shang Jianli’s eyes. His lips moved, but he couldn’t manage a smile. “All right… Xiaoshi, this is China-root detox soup. It’ll help your injury”

Delivering the soup was why he had come.

“Take it back. Your concern is too much for me to accept”, Ji Shileng said without reaching for it. “Stop acting as though we’re still tangled up with each other. If you love me that much, why don’t you try falling from that height yourself?”

Those few sentences left Shang Jianli’s heart aching with bitterness.

He was the one who had already benefited… No matter how badly Ji Shileng treated him now, Shang Jianli hadn’t lost out.

After all, he had once received a love that burned so fiercely and held nothing back.

“Stop pestering me. There’s no point”, Ji Shileng said, leaving him no room to save face. “My sister’s warned you. If you have time, go deal with that mess instead of letting romance tie you down”

Shang Jianli said nothing.

A crack appeared in his cool gaze. As his emotions shifted violently, that crack tore wider and wider.

Qin Si stepped forward to stand beside Ji Shileng. “Admiral Shang, isn’t the first rule of dealing with people to avoid making a nuisance of yourself?”

Faced with someone else, Shang Jianli concealed the anguish in his eyes. “No need to concern yourself, Mr. Qin”