CHAPTER 397: CHAPTER 395: THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO LIKE HER

Xinxin confessed everything, blaming it all on Jian Xi. "You know, I can only share your burdens if I know what she’s going to do." It was a self-satisfied attempt on her part to ingratiate herself.

Si Yuhuan patted her shoulder. "Mhm, well done. Take good care of the child; I’ll stop by your place tonight."

Upon hearing this, Xinxin was overjoyed.

Jian Xi watched Xinxin get sent away with just a few words from Si Yuhuan and couldn’t help but sneer coldly. No matter how smart a woman is, once she falls in love, her IQ drops to zero.

Seeing Xinxin now was like seeing her former self, which inevitably made her feel somewhat sorrowful.

Si Yuhuan acted as if he had heard nothing. "She is just too greedy."

What about herself in her previous life? She had also been too greedy. She had wanted all of Si Yuhuan’s love, and from that step onward, her mistake had been irremediable.

"Don’t meet with her ever again," Si Yuhuan ordered coldly.

Jian Xi nodded. Mingming was what mattered. Now that she was in Si Yuhuan’s hands, there was nothing she couldn’t agree to.

Zhang Yaxuan was incredibly busy. Every time Jian Xi saw him and wanted to bring up the fact that they couldn’t get married, she was hastily interrupted.

"Xixi, I’m really sorry. It’s been too long since my last art exhibition, and I have to entertain some old friends who have come to support me..."

Jian Xi put on a bright smile. "Don’t worry about me," she said politely. "Just go ahead with your business."

Si Yuhuan stood aside, watching the two interact, a dark and indiscernible light in his eyes.

Zhang Yaxuan glanced at him. "Director Si, please feel free to do as you please."

"I’ll just stay with my ex-wife; no need to mind me—after all, we aren’t familiar with each other."

His words left Zhang Yaxuan quite infuriated. He was not as verbally adept as Si Yuhuan and found himself somewhat speechless from the retort.

"She is my fiancée! What are you doing following her around?"

Jian Xi knew that Si Yuhuan was doing this on purpose.

"Yaxuan, I have something to tell you," Jian Xi said, continually signaling to him with her eyes.

Zhang Yaxuan seemed to be busy that day and was also not in the best of moods. "Xixi, I’ll handle this. Si Yuhuan, are you here to cause trouble?"

He looked up, a layer of anger coating his usually gentle and cultured eyes.

"Si Yuhuan, there are so many people here; calm down. I will do what I promised you. If you dare to start a conflict with him here, I will never forgive you in my life."

Of all the men revolving around her, the one Jian Xi felt most guilty towards was definitely Zhang Yaxuan. As a collaborator, she hadn’t been able to do anything for him, while he had spent considerable manpower, material resources, and mental energy to help her. Just the losses from the previous art exhibition were enough to leave her with lifelong guilt.

The intense anger in Si Yuhuan’s eyes gradually faded upon hearing Jian Xi’s words. He pointed at Zhang Yaxuan. "Always hiding behind a woman—are you even a man?"

Zhang Yaxuan flew into a rage. His roar drew numerous sideways glances.

Jian Xi used almost all her strength to pull Si Yuhuan away.

「In the private room.」

Si Yuhuan was flung into a chair by Jian Xi.

"Provoking him on purpose—is that amusing to you?"

Si Yuhuan’s demeanor radiated coldness as he advanced step by step towards Jian Xi, cornering her in a confined space. He bent down to meet her gaze, the complex emotions in his eyes solidifying. "You like him that much?"

Jian Xi was truly speechless. Her guilt appeared as defensiveness in Si Yuhuan’s eyes.

To avoid causing Zhang Yaxuan any trouble, Jian Xi turned her head and shook it. "No, it’s all in the past."

She couldn’t very well admit that there was nothing between her and Zhang Yaxuan at all.

Si Yuhuan arrogantly pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Be obedient. This man really isn’t worthy of you. He doesn’t know how to care for you or love you, nor does he have any sense of responsibility for the child. A man like that is no good, even if you force it. Wouldn’t you rather try loving me?"

What a huge joke!

Jian Xi pursed her lips, her smile more a grimace than genuine.

Annoyed, Si Yuhuan pushed her away and sat down on the sofa. "Talk to him later and make it clear that he should not return to the country. Otherwise, I’m not sure what I might do."

"Si Yuhuan, you bastard!"

Threats! Threat after threat! Jian Xi felt a hatred for him that made her teeth itch.

"What? Do you want to go back on your word?" he asked, looking up, his eyes filled with genuine ferocity.

"I’ve agreed," Jian Xi snapped. Impatient, she slammed the door as she left.

Zhang Yaxuan must have been taken aside by an assistant to rest. She saw him in the lounge, angrily drinking water while a young assistant fearfully coaxed him. Just as Jian Xi was about to walk in, she heard hurried footsteps approaching from nearby.

Jian Xi saw a middle-aged couple approaching. She had seen them on Zhang Yaxuan’s phone before; they were his parents.

She quickly pulled back her foot, intending to leave first, but was called out directly.

"Xixi?"

The couple was very happy to see her.

Zhang Yaxuan, inside, was also disturbed by the noise. He came out, saw Patriarch Zhang and Aunt Zhang, and froze for a moment before frowning. "Dad, Mom, why are you here?"

Jian Xi waved her hands awkwardly.

Zhang Yaxuan pulled her over. "Look, this is Jian Xi—you’ve seen her in pictures—my future wife."

He moved closer to Jian Xi. "Please, help me out. I didn’t expect them to actually come."

"I..." Jian Xi began, wanting to refuse.

"My father has cancer, and he may not live long. Please, do me this favor."

So that was it!

"When did this happen?"

She had been so busy with Mingming that she hadn’t paid attention to these matters.

"Otherwise, why would I hold an art exhibition at such a crucial time, when you’re looking for Mingming? It’s because my old man wanted to see my works one more time, to witness his son’s glory again. That’s why I hurriedly organized such a grand exhibition."

It turned out he had his reasons. He had kept silent all along. Jian Xi’s guilt surged even more intensely within her. She had no reason to refuse. Si Yuhuan’s warning was immediately thrown to the back of her mind.

"Uncle, Aunt, welcome. Please come in. Yaxuan told me a long time ago that he wanted me to meet you, but..."

"We understand, we get it. Young people have their own thoughts; that’s understandable. It’s us who came uninvited today. We haven’t disturbed you, have we?"

Patriarch Zhang and Aunt Zhang were extremely pleased to see Jian Xi, beaming with joy. She was such a beautiful girl—tall and well-figured. Most importantly, she was gentle, polite, and courteous. Their son liked her, and they had heard she was from a very good family. It was as if the ancestors of the Zhang family were blessed to meet such a fine young woman.

They were extremely satisfied with this future daughter-in-law.

"Not at all. Now that you’re here, Yaxuan can give his all. Shall I take you to have a look around?"

Someone outside called for Zhang Yaxuan again. Jian Xi had taken the initiative with her suggestion.

Zhang Yaxuan pulled her aside. "I really appreciate your help. I didn’t expect them to come. I..."

"Between us, there’s no need for such words. When it comes to causing trouble, it seems I’ve troubled you more often."

Jian Xi led the two elders from the first floor to the second. Her unique insights into art fascinated the elderly couple.

"No wonder Yaxuan likes you, Xixi. You are truly excellent."

Just as Aunt Zhang finished her compliment, a cold snort came from behind.

"Of course. There are many who like Miss Jian."

Si Yuhuan walked over, one hand in his pocket.