A "Plot" from a Love Rival
Since becoming a major shareholder of Jinli Technology Company, Yu Jinli feels much more confident.
She now views Feng Jinxuan not simply as a boss and idol, but also with a complex feeling of seeing him as a "partner and sugar daddy".
Consequently, her acts of showing concern and care became even more justified.
In her words, "What I am doing now is protecting the company's core assets and ensuring the emotional stability and physical health of investors, which is all part of my job."
Feng Jinxuan neither agreed nor disagreed with this.
But as he drank those indescribably delicious health-preserving soups every day, his brow seemed less furrowed.
He even tacitly approved Yu Jinli's decision to replace the priceless antique vase in his study with a potted green ivy that she had found at the flower and bird market, which was said to "purify the magnetic field."
Assistant Wang commented: "The boss's bottom line is being pushed back at a worrying rate."
That afternoon, Gu Yanzhi visited again to continue their metaphysical tutoring.
As soon as he entered the room, he keenly sensed that the atmosphere in the living room seemed somewhat different from last time.
Last time, there was a layer of polite but distant ice between Yu Jinli and Feng Jinxuan.
Now, that layer of ice has quietly melted away.
The two of them were still sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, with enough space between them for three more people to sit.
But in the air, there was a faint, almost imperceptible current of airflow called "tacit understanding," which was flowing slowly.
Gu Yanzhi observed calmly.
He saw Yu Jinli naturally push a plate of cut fruit in front of Feng Jinxuan.
Feng Jinxuan, quite naturally, picked up a piece of cantaloupe and started eating it.
The entire process was conducted without a single word exchanged, yet it flowed as smoothly as if it had been rehearsed countless times.
A subtle, complex emotion flickered deep within Gu Yanzhi's gentle eyes.
"Master, you're here!" Yu Jinli greeted him warmly as soon as she saw him. "Please sit down! What are we learning today?"
She now has an unprecedented passion for learning about metaphysics.
After all, this relates to her future ability to protect herself and her efficiency in making money.
"No rush." Gu Yanzhi smiled and placed the wooden box he had brought on the table. "You look much better than when we last met. It seems that the 'feng shui' here, President Feng, is indeed good for you."
His words, ostensibly about feng shui, were actually a way of highlighting the closeness of their relationship.
Yu Jinli's cheeks suddenly felt hot, and she subconsciously wanted to retort.
Feng Jinxuan spoke first, saying calmly, "She has indeed been eating a bit better lately."
As he spoke, he picked up another piece of cantaloupe and gracefully put it into his mouth.
Gu Yanzhi: "..."
Yu Jinli: "..."
Does this guy even know how to have a conversation?!
The tutoring went very smoothly.
But at the end, Gu Yanzhi did not immediately get up to say goodbye as usual.
The smile on his face faded, and his expression became more solemn than ever before.
“President Feng, Koi,” he said in a deep voice, looking at the two of them, “I have some… bad premonitions about Old Master Feng’s birthday banquet next month.”
The relaxed atmosphere in the living room vanished instantly.
Feng Jinxuan put down the documents in his hand, raised his head, and his dark eyes were deep.
"explain."
“I’ve consulted some ancient texts about ‘Seven Fiends Soul Locking’,” Gu Yanzhi said in a very serious tone. “This kind of evil art is not a one-time solution. It’s like a vine that grows parasitically on a big tree. It needs to draw new nutrients from the tree’s roots regularly to maintain its growth.”
“The roots of a family, also known as the ‘dragon vein,’ are usually tied to the eldest and most respected elder in the family.”
"Old Master Feng is the source of your Feng family's 'dragon vein'."
Yu Jinli's heart sank suddenly.
She immediately understood what Gu Yanzhi meant.
"You mean... Feng Jinhong will make a move against him at Grandpa's birthday banquet?"
“That’s right.” Gu Yanzhi nodded. “On the day of the birthday banquet, with so many guests, the atmosphere will be most chaotic. That will be the best time for him to make his move. He will likely use the guise of ‘presenting a gift’ to present a specially treated ‘luck-stealing artifact.’ Such an artifact looks no different from an ordinary antique, but once activated, it will instantly absorb most of the old man’s life force and luck.”
"At that time, the old man will at least fall seriously ill and be bedridden forever. In severe cases... he might even die on the spot."
The aura surrounding Feng Jinxuan instantly turned cold.
His hands, resting on his knees, unconsciously clenched into fists.
"Then why don't we just take precautions in advance?" Yu Jinli asked eagerly. "Don't let him present gifts, or check his gifts on the spot! Find a reason to stop him at the door!"
“It’s useless.” Gu Yanzhi shook his head, rejecting all her naive ideas. “That level of magical artifact, once activated, is formless and blends into its surroundings. Unless there is an expert of the same level present, ordinary methods simply cannot detect it. As for not letting him in… do you think, given your cousin’s status in the Feng family and his hypocritical mask, you have any reason to refuse him entry to the birthday banquet?”
Yu Jinli was speechless.
No, there isn't.
Doing so would only give Feng Jinxuan an excuse to be accused of "suppressing his brothers and disregarding family ties" in front of all his clansmen.
"Is there... really no way at all?" Her voice carried a hint of resentment.
"There is a solution."
Gu Yanzhi paused for a moment, then his gaze finally fell on Yu Jinli.
That gaze was very complex.
There was reluctance, there was struggle, but more than anything, there was a resolute determination to do it.
"The only way is to use another, purer, and more powerful force to forcefully counteract it the moment it is activated, severing the connection between it and the old man."
"Use 'qi' to dispel 'evil'."
Yu Jinli pointed to herself and asked uncertainly, "Me?"
“Yes.” Gu Yanzhi’s expression turned somewhat serious. “Only your ‘lucky koi luck’ can achieve this.”
"You need to gather most of your inner strength at the critical moment to form a 'protective barrier' to protect the old man."
He looked at her and, word by word, clearly explained the risks involved.
"But this process is extremely taxing on you. Your lucky charm is an innate power that you were born with, unlike anything you can cultivate later. Once it is depleted, it is extremely slow to recover."
"At best, you'll suffer a severe blow to your vitality, and you might revert to being an ordinary person, requiring months or even years to recover."
“In severe cases…” he took a deep breath and said slowly, “it could even damage the very foundation of your destiny, causing you to… permanently lose this ability.”
The living room fell into a deathly silence.
This is no longer a simple adventure.
This is gambling with your life.
They're betting Yu Jinli's entire future as a "lucky charm".
"no."
Feng Jinxuan's voice was cold and hard, like two pieces of steel colliding, leaving no room for maneuver.
He stood up, walked to Yu Jinli, and used a protective posture to separate her from Gu Yanzhi's gaze.
He didn't even look at Gu Yanzhi, but just lowered his head and spoke to Yu Jinli.
I will not agree.
Gu Yanzhi looked at him, seemingly having anticipated his reaction.
"President Feng, this is the only feasible solution at present. Unless you can find another 'lucky charm' who is willing to pay such a huge price for your family."
“Then let’s find another way.” Feng Jinxuan’s tone left no room for argument. “I won’t let her take that kind of risk.”
"And what about you?" Gu Yanzhi retorted, his voice turning colder. "Are you just going to stand by and watch your grandfather fall into danger? Watch Feng Jinhong's scheme succeed?"
This is an open strategy.
A cunning scheme that places Feng Jinxuan between "family" and "love," forcing him to make a cruel choice.
Feng Jinxuan didn't speak, but just pursed his lips tightly, his jawline taut.
Yu Jinli stood behind him, looking at the man's broad and taut back, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She knew that this man was bearing immense pressure on her behalf.
She also knew that Gu Yanzhi was right.
This is the only way.
Gu Yanzhi looked at the silent Feng Jinxuan and stopped pressuring him.
He simply looked past the man's shoulder and at Yu Jinli behind him.
He asked softly, in the gentlest yet cruelest tone:
"Koi, what do you think?"
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