Chapter 371: Chapter 369: Handsome Men Make a Joint Appearance
"Otherwise, where do you think this lipstick mark came from?"
Si Yuhuan glared at her, his expression grim.
Jian Xi smirked. "Director Si has certainly worked hard."
The handsome man ploy was indeed effective. She had misunderstood him.
"But you enjoyed it too, so it’s not a loss for you."
Enraged, Si Yuhuan advanced to press down on her again. "To say you’re heartless—you truly are heartless."
His long arm snaked behind her, fingers tangling in her hair as he suddenly pressed her head firmly, bringing his lips down on hers. The kiss was punishing and dominant, as if he wished he could devour Jian Xi whole.
Jian Xi’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected him to lose himself to such an extent; for a moment, she even forgot to push him away. His kissing skills were exquisite, sending her on a roller coaster of sensations. A spark of emotion ignited a warm current within her, and her body involuntarily responded to him.
Delighted, Si Yuhuan deepened the kiss.
"Xixi—" His voice was tantalizing.
"Enough!" Jian Xi pushed him away, her fists clenched in annoyance.
She was furious with herself for still having feelings for him. She silently consoled herself: It’s just a normal adult reaction, nothing to be alarmed or panicked about.
"Si Yuhuan, don’t forget, I have another man."
He fell silent. Staggering to his feet, he walked out.
As the main door opened, she heard Xinxin’s voice.
"Director Si, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for so long."
Xinxin made to enter, but he caught her by her slender waist and guided her out. "Weren’t you looking for me? Why go inside then?"
Xinxin smiled nonchalantly. "That’s right. Let’s go; many of the guys are still waiting to drink with you! It’s rare for us to get ahold of someone as famous as you."
She guessed the ’guys’ Xinxin mentioned were probably her trusted subordinates. To think that in just one night, Si Yuhuan had already infiltrated the enemy’s inner circle! Indeed, the most terrifying ploy in this world wasn’t the beauty trap, no, it was the handsome man trap. A handsome man trap was far more devastating. It was infuriating that she hadn’t managed to ask about Mingming’s whereabouts. Jian Xi cursed her own temper. It seemed her only chance now was to properly curry favor with Si Yuhuan.
She had sent a message to Huang Ying with her location, but a long time had passed with no response.
A little worried, she called her. The call connected quickly.
"Are you asleep?" Had she fallen asleep? Jian Xi wondered if Huang Ying hadn’t seen the message.
To her surprise, Huang Ying’s voice came through, muffled as if she had been crying. "I’m not asleep."
"Then why don’t you come over?" Jian Xi felt it was imperative for Huang Ying to come. She’d overheard a few hostesses discussing Song Xicheng; after all, a second pair of eyes like his couldn’t be found in all of China.
"Wow! Mr. Song is so handsome! His eight-pack abs feel so hard. I bet it would feel amazing to sit on them."
"Watch your drool, will you? He’s definitely mine! Didn’t you see how he just said my hair was beautiful, like silk? He likes it, right?"
"He praised my skin too!"
"He likes my scent!"
A few women passed by Jian Xi’s door, bickering jealously.
Jian Xi deliberately put her phone on speaker so Huang Ying could hear.
Based on the psychology she’d studied, Huang Ying definitely wouldn’t be able to control her emotions and would rush over.
As expected, Huang Ying said, "I’ll be right there."
Jian Xi felt a small sense of accomplishment. If you liked someone, you had to fight for them. But a playboy like Song Xicheng? She definitely wouldn’t recommend him! One only learns their lesson the hard way. Once she realizes Song Xicheng’s true colors, she’ll appreciate a good man when she finally meets one. Jian Xi’s mind was already abuzz with her little schemes.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from outside.
The club patrons felt they had hit the jackpot today, seeing one handsome man after another, each with his own distinct charm. The man who now appeared before them looked upright and principled, exuding an air of integrity. His stern demeanor made him seem very familiar.
A stir went through the crowd.
"Isn’t that Jian Mingcheng, the CEO of Jian Group, who’s always in the financial news?"
"Wow! I heard he’s only thirty-five and already incredibly successful, one of the top tycoons in Beijing. They say his company’s market value doubled after a successful transformation. He’s probably in the top five in Beijing by now, right?"
"It seems he’s never been rumored to have a girlfriend—a true Diamond Bachelor dedicated solely to his career!"
The moment they saw Jian Mingcheng, all the women’s eyes lit up like light bulbs.
Upstairs, Jian Xi quirked an eyebrow.
She knew Si Yuhuan was a hit with all women, but she’d never imagined her older brother’s appeal was even stronger. Perhaps it was because he exuded a sense of security that women craved—the kind of steadfastness that wasn’t fickle.
"CEO Jian, you’ve arrived." Seeing Jian Mingcheng, the manager immediately hurried over to greet him. "Miss Wan is over here."
He carefully glanced at Jian Mingcheng’s stern face, not daring to say more, and led him away.
Brother... Jian Xi was about to call out when she heard Xinxin’s voice. She immediately shut her mouth and ducked back into her room.
Si Yuhuan’s tall frame blocked Xinxin’s view; she probably hadn’t seen me.
Xinxin covered her mouth, giggling slyly, practically pressing herself against Si Yuhuan. "Is that Jian Mingcheng? He’s really handsome."
Si Yuhuan raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to introduce you?"
Xinxin playfully tapped his chest. "What are you saying, Director Si? Is any man out there more charming than you?"
Her eyes swirled with seduction, almost drawing him in. Though her small, injured face was mostly hidden beneath a layer of heavy makeup, her allure hadn’t diminished. She provocatively curved her lips, her fingertips brushing Si Yuhuan’s. "Are you jealous?"
"What would Director Si have to be jealous about?"
Jian Mingcheng approached, his gaze sweeping over Xinxin, his eyes narrowing coldly.
He’d never seen this woman before; she didn’t look like a decent sort.
"Hello there, handsome," Xinxin greeted Jian Mingcheng, though her eyes, like hooks, remained fixed on Si Yuhuan.
Jian Mingcheng despised Si Yuhuan for his womanizing ways, especially since his sister was living with Si Yuhuan, and the man showed no restraint. An unexplained anger simmered in his chest, along with a vengeful memory of how Si Yuhuan had abandoned Wan Yu at the bar.
"You should take better care of your health," he said with a cold snort, then turned to leave.
Si Yuhuan felt stung by the rebuke, so choked with indignation he couldn’t speak.
Xinxin, however, had a fiery temper. She stepped forward, blocking Jian Mingcheng’s path. "What’s with that tone?"
Jian Mingcheng frowned in disgust.
Xinxin, bristling with indignation, retorted, "You may look like a gentleman, but you’re incredibly rude! Are you bullying people here just because your sister’s around? Do you think you can insult him like that?"
"Get lost!" Jian Mingcheng couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on her.
Si Yuhuan’s gaze fell on Jian Xi, who wasn’t far away. His eyes seemed to convey a message: Beg me, and I’ll end this farce for you.
Jian Xi clenched her fists.
This Xinxin is too outrageous! Brother should teach her a lesson!
Indeed, Jian Mingcheng did not disappoint Jian Xi. Amidst Xinxin’s relentless pestering, he grabbed her by the elbow and, with absolute strength, flung her away.
Xinxin crashed into the corner of a table. Instantly, the men inside emerged, cracking their knuckles and spoiling for a fight.
About a dozen of them.
Jian Xi was somewhat dumbfounded.
No wonder Xinxin dared to rebel. Some of the Secret Gate’s elite were her loyal subordinates. This woman was definitely not simple. Si Yuhuan must have gone to great lengths to infiltrate their ranks.
"Brothers, go teach him a lesson!" Xinxin commanded, furious. Jian Mingcheng had made her lose face in front of Si Yuhuan. Today, she was determined to tear him apart.