CHAPTER 386: CHAPTER 384: WHAT A WOMAN WANTS IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN ATTITUDE

Jian Xi had arranged to meet Fu Shengyuan at a coffee shop.

Their half-baked cheesecake was excellent, a signature item.

Upon entering, one could immediately smell the rich aroma of coffee.

The staff led her directly to a seat by the window.

"Mr. Fu has already instructed us that if you arrive first, please take a moment to rest here," they said.

Fu Shengyuan was still as thoughtful as ever.

In this regard, he was leagues ahead of Si Yuhuan.

A mocha with sugar and milk, once Jian Xi’s favorite.

She took a sip; it tasted very good indeed.

Nearby, a young couple appeared to be quarreling. The girl, eyes red from crying, seemed upset about not getting something she wanted. The man beside her was practically swearing to the heavens that he would get it for her as soon as possible, all while continuously admitting his fault and making funny faces.

PFFT.

The girl burst into laughter.

"You silly, what I want is your attitude, not your worthless trinkets."

The two reconciled, happily holding hands as they left.

This must be the essence of romance, Jian Xi thought.People like them might never enjoy such enviable feelings in their lifetimes.

"Is it more interesting to watch others in love than to be in love yourself?"

Fu Shengyuan had appeared nearby without her noticing, his gaze tenderly settling on Jian Xi.

Seeing him arrive, Jian Xi gestured for him to sit and smiled. "It is quite interesting."

The girl’s words about ’attitude’ made Jian Xi understand why, this time, she was so unwilling to continue groveling before Si Yuhuan.

She had her pride too!She had groveled for two lifetimes, all for the sake of love.Now, she had let go of everything, with only disappointment remaining.

Si Yuhuan was adept at manipulating people; she feared him.Si Yuhuan was skilled at concealing his true nature; she felt inadequate in comparison.Most importantly, his methods were too forceful. If she kept relying on his power, she feared she would become deeply entangled, repeating the mistakes of her previous life. By then, Qianqian and Mingming could be taken away...

Jian Xi didn’t dare to imagine it!

"Thinking of Si Yuhuan?" Fu Shengyuan sat down. A waiter brought him a cup of black coffee, without sugar or milk. The bitter aroma wafted to Jian Xi’s nostrils; she could sense its strong, domineering quality. The coffee, like the man, was just like Fu Shengyuan.

His tastes were even more exacting than Si Yuhuan’s.Jian Xi felt he was an even more ruthless man at heart than Si Yuhuan.

"Thank you for offending your family for my sake again. Today is my treat," she said with a smile, lifting her coffee cup, deliberately not mentioning their potential cooperation.

Fu Shengyuan lightly tapped his cup against hers, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "For you, it’s all worth it."

TSK, TSK.

A year had passed.He was still so quick with the sweet talk.If she hadn’t been so thoroughly hurt by men, she might have almost fallen for it.

Fu Shengyuan said, "It’s all my fault. I should have arranged everything before I went abroad. If I hadn’t given my eldest uncle an opening, he wouldn’t have been able to move against Jian Group, nearly putting you in an untenable position and causing the company huge losses."

Before Jian Xi could say anything, he interrupted her. "I know you consider this legitimate business competition, but I feel his methods aren’t very clever. Moreover, he’s too domineering and throws his weight around."

Such righteous words.

Any other woman hearing this would think he was exceptionally broad-minded and possessed great vision.

Jian Xi felt there was something wrong with her; she only sensed the sinister and terrifying undertones.How cold-hearted and ruthless must a man be to not even protect his own family?She had a feeling that to Fu Shengyuan, any member of the Fu Family might weigh less than a dog.At least, if she were in his shoes, Jian Xi didn’t think she could be so selflessly impartial.

"You have a point. I hope President Fu can always adhere to this principle. But there’s one thing I’d like to ask."

After the incident, she had met with Yang Jinyu. She asked him what kind of people Fu Wenxin had used to guard him. He said they were incredibly skilled, not like ordinary domestic bodyguards, but more like international mercenaries.

"Does the Fu Family have any connections with foreign organizations?"

Fu Shengyuan looked completely bewildered.

"For example, assassination organizations or... like the ace bodyguards I have by my side."

Fu Shengyuan nodded. "We do have some contact, especially with bodyguards for personal security. These are retired service members from various countries, highly skilled and very capable. The Fu Family began making contact with them about twenty years ago. However, these individuals are all coordinated by my eldest uncle to protect the family members. Why do you ask? Have they harmed you?"

"No."

Jian Xi shook her head.

Truthfully, she was more inclined to borrow personnel from the Fu Family.Once she found out where her fourth brother and Mingming were, what if she just stormed in and took them?With the child secured, she would leave the country and hide in some obscure small town. Even Secret Gate, for all its reach, wouldn’t be able to find her there.

That was the worst-case scenario.She had hoped to live in the light, to feel the warmth of her homeland. If that wasn’t possible, there was nothing she could do.

Ideally, Xinxin and her godfather would go crazy and clash with Si Yuhuan, leading to a pyrrhic struggle from which her fifth brother could then profit.Thinking about it, it wasn’t too bad.

"If there’s anything you need, you can tell me. You know why I asked you out today. It was simply to let you know that if you encounter any trouble you can’t resolve, you can come to me. I’m more than willing to help."

Fu Shengyuan’s perceptive eyes were filled with sincerity.

Regardless of his motives, Jian Xi forced a smile and nodded. "Okay! If the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely trouble you."

His goodwill was so overt it made Jian Xi a little uncomfortable. She couldn’t help but explain, "The Salsi Group incident has nothing to do with me."

"I know. Even your eldest brother was kept in the dark. Your brother is still the same as ever—unscrupulous in achieving his goals, his thoughts deep and unfathomable."

If this were the past, Jian Xi would have definitely retorted: You two are cut from the same cloth.Now, all she could manage was an awkward smile.

Si Yuhuan operated on a level so high it was beyond her reach; she felt like a fool in comparison.

"Tianyao Group has suffered huge losses this time. I’m afraid I..." Fu Shengyuan trailed off.

"Let me take you home."

He wasn’t clinging to her.This surprised Jian Xi.

The two of them had just reached the entrance.

Zhang Yaxuan and Hilda walked in, chatting and laughing, their eyes full of tender affection.

Fu Shengyuan’s gaze fell on Hilda’s hand resting on Zhang Yaxuan’s shoulder, and he raised an eyebrow.

Jian Xi’s heart immediately clenched. People in their lofty positions, with their sharp and discerning minds, were bound to be suspicious.

"Zhang, aren’t you going to introduce your friend?" Hilda, handling the situation with ease, asked playfully.

Zhang Yaxuan caught on quickly. "My fiancée, and this person..." he paused, indicating Jian Xi, "...should be her friend."

Jian Xi also quickly played along. "Right, my friend!"

Jian Xi smiled, projecting an image of magnanimity, understanding, gentleness, and kindness.

Fu Shengyuan nodded. "Fu Shengyuan, President of Tianyao Group."

He hadn’t just met Zhang Yaxuan; they had a rather "profound" history.Zhang Yaxuan had been unable to hold art exhibitions in the country, and Fu Shengyuan, along with Si Yuhuan, had played a part in that.

"Nice to meet you. I’m Zhang’s friend, Hilda."

Hilda.

Jian Xi winked at them. "Well then, you two get to your work. We won’t disturb you."