230: Chapter 226: Bloodstains and Ancient Map (Part 1) (Third Update!) 230: Chapter 226: Bloodstains and Ancient Map (Part 1) (Third Update!) Jiann Xiangxiang had been raised by someone else, while Jiann Xinzhu had never truly been married!
She too was a pitiable person.
Looking at Jiann Xinzhu across from him in her light red dress, Lin Tian sighed inwardly.
When he first saw Jiann Xinzhu, she struck him as a strong, independent woman.
Every inch of her radiated the competence of a mature woman, along with an overwhelming, albeit invisible, aura.
Such a woman was not easily managed by the average man.
And that was precisely the unique charm and temperament of Jiann Xinzhu.
No wonder men like Zhao Xie and Mu Bai, prominent playboys from Bin City, pursued her relentlessly.
There were probably many others in the shadows smitten with her beauty.
These men must have known something about Jiann Xinzhu’s circumstances, or they wouldn’t have been so enamored and proactive in their pursuit.
And even if she were actually a divorced woman, such a strong and accomplished lady would surely be the conquest of many a man’s dreams, no?
“Sister Jiann, it’s been tough for you, raising Xiangxiang alone!
And besides, Xiangxiang needs a father!”
Lin Tian looked up solemnly, “Sister Jiann, you should find someone to marry!
I can tell there are countless gents and young masters in Bin City who have been carrying a torch for you for a long time, and surely many of them are outstanding.”
Jiann Xinzhu took a sip of wine and said with a shake of her head and a laugh, “Some of them are just attracted to my looks; they indeed have extraordinary backgrounds and wealth but, I can tell, none of them truly love me.
And what’s more, there’s Xiangxiang.
How many of them have the patience?
Besides, Xiangxiang doesn’t even like them.”
Saying this, Jiann Xinzhu gave a self-deprecating laugh before continuing, “And others are after my shares in the Yongjia Chain Hotel, a part of the Sea City empire.
Who wouldn’t be greedy for that?
They think they can sway Jiann Xinzhu with sweet nothings!”
“But really, there are some excellent ones, it’s just a pity none are suitable.”
Hearing this, Lin Tian shook his head with a smile, “With so many wealthy and young masters to choose from, I don’t believe Sister Jiann hasn’t taken a liking to at least one!”
Jiann Xinzhu spun her wine glass, watching the red wine swirl, and smiled charmingly.
“Ah, then why didn’t you accept him, Sister Jiann?”
The surprise and confusion showed on Lin Tian’s face.
Jiann Xinzhu shook her head and blinked her beautiful eyes, saying with a smile, “Because he never pursued me.
And even if I’m interested, I fear he might not be willing!”
“No way, what man wouldn’t be interested in such an outstanding woman as Sister Jiann?”
Lin Tian said with an expression of disappointment, “Who is he?
Such a lack of judgment is his loss!”
“Far in the distance, yet close at hand,” Jiann Xinzhu, perhaps because of the wine, said without any reservation, “That person is you!
And Xiangxiang likes you very much too.”
In a flash, Lin Tian was stunned, unsure how to respond.
Looking at Jiann Xinzhu’s flush and pretty face, he wondered if she was just speaking nonsense because she was drunk.
I just found out you’re the biggest shareholder of the Yongjia Hotel!”
To avoid awkwardness, Lin Tian changed the subject.
He was also unsure whether Jiann Xinzhu’s words were true or just the ramblings of someone intoxicated—it would be troublesome if it was a misunderstanding.
“Yongjia was originally left to me by my grandfather, then it became part of Sea City; he held the largest share.
When he passed away, he left the shares to me!”
Jiann Xinzhu explained softly, “But once in my hands, a lot of the real power started to be siphoned off by those people from Sea City.
Being the largest shareholder of the chain hotel is merely a title!
If it weren’t for your intervention, I might have given up on Yongjia!”
Lin Tian nodded and said with a smile, “But it’s all right now, isn’t it?
Zhou Li will surely take extra care of you on my account!”
Jiann Xinzhu’s face dimmed slightly before she smiled again, “Let’s not talk about these unhappy things!
How about drinking a few more with Sister Jiann?”
After all, Lin Tian never got drunk no matter how much red wine he drank.
Across from him, Jiann Xinzhu gulped down a large glass of red wine, then filled up for herself and Lin Tian again, and drank more.
Soon, her drunkenness was becoming evident.
“Sister Jiann, you’ve drunk enough, no more!
Otherwise, you’ll really get drunk!”
Watching Jiann Xinzhu’s slightly blurry, alcohol-hazed eyes, Lin Tian quickly spoke up to stop her.
“No worries, Sister Jiann is used to social drinking; I can hold my liquor!”
Jiann Xinzhu shook her head, indicating she was fine, “Just drink a few more with Sister Jiann; two bottles are not that much!
It’s rare for you to break the rule!”
In the end, Lin Tian had no choice but to comply.
But after a few drinks, a sudden sharp pain and dizziness assailed his mind.
Lin Tian’s face changed drastically.
He touched his forehead and shook his head only to find his vision blurring, and he collapsed onto the dining table.
Jiann Xinzhu, alarmed, quickly got up and helped Lin Tian to his feet, “He really hasn’t drunk red wine before, has he?
Unable to hold his liquor, just a few drinks and he’s passed out!”
He’s so formidable, how could he be drunk?
Jiann Xinzhu couldn’t help but wonder, struggling to support Lin Tian towards the guest room.
But at this moment, in Lin Tian’s mind, a bead emitting a rainbow light, surrounded by nine hazy beads, a blurred Nine-Turned Chaos Pearl, was spinning wildly.
Lin Tian’s consciousness hadn’t completely faded; he could feel a pain and dizziness coming from that bead, as though he was truly intoxicated, leaving him in a drunken stupor.
Conscious, yet his brain and body seemed uncontrollable and yet he was aware.
Meanwhile, an energy was emanating from that bead, flowing slowly through his body before sweeping through him in a frenzy.
Lin Tian was enduring the onslaught of the power within him, as if his body were about to burst open.
“Lin Tian, what’s wrong with you?”
Jiann Xinzhu asked urgently, approaching him quickly.
As the room was dark, she hadn’t paid much attention earlier, but she could hear the agony in Lin Tian’s voice.
Looking at the young man on the bed, Jiann Xinzhu sighed to herself.