Si Junyan saw it had nothing to do with Jian Xi. Worried that further involvement might accidentally harm Jiang Qimeng, he quickly tried to wrap things up. "I’ll have someone take care of this," he suggested. "Meng is a celebrity; it’s not good for her to be seen in such situations. You should go to the van first."
Wan Yu still wanted to argue, but Jian Xi grabbed her wrist and shook her head.
Based on her past life, Jian Xi knew that regardless of right or wrong, Si Yuhuan would always be biased. She didn’t need to cause trouble for herself in front of two men who favored Jiang Qimeng. That was why she had become a complete lunatic in her previous life.
"Xixi, she’s gone too far! We..." Wan Yu was unwilling to let it go.
She felt somewhat resentful of Jian Xi’s inaction, but Jian Xi patiently explained, "It’s just a small matter. An assistant taking the blame won’t constitute assault. I was just scaring them."
Wan Yu fell silent. Hearing Jian Xi say that, Wan Yu didn’t press the issue further.
Meanwhile, Si Junyan stared at Jian Xi. "You destroyed the facilities here. You’ll have to pay for them."
He wouldn’t let anyone who bullied Jiang Qimeng get away with it. He believed his older brother thought the same.
Jian Xi sneered. "My company, my project. What does it have to do with you? Who do you think you are, dictating terms about compensation here?"
She put her arm around Wan Yu’s shoulder, her good friend backing her up. "Si Junyan! It seems last time didn’t teach you a lesson. Didn’t you spend enough time at the police station?"
Bringing up the incident made Si Junyan furious. He raised his hand to slap Jian Xi, but before it could land, Si Yuhuan snapped, "You dare!"
Not only was Si Junyan shocked, but Jian Xi and Wan Yu were equally astonished.
Si Yuhuan stood in front of Jian Xi. His cold eyes swept indifferently over Si Junyan, and with the authority of a superior, he said, "You can go."
It seemed he wasn’t planning to pursue the matter.
Jian Xi’s heart skipped a beat. Had Si Yuhuan just protected her twice?
Si Junyan knew that with his older brother present, he couldn’t do anything to Jian Xi. He glared at her resentfully and left, unwilling.
Wan Yu, ever observant, reminded Jian Xi, "Call me if you need anything."
Then she also drove away.
Jian Xi watched the car drive off.
Si Yuhuan said, "Get in my car."
Jian Xi didn’t make a fuss and opened the passenger door.
The car reeked of perfume—clearly the same one Jiang Qimeng wore. Any fleeting sense of being protected vanished instantly. Jian Xi scoffed, "Director Si, neglecting your myriad duties to show up in a place ? Don’t tell me you were just passing by."
The young woman’s words always had a sting.
Si Yuhuan replied, displeased, "Can’t you speak pleasantly for once?"
"Then I’ll be direct. You can’t protect Jiang Qimeng. Yaowang is my brand, and I won’t have her as its spokesperson."
Si Yuhuan nodded. "Alright."
He agreed that easily? It felt so uncharacteristic of Si Yuhuan. Jian Xi eyed him strangely. Had he been possessed by something?
Si Yuhuan glanced at her. "What are you looking at?"
"Did the sun rise in the west?"
He didn’t respond, and the atmosphere suddenly grew silent.
Si Yuhuan couldn’t tell her that this matter had nothing to do with him; it was Si Junyan’s doing.
Jian Xi, unsure where he was driving, finally couldn’t help but ask, "You don’t plan on taking revenge for Jiang Qimeng by killing me to ensure my silence, do you?"
She had absolutely no trust in him now. After all, the shadows of her past life still lingered.
Si Yuhuan scowled. "In your eyes, am I just a man who’d lose his senses over a woman and resort to any means?"
Jian Xi almost applauded. He finally had a clear understanding of himself. Looking at the young woman’s face, it was clear she was on the verge of nodding vehemently in agreement. She really thought so!
Si Yuhuan felt even more stifled. He slammed on the accelerator, then pulled the car over to the side. "Jian Xi, does it make you uncomfortable if you don’t anger me for a single day?"
Seeing him angry, Jian Xi desperately wanted to tell him what a bastard he’d been in her past life. He wasn’t much better in this one—not as ruthless, perhaps—but she still felt a lingering dread!
"Yaowang. You said you’d take it over, just like that? Don’t you want to personally visit the departments and see how they all operate?"
She didn’t need him to tell her that.
"I’ve already scheduled a general meeting for Monday."
Jian Xi didn’t understand why he suddenly cared about this. Could it be for Jiang Qimeng?
Si Yuhuan looked at her as if she were an idiot. "If you manage the company with that attitude, you’re destined to never make any progress in this life."
With that said, Si Yuhuan took Jian Xi straight to the Yaowang headquarters.
Yaowang’s core philosophy was avant-garde and fashion-forward, placing it at the international forefront. It targeted the younger generation with minimalist designs that boldly expressed individuality and offered a variety of styles. Consequently, it had captured the attention of nearly all young people.
If managed well, this could be a gold mine.
The two entered the headquarters quietly but were soon recognized. Si Yuhuan was too famous.
This alarmed the senior management, and everyone rushed over as if in a hundred-meter dash to greet them.
Suddenly, he asked Jian Xi, "Since we came in, what have you noticed?"
"Noticed what?" Jian Xi was stumped.
Before she could answer, a manager rushed up, bowing and scraping. "Director Si, what an honor! Why didn’t you inform us of your visit in advance? I would have had everyone greet you at the door."
He said this while complaining that the receptionists were unobservant for not recognizing Si Yuhuan.
His obsequious behavior made Jian Xi feel the man was an old fox.
Through introductions, Jian Xi learned he was the person in charge, Jia Sheng.
"So this is your esteemed wife!" he exclaimed upon seeing Jian Xi, immediately launching into flattery. "So young and accomplished, and so beautiful! Director Si, having such a wonderful wife truly makes one envious."
This kind of practiced flattery was surprisingly pleasant.
At the same time, Jian Xi understood Si Yuhuan’s earlier question. She realized the entire company atmosphere reeked of sycophancy. Although everyone seemed busy, the corporate culture was clearly one where a single person held all the power. This could lead to a host of problems and hinder the company’s development. Moreover, as they had walked through, she’d noticed employees preferred gossiping, and the atmosphere was far too lax. If Yaowang aimed to go public, these were all serious drawbacks and problems.
Si Yuhuan indicated he wanted to walk around with Jian Xi and told the others to return to their work.
Jia Sheng strongly insisted on accompanying them.
Under Si Yuhuan’s death glare, he finally beat a hasty retreat.
"They’re all terrified of you," Jian Xi admitted.
In a professional setting, Si Yuhuan’s innate aura of leadership was indeed intimidating—and, admittedly, quite charming.
"Making an example of one to warn others—you don’t need me to teach you that, do you?"
Si Yuhuan rarely showed such patience in teaching her. Jian Xi nodded seriously. "Understood. I’ll fire this manager on Monday."
He said nothing more, and the two continued walking through the company.
Suddenly, Jian Xi’s phone rang.
She checked: it was her dad.
"Are you with Si Yuhuan?"
Jian Xi was shocked. Had she been bugged? How did her dad know!