The man, who normally wouldn’t partake in frivolous chatter and had considerable influence over both legitimate and underground worlds, was actually able to stroll through the streets and shop for clothes with a woman as if it were nothing. Moreover, he kept her entertained with conversation all the while, which would definitely make her jaw drop!
It was a sapphire blue cocktail dress, which, of course, could also be worn as casual summer attire.
Since he was footing the bill today, naturally, whatever he said went. Jian Anning thus graciously accepted the dress and entered the fitting room, while Situ Xuan was led to the sitting area on the side. He was served a glass of refreshingly sweet lemonade as he waited for his female companion to change.
This was a high-end clothing store. Even though the staff were briefly spoken to by Situ Xuan, they still maintained a good attitude. His tall figure sank into the soft sofa as he pulled out his cellphone to check how much information on Huanyu Group Ya Jiayi had collected from afar in Yancheng.
Huanyu Group had started off in real estate and over the years, had successfully diversified. Besides the water service contract that the two had previously vied for, the Group had also ventured into the hotel chain and logistics sectors. Yu Jingxi might have been hot-headed and capricious in his youth, but his sharp and ruthless business acumen was something even an opponent like Situ Xuan had to marvel at.
Almost every project he set his sights on turned out profitable. Of course, this was inseparable from the fact that his father was a provincial official. However, his own keen business sense and the boldness to blaze new trails were still shockingly impressive.
He had to understand him better if he wanted to bring him down. Though he had lost a bit in their first engagement, he would not make the same mistakes again!
And as for Jian Anning...
Situ Xuan’s previously sharp gaze suddenly softened.
In the beginning, he had approached her with a purpose, to see what kind of woman Yu Zexiao’s woman was like. But as he slowly got to know her, he realized that her relationship with Yu Zexiao wasn’t like that of a typical "woman behind the star". She would quarrel loudly with Yu Zexiao, they’d have disagreements and differing opinions. However, their interactions weren’t like those of ordinary couples, nor did they seem like they were deliberately hiding a scandalous affair; it was a kind of indescribable closeness.
But Yu Zexiao, indeed, had intense emotions for her.
As for Jian Anning, she was quite "genuine".
How to explain "genuine"? Well, both he, including Yu Zexiao, had long been famous and carried a certain aura. He, himself, went without saying. Even Yu Zexiao, as arrogant and haughty as he might be, look at Jiang Xuanqi and see if she dares bare her teeth in front of Yu Zexiao. Yet, Jian Anning dares to! This society, despite its claims of "freedom and equality", is still inherently unequal in some social relationships. Like him, like Yu Zexiao, they definitely belong at the apex of society, looking down on the masses below. Admiration and respect are taken for granted. Yet someone like Jian Anning, coming from an "ordinary" background, who dares to treat everyone as equals, is an anomaly.
To him, this equal standing seems to be the most natural state in a relationship. The women in his past would either look up to him in admiration and awe, or they would be those haughty young mistresses with volatile temperaments. Neither felt comfortable to him. Only someone like Jian Anning, who is both courteous and unyielding, as well as gentle without seeming subservient...