Chapter 201: Chapter 199: The Strong Don’t Speak Nonsense
"Xixi, you’re behind the times," Wan Yu said. "Chu Xiao is an incredible designer."
"Him?" Now it was Jian Xi’s turn to be surprised.
Jian Xi knew that Chu Xiao had become a huge internet sensation with millions of followers thanks to his cross-dressing videos and charming looks, but she had no idea that he also designed the clothes he wore.
"You leave the designs to me. As for the PR, Li Bin will have to work hard on that."
Chu Xiao shot Jian Xi a reassuring ’Don’t worry, I’ve got this’ look and was already skillfully instructing Li Bin to begin the next tasks.
Jian Xi felt somewhat relieved. "At a critical time like this, it’s great to have you guys."
Wan Yu lifted her chin proudly. "We absolutely can’t let that bitch succeed. We need to join forces to fend her off. Besides, the Chu Family’s business is closely related to you. Chu Xiao won’t sit by and watch you get into trouble without doing anything."
Jian Xi remained skeptical. "Are you sure you can handle it?"
Chu Xiao was exasperated. "Sister, you actually don’t believe me?"
After saying that, he took out his mobile phone to show Jian Xi his past award-winning designs.
His work was far more impressive than that of any designer they were considering hiring.
"Wow, that’s amazing!" Li Bin couldn’t help exclaiming.
Even Jian Xi, a layperson in design, couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.
"Fine, you handle the design. The rest of us will take care of everything else."
With their support, Jian Xi gained confidence, and she immediately came up with a strategy to deal with Jiang Qimeng.
As a gesture of gratitude and to welcome Wan Yu, Jian Xi chose a Sichuan restaurant.
"Huh, your tastes have really changed lately, haven’t they?" The pungent aroma of chili hit them as soon as they walked in, and Wan Yu couldn’t help but tease Jian Xi with a look.
She hadn’t even realized how much she had come to enjoy spicy food recently.
Pregnancy really did change one’s palate significantly.
"Why the sudden change in appetite? Are you feeling unwell anywhere, Sister?" Chu Xiao, having gotten the wrong end of the stick, chimed in.
He had just reviewed the initial designer’s blueprints. While their concepts somewhat conflicted with his own, it wasn’t a major issue. He was confident that, after some modifications, his designs would be superior and would better highlight their core concept.
Then, with the focus of a workaholic, he began to explain his upcoming work goals and content, casually mentioning the cooperation he’d need from all Yaowang staff.
"Chu Xiao, you’ve really changed a lot."
Originally alarmed by the mention of her changed tastes, Jian Xi couldn’t help but admire him after hearing his counter-attack plan. "You’re brave and resourceful; you’ve earned my newfound respect."
"Having newfound respect doesn’t mean you’d choose to marry me," Chu Xiao pouted, tilting his chin up. "Never mind, I won’t pressure you. That’s all in the past. Sooner or later, I’ll win you over with my talent."
PUFFT!
The atmosphere lightened, and Jian Xi couldn’t help but laugh.
Wan Yu silently took a sip of her lemon water.
Her best friend’s romantic tribulations were indeed escalating.
While Chu Xiao went to the restroom, Wan Yu quickly asked, "How have things been developing between you and Fu Shengyuan lately?"
"Why would I be with that old fox? He’s no simple character." Jian Xi’s mind drifted to everything that had happened on the day she visited Tianyao Group.
Looking back, how could Fu Wenxiong have appeared at Tianyao Group so coincidentally, just as she was visiting the finance department?
If it wasn’t intentional, she wouldn’t believe it!
If Si Yuhuan hadn’t appeared in time, she would have miscarried and then been ’heroically rescued.’
The entire Jian Family would have been indebted to him then.
Knowing her parents’ personalities, they would have adored a son-in-law who didn’t look down on their daughter and would probably have pushed for an immediate marriage.
If she had been foolish enough to actually marry Fu Shengyuan, she could vividly imagine the married life awaiting her—he would constantly humiliate her with talk of her second marriage and miscarriage. Prolonged PUA would make her self-loathing and submissive. Sooner or later, she would lose herself. The Jian Family would also be implicated, with the most terrifying outcome being a hostile takeover.
Thinking of this, Jian Xi couldn’t help but shiver.
Then there were those financial ledgers. She knew there were problems after reading just a few pages.
Her opponent had likely underestimated a lawyer’s capabilities. Jian Xi had once handled a legal aid case involving property issues, for which she had delved deep into finance and accounting. She could spot such rudimentary falsification at a glance.
"Ah? Fu Shengyuan is really that bad?" Wan Yu immediately felt hostile towards him. "Such a scumbag. You should never see him again."
"Why not see him? Haohan Group’s top technical director, Luo You, might be about to jump ship to his company. Shouldn’t I take the chance to poach him?" Jian Xi winked wisely at Wan Yu.
Wan Yu was utterly impressed. "Xixi, using a honey trap? You’ve really got some tricks."
"What honey trap?" Chu Xiao, who had just returned from the restroom, caught the tail end of the conversation and quickly leaned in, full of curiosity. "Are you planning to use a honey trap on me? Go on, I’m all ready for you to make your move, Sister. Don’t be polite." He moved in close, wanting to cuddle up.
Jian Xi pushed him aside. "Alright, stop fooling around. Be serious. You’re about to become an internationally renowned designer, so act like it. Don’t be so flippant!"
"Uh-oh, the lady has criticized me. I must work hard to change my image."
The group chatted and laughed as they ate lunch.
Si Yuhuan received news that Jiang Qimeng had used her connections to poach a designer from Yaowang Group.
He hadn’t expected her to release Yaowang’s designs prematurely. Such a dishonorable tactic was truly shameless.
Yan Qing couldn’t help but comment, "Miss Jiang’s methods are quite vicious. It looks like Yaowang Group is in for a tough time and will probably face a massive compensation claim."
"Where is she?"
As soon as Si Yuhuan asked this, Yan Qing found it difficult to respond.
He had secretly ordered someone to track Jian Xi and knew she was currently leisurely dining with Chu Xiao. He coughed. "She’s just... just..."
The man looked up. "She’s having a meal with another man?"
"Not just any other man, sir. It’s Chu Xiao, whom you know." Having said that, Yan Qing shrank his neck.
Si Yuhuan burned with rage. "Him again!"
He’d thought the previous blow would have been enough to make Chu Xiao back off. He didn’t expect him to pounce again so soon after the divorce!
"So, Boss, what do we do?" Yan Qing asked tentatively.
Si Yuhuan spoke angrily, "Let her be. When she can’t handle it, she’ll come begging to me."
Those incompetent men were nothing in Si Yuhuan’s eyes; he despised them from the depths of his heart.
The thought of Jian Xi attracting other men wherever she went infuriated him. He snapped the cigarette butt in his hand.
Yan Qing was rather speechless. Just moments ago, he’d been ordered to retrieve everything Jiang Qimeng had and drive her out of the country. Now, as if he’d taken the wrong medicine, Si Yuhuan was allowing her to continue her antics. A man’s heart was truly as hard to fathom as a needle in the ocean.
「Yuexiang Group.」
Jiang Qimeng sat in the chairman’s seat, listening to reports on their progress with a triumphant tilt of her chin. She blew on her freshly manicured nails and said, "I don’t want to give them any breathing room. The fashion show should be moved up immediately, preempting all other press conferences. Then we’ll see how Yaowang survives!"
A subordinate nervously wiped his brow. "But if our actions are too frequent and too swift, I’m afraid others in the industry will look down on this kind of behavior..."
"Disdain?" Jiang Qimeng slammed the table and stood up, sneering. "Only the weak disdain. The strong only look at results! Do as I say!"
After speaking, she left the managers behind and went off to a lunch appointment with her best friend.
Even if no one helped her, she would create her own opportunities.
The final winner could only be her, Jiang Qimeng!