CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 168: I WANT YOUR LIVES

The black-clad bruiser who walked in didn’t say a word before ferociously slapping Fu Luosheng’s face with a series of continuous strikes. His palm, like a giant fan, sent the pampered wealthy young master’s teeth flying. Fu Luosheng hadn’t figured out what was happening. After taking a beating, he lay on the ground, his face covered in blood, looking utterly wretched. He pointed at the black-clad bruiser and roared, "Damn it, take a good look at who I am! You dare lay a hand on this young master? You’re all seeking death!"

The black-clad bruiser stepped on his chest. "You talk too much." Bending down, he delivered several more vicious slaps.

"Help!" Fu Luosheng shrieked like a pig being slaughtered. What terrifying figure was this before him, with feet like iron hooves—too intimidating!

Jian Xi calmly straightened her dress and walked over with a seductively charming smile. Fu Luosheng reached out to grab at her, pleading for mercy, "Miss Jian, please help me. I promise the project cooperation you want will be approved immediately."

Jian Xi stabbed a chopstick violently into the same hand that had just been groping her.

"Ah—" Fu Luosheng’s eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted from the excruciating pain. Is this woman even human? He was scared, trembling all over, as a yellow liquid flowed from his crotch.

Disgusted, Jian Xi covered her nose and stepped back a few paces. "Such trash. Just throw it away."

The ace bodyguard sent by Fifth Brother picked him up like a chick and tossed him out. Jian Xi had prepared for this; otherwise, she wouldn’t have so confidently followed him in the car to the restaurant. She had her babies in her belly, after all, and would never joke about their safety.

When Si Yuhuan arrived at the restaurant, he saw Jian Xi wiping her elbow with a wet wipe. The concealer was wiped away, revealing the interlacing bruises beneath. He became furious and rushed to hold her arms. "Did he hurt you?"

Jian Xi pushed him away. "Director Si, aren’t you seriously ill? Why are you here instead of resting at home? Be careful your illness doesn’t worsen and prove fatal." His fourth brother had drugged him; she knew as soon as she left the Si Family Old Residence. Serves him right! Why didn’t he just die from that illness!

Si Yuhuan’s face darkened. He had rushed through red lights despite being ill, and this was her attitude? "Dressed like that, you were asking for someone to target you."

What kind of nonsense is this man spouting?

"Get lost! If you can’t speak properly, then keep your mouth shut."

Before he could say anything, Zhou Yan walked in through the door. He was dressed in a sporty, bright outfit, looking lively and powerful. His gaze locked on Jian Xi with a smile as he went over to hold her shoulder. "I’m here to take you home."

Just those few words instantly ignited Si Yuhuan’s anger. He stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Yan’s collar. "She almost got into trouble just now. Since you’ve agreed to marry her, why aren’t you taking care of her properly?"

Jian Xi pursed her lips, remaining silent. After all, she had once loved him. Seeing that he was worried about her, she felt a despicable tingle...

"Director Si! Xixi was once your wife, and I didn’t see you protecting her either. Aren’t you always treating Jiang Qimeng like a precious jewel? What right do you have to criticize me now?" He pushed Si Yuhuan away, wrapped his arms around Jian Xi’s slender waist, and left.

Si Yuhuan looked at his empty hands; he no longer even had the chance to touch Jian Xi. In his ink-black, deep eyes, an unmistakable sense of loss lingered. Is this what it feels like to lose?

Yan Qing massaged his forehead. What a fine mess this was. It seemed his boss wasn’t going to get better—his illness would only worsen.

「...」

Jian Xi gripped Zhou Yan’s hand the whole way until they reached the car, then she snapped back to reality. "You were quite manly just now," she said, a slight tug at the corner of her lips. "But how did you find this place?" She hadn’t shared her schedule with Zhou Yan.

"I’ve been outside ever since you entered the restaurant. If the bodyguard hadn’t gone in first, I would have saved you."

These words truly warmed her heart. In some aspects, Zhou Yan indeed seemed suitable for marriage, to be a husband. Capable, responsible, and as radiant as the morning sun, he was a revitalizing force to the soul, and his family background was also good. But he was just too good, making Jian Xi feel undeserving.

She didn’t explain and drove herself home. It was quite an inconsiderate action, but she hoped Zhou Yan would come to his senses soon and quickly get away from her, this unlucky soul with a cursed fate.

She had just arrived at Fuyuan Official Residence when her older brother, Jian Mingcheng, called. "Did you hit that rich second-generation brat from the Fu Family?" Her brother’s voice was as placid as if he were discussing the weather with her.

Having just finished washing up, Jian Xi was drying her hair as she walked out of the bathroom. She put her phone on speaker. "Uh-huh. That blockhead tried to force himself on me and take over Yaowang and Jian Group."

"Pretty ambitious!" Jian Mingcheng, who was always serious, actually chuckled in exasperation. "Did his family come knocking?"

Jian Xi wondered. That was too fast.

"This must have been premeditated. Leave this matter to me."

Jian Xi nodded. What’s the use of having a brother if not for situations like this? Someone to clean up the mess at critical moments! "Okay, thanks, Big Brother." She sweetly wished him good night and contentedly went to bed.

However, her mind was filled with Si Yuhuan. His extraordinarily handsome face had thinned a bit, probably from being quite ill recently, and his cheeks bore an unnatural flush, indicating he might still be sick... Seriously, Jian Xi, are you sick in the head? Thinking about whether he’s ill at a time like this? You must have a screw loose! She turned over, covered herself with the blanket, and forced herself to close her eyes and sleep.

「...」

At this moment, at the Jian Family Old House.

Fu Luosheng’s parents were stubbornly staying at the Jian Family’s house, so furious they looked as if they wanted to order bodyguards to tear the place apart. "Let me tell you, Jians, if you don’t give us an explanation today, this won’t be over!"

Father Jian sat on the sofa with a gloomy face, indifferently staring at the couple across from him. All of them were from long-established business families in Beijing, and over the years, they had seen each other often. Even though he had retired and handed over the group to his eldest son, it didn’t mean he had become senile with age. He was well aware of his daughter’s temperament. How could Xixi cripple a man for no reason?

When Fu Wenxiong had entered, he complained that his son was nearly crippled by Jian Xi.

Just then, Jian Mingcheng came downstairs with his phone. "Uncle Fu, I respect you as an elder, so I don’t want to say anything too harsh, but you should be clear about what your son did to our Xixi." His serious face was a spitting image of Father Jian’s; both father and son stared somberly at the elderly Fu couple, making them feel guilty.

They had received a call from their son, telling them to formally propose marriage to Jian Xi as soon as the plan was successful. They had never contemplated failure. Seeing their son covered in blood being carried out had ignited their rage. They hadn’t considered anything else but demanding an explanation while also trying to extort the Jian Family, thinking about getting tens of millions in compensation. Little did they anticipate that the Jian Family would protect Jian Xi to such an extent. This was really troublesome!

Jian Mingcheng scolded authoritatively, "He tried to force himself on Xixi? Does he have enough lives to compensate for that?"

"What?" Jian’s Mother’s voice pitched high, anger flaring as she stood up, her eyes nearly sparking with fury. "How is Xixi?"

"Xixi is fine. Thankfully, Xiao Wu had someone protecting her."

Jian’s Mother breathed a sigh of relief. Then, turning with a glare that looked like it could skewer those two old bastards opposite her, she stormed up and slapped both Fu Wenxiong and his wife across their faces. "Shameless! Demanding compensation? I’ll have your lives!"