The next morning, Jian Xi received some bad news.
Following Si Junyan’s death from a fall from a cliff, Jiang Qimeng, while being escorted to prison, had escaped, fallen into the sea, and also died.
When the Jian family, gathered in the living room, saw this news, Jian’s Mother fell silent. She intensely hated these two people, but upon seeing the news of their deaths, her good upbringing made her remain quiet.
It was Jian Chuxin, however, who sneered coldly. "They should have died long ago. Even this is letting them off lightly." His parents and younger sister wouldn’t let him interfere; otherwise, he often boasted he had a hundred ways to make any wicked woman die.
Only Jian Xi looked solemn.
Jian Mingcheng noticed something was amiss, sat next to her, and asked, "What’s wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Brother, don’t you find Jiang Qimeng’s death too strange?"
After Jian Xi finished speaking, Jian Mingcheng nodded. "I didn’t feel it before you mentioned it, but now that you have, it does seem like there’s something off."
For a time, the mood in the Jian household was so somber that they couldn’t even enjoy their breakfast.
Jian Xi was quite curious about what Si Yuhuan, who once loved Jiang Qimeng with an earth-shattering devotion, would think upon hearing the news of her death.
「Afternoon.」
She ran into Si Yuhuan on her way to meet Wan Yu. He seemed to have his car scratched, and the other party was blocking his way, apologizing profusely.
Si Yuhuan glanced up, saw Jian Xi, and stopped the other person from bowing further. "It’s fine. We’ll go through insurance. If there’s any issue, contact my assistant."
Yan Qing, seeing Jian Xi, understood what his boss intended to do and quickly intercepted the person trying to use the opportunity to get closer, saying to the driver, "Please come this way."
Jian Xi scoffed, put on her sunglasses, stepped on the gas, and sped past Si Yuhuan, racing away.
He must be heading to Chengxi Prison to demand answers, driving so fast he got into an accident. As if I wouldn’t know this road also leads there, not just to New Fashion Media!
At the entrance of New Fashion Media, Wan Yu personally came to greet her.
"My goodness! It’s such a rare honor for you to grace us with your presence! Please, come in. I was even thinking of hanging a long banner at the door to show my sincerity," Wan Yu gushed.
"Spare me the flattery," Jian Xi said, pushing away Wan Yu who was trying to give her a bear hug. "Where’s Zhou Yan?"
Wan Yu paused. "..."
"Just as I thought, prioritizing romance over friendship."
"Not at all! I was planning to give this to him. If he’s not in the country, then I’ll have to entrust it to you." Jian Xi pulled out a check.
She currently had nothing of material value to offer as repayment, only money. She decided to give Zhou Yan this fifty million in cash as compensation for all the hard work he had done for her recently.
With Zhang Yaxuan as a shield, there was no need for Zhou Yan to take such risks.
Wan Yu, with her keen perception, asked, "Are you planning to run away?"
Jian Xi took Wan Yu’s hand and placed it on her own stomach. "If I don’t go now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave at all."
Wan Yu’s eyes widened. "No wonder you’ve changed your style of dress recently! It’s already this big. I’ve been so unobservant. Come inside, quickly."
On a street not far away, Si Yuhuan stood at a corner, frowning deeply.
Has friendship between women now progressed to touching stomachs upon meeting?
He clutched his lower abdomen; the impact from the car accident had struck his recently scabbed wound.
Forget it. I need to go to the hospital first.
If I don’t fully recover, anything I want to do later will be problematic.
After some thought, Si Yuhuan headed straight for the hospital known for its discretion in protecting patient information.
Jian Xi entered New Fashion Media and instantly felt refreshed by the stylish atmosphere.
Wan Yu managed the place very well. The work environment was brimming with enthusiasm, perfectly suited for modern young professionals. Check latest chapters at NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Here, there were no formal titles like "Boss So-and-so"; everyone just warmly called Wan Yu "Sister Yu," which was heartwarming to hear.
Jian Xi sincerely praised her, "Under your leadership, New Fashion Media is sure to become the country’s foremost entertainment and fashion trendsetter within five years. Who would have thought that an agent who started out managing internet celebrities would build such a solid foundation? My Wan Yu, you’re truly amazing."
"Alright, alright! Without your investment, I could never have developed so rapidly. They say it’s good to lean on a big tree for shade; I say it’s even better to have a bestie to roll with. Look at this wonderful empire we’ve built!"
Wan Yu casually flipped her hair. "But I have to admit, you’re right about my extraordinary abilities. After all, there aren’t many people with brains like mine. You’re one of them, though."
The two of them roared with laughter.
Wan Yu was a true bundle of joy.
There was a knock at the door.
Chu Xiao walked into the office.
He was momentarily taken aback when he saw Jian Xi dressed in a new, loose, and casual style.
He vividly remembered the first time he saw Jian Xi: dazzlingly bright, wearing a tight dress that accentuated her curves, her perfect proportions even more seductive than a female celebrity’s. Her pair of pure, clear eyes was so beautiful they captivated him.
He had decided then and there that he would marry no one but her; he had to make her his wife.
In just a few short months, her eyes had become sharp and cold, carrying the decisiveness and resilience unique to those in power. Since becoming the boss of the Yaowang Group, she had lost her delicate, flower-like tenderness, resembling instead a rose with thorns, blooming beautifully even in a storm.
She was a beauty he could no longer reach.
A pang of unexplained pain struck Chu Xiao’s heart, but he concealed it well, his face still wearing a casual smile. "Jian Xi, it’s not that I didn’t try hard to win that five percent share from Si Junyan. It’s just that the opponent was too strong."
SMACK! Wan Yu rapped him on the head. "Cut the crap. Just admit you can’t call the shots in the Chu Family; that’s all there is to it."
Chu Xiao pouted, looking just as endearingly obedient as when Jian Xi first thought he resembled a "milk puppy." "Knowing is one thing, but why say it out loud? I have my pride, you know."
"That’s hilarious! Everyone knows your older sister is coming back soon. It’s not even clear if you’ll have any stake left in the Chu Group! If you ask me, you should just work hard with me at New Fashion Media. I’ll give you half the company, guaranteeing you a life of luxury—way better than what you’d get with the Chu Group!"
"Chu Xiao has a sister?" Jian Xi asked.
Wasn’t he an only child? I’d never heard that the Chu Group had a ’young lady’.
"She’s my god-sister, sort of. My father’s goddaughter. She grew up and studied abroad. We don’t get along too well," Chu Xiao explained.
Jian Xi made no comment on other people’s family relationships.
"Work wherever you like. The doors of New Fashion Media and Yaowang Group will always be open to you," Jian Xi said.
"Jian Xi," Chu Xiao said, approaching her for a hug.
Wan Yu promptly smacked his hand away.
"Sister Yu! You’re always so rough and hands-on! Be careful, or you’ll never get married!" Chu Xiao yelped.
Wan Yu glared at him.
Chu Xiao relented. "He does! Brother Mingcheng is crazy about you."
Jian Xi was surprised. "Is there progress?"
It seemed a lot must have happened after that day at the restaurant.
"No!" Wan Yu blushed.
Jian Xi was certain: something definitely happened that night!
The three of them found a place to eat. Jian Xi paid the bill, considering it their last gathering in the country before the baby’s birth.
Chu Xiao, not yet having had his fill of fun, suggested, "How about we call some friends and go wild at a club?"
Wan Yu exclaimed, "I’m up for it!"
Jian Xi wanted to refuse, but Wan Yu leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Think of it as relaxation. Being tense all the time isn’t good for the baby!"
"Well, alright then." Jian Xi was persuaded.