Chapter 248 Subtle Hints

Si Yanxiao nodded slightly after hearing this, and Gu Nan, having received approval, turned and left.

He didn't want to continue eavesdropping on this internal conflict; he still felt lingering fear at the scene where the old man used family discipline last time.

After Gu Nan left, the CEO's office fell silent. Seeing the displeasure on their faces, Si Yanxiao pursed his lips and asked, "Why did you suddenly come to see me?"

Upon hearing this, Si Zuochen glanced at Bai Zhuwei, his lips curling into a slight sneer, before he coldly scoffed, "Shouldn't bystanders leave?"

Seeing that he harbored deep hostility towards Bai Zhuwei, Si Yanxiao's face showed a hint of difficulty. He lowered his eyes to look at Bai Zhuwei and saw her brows furrowed, looking aggrieved. He then coughed twice and said in a deep voice, "Achen!"

Si Zuochen instantly understood, his face showing disdain. He had never expected that his words would drive Bai Zhuwei out; he was just trying to upset her.

Seeing that the two were about to clash, Si Youlin had no choice but to speak up in a low voice to smooth things over: "Alright, let's not argue anymore at a time like this!"

Then he looked up at Si Yanxiao, who looked puzzled and raised an eyebrow at him in surprise. Si Youlin seemed hesitant to speak, and then slowly said, "About Si Jiliang..."

He only said half of what he meant, and Si Yanxiao instantly understood his unspoken meaning. His eyes flickered, and a troubled look flashed across his face.

Just as he was about to answer, Bai Zhuwei interrupted him. She walked slowly toward Si Youlin, her expression hardening, and asked in a low voice, "Are you here to plead for Si Jiliang?"

Si Youlin frowned slightly upon hearing her question, turned his head to the side, but did not intend to answer.

Seeing his silence, Bai Zhuwei suddenly sneered and said, seemingly unintentionally, "What's going on? Jiang Ran didn't come to persuade him herself, so she sent two children instead?"

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao's expression hardened. Bai Zhuwei's words seemed to remind him, and a look of displeasure flashed across his face.

He had made his point perfectly clear to Jiang Ran, but he never expected that she would use the child as a shield when she was desperate.

Then his gaze suddenly darkened, and he asked in a low voice, "Did Jiang Ran send you?"

Si Zuochen's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately replied in a deep voice, "No, this matter has nothing to do with her."

Seeing that he was still defending Jiang Ran, Si Yanxiao's face turned cold, and he scoffed at Jiang Ran's behavior.

Si Zuochen noticed the strange expression on his face, pursed his lips, and then spoke again in a cold voice: "The right and wrong of this matter have not yet been determined, so it is a bit too inhumane to put people in the detention center without distinguishing right from wrong."

"Inhumane?" Bai Zhuwei interrupted him abruptly, her voice laced with sneer, "If you dare to do something, you should dare to admit it. He tried to take advantage of me, shouldn't he be locked up inside?!"

Si Zuochen's eyes narrowed and a mocking expression appeared on his face as he listened to the absurdity in her words.

Si Yanxiao coldly observed the conversation between the two sides, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

This is a tricky situation; one side is relentlessly pursuing the matter, while the other is willing to do anything to rescue the person.

This put him right in the middle, putting him in a dilemma.

"That's just your side of the story. What evidence do you have?"

Si Zuochen glanced coldly at Bai Zhuwei and asked in a cold voice, his eyes full of icy intent.

"Would I risk my reputation to wrong him?" Bai Zhuwei frowned slightly, a cold glint flashing across her face.

Seeing the two sides arguing pointlessly, Bai Zhuwei's eyes flashed, and she looked up at Si Yanxiao, her expression full of grievance.

With her lips slightly pursed and a pitiful look appearing on her face, she slowly began to accuse, "And Jiang Ran, what's the point of calling you all to tell me what happened?"

"What? Are you trying to play the family card?" After saying that, her eyes flashed slightly, and before Si Zuochen could refute her, she continued, "Besides, I'm afraid the old man is using you to inadvertently reveal information and worsen his condition, right?"

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao's eyes suddenly sharpened, his brows furrowed, and he coldly questioned, "Is what she said true?"

Si Zuochen's expression changed slightly, but he did not respond. Instead, he looked coldly at Bai Zhuwei and sized her up.

Then, a slight smile appeared on his lips, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He knew Bai Zhuwei was no pushover, but he never expected her to be able to twist the truth so perfectly.

She deliberately exaggerated those things in front of the old man, but now she's turning the tables and making it seem like it's Jiang Ran's fault.

Si Youlin's eyes were full of disdain as he looked at her, while Si Zuochen scoffed coldly, "No wonder you can handle Grandpa and Daddy so easily. Your ability to distort the truth is truly exceptional!"

Her words were full of sarcasm. After speaking, she looked up at Si Yanxiao and explained in a low voice, "Whether you believe it or not, this matter has nothing to do with Jiang Ran."

“You’ve seen how she treats Grandpa. If she really had ulterior motives, you could have simply not saved her. There’s no need for this hypocritical pretense.”

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao pursed his lips, but ignored him and did not respond.

Seeing that further words would be of no use, Si Zuochen lowered his eyes slightly and said in a cold voice, "That's all I have to say. You can consider it for yourself."

Having said that, she ignored his expression and turned to leave with Si Youlin.

Before leaving, his gaze lingered briefly on Bai Zhuwei, his eyes filled with a complex mix of disdain and mockery.

Bai Zhuwei's heart skipped a beat.

Si Yanxiao watched their departing figures, his eyes flashing slightly, his expression unreadable.

Although he ignored what they said, he also harbored doubts about Bai Zhuwei's words.

Although he and Jiang Ran didn't get along, he knew what kind of person she was. If she really wanted to cause trouble, there was no need to wait until now.

They could have gone directly to the old man and confided in him as soon as the kidnapping incident occurred.

But she didn't. Instead, she stayed home alone to recover from her injury and didn't even complain to herself once.

Thinking of this, a sense of unease flashed through Si Yanxiao's heart. Bai Zhuwei saw him lower his eyes and remain silent, and worried that he would be affected by what Si Zuochen had said.

He quickly followed up, saying, "Ayan, didn't the kidnappers accuse Jiang Ran of being the murderer?"

"If she really was the mastermind behind all of this, then she's far too cunning!"

Upon hearing this, Si Yanxiao frowned sharply, his gaze turning piercing as he looked at Bai Zhuwei. He asked in a cold voice, "How do you know that the kidnappers are accusing Jiang Ran of being the mastermind behind the murder?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhuwei realized she had spoken out of turn. Her eyes darted around, and a sudden inspiration struck her. She replied softly, "Wasn't this something you and Gu Nan were discussing?"

Si Yanxiao listened to her explanation, his gaze darkening slightly. Things had been too complicated lately, and he didn't remember the specific details, so he didn't think much of it.

Bai Zhuwei felt somewhat relieved after narrowly escaping danger.

Just as he was about to say something more, Si Yanxiao interrupted him, saying, "I still have official business to attend to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Zhuwei instantly understood his unspoken meaning. She then put on a very considerate act and replied in a low voice, "Okay, then I won't bother you any longer."

Si Yanxiao nodded absentmindedly, and Bai Zhuwei slowly turned and left.

Si Yanxiao looked down from the building until Bai Zhuwei's figure disappeared from sight. His brows furrowed slightly, and he then walked towards the garage and drove back to the villa.

At that moment, Jiang Ran was processing online orders in the living room during her free time when she suddenly heard a sound. She looked up and saw Si Yanxiao walking towards her.

The two locked eyes instantly. Jiang Ran quickly stopped what she was doing, looked away first, and closed her notebook.

Seeing that Si Yanxiao was still standing there, Jiang Ran's face flashed with surprise, and she asked in a low voice, "Looking for me?"

"Hmm." Si Yanxiao acknowledged aloud, then slowly walked closer and stopped a few steps away from Jiang Ran.

He spoke in a deep voice, asking, "Was it you who sent Ah Chen to find me regarding Si Jiliang's matter? And what about the old man? Was that your doing too?"

He spoke frankly and without any attempt to conceal his thoughts, then looked down at Jiang Ran, not wanting to miss a single change in her expression.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, then replied directly, "That's right, it's me."