Chapter 30: Making the First Move (3): Paternity Test
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Inside the quiet car.
Song Zhizhi told Ji Baijian seriously, “I have three strands of hair here. I’ve labeled whom each strand of hair belongs to. Can you help me send these for a paternity test, please? I’d like to verify the relationship between these three people.”
Ji Baijian received the transparent bag which contained the three strands of hair from Song Zhizhi. He asked, “Why do you need me to help you with this?”
“I have reasons to suspect that my every move is being monitored. I can only trouble you.”
“Nie Wenzhi, Nie Xiaofei and Yi Wenhan,” Ji Baijian did not refuse. He read out the names on the labels and looked back up at Song Zhizhi with a frown, “Did you find something out?”
“I found out a lot of things, but I need to verify them,” Song Zhizhi said, “We might be able to enjoy a good show in the near future.”
Ji Baijian asked no more. He put the hair away in his suit pocket and asked, “Where should I drop you off?” They were sitting in Ji Baijian’s car.
Song Zhizhi pouted.
Ji Baijian could be so irritating sometimes.
She said, “Ji Baijian, don’t forget that we’ve agreed to go on two dates per week.”
Ji Baijian pursed his lips.
Song Zhizhi continued, “I don’t expect you to give me any surprises on the dates, but surely taking me to a meal out of courtesy isn’t that difficult.” Ji Baijian kept quiet, but he no longer urged her to get off.
The car pulled up at the Four Seasons International Hotel. The staff opened the door for them. Ji Baijian took Song Zhizhi to the VIP room of the restaurant at the top floor where there was a large French window, affording them a beautiful, crystal-clear, 270-degree view of the city basked in fragmented sunlight.
Song Zhizhi sat down and started ordering food right away.
After she was done, she added to the waiter, “And bring us a bottle of the most expensive red wine you have here.”
“Nope.” Ji Baijian flatly refused, ‘Give us two drinks.”
Song Zhizhi frowned, “Ji Baijian, you can’t seriously be that stingy?” “I’m not in the mood to deal with a certain someone’s drunken frenzy.”
“What did I do?” Song Zhizhi was not happy.
“Think for yourself.”
Song Zhizhi gritted her teeth. She fiercely closed the menu and handed it back to the waiter, “Two glasses of your most expensive drink here. No, ten glasses!”
Ji Baijian glared at her.
“I’m thirsty!”
Ji Baijian said no more.
Song Zhizhi looked out at the skyscrapers of Jin City outside the window out of boredom. She mumbled, “Do you have a crush on me, Ji Baijian?
Ji Baijian happened to be taking a sip of lemonade at that moment and almost choked himself. “Can you talk like a human, please?”
“You were already scheming at such a young age so that you could wash my clothes. How can you say you didn’t have a crush on me?” Song Zhizhi smiled wickedly.
Ji Baijian wiped his mouth and said nonchalantly, “That’s just the excuse I gave for being naughty. You really believe that?”
“So you were lying in front of all the media?” questioned Song Zhizhi.
“I’m just coaxing the children.”
Who are you calling a child? Song Zhizhi was not happy!
It was not a pleasant meal. Ji Baijian was not a good dining companion. The two of them did not converse much. After the meal, Ji Baijian sent her home out of courtesy and left right away.
The news they were anticipating came out in the afternoon.
The result was very good. The marriage between the Song family and the Ji family had become a major topic of conversation in Jin City. Song Zhizhi’s claim of “there are some things that only I know about Ji Baijian” had even become headlines. That naturally reduced the exposure of the gossip about Yi Wenhan and Nie Xiaofei. Right now, all the discussion was about the marriage between the two big families. There were even rumors among the populace that Song Shan would be the next Helmsman of the Ye Clan.
In truth, such gossip was not a good thing for them. It would thrust the Song family into the limelight and make them everyone’s target.
Watching the news, Song Zhizhi could not help but feel it had been taken a little out of context. Although all the content were complimenting the Song family, it was not necessarily a good thing. She immediately gave her father a call.
“Dad.”
“What’s up, Zhizhi?”
“The news is out. The result isn’t bad per se, but…” Song Zhizhi said with a
frown, “I think it puts our Song family in the limelight too much. We’re attracting too much attention. It can easily bring unnecessary trouble.”
Song Shan sighed on the other end of the phone, “I’ve noticed that too. These are sensitive times, and the way the news outlets are reporting the marriage is indeed making us stand out way too much. If we make a wrong move, we might easily become everyone’s target. The loss outweighs the gain.”
“Dad, don’t you feel like it’s deliberate?”
“You mean someone’s controlling the news?” Song Shan was agitated.
“I think so, yes,” Song Zhizhi affirmed, “Dad, keep an eye out on the people around you, especially our competitors. I don’t want to see our family become someone else’s sacrifice.”
“I will,” Song Shan nodded.
“One more thing, Dad. There’s a professional examination for the financial sector early next month. Zhidao is currently studying at the Ye Financial University, so he’s naturally going to enter the Financial Management Institution to help you out after he graduates, but that’s still 2 years away, and even his 4th year internship is still a year away. Why don’t I join the institution first to see if I can help you with anything.”
“That would be great!” Song Shan instantly agreed, “I did ask you to take the test before, but you refused because you said you don’t like all the politics in the institution.”
“I was young and naive back then. Now, I’d like to do more to help the Song family; to help you and my little brother.”
“Good. When I get back, I’ll pass you some review materials.”
“Okay,” Song Zhizhi nodded.
From now on, she would carve out a different path in life, and would not stop until she succeeded!