"Si Yuhuan, what are you trying to do?"
Before Jian Mingcheng could speak, Jian Xi went straight to him and assertively asked.
Zhang Xi, Jian Xi’s mother, looked at her, shocked and disbelieving. Her daughter seems to have completely changed. Her attitude towards Si Yuhuan is clearly different now, she thought.
Jian Mingcheng coughed. "I did it. Whatever you want, direct it at me."
He was also very surprised that Jian Xi truly wasn’t siding with Si Yuhuan, and his face filled with relief.
Seeing her family’s reactions, Jian Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s all my fault for being so spineless before, going against my family for Si Yuhuan. My fawning was truly beyond compare. That will never happen again, she resolved.
Si Yuhuan glanced at Jian Xi, a strange look in his eyes. "I’m going to negotiate a business deal. The other party is from S Country. Is there a problem with me bringing more bodyguards?"
Negotiating a business deal?! And with people from S Country? Jian Xi thought, then looked towards her elder brother.
Jian Mingcheng nodded.
"People from S Country value martial prowess; nearly everyone there is armed, and they advocate settling issues through force. Although they wouldn’t be too brazen while negotiating business here in China, bringing more skilled personnel is a common tactic. It demonstrates strength to the other party and discourages them from being overly presumptuous."
Jian Xi didn’t believe Si Yuhuan. "Jiang Qimeng is missing, and you’re still talking about business?"
"How did you know she went abroad?" Si Yuhuan immediately became alert.
Seeing his reaction, Jian Xi made a bold guess. Could it be that he doesn’t know Jiang Qimeng’s departure is related to my brother?
How could that little white lotus not exploit this to pressure me into giving up my position as Mrs. Si? What malicious scheme is she hiding? The uncertainty felt like a hand gripping her throat, making it hard to breathe.
"Nonsense, you two made such a huge commotion in the middle of the night. Who in Beijing doesn’t know?"
Jian Xi’s blunt words seemed to make Si Yuhuan slightly uncomfortable for a moment. After all, his mother-in-law and brother-in-law were standing right in front of him.
"She’s an artist promoted by the company, after all. We still have to ensure her safety. But she has been found, so you don’t need to worry anymore."
Heh. Jian Xi couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Still, I have to admire his speed. He found her in just a few hours. It seems he spared no expense—manpower, resources, or money. Otherwise, how could he be in the mood to discuss any so-called cooperation?
She let her elder brother go with Si Yuhuan.
She also instructed her brother, "I’ll take the lead on everything. You are not to act on your own. As for this Jiang Qimeng incident, if Si Yuhuan doesn’t bring it up, you don’t need to force a confrontation. Brother, don’t worry. I can handle my own affairs."
Jian Mingcheng was a man who understood the bigger picture. Seeing Jian Xi’s determination, he agreed.
"Good! Always remember, you have several brothers behind you, and they will soon be back to support you. No matter how strong Si Yuhuan is, he can’t treat the Jian Family like an easy target."
Jian Xi laughed carefreely. "Who knows who will be the wealthiest next year? Maybe it’ll be our family!"
I can’t reveal the Silicon Crystal acquisition plan yet. I’m preparing for a big move, she thought, secretly thrilled.
Jian Mingcheng ruffled her hair. "Alright."
Zhang Xi, as Jian Xi’s mother, couldn’t help but speak up just as Si Yuhuan was about to leave. "Si Yuhuan, Jian Xi is my only daughter. If you dare to wrong her, I will never let you get away with it."
This was the first time she had said such a thing since Jian Xi got married. It was a statement that resonated strongly. The aura of a noble matriarch was fully displayed by her as she stood tall, her presence intimidating.
Si Yuhuan paused slightly, looked back at her, and nodded. "Understood, Mother."
He still possessed basic courtesy towards elders.
If he dares to say one word I don’t like, I’ll charge over and fight him to the death, Jian Xi vowed internally.
As soon as Si Yuhuan left, Jian Xi rushed into Zhang Xi’s arms. "Mom, you’re so good."
"You silly girl, to think you chose such a good-for-nothing! You never give me any peace of mind."
Jian Xi, who had been reborn, considered herself strong—after all, she had died once. Yet, in her mother’s embrace, tears streamed down her face. Mom, I’m so sorry. I know I was wrong. I’ll never be so foolish again, she cried inwardly.
But all she could say aloud was, "It’s almost over. Everything is about to end."
Zhang Xi, misinterpreting Si Yuhuan’s softened attitude towards Jian Xi as a sign that there might still be hope for their relationship, said with a helpless expression, "Let’s hope so."
After returning from the Jian Family home to her small apartment, Jian Xi encountered an unexpected visitor at her door.
Chu Xiao had somehow found his way to her.
"Sister, you’ve been avoiding me for a long time."
Jian Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "When did I avoid you?" The truth is, if I don’t want to see someone, they simply won’t find me, she thought.
"Do you not like going to bars?" Chu Xiao truly was the most endearing Little Naigou she had ever seen; his tens of millions of fans weren’t for nothing. With just slightly reddened eyes, he could evoke such pity it would make anyone’s heart ache, as if he were a delicate young wife.
Suddenly, I can kind of understand why Si Yuhuan became such a scumbag. It’s not just men who affected act; even women might glance at it and feel their hearts flutter, Jian Xi mused.
Jian Xi’s answer was perfunctory as she prepared to scan her fingerprint to open the door, with Chu Xiao following closely.
"Aren’t you afraid of being labeled the other man anymore?" she teased.
Chu Xiao heard the sarcasm. "Sister! I’ve already apologized."
If ’sorry’ fixed everything, what would we need the police for? Jian Xi wanted to retort, but she held her tongue.
"Mm, I was kidding. Come in if you want." He’s a business partner, after all. No need to burn bridges completely, she thought.
"Sister, I know why Si Yuhuan glares at me like he wants to kill me but doesn’t dare to touch me!" After entering, seeing Jian Xi about to pour him water, he eagerly followed her into the kitchen, speaking as if presenting a treasure.
"Hmm?" Jian Xi raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
"My family’s Silicon Crystal is a scarce mineral resource that he currently needs for his chip research. It’s rare, both domestically and internationally. Even our family can only mine it in limited quantities; the rest is under state control. It’s very precious, so he doesn’t dare do anything to me."
He looked at Jian Xi with searching eyes. "Sister, I suspect your recent collaboration with my family on the Silicon Crystal acquisition plan was aimed at Si Yuhuan."
Tsk! Kids from merchant families sure are quick-witted, Jian Xi thought.
Jian Xi continued to bluff. "Nonsense! I simply enjoy collecting rare and unusual things."
"Silicon Crystal for a collection?" Chu Xiao’s lip twitched. "Don’t kid me. Rest assured, when it comes to targeting Si Yuhuan, great minds think alike. I went back and thought about it: how about we use this to force him to divorce you?"
Absolutely not! A divorce is a must, but I can’t waste such a powerful trump card on just that. Silicon Crystal is my bargaining chip for negotiating with Si Yuhuan. My goal is revenge! The target is Haohan Group! The title of ’richest’ changes hands; next year, it could be our family’s turn. That last part wasn’t just a joke from Jian Xi. She was dead serious.
Chu Xiao’s eyes lit up. "Sister, look at you! You admitted it! You *are* targeting Si Yuhuan!"
Jian Xi went over and covered his mouth. "Shut up!"
This scene was photographed by someone around the corner, unnoticed by anyone.