Free Web NovelChapter 666: Chapter 636: Fearless
Now she’s not completely passive either. Ji Jiajia’s rightful inheritance of the Sect Leader’s position is undisputed, and they have the Orchid Order in their hands. The biggest problem now is that Ji Jiajia is not yet of age, so the support of the fellow elders must be secured.
Tonight, Pan Tianhua’s act of leading the crowd to force the palace demonstrated his strength and capability, but also exposed his impatience. Even if he won everyone’s support, without the Orchid Order, he would always lack legitimacy.
Hua Zhuyue is well aware of Ji Jiajia’s importance, so four top-notch bodyguards were specially arranged for her. Until the succession is secured, they must protect her at all times.
Ji Jiajia herself is not nervous at all. Since being diagnosed with ALS, she has come to terms with life and death at a young age. According to experts, her motor functions will be limited in a year, and in three years, she might be entirely paralyzed and wheelchair-dependent.
Ji Jiajia has long decided to enjoy life while she can still move freely. When the illness strikes, she’ll find a beautiful cliff and leap off like a bird.
Realizing death is near, she’s not afraid of it, daring to challenge the so-called elder authority and taking any risky actions, even those deemed absurd by others.
After Xu Chunliang left, Hua Zhuyue saw that Ji Jiajia’s room light was still on.
When she approached the door to knock, Ji Jiajia opened it, smiling sweetly, "Is your little lover gone?"
Hua Zhuyue said, "Nonsense, isn’t he your master?"
Ji Jiajia sneered, "Just a matter of circumstance. I only called him Master to put on a show for others. What qualifies him to be my master? It’s only you who thinks he’s valuable."
Hua Zhuyue said, "You don’t know him at all. If he says he can save you, then he can."
Ji Jiajia invited Hua Zhuyue in, poured her a glass of red wine, and poured herself one too.
Hua Zhuyue frowned and said, "You don’t seem to be old enough to drink."
Ji Jiajia replied, "Don’t take life too seriously. There’s no need to fuss over someone like me, who is dying soon. This is some fine wine Old Ji left behind. He didn’t get to drink it, and now he’s gone. So why not enjoy life to the fullest, as they say, ’Don’t let the golden chalice face the moon empty.’ Cheers!"
Hua Zhuyue tasted the red wine that Ji Buyao had cherished. The girl’s apparent openness stemmed from her despair with life.
"Jiajia, can you promise me one thing, to stay here for the next few days and try not to go out unless necessary?"
Ji Jiajia shook her head and said, "No. My father doesn’t control me, so why should you?"
Hua Zhuyue said, "I’m worried you might be in danger."
Ji Jiajia responded, "Afraid that surname Pan will harm me? Don’t worry, I can protect myself."
Hua Zhuyue sighed inwardly, not realizing how dangerous the world was. Now her existence was already threatening Pan Tianhua’s hold on the situation. Given Pan Tianhua’s nature, inaction was not an option.
All she could do was strengthen her security as much as possible; Xu Chunliang had also contacted the police, and Xie Yuanzheng promised to send more personnel to ensure Ji Jiajia’s safety. But no one could guarantee her protection constantly.
Ji Jiajia asked, "You said Xu Chunliang can save me?"
Hua Zhuyue nodded and said, "If there’s one person in the world who can save you, then it must be him."
##
After consulting zoology experts, the police came up with a plan to anesthetize the sharks and use an endoscope to examine their stomachs. Simply put, it’s like performing a gastroscopy on a shark, checking for human bones inside them without harming the sharks.
Three suspicious sharks were dissected, and the results showed no human tissue inside them.
The Orchid Sect was closely watching the police investigation’s results, preliminarily excluding the possibility of the sharks having eaten Ji Buyao, but still unable to determine if Ji Buyao was dead or alive.
What could be confirmed was that the finger found in the aquarium belonged to Ji Buyao.
The police made several hypothetical assumptions: first, Ji Buyao might have orchestrated it all, cutting off his finger to mislead the investigation. Second, the possibility of Ji Buyao being abducted could not be ruled out.
No matter the truth, Ji Buyao’s chances of survival seemed to be increasing. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Compared to Ji Buyao’s safety, Pan Tianhua was more concerned about the whereabouts of the Orchid Order. Based on the police’s examination of the sharks, the possibility of the Orchid Order swallowed by a shark was largely excluded.
Pan Weidong reported the latest information he gathered to his father.
Pan Tianhua frowned and said, "Ji Buyao should still be alive."
Pan Weidong said, "If he’s not dead, why doesn’t he show up? He just gives up such a huge enterprise like Blue Star Group?"
Pan Tianhua got up, walked to the window and looked at the Blue Star Building opposite, muttering to himself, "That old fox, I still underestimated him in the end."
Pan Weidong scornfully said, "He’s not that impressive. In the past two years, Blue Star’s business has declined in second-and third-tier cities, either closed or sold, no match for us."
Pan Tianhua said, "I used to think he was done for, but today I realized he intentionally gave up. The asset transfer was completed over the past two years."
Pan Weidong said, "Didn’t he shift his focus to the film and television industry?"
Pan Tianhua shook his head and said, "That’s just a front. In the past two years, everything valuable in Blue Star has been transferred out by him, leaving only a mess behind."
Pan Weidong said, "That doesn’t make sense. Didn’t he think about his daughter? Leaving such a big mess for Ji Jiajia?" From Pan Weidong’s perspective, even a tiger wouldn’t harm its cubs, let alone Ji Buyao isn’t a tiger.
Pan Tianhua said, "Ji Jiajia has ALS; she won’t live much longer."
Pan Weidong was stunned for a moment, "Really?"
Pan Tianhua nodded.
Pan Weidong said, "That’s great. She’s just a patient. What right does she have to compete with you for the position of Sect Leader?"
Pan Tianhua said, "I don’t care about the position of Sect Leader at all; I’m just unwilling to see the Orchid Sect decline." He lit a cigar, took a couple of puffs, and said softly, "Weidong, go have a good talk with Hua Zhuyue."
Pan Weidong’s visit was not unexpected for Hua Zhuyue. She invited him to sit down and had someone bring in two cups of coffee.
Pan Weidong took a sip of coffee and said, "President Hua, I’m here today to discuss something important."
Hua Zhuyue had already guessed his purpose and smiled lightly, "It seems there’s nothing for us to discuss."
Pan Weidong said, "Blue Star is now just an empty shell. The money was transferred out by Ji Buyao long ago. Pardon my bluntness, but he has no affection for you at all, leaving all the troubles to you."
Hua Zhuyue said, "I don’t understand what trouble you’re referring to."
Pan Weidong laughed and said, "How did Blue Star accumulate so much wealth over the years? Some money can’t be laundered clean. The reason Ji Buyao suddenly disappeared was to avoid legal repercussions. You, being his trusted aide, need to bear this responsibility in his absence." frёewebηovel.cѳm
Hua Zhuyue said, "I never do anything illegal. If it’s my responsibility, I’ll take it; if not, no one can pin it on me."
Pan Weidong said, "Ji Buyao doesn’t even care about his own daughter’s safety; why would he care about an outsider like you? If he lacks benevolence, don’t blame others for being unfaithful. As long as you make the right choice regarding the Sect Leader issue, I can ensure your current troubles are resolved."
Hua Zhuyue laughed, "I don’t think supporting President Pan is the right choice. A country has its laws, a family has its rules, and the rules passed down for thousands of years can’t be disrupted."
Pan Weidong said, "Ji Jiajia, she’s only fifteen, just a young girl. What does she know? What qualification does she have to lead us? Don’t think people aren’t aware of her situation. She’s ill, she has ALS, and most likely won’t live past twenty. Is such a person really going to inherit Ji Buyao’s position? It’s a joke."
Hua Zhuyue said, "The decision on who inherits President Ji’s position isn’t mine to make, nor can you decide it. We will follow the past rules as they are. I advise you to focus on managing your own He Dong; there’s no need for you and your father to worry about Blue Star’s affairs."
Pan Weidong nodded, "President Hua seems insightful but is stubborn when it comes to matters. Is risking your future and destiny for a dying little girl really worth it?"
Hua Zhuyue said, "You’re not me, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you."
Pan Weidong left angrily, encountering Ji Jiajia playing skateboarding in the yard on his way out.
Ji Jiajia blocked his path, looked at him defiantly, and said, "Pan Weidong, who let you into my house?"
Pan Weidong stared into Ji Jiajia’s eyes and said, "How pitiful, haven’t fallen in love yet? Haven’t tasted a man’s touch yet..."
"Poof!" Ji Jiajia spat on Pan Weidong’s face.
"Jiajia!" Hua Zhuyue hurried over, worried Ji Jiajia might suffer.
Pan Weidong nonchalantly wiped the spit off his face and smiled at Ji Jiajia. He took out his business card and tucked it into Ji Jiajia’s collar, "Contact me if you need anything."
"Get lost!"
Pan Weidong laughed heartily and walked out of the Ji family’s house with large strides.
Ji Jiajia took out the business card, contemplated throwing it on the ground, but then changed her mind.
At this moment, Xu Chunliang came in from outside. He had seen Pan Weidong, initially thinking he was here to make trouble, only to find out he came as a persuader.
Ji Jiajia had been staying at home all day, protesting against Hua Zhuyue’s approach, believing it had restricted her personal freedom.
Hua Zhuyue explained it was only for these few days. Once the inheritance issues were resolved, everything would return to normal, all for her safety.
Ji Jiajia argued righteously, "Life is precious, love’s worth is higher. For the sake of freedom, both can be forsaken. If there’s no freedom, what’s the point of living a thousand years?"
Xu Chunliang said, "If you live a thousand years, you’ll turn into a turtle."
Ji Jiajia said, "If I’m a turtle, then you’re the turtle’s master."
