TSFLIP Chapter 465

Ji Mian answered without hesitation, “Because of me.”

“So you do know it’s because of you.” Xia Chao’s voice sharpened. “Fengguang’s blindness—you may not be the direct cause, but you’re an indirect one. You’re the one who hurt her. So what gives you the right to even think about liking her?”

By now, Xia Chao had completely torn off his mask of civility. He was speaking purely as a furious father.

Ji Mian lowered his gaze again. “It was my fault. I won’t deny that. But that doesn’t mean I’ll hand her over to anyone else.”

“What a bold claim,” Xia Chao mocked. “Do you think that just because you’ve got Fuyang backing you, you can take down the Xia family? Ji Mian, your tactics at your age are impressive—I’ll admit that. Maybe if it were twenty years ago, I might’ve been defeated by you. But unfortunately for you, the one lacking experience now… is you.”

“So,” Ji Mian said lightly, “you’ve decided to kick me out of the Xia family?”

There wasn’t a hint of fear or panic in his voice, even with the pretense now gone.

“Oh, and then what? You’ll try to find a way to take Fengguang and leave together?”

“Father,” Ji Mian said, raising his eyes slightly, “take a guess. If Fengguang and I both fell into water and only one of us could survive, who do you think I’d choose?”

Xia Chao didn’t hesitate. “You’d choose to let Fengguang live. Because you love her.”

The last sentence was laced with sarcasm.

Ji Mian shook his head. “I wouldn’t choose her. And I wouldn’t choose myself either. If only one of us could live… then I’d take her down with me.”

His voice was calm, completely devoid of emotion. He was simply stating a fact.

Xia Chao slammed the table and stood up. “You dare to threaten me with Fengguang?”

“This isn’t a threat,” Ji Mian replied. “It’s a declaration of resolve.”

“You just said you’d drag Fengguang to die with you, and now you say it’s not a threat?” Xia Chao sneered. “Then let me ask you another question. You care deeply about Ji You—so tell me this: if Ji You and Fengguang were both drowning, and you could only save one, who would you choose?”

“That scenario will never happen…” Ji Mian said with a soft smile. “Because from now on, Fengguang will only ever have me by her side. Even if she jumps off a cliff, then the body falling with her will be mine.”

Xia Chao suddenly realized—this young man couldn’t be judged by normal standards. His expression grew serious. “Does Fengguang know the things you’ve just said?”

“She doesn’t need to.”

Keeping her away from the darkness in their hearts—that was the silent agreement everyone around her had made without ever saying it out loud.

Xia Chao sat back down. “You want the Xia family because you see me as the obstacle standing between you and Fengguang. And you’re not wrong—I am that obstacle. So, Ji Mian, how about we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“We’ll bet on Fengguang’s happiness—and on who gets to be the next heir of the Xia family.”

Ji Mian’s dark eyes flickered with a trace of surprise.

“You don’t understand why I’d give you a chance?” Xia Chao said. “It’s simple. Aside from the fact that you’ve got your eyes on Fengguang, you are a very suitable heir. And right now, I just so happen to need one. You’re shrewd, ruthless—you’ve got what it takes to achieve big things. But if I just handed the Xia family to you outright, I’d feel… resentful. So let’s gamble.”

He picked up a file from the table and passed it to Ji Mian.

“I’m giving you three years. Swallow up every company listed in this file. The day you succeed is the day you get to see Fengguang again. But if you fail after three years, you’ll stay away from her for the rest of your life—and I’ll find someone else. That person will become Fengguang’s husband.”

At that final line, Ji Mian’s expression darkened.

Xia Chao smiled maliciously. “So? Do you dare to take the bet?”

“I accept,” Ji Mian said as he took the file—his voice firm, final, and absolute.