Chapter 41

"OPPA, why did you just admit defeat like that?" Li Jie, Li Jingming's fourth aunt, was sitting in the car on the way back, her eyes full of confusion as she asked Ju Junhao beside her. Over the years since her marriage, she knew that Ju Junhao was not the type to admit defeat easily.

"Hehe, the old man was testing my attitude. Did you really think he wanted me to argue?" Ju Junhao replied, looking ahead. Although he was smiling while speaking, there was no trace of a smile in his eyes.

"Testing you?" Li Jie turned her head, puzzled. "Why would he test you?"

"I'm afraid this time, the fires will be lit, and your nephew has quite the resolve." Ju Junhao pondered. As a member of a prominent family, he was used to everyone striving for stability and had never seen anyone as aggressive as Li Jingming. "The old man's easy support isn't as simple as it seems on the surface. Soon, the smoke of war will spread everywhere."

"I haven't heard of Kan doing anything major recently. I thought he was just playing around with the entertainment industry. After all, young people around twenty usually like the entertainment industry, enjoying the roar of the crowd and the glamorous young girls." Li Jie had a very good relationship with Li Kan. She was only ten years older than him, and when she was a young girl, Li Kan was a cute little boy in the family, and they played together a lot.

Li Jie was the youngest and most pampered in the family. As the eldest grandson, Li Kan was even more beloved. There was a saying in China: "The youngest son and the eldest grandson are the old lady's life." This described their situation perfectly. When they were young, the two of them were inseparable.

Actually, most of the time, Li Jingming was forced to play with Li Kan. Despite his cute appearance, he had the mind of an adult and didn't want to play with a ten-year-old girl, even if she was his aunt. However, his small size and weak physique made him no match for her, which only strengthened his determination to learn martial arts. That's a story for another time...

"Not just a major move, Li Kan is clearly trying to cut off others' livelihoods." Ju Junhao sighed. "It looks like he wants to use external forces to gain influence in the media, but once he has that power, do you think he'll just use it to sell albums and make movies?"

"The balance will surely be disrupted, and it will be impossible to stop without a fight to the death." Ju Junhao envied Li Jingming immensely. He would never have such an opportunity within the Ju family, and the Ju family didn't have the strength for it. "The Li, Jin, Min, and Zhao families, having learned from the Da Yu Group, will be united. In contrast, the other families have already had disagreements over the division of the pie. With a few tricks from your nephew, they will be easily defeated one by one."

"Kan isn't as terrifying as you say. I've watched him grow up." Li Jie pouted, not believing him. "I've seen him naked, and I know him better than you. Besides, he's about to serve in the military. How could he do those things?"

"I heard that Li Kan went abroad at thirteen, first to China and then to the United States, for nine years." Ju Junhao explained patiently. "But look at your family's old man. Despite not seeing him for years, has his affection for him diminished at all? Even if he serves for two, five, or eight years, he will still be the Li family's eldest grandson."

"His military service is a crucial part of his plan, which is why it can proceed smoothly." Ju Junhao was already thinking about how to tell his father about this. LG and Samsung were rivals and would never cooperate. The old man called him to discuss cooperation, but they didn't talk about anything important. It was all for tonight's show.

"No wonder your brother sent Li Kan to China to study. The Chinese have unparalleled wisdom." Ju Junhao then spoke about Chinese wisdom. "I've heard the story of 'three men make a tiger,' but I also know the fable of 'the boy who cried wolf.' Words are a double-edged sword, and they have mastered its use to perfection. Even though today's gathering was full of your family's elites, some might leak information to outsiders."

"The old man will surely put on a show first. The others, not receiving any moves, will become suspicious and eventually think you're just bluffing." Ju Junhao took a deep breath. "When your nephew returns from service, he will strike with the force of a tiger."

"Among your three brothers, your eldest brother is the most capable, keeping a low profile. He doesn't need to do anything; his status as the eldest and his good son are enough. Your second brother seems superficial and greedy, but it's intentional, to attract attention and make people underestimate him. Your third brother, though seen as a playboy, showed restraint and self-control today, which is far from being a playboy."

"You're so perceptive, analyzing everyone so well." Li Jie laughed. It seemed her three brothers were all deep and calculating. As the youngest and a girl, she was the family's treasure and naturally had less contact with these matters.

"Let's not talk about the third generation of the various families. Just the three brothers of the Li family, plus a few of our Ju family, are no match for your nephew." Ju Junhao sighed in admiration. "Li Kan's strength isn't in his sharp methods, substantial capital, or precise foresight. These aren't his strengths. He is a person without any weaknesses."

"Alright, you said so much about what the old man was testing you for. What was it?" Li Jie asked, dissatisfied. Her adorable nephew didn't seem like a monster to her. Speaking of which, the little guy had become even more handsome since they last met.

"By not agreeing to the debate and admitting defeat, the old man naturally knows that I won't stand against Li Kan in the Leexi Jinxing."

"What if you agreed to the debate?" Li Jie pressed.

"Then what do you think the old man would ask?" Ju Junhao turned to look at his wife, who was still pure and beautiful in her thirties.

The car fell silent, and Li Jie remained quiet for a long time.

In a room of the Li family mansion, Li Jingming was sighing. "Mom, can't I go back to my place?" The traditional Korean house was like sleeping on the floor, and the mats were hard.

"Go get some cushions and put them under the mats. You're so picky." Jin Runshu patted Li Jingming's back. She knew her son was used to a soft bed and had trouble sleeping in new places.

"Business matters are for your father to discuss with you. I can't control that, but you're twenty-three and haven't seriously dated a girl yet." Jin Runshu complained. "Is the Li family's grand plan so important that you can't even find time for a relationship?"

"Let's talk about it after my service." Li Jingming replied helplessly, knowing he would get the same lecture every time he came back.

"Service, service, in two years you'll be twenty-five, and I'll be almost fifty." Jin Runshu glared at Li Jingming. "How can you not prioritize things? Now is the time to think about these things. Give me a grandson."

"Give?" Li Jingming opened his mouth wide, wondering if she was treating him like a magician, David Copperfield.

"I don't care. I have nothing to do at home and am bored to death. If you bring me a grandson, I'll stop bothering you." Jin Runshu even resorted to being unreasonable, a skill all Korean women had, even with their sons.

"Mom, I'm going to sleep." Li Jingming, seeing his mother's antics, decided to play along and lay down as if he was going to sleep.

"Brat." Jin Runshu kicked Li Jingming's butt in frustration and left the room.

After his mother left, Li Jingming turned over and lay flat on his back, forming a large "T" shape. With the words he had spoken today, there was no turning back, and the road ahead would be much harder.

Without a computer or TV, Li Jingming took out his phone and called Ahn Hanjin. "Hey, it's me."

"Senior, good evening." Ahn Hanjin knew it was evening in Korea.

"Didn't I tell you to call me 'bro'?" Li Jingming closed his eyes, feeling tired. He had shot an MV and a poster earlier and then drove for over an hour to Suwon. "In a few days, a musician named Kim Daewon will come over. Arrange a meeting with Ken Kere, and let him observe the music production process at LKM."

"Bro, what about the confidentiality level?" There were many projects in the U.S., including music and movies, and Ahn Hanjin wasn't sure what he could and couldn't share.

"That's the music production I value. We might need to rely on him for a while in Korea. Be polite to him." This was Li Jingming's way of speaking. Relying on him for a while meant Kim C was important to him during this period, but Li Jingming emphasized "in Korea," implying that Kim C wouldn't be involved in the U.S. projects, especially the film projects. Finally, calling Ahn Hanjin to be polite to him meant that Kim C wasn't yet part of his team.

Li Jingming liked Kim C's passion and character, but his plans were another matter. After all, he had only known Kim C for a few days.

"I understand, bro." Ahn Hanjin got the message. "By the way, the casting for 'Juno' is progressing. Do you need the materials?"

"The director and screenwriter can decide. I'll look at the results." Li Jingming always trusted the experts.

"The album's progress is under control. The release channels have been arranged through Baek Geum's connections." Ahn Hanjin continued to report on the album's progress.

After listening for a while, Li Jingming understood the new developments. He didn't call every day, as giving some space allowed things to progress better and showed his trust.

Li Jingming stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. He was born on June 13th, a typical Gemini. He didn't know if his dual personality was due to his zodiac sign or if the Li Kan from his previous life hadn't left. In his past life, he was calculating and cold. In this life, he had decided to be more spontaneous, but he still showed the other Li Kan's personality when faced with certain things.

They say that every Friday the 13th is the day the devil tours the world. Was he, born on a Black Friday, brought back by the devil? Li Jingming asked himself countless questions.

If I am no longer myself, then who am I? If I am no longer myself, then who am I?