CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44 STRUGGLE WITHOUT SUCCESS LEADS TO COMPLIANCE

Jian Xi was asleep in the dead of night when suddenly the door flung open. Si Yuhuan burst in, radiating a cold fury, and dragged her out of bed.

"Is this the game you’re playing?" Veins pulsed on his temples from anger.

Fuming with sleep inertia, Jian Xi shoved Si Yuhuan away. "If you want to throw a fit, don’t do it in my house! Si Yuhuan, have you lost your mind?"

Throwing a tantrum in the middle of the night! He had truly infuriated her.

"Because of your photo, Mengmeng drank until she had a gastric hemorrhage! Your goal is achieved; are you satisfied now?"

Jiang Qimeng drank until she had a gastric hemorrhage? She really goes to great lengths for sympathy, doesn’t she? So ruthless to herself.

With a cold expression, Jian Xi sat on the edge of the bed. "She chose to drink. What does that have to do with me?"

"If you hadn’t made that post on Moments, would she have ended up like this?"

"Was my post wrong? Aren’t you my husband? Didn’t I bring you dinner? And you didn’t eat it, did you?"

The barrage of questions left Si Yuhuan speechless.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Xixi? What’s that noise? Mom’s coming in."

Jian Xi panicked. She didn’t want her mother to see her and Si Yuhuan at each other’s throats.

"Mom, Si Yuhuan is back. We were about to sleep."

As the door swung open, Jian’s mother saw Jian Xi tightly embracing Si Yuhuan. Their apparent intimacy made her blush.

Jian’s mother quickly said, "Oh, so that’s what it was. I thought you were having a nightmare! Drink some milk before bed. You two should rest early."

"Okay! Thank you for your trouble!" Si Yuhuan replied from inside.

In reality, the two of them were already entangled. Somehow, the "battle" from moments ago had transformed into a different kind of "battle," and clothes were strewn everywhere...

The physical contact made self-control impossible.

Veins bulged on Si Yuhuan’s forehead as he fought for restraint. His kisses were domineering and aggressive, conquering every inch, as if he wanted to devour Jian Xi whole.

Jian Xi resisted with all her might, but her strength was no match for his.

"Si Yuhuan, doing this is a betrayal to Jiang Qimeng! Think carefully!"

His movements didn’t pause in the slightest.

"We’re not divorced yet! This is your duty as my wife!"

Duty, my ass! Jian Xi wanted to smash his skull. His passion was irresistible, his touch tender and lingering, reminiscent of the days when their love was deep. Jiang Qimeng, you delivered this man into my hands yourself. Don’t blame me for not being polite!

In the heat of passion, Jian Xi viciously bit his back. "You damn rotten man! Your heart and eyes are only filled with Jiang Qimeng, so why come back and provoke me?!"

That really freaking hurt!

Even at a time like this, she didn’t forget to turn on her phone’s recording function.

Si Yuhuan, you are unkind, so I will be unjust. This marriage of ours? Nothing but mutual exploitation from start to finish.

「The next morning」

Her parents, with knowing glances, asked the chef to prepare several nourishing dishes for Jian Xi. They also instructed Si Yuhuan to drink some nourishing soup.

Jian Xi felt like she could cough up blood.

Everyone at the dining table was staring at her.

Jian Xi was so frustrated she could die.

It seemed everyone was now even more certain that she wouldn’t divorce Si Yuhuan.

Even her mother, rarely, gave Si Yuhuan a slight smile. "If your relationship is stable, then have two children. While we’re still healthy, we can help you look after them, so you don’t have to worry about your energy being divided."

PFFT— Jian Xi coughed violently.

Jian Mingcheng handed her a tissue, and Si Yuhuan also offered one.

Jian Xi glanced at both, then took the one from her elder brother, huffing and pointedly ignoring Si Yuhuan.

Have children? Dream on! She would rather die than bear his children. That utter scumbag doesn’t deserve it!

Jian Mingcheng quickly stood up. Usually, after discussing his younger sister, the topic would turn to him.

But just as he rose, Jian’s mother said, "You need to hurry up and find a girlfriend too. You’re not getting any younger. By the time your sister has children, you’ll still be without a wife."

Si Yuhuan experienced this family atmosphere, feeling something indescribable. The Jian family was full of love, and their interactions were relaxed and pleasant. Having lost his parents at a young age, he was raised by his grandfather. His upbringing as an heir had been dry and dull. He lacked warmth in his life, so this kind of family atmosphere naturally drew him in.

The moment Jian Mingcheng fled, Jian Xi also made an excuse to leave.

"Yaowang is holding a board meeting today. I won’t eat; I have to go now."

She slipped away in a flash.

But halfway there, her car unexpectedly broke down.

Damn it! When you’re unlucky, even drinking water can choke you.

Si Yuhuan pulled up beside her in his flashy Bugatti Veyron.

"What’s wrong? Car trouble?"

"None of your business." His roughness the previous night still angered her.

Si Yuhuan glanced at his wristwatch. "The meeting is at eight o’clock sharp. You have twenty-five minutes. If you’re late for your first board meeting, no one will respect you. Do I really need to spell that out for you?"

Jian Xi pulled open the passenger door. "Get Yan Qing to find someone to fix my car, quickly."

Now that she had taken over Yaowang, it was indeed time to find a secretary to handle such trivial matters for her.

The car sped along the road, its occupants silent.

Jian Xi was considering how to use last night’s recording to maximize her advantage.

When they arrived at Yaowang’s entrance, Jian Xi got out of the car. Si Yuhuan then said, "Don’t go looking for Jiang Qimeng again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not being polite."

That dog of a man! Forgetting all about you once his pants are back on—truly his style.

"Don’t worry. If she doesn’t provoke me, I have no need to target her. As long as everyone stays in their own lane, we can all be at peace."

She tossed her long, curly hair, which she had specially styled that morning, and, exuding a seductive charm, strode in on her twelve-centimeter heels. Her perfectly tailored OL (Office Lady) suit sculpted the image of a captivating and capable career woman.

Today, Jian Xi was mature and alluring.

Si Yuhuan watched her intently for a few moments before stepping on the gas and driving away.

A few sharp-eyed directors at the entrance saw him.

"Wasn’t that Director Si just now? He personally drove Madam Jian to the group headquarters. Their relationship can’t be as bad as the rumors say. If you ask me, they seem very sweet!"

"Rumors and gossip are untrustworthy. We need to keep our eyes wide open."

As Jian Xi entered, Jia Sheng, the executive in charge of Yaowang, was the first to approach and greet her.

"Director Jian, my apologies for not welcoming you at the door. Please, this way."

Everyone obsequiously surrounded Jian Xi as they entered the conference room.

Jian Xi was a little puzzled as to why these people were being so meticulously attentive and courteous to her.

Someone immediately provided an explanation.

"Director Jian, having been influenced by Director Si at close quarters, must possess extraordinary abilities. Yaowang might finally be seeing its true dawn under your leadership."

Jian Xi understood instantly. They must have seen Si Yuhuan’s ostentatious Bugatti Veyron. No wonder they were so deferential.

According to her original plan, Jian Xi’s first act upon taking office was to dismiss Jia Sheng.

"On what grounds are you dismissing me? I’ve dedicated myself to Yaowang, working conscientiously and tirelessly for all these years! You’re a new broom sweeping clean, trying to make an example of me? That’s absolutely not happening!"

Jian Xi tossed the file—containing Wan Yu’s investigation into Jia Sheng’s embezzlement, bribery, and abuse of office for personal gain—onto the conference table before him. "Do you have anything else to say? Will you submit your resignation yourself, or should I call the police to escort you out?"