novelraw Chapter 473 - 472:
Chapter 473 - 472:
As Ji Rui expected, the case ultimately determined that the young model was the main perpetrator, sentenced to three years.Ji Rui asked Lawyer Fan to dig deeper, but nothing substantial was uncovered. Ultimately, there was still no absolute evidence to confirm whether it was Old Madam Ji or Ji Wen, but the possibility of Mr. Ji being the mastermind was basically ruled out.
For Ji Rui, this result was already the best outcome.
At the very least, he could still let Mr. Ji occasionally take Baobao out for a meal or something.
However, from what Baobao said after coming back, it revealed a piece of information, which was that Mr. Ji was always alone with Baobao, and Old Madam Ji hadn’t appeared in front of Baobao for a long time.
What this implied, Ji Rui did not want to speculate, but every time Baobao returned, he would have one or two more very valuable pieces of jade on him.
These pieces of jade were treasures Mr. Ji had always cherished, and now, given to Baobao in such a quiet way, conveyed a message that Ji Rui vaguely understood.
On Friday evening, after Baobao had gone to sleep, Ji Rui and Le Tong each occupied a corner of the study, busy with their own tasks.
At around eleven, feeling a bit hungry, Le Tong went to the kitchen and returned a while later with a tray bearing a plate of toasted bread and a pot of fruit tea.
Ji Rui faced the computer, composing a letter of intent. Le Tong brought a piece of bread spread with peanut butter to his mouth, and he cooperated by taking a big bite. Only after finishing the entire slice did his hands stop flying over the keyboard.
"Le Tong..."
Ji Rui’s expression was a bit heavy, which startled Le Tong, her heart skipping a beat as she softly responded, "What is it?"
Her gaze was also very gentle, and at that moment, she was not his secretary but his lover.
"How many jade pieces has Baobao brought back lately?" Ji Rui asked.
He didn’t understand why he asked, because he remembered very clearly not only the number of jade pieces Baobao brought back but also the origin and value of each. It was precisely because he was clear that he became even more shaken.
Le Tong thought for a moment, "Five, I think..."
During this period, Mr. Ji would pick up Baobao every Saturday morning, and the grandfather and grandson would spend the whole day together. Each time Baobao returned in the evening, he would have one more piece of jewelry, whether it be a jade bangle or a jade pendant.
Le Tong didn’t understand these things, but since Baobao said they were gifts from his grandfather, she carefully kept the jade pieces safe. As for the value of these items, Le Tong was not concerned; she cared about Mr. Ji’s heartfelt gesture towards Baobao.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the elderly man was indirectly seeking a truce with Ji Rui, his son, right?
Le Tong looked at Ji Rui, who remained silent without showing any emotion, "What do you think?"
It seemed he was preparing to respond to Mr. Ji’s unilateral goodwill?
Ji Rui shook his head, leaving Le Tong a bit bewildered. Did this mean he didn’t know what to do or he didn’t want to respond?
Ji Rui remained silent for a while, "If you were me, what would you do?"
Ji Rui conveniently kicked the ball to Le Tong. It was a challenge for Le Tong, who frowned and pondered for a long time, not daring to give him a definitive suggestion.
"Ji Rui, I’m not you. The grievances and entanglements between you two, I have not personally experienced, so my suggestions basically have no meaning."
Le Tong knew that she was essentially saying a lot of useless words.
But other than these words, she didn’t think she could truly give Ji Rui any advice.
After all, no matter how much she cared about Ji Rui, she was still only an observer between the father and son. The hurt Ji Rui suffered from Mr. Ji, she did not experience firsthand, so if she casually suggested reconciliation, it would be quite irresponsible to Ji Rui.
"You’re right..."
Ji Rui sighed quietly and took a piece of bread to his mouth.
Since he’s still hesitating, perhaps it means the timing isn’t right.
Ji Rui was waiting for an opportunity where he would no longer hesitate to respond to Mr. Ji. Two days later, he received a call from Housekeeper Li of the Ji Family’s main house, saying Mr. Ji had fallen down the stairs and broken a bone.
Ji Rui didn’t have time to inquire deeply and hurriedly rushed to the hospital, where the light in the operating room was still on.
In the hallway, besides Housekeeper Li and Mr. Ji’s two bodyguards, of course, there was also his current wife, Old Madam Ji.
With a solemn expression, Ji Rui’s face was tense as he strode closer, accompanied by the sound of clicking footsteps and a chilling air sweeping towards the few people standing outside the operating room.
The few people’s faces showed timidity, especially Old Madam Ji, who shrank back and hid behind the three big men.
Housekeeper Li summoned the courage to step forward, "Young Master..."
"What happened, how could my dad fall down the stairs for no reason?"
On the way, Ji Rui had already gotten an understanding of Mr. Ji’s condition from the hospital director, who said it was a fracture of the right lower leg, with multiple bruises on the body and a slightly dislocated wrist. Fortunately, his life wasn’t in danger.
"Master... he got dizzy..."
Housekeeper Li lowered his head, not daring to look at Ji Rui, stammering as he wanted to explain the cause, but such clumsy lies Ji Rui had no interest in hearing. He furrowed his brow and coldly interrupted Housekeeper Li.
"Dizzy my ass! Tell me the truth!"
Mr. Ji had just turned sixty years old, and his health had always been excellent, with annual checkups showing ideal indicators. Ji Rui couldn’t understand how someone in such good condition could fall down the stairs during the day.
Despite his many dissatisfactions and grievances towards Mr. Ji, this man was, after all, his father. Ji Rui could resent him, even retaliate, but he didn’t need to resort to others to deal with him.
Housekeeper Li raised his head, full of fear, about to speak. Ji Rui impatiently glared at him, his gaze passing over him as he focused on Old Madam Ji, who was hiding at the back.
"You’re his wife, you tell me!"
Ji Rui knew very well that neither Housekeeper Li nor the two bodyguards would speak ill of her in her presence. Today, he wanted to see how this woman would continue her act in front of him!
Called out, Old Madam Ji raised her head, panicked, looking at him, unconsciously taking two steps back until her back was against the wall, "Your dad... he didn’t sleep well last night... today... he got up late... felt dizzy when going downstairs... his foot... his foot slipped..."
Though not a long sentence, Old Madam Ji stammered for quite a while saying it. Ji Rui didn’t interrupt her, only looked at her coldly from the side.
After listening to her stuttering explanation, Ji Rui neither questioned nor made a statement, only telling the bodyguard behind him, "Ah Huang, take Old Madam to the lounge to sit down and calm her nerves."
"Ah Ru..." Old Madam Ji’s body trembled, looking as pitiful as a lamb to the slaughter with a knife at its throat.