That day, while discussing a project with two subordinates in his office, Li Wenxun arrived uninvited.
Jian Suiying returned the smile. Only after the secretary closed the door did he speak: "Awen, I know what you want to say. Give me two months. I promise to secure the project funding."
Li Wenxun sipped his tea.
"Suiying, I've known you for years. I trust your skills and capabilities. Since you've
said two months, I won't beat around the bush—two months it is. I didn't come today to pressure you for payment
, but mainly to give you a heads-up." "Oh? What kind of heads-up?"
Li Wenxun's expression held a mix of genuine and feigned seriousness. "To be careful of my brother—that madman."
Jian Suiying pondered the meaning behind those words, propping her chin up as she thought for a few seconds. "I'll go find Brother Yao myself."
He knew Li Wenxun wasn't threatening him with those words, just telling him he was easy to deal with, but his brother was a different story.
In Beijing's elite circles, everyone knew the two most formidable Li families: the Li Yu family and the Li Wenxun family. Each had two sons, yet their characters were worlds apart.
It was as if he'd been born into the wrong family. Despite his privileged upbringing, he refused to follow the right path. From a young age, he rebelled against his parents
. He dropped out of middle school to join a gang, and eventually the Li family nearly severed ties with him, declaring that whatever Li Wenyao did had nothing to do with the Li family.
would bear no responsibility for his actions.
Li Wenyao himself lived a reckless life, yet demanded strict perfection from his younger brother. From childhood, he insisted his brother attend the best schools
Li Wenxun himself couldn't stop his brother, so those in the know generally avoided provoking this mad dog.
Li Wenxun shook his head. "No good. This isn't a difficult matter yet. If you go to him, he'll definitely start keeping a close eye on you."
Jian Suiying's fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop. After a long moment, he said, " " "Alright, I get it. Don't worry about this.
I'll handle Brother Wenyao myself. Money's not an issue either—I've invested a lot myself. I won't make a losing deal."
."
Li Wenxun smiled broadly. "Hearing that puts my mind at ease. Come on, let's grab dinner." "I have a dinner meeting tonight. Another time."
After Li Wenxun left, Jian Suiying sat in her chair, a flicker of unease crossing her mind.
He'd spread himself too thin. If he couldn't pull back his net, the losses would be devastating. But he had to take the gamble—otherwise, the outcome wouldn't be much better.
That day, Jian Suiying went to pick up his father from the hospital.
Though shaken and in poor health, his father didn't actually need hospitalization. Yet he insisted on staying in the hospital for over a month.
month.
It wasn't until Jian Suiying persuaded him to go home and recuperate that he reluctantly processed his discharge.
When they got into the car and Jian Suiying asked for his new address, Jian Dongyuan fell silent for a long moment before saying, "Back to the old place."
Jian Suiying looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Jian Dongyuan returned to the old house. Surrounded by familiar faces and belongings, his heart swelled with mixed emotions.
The vast house held only the Jian family and a few maids. Though it felt empty, Jian Suiying couldn't help but think,
how much better it would have been if things had stayed this way all these years.
If not for Zhao Yan, if not for Jian Suilin, if only he and his father had relied on each other since his mother's death, then he wouldn't
blame his father, nor would his heart be filled with so much pent-up resentment. But what had happened couldn't be undone.
After his father was discharged from the hospital, he helped shoulder some of the financing pressure. Within a week, he secured several million in overdue payments
After paying off most of the overdue construction bills, he could finally catch his breath.
One day in the office, he used the company's internal line to call Secretary Liang, hoping she could help him connect with someone to sell
a few vehicles.
But after ringing endlessly, the office line went unanswered, and her cell was busy—even though he'd seen her just moments before.
Jian Suiying worked on a tight schedule, tackling tasks immediately to avoid delays. So she decided to go find her herself.
After searching around, he spotted Secretary Liang talking on the phone in the break room, a hint of regret visible between her brows.
Secretary Liang didn't want his boss to suspect him, but with no other choice, he reluctantly replied, " "
Jian Suiying raised an eyebrow. "Xiao Li?"
Secretary Liang studied his expression cautiously before replying, "Li Yu."
Jian Suiying's expression darkened. "You two are still in contact?"
Secretary Liang hastily explained: "I reached out to him regarding my son's schooling. I needed his help — the boy is entering middle school this year and the exams are coming up soon."
Jian Suiying said: "Why didn't you come to me?"
Secretary Liang whispered softly: "You've been so busy lately. I couldn't possibly trouble you with something so minor."
Jian Suiying poured herself a cup of tea and leaned against the pantry door, leaving Secretary Liang stuck between leaving and staying,
left only to stare blankly at Jian Suiying.
After a moment, Jian Suiying casually asked, "How has he been lately?" "He... he dropped out."
Jian Suiying furrowed her brow slightly. "Withdrawn?"
Secretary Liang nodded, unsure whether to continue.
Jian Suiying set down her teacup and shifted her posture. "If you're done, come back to work. Go help me contact. I want to sell a few cars."