As soon as Jian Xi entered the house, she saw Jian Mingcheng chatting happily with Si Yuhuan.
She went in with a sullen face.
Jian’s Mother, Zhang Xi, saw her daughter return and hurriedly approached her. "Hold your temper in a bit later."
Huh? Since when did Mom learn to ask her to be polite to Si Yuhuan?
"Your brother’s company has run into some trouble, and Si Yuhuan stepped forward to solve the problem. I listened in on it just now, and the solution is very practical. I have to say, in this regard, he does have some real skills. Once we’ve made use of him, your mom will turn a blind eye to whatever you want to do to him."
Jian Xi tugged at the corner of her mouth, almost giving her mother a thumbs up. She understood the strategy of discarding someone once they’ve served their purpose.
Her brother’s company issues were no joke. Jian Xi knew something big must have happened. Otherwise, her mother wouldn’t have been so easily persuaded to soften her stance. And her elder brother, who was obsessed with management, probably saw Si Yuhuan as a fish on the chopping board, humbly seeking business wisdom from him.
The two talked for a while and finally noticed Jian Xi.
Si Yuhuan waved at her proudly. "You’re back?"
Jian Xi couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she walked over and looped her arm through Jian Mingcheng’s elbow. "Brother, what happened to the company?"
It was her fault for having forgotten to check on Jian Group recently. She guessed her brother didn’t want to trouble her, which was why he hadn’t mentioned it.
"Nothing much, just some issues with increasing production capacity. It’s technical stuff you wouldn’t understand. Director Si has already shared some tricks and methods with me. They’re very practical. I’m going to try them out now. You stay and have dinner at home."
At that moment, the housekeeper called out, "Madam, Young Missy, dinner is ready."
Si Yuhuan got up unceremoniously and headed to the dining room.
Jian Xi stopped him. "Hey, didn’t you hear? They said ’Madam and Young Missy.’ Since when were they calling for Director Si?"
Jian Mingcheng coughed awkwardly. "Well, this meal... I had the maid cook it especially for Director Si. Everything on the table is what he likes."
After all, both families were prominent, and having been married for many years, the household staff clearly remembered Si Yuhuan’s preferences.
Jian Xi glanced at the table; indeed, it was filled with dishes he liked.
"Forget it, I’m not eating."
She genuinely lacked the appetite to sit with a man who only knew how to sweet-talk a deceptively innocent woman.
Unexpectedly, Si Yuhuan grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled her into the dining room. "Eat with me."
Jian Xi glared at him.
Si Yuhuan said, "Solving production capacity is just the first step. As for the other key points in storage and cost reduction, your brother might not be as proficient as I am. Don’t forget, the Jian Family has been in the tourism business these years. There is a certain difference between manufacturing and tourism."
He wasn’t wrong. Jian Mingcheng might not lack business acumen, but he certainly wasn’t as seasoned as Si Yuhuan! Mom was right: use him first, then deal with him properly once he’s served his purpose.
Huffing angrily, Jian Xi sat at the table and looked at him.
Si Yuhuan raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Aren’t you asking me to eat with you? Serve the rice then."
The servant was about to serve the rice but was stopped by her stare.
Si Yuhuan looked towards Jian’s Mother; with Jian Mingcheng gone, she was the only one left in the Jian Family with any say.
Unexpectedly, Jian’s Mother stretched lazily. "Didn’t sleep well. I need a nap."
Jian Xi triumphantly raised her chin. "Director Si, I’ll trouble you then."
Si Yuhuan smiled, took the bowl, filled it with rice for Jian Xi, and then also ladled soup for her, setting it in front of her. "We’re divorced now, yet you still order me around . It seems you haven’t quite shed your old role, just like me, getting too into character."
Listen to how spiteful those words were! They made Jian Xi furious in an instant.
"Si Yuhuan, a man like you should stay a bachelor for life! Don’t bother getting a wife; you don’t deserve one!"
Si Yuhuan’s face darkened. Had he said something wrong? This woman’s reactions were too extreme.
"Um, are you upset about what Jiang Qimeng said?" He wanted to reassure her, ’Don’t worry, I won’t marry her,’ but then he felt there was no need to explain. Shouldn’t everyone be clear about this?
"I’ll make her apologize to you."
"Heh!" Jian Xi sneered coldly. "I don’t care for your apologies."
Si Yuhuan frowned. "If one makes a mistake, they should apologize."
"You say that. I hope she listens to you. Aside from the court-mandated public statement of apology, I want her to admit her wrongdoing to my face, apologize to me personally, hand over the compensation, and write a letter of confession."
"This..." Si Yuhuan hesitated.
"No? Then forget it. It wasn’t very sincere anyway. If I had offended Jiang Qimeng back in the day, she would have..."
Si Yuhuan didn’t want to continue listening to her grievances from the past and quickly cut in, "Okay. The letter of apology, the face-to-face apology, the public statement—you’ll have everything you want."
Jian Xi’s red lips curled into a smile. Jiang Qimeng, aren’t you so proud that Si Yuhuan is your get-out-of-jail-free card? I just wonder what brilliant expression you’ll have when you see your precious ’get-out-of-jail-free card’ suddenly tarnish and turn against you!
The dinner Si Yuhuan had was relatively calm. Jian Xi had a good appetite and ate a lot, probably due to her pregnancy. After finishing, she began to feel drowsy.
"You should rest. I’ll head back now."
No rush. The trouble Jian Mingcheng was facing wasn’t something that could be resolved in a day or two. He had his overt strategies and covert plans; staying with the Jian Family for a month wouldn’t pose any problems.
Jian Xi said with a forced smile, "Hope to never see you again."
Si Yuhuan grabbed his coat. "We will see each other."
He himself wanted to see her every day!
As soon as Si Yuhuan left, Jian’s Mother came downstairs.
"I see he’s quite attentive to you now."
Jian Xi choked on her words. Could she tell her mother that Si Yuhuan wasn’t being attentive, but simply couldn’t stand the thought of a woman who used to revolve solely around him suddenly leaving? What was that saying again? Even raising a dog creates attachment. It was nothing but a surge of possessiveness on his part, a momentary impulse.
"Don’t worry about it, Mom. Let’s go back to sleep, the kind where you hold me close."
This clingy little thing! Jian’s Mother found herself increasingly fond of her daughter clinging to her ; it had been so long. Her daughter, finally out from under that man’s gaze, was beginning to see her mother’s good qualities again.
Jiang Qimeng never expected Si Yuhuan to call her personally. The order he gave was for her to apologize to Jian Xi—in person and in writing.
She was about to go mad! Wasn’t a public statement on the internet enough? Si Yuhuan must have been brainwashed by that woman!
"Yuhan, how could I possibly go apologize in person? And handwrite it? Is this Jian Xi’s idea?"
Si Yuhuan knew she wouldn’t easily write an apology letter. In the past, he would have coaxed her patiently and then found a compromise. But today, irritated by Jian Xi, he had no patience left and simply said coldly, "If you’ve done wrong, you have to pay the price. You strongly believe in that, don’t you? Since you know you’re wrong, go apologize. If you’re not willing to, then don’t come to me for anything in the future."
After speaking, Si Yuhuan hung up the phone.
"AAAHHH!" Jiang Qimeng was so furious she stomped her feet.
She wanted to kill Jian Xi! She had to kill Jian Xi with her own hands!