Chapter 212: Chapter 210: The last one who spoke like this died a horrible death
Fu Shengyuan came uninvited.
He even brought many gifts, almost one for everyone, including the servants of the Jian Family.
Mother Jian’s enthusiasm for her prospective son-in-law grew the more she saw of him, and she directly invited him to stay the night.
"Mom! You’re not that familiar with Fu Shengyuan. Isn’t it a bit rude to ask him to stay over just like that?"
Jian Xi was about to explode.
She had anticipated her mother would be enthusiastic, but she hadn’t expected her to be this over-the-top, almost frighteningly so.
Father Jian was somewhat at a loss for words. His wife was delighted; what could he do? He couldn’t very well refuse!
Mother Jian shot Jian Xi a look. "It’s not like we’re asking him to squeeze into one bed with you. The Jian Family has plenty of guest rooms; can’t he just pick one? I think the empty one next to yours is quite nice. It’s large and spacious, with a balcony. The view is perfect for enjoying a glass of red wine in the evening."
Jian Xi was rendered speechless.
Her mother was really just one step away from shoving Fu Shengyuan into her room.
Did she seem that desperate to be married off?
Fu Shengyuan smiled and nodded politely. "Actually, I have a few minor things to take care of at home. Auntie, I appreciate your kind intentions."
Jian Xi let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness he has some sense of boundaries.
Mother Jian looked disappointed. "Oh, is that so? Well, perhaps another time then."
"But you must stay for dinner today." Without waiting for his refusal, Mother Jian immediately called the servants to prepare dinner.
"Very well, then I shall respectfully accept." He looked at Jian Xi, his face wearing a polite, gentlemanly smile.
The more Mother Jian observed him, the more she liked him.
He’s so tactful and knows how to win people over. Isn’t a Diamond Bachelor like him much better than that perpetually grim-faced Si Yuhuan?
Mother Jian enthusiastically suggested, "Xiaofu, you play chess, don’t you? Our Old Jian is quite good at it. You two can play a couple of rounds first; dinner will take a little more time."
"Sure."
Everyone moved from the living room to the study’s reception area.
As Fu Shengyuan passed by Jian Xi, he whispered in her ear, "Don’t worry. If you don’t like us moving too fast, I’ll find a pace that suits you. I truly want to marry you, irrespective of anything else, simply because it was love at first sight."
Jian Xi was speechless from his words.
She wanted to say something, but he had already followed her father into the study.
Looking at the man’s retreating figure, Jian Xi pinched her fingertips. She felt somewhat helpless.
Father Jian, who had been dominating the game, was overjoyed and feeling rather proud. "Ah, Xiaofu!"
He addressed him as Mother Jian did.
"Your chess skills are quite impressive; you only fell a little short against me. Keep practicing, and you’ll surely improve. Come over when you’re free, Uncle will teach you. I guarantee you’ll be able to dominate wherever you go."
This young man is indeed much easier on the eyes than Si Yuhuan. That fellow never holds back when playing against me, so I often end up losing miserably without much of a contest.
It even made him start to doubt his undefeated record among his friends.
That Si Yuhuan really doesn’t know how to curry favor!
He mentally awarded Fu Shengyuan extra points.
Jian Xi came in with a fruit platter and heard her father effusively consoling Fu Shengyuan. She glanced at the chessboard.
He had lost by only half a stone.
If she wasn’t mistaken, Fu Shengyuan had lost more than he’d won—four games out of five. He never lost by much, nor did he win by a large margin, controlling the game perfectly. With such superb chess skills, he was definitely on par with Si Yuhuan!
What an incredibly deep and unfathomable man! Still, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything that might dampen her father’s spirits.
"Dad, it’s time for dinner."
Her gaze fell on Fu Shengyuan.
Fu Shengyuan gracefully collected the chess pieces and said sincerely, "Uncle, your skill is truly exceptional. One can tell just by looking at Xixi; she clearly takes after you."
He’s praising my daughter again! Father Jian was even more delighted.
"You have good taste! My daughter is wonderful in every way. She just used to be a bit of a fool for love, but thankfully, she’s come to her senses now. When this girl of mine commits to someone, she does so with her whole heart, without any reservations. We old folks don’t have much to give, but when Xixi marries, we’ll give half the shares of the Jian Group as her dowry."
Fu Shengyuan raised an eyebrow.
Jian Xi stamped her foot in frustration. "Dad, I’ve already said I’m not getting married in this lifetime! Why are you and Mom meddling and trying to force a match on me?"
When Dad said that, he was clearly trying to tempt Fu Shengyuan with money!
The Jian Group’s assets are worth hundreds of billions. Who wouldn’t be tempted by an offer of half its shares?
"Nonsense! What woman doesn’t get married?"
Fu Shengyuan smoothed things over, saying, "I don’t need a dowry! I genuinely want to marry Jian Xi!"
"See! Xiaofu is so sincere, and you’re just ungrateful for your blessings!"
Jian Xi couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Was there any man they hadn’t previously paraded before her, declaring him a ’good match’?
Her parents were just desperate to marry her off, to get her away from Si Yuhuan so she wouldn’t be hurt anymore.
The group emerged and gathered around the dining table, cheerfully preparing to begin their meal.
The butler rushed in hastily.
Before he could speak, a chilling voice interjected, "Mom, Dad, are you entertaining guests?"
Si Yuhuan walked in.
Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded an imposing aura. He strode to Jian Xi’s side, pulled out a chair, and sat down uninvited.
Father Jian chuckled awkwardly and glanced at Mother Jian.
Mother Jian wore a crestfallen expression. He just helped our son; it wouldn’t be right to say anything, would it? But I really don’t want Si Yuhuan to stay. He won’t even look at me, which makes it even harder to speak up.
It was Jian Mingcheng who rubbed his nose and then instructed a servant, "Um... add an extra bowl and chopsticks."
"Si Yuhuan, what are you doing crashing the party at a time like this?"
Still calling them Mom and Dad! We’re already divorced! I’ve warned him time and again, so why won’t he change? He was never this friendly before! Has he forgotten how he used to wear such a grim face whenever he came to the Jian Family, acting as if we owed him hundreds of billions?
"I heard President Fu enjoys making the rounds for meals. So, I came to see if Tianyao Group, after you poached its Chief Technical Engineer, can no longer afford to feed him, thus forcing President Fu to wander about."
His tongue is as venomous as ever!
The atmosphere grew tense and charged.
Fu Shengyuan smiled, unperturbed. "Surely Director Si isn’t such a sore loser? Are you throwing a tantrum now because I poached your chief chip development engineer?"
"As if you’re worthy!" Si Yuhuan sneered coldly.
"To be clear, I’m dining at the Jian residence, not the Si residence. I truly don’t understand why you’re being so caustically sarcastic, Director Si! If I recall correctly, you and Jian Xi are already divorced, are you not?"
That one sentence struck Si Yuhuan’s sore spot.
His furious gaze looked as if he wanted to subject Fu Shengyuan to death by a thousand cuts.
So he’s dead set on opposing me? He’s really developed some nerve lately!
Fu Shengyuan, unafraid, smiled and said to Father Jian and Mother Jian, "Uncle and Auntie insisted I stay for dinner, so I couldn’t very well refuse. Director Si, however, arrived uninvited and still doesn’t seem to have a clear grasp of his status as an ex-husband. He’s quite thick-skinned."
Hearing Fu Shengyuan’s words, Jian Xi couldn’t help but gasp.
He was definitely the only person she had ever seen dare to speak to Si Yuhuan like that.
Father Jian and Mother Jian had distinctly different expressions.
Only Jian Mingcheng seemed to be relishing the drama.
When I was being pestered by Bing Xin, he laughed too! What goes around comes around.
Si Yuhuan lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, his eyes, glinting with murderous intent, fixed on Fu Shengyuan. He spoke, "The last person who dared to speak to me like that met a very gruesome end."