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Seeing that Grandpa Ji wanted to know, Tang Tang also put her bowl and chopsticks down before she started telling him what happened in detail.
Instantly, Grandpa Ji’s face darkened and he shouted angrily, “Ridiculous! How can they use such force on a child! Even if it wasn’t on purpose, they shouldn’t have such an attitude. It has been so many days but no one has shown up to care for the child? Their child has been taken care of by someone else for so long and they don’t even come to look for her? Never mind not looking for the child, they even tried to conceal the matter from the child’s biological father. That’s simply evil!”
This was not something that can be resolved by simply saying it was not done on purpose. If Ji Xiao Zhuo was taken by someone unfamiliar, Ji Yan and Tang Tang would be worried in less than an hour, not to mention a few days. Anyone could tell the other party simply didn’t care about their child.
Even though Grandpa Ji only interacted with Nuo Nuo for two days, he really liked the little girl. She was loveable. Her temperament was good and she was cute. She really attracted people’s affection. If she was his great-granddaughter, he would definitely treat her preciously. No one would ever slap her. That was why he was angry when he heard the little girl suffered so much.
Truthfully, it wasn’t like they never came to find her but Tang Tang was hesitant to tell the group. She didn’t know if she should tell them that Mother Liu and her daughter came to find them at the hospital not long ago. Previously, she hid the matter from Ji Yan because she was afraid he would exert himself which would hinder his recovery. But Tang Tang was afraid if she didn’t mention it and the Liu family did something from the shadows, Ji Yan would fall into their trap because he wasn’t on guard.
After hesitating for a while, Tang Tang decided to tell them about Mother Liu using Ji Yan’s career as a threat. No matter if the threat came true or not, it would be better to let Ji Yan know so he would be on guard.
When she finished speaking, Tang Tang didn’t expect Ji Yan not to react much. Instead, it was Grandpa Ji who had a bigger reaction.
Grandpa Ji was so angry that he hit the table ruthlessly which almost caused the food on the table to overturn. Everyone was shocked.
“They dare!” If Grandpa Ji had a beard, his hair would be sticking up from anger. “They think they decide the army rules? Who do the Liu family think they are!? I see they have lots of courage!” He had been a soldier all his life and had devoted himself to the country. He had never interfered with promotions but the Liu family dared to do so?
It was clear that the elder did not know that the general practices in the military were different from what he had been through.
Tang Tang saw Grandpa Ji was quite angry. Afraid he would get too angry and result in something unfortunate, she quickly patted his back to soothe him, “Don’t be angry, Grandpa. We’re not afraid of them. My husband relies on his own ability to gain his achievements. He certainly won’t be affected by a couple of words from them.”
Grandpa Ji’s anger resided. He didn’t say anything and directly took his phone out to call someone. They didn’t know who he called. They only heard Grandpa Ji say something to the other party before ending the call. Then he spoke in an odd tone, “Information gets leaked pretty fast. Let’s see if the people who want to tamper actually have the ability to do so.”
Tang Tang and Ji Yan didn’t speak. Tang Tang didn’t understand Grandpa Ji’s words but Ji Yan did.
Grandpa Ji humphed. Then he lifted up his bowl and chopsticks to carry on eating. But before he started to eat again, he said, “I won’t do anything. I will just wait and watch. I want to see who dares to do something.”
For some reason, Tang Tang felt Grandpa Ji gave off a domineering feeling and whoever provoked him will get a bad ending. Was this the domineering CEO thing that young girls frequently talk about here?
Although Grandpa Ji didn’t say anything and Tang Tang didn’t know what his status was, she felt relieved for some reason. She felt like if someone dared to do something to Ji Yan then that person might be out of luck.
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After the meal, Tang Tang mentioned to Ji Yan about getting a hearing aid for Nuo Nuo. After all, children would get anxious if they couldn’t hear, luckily Nuo Nuo had been calm and patient. If it was Ji Xiao Zhuo, he probably would have blown up ages ago.
But it wasn’t good to let the child remain like this. Every time someone spoke, they would need to be on the child’s right side and that was not convenient. It was like they were constantly reminding the child that they had a defect.
Ji Yan nodded and took out his phone to call someone. After the call, he spoke to Tang Tang, “She should get one fitted. I had planned to take her when I got off the bed but it would be better to arrange one for her as soon as possible. I called a friend there and asked them for a favor. When you go, just look for him straight and he would arrange things for you. Select the best hearing aid. Don’t save money on it.”
“I know. I will choose the best for her.” For a child’s health, she definitely wouldn’t choose something cheaper in order to save money.
Tang Tang took Nuo Nuo and Ji Xiao Zhuo to the ear, nose and throat department to get the hearing aid fitted. Coincidentally, just after they left, someone knocked on the ward’s door.
Upon seeing who it was, Ji Yan was not surprised at all. He just nodded faintly. He already guessed that person would come.
Wen Zhang Yi looked around the ward and didn’t see Nuo Nuo. He asked Ji Yan with a somewhat guilty tone, “Ji Yan, is my family’s Nuo Nuo not here?”
Ji Yan replied in a dull tone, “My wife just took her to get a hearing aid fitted. It’s not convenient if the child can’t always hear. “
After hearing that, the guilt on Wen Zhang Yi’s face deepened. He spoke again after a long time, “Ji Yan, do you have time to talk now?”
Ji Yan stared at him for a moment and nodded, “Yes.”
Upon seeing this, Sun Yi took the initiative and sat on a wheelchair before wheeling himself out, “The sun is out today. I’m going to the garden to take some sunshine.”
Grandpa Ji slowly put his reading glasses away. Then, he folded the newspaper in his hands before putting it down and followed Sun Yi to leave the room. It could be considered giving them some space to speak in private.
Seeing everyone else had left, Wen Zhang Yi spoke first, “In this matter, my wife was wrong. I will get her to apologise to Nuo Nuo properly. Such a thing will not happen again. This time, I came to take Nuo Nuo back and look after her. I will get her ears checked. No matter what, her ears will recover. We have truly bothered you recently. I will pay you back the money you spent later on. Thank you.”
Ji Yan found it a bit funny and he really did laugh, “This is your solution? Your daughter has a disability from getting hit and an apology resolves it? Is this how you handle matters, battalion commander Wen? I have just experienced it today.”
“What do you mean?!” Wen Zhang Yi was a bit angry. Ji Yan wasn’t him. He could not understand his difficulty yet he was criticising his method. Did he believe he was infallible? “Ji Yan, this is my family’s problem. I’m not making a fuss about your family taking my daughter away without approval. But she is my daughter, you are in no position to criticise me.”
Ji Yan didn’t get angry at Wen Zhang Yi’s words. He only nodded, “True. She is your daughter. As outsiders, I really don’t have any qualifications to criticise. What I’m saying now is simply from a man and a father’s standpoint. Honestly, I really look down on your actions.”
Wen Zhang Yi burned with anger. He pursed his lips until they turned white, but he restrained himself and said, “You’re not standing in my position. You don’t understand how I feel. If it were you, what would you do?” One was his wife and the other was his daughter. Both were family. It’s not like he could kill one to apologize to the other.
“I truly can’t understand how you feel because I simply won’t let my daughter grow up in such an environment. I think you’re aware of your wife’s attitude towards Nuo Nuo. You’re also aware that Nuo Nuo isn’t living well, but have you cared? Since you gave her life, you should have protected her. This is a responsibility that you as a father cannot avoid!”
Wen Zhang Yi clenched his fists tightly. Veins were bulging from the back of his hand, but he couldn’t say anything because he knew Zi Xuan didn’t care about Nuo Nuo. However, he owed her so as long as she didn’t go over the line, he had always chosen to turn a blind eye. He thought she would know not to be excessive but who knew such a matter would occur.
In this matter, he was also wrong. He should have stepped in earlier. If he didn’t turn a blind eye from the start, this matter wouldn’t have happened.
“It won’t happen again. I will tell my wife to treat Nuo Nuo well. From now on, whatever Rui Rui will have, Nuo Nuo will also get. The two children will be treated equally.”
Twitching his lips, Ji Yan asked, “They would really be treated the same? Including inheritance? Including getting the best education?”
Wen Zhang Yi was left speechless by Ji Yan’s question.
They wouldn’t. Zi Xuan would leave all assets to Rui Rui. She wouldn’t give anything to Nuo Nuo. Zi Xuan would nurture Rui Rui and give him the finest education, but she wouldn’t be willing to spend that money on Nuo Nuo. Honestly, he was helpless with such matters because the money belonged to the Liu family. The money didn’t belong to him.
At this moment, Wen Zhang Yi felt particularly ashamed and didn’t want to show his face.
Ji Yan wasn’t someone kind-hearted. He still gave the final strike, “You said your wife will treat Nuo Nuo well from now on, but what if she doesn’t after this matter blows over. Would you be willing to divorce her?”
Wen Zhang Yi opened his mouth but no sound was made. Ji Yan’s every word struck against his sore spot. He couldn’t retort Ji Yan. He knew his so-called solution was simply pretending that everything was fine.
He couldn’t guarantee Nuo Nuo anything because he would not divorce Zi Xuan. Instead, they would probably keep quarrelling and maybe as time went by, the love he felt for Nuo Nuo would change to annoyance and there wouldn’t be any changes to Nuo Nuo’s circumstance in the end
Smiling bitterly, Wen Zhang Yi rubbed his face. He spoke tiredly, “Then what do you want to do?”
“What should happen will happen. Nuo Nuo suffered an injury that cannot recover. I want your wife, as the offender, to give suitable compensation. If you still have any feelings for your daughter, you shouldn’t get involved with this matter anymore. It would be the best for Nuo Nuo if you turned a blind eye on this matter.”
Wen Zhang Yi understood Ji Yan’s meaning. He pondered over it for a while before sighing deeply. Never mind, it was him who let Nuo Nuo down. He would just treat it as making it up to her this time.
“Alright, I won’t get involved with this matter anymore,” Wen Zhang Yi said before leaving. As he left, his figure looked exhausted.
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When Tang Tang came back, Nuo Nuo’s hearing aid was fitted. Ji Yan pulled Nuo Nuo closer to him and touched her ears. He looked at the small hearing aid in her ear and quietly asked her, “Nuo Nuo, can you hear what uncle is saying?”
Truthfully, Nuo Nuo understood in her heart that she had become partially deaf. She secretly cried into her pillow for two nights before accepting the fact. She originally thought she could only listen to people with her right ear from now on, but she didn’t expect she could wear an item and suddenly be able to clearly hear what other people were saying again. It was as clear as before her ear was hurt.
Nuo Nuo was very happy inside. She smiled and nodded at Ji Yan. Then she suddenly moved closer to him and placed the candy that she was holding tightly into his hand. After that, she gave him a kiss on his cheek without warning, “Thank you, uncle.” She knew it was uncle and auntie who helped her.
The little girl’s kiss was very different from Ji Xiao Zhuo’s kiss which was very rough like dead leaves. Ji Yan blanked after getting kissed. A second later, warmth filled his eyes and he couldn’t help but stroke her hair. He suddenly thought Ji Xiao Zhuo wasn’t wrong. It would be great if the little girl belonged to their family. Ji Xiao Zhuo was a mischievous egg and he was not as cute as a well-behaved and gentle little girl. A daughter would give him candy, kisses, help Tang Tang wipe his face, keep watch on his medicine with Tang Tang, and get a nurse to change bandages.
It was a pity that the little girl wasn’t theirs.
That night, Ji Yan sighed ruefully at Tang Tang, “It would be great if we gave birth to a daughter first. A daughter is so much better than a son.”
Tang Tang nodded and agreed a little, “I think a daughter is more loveable and considerate.”
When they finished speaking, they looked at each other and laughed at the same time. However, for their lifetime, they would only have Ji Xiao Zhuo who was an unruly child. It was pointless thinking about a daughter.
But Ji Yan still carried on, “If Ji Xiao Zhuo works hard, he may find a cute and adorable daughter-in-law for us to make up for our ruefulness.”
Tang Tang thought that was reasonable. She hoped Bao Bao wouldn’t find a wife who was even more unruly than him.
Sometime in the future when the young Ji Xiao Zhuo declared Nuo Nuo his wife, Ji Yan might have wanted to beat him up but he and Tang Tang were pleased with Ji Xiao Zhuo’s standards. So, after Ji Yan hung Xiao Zhuo on the tree and gave him a beating, Ji Yan turned a blind eye to it. He only instructed Ji Xiao Zhuo not to bully Nuo Nuo otherwise he would break his legs.
Of course, that was in the future.
Since they finished chatting, Tang Tang asked something serious. She knew Wen Zhang Yi had come today and wanted to ask, “What are you planning to do, dear? Are you going to make Liu Zi Xuan go to prison?”
“Silly.” Ji Yan pinched her face, “Liu Zi Xuan won’t go to prison for so simply and the Liu family wouldn’t let that happen. Also, there is no benefit for Nuo Nuo if Liu Zi Xuan goes to prison. Instead, it would bring more trouble for her.”
Tang Tang was confused, “Then how are you planning to help Nuo Nuo, dear? I don’t understand.”
“I think it’s better to fight for something that is practical and needed for Nuo Nuo. Isn’t that better than any other compensation?”
Something that is practical and needed? “Such as?”
Ji Yan replied with three phrases, “Such as money, stocks, and property.”
Tang Tang was startled by this response. She didn’t expect Ji Yan would strive for wealth for Nuo Nuo. She thought he would get the Liu family to lose face or get punished as payback for Nuo Nuo.
Ji Yan knew what she was thinking at a glance, “Did you think I would come up with a way so the Liu family would get punished.”
“If this matter gets investigated, there would only be one outcome with the Liu family’s capability: to be settled privately. In the end, Nuo Nuo would only get an apology. There is no meaning in that. Rather than that, it would be better to peel a layer of flesh from the Liu family. Let them lose some wealth and get some practical gains for Nuo Nuo. Wealth is the most practical thing for Nuo Nuo. At least then, she would have the confidence to separate from them.”
Tang Tang thought for a moment and suddenly realized that was true. For Nuo Nuo, Ji Yan’s solution was much better. Rather than waiting for some unattainable familial love, it was better to gain wealth instead. That way, if she wanted to leave the family in the future, there would be nothing holding her back.
“But, dear, how can you be certain the Liu family would give anything to her? Isn’t that family quite powerful?”
Something flashed across Ji Yan’s eyes, “I have my own ways.”
He would definitely peel a layer of skin from the Liu family!
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At the same time, Liu Zi Xuan knew Wen Zhang Yi returned without achieving anything. She was practically bursting with rage after finding out the Ji family was not letting the matter go. She was so angry she threw her phone which got smashed.
When she knew Wen Zhang Yi was not going to get involved anymore, she got even angrier and got into a big argument with him. Then she directly rushed back to her parent’s home.
When mother Liu knew about the matter, she also got angry and smashed a few vases, “They are simply meddlesome people who meddle in other people’s business! Don’t they have anything to do other than poke their noses into other people’s family matters? So shameless!
“Mother, they are being too much! My apology isn’t enough. What do they want!?” Liu Zi Xuan was practically getting insane from this matter. She was feeling very jittery.
Mother Liu was also vexed. She clenched her teeth and said, “Don’t they just want to get some benefits by using that girl? Otherwise, why would they help her so much when they don’t have any relation with her? That Ji Yan is not taking our Liu family seriously. Does he think he could get benefits from our Liu family simply because he wants to? I see if he doesn’t get taught a lesson, he won’t know the difference between heaven and earth.”
Angrily, Liu Zi Xuan drank the entire glass of red wine, “But how can we teach him a lesson? Isn’t there going to be a promotion? How come there hasn’t been any activity? Is it false?”
“It’s not. It’ll happen soon. They’re still at the observation stage. Your father is keeping his eye on it. There is no mistake.”
Liu Zi Xuan finally gained some spirit after hearing that and asked, “Did father say who is getting the promotion this time? Is it Zhang Yi?”
Mother Liu paused. She looked left and right. After confirming there was no one present, she quietly said, “It’s not Zhang Yi. The higher-ups have chosen Ji Yan.”
“What? Him?” Liu Zi Xuan frowned ferociously, “Then what about Zhang Yi? Such a chance is rare to come by. We don’t even know when the next opportunity would be.”
Mother Liu patted on her hand to appease her, “Don’t worry. Don’t worry. Your father is here. We only have Zhang Yi as our son-in-law. We will definitely do our best to help him. Your father already has a plan. The person who will get promoted in the end will be Zhang Yi.”
“Really, mother? There won’t be any problems?”
“Don’t you trust your father? With your father’s methods, there won’t be any problems. Relax.”
Hearing mother Liu’s words, Liu Zi Xuan was reassured and her mood started to improve.
But before the mother and daughter pair could do anything, Ji Yan made the first move and found trouble with them which made them lose more than just face.
