Chapter 359, I thought we were friends (part three).

"Once you’ve agreed, there’s no turning back." Li Mochan grasped her chin, seeking out those rosy lips and fiercely sealed them with a kiss.

The first time he wished that the initial snowfall in the capital would come earlier this year.

**

After dinner, Li Mochan personally drove the old master back home.

In the car, the relentless silence stretched on.

The Li family’s patriarch gazed out at the receding scenery, his voice hoarse as he began, "When do you plan to take over the other businesses of the Li family?"

Driving cautiously for the sake of the family elder, the car slowed down, and Li Mochan responded with a lightness, "The Li Group will be acquired in a few days."

"What did you say?" The Li family’s patriarch’s face changed drastically, his tone shifting with his alarm.

"Li Mochan, clarify what you mean," he commanded.

He wouldn’t live to see another day if he kept getting frightened like this.

"The Li Group will be acquired by MK Group. There will be a press conference the day after tomorrow."

Another blow struck the Li family’s patriarch as if he were about to cough up blood.

MK Group?

Why did that sound so familiar?

Good heavens, the Li family’s patriarch’s eyes widened. Was he talking about that mysterious MK Group that dominated the business world in M Country?

"Is that yours?" the Li family’s patriarch tentatively asked.

Li Mochan hummed an affirmation.

The surprise had come so swiftly that the Li family’s patriarch was a bit stunned.

If MK Group was his, then the acquisition of the Li Group wasn’t an issue; after all, they were both under the name Li.

The car entered the Li estate and came to a stable stop in the courtyard.

Tie Shan heard the noise and came out to wait, stepping forward to open the car door, "Master."

The Li family’s patriarch got out of the car and peered into the window, "Won’t you come in for a bit?"

Li Mochan replied, "It’s too late, some other time."

The Li family’s patriarch scoffed to himself, clearly, he was eager to get back to Ye Jiuliang.

He snorted reluctantly, "Find a time to bring that girl over for a meal."

Meanwhile, Tie Shan silently chuckled.

Li Mochan’s lips barely curved as he hummed softly in response.

The car window rose, and the vehicle drove off into the distance.

The Li family’s patriarch turned to re-enter the house, with Tie Shan closely following.

"Master, have you accepted Miss Ye?"

The Li family patriarch’s stern expression softened slightly, his words stubborn, "That girl is just like Mohan that annoying kid, only knows how to make people angry, I get a headache just seeing her."

Tie Shan quietly laughed but said nothing.

It looked like the trip was well worth it after all.

...

After a restful sleep, Ji Mingqian recovered some of his energy.

When he turned to look out the window, night had already fallen.

He washed his face, putting on his coat as he walked out.

On the second floor, he encountered Jiang Yisheng in the hallway.

Leaning on the wall for support, Jiang Yisheng’s stride was labored and faltering.

Ji Mingqian frowned, momentarily forgetting the incident where he tricked him into eating bitter melon, and blurted out, "Why aren’t you resting in your room?"

At the sound of his voice, the person walking ahead suddenly stopped.

Jiang Yisheng turned back to look at him, somewhat sheepishly asking, "You’re alright now?"

"Don’t worry, I’m not dead yet," Ji Mingqian said.

The hand hanging by his side curled slightly as Jiang Yisheng’s lips curved into his usual faint smile, albeit with a touch more detachment.

"As long as you’re okay."

Seeing him neatly dressed, Jiang Yisheng casually asked, "Are you leaving?"

Ji Mingqian adjusted his slightly messy hair and hummed softly in affirmation.

"Then, should I walk you out?" Jiang Yisheng’s face showed hesitation.

Passing by him, Ji Mingqian replied with a cool voice, "No need to trouble yourself, since we’re not exactly friends, there’s nothing much to say goodbye for."

Jiang Yisheng’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

"Woof woof woof..."

Er Bao rushed up from downstairs with swift speed.

Seeing it blocking Ji Mingqian’s path, Jiang Yisheng reached out to hold it, "Er Bao, stop it."

Er Bao thought Jiang Yisheng was playing with it as usual and dodged agilely with its fluffy body.

Jiang Yisheng missed his grab, and with his injured foot unable to exert force, he lost balance and fell toward the stairs below.

"Jiang Yisheng." Ji Mingqian’s eyes tightened, and he reached out to grab his arm, pulling him back forcefully to avoid the danger of tumbling down the stairs.

Due to inertia, Jiang Yisheng leaned forward, his knee hitting the stairs, exactly on the already injured leg.

He winced in pain, supporting himself on the stair railing.

The orange light filled the stairwell, and Ji Mingqian’s handsome face turned slightly pale with concern, "Where did you hurt yourself?"

"It’s nothing." Jiang Yisheng shook his head, loosening the hand that was covering his knee.

"Thanks for just now, but it’s getting late, you should head back."

Ji Mingqian’s eyes and brows turned colder, and he withdrew his supporting hand unhurriedly.

Leaning back, he rested against the wall, his magnetic voice steeped with bone-chilling coolness.

"Jiang Yisheng, I once thought that we could at least be considered friends."

He had very few true friends, apart from Ajiu and the other two; he thought he would be one of them, but it turned out he was only an acquaintance to him in the end.

Jiang Yisheng lowered his eyes, his voice devoid of warmth, striking hard on his heart.

He uttered softly, perhaps as an apology for that remark he made that day, "Sorry."

Ji Mingqian waved his hand unconcernedly, "Forget it, after all, we probably won’t have any cooperation in the future, and we won’t be seeing each other either." So we’re not friends, are we?

"You be careful yourself, don’t fall again."

With those words, he walked towards the stairs.

With his back to him, Jiang Yisheng listened as the footsteps became increasingly faint, the last trace of color draining from his face.

"Woof woof woof..." Er Bao squatted by Jiang Yisheng’s feet, howling throatily.

What’s wrong with the master, he seems very down.

**

Leaving the castle, Ji Mingqian had just settled into the car when Chu Chen’s call bombarded him.

"I’m aware, I’ll go over to F Country and handle it."

On the other end, Chu Chen acknowledged with a hum, "After you’re done, come to the headquarters and stay for a couple of days, I plan to go out with Anuo for two days."

"You’re going on a honeymoon so soon?" Ji Mingqian teased, "You wouldn’t be trying for a honeymoon baby, would you?"

Chu Chen cursed with laughter, "Screw you."

After hanging up, Ji Mingqian drove away.

...

The uproar over Li Shaohui’s death hadn’t settled yet when another bombshell hit, the Li Group was officially acquired by MK Group, with MK Group establishing a branch in the capital starting from today.

Before people could react, the news that Li Mochan was the president of MK Group broke out.

The double whammy caused quite a stir throughout the capital.

The MK Group, headquartered in M Country, could shake not just M Country but the entire world’s economy with a single move.

The president of MK Group had always been elusive, and nobody expected it to be Li Mochan.

Now those who said Li Mochan was vying for the Li family’s wealth found themselves in the midst of an embarrassed frenzy, since one MK Group was worth hundreds of Li Groups, why would Li Mochan bother to cause such a fuss over just one Li Group?

Just before the press conference was about to start, a group of reporters had already blocked the entrance to the Li Group Corporation.

They were all waiting for Li Mochan to appear and seize the chance for an exclusive story.