CLAP, CLAP, CLAP— Si Yuhuan walked over, clapping his hands with a cold, mocking smile.
"Such a touching confession from President Fu," he said. "It truly moves one’s heart."
His voice dripped with a sarcasm that Jian Xi found grating.
Fu Shengyuan curled his lips, maintaining his gentlemanly poise with indifference. "Just speaking the truth. Does Director Si also have a habit of eavesdropping?"
"You were speaking so loudly, I’d have to be deaf not to hear."
It was the first ti Jian Xi had seen Si Yuhuan confront soone so directly. His words were sharp and biting, like those of a wild beast, as if he wanted to tear Fu Shengyuan to pieces.
As she hesitated, wondering if she should help Fu Shengyuan out of this predicant, Si Yuhuan ca over and took her hand. "Don’t listen to that scoundrel’s words," he warned. "You might be devoured, bones and all."
Fu Shengyuan retorted, "Director Si, don’t project your own tendencies onto others. I’m already the wealthiest man; why would I need to use a woman to climb the ranks? You, on the other hand, might face bankruptcy and liquidation if you fail to secure this project. You should worry more about your own affairs!"
The two n stood toe-to-toe, their presences formidable. The air around them seed to be instantly crushed, on the verge of exploding. Jian Xi felt an unprecedented pressure, as if her heart was about to explode. A roaring filled her ears, and a splitting headache seared through her.
Si Yuhuan scoffed. "It’s too early to celebrate. The ga isn’t over yet."
Fu Shengyuan remained unperturbed. "Hmm, I’m very much looking forward to witnessing Director Si’s miraculous turnaround."
Both n possessed incomparable auras, like two great titans locked in battle. Jian Xi, a re bystander, felt like a small shrimp caught in their wake, suffering imnsely.
She desperately wanted to leave, racking her brain for any excuse.
"Xixi?" Wan Yu’s surprised voice suddenly broke the tense atmosphere.
Jian Xi felt like she’d seen her savior and waved back. "I’m here!"
Fu Shengyuan looked at her, his eyes filled with gentle understanding. He spoke first, "Director Si, please feel free to leave. I won’t keep you company any longer." Then, turning to Jian Xi, he added, "I hope you can accept my explanation. No matter what, I will protect you."
Jian Xi felt excruciatingly awkward. As she watched Fu Shengyuan walk away, Si Yuhuan abruptly grabbed her. "Stop looking! Are you really planning to let him charm you?"
What is wrong with this man!
Jian Xi seriously suspected he was about to go bankrupt. His earlier display must have been a bluff, which would explain his tight control over her. He was clearly panicking!
"Hey, hey, hey!" Wan Yu stepped forward and swatted Si Yuhuan’s hand away. "We’re in public! What kind of decorum is this, all this pushing and pulling?"
Jian Xi also raised her chin defiantly. "You should hurry up and prepare for your bidding ceremony!"
Si Yuhuan glanced at his wristwatch, gritting his teeth in irritation. "Jian Xi, if you listen to him, you’ll regret it sooner or later."
"I can make my own judgnts."
With that, she ignored Si Yuhuan and promptly walked away, pulling Wan Yu with her.
The two found a quiet and peaceful place to sit, away from the endless stream of guests and the clinking of glasses. It was quite comfortable.
Wan Yu downed a glass of champagne in one gulp. "Seriously though, Salsi Group has really put on quite a show. By now, everyone, both dostically and internationally, knows Tianyao Group and Haohan Group are going head-to-head. Today, the curtain rises, and one decisive battle will determine the winner. Frankly, are you worried for Si Yuhuan?"
Worried?
Jian Xi wasn’t quite sure. An indescribable feeling stirred deep within her heart.
Still, she stubbornly replied, "He doesn’t need to worry about him. Soone else will."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than there was a rustling sound at the entrance.
Xinxin walked in, wearing a long black evening gown.
She was enchantingly beautiful, like a thorny black rose, her body toned and exuding strength. Her sultry eyes, like fire, drew the attention of many n.
Those present were all business magnates, for whom beautiful won were no longer a novel sight. Yet, Xinxin’s appearance still caused quite a stir.
"I’ve never seen her before."
Entering alone, she was either a magnate herself or the mistress of a top-tier one.
Her identity was the subject of much speculation.
"Hi, Miss Jian."
Throwing a flirtatious glance at Si Yuhuan, she walked towards Jian Xi and Wan Yu.
Wan Yu pursed her lips. "She doesn’t look like she’s here for friendly reasons."
Jian Xi replied, "Friendly people rarely make such an entrance."
Jian Xi asked, "Miss Xin, what brings you here?"
"Just here to liven things up a bit." Xinxin picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and raised it in Si Yuhuan’s direction. "It’s a critical mont for him, his life and death, so to speak. I had to co and see, didn’t I?"
She finished with a smile, drained her glass, and then added, "Don’t get wrong. It’s rely out of camaraderie, as a collaborator."
Wan Yu gave a scornful laugh. "Miss Xin, you don’t sound like you’re here to cheer for Director Si. It’s more like you’re speaking from the position of the future Mrs. Si."
Xinxin shot her a look, her eyes sharp and chilling.
She had blood on her hands; her aura was far from that of an ordinary woman.
Anyone else would probably have fled in terror. But Wan Yu, who had built New Fashion Group from scratch and feared nothing, stood her ground. "What’s your point?" Wan Yu retorted. "If you don’t want people talking, don’t do things that invite speculation. You’re the one who seems to have ulterior motives, coming here with that holier-than-thou attitude."
Wan Yu’s words made Xinxin’s face cloud over with anger.
Then, in the next second, Wan Yu changed her tone. "If you like him, just say so openly. Compete fairly, and we won’t hold it against you. There’s no need for a capable woman like you to act like so innocent white lotus, right?"
Wan Yu effortlessly toyed with Xinxin’s emotions.
Jian Xi was stunned by her audacious tactics.
Jian Xi had been bracing herself for the fallout. She hadn’t expected Xinxin to suddenly flash a coy smile, tinged with a hint of shyness. "Miss Wan, you truly are straightforward. But I wonder, what does Miss Jian think?"
Wan Yu shot Jian Xi a aningful glance. "Of course, she agrees with about fair competition. Besides, Xixi isn’t particularly keen on remarrying Si Yuhuan. If you’re truly capable, why not try to win him over?"
"However..."
"However what?"
Wan Yu chuckled. "Well, you know, Xixi has that little secret of hers..."
She left her words hanging.
Xinxin imdiately replied, "Don’t worry. I’m not foolish enough to reveal the child’s identity to Si Yuhuan just to make him completely devoted to you."
Jian Xi finally felt a weight lift from her heart.
Wan Yu really had a way with words. With just a few sentences, she’d managed to turn a potential enemy into an ally and even secured Xinxin’s promise to do her best to help rescue the child.
But this fair competition... Is it really fair?
"Miss Jian, let’s be clear. If I manage to win Director Si over, you can’t bla ."
A possessiveness so intense it was almost tangible glinted in her eyes.
Jian Xi gave a polite smile. "I’m looking forward to it."
The two clinked glasses, each harboring their own hidden agendas.
The event was about to begin. On stage, the host was delivering the usual opening platitudes.
"I’ll go take a look." Xinxin excused herself and walked away, her hips swaying gracefully.
So lecherous CEOs had already started whispering amongst themselves.
She clearly reveled in this kind of attention.
"Tsk! So unrefined. Those habits from her assassin days are clearly ingrained in her bones," Wan Yu comnted to Jian Xi.
"Flirting with n, using her beauty to lure them, always waiting for the opportune mont to strike."
"It was second nature to her."
Jian Xi watched Xinxin approach Si Yuhuan and murmured to Wan Yu, "I bet she’s dying to pounce on him right now."
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