Ji Yunli moved his head slightly, but he didn’t wake up.
Ji Wei walked to the window and pulled the curtains wide open. Morning sunlight streamed in, making the study instantly much brighter.
Ji Wei bent down, leaned close to Ji Yunli’s ear, and called out again.
Ji Yunli finally opened his eyes with difficulty. The sudden light made him squint, and it took him a while to adjust.
He turned his head and saw Ji Wei staring at him. Startled, he tried to stand up quickly, but because of his hangover from the previous night, his head remained muddled, and he soon fell back into the chair.
"Dad, stop moving around," Ji Wei pressed down on his shoulder. "Your head must still be spinning. Who told you to drink so much again? Let me massage it for you."
Ji Wei placed the index fingers of both her hands on Ji Yunli’s temples, gently massaging him.
"Mr. Gu has already left?"
Ji Yunli spoke, his voice deep and husky.
"Yeah, he went to the company. I just saw him off."
Ji Yunli turned his head to glance at her. "Little Wei, a few days back, you were still making a fuss about canceling the engagement and even threatening me with running away from home. Why is it that now not only are you not opposing it, but you’re even actively bringing Mr. Gu to our home? Did something happen?"
Ji Wei’s hands abruptly paused, then she smiled. "What could’ve happened? Isn’t it good that I’ve grown more mature? Or does Dad prefer a spoiled and stubborn daughter instead?"
Ji Yunli stared in shock at his daughter, whom he felt had matured overnight. "You really think this way?"
Ji Wei nodded. "Yeah."
Ji Yunli breathed a sigh of relief, leaned back against the chair, and sighed. "You’re no longer opposing Dad, so of course Dad feels reassured."
"Dad." Ji Wei wrapped her arms around his neck. "You must promise me not to drink so much anymore. Ever since Mom passed away, you come home drunk after every social gathering. If this keeps going, your body will collapse."
Ji Yunli patted the back of his daughter’s hand. "Don’t worry, your dad is in good health."
"No, you have to promise me!"
Ji Wei’s attitude was firm.
Thinking of her previous life, when Ji Group faced a debt crisis and Ji Yunli fell gravely ill, Ji Wei couldn’t help but feel scared.
Dad’s illness must’ve been caused by excessive drinking, gradually dragging his health down, right?
"Alright, alright, Dad promises."
Ji Yunli, seeing that his daughter no longer opposed the arranged marriage with the Gu Family, felt much better.
"If I catch you drinking excessively again, I’ll lock the door and not let you in!"
Ji Yunli froze. "That’s a bit much, isn’t it? Drinking is one of my few pleasures. Daughter, you shouldn’t take away this small joy of mine."
"You just promised me, and now you’re backing out so quickly?" Ji Wei demanded sternly in mock seriousness.
Ji Yunli was left speechless.
He truly couldn’t do anything about this precious daughter of his.
"Dad." Ji Wei fell silent for a moment and then suddenly spoke. "Tell me, I don’t look anything like you. Could it be that I’m not your biological daughter?"
Ji Yunxiang’s earlier remark about her being illegitimate kept echoing in her mind, refusing to fade away.
She knew that no matter how brainless Ji Yunxiang was, there must be a reason behind using the term "illegitimate child."
Ji Yunli’s face changed drastically upon hearing this.
"Little Wei, don’t joke about things like that! How could you not be my daughter? You may not resemble me much, but you’re the spitting image of your mother. Don’t ever let wild thoughts like that get to you!"
Ji Yunli’s expression suddenly grew exceptionally stern as he spoke.
"I was joking, Dad. Don’t get so worked up."
Ji Yunli’s face remained taut, his expression still grave. "It’s my fault for spoiling you. How dare you even joke about something ? Listen closely—I’m your biological father! Don’t ever say such things again."