CHAPTER 264: CHAPTER 262 THIS MAN IS A PIT

"Xixi, are you asking me this today because Jian Group is interested in these shares, or are you personally more interested?"

What a sharp-minded guy!

Jian Xi pursed her lips. "I’d like to be, but at such a high price, it’s out of most people’s reach."

"Hmm! This time, Tianyao Group is determined to win!"

Jian Xi raised an eyebrow. "Is this a warning from Young Master Fu?"

SQUEAK!

The car pulled over to a safe area on the roadside.

Fu Shengyuan’s affectionate eyes were fixed intently on Jian Xi. "Xixi, how can you say that? If you want it, just tell me. I’ll offer it with both hands and guarantee that Tianyao Group absolutely won’t intervene in this battle for shares."

TSK TSK!

It sounded so tempting.

"Everything comes with a price. I suppose what President Fu intends to say next is, ’Marry me,’ right?"

That way, neither the shares nor the person could escape.

His calculations are clicking away like an abacus, Jian Xi thought with some annoyance. How can my mind be so frustratingly clear? I don’t fall for any of it!

Fu Shengyuan’s handsome face visibly flushed with embarrassment. "Xixi! Saying that truly hurts me."

Hurt, but no action to back it up—all talk.

Jian Xi smiled faintly, her bright eyes staring at him.

Fu Shengyuan, feeling stuck, clenched his fists. "Alright, I promise I won’t get involved in this battle for the shares. If you want them, your chances of success will increase immensely."

Jian Xi knew this was as far as he was willing to concede. It seems he’s really set on having me, she realized.

"No need! Even if I wanted them, I’d rely on my own abilities, not on a man!"

"Are you angry?" Fu Shengyuan grabbed Jian Xi’s hand, his face earnest and sincere. "The Fu Family situation is complex; I don’t have the final say alone! I hope you can understand me a bit more."

Jian Xi frowned, pulling her hand away. "Young Master Fu, what are you doing?"

Her face was cold. "I haven’t used emotions to pressure you into giving up anything! Phrasing it like that makes me very uncomfortable!"

Seeing her anger, Fu Shengyuan quickly apologized. "That’s not what I meant."

He tapped the steering wheel, a determined look on his face as he forced a smile. "I will exclude myself from this acquisition plan."

With that, he moved to start the car.

Jian Xi spoke up. "I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well. I won’t be going to any resort villa with you."

She opened the car door, stepped out, hailed a taxi, got in, and left.

Fu Shengyuan watched her go and let out a cold laugh. "She’s got character. I like that."

After getting into the taxi, Jian Xi realized her hands were trembling.

She quickly called Wan Yu.

"There’s definitely something wrong with this Fu Shengyuan!"

Wan Yu was applying a facial mask. She had been in constant contact with Jian Xi, who had told her everything. It had been Wan Yu’s idea for Jian Xi to test Fu Shengyuan’s attitude in the car.

"So, it seems he promised not to compete for Haohan Group’s shares?"

Jian Xi hummed in agreement.

Wan Yu ripped off her mask, her jaw nearly dropping. "He can give up tens of billions just like that? If this isn’t true love, it’s definitely a trap."

"Where would there be so much true love? A trap is more like it!"

Jian Xi bit her lip. "If he’s the one who orchestrated the events concerning Haohan Group, then this man is truly terrifying."

Wan Yu also felt a chill run down her spine. "Xixi, maybe you should keep your distance from him. A honey trap might seem effective, but it’s easy to get ensnared yourself!"

Both fell silent.

They really couldn’t guess what Fu Shengyuan was plotting.

We’ll just have to wait and see,

they thought.

But Fu Shengyuan was right about one thing: even if he didn’t make a move, the Fu Family wouldn’t stay out. Twelve billion was an insurmountable sum. All her available cash amounted to only ten billion; she was still two billion short. What was she to do?

What a crushing, headache-inducing blow!

When Jian Xi returned to the hospital, a nurse informed her that Si Yuhuan in the VIP room had already completed his discharge procedures. The nurse also handed her a bank card.

"Five million for medical expenses?"

How interesting!

Is he trying to draw a clear line between us?

Fine! Let him!

Si Yuhuan waited and waited. He sat in the cramped apartment, his imposing aura making the entire living room feel suffocatingly small.

Yan Qing stood nearby, sweating nervously. "Director Si, are you sure you want to stay here?"

"Where else?" Si Yuhuan retorted, looking up.

Yan Qing fell silent.

The apartment looked truly pitiful—less than eighty square meters in total, smaller than any bathroom in the villas he had previously inhabited.

I just hope the boss can stand it!

"It’s twelve o’clock. I suppose Madam has already gone to bed. Perhaps you should also get some rest..."

BANG!

Si Yuhuan slammed his palm on the coffee table. "Get out!"

Yan Qing scrambled out, pulling the door closed behind him.

At Fuyuan Official Residence, Jian Xi tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Fu Shengyuan had called repeatedly, but she hadn’t answered, which also left her wide awake.

She got up and looked in the mirror at her gently swelling belly. The sense of fulfillment from the impending motherhood was indescribable.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a window being pried open. When she turned, Si Yuhuan’s handsome face was right there, looming large.

She stumbled back a couple of steps, tripping on the bedsheet. Just as she was about to fall, Si Yuhuan’s long arm shot out and pulled her into his embrace.

Through the thin fabric of her clothes, he could clearly feel the curve of her abdomen.

Jian Xi, panicking, saw his brow furrow with suspicion as his hand made contact. Instinctively, she slapped him hard across the face.

Si Yuhuan’s handsome face darkened. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Being slapped repeatedly was undoubtedly a loss of face for the man who was once the wealthiest.

Jian Xi knew she had overreacted. "My hand slipped—it was a reflex," she explained. "Why are you here?"

Si Yuhuan reached out, as if to touch her stomach.

Jian Xi retreated a few steps. "Shouldn’t men and women maintain a proper distance? Director Si, don’t be inappropriate."

She was nearly scared to death.

Why is Si Yuhuan suddenly so focused on my stomach?

"You weren’t at the villa with Fu Shengyuan?"

He withdrew his hand, clenching it tightly for a moment.

He couldn’t sleep, so he’d come to check on her. He hadn’t expected the fingerprint lock to fail; he instantly knew Jian Xi must have deleted his print. A flicker of light from her room caught his eye, so he’d climbed up to see.

"What business is it of yours where I am!"

Jian Xi glared at him, then helped him sit on the bed.

"I’ll call Yan Qing and have him take you back."

Saying this, she took out her phone.

Si Yuhuan quickly snatched it. "I don’t pay Yan Qing much these days. Don’t trouble him."

"Then you’ll leave on your own?"

Jian Xi walked over and pulled the main door open.

Si Yuhuan’s face was ashen. "I’ve been discharged from the hospital. Did you know?"

"I know! I even received your five-million card. After reclaiming two billion, Director Si, you’re still so generous!"

Si Yuhuan was speechless.

If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken that two billion back, he thought.

"I haven’t touched that money."

Jian Xi said sarcastically, "Well, Director Si, you truly have deep reserves. Even after losing the presidency of Haohan Group and having all your assets frozen, you can still find five million in liquid cash to give me. Still so generous, I see?"