CHAPTER 239: CHAPTER 237: SHE FORGOT HIS BIRTHDAY

"Si Yuhuan wants to kill me for Jian Xi!" Si Junyan’s face contorted with pain, his eyes reddening. "He’s my own cousin! We share the same blood, yet he wants to kill me for outsiders like the Jian family!"

With a furious blow, Si Junyan slammed his fist on the table. His wound ripped open, bleeding profusely, but he seemed oblivious to the pain as he raised his voice and demanded, "So you’re just going to dismiss me and let someone as heartless and ruthless as him retake the president’s seat?"

"Don’t forget, you were the ones who supported me for the president’s position in the first place! With his vengeful nature, do you really think he’ll let you off?"

The directors who had once supported Si Junyan were rendered speechless. Indeed! If Si Yuhuan returned to the president’s position, wouldn’t he take revenge on them? Compared to fluctuating stock prices, their own lives were far more important.

Si Junyan’s malicious gaze swept over everyone present; he knew he had touched upon their core interests. He immediately continued, "Don’t believe the rumors circulating outside. Our focus is on industry, not some media company. What do we have to fear from online attacks? Haohan Group has investments in numerous sectors essential to people’s daily lives. Do you think they can stop breathing just to spite us?"

"The stock prices will recover sooner or later."

Directors who had benefited from Si Junyan quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, stock prices fluctuate. We shouldn’t pay too much attention to that."

Some other directors also began to agree.

Feeling his grip on them solidify, Si Junyan grew smug and revealed his trump card. "I may not be the most capable, but just three days ago, I secured a hundred-billion cooperation deal. It’s for a mining project in the northeast, and our cutting-edge chips are a perfect fit for their operations. Once our technology is invested as shares, I estimate the initial earnings could reach one hundred billion."

"That much!"

The shareholders’ eyes suddenly lit up.

Si Junyan lifted his chin proudly. "That’s nothing. Once our reputation is established, we’ll secure even more projects. Even Tianyao Group has begun to approach me. So-called enemy companies? When core interests are at stake, they can all be swayed to become partners!"

He began to paint grand visions and outline ambitious plans.

A more rational director raised a concern: "Investing technology as capital still requires a significant financial outlay, and we’ll need a large pool of scientific talent. Calculated carefully, the investment will be substantial, placing Haohan Group under considerable pressure."

"Compared to the potential returns, that pressure is nothing! As long as the cash flow remains steady, it’s a guaranteed profit."

Si Junyan waved his hand decisively, settling the matter.

A large majority of the directors agreed, leaving the others with little to say.

Si Junyan also volunteered to step down from the president’s position, ostensibly to provide an explanation to the netizens.

As for whether he was mentally ill, the shrewd members of the board couldn’t be bothered to pursue it further.

Soon, Haohan Group made an official announcement:

"[According to the Group’s prudent decision, Mr. Si Junyan will no longer serve as the president of Haohan Group, effective immediately. The new president will be Ren Yuan.]"

Wan Yu was munching on an apple when she saw the news. She was so infuriated that she almost threw her tablet across the room.

"What the heck? Who is this Ren Yuan?"

Jian Xi was also a bit stunned.

Just this morning, she had teased Si Yuhuan, expecting Si Junyan’s removal and Si Yuhuan’s own return to the presidency of Haohan Group. She had thought that by having her second elder brother disclose Si Junyan’s mental illness at this juncture—coupled with Si Junyan making a scene at the Jian family home and thus inciting public outrage—Si Yuhuan was planning to be the oriole behind the mantis stalking the cicada. Now, however...

"Do you think Si Yuhuan is furious enough to spit blood right now?" Wan Yu exclaimed. "I can’t believe Si Junyan managed to dodge this bullet and get the board to treat him so leniently. You know, those old guys on the board could turn their backs on Si Yuhuan, a great contributor to Haohan Group, without a second thought."

"Si Junyan must have promised them some enormous benefit," Jian Xi said.

Jian Xi was filled with worry. If Si Junyan wasn’t dealt with, she would never have a peaceful life.

"Don’t worry, we can still figure something out," Wan Yu reassured her. "With Big Brother and Second Brother around, he can’t stir up much trouble."

Jian Xi nodded.

Her phone rang. It was Si Yuhuan, asking her to dinner. She had wanted to refuse, but Jian Xi still reluctantly asked for the address.

"A date?" Wan Yu, the resident gossip queen, smirked.

Jian Xi’s lips twitched. "Have you ever seen someone go on a date with their ex-husband?"

She wished Si Yuhuan would stay far away from her. Yet, the enemy of her enemy was her friend; Si Yuhuan was now an ally on the same front.

"We’re discussing a strategy to see if we can take down Si Junyan."

Wan Yu gave her a thumbs-up. "Impressive!"

Si Junyan had truly met his match. Jian Xi thought about how to bring him down every single day!

She arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant.

Jian Xi didn’t see Si Yuhuan and was about to call him when suddenly the lights went out and candles were lit.

A melodious "Happy Birthday" song began to play.

Flowers, a cake, and a lavish dinner were wheeled out.

Si Yuhuan, dressed in a sharp black suit, approached from the opposite side.

"Happy birthday to me. I’m glad you could join me for dinner."

Jian Xi was taken aback for a moment. "It’s—it’s your birthday today?"

"Otherwise, why would I have rushed back?"

The man cast a somewhat reproachful glance at Jian Xi before sitting down across from her without making a fuss.

He poured himself a glass of red wine. "In previous years, you always remembered it clearly. You’d personally prepare a meal for me and call me many times, asking when I would be home."

Forgotten memories suddenly assaulted her.

Jian Xi was rendered speechless by his words, feeling as if something were stuck in her throat, unable to utter a single word.

It seemed she truly no longer loved him; she’d even forgotten his birthday.

She had thought his return this time was to figure out how to deal with Si Junyan, but it turned out to be for this...

Jian Xi forced a smile. "Sorry, we’re divorced now. I don’t think I need to remember your birthday anymore. However, since I’m here, I’ll toast you with water instead of wine. Happy birthday."

She raised her glass and then added with a smile, "I hope you defeat Si Junyan soon and reclaim your glory as the richest man. That way, you won’t have your eyes fixed on just one insignificant person; many excellent women will be pursuing you."

Si Yuhuan’s face darkened with anger. "You might as well not have toasted me at all. What a vile thing to say."

Was he really lacking women to pursue him? It seemed that ever since he’d fallen from his pedestal, no women were interested in him anymore.

Si Yuhuan suppressed the annoyance in his heart. "Jian Xi, in your eyes, am I just someone who loves to sit on high and boss people around?"

"Isn’t that the case?"

Jian Xi looked at him with a smile. "Si Yuhuan, since you remember how well I once treated you, you should also remember how badly you treated me. I’m tired and weary now; I want to love myself. Yet, here you are, suddenly telling me I should love you, that my heart and eyes should only be for you. Don’t you think you’re being too demanding? Shameless, even?"

Her expression was weary. "We’ve reached the end of the road. Divorcing you was the smartest decision I’ve ever made in my life."

That statement hit Si Yuhuan like a hammer, his face instantly contorting, turning ashen.