Chapter 41 All she needs to do is be carefree.
Friday afternoon, underground parking lot.
Jiang Sui walked up to a black minivan, raised his hand and knocked on the window. The electric door slowly opened.
Jiang Qiming sat in the large chair, holding a document in his hands, without looking up.
"Come in and speak."
"No need, I just came to let you know I won't be going tonight." Jiang Sui said, turning to leave.
"Stop right there!"
Jiang Qiming got out of the car and straightened his custom-made suit. "Seven o'clock tonight, Yueyue Hotel. President Hua specifically asked to see you. Don't make things difficult for me."
Jiang Sui didn't turn around. "I have plans tonight."
Jiang Qiming sneered, "Jiang Sui, I don't care what woman you sleep with, but the woman you marry can never be Luo Muyang's daughter."
"She has a name, Luo Yan. Please show her some respect."
Jiang Qiming smiled dismissively and patted Jiang Sui on the shoulder.
"Anyway, you have to go tonight, and you have to bring a gift, if your mother is still here..."
"Don't mention my mother again!"
Jiang Sui shook off Jiang Qiming's hand. "When I was eight years old, you wanted to send me to an international school far from home. I didn't want to, but my mother respected my wishes and let me stay at my original school. So if my mother were still here, she wouldn't force me to do things I didn't want to do like you do. She cares more about me being her son than what benefits I can bring to the Jiang family!"
"It's because she spoiled you that you caused her to get killed while driving out on that rainy night!"
Jiang Qiming suddenly flew into a rage, his eyes filled with hatred: "You made me lose the person I love most, you made me spend every night in agony for the past twenty years, you have no right to criticize anything I do!"
Jiang Sui clenched her fists tightly, then let them loosen weakly.
The air seemed to suddenly become thick, and each breath felt like swallowing shards of glass. His mind was filled with exploding fragments of memories, each fragment reflecting the image of his mother lying in a pool of blood years ago. The images were so clear and cruel, each piece sharply accusing him.
After a long while, Jiang Qiming gradually calmed down.
"President Hua holds the most important investment intentions for Mingsheng next year. If you don't go tonight, I don't mind having a good talk with Luo Muyang about whose son this 'capable lieutenant' is. Tell me, if he knows about our relationship, will he still trust you? Will he still entrust you with important projects and his precious daughter? Or, I can go directly to Luo Yan and talk about your 'exciting' past. I'm very curious about her reaction when she finds out. Are you two really that...deeply in love?"
Jiang Sui's eyes instantly turned cold.
He knew Jiang Qiming was capable of such a thing. Although Luo Muyang was often eccentric, he was extremely protective of Luo Yan and never hesitant about matters that would determine Feiyang's future. If he knew that he and Jiang Qiming were father and son, and about his unsavory past, he would definitely doubt his motives for joining Feiyang and even being with Luo Yan, and Luo Yan would no longer accept him...
"I understand." Jiang Sui sighed and finally relented. "I will be there on time."
Jiang Qiming smiled with satisfaction, "It's just about making women happy. Didn't you do that pretty well before?"
Jiang Sui's pupils suddenly contracted, and she staggered back half a step.
It turns out that those carefully hidden vulnerabilities and scars were, in her father's eyes, just the most precise weapons he could use to attack her at any time.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "You're the only one who knows where to stab me the hardest."
Back in the car, Jiang Sui took out a cigarette he hadn't smoked in a long time, lit it, and the faint flame illuminated his bloodless face.
He sat there for a long time, so long that his cigarettes had burned out. He tossed the lighter into a nearby trash can, picked up his phone, and sent a message to Luo Yan:
-I have an unexpected business dinner tonight, so we can't have dinner together.
Luo Yan replied with a puppy emoji with droopy ears:
- I grant your permission: if you're going to drive, don't drink and drive! Also, always remember you're taken!
Jiang Sui looked at the emoji, his lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and replied with a pat on the head emoji. Then he drove straight to a luxury brand jewelry store, bought the most expensive brooch of the season without even looking at it, and was about to leave when he saw a diamond necklace displayed in the store window. The pendant was shaped like a puppy's head, which was somewhat similar to the emoji Luo Yan had sent him earlier.
A sales clerk came over and introduced the item: "Sir, this is also one of our best-selling new items this season, and it's perfect as a gift for your sweetheart."
Jiang Sui nodded: "Okay, please wrap it up carefully and write a card as well."
I returned to the car with the two gift bags. I put the necklace bag in the center console drawer and just tossed the brooch bag onto the passenger seat.
The banquet wasn't large, but the decorations were exquisite and luxurious.
Miss Hua was clearly dressed up carefully, wearing a silver strapless dress that accentuated her graceful figure. Her smile was gentle and dignified. She stayed by Jiang Sui's side the whole time. Jiang Qiming and President Hua were having a pleasant conversation. Looking at the "handsome man and beautiful woman" scene in front of them, Jiang Qiming had a satisfied smile on his face.
Jiang Sui politely responded to everyone who came to offer a toast, but his expression remained as if covered by a layer of frost.
At this moment, Miss Hua approached and said, "Jiang Sui, I heard from Uncle Jiang that you are still single? No matter how busy you are with work, you should think about your personal life."
Jiang Sui put down his wine glass, his gaze calmly sweeping over Miss Hua, whose face was filled with anticipation, before turning to Jiang Qiming, whose eyes held a warning.
"Thank you for your concern, but I have a girlfriend."
Miss Hua's smile froze on her face.
Jiang Qiming's face instantly darkened, and he gritted his teeth and whispered, "Jiang Sui, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Jiang Sui turned to his father, his tone still calm, "I love my girlfriend very much, so you don't need to invite me to occasions like today anymore." He took out a gift bag and placed it on the table next to him: "Ms. Hua, happy birthday... Excuse me, I must leave." After saying that, he turned and left the banquet hall, leaving a commotion behind him.
As Jiang Sui sat in the car, she felt more exhausted than ever before.
Take out your phone, tap on Luo Yan's profile picture, and type in the chat box:
-The social engagement is over, and I suddenly miss you a little.
After thinking about it, I deleted the last few words and changed it to:
-The social engagement is over. What do you want to eat tomorrow?
Whatever the consequences, let them come at him. As for Comrade Luo, all he needs to do is laugh it off without a care in the world.
At that moment, Luo Yan, who was at home munching on potato chips and watching a TV series, received a WeChat message and looked puzzled: "Didn't he eat enough at his social event today?"
She scratched her head and replied:
- Just eat whatever's available. I'm not as picky as Mr. Jiang.
-Granny Rong recommended three new "high-quality men" to me today. They're either several years younger than me or look 45 even though they're only 27. I suggested she introduce them all to Ms. Xu. Old Luo is going to have a headache again; other people's rivals come one by one, but his rivals come in droves. [Laughs]
Jiang Sui chuckled as he looked at the screen, the image of that boisterous figure appearing in his mind, miraculously calming the restlessness in his heart.
Just as I was about to reply, Luo Yan sent another message:
-Want to come to my house? I'll prepare a double portion of pickled cabbage and pickled green beans noodles for you as a late-night snack.
-Warning: If I smell other women's perfume on you, you're dead! [Cool]
Jiang Sui smiled helplessly, withdrew the text she was about to send, and replied:
Okay, wait for me, I'll be right back after I go to the supermarket.
Luo Yan:
Why are we going to the supermarket? We don't need anything.
Jiang Sui:
-Didn't you say I was "doomed"? I was worried we wouldn't have enough work clothes, so I'm stocking up. Tomorrow's Saturday, you don't have to get up early for work, so could you prepare a few extra? Would a dozen be enough?
Luo Yan sent a blushing emoji:
All I want is to sleep in, Mr. Jiang, please have mercy on me! [Pleading face]
Jiang Sui:
- It depends on your performance.
Luo Yan touched her burning face and grinned foolishly. She checked the time, put down her phone and potato chips, and hummed a little tune as she ran to take a shower.
The sound of a key turning came from the doorway.
Luo Yan jumped off the sofa, not even having time to put on her slippers, and ran over happily. As soon as the door opened, she plunged into Jiang Sui's arms.
Jiang picked her up and carried her into the house, placed her on the sofa, and pulled a wool blanket over her legs. "It's cold, don't walk barefoot on the floor."
Luo Yan hugged his neck and nuzzled against him. Hmm, there was no suspicious perfume scent. Suddenly, she wrinkled her nose and looked at him suspiciously: "You smoke?"
She knew that Jiang Sui rarely smoked, except when he was in a very bad mood or under a lot of pressure.
Jiang Sui was taking off his coat when he paused slightly before regaining his composure. "Well, it's a social occasion, so it's inevitable that I'll pick up some smells." He avoided her gaze and walked towards the living room, his voice sounding somewhat tired. "You've already showered? I'll go now."
Luo Yan watched his retreating figure, a strange feeling stirring within her.
After Jiang Sui finished showering, the refreshing scent of shower gel covered up the faint smell of smoke. He took out a small, exquisite velvet box from his coat pocket and handed it to Luo Yan: "This is for you."
Luo Yan was somewhat surprised: "What?"
"Open it and take a look."
Inside was a uniquely designed brooch, set with a single red diamond that sparkled brilliantly under the light, clearly indicating its high price.
Luo Yan was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Jiang Sui: "Why did you suddenly give me this?"
"I saw it while I was passing by and thought you would like it." Jiang Sui sat down next to her and picked up a towel to dry her hair.
Luo Yan picked up the brooch and examined it closely. It was indeed very beautiful, and it felt quite heavy in her hand. This brand and the quality of the diamond jewelry were similar to those Luo Muyang had given Xu Jingfei before, even though the diamonds were smaller, and they cost six figures. This one... definitely couldn't be cheaper than that one.
She quickly closed the box and pushed it back: "No, I'm a civil servant, I have to be careful about my image. If I wear it out today, I'll be reported tomorrow."
Jiang Sui stopped drying her hair and looked at her: "It's just a necklace, isn't it a bit too much?"
"A necklace?" Luo Yan reopened the box in confusion. "Isn't this a brooch?"
Jiang peeked out and his expression changed slightly.
This seems to be the one he intended to give to Miss Hua as a birthday gift, while the relatively understated puppy necklace that was originally meant for Luo Yan was probably mistakenly placed in the gift box for Miss Hua.
He actually sent the gifts backwards!
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