The police station hadn’t initially notified Ji Jiangyuan, and when George and Mrs. Wilson arrived, they hadn’t included him since he was working overtime at the company with documents, responding to Ji Ya’s unreasonable demands, rather than being at the hotel.

Now his presence became imperative.

Fortunately, George could reach him!

“Hey, could you come over? There’s a situation here that requires your presence…”

When Ji Jiangyuan heard they were at the police station nearest to the Municipal Government Residential Complex, he already sensed trouble. George’s tone made his heart sink further:

“I’ll be there immediately.”

Following the call, Ji Jiangyuan arrived within thirty minutes.

“Uncle George, what happened?”

“I’m sorry, child. I didn’t want you to receive this disheartening news, but my marriage with your mother will likely end here.”

The dreaded day had finally arrived!

Earlier that evening, he had still urged his mother to treasure George.

Ji Jiangyuan embraced George, “This is truly unfortunate. You’ll always be my Uncle George – I mean, I support whatever you decide… Uncle George, you deserve someone better.”

George appeared distressed, “I genuinely wanted us to be family, but—”

“Perhaps my mother isn’t suited for marriage. I understand your position and hold no grudges. Everyone chooses their path in life – this isn’t solely your choice, but hers as well!”

George had done everything humanly possible; marriage couldn’t sustain itself on one-sided dedication.

Tears welled in George’s eyes, “Do you still want to study abroad?”

Ji Jiangyuan shook his head, “Let’s address tonight’s situation first. Everything else is secondary.”

He understood George’s implication – even without becoming his stepfather, George still wished to support his return to America.

Ji Jiangyuan couldn’t accept such generosity.

Just because George was kindhearted didn’t mean they should continue taking advantage of his goodwill.

“So, what exactly transpired tonight?”

Before the police could explain, Secretary Lai stepped forward: “Young Master Ji, I’m the mayor’s secretary. Though this is our first meeting under such unfortunate circumstances, allow me to explain the situation.”

The new secretary to his father.

Indeed, this was their first encounter; he had previously known Secretary Peng, but father and son had grown increasingly distant over the past year.

“Please proceed.”

Secretary Lai briefly recounted the events. Upon hearing that Ji Ya had stationed herself outside the Municipal Government Residential Complex, Ji Jiangyuan frowned:

“This partially involves me. She had asked me to arrange… I mean, she wanted me to arrange a meeting with my father, but I declined. I should have anticipated this – she’s not one to give up easily.”

“She caused a disturbance at the residential complex to pressure my father into resolving her predicament?”

Secretary Lai struggled to respond to Ji Jiangyuan’s inquiry.

Xia Xiaolan descended from her vehicle; only then did George and the others notice her presence alongside Zhou Cheng.

The earlier chaos had prevented them from observing their surroundings at the police station!

Mrs. Wilson snorted, clearly directed at Xia Xiaolan.

“I’ll explain the rest. Making a scene is Ms. Ji’s usual tactic, but a mere disturbance wouldn’t have angered Uncle Tang so severely or prompted him to suggest psychiatric treatment. After meeting Uncle Tang, Ms. Ji proposed returning you to him… using you, her son, as leverage to convince Uncle Tang to intercede with the banks and help her through this loan repayment crisis.”

Xia Xiaolan related the exact words, as confirmed by Tang Hongen and Liu Fen.

Even Old Huang, the security guard, had overheard it.

Ji Jiangyuan’s expression suggested he’d been struck by lightning.

When Ji Ya had asked for his help, he’d naively assumed she intended to humble herself and seek reconciliation with his father – he’d been too innocent. Instead, Ji Ya had planned such a blatant “transaction,” with him as the commodity!

He, the traded item, had been kept completely in the dark.

“I didn’t realize I was worth so much.”

Ji Jiangyuan smiled bitterly, “However, even if my father agreed to this absurd arrangement, it couldn’t be executed. I’m unfamiliar with Chinese law, but under American law, I’m an adult. My guardianship expired on my eighteenth birthday. I’ve already provided her with $100,000 in child support… No one has the right to use me as a bargaining chip for their gain!”

“Of course not. You’re an independent individual, and Uncle Tang said exactly that, which is why he refused. Sending Ji Ya to a psychiatric facility might provide relief for everyone involved.”

Xia Xiaolan simply wasn’t certain whether Ji Jiangyuan would consent!

She noticed that beyond his initial shock, Ji Jiangyuan didn’t seem particularly distressed.

After some thought, Ji Jiangyuan replied: “Regarding psychiatric treatment, I’ll discuss it with my uncle and family. Until then, I’ll take responsibility for monitoring her to prevent further trouble – at minimum, I know the bank plans to discuss repayment with her tomorrow. She needs to address these problems!”

Xia Xiaolan felt immense sympathy for Ji Jiangyuan but didn’t know how to console him.

George could choose divorce, but what options did Ji Jiangyuan have?

Even after repaying child support, their blood ties remained – the reality wasn’t mythology; he couldn’t sever flesh and bone like Nezha…

“Relationships depend on predestined bonds. Perhaps the maternal bond between you two is meant to be thin, Ji Jiangyuan. If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. Or if you need Uncle Tang’s help, he’d be equally willing! Try to maintain perspective – I barely have a father-daughter bond myself, yet I manage to live happily!”

Her relationship with Xia Dajun couldn’t be directly compared to Ji Jiangyuan and Ji Ya’s situation, but at this moment, it was the only consolation she could offer.

“Thank you, I’ll handle this. It’s late, you and Instructor Zhou should head back.”

Zhou Cheng had been their military training instructor, so Ji Jiangyuan always called him Instructor Zhou.

Seeing Ji Jiangyuan’s composed demeanor, Zhou Cheng noticed how much more mature he’d become since military training – time marched forward, and everyone was evolving for the better.

“Let’s go. I believe he can handle this himself.”

After seeing them off, Ji Jiangyuan requested to meet Ji Ya alone.

Secretary Lai and the police objected, but Ji Jiangyuan smiled, “It’s fine. I’m her son; she won’t strangle me to death.”

Even if she did, it would merely be returning the life she gave him.

At Ji Jiangyuan’s insistence, he was granted private time with Ji Ya. This time, the door was closed – Secretary Lai’s requirement, as mother and son might discuss Mayor Tang, and it was best to limit potential listeners!

Seeing Ji Jiangyuan, Ji Ya’s face twisted with sarcasm:

“Are you pleased to see me so wretched? If you had helped, I could have maintained some dignity! I thought I heard Xia Xiaolan’s voice earlier – did she come with her shameless mother? Of course, they wouldn’t miss such an opportunity. If they don’t destroy me completely, they might worry their future won’t be secure!”