CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 219: WHY NOT MAKE A BET

He was excessively rational, a businessman at heart—Shen Jinci knew it better than anyone.

Shen Zhaoli was startled within, glancing at Bian Yue in panic.

But Bian Yue remained calm, as if she had anticipated Shen Jinci’s response, and asked composedly, "Mr. Shen makes a good point. In your opinion, what should be done then?"

"Bian Yue..." Shen Zhaoli whispered apprehensively, "Stop it, what are you asking for?"

Bian Yue simply looked at Shen Jinci. In the silence of the conference room, she enunciated clearly, "Mr. Shen, what do you think should be done?"

Shen Jinci’s fingertips lightly tensed, and he spoke again, his voice notably deep, "If President Bian wishes for a resolution, we may discuss it privately."

Bian Yue’s expression remained unchanged as she looked at Shen Jinci’s indifferent face and slightly curled the corners of her lips, saying softly, "No need, let’s discuss it here."

Witnessing this, Shen Jian chuckled, "President Bian surely is someone who undertakes big ventures courageously."

Bian Yue took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

She surveyed those present, her voice calm, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am aware that Honey’s scale is limited and of little consequence in front of Lixing. However, I am sincere about collaborating with Lixing. If you think 15% of shares are insufficient, let us make a wager."

"Bian Yue!" Shen Zhaoli’s expression changed dramatically. He could not contain himself despite others present, interrupting urgently, "How has it come to this? That’s enough! Let’s end the meeting here today!"

After saying so and seeing that everyone remained seated, Shen Zhaoli frowned and turned to Shen Jinci, signaling him to speak up.

Shen Jinci noticed Shen Zhaoli’s gesture but remained indifferent, looking at Bian Yue.

Bian Yue knew that Shen Jinci was waiting for her to make the final decision.

And he had no intention of interfering.

"What’s the matter with you people? Didn’t you hear me? I said the meeting is adjourned, we can disperse!" Shen Zhaoli said coldly, with a chilling expression, "I am the President of Lixing, aren’t you listening to me?"

"So what if you’re the President? Isn’t the Chairman still seated right there?" Shen Jian smiled amiably and looked at Shen Jinci, speaking softly, "Mr. Shen, what do you say? Should we continue with the meeting?"

Shen Jinci only looked at Bian Yue and, only now, finally lowered his eyelids to hide the emotions in his eyes, speaking in a voice so indifferent it could not be more so, "What kind of wager do you want?"

"Shen Jinci!" Shen Zhaoli was both anxious and angry. He looked at Shen Jinci and then at the composed Bian Yue, realizing there was no room left for maneuver and scoffed as he stood up, "Fine, I’m washing my hands of you! Do as you please!"

Accompanied by the sound of the closing door, the seat opposite Bian Yue, once occupied by Shen Zhaoli, was now completely vacant.

Bian Yue’s face remained unperturbed as she said slowly, "One year. If in one year Honey does not become the industry’s top, I will give my 30% stake to Lixing for free and bear all the losses."

Her voice was resounding. Shen Jinci knew that Bian Yue had come prepared for this.

She had not left any way out for herself.

Shen Jian laughed heartily, his face filled with pleasure as he looked at Bian Yue, speaking out loud, "President Bian has spoken to such an extent, how could we have any reason not to agree?"

"Yes, President Bian is so earnest, we naturally would be happy to see it succeed."

"I didn’t see it before, but President Bian truly has boldness. We underestimated you previously."

The flattering words were pleasant to hear, but Bian Yue’s face remained indifferent as she looked at Shen Jinci’s distinguished and elegant visage.

This was the first time Bian Yue beheld Shen Jinci as the world knew him—indifferent, noble, his words thorough, and actions decisive.

He truly did not leave himself the slightest margin.

Yet, there was no sad emotion in Bian Yue’s heart; she was just wondering which Shen Jinci was the real one...

Li Family Private Hospital, Intensive Care Ward.

Zhuang Jie Ning sat beside Li Sihe’s bed, offering him a ring of elegant and simple design.

Sunlight shone upon the ring, revealing a captivating arc of light and color.

It should symbolize something beautiful, yet between the two of them, it seemed somewhat ironic.

Thinking so, Zhuang Jie Ning wore a gentle and sweet smile, and softly said, "You’re not well, so I picked out this ring alone, not sure if you’ll like it. Sihe, let me put it on for you."

Li Sihe’s eyes were cold as he faced Zhuang Jie Ning, devoid of any trace of a smile.

He lifted his hand, swatting away the ring from Zhuang Jie Ning’s hand, "Zhuang Jie Ning, we need not partake in these pretenses. You have no intention of marrying me, and I have never had the slightest affection for you. All you want is Mrs. Li’s title. I hope you’ll get all of Li Family’s everything you wish for."

Watching the ring flung to the floor by Li Sihe, Zhuang Jie Ning sighed regrettably, bent over to pick it up, and said in a soft voice, "Sihe, what’s the need for such anger? The doctors have said, with your health, getting angry will only hasten your demise."

Li Sihe looked at Zhuang Jie Ning with indescribable loathing, closed his eyes, and pretended she did not exist.

Bai Xu entered, witnessing the awkward scene, coughed quietly, "Miss Zhuang."

Zhuang Jie Ning nodded with a meaningful smile, "Assistant Bai, you are still so busy? Sihe is down with illness, hasn’t he given you time off?"

Bai Xu clutched the files in his hands, his tone professional and unassailable, "Miss Zhuang is joking. I am Mr. Li’s assistant; it’s my responsibility to handle Feng Cheng’s matters. If Miss Zhuang has nothing else..."

Zhuang Jie Ning sneered, stood up slowly, her grip on the ring tightening as she looked down coldly at Li Sihe, "Li Sihe, I’d only advise you to take care of your health, don’t collapse before our wedding, leaving this world."

Having said that, she turned and left expressionlessly.

Li Sihe finally opened his eyes to look at Bai Xu in front of him.

He spoke, his emotions steady, "How is it handled?"

"I’ve taken care of the transfers you tasked me with, everything is in order, rest assured, no mistakes." Bai Xu passed the files to Li Sihe, his face hesitant, "Mr. Li... are we really going to do this?"

"You can choose to leave," Li Sihe replied blandly. His gaze at Bai Xu was gentle but didn’t reach his eyes, the seemingly polite facade failing to mask the coldness within, "But, mind your tongue."

"Mr. Li, you misunderstand, having chosen to follow you, I won’t betray you," Bai Xu hastened to say.

Li Sihe’s expression softened, and he started to look through the files.

Bai Xu hesitated for a moment before hesitantly saying, "There’s another thing, Miss Bian has signed a high-stakes bet with Lixing Group."

Li Sihe’s action on the files stopped, and he looked at Bai Xu with colder eyes than before, "What did you say?"

In the silence of Bai Xu, Li Sihe clenched the documents in his hand, his expression complex...