CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290: THE BET IS NULLIFIED

She was so perceptive that Shen Jinci found himself at a loss for words for a moment.

He fell silent for a while, his eyes gentle, whispering softly, "Yueyue, have you been feeling tired lately?"

"Quite tired, you know, there’s a lot going on with the Bian Group, and I’m not at ease leaving everything to Bai Xu, so I need to check everything big or small." Bian Yue said this, smiling as she reached for Shen Jinci’s hand: "What’s wrong? Do you feel sorry for me?"

Bian Yue thought that Shen Jinci would not answer.

He was never one for sentimental words.

But the man looked at her with such sincere eyes, saying every word earnestly, "Yes, I do feel sorry for you."

The smile on Bian Yue’s face was replaced by unease, "What’s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly talking like this?"

Shen Jinci looked down, gazing at the unease on Bian Yue’s face, and after hesitating for a moment, held her hand, "Yueyue, the matters of the Bian Family, could you let me handle them?"

Bian Yue frowned, "Why?"

"You’re pregnant, and the doctor’s diagnosis said your excessive stress is causing you to be absent-minded. I’m thinking, I’ll handle the affairs of the Bian Group for you, and once you’re feeling better, I’ll give it back to you." Shen Jinci looked at her unblinkingly, his eyes filled with uncertainty and tension, "Yueyue, would that be alright?"

The furrow between Bian Yue’s brows deepened.

Shen Jinci’s words were too sudden, making it hard for Bian Yue to accept at the moment.

Her eyes were full of unease, "Jinci, the Bian Family is what my parents left me, it can’t afford any mishaps, it’s taken me so much effort to get it on the right track, and now you want to take it over...I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but have you forgotten? Bian Group and Lixing still have a wager, if you help me manage, how would Shen Family view you?"

Shen Jinci knew that he wouldn’t be able to convince Bian Yue immediately. It’s a natural reaction, as no one could accept such a request on the spot.

"Why are you not saying anything..." Bian Yue’s unease intensified, she explained: "I’m not saying I don’t trust you, it’s just...my own things, I don’t want to entrust to others, I need to do it myself to feel at ease."

Suddenly, Shen Jinci didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad.

He had taught Bian Yue so well, she was the rose he had nurtured himself, hence every gesture she made carried his forcefulness and composure.

On the business battlefield, Bian Yue was never swayed by her emotions.

Shen Jinci gripped Bian Yue’s hand tightly, looking at her intently, smiling, "Don’t be so nervous, I was just talking off the top of my head just now, Yueyue, if you don’t want to, of course I won’t interfere."

Bian Yue nodded, responding with a smile: "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. By the way, aside from saying I was too anxious, did the doctor say anything else? Is our baby safe and healthy?"

"The baby is very healthy, and Yueyue is doing just fine too, there won’t be any problems." Shen Jinci let out a soft sigh and caressed Bian Yue’s hair, his eyes filled with growing affection, "You’re just not yet accustomed to being pregnant, it’s nothing serious."

Bian Yue nodded, finally feeling assured.

She smiled, embracing Shen Jinci softly, "My foot still hurts, I can’t use anesthetic, and I was in so much pain yesterday."

"When something like this happens, you should keep away from the scene immediately," Shen Jinci said earnestly, "Did you hear me?"

Bian Yue tightened her hold on him, her tone elongated, all affectionate, "I understand, next time I’ll definitely run far away."

But Shen Jinci looked at her, and after a long time, it wasn’t clear who should heed the advice, he stated with certainty, "There won’t be a next time."

Shen Zhaoli was pulled back from wedding planning by Shen Jinci to Lixing, and they both arrived early in the meeting room, taking their seats in the main positions.

"It’s really not like me to say this, but if it wasn’t for something really important you called me back for, I wouldn’t forgive you!" Shen Zhaoli’s eyes were languid as he looked at Shen Jinci indifferently, "I’ve been busy lately, and if you waste my time, I’m going to have to fall out with you, brother or not."

"There’s no rush to fall out," Shen Jinci said, "I need you to help me now, to cancel the wager agreement between Bian Group and Lixing."

Shen Zhaoli couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

"What did I tell you before? I told you to think it over. Don’t be too impulsive, you said it was fine, you wanted Bian Yue to learn to stand on her own. Now good, you say to cancel it?"

Shen Jinci was indifferent to Shen Zhaoli’s sarcasm, calmly saying, "Bian Yue is sick, the doctor says she can’t be subjected to any more shocks, I don’t care about the rest right now, I just want Bian Yue to be healthy, nothing else matters."

Shen Zhaoli’s expression changed slightly, Shen Jinci didn’t say it outright, but he sensed from the other’s words that Bian Yue’s condition was not good.

"What sickness?" Shen Zhaoli asked tensely: "I’m about to fight on your behalf, getting scolded by those old folks in the Shen Family, you have to tell me, what exactly is wrong with Bian Yue?"

After a moment of silence, Shen Jinci said softly, "She has a heart condition."

A smart person doesn’t need to spell everything out.

Shen Zhaoli’s face stiffened, his brows furrowed, "I understand, don’t worry, I’m here in Lixing, I won’t let you negotiate with them alone."

Shen Jinci looked at Shen Zhaoli with a warmer gaze, "Thank you."

After a short while, board members, led by Shen Jian, walked in from outside.

The atmosphere in the room turned solemn, and Shen Jian sat down, looking at Shen Jinci, but his gaze eventually rested on Shen Zhaoli.

He said with a smile, "What kind of wind blew Mr. Shen here? I was under the impression that Mr. Shen was so busy with his wedding, that the matters of Lixing had long been put out of his mind."

"Chairman Shen, that’s just your modesty speaking. My brother is sitting right here, and my wedding is being facilitated by him. How could I be indifferent to Lixing’s matters?" Shen Zhaoli chuckled, looking at Shen Jian with ease, "What I mean to say is, I’m still eyeing my position here."

Shen Jian’s smile faltered, "Mr. Shen, your words make it sound like I have some improper thoughts toward you."

"Shen Shiniang caught a bit of wind and rain overseas, isn’t Chairman Shen quite worried about her? Your improper thoughts are aiming to bring Shen Shiniang back."

Shen Zhaoli finished saying this calmly and casually while Shen Jian’s expression drastically changed, his gaze turning toward Shen Jinci.

Despite Shen Zhaoli’s absence from Lixing for a while, his information was still so accurate, which was obviously Shen Jinci’s doing.

"Mr. Shen, we only mentioned it casually, why bother telling Mr. Shen, it just makes everyone uncomfortable for no reason."

Shen Jinci’s expression was placid, upon hearing this, he looked at Shen Jian and finally spoke, "I can agree to your request."

Shen Jian was taken aback, "Mr. Shen, what are you saying..."

"I can allow Shen Shiniang to come back, as long as you agree to my terms." Shen Jinci spoke slowly: "That is, the bet between Lixing and the Bian Group is voided."