CHAPTER 244: CHAPTER 242 THE LIE IS EXPOSED

"Jian Xi, no need to be so polite. You’re my second brother’s friend, which makes you my friend."

Big bosses like him had seen plenty of people. She really wasn’t anything special. Any deference shown to her was entirely out of respect for her second brother, so Jian Xi was very polite.

"Up close, little sister looks somewhat familiar."

Jian Chuxin punched him. "Which beauty do you not find familiar?"

Jian Chuxin’s fierce protectiveness, preventing his sister from being flirted with by lechers, amused everyone to the point they could barely hold in their laughter.

Jian Chuxin pulled Jian Xi over, pushing her to face everyone as he introduced her. "This is my actual sister, Jian Xi. Everyone, please take good care of her in the future."

"If Brother Xin orders it, we all understand!"

"With our promotion, Yaowang will surely become a top luxury brand. Don’t worry, little sister."

Everyone practically thumped their chests in assurance.

It was clear to everyone why Jian Chuxin had gathered them here; there was an unspoken understanding.

In the joyful atmosphere, Jian Chuxin waved his hand magnanimously. "Today, this young master is footing the bill! All of you, enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"

After settling his friends, he dragged Jian Xi to another booth. "Alright, tell me, what’s the deal with Fu Shengyuan?"

"He pursued me, but I didn’t agree. I feel like there’s something off about him."

"And then he went after Mom? Ugh, so he started kissing up to Mom?"

Jian Xi nodded.

He’s quite scheming! Jian Chuxin thought, stroking his chin. "What’s your plan?"

"I’m going abroad. Who would marry him?"

Jian Xi had barely escaped the pitfall that was Si Yuhuan; she certainly didn’t want to fall into another one.

"It might not be that easy."

"Don’t jinx it."

With Jian Chuxin pulling the strings, all of Yaowang Group’s fashion items and high-end custom products were worn and showcased by world-famous movie stars, celebrities, singers, variety show personalities, and well-known bloggers. This immediately caused a frenzy across the internet.

That day, the Mingpinhui app’s page views soared by a staggering 1.5 billion.

The top seller in the rankings was Yaowang Brand.

Yaowang’s online sales surpassed one hundred million yuan within an hour.

Time and again, they forged commercial legends.

The demand for offline orders was overwhelming, far exceeding supply.

Jian’s Mother’s old friend came to her again, practically begging. "Those clothes, bags, and jewelry your daughter gave me are now one-of-a-kind collector’s items, truly priceless! They’re my treasures. Just now, my friends saw them and were so envious. They said Yaowang items are incredibly hard to come by these days! I’ve really struck gold. Please, ask Xixi if I can pay double the price to have some more sent to my home. It can be anything she wants to send, just like last time. You have no idea how popular Yaowang is now! Wearing their items is a symbol of status, an absolute must-have for one’s social standing."

Jian’s Mother was bombarded with one call after another.

Right now, she wasn’t preoccupied with pushing Jian Xi to marry quickly. Her mind was filled with nothing but pride in how accomplished her son and daughter were.

She maintained an air of importance, telling every friend who called that she would convey their requests when she had the time, advising them to wait.

"Oh, my dear daughter," Jian’s Mother gushed over the phone to Jian Xi later, "you wouldn’t believe how thrilled I am! All those wealthy socialites are desperately throwing all sorts of dinner parties, inviting me just so they can meet me and try to get some Yaowang items to wear and show off. These people have money to burn; they’re not short of cash. What they want is the prestige, you see..."

Jian Xi had anticipated this and was well-prepared.

They are Mom’s close friends, after all. How could I let the ’aunts’ lose face?

"I’ve already prepared gifts for everyone in your name," Jian Xi told her mother. "They’re all new, high-end custom designs. I hope they’ll like them."

Jian’s Mother slapped her thigh in delight. "Smart! You’re getting better and better at handling things. Having a daughter is wonderful; so much more considerate than a son!"

Jian Chuxin, who was right beside Jian Xi, overheard their mother. He immediately snatched the phone, discontentedly saying, "Mom, I’m still here! Could you tone down the favoritism just a little?"

"What’s wrong with that? Sons are generally useless anyway. Xixi is much more sensible than you boys and spends more time with me. If you don’t like it, then come back to the country, stay home obediently, and find me a daughter-in-law..."

CLICK!

Jian Chuxin couldn’t stand listening to his mother’s nagging lecture and quickly hung up.

"Tch! Can’t even take that. So unfilial," Jian’s Mother muttered to herself.

Putting on her makeup, Jian’s Mother went to the dinner party, feeling ecstatic. Tonight, she would undoubtedly be the center of attention, basking in the glory her daughter had brought her. She was utterly delighted!

Jian Chuxin poked Jian Xi’s head. "You get to reap all the rewards, you little schemer. You’ve certainly got a lot of tricks up your sleeve."

Jian Xi chuckled, pleading, "Second Brother! Don’t fight me for this little bit of credit."

If I can curry a bit more favor with Mom now and make her remember my good deeds, then when I return with the children one day, maybe she’ll go a little easier on me. I’d be eternally grateful for that. All these intricate plans are for the future! I’m really putting in a lot of effort.

Holding the check her eldest brother had given her for Si Yuhuan, Jian Xi hesitated, wondering how to give it to him in a way he would accept.

After much thought, she dialed Si Yuhuan’s number.

It rang for a long time, but he didn’t answer.

Jian Xi bit her lip, a complex mix of emotions churning within her.

She hung up and dialed again, but still, no one picked up.

Just as she was about to give up, Yan Qing’s call came through.

"Madam, please come to Fenghua Garden quickly! The Old Master has suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage. I’m afraid he might not make it!" Yan Qing’s voice was frantic, tinged with a sob.

"What?"

Jian Xi sped towards Fenghua Garden.

The weather in Beijing was fickle. The morning had been bright and sunny, the sky vast and clear, lifting everyone’s spirits. But now, it was blanketed with dark clouds, the air damp and frosty, carrying a distinct chill. Sitting in her car, Jian Xi rolled down the window. The cold wind slapped against her face, sobering her considerably.

I arranged for Grandfather to be hidden away precisely to prevent outsiders from contacting him and to avoid any harm. How could he suddenly have a cerebral hemorrhage? Fourth Brother said that as long as Grandfather had one more surgery, he would recover and there would be absolutely no relapse, unless... unless someone wants to use Grandfather to harm Si Yuhuan!

She slammed her foot on the accelerator, speeding towards the location.

When Jian Xi arrived at the villa, her grandfather had already been wheeled into the operating room. Si Yuhuan sat outside the door, disheveled and waiting.

She hadn’t seen him for several days. His usual imperious, noble aura had transformed completely, replaced by an even colder, sharper iciness. For a moment, it was as if he had become a different person.

"How is Grandfather?" Jian Xi asked, approaching him.

Si Yuhuan glanced up at her, his voice frigid. "It’s quite serious. He found out that Haohan Group has completely restructured, and he became furious."

"Who could have told him so quickly?"

Jian Xi was puzzled. The villa I arranged is in a remote location. How could anyone sneak in undetected to tell him?

"Grandfather secretly went to Haohan Group," Si Yuhuan explained. "He discovered I had lied to him—that I hadn’t replaced Si Junyan as CEO."

"He also found out that Haohan Group underwent a major overhaul, transitioning into the industrial sector, essentially abandoning its core business for peripheral ventures."

Suddenly, Si Yuhuan stood up, walked over to Jian Xi, and took her hand.

Jian Xi was startled.

"Please, ask your Fourth Brother to operate on Grandfather, will you? I can give him anything he wants. Grandfather absolutely cannot have anything happen to him."

Just as he finished speaking, Jian Xi’s fourth brother, Jian Sirun, strode in. His gaze fell upon Si Yuhuan tightly clutching his younger sister’s hand. He frowned slightly but said nothing, merely brushing past them. "I’m going into the operating room first."

His next sentence is probably going to be, ’Wait until I come out to deal with you.’ Jian Xi thought, hastily pulling her hand away from Si Yuhuan’s grasp.