CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 180: SHE LOST HER TEMPER

Jian Xi hung up directly. His attitude was so bad, she couldn’t be bothered to say another word to him.

Si Yuhuan scoffed in anger. This woman’s temper is really getting worse and worse. She even dared to hang up on him.

Si Yuhuan turned to look at Yan Qing.

Yan Qing quickly lowered his head, hoping not to be caught in the crossfire.

"Go and check," Si Yuhuan ordered. "She wouldn’t act so strangely for no reason. There must be a problem."

"Yes!" Yan Qing immediately made his escape, relieved. Director Si has been terrifying lately, like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.

***

Si Junyan waited at the police station for his grandfather to send someone to bail him out. But after a long wait, there was still no news, so he had Xiaoli come to the police station again.

"What on earth is happening? Did you do everything I told you?"

"Exactly, to the letter," Xiaoli said. "The Old Master also reacted as if he would get you out as soon as possible. I don’t know why..." Xiaoli trailed off.

"If you have something to say, spit it out." Si Junyan was losing his patience.

Xiaoli licked his lips. "Could it be that the Eldest Young Master didn’t allow it?"

"Absolutely impossible! Grandfather knows he wouldn’t help, so he’d work around him secretly. Unless... unless some oblivious idiot is daring to sabotage us from the shadows." A sudden thought struck him. He looked up sharply at Xiaoli. "Could it be Jian Xi?"

Apart from that damned woman, he couldn’t think of anyone else who insisted on opposing him. Sooner or later, he would personally strangle that wretched woman to death.

Soon, Xiaoli returned with an update. "It was indeed Miss Jian working behind the scenes. She met with the Old Master, and after that, he took no further action."

BANG!

Si Junyan slammed his fist on the table, making a loud noise.

The prison guard tapped the iron bars. "Keep it down, or I’ll send you back."

Si Junyan had no choice but to deflate, his head bowed and his arrogance vanishing.

"Find Sister Meng for me. And help me contact someone else."

***

Jiang Qimeng hadn’t expected a call from Si Junyan’s assistant, Xiaoli. He must be desperate, she thought. Otherwise, with Si Junyan’s pride, he’d never stoop to asking for my help.

She was also buried in lawsuits recently. Antagonizing Jian Xi had been like poking a hornet’s nest. The first court hearing had gone terribly; she’d been argued into silence. If she hadn’t feigned illness, she probably wouldn’t have even made it out of the courtroom. If the lawsuit succeeded, her reputation would be ruined, and she might even end up in jail.

"Tell Junyan, I’ll think of something."

Other than this response, she didn’t know what else to say.

After Xiaoli’s profuse thanks, she hung up. Resting her forehead in her hand, she felt an intense headache coming on.

If Si Yuhuan isn’t helping, who else can she turn to?

Thinking of that person, she narrowed her eyes. She was about to make the call but then decided against it.

I refuse to believe that without you men, I, Jiang Qimeng, can’t find my own connections to get someone out!

***

Xiaoli frantically kept dialing the number Si Junyan had given him. The calls either went unanswered, or the line was out of service.

He went back to report to Si Junyan.

Si Junyan slumped down against the iron bars. "Impossible! I’m of Si Family blood! Grandfather wouldn’t abandon me just because of Jian Xi!"

And him! Didn’t he say he’d help me become the richest man? That bastard actually went back on his word!

It’s true: when a wall is falling, everyone gives it a push.

I’ll make a comeback one day!

***

「Sunday.」

Jian Xi had arranged to meet a few business partners for dinner at Dahu to discuss the Yaowang Brand’s launch in W Country and other markets.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Jiang Qimeng in the parking lot, laughing and heading upstairs with a few men.

She initially had no interest in following, but to her surprise, they were headed to the same VIP floor.

The server attending to her was one of her mother’s old mahjong buddies. The two were close, and this friend, who was also one of Dahu’s owners, was known as Auntie Luo. Jian Xi asked her, "Auntie Luo, who were those people who just went in?"

"You don’t know?"

"Know what?" Jian Xi asked, perplexed.

Auntie Luo chuckled, covering her mouth. "Those are some of Beijing’s well-known local tycoons, the kind who have connections in both legitimate and illicit circles. You know, many things that seem impossible to get done become quite easy with their help."

Auntie Luo replied in a simpering tone.

From the bottom of her heart, Auntie Luo looked down on Jiang Qimeng. That woman brought different groups of men here to eat almost every day. And each time, they’d close the door. Who knew what went on inside? Especially with men and women mixing like that... everyone understood without needing to say a word.

"Alright, Auntie Luo, please get back to your work. I’ll call you if I need anything."

Jian Xi smiled and took out a stack of cash. "Please make sure my business partners are well taken care of later. The Yaowang Brand’s upcoming launch in W Country relies heavily on them. They all have very particular tastes, so please ask the head chef to put in some extra thought and effort."

"Rest assured, Auntie Luo can handle this much."

She pocketed the cash.

In the world of business, cash is most enticing.

Jian Xi knew how to conduct herself in business, which pleased Auntie Luo even more.

After Auntie Luo left, Jian Xi approached Jiang Qimeng’s private room. Peeking through the crack in the door, one glimpse was enough to completely overturn her worldview.

Jiang Qimeng glided among the men, her fiery red dress outlining her graceful figure. Her alluring, exquisite makeup made the men present flushed with excitement. Even from outside, Jian Xi could feel the palpable heat radiating from the room through the door.

Jiang Qimeng reveled in the sight of all the men captivated by her. She swayed her body sensuously, continuously pouring them drinks. Suddenly, one man’s large hand landed on her shoulder, while his other hand slapped her rear. "Miss Jiang’s business is our business, of course," he said. "We’re just wondering how Miss Jiang plans to repay us?"

Jiang Qimeng was disgusted by these men pawing at her. She was going to be the wife of the richest man! What were these scumbags to her? But to ask for a favor, she had to offer some bait. She leaned in close, her cheek almost brushing his, and said with a smile, "What kind of reward are you hoping for?"

The man’s eyes immediately lit up.

Jiang Qimeng slapped a check on his chest. "Nothing’s more practical than money, don’t you think?"

Unexpectedly, the man wasn’t swayed by this at all; he wanted both her and the money. He pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly against him.

"I want you!"

Jian Xi snapped several pictures, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Truly worthy of the original queen of internet celebrities, Jian Xi thought. So fiery and explosive!

After a moment’s thought, she took Si Yuhuan off her blacklist and sent the pictures to him.

Si Yuhuan was in a meeting with the senior leadership of the Haohan Group when his phone started incessantly chiming. He frowned and took a glance at the screen.

When he saw the pictures of Jiang Qimeng getting cozy with a group of men, a seductive smile on her face, he shot up from his seat.

"Director Si?" The senior executives were bewildered, wondering what had happened.

"We’ll stop here for today." With that, Si Yuhuan grabbed his coat and rushed out.

Jiang Qimeng never imagined that while she was sitting on a man’s lap drinking, Si Yuhuan would kick down the door and enter.

She was petrified.

The liquor jug crashed to the floor. Shards of shattered glass dug into her leg, but she felt no pain as the crimson wine mixed with blood, staining her clothes and creating a wretched sight.

The bosses nearby greeted him respectfully, "Director Si, care to join us?"

Clearly, they recognized Si Yuhuan, but were unaware of the relationship between him and Jiang Qimeng.