Chapter 275: Chapter 273: The child isn’t sick again, is he?
"Time to eat."
Si Yuhuan nodded at her.
Jian Xi glanced behind him. A woman walked out, intimately hooking her arm around Si Yuhuan’s, smiling at him and saying, "Weren’t you just going to the restroom? Why did you come here? Hurry back, they’re waiting for you to drink!"
"Mm." The man’s voice was deep and incredibly gentle.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, his eyes practically overflowed with adoration.
I’ve never seen such an expression in his eyes before, Jian Xi thought.
The woman turned, saw Jian Xi, and pointed at her. "Ah! Aren’t you the young lady of the Jian Group, his ex-wife, Jian Xi?"
Her smile was radiant and captivating, her personality bold and flamboyant, even a good deal wilder than Wan Yu!
Jian Xi pursed her lips and extended her hand. "Jian Xi, Chairman of the Yaowang Group."
"Just call me Mingyao. Dan Mingyao!" She reached out and briefly took Jian Xi’s hand in greeting.
Then, she wrapped her arm around Si Yuhuan. "Goodbye, ex-wife sis. I’ll take him with me now."
With that, she dragged Si Yuhuan away as swiftly as a gust of wind.
Jian Xi stared incredulously at their departing figures, then let out a frustrated laugh. What did she call me? Ex-wife sis? Could that nickname be any more absurd?
She touched her belly and gritted her teeth. "Babies, did you see? Your bastard of a father has already started looking for a stepmother for you. That woman seems to be very wealthy, decked out head-to-toe in luxury brands. The two pigeon’s egg-sized diamonds hanging from her ears alone are probably worth half a year’s earnings for your mommy!"
Dan Mingyao! I’ve never heard of such a socialite in Beijing! Could I really be that out of the loop?
Jian Xi returned to the private room. She saw Wan Yu laughing so hard she was almost falling into Jian Xi’s eldest brother’s arms; the two of them were clearly enjoying their conversation. Seeing this, Jian Xi turned and left.
This meal... I probably won’t get to eat it now. Better go find something else.
She sent Wan Yu a message: "Keep it up!"
She walked out with a smile.
Wan Yu quickly replied: "I owe you one."
Jian Xi hesitated for a long moment before sending another message: "Dan Mingyao, a Beijing socialite?"
Wan Yu: "Haven’t heard of her."
Jian Xi was now certain. This woman is definitely not from Beijing, probably not even from this country. With Wan Yu’s knowledge of the domestic socialite scene, if she hasn’t heard of someone, that person definitely isn’t Chinese. What’s her relationship with Si Yuhuan?
"Xixi?"
Fu Shengyuan’s voice sounded from behind her.
Jian Xi turned and saw Fu Shengyuan entering with a few businessmen.
How strange! Why has everyone decided to come to this restaurant today? It’s as if they planned it.
"Why are you here?" Fu Shengyuan asked, looking past her.
Before Jian Xi could respond, the restaurant owner rushed out. "Oh my goodness! The Richest Man himself has graced our humble establishment! What an honor! Please, come in."
The slick owner, practically fawning over Fu Shengyuan, rattled off a series of flattering phrases.
Fu Shengyuan smiled and gestured for his secretary to give a tip.
It was a thick stack of cash; he was certainly generous.
The owner’s face lit up, and he bowed as he led the way. "This way, please. We have a VIP room for you."
TSK, TSK! Outside, a crowd was being told there was no room and they had to wait. Yet inside, there were VIP rooms one after another. It’s true what they say: ’Every merchant is cunning.’
"Xixi, come with us," Fu Shengyuan said. "I’ll introduce you to these gentlemen. They’re major players in various fields, with countless assets. Perhaps you can collaborate with them in the future."
The businessmen eyed the captivating woman before them, then glanced at Fu Shengyuan. The unspoken message between the men was clear.
"President Fu’s close friend? We’ll certainly take good care of her."
Jian Xi declined. With this time, I’d much rather meet Luo You for a meal. Eating with these pot-bellied executives would make me sick.
"My apologies, everyone. I have some matters to attend to at home, so I’ll take my leave. Please enjoy your meal," she said.
With that, she turned and left.
The executives watched her graceful departing figure. "Looks like President Fu hasn’t sealed the deal, huh?" one murmured.
Fu Shengyuan’s expression soured, and the others quickly fell silent.
"Let’s eat! Let’s eat!"
「Later」
After Jian Xi left, she immediately contacted Luo You.
This is a great opportunity; I can’t let it pass. Without Fu Shengyuan watching him, it should be easier for Luo You to meet.
They agreed to meet at a small, inconspicuous restaurant.
"Let’s get straight to business," Luo You said once they were settled. "How can you help me get out from under Fu Shengyuan’s control?"
Jian Xi was surprised, her mouth falling slightly open.
Luo You smiled. "What? Did my directness startle you?"
"A little," Jian Xi admitted with a wry smile.
"Aren’t you afraid that I might actually like Fu Shengyuan and tell him you’re trying to poach me?" she countered.
Luo You poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp. "You wouldn’t."
"I might be a researcher, but I’m a decent judge of character. You’re not a mercenary like him."
Jian Xi laughed, a sound like silver bells.
"You’re quite interesting. Fu Shengyuan said you weren’t good at socializing or expressing yourself, but I find your words sharp. You’re also exceptionally smart, with a keen and perceptive mind."
Luo You met her gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Actually, for you to help me isn’t difficult," he said. "I just need to switch jobs!"
Jian Xi laid out her terms. "Whatever Fu Shengyuan has promised you, I can match, or even offer more. Once you’re my employee, he’ll have no right to control you. And I assure you, at my company, there will be no mandatory socializing, no being forced to meet executives you don’t want to see like some mascot for display, and no using you for publicity stunts."
"Deal!" Luo You said decisively.
Afterwards, Jian Xi could hardly believe how smoothly everything had gone.
It was so smooth it felt surreal.
She lightly slapped her cheek. It stung a little.
It’s real!
「The next day, at the Jian Family Old House.」
Jian Xi had invited all her brothers who were in Beijing, as well as Father Jian and Jian’s Mother.
"Let’s have a family reunion dinner! I have some news to announce today!" she exclaimed, raising her glass of orange juice in a toast.
Jian Mingcheng looked puzzled. "Is Little Sister still thinking about acquiring shares in Haohan Group?"
Jian Chuxin smoothed his freshly styled hair, revealing his handsome face, and gave Jian Xi a charming wink. "Leave it to your Second Brother! I’ll make some inquiries, see if any minority shareholders are looking to sell. Shares, right? We can always buy them if the price is high enough."
Jian Xi’s mouth twitched. "No, that’s not it!"
Fortunately, Fourth Brother is busy with surgeries at the hospital. He never gets involved in these matters, always focused on the latest medical techniques. Otherwise, he’d definitely declare his full support too, and that would make my eyes tear up.
"I know all my brothers dote on me and would do anything I ask."
"But what I want to discuss with you today is..."
Jian’s Mother, ever impatient, urged, "Xixi, what on earth has happened? Spit it out! Your father and I are waiting!"
Father Jian chimed in first, "Don’t worry, whatever you decide, Dad will support you."
Jian’s Mother elbowed him.
Father Jian looked sheepish. "Of course, that’s if your mother agrees."
Such a public display of affection! Jian Xi thought.
"Mom, Dad! I’ve decided to recruit a genius research and development engineer for the Jian Group."
"This child," Jian’s Mother said, touching Jian Xi’s forehead worriedly. "You’re not falling ill again, are you?"