He watched Jian Suilin and Li Yu, each more youthful and beautiful than the other, yet each more disheartening.
That chill that crept from the soles of his feet straight to his heart was called utter disillusionment.
He couldn't even muster the energy to jump up and fight. A profound sense of helplessness filled him. He sat down calmly on the sofa,
staring blankly at everyone present. Perhaps having endured too much humiliation and setbacks, Jian Suiying no longer reacted with such impulsive outbursts
—or rather, when faced with defeat, he could only feign composure to preserve what little dignity remained.
Under Jian Suiying's bottomless gaze, both Jian Suilin and Li Yu forced themselves to stay composed. Things had reached this point
, there was no turning back. Either they beat Jian Suiying down, or he would trample them into the mud.
Jian Suiying pulled out a cigarette and lit it. His gaze swept over the crowd through the swirling smoke before settling back on Jian Suilin. "Spit it out already."
Li Yu's expression shifted slightly. The mere fact that Jian Suiying hadn't spared him a second glance made his chest tighten with pent-up frustration.
Jian Suilin pursed his lips and sat up straight. He signaled to the two men from the Sichuan company, who understood immediately and exited the room one after the other.
There was no turning back now...
He abruptly stood up and declared in a deep voice: "I'll step out too." Jian Suilin's fists clenched behind his back.
The large private room was instantly left with only the two Jian brothers.
He pushed a document across the coffee table toward Jian Suiying. "Brother..." Jian Suiying narrowed his eyes at him. "You still have the nerve to call me brother?"
Jian Suiying took the documents and skimmed a few pages. As he had expected, the debt from Yang's company had changed hands several times
How laughable that he had schemed to teach them a lesson with that Beihai plot, only for them to have already latched onto a much juicier target.
And then there was Li Yu...
Jian Suiying bent slightly, bracing against the dull ache in his heart. He could feel that since entering the room, Li Yu's eyes
had not left him. The more they did so, the more he refused to look at Li Yu.
He would make Li Yu understand that, just as he had said, Li Yu was nothing in his eyes.
Jian Suilin knew he couldn't utter another word.
But now, he couldn't bring himself to speak. He only wanted to end this negotiation immediately, for Jian Suiying's gaze of utter loathing pierced him
made him feel like he couldn't breathe.
Jian Suiying stared at him coldly, "Half? Do you truly believe the cards you hold are worth half the company's equity
?"
Jian Suilin's facial muscles twitched violently.
He knew Jian Suiying was exactly this kind of person. When pushed to the limit, he'd rather destroy everything than let him have his way.
Jian Suiying stood up, revealing a sinister grin. "Jian Suilin, you think this little storm can capsize my
ship? You're far too green. I, Jian Suiying, swear that starting today, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
After spitting out his threat, Jian Suiying slammed the door and stormed out.
Jian Suilin slumped limply against the sofa, drenched in cold sweat.
He savored Jian Suiying's final words, then raised his hand to cover his eyes and began to chuckle. He murmured
Li Yu stood alone at the end of the corridor, near the elevator.
Jian Suiying rounded the corner and spotted him immediately. Hands in his pockets, he smirked. "Li Yu, what role are you playing in this?"
Li Yu stared at him expressionless, uttering an unrelated question: "Who did you sleep with last night?" Jian Suiying frowned.
Li Yu caught sight of a small kiss mark peeking out from beneath his collar, a sharp pain throbbing in his temples. "That little Zhu? Pi Pi? Awei? Or someone else?"
"My private life has absolutely nothing to do with you, Jian Suiying. I'm only asking you: what role do you play in this?"
Li Yu's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. He didn't know how much strength it took to suppress the urge to punch Jian Suiying unconscious
and hide him away.
Li Yu's voice trembled: "I don't like him. What I want is you."
Jian Suiying listened as if to a comedy routine, except the one finding it absurd wasn't the performer—it was himself.
Based on Li Yu's past experience, whenever they clashed, Jian Suiying would inevitably resort to violence. But this time,
didn't lift a finger. Instead, he spoke calmly at length.
Especially that final look Jian Suiying gave him just before turning away—that look made Li Yu feel as though everything had reached its end
. That look would haunt Li Yu for years to come, jolting him awake in terror from his dreams.