CTS extra 1

It was a photo for official documents.

The person in the photo looked like a student. His lips were pressed lightly together, his eyes fixed seriously on the camera, expression focused even in such a simple shot. His appearance wasn’t especially striking, but his eyes were unusually dark. Hidden beneath a slightly long fringe, they seemed to dim the deep black backdrop behind him.

This photo was attached to the background report Ji Mingxuan had received not long ago. He scanned the document quickly, learning that the young man in the photo was named Shen Mo, a student from T University’s Fine Arts Department. He had just graduated that year and was still looking for a job.

Ji Mingxuan had once been invited to give a lecture at T University. During the talk, he noticed Shen Mo sitting in the front row. Though the boy looked completely lost, he still took notes with full concentration.

At the time, Ji Mingxuan had simply found him interesting. He hadn’t expected that this was the same person Zhou Yang was currently dating.

Attached to the report were several candid photos of Shen Mo and Zhou Yang together. Both of them were men, but judging by their expressions and body language, their relationship was clearly close.

Ji Mingxuan raised his hand to rub his brow.

His younger sister, Ji An’an, and Zhou Yang had known each other since childhood. She had always liked him. Both the Ji and Zhou families had hoped for a marriage between them, something that made sense to everyone involved. But now it seemed that plan was destined to fall through.

The car gradually slowed. The driver turned back and said, “Mr. Ji, we’ve arrived at the Zhou residence.”

Ji Mingxuan gave a quiet “mm,” then placed the file back into the folder. After thinking for a moment, he decided not to bring it with him and casually left it in the car before stepping out.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou already knew he was coming and had been waiting for him in the living room. A servant quietly brought over tea and withdrew without a word.

Ji Mingxuan took a sip. It was Tieguanyin, just the kind he liked.

After a bit of polite conversation, Mrs. Zhou got straight to the point. “Mingxuan, didn’t we already agree that An’an and Zhou Yang would study abroad together? Why bring it up again like there’s something to reconsider?”

Ji Mingxuan chose his words carefully. “I don’t think it’s the right time.”

“We’ve already discussed the engagement between our families. What do you mean it’s not the right time?”

“You know about An’an’s condition…”

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou exchanged a glance, then Mrs. Zhou replied, “Our families aren’t strangers to one another. Your uncle and I have been aware of An’an’s health for a long time. But it’s not that serious, is it? Back then, your father and mother married under the same circumstances.”

Ji Mingxuan’s expression softened slightly.

His parents had always been devoted to each other. Their marriage was well known in their social circle as one of true affection. Though their union had been arranged, his father had cherished his frail mother deeply. Even after she passed away due to illness, he never remarried.

Mrs. Zhou, a seasoned player in the business world, was quick to read the mood and continued, “Given An’an’s condition, Zhou Yang is still the best match for her. At least they’ve grown up together, and you know him well. Isn’t that more reassuring?”

Especially since there were shared business interests between the two families, a marriage alliance would provide far more stability than any fleeting romance.

She didn’t say that last part out loud, but everyone in the room understood it well.

Ji Mingxuan was clearly hesitating, but not yet convinced. He simply said, “Even if An’an is willing, Zhou Yang might not be.”

Mrs. Zhou frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

“To my knowledge, Zhou Yang is already seeing someone.”

Her expression shifted slightly.

Mr. Zhou gave a dry chuckle and said, “He’s a young man. Having a few girlfriends before marriage is perfectly normal. It’s nothing serious.”

Mrs. Zhou didn’t look pleased but still added, “He dated one or two girls back in high school, but those ended long ago. I haven’t heard anything about a current relationship.”

She didn’t know that he had changed preferences and was now seeing a man. Of course, Zhou Yang had made sure to keep that from his parents.

Ji Mingxuan, out of consideration, didn’t mention that detail either.

Mrs. Zhou narrowed her eyes. “So it seems you’ve had someone investigate Zhou Yang already.”

“I only want what’s best for my sister,” Ji Mingxuan replied with a smile. “In any case, before making a decision about going abroad, perhaps Uncle and Aunt should ask Zhou Yang what he wants.”

After that, Ji Mingxuan casually changed the subject. He exchanged a few more polite words, fulfilled all the expected formalities, then took his leave.

He never mentioned that conversation to Ji An’an. In his eyes, his beloved little sister only needed to dress beautifully and live like a princess in a castle. The storms and chaos of the outside world were not things she needed to worry about.

What he didn’t expect was that just a few days later, Ji An’an brought up the topic of going abroad herself.

Ji Mingxuan hid his surprise and asked with a smile, “Who mentioned that to you?”

“Zhou Yang did. He said his parents already discussed it with you. Isn’t that true?”

Ji Mingxuan’s expression darkened slightly. “Zhou Yang agreed to go abroad with you?”

“Of course. Why else would he bring it up?” Ji An’an clung to her brother’s arm, acting coy. “So, are you going to let me go or not?”

He didn’t answer her right away. Thoughts were racing through his mind, though nothing showed on his face. He simply patted her hand and asked gently, “An’an, do you really like Zhou Yang that much?”

“Brother.” Ji An’an gave a little stomp, her face turning pink. “I’ve liked him since I was little. You know that.”

“Why do you like him?”

“Because he’s always been my dream.”

Just like how Snow White waits for her prince, maybe every girl carries a dream like that.

Ji Mingxuan looked at his sister tenderly. “And if Zhou Yang doesn’t like you?”

Ji An’an smiled sweetly. She wasn’t upset by the question. “Then I’ll still like him. Always.”

Though she had inherited their mother’s illness, her personality was more like their father’s—steadfast in love. After their mother passed away, their father followed not long after, unable to bear the grief.

Perhaps it was something that ran in the Ji family’s blood.

Of course, Ji Mingxuan wasn’t the sentimental type. He weighed the pros and cons. If Zhou Yang truly treated this as a passing fling but could be counted on to care for An’an later, then with the Ji family’s backing, the arrangement might still be workable.

“Brother,” Ji An’an urged again, “will you let me go?”

“Don’t worry,” Ji Mingxuan replied, looking at her hopeful expression. “You’ll get what you want.”

She was his only sister. Whatever she wanted, he would place into her hands.

The arrangements for going abroad were completed quickly. Two weeks later, Ji Mingxuan saw Ji An’an off at the airport. Zhou Yang went with her, of course. Ji Mingxuan didn’t feel much warmth toward him and simply nodded as a greeting.

He returned alone.

On the drive back, the radio played an old love song in a husky voice, and Ji Mingxuan felt a faint sense of melancholy. While waiting at a red light, his mind unexpectedly wandered to a pair of dark eyes.

Those eyes were deep and black, and whether they were looking at a person or a camera, they always held a quiet seriousness.

What was his name again?

Right. Shen Mo.

Ji Mingxuan thought the name suited him well. Now that Zhou Yang had gone abroad with An’an, he had probably broken things off with Shen Mo.

While the light was still red, Ji Mingxuan reached into the back seat and pulled out the file. He flipped through it again.

When his eyes landed on that student ID-style photo again, Ji Mingxuan suddenly paused. He took out his phone and made a call.

“Hello, it’s me. Yes, that person I asked you to look into last month. Keep an eye on him for a few days… No, nothing urgent. Just follow him for a while.”

After hanging up, Ji Mingxuan drove home.

The return call came later, when he was in his study. What he heard was completely unexpected. Shen Mo had gone missing.

“When did this happen? I see. What else can we do? Of course we search,” Ji Mingxuan said firmly. “Send someone out. Start looking.”

He ended the call and paced twice around the room. His mind had already pieced together a likely scenario.

Zhou Yang had just left the country with Ji An’an, and now Shen Mo had gone missing. Who else could be behind this? Ji Mingxuan hadn’t expected Mrs. Zhou to be so ruthless. She was known for being shrewd in business, but it turned out she was just as cold when it came to handling her son’s personal matters.

Even so, this situation should never have involved him. He had only mentioned Shen Mo once during that visit to the Zhou family. What happened after that, whether it was a breakup or something else, should have been Zhou Yang’s responsibility.

But what if he had never asked anyone to investigate Shen Mo in the first place…

Ji Mingxuan sat down slowly, flipping through the file in his hands again and again, until finally he tore off the photo at the front.

It wasn’t until the next day that news of Shen Mo came in.

Ji Mingxuan carved out a bit of time and took a car to a remote location. The road was rough and the view desolate. It took a long while before an abandoned warehouse came into sight.

He stepped out of the car. For some reason, his pace was quicker than everyone else’s. Just as he was about to push open the warehouse door, someone stopped him and said, “Mr. Ji, the situation inside might be a bit hard to look at.”

Ji Mingxuan felt a sudden throb at his temple. He steadied himself and said, “It’s alright.”

Then he pushed the door open.

A heavy, musty smell hit him at once. The interior was dim, and only with the faint light filtering in from outside could he see the figure curled up on the floor. The person was badly injured, especially the right hand, which was covered in blood. Beneath the hand was a bright pool of red.

For a moment, Ji Mingxuan truly thought he was already dead. He took a step, then another, drawing closer.

The man on the floor stirred slightly, struggling to open his eyes.

As Ji Mingxuan moved closer, his reflection began to appear bit by bit in those quiet, jet-black eyes.