Chapter 273 I Don't Want Her to Suffer

The elder brother's angry rebuke was clearly heard by the secretary next to him, who quickly turned away to avoid hearing it.

Xiong Lin's expression froze instantly, and he looked extremely embarrassed.

The head of the Xiong family passed away early, and Xiong Lin's elder brother, Xiong Ting, shouldered the heavy responsibility of the family, raising his younger brother to his current position with tireless dedication. As the eldest brother, Xiong Lin had always been obedient to his brother, who was ten years his senior, since childhood.

However, as he grew older and had been immersed in this decadent circle for too long, Xiong Lin picked up a lot of bad habits and gradually stopped obeying Xiong Ting's control, showing some rebellious tendencies.

"Brother, I've already arrived. Chairman Jiang and General Manager Jiang have been waiting for me upstairs for ages. It wouldn't be right to stand them up at this time, would it?" Xiong Lin was eager to see the beauty he had been longing for, and he was getting a little anxious.

"Heh, don't think I don't know what you're up to."

Xiong Ting lowered his voice to a whisper, his tone stern and harsh, "Let me tell you, I know exactly what you're thinking. Don't even think about making a move on Miss Jiang!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Lin dropped all pretense and asked in surprise:

"Why not? Could it be that you've taken a liking to her too, brother?"

"What a load of rubbish!"

Xiong Ting began to lecture her harshly, "Miss Jiang has a close relationship with President Fu of Guangji Venture Capital. Hearing that you wanted to meet Miss Jiang in private, Fu Chenzhou came directly to Yuanhang to find me, and he's sitting in my office right now."

Mr. Fu and I have been friends for many years. Last year, Yuanhang's two investments in the US only started to show promise thanks to Mr. Fu's help. Although Mr. Fu doesn't make a big splash in Beijing, he's known as a 'capital wolf' in the US—not someone you can easily offend! His relationship with Ms. Jiang is quite special, so don't go looking for trouble and try to sabotage me!

Xiong Lin rolled his eyes dismissively.

So what if Fu Chenzhou is a capitalist? The Xiong family is not to be trifled with.

My brother is getting more and more timid as he gets older. I heard that guy surnamed Fu is two years younger than me, just a young punk who just came back from abroad. What's there to be afraid of? Back in Beijing, they're the local bullies. My brother is making a mountain out of a molehill!

"Brother, what kind of person do you take me for? I'm here to discuss cooperation with President Jiang," Xiong Lin still stubbornly insisted.

"President Fu said you're not allowed to have any contact with Miss Jiang. Are you deaf? Can't you hear me?!"

Xiong Ting was furious and had an urge to slap him. "Miss Jiang has the powerful President Fu behind her. Does she need your paltry three dollars? Let me tell you, if I don't see you within an hour, you'd better watch yourself!"

After saying that, he hung up coldly.

"Damn it, I've already taken my pants off, and this is what they give me!" Xiong Lin was so angry that he blew his nose and glared.

The secretary asked cautiously, "Mr. Xiong, are we... still going?"

Xiong Lin naturally wanted to go, but his older brother interfered, so he couldn't even think about it anymore.

"My older brother won't allow it. He's already made that point. If I go, wouldn't I just be asking for trouble? Let's turn back, it's such a downer!"

The secretary looked puzzled: "That's strange. You didn't tell anyone about your meeting with General Manager Jiang of Yongheng Technology. How did the chairman know?"

"It was Fu Chenzhou from Lighttrack Ventures who went to my older brother to complain!"

Xiong Lin gritted his teeth in frustration, "Mind your own business! I don't even know what his relationship with Jiang Shiyuan is. I haven't done anything yet, and he's already showing up at my door like a dog guarding a bone!"

The secretary said sullenly, "It seems your plan is going to fall through. Chairman Fu of Guangji is someone he really wants to maintain a relationship with, and that Miss Jiang is clearly someone he cares about a lot."

"You want to get Miss Jiang... I'm afraid that's impossible. If the chairman finds out you've offended President Fu and affected the company's interests, he will definitely make things difficult for you."

"I'm his only younger brother! How could he make things difficult for me for the sake of Fu Chenzhou, a complete stranger? What was he thinking!"

Xiong Lin was indignant and couldn't swallow his anger. "Fu Chenzhou is protecting his food, is that it? Fine, we'll see!"

...

After reprimanding his wayward younger brother, Xiong Ting hurriedly returned to his office.

At this moment, on his million-dollar custom-made Italian sofa, Fu Chenzhou leisurely crossed his long legs, his fair and slender fingers holding a wine glass, gently swirling the red wine inside.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Fu. It's my fault for not disciplining him properly and causing you trouble." Xiong Ting was more than a decade older than Fu Chenzhou, but he was all smiles and very humble in front of this junior.

"Realizing their mistake and pulling back from the brink is good."

Fu Chenzhou slowly raised his eyes, his peach blossom eyes clearly smiling, yet they were incredibly intimidating. "Your brother has a terrible reputation; his standing in the Beijing business community can only be described as disastrous."

Xiong Ting's face darkened, but he dared not say a word.

After all, the Xiong family's future projects in the US will still depend on Fu Chenzhou's protection.

"After all, Ms. Jiang is a young woman with an angelic appearance. It's inevitable that she will suffer in the world of men."

Fu Chenzhou's deep, magnetic voice, concealing a gentle core and complex, unreadable emotions, said, "It hasn't been easy for her to get to where she is today. I don't want her to suffer."

Not even a tiny bit.

Xiong Ting paused for a moment.

They were both men, how could he not understand? So he took the opportunity to curry favor:

"President Fu, please don't misunderstand. My brother said that it was Miss Jiang who approached him, hoping to get project funding from us. My brother genuinely wants to discuss business with Miss Jiang."

"Then, we'll invest in the first round. If Yongheng ever faces difficulties in the future, just let us know, Mr. Fu, and we at Yuanhang will definitely help!"

"I appreciate Chairman Xiong's kind offer."

Fu Chenzhou narrowed his eyes, slowly stood up, his tall and imposing figure exuding a strong sense of oppression and aggression, "But behind President Jiang, I alone am enough."

Xiong Ting finally understood.

Fu Chenzhou and Miss Jiang are just having a little fun. If his younger brother were to interfere at this crucial moment, he would be in big trouble!

"I won't bother you any longer, goodbye."

Fu Chenzhou put one hand in his pocket and walked steadily toward the door.

"Mr. Fu is so devoted to Miss Jiang. When will we be able to attend your wedding?" Xiong Ting asked with a smile as he saw him off.

It's not what you think.

The man stared straight ahead, his voice cold and detached. "The relationship between me and President Jiang is not a vulgar one between a man and a woman."

I did it to repay a debt of gratitude.

After saying that, he strode away and quickly disappeared into the empty corridor.

"Repaying a debt of gratitude?"

Xiong Ting scoffed, "That sounds noble, but isn't it just about such trivial things between men and women?"

...

"What?! Xiong Lin isn't coming?!"

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Yongxiao slammed his fist on the table in anger, "What a joke! We've been waiting for him for almost two hours with empty stomachs, and he just says he's not coming?!"

Jiang Shiyuan lowered her long eyelashes and took a sip of tea without revealing her expression.

However, she was also very confused.

To put it bluntly, Xiong Lin came here specifically for her. She's already here, so he has no reason not to come.

Perhaps he got hit by a car when he went out.

People who can't hold in their farts are bound to have some bad luck.

Secretary Zhang wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The specific reason wasn't given by President Xiong. He only said that you two should go back first and we'll reschedule later."

"I'm seriously impressed!"

Jiang Yongxiao paced back and forth. He was genuinely anxious, but not because Yongheng couldn't secure investment. Rather, he was worried that all the meticulous planning he had put together that night would be for nothing. "Could it be that President Xiong has changed his mind at the last minute and doesn't want to invest in Yongheng anymore? How could he do this!"

Secretary Zhang looked at Jiang Shiyuan anxiously, "President Jiang, why don't you go see President Xiong again in a couple of days? If we still can't raise the money, the new energy project will have to be suspended!"

Jiang Shiyuan frowned and fell into deep thought.

...

The night was deep and the dew was heavy.

Jiang Shiyuan dragged her tired body back to Juyue Garden. Perhaps it was because she had been too overworked recently, but her body, which had suffered a serious injury before, was aching from the bone.

As soon as she entered the house, she took out painkillers and swallowed them. Although she was exhausted, her mind was working at high speed, and she did not feel tired.

What if the long voyage becomes impossible?

Is Fu Chenzhou her only way out?

Jiang Shiyuan sat alone on the sofa, feeling utterly powerless. If nothing had happened between her and Fu Chenzhou, she could have accepted his investment.

However, things that shouldn't have happened before, happened.

And it was so thorough, so passionate.

So much so that for several days after that night, Jiang Shiyuan still carried Fu Chenzhou's scent. She took countless showers, but she could still smell it when she slept—a faint, powerful masculine scent.

It was as if they were sharing a bed, with Fu Chenzhou right behind her, tenderly and passionately embracing her...

At this point, if she accepted his investment, it would feel as if she had obtained the money through her body, and that obscure sense of shame was unbearable for her.

Just as I was hesitating, my phone vibrated on the coffee table.

The words "Xi'er" appeared on the screen.

Jiang Shiyuan composed herself, answered the call, her voice gentle and slightly weary:

"Xi'er, are you still awake so late? Missing me?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end; Su Xier's clear and cheerful voice did not come through.

Jiang Shiyuan even faintly heard suppressed breathing sounds, and her heart jumped. She quickly asked with concern:

"Xi'er? Are you listening? Are you alright?"

“Shiyuan…” Su Xi’er called her softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Jiang Shiyuan quickly replied, "I'm here!"

"I...I have something to tell you. I'm so scared...This is the first time I've experienced something like this, and I don't know what to do." Su Xier's voice grew softer and softer, so timid that it was almost unlike her usual self.

Jiang Shiyuan gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I will be by your side. Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."

"I'm pregnant..."

The moment the trembling voice entered his ears, Jiang Shiyuan felt as if struck by lightning, his entire body stiffening abruptly, his mind in complete chaos:

"Xi'er, what did you say?"

"I'm pregnant, and the child... can only be Shen Zhantang's."

At this moment, Su Xier sat alone in the corner of the bathroom, her sweaty palms tightly gripping the pregnancy test stick, the two red lines piercing her moist, reddened eyes. "Shiyuan, what should I do... what should I do?"