Chapter 382: Chapter 380: He Who Manipulates Human Nature is Truly Terrifying
All the dust had settled, and Jian Xi was about to leave.
Si Yuhuan quickly stepped off the stage and grabbed her wrist.
All eyes converged on them.
Jian Xi’s eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"
"CEO Jian, you have a part in this success. Do you want to come up on stage and say a few words?" Si Yuhuan asked, a smile in his eyes and a rare gentleness in his voice.
She felt several hostile gazes shooting her way, especially from Fu Shengyuan, whose eyes were extremely cold as he looked at her.
In a low, husky voice that only the two of them could hear, Si Yuhuan murmured, "No matter what, you cannot escape the palm of my hand, Jian Xi. Just accept it! Fu Shengyuan will see you as an enemy! You two have no chance!"
"Lunatic."
Jian Xi threw off his arm and glared at him.
Jian Mingcheng stepped forward. Si Yuhuan’s smile deepened. "Thanks, Big Brother."
The crowd around them whispered amongst themselves.
"Si Yuhuan’s success really does involve the Jian Family. It seems they are going to remarry!"
"It looks like it! Otherwise, why would someone as proud as Si Yuhuan publicly express his gratitude!"
Fu Shengyuan left with an ugly expression, accompanied by his secretary Xiaoli.
"Are you satisfied now?" Jian Xi asked, a humorless laugh escaping her as she glared at Si Yuhuan, her eyes filled with rage.
Si Yuhuan, completely unconcerned, replied, "Quite satisfied."
He dragged Jian Xi out of the meeting hall.
Jian Mingcheng wanted to intervene, but Wan Yu grabbed his arm. "Don’t be impulsive," she said.
Jian Mingcheng said, "But Xixi, she..."
Wan Yu said, "Jian Xi can handle it. If you follow, this will definitely be Beijing’s front-page news tomorrow."
Jian Mingcheng frowned.
Wan Yu added, "Trust Xixi!"
Jian Mingcheng relented, "Alright then."
「In the underground parking garage」
Jian Xi shook off Si Yuhuan’s hand. "What on earth do you want?"
She looked up at the man opposite her. He was dressed in a black suit, strikingly handsome, and his every move exuded the powerful aura of a dominant figure. In that moment, Jian Xi felt an incredible sense of unfamiliarity.
"Si Yuhuan, you’re truly terrifying," she said. "You’ve been biding your time for so long, all for today’s stunning display. Are you very pleased with yourself now?"
Pulling the Jian Family and her into his camp. Forcing Xinxin to retreat. Toying with Fu Shengyuan. Playing everyone like pieces on a chessboard.
"There’s nothing to be pleased about," he replied, dismissing these schemes entirely.
Jian Xi couldn’t help but tremble all over.
Dealing with such a man, she’d be schemed against until there was nothing left of her, not even bone dust.
And to think she’d even considered that if he went bankrupt, she would hand over Yaowang Group to him. Even if it couldn’t restore his former glory, it could at least ensure he lived the rest of his life in comfort.
She truly was too naive.
"Jian Xi, from the very beginning, I’ve told you: no matter what, you cannot escape," he stated, his deep, dark eyes filled with a domineering intent.
Jian Xi had no desire to say another word.
Disappointed, she turned and walked away.
Back in the venue, Si Yuhuan returned to the stage to deliver the closing remarks for the bidding conference.
Some emboldened people immediately came up to greet Si Yuhuan.
This was the wealthiest man!
Those who had previously offended Si Yuhuan trembled in a corner, fearing retaliation, fearing being targeted.
Si Yuhuan waved his hand, letting bygones be bygones, a gesture that immediately pushed the banquet hall to a climax of excitement.
Haohan Group swiftly secured several long-term strategic contracts, with the total sum reaching a staggering ten billion.
Jian Mingcheng couldn’t help but sigh. "A natural business magnate... it’s truly... intimidating."
Facing such a person, whether as an ally or as an adversary, one would always feel an invisible pressure.
Wan Yu crossed her arms. "They’re two different kinds of people; there’s no need to compare. You’re someone who builds businesses steadily, a true industrialist. He’s a born leader."
"I’m not sure if you’re praising me or mocking me."
Wan Yu blinked. "In my eyes, you are the most outstanding, the most excellent, the most charming."
Jian Mingcheng’s old face turned red.
Jian Mingcheng stammered, "You..."
Wan Yu said, "Me? I don’t have time to chat with you. I need to go check on Xixi."
Her concern for Jian Xi was no less than that of her brother.
Jian Mingcheng said gratefully, "I’ll take you."
Wan Yu waved him off. "No need. Girls have things to talk about. You should stay out of it."
Her fingers flew as she quickly dialed Jian Xi’s number.
"Wait for me, I’ll be there soon."
"Okay."
Jian Xi was really frustrated.
She needed to drink some alcohol to ease her mood.
「A little later」
Si Yuhuan diligently finished all his work, handed the remaining issues to Yan Qing, gave some instructions to several senior executives, grabbed his coat, and hurried out.
The senior executives’ faces flushed with excitement.
Haohan Group had finally regained its former glory.
"Where is Director Si going? Will there be an even bigger case to follow?"
They gossiped, asking Yan Qing.
Yan Qing scratched the back of his head. "Perhaps something more important than a ten-billion deal."
"What could be more important than a ten-billion deal?" The senior executives were baffled.
Yan Qing gave a cryptic smile and chose to remain silent.
All the adults understood in a second.
「Outside the venue」
"Director Si!" Xinxin called out, tightening her trench coat against the wind. Seeing Si Yuhuan, she immediately rushed over.
She knew all about what had just happened inside.
Damn it! How could she not have known there would be a turnaround? She had been too careless!
Now, she forced a smile, trying to curry favor. "How about I treat you to a celebratory dinner?"
She boldly pressed against Si Yuhuan’s chest, her small hand drawing circles incessantly on the man’s chest.
"Or we could do something... more interesting," she purred, her smile seductive. In the dark night, she was like a succubus, capable of luring away a man’s very soul.
Si Yuhuan pinched her wrist and pulled her away.
"There’s no need."
His attitude was as cold as thousand-year-old ice, utterly unapproachable.
Xinxin’s expression stiffened slightly. She berated herself for her shortsightedness; no wonder Si Yuhuan treated her this way.
Her smile became even brighter. "Director Si, please don’t misunderstand. That wasn’t what I meant just now. You should know my heart. How could I possibly abandon you just because of one setback!"
She nervously clutched Si Yuhuan’s sleeve. "You can’t misunderstand me!"
"Oh?" Si Yuhuan drawled, a cynical curl on his thin lips.
Xinxin wished she could find a hole to disappear into. Steeling herself, she lied, "If you don’t believe me, you can ask my subordinates. I had already planned that if Fu Shengyuan managed to snatch your project, I would... take care of him and present you with a huge surprise."
Assassinating Fu Shengyuan? What a ridiculous lie.
If Fu Shengyuan were that easy to kill, with all his enemies, he’d have died a hundred times over by now.
Besides, this was China!
She really was... an idiot!
Si Yuhuan said, "Alright. I believe in your sincerity."
Xinxin immediately beamed, pouting playfully. "Then why did you misunderstand me earlier? Your attitude was truly hurtful."
At times like this, when a woman played the victim, men were bound to feel guilty.
Si Yuhuan, however, merely quirked his lip. "So, what do you want?"
Xinxin froze.
She found herself at a loss for words.
"How about this: as a penalty, Director Si can treat me to dinner? I was so busy with Mingming’s affairs this evening to get here that I didn’t even have time to eat."
"Fine. I agree," Si Yuhuan said.
Xinxin was even more delighted.
Beaming, she got into Si Yuhuan’s car, deliberately taking the passenger seat—the seat usually reserved for the lady of the house.