Jian Xi peered through the crack of the door and saw the two men standing at the entrance, confronting each other.
She feared someone would get killed.
If this made the front page headlines tomorrow, it wouldn’t be about Si Yuhuan, but her, Jian Xi.
She had carried the notoriety of a femme fatale for long enough!
She didn’t want to be involved with either of these two men anymore.
With no other choice, she dialed Zhang Yaxuan’s number.
"Alright! You’re my fiancée, and it’s my duty to help if you’re in trouble," Zhang Yaxuan agreed readily.
Jian Xi hadn’t expected that; for someone who appeared so straightforward, even a bit dull, he could be quite astute in some respects.
Soon, she realized she had been mistaken.
As soon as Zhang Yaxuan arrived at Fuyuan Official Residence, he followed the apartment number Jian Xi had given him and found his way to the Louwang. Seeing Fu Shengyuan and Si Yuhuan standing at the doorway, he nodded at them and said, "Excuse me, please step aside."
Fu Shengyuan looked slightly awkward.
Si Yuhuan was annoyed. "And you are?"
"Her husband," Zhang Yaxuan stated, his words designed to shock.
The next second, Si Yuhuan yanked him up by the collar. "You said you’re who?"
Zhang Yaxuan, unperturbed, slowly said, "And you are, sir? To be precise, I am Jian Xi’s fiancé. Is there a problem?"
Fu Shengyuan scoffed, "Director Si still doesn’t know? Miss Jian is already dating this renowned painter, Mr. Zhang Yaxuan."
"You keep claiming Xixi is your woman, yet you don’t even know this? Have you been so preoccupied with family feuds that you’ve neglected her? You truly impress me in a new way."
Si Yuhuan took a deep breath. "I’ll give you a chance. Go in there, tell Xixi to break up with you, and stay away from her in the future. She’s not someone you can afford to mess with!"
Zhang Yaxuan nodded. "That makes some sense."
Si Yuhuan thought he was scared and sneered, "Get in there!"
"Director Si, I meant that what Jian Xi said makes sense. A man like you is unreliable. It’s best if you stay far away from her for her happiness; otherwise, you’ll usher in a lifetime of misfortune for her."
Fu Shengyuan stood to the side, watching the drama unfold.
This man was one of the few who dared to speak to Si Yuhuan like that.
"And you, sir," Zhang Yaxuan added, turning to Fu Shengyuan, "it’s very impolite to block a woman’s door late at night."
Si Yuhuan laughed. "Fu Shengyuan, did you hear that? You’re impolite. Weren’t you taught any manners?"
He’d long found Fu Shengyuan an eyesore, and now that he had a chance to mock him, he certainly wouldn’t miss it.
Murderous intent surged in Fu Shengyuan’s eyes.
Si Yuhuan felt the same urge to strike.
Just as the air grew tense, the door opened, and Jian Xi emerged. Her gaze was fixed on Zhang Yaxuan; she didn’t even glance at Fu Shengyuan and Si Yuhuan beside him. She walked over, looped her arm through Zhang Yaxuan’s, and said, "Dear, what took you so long? Hurry inside, I’ve prepared dinner for you."
Zhang Yaxuan was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Alright."
He gave Si Yuhuan and Fu Shengyuan a polite nod. "Well then, I won’t keep you company out here any longer."
With that, Zhang Yaxuan walked into Jian Xi’s Louwang under the icy glares of Si Yuhuan and Fu Shengyuan.
Once inside, Jian Xi immediately leaned against the door, taking deep breaths.
The two men outside exchanged a few words and then departed one after the other.
Especially Si Yuhuan; his dark eyes were practically shooting flames.
Jian Xi felt a persistent unease.
"Are you very scared of them?" Zhang Yaxuan asked.
She was momentarily speechless. "Those two out there are major figures who can turn Beijing upside down."
"Oh." His expression remained composed; he showed no signs of distress from having just navigated what felt like an invisible battlefield.
Jian Xi had to admire his remarkable composure.
"Have some water. Thank you for how you handled things with them just now. That was incredibly brave. I doubt they’ll come looking for me again."
Jian Xi handed him a glass of water.
Zhang Yaxuan accepted it, his gaze sweeping over the luxurious Louwang. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by noᴠelfire.net
"I never imagined you were this wealthy. I suppose I was a bit out of my league back then."
The card he’d given her probably wouldn’t even cover the cost of a single bathroom in this Louwang.
Jian Xi chuckled. "You’re very talented. It’s just that my family has a bit of a foundation. I guess you could say I’m living off their wealth, so I can’t compare to someone self-made like you."
"Let’s reintroduce ourselves."
Jian Xi stood up, extending a delicate, slender hand. "Jian Xi, heiress of Jian Group and Chairman of Yaowang Group. In the future, I will be your most outstanding business partner."
"Alright," Zhang Yaxuan replied, his demeanor composed and dignified. "As long as those two outside—or any other suitors, for that matter—don’t try to kill me, I’ll honor my promise and work with you."
He really is a good person!
For the first time, Jian Xi felt genuine gratitude towards a stranger.
After seeing Zhang Yaxuan off, Jian Xi hurried to pass on the explosive news to Wan Yu.
Wan Yu almost fell off the bed laughing.
"Si Yuhuan is probably in for a sleepless night. You’re harder to manage than Haohan Group! He’s really bitten off more than he can chew this time. If you ask me, I don’t think he intentionally used you. Some of what was said is true; the doctors confirmed he nearly died—that’s a fact. He was gambling, making a huge bet, and luckily, he won. Otherwise, his life would have been forfeit."
"I have to admit, the man is truly cunning and calculating, planning ten steps for every one he takes. How did he know about the Silicon Crystal I was hoarding?"
Jian Xi’s voice suddenly rose. "Does he know I want to take over his Haohan Group?"
She instantly panicked.
Wan Yu soothed her, "Don’t worry. If he really wanted to do anything to you, he would have acted long ago. He wouldn’t have offered such tempting conditions at the board meeting. From my years of experience navigating these sorts of entanglements without getting caught up myself, I can tell this guy has genuine feelings for you. Even knowing your schemes, he can’t bring himself to act against you. Instead, he’s practically handed everything over on a silver platter. That’s true love!"
"Nonsense! Him, love me? It’s definitely a plot!" Jian Xi didn’t believe a word of it.
If he loved her, he wouldn’t have indirectly caused the ruin of her family and her own death in their past life.
She would never forget the moment of her death, or the driver’s words: "The task Director Si ordered has finally been thoroughly completed."
It was Si Yuhuan who had wanted her dead!
These thoughts sent a chill down Jian Xi’s spine.
No matter how much Wan Yu praised Si Yuhuan, Jian Xi remained convinced. "He’s incapable of love, only exploitation," she stated, her voice as cold as ice. "That high-stakes gamble was just one of his schemes—a life-or-death play for maximum gain. And didn’t he win?"
Wan Yu opened his mouth, but suddenly, not a single word came out.
But what if he had died?
He couldn’t bear to imagine it.
Such a cunning and capable man—would he truly have resigned himself to death?
Si Yuhuan did love Jian Xi, Wan Yu mused.
Yet, it didn’t quite add up. He could only let Jian Xi believe what she would.
"When it comes to matters of the heart, you should make your own decisions. However, knowing the pride of Si Yuhuan and Fu Shengyuan, I have a feeling this Zhang Yaxuan is in for a rough time."
「A few days later, Jian Xi received news that Zhang Yaxuan’s paintings were receiving no bids at auction.」
She immediately called Zhang Yaxuan.
"I’m so sorry. This is all my fault; I’ve implicated you. Tell me what your paintings are worth, and I’ll transfer the amount to your account. From now on, I’ll buy all your paintings."
Her domineering, CEO-like declaration elicited a resigned, bitter smile from Zhang Yaxuan. "Is CEO Jian planning to support me?"