CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 405: THE BO FAMILY WON’T FALL THAT EASILY!

Although Bo Jingshen held significant power, he was also a debonair figure, skilled in the art of romance; this, combined with his striking looks, made him exceptionally charming.

Bo Xichen naturally wouldn’t dampen his spirits; he clinked his glass of red wine with Bo Jingshen’s and said, "Thanks, Cousin."

Bo Jingshen, however, looked towards Anxi and asked with a smile, "What about your young friend here? Doesn’t she drink? She’s of legal age, isn’t she?"

Bo Xichen wore an overwhelmed expression. "She turned 21 after the New Year."

Bo Jingshen smiled with understanding, his charm undeniable.

As he conversed with Bo Xichen, the surrounding crowd fell silent, truly making him the center of attention.

Bo Xichen understood. It was precisely Bo Jingshen’s soaring popularity, like the sun at its zenith, that was so difficult to control, making even their father somewhat wary. Thus, he dared not be careless.

While Bo Jingshen was thus engaged, Lin Xue, the woman by his side, said flirtatiously, "Jingshen, I’ve heard Miss Anxi is very talented. Why don’t we have her perform on stage? What do you think?"

In the past, when men spoke, women would never have dared to interrupt.

But today, Bo Jingshen indulged her and looked at Bo Xichen. "Xichen, you wouldn’t be reluctant, would you?"

Bo Xichen turned to Anxi.

Anxi glanced around; there was no piano on stage, only a violinist standing there... so she nodded. "Alright, I’ll play a piece then."

She went on stage, exchanged a few words in English with the foreign musician, then took the violin and settled it into playing position.

In truth, she hadn’t learned formally, only picking up a few things from Zhou Yunchen, so she wasn’t highly skilled.

It was still the same piece, "Butterfly Lovers."

Shen Congwen recognized it immediately and couldn’t help but glance at Zhou Yunchen, who was surrounded by beautiful women.

Zhou Yunchen was also watching Anxi, his gaze intense.

Shen Congwen gently pursed his lips.

Whether she played well or not was secondary; what mattered was the sight of such a beautiful young woman standing there, with rosy lips and pearly white teeth, exuding an air of elegance...

Time seemed to stand still; everyone watched her in silence.

Everyone remembered her heroic feat from yesterday, piercing a target with a single shot, thoroughly humbling the national champion. But now, as she played "Butterfly Lovers," her melody was poignant and filled with emotion...

Something stirred within Bo Xichen; he suddenly had a realization.

His gaze met Anxi’s. She smiled gently at him, a smile that tugged at his heartstrings.

The unease in his heart suddenly became clear.

She was Anxi, no one else.

She was as powerful as he was...

After finishing the piece, Anxi smiled. "This is dedicated to my dear Uncle."

The audience was stunned.

Was that a confession? So direct! some thought.

Bo Jingshen was the first to applaud. "Indeed, her reputation is well-deserved!"

He then turned his head. "Xichen, she truly is one in a million. It’s only natural that the family dotes on her."

The young actress beside him pouted. "Jingshen, am I not good enough?"

The influential Bo Jingshen gently patted his companion, smiling. "Of course, you’re even better."

The actress blushed and laughed coyly, snuggling into his embrace and showering him with flirtatious affection.

It was a scene that made others avert their eyes.

Bo Xichen feigned ignorance, sipping his red wine. When Anxi approached him a short while later, they began to converse.

Bo Jingshen, of course, hadn’t come merely for pleasantries. After drinks and dancing, he went to discuss business matters directly with Bo Nianyao, likely concerning City C.

Bo Nianyao smiled faintly. "Xichen has already handled the matters in City C."

Bo Jingshen paced back and forth a few times, then said with a slight smile, "I’m afraid the Jiang Family won’t let this go easily. I heard they also bought a plot of land in Qingcheng."

Bo Nianyao remained composed. "Anxi purchased that land, and she also arranged for the equipment. As for extracting Jing... that will depend on their own fortune. From what I can see, Anxi prepared for this well in advance."

Before the Family Head of the Bo Family, Bo Jingshen, a man of his stature, remained very respectful and, to some extent, grounded. He lit a cigarette. "Uncle, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that my position is like sitting on pins and needles. Any misstep, and I’ll be dragged down."

He took a deep drag from his cigarette. "Both the Jiang Family and the Gu family are eyeing my position like tigers; I have to be on guard."

Bo Nianyao took a sip of his hot tea. "Isn’t the family backing you up? Jingshen, you shouldn’t be too anxious."

He paused. "The Bo Family isn’t so easily toppled. Besides, we now have another capable child in the family!"

Bo Jingshen took several more deep drags from his cigarette. "Uncle, are you absolutely certain?"

Bo Nianyao chuckled. "In any case, don’t worry about City C. By the way, Xichen brought someone from Jiangcheng this time. Aren’t you always complaining about not having enough of your own people around? This Lin Yuan is very experienced and shrewd; he’s the most suitable person to have by your side."

Bo Jingshen sighed in relief. "That would be perfect." He exchanged a few more words before taking his leave, his expression rather grim as he departed.

Lin Yuan... isn’t he being placed by my side to constrain me?

Reaching the ground-floor lobby, the young actress was still waiting for him, along with several attendants.

Bo Jingshen got into the car and remained silent. Lin Xue snuggled up to him, acting coquettishly, but he seemed largely uninterested.

For someone in his position, women were merely embellishments.

He closed his eyes, mulling over everything Bo Nianyao had said, and everything about Anxi.

That child is indeed competent. I really wanted to take her under my wing... but after consulting Gu Yuanshan about her destiny, I gave up on the idea.

A heaven-sent little demon? Better to forget it!

Bo Jingshen, having thought things through, felt somewhat better. Then, the young actress sidled up to him and whispered a few words in his ear. The subsequent scene in the back of the car became rather heated, almost as if the small cabin had caught fire.

Fortunately, the driver was well-trained and skillfully avoided any commotion.

The driver cleverly drove straight to the actress’s villa. Mr. Bo and the young woman went upstairs; after a while, the lights came on, then went off...

The driver chuckled to himself.

No matter how considerate Mr. Bo might be, this one would never be the main lady. Mr. Bo’s fiancée had been decided long ago—a socialite from a very powerful family...

「Meanwhile, after Bo Nianyao saw off Bo Jingshen, he called Bo Xichen in.」

"Jingshen has become too restless lately," Bo Nianyao said in a low voice, taking a sip of tea. "He’s risen so quickly through the ranks that he’s probably forgotten who helped him get there!"

Bo Xichen smiled faintly. "Father, you mean..."

Bo Nianyao closed his eyes for a moment. "Let’s observe a while longer. If he leans towards the Jiang Family, find an opportunity to sideline him..."

Bo Xichen nodded.

While it wouldn’t be easy, after enduring for a few years, replacing someone wouldn’t be an impossible task.

Bo Nianyao added, "I sense his intentions this time were not simple; it seemed he came specifically to see Anxi."

Bo Xichen smiled. "He brought Anxi a gift."

"That’s it." Bo Nianyao’s expression tensed. He actually stood up, only to slowly sit back down, his voice a mixture of speculation and certainty. "Then the issue must have stemmed from Gu Yuanshan. He likely claimed Anxi had an inauspicious destiny, which is why Jingshen backed off."

Most people of Bo Jingshen’s standing placed great faith in Gu Yuanshan’s pronouncements.