Chapter 9: Lord Yan Is Truly a Good Husband

Just as Yan Feng’s heart was sinking lower with each passing moment, Bo Jinxiu spoke in a calm, detached tone, “Yan Group? Yan Group of Haifeng Construction?”

A flicker of hope lit up in Yan Feng’s heart.

He actually knew about Haifeng Construction.

“Yan Haifeng is my grandfather. He’s always singing your praises in front of me, Bo Fourth Young Master, saying you’re a prodigy in the business world. He also says that if Yan Group could partner with Bo Group on the resort project in the development zone, it would be a stroke of luck and a great honor.”

Yan Feng had been fretting over how to broach this topic.

He hadn’t expected Bo Jinxiu to open the door himself.

Of course, he didn’t want Bo Jinxiu to agree right away. A project worth billions could never be settled in a few words. But he needed Bo Jinxiu to remember Yan Group, so that in the future, amid hundreds or thousands of competitors, they might gain an advantage.

Bo Jinxiu’s fingers idly turned the wineglass.

He was seated, yet those standing still felt he was above them, as if they had to look up to him.

His voice was deep and indifferent, tinged with a hint of mockery. “The resort project can be partnered with anyone—except for Yan Group.”

At these words, everyone gathered around gasped in surprise.

Many had been eyeing the juicy resort project in the development zone for a long time. When they heard Bo Jinxiu mention Haifeng Construction, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

But now, envy was replaced by schadenfreude.

At the same time, curiosity sparked.

How had Yan Group offended this prince of the capital circle?

Even Yan Feng was shocked.

Before today, Yan Group and the Bo family had no dealings. He had never even met Bo Jinxiu.

Why would Bo Jinxiu suddenly say such a thing?

A trace of panic appeared on Yan Feng’s face. “Fourth Young Master Bo, may I ask if our Yan family has offended you in some way?”

Bo Jinxiu suddenly rose to his feet.

His gaze swept past Yan Feng and locked onto Jiang Ciyou standing behind him.

His expression was cold and distant, his pale skin lending him an ethereal, unworldly chill. Yet there was a clear emotional undertone in his voice.

“You’ll have to ask Mrs. Yan about that.”

For a moment, all eyes focused on the woman behind Yan Feng.

Mrs. Yan was stunning.

She was, without question, the most beautiful woman present. Many had noticed her from the very beginning—the woman in the cheongsam seemed like a fairy who had stepped out of the misty rain of the southlands. Her face was ravishingly beautiful; even the plainest colors could not conceal her bold, extravagant allure.

Countless curious, scrutinizing gazes fell upon her.

Jiang Ciyou had not expected the man to challenge her so openly.

Yan Feng had already turned around, his gaze cold and his tone full of reproach. “Jiang Ciyou, explain yourself. What’s going on?”

Yan Feng felt as if he’d been struck over the head.

How could Jiang Ciyou know Bo Jinyan, and worse, have offended him?

Was there something between them?

Jiang Ciyou had already regained her composure.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she stepped forward. “I didn’t expect Mr. Bo to be so resentful. Three years ago, I accidentally scraped your beloved car while out, not knowing your identity at the time. I left a thousand yuan and walked away. It’s impressive you remember.”

Forced onto the spot, Jiang Ciyou had no choice but to concoct a lie.

She certainly couldn’t say she had slept with him three years ago and dumped him, thus earning his ire.

The crowd was suddenly enlightened.

Yan Feng relaxed, exhaling in relief.

He couldn’t say why, but just now he’d been nervous, as if there were some messy entanglement between the two.

Yan Feng scolded coldly, “Fourth Young Master Bo’s car must be worth a fortune. Leaving a thousand yuan was an insult. Go apologize to him at once!”

The onlookers, observing Yan Feng’s attitude toward Jiang Ciyou, sighed at his utter lack of tenderness.

Such a beauty, and he could only rebuke her coldly, with not a hint of protection.

Yan Feng believed Bo Jinxiu couldn’t care less about the repair fee; it was Jiang Ciyou’s thoughtless gesture of leaving a thousand yuan that was seen as an insult, thus earning Bo Jinxiu’s grudge.

Seeing Bo Jinxiu make no move to refute her, Jiang Ciyou boldly walked over.

She raised her wineglass. “Three years ago, I failed to recognize greatness and offended you, Mr. Bo. I apologize.”

Her words carried a subtle implication. “I hope you’ll be generous and not hold grudges against a mere woman.”

Bo Jinxiu laughed.

It was a chilly laugh, his red lips curling up, making his face seem almost wicked.

He arched a brow, voice sly and menacing. “Mrs. Yan, you want to wipe away three years of resentment with a single glass of wine?”

The crowd was stunned.

They marveled at how petty this prince of the capital circle could be.

All over a scraped car—he’d nursed the grievance for three years, and now chose to make things difficult for a young woman in such a setting.

He truly was a terrifying man who never forgot a slight.

While warning themselves never to cross him, they cast sympathetic glances toward Mrs. Yan.

“What would it take for you to forgive me, Mr. Bo?”

Bo Jinxiu picked up an unopened bottle of white liquor from the table. “A glass won’t do. A whole bottle might.”

The crowd gaped.

A delicate woman drinking a whole bottle of strong liquor—she could die!

Yet someone was already pouring the liquor.

The bottle filled ten glasses, lined neatly on the table.

Bo Jinxiu fixed his gaze on Jiang Ciyou. “Please, Mrs. Yan.”

Jiang Ciyou thought, if a bottle of wine could sever their three-year ill-fated connection, it was a fair trade.

She walked up, took one of the glasses. “Mr. Bo, your word is your bond. When I finish these, our grievances are settled, and you’ll discard your prejudice against Yan Group, giving us a fair chance at competition.”

“Of course.” His voice carried a hint of pleasure.

Jiang Ciyou raised her glass, about to drink.

Just then, someone whispered nearby.

“Mrs. Yan is truly a heroine—beautiful and bold. But her husband is useless.”

“Exactly. Letting a woman take the fall while he keeps quiet, acting like a kept man.”

“Mrs. Yan is fighting for Yan Group, while he acts as if it’s none of his concern.”

“He doesn’t even defend his own wife—not a man at all.”

These comments reached Yan Feng’s ears loud and clear.

His face alternated between pale and flushed.

Why couldn’t these people tell that this was Jiang Ciyou’s mess?

But Yan Feng still had his pride as a man.

He snatched the wineglass from Jiang Ciyou’s hand.

“She is my wife. The mistake was hers, but I am willing to apologize to Fourth Young Master Bo on her behalf. I’ll drink these for her.”

He expected Bo Jinxiu to refuse.

Unexpectedly, Bo Jinxiu replied coolly, “Young Master Yan, you are indeed a good husband.”

“Go ahead.”