For some reason, every time she emphatically repeated that she wouldn’t bear his children, Si Yuhuan felt a little flame igniting in his heart, steadily growing. When he could no longer bear it, he threw down his chopsticks and stood up. "Hurry up and get ready. I’m waiting for you outside."
"What for?" She had planned to be a snail today and laze around at home.
"I’m taking you to the hospital to check your wound and to see what exactly is wrong with you. I don’t want you to die and have your parents show up at my door, leaving me unable to explain."
Listen to him. Is that something a human being would say?
Jian Xi immediately bristled. "I’ll outlive you!"
Having died once before, she cherished her current life immensely; even a mere curse was enough to make her anxious.
"If you can’t speak decently, then shut your mouth and get lost! I’m not going to see any doctor you appoint. For all I know, you might be trying to harm me."
Her words were even harsher.
His good intentions being mistaken for a malicious plot made Si Yuhuan’s handsome face darken like the soot on a pot. "Jian Xi, can a dog’s mouth like yours ever utter anything but filth?"
"Oh, you think you can? Let’s see you spit ivory then. I’m sure it’ll be a rare sight."
They wounded each other; it was a classic case of injuring the enemy by a thousand only to lose eight hundred oneself.
Si Yuhuan was so angry his liver ached. "Fine! I can’t be bothered with you."
He left in a huff, and Jian Xi felt a sharp pain in her stomach.
A housemaid hurried over. "Miss Jian, you look a bit pale. Do you need to rest for a while?"
"It’s nothing, he just agitated me. I’ll be fine in a moment."
He really is my nemesis!
Why is it getting more and more painful!
Jian Xi rose to her feet, holding onto the chair. "GASP! It hurts so much!"
"Miss Jian, why is there blood on your pajamas?"
Jian Xi turned her head and saw blood on her trousers.
"I might be getting my period."
"Oh, I see." Aunt Zhang was greatly relieved and said, half-amused, half-exasperated, "I thought for a moment you’d had a miscarriage. Well, you better take those off, and I’ll wash them for you."
Shortly after, Aunt Zhang took the trousers to the bathroom.
The doorbell suddenly rang.
She went to answer the door.
A young girl peeked her head in. "Excuse me, are you hiring part-time maids here?"
Aunt Zhang managed three live-in maids, but the workload was still immense. So, Jian Xi had permitted her to hire a few part-time helpers. Aunt Zhang had full authority over this, only needing Jian Xi’s final approval.
"Yes, come on in. I have something to wash in the bathroom. We can talk in a bit."
"Auntie, I’m a quick worker. Let me do it!"
With that, the girl darted into the bathroom.
When she saw the blood-stained trousers on the floor, a smile touched her lips.
Jian Xi was still feeling very unwell and called for Aunt Zhang.
"Miss Jian, I’m coming right now!"
When Aunt Zhang turned back after pouring some water, the girl was gone.
How strange, Aunt Zhang thought briefly. She just disappeared.
Aunt Zhang didn’t dwell on it and went to attend to Jian Xi. "Drink some brown sugar water; it might help with the pain."
Jian Xi was puzzled. "It seems it hasn’t started yet, but it’s probably coming soon."
When she’d checked earlier, the bleeding had stopped. Since her period was always irregular, she hadn’t thought much of it.
Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but advise her, "You’re young, so take good care of your body. If you neglect your health now, you might develop chronic issues later, making it harder to conceive."
Jian Xi had heard so much about pregnancy and childbirth recently that she was practically immune to such talk. "Alright, I’ll get some traditional medicine when I have time to nourish my body."
She hadn’t decided whether to have children or with whom, but taking care of her health was definitely important.
Jian Xi received a call. It was Li Bin, informing her that Wan Yu had signed Du Mingrui, which meant Du Mingrui could now sign with Yaowang. freeNovelHub
"He said Du Mingrui wanted to meet you before signing. Are you available now?"
"I’m not feeling well." Jian Xi hesitated. She couldn’t let her health impede her work. She then added, "She can come to my house to see me."
Before long, the roar of a sports car’s engine could be heard. f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com
Du Mingrui arrived with great fanfare, followed by several bodyguards, her agent, and assistants—an entourage of more than ten people.
Jian Xi, in her pajamas, was meeting this highly acclaimed celebrity, a veritable goddess in the eyes of many of her fans. In contrast, Jian Xi exuded an approachable, girl-next-door warmth, which only made Du Mingrui appear more overbearing.
"Miss Jian, you’re truly beautiful."
Her makeup-free face was charming and noble, her delicate jawline superior to that of many female celebrities. Her graceful figure, hinted at beneath her pajamas, combined with her casual slippers and homey attire, couldn’t conceal her natural aristocratic aura.
Miss Du truly lives up to her reputation, Jian Xi mused. No wonder Second Brother dislikes her. She’s so aggressive, it’s hard to find her appealing. Cameras really do cast a flattering light on people.
"Don’t mind them; this is my team. I usually keep them with me. You know, as my status has risen, returning to the country requires an entourage to maintain appearances." Du Mingrui might have been better off not explaining, as it came across as a rather blatant attempt to flaunt her status.
Jian Xi’s initial impression of her worsened.
"I came this time specifically to meet the famous Madame Si, the renowned owner behind your company."
Famous? Jian Xi scoffed internally. She’s definitely trying to subtly mock me.
"Compared to ’Madame Si,’ I prefer being called CEO Jian," Jian Xi stated plainly.
"Well then, CEO Jian, if you want me to sign with Yaowang, you must agree to three conditions. First, allow me to become a shareholder in Yaowang."
Hmm? Jian Xi wondered if she had misheard.
Du Mingrui stated directly, "I’m very interested in the fashion brand and can invest three hundred million."
Wow! What a grand gesture, Jian Xi thought.
Seeing Jian Xi’s expression, Du Mingrui curled her red lips. "Additionally, I will endorse Yaowang for five years at my lowest possible rate."
Jian Xi pondered this.
Du Mingrui pressed her advantage, "Furthermore, I can help your good friend Wan Yu cultivate new livestreamers and provide them with resources."
Jian Xi couldn’t help but applaud. "Such tempting conditions. It makes it hard to say no."
"I knew CEO Jian was a shrewd businesswoman. Shall we toast to our successful cooperation?"
"Hold on a second." Jian Xi made a pausing gesture. "You might have misunderstood. I only said your terms were tempting, not that I would agree to them."
She smiled faintly. "You yourself just said that besides being CEO Jian, I am also Madame Si. Don’t you know my husband is very wealthy? Three hundred million is hardly enough to move me. Offer three billion, and I might consider it."
The smile on Du Mingrui’s face froze.
"And regarding your five-year endorsement at the ’lowest price’—does that mean Yaowang and New Fashion Media would have to pour all their resources into you to guarantee your continued A-list status? Who exactly is benefiting more in that scenario?"
"Finally, do you really think those tactics you used abroad will work here? My dear Goddess, your scheming is so blatant it’s practically smacking me in the face."
Her fighting spirit ignited, Jian Xi felt even her stomach ache subsiding. "So, if these are your terms for negotiation, then let’s just pretend we never met today."
"Wait a second." Du Mingrui took a deep breath. "Then what terms would you accept for us to collaborate?"
"Just for you to sign the contract. Take the money, do your job. Simple enough, right?" Jian Xi spoke lightly.
Du Mingrui clenched her fists tightly. "You can’t possibly think I returned to the country for such meager benefits, can you?"
"If you’re truly capable, go start your own company. Then we can discuss cooperation, and it certainly won’t be at today’s rates."
Jian Xi grinned. She felt her verbal sparring skills had truly leveled up, thanks to her dealings with Si Yuhuan.
Her ability to deliver cutting remarks had certainly improved.