CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 261: RICH AND OVERBEARING

Jian Xi was paralyzed with shock! How much had he heard? Or had he heard everything?

Si Yuhuan broke the awkward silence. "What are you spacing out for? I want to go out and enjoy some sunshine. Come over and help me!"

From the look of it, he probably hadn’t heard anything. Thank God.

Jian Xi hurried over to help him downstairs to bask in the sun. What she had thought would be an easy acquisition suddenly became fraught with unexpected complications.

That night, Wan Yu called, depressed. "I’m afraid the acquisition won’t be that easy. Suddenly, there are over a dozen contenders. How did so many wealthy people suddenly pop up in Beijing! Ten billion in funds isn’t a small amount! Even if you combined the whole world, there would only be a handful of people who could come up with so much cash instantly!"

Jian Xi was also surprised and even more curious. "Who are these people?"

"The CEO of Senluo Group, the CEO of Malpa Group, and right, Fu Shengyuan from Tianyao Group is also in the mix!"

Hearing Fu Shengyuan’s name, Jian Xi raised her eyebrows.

Wan Yu couldn’t understand. "Tianyao Group and Haohan Group are sworn enemies. What is he planning to do by buying shares of his competitor? Isn’t this just wasting money? Unless he plans to take over Haohan Group!"

After saying this, he suddenly realized, his heart pounding. "Oh my God! Could it be that Fu Shengyuan really wants to take over Haohan Group?"

"Very likely!" Jian Xi felt a huge threat.

Senluo Group, Malpa, and others posed no fear. It was just a matter of who could bid higher, but Tianyao Group led by Fu Shengyuan was different. This was a truly large company with absolute, devastating, overpowering capacity. Fu Shengyuan’s capabilities were immeasurable, and his methods were beyond ordinary comparison.

"With him in the picture, you might not be able to get the shares from Si Junyan’s hands."

Jian Xi analyzed, "Surely Si Junyan isn’t foolish enough to hand over the shares to him, right?"

"What wouldn’t a man driven to madness do?" Wan Yu mocked.

Jian Xi nodded. "Let me think about it."

Once she calmed down and analyzed the situation carefully, it seemed strange. Since Si Yuhuan’s accident and Si Junyan’s rise to power, Tianyao Group had been growing stronger, seemingly on the verge of surpassing Haohan Group to become the number one conglomerate in the country. Everyone said Fu Shengyuan was the next richest man.

When snipes quarrel, the fisherman benefits. What role exactly was Fu Shengyuan playing in this fight?

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Fu Shengyuan called Jian Xi.

"Are you busy?" His voice was always gentle and magnetic, possessing a comforting kindness.

Jian Xi wanted to test the waters and deliberately said, "I’m very free."

"Then that’s perfect. Our group has a resort, backed by venture capital, that’s opening today. Want to come and have a look? It’s rustic style, with a pick-your-own garden full of fruits and vegetables, fresh and pleasant air, and hot springs."

"With Mr. Fu describing it so nicely, it would be foolish of me not to go."

"You wouldn’t be foolish, but if you don’t go, you’ll definitely miss a lot of scenery, which would be a pity."

Such sweet talk! It made him hard to resist. If Si Yuhuan had even a bit of his emotional intelligence, he wouldn’t have ended up in this situation today.

"Then I must go and see."

The two made arrangements. Fu Shengyuan went to the hospital to pick up Jian Xi personally.

Before leaving, Jian Xi looked at Si Yuhuan asleep on the hospital bed, her brow slightly furrowed. She sighed softly, then turned and left. She didn’t see that when she left, Si Yuhuan had opened his eyes.

The engine roared downstairs. As Jian Xi got into Fu Shengyuan’s car, Si Yuhuan stood by the window, clenching his fists tightly.

Yan Qing came in and nodded. "Boss, Madam did indeed go to the resort villa outside the city with Fu Shengyuan. Shall we follow them?"

Heaven knows what kind of nasty idea he was harboring! Yan Qing had just managed to hold back the urge to beat up Fu Shengyuan. He’s a typical dog that bites without barking!

"No need. Let her do whatever she wants!"

Si Yuhuan could hardly hide the disappointment in his eyes as he glanced around the spacious hospital room.

"Pay the medical fees, return her money to her. I’m being discharged tomorrow."

"This won’t do! Your wound has reopened. If you get discharged now, you could lose your life!"

A look from Si Yuhuan sent Yan Qing sweating bullets. "I’ll go handle the discharge procedures right now."

Before leaving to take care of it, he thought for a moment, then headed straight for the Old Master’s hospital room.

Jian Xi had no idea that Si Yuhuan was aware of her every move. As soon as she got into the car, Fu Shengyuan handed her a cup of juice. "It’s an hour and a half’s drive, a bit far. Have some juice to relieve the fatigue of the trip."

Such a considerate and warm-hearted man, Jian Xi sincerely admired him.

Fu Shengyuan smiled. "Don’t say that. I’m already grateful not to be labeled greasy."

"How could that be! What woman doesn’t like a warm man?"

"What about you? Do you like them?"

He drove with one hand while turning his head to look at Jian Xi. His eyes, starkly black and white, had a chilling keenness that seemed to see through one’s heart.

Jian Xi looked down. "I don’t deserve to like anyone."

The faint melancholy about her was a loneliness she couldn’t hide. A desire to cherish and protect her welled up inside him.

Fu Shengyuan grasped Jian Xi’s hand. "Don’t say that. You deserve all the best things in this world. You are loyal and righteous; I can’t find a better woman than you."

"It feels like the woman you’re talking about isn’t me."

Jian Xi laughed to diffuse the awkwardness, slipping her hand out of his. Fu Shengyuan didn’t press his advantage, maintaining a respectful distance and giving Jian Xi room to breathe.

Jian Xi sensed that, when it came to affection, he was a skilled hunter. If she were still the Jian Xi of her previous life, she would have surely fallen for his tactics. Reborn, with a clear mind, she now had a keen eye for matters of affection and for judging men.

"Regardless of what you think or what others say, if I think you’re good, then you are good." Fu Shengyuan smiled in a way that felt like a breath of fresh spring air. Along the way, he chatted about all sorts of things, covering a wide range of topics, but he carefully avoided any messy business matters and never once mentioned his intention to acquire Haohan Group.

Since she wasn’t hearing what she wanted to, Jian Xi had to ask, "Si Junyan is in a tight spot now, and Haohan Group is in grave danger. I heard he’s planning to sell his shares. Don’t you have any thoughts on that?"

"What do you think? Should I have thoughts on it?" Unexpectedly, he didn’t answer directly but instead turned the question back on her.

Jian Xi was momentarily stunned.

Fu Shengyuan burst into laughter. "Of course, I should have thoughts on it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be fit to be the CEO of Tianyao Group; I would have been eaten alive by those old diehards in the family long ago."

"So, you’re interested in the shares as well?"

He was indirectly admitting that he wanted to invest in Haohan Group. The news was expected, yet still shocking.

"Yes! Twelve billion. Isn’t that price beyond everyone’s bottom line?" He laid his cards on the table without any concealment, his nonchalance and overwhelming confidence adding to his appeal.

Jian Xi pursed her lips, cursing him a thousand times in her heart. Two billion more! Are you trying to buy Si Junyan’s life with that! He really is throwing his money around!