After Breaking Up, I Married the Dying Tycoon in a Flash
Chapter 13: Unpresentable

Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Unpresentable

The man’s aloof and distinguished features grew even colder, a faint smile played at the corners of his lips as he, with a touch of graciousness, answered the phone amid Li Sihe’s relentless paging.

Li Sihe had no idea that the person he had gathered the courage to call was not Bian Yue.

He spoke with less warmth, more gloom: "Bian Yue, I’m at Wen Jiao’s place! Why aren’t you back yet!"

Shen Jinci listened quietly, without a word.

In the Wen Family’s hall, Wen Jiao was on the verge of tears, regretting not going with Bian Yue to find Shen Jinci earlier that night.

Seeing Li Sihe’s anxious demeanor, his amiable and elegant face clouded over, Wen Jiao internally screamed for help, cursing herself for not being able to sprout wings and fly away.

Under the light, Li Sihe’s face was a mask of gloom, he gripped his phone tightly, his breathing rapid, "Bian Yue! Speak up! How long have you been away from the Li Family? Have you grown wings?!"

His words were unmistakably scolding.

But why should Bian Yue be subjected to Li Sihe’s dictates! Isn’t it because of Li Sihe that she left the Li Family?

Shen Jinci’s gaze flickered with hostility, akin to a demonic deity, no more than that.

He sneered coldly and hung up the phone.

A very faint, ice-cold laugh, but enough to make one’s blood freeze.

The call now only left a busy tone, the condescending laughter from the man earlier seemed like an illusion to Li Sihe.

But Li Sihe knew it was not.

Seeing the abrupt end to Li Sihe’s anger, Wen Jiao sensed that something was very wrong.

Just as she was about to explain herself, she saw Li Sihe’s hand holding the phone go limp, eerily calm.

Blood ran cold throughout Wen Jiao’s body in that moment.

Wen Jiao shakily began, "Shiheng... listen to me, actually..."

Before she could finish, Li Sihe dashed the phone to the floor, emitting a loud crash that stopped Wen Jiao’s explanation abruptly.

Wen Jiao suddenly admired Bian Yue, for daring to confront Li Sihe outright.

This man, although seemingly gentle and approachable, possessed an aura, once released, that left others powerless to retaliate.

Li Sihe slowly turned his face toward Wen Jiao, his expression unreadable.

"Wen Jiao, tell me, will Bian Yue come back tonight?"

Unlike his usual aggressive demeanor, he almost spoke softly and gently, his words accompanied by a gentle smile.

But this smile only made Wen Jiao’s legs weaken with fear.

Wen Jiao knew she could likely no longer hide the truth, but out of loyalty to her friend as solid as a mountain, tried to cover for Bian Yue, "Bian Yue just went out to clear her mind! Shiheng, don’t overthink it, you had a fight recently, it’s understandable that Bian Yue is upset!"

Li Sihe moved closer to Wen Jiao, his voice growing softer, "Clear her mind? With a man?"

Wen Jiao didn’t know how Li Sihe had inferred the involvement of another man, she thought maybe Bian Yue had said something unpleasant on the phone.

"That’s just Bian Yue’s unilateral view! How could Bian Yue seek out men!" Wen Jiao could only force a laugh.

"The call just now wasn’t answered by Bian Yue, I heard a man’s laughter."

Li Sihe said indifferently.

Wen Jiao’s smile froze, cursing Bian Yue inwardly for her carelessness!

Li Sihe’s tone grew even colder, "What does she need a man for? To spite me by sleeping with another?"

Terrified, Wen Jiao looked up urgently, "Shiheng... Bian Yue... Bian Yue went to see Shen Jinci, she needed his help with something!"

The memory of that night, the name ’Bian Yue’ from Shen Jinci’s lips, was vivid in Li Sihe’s mind.

His heart turned icy, fingertips chilling, his voice was cold, "Where did they go?"

Wen Jiao, on the verge of tears, "I don’t know exactly where they went, I really don’t!"

Li Sihe turned and strode towards the exit, a cold air trailing behind him.

Wen Jiao heard Li Sihe command the subordinates at the entrance, "Search! Find out where Shen Jinci is."

The leading Bai Xu’s face paled, disregarding Wen Jiao’s presence, directly challenging Li Sihe, "Young Master, directly investigating Shen Jinci—might this affect the relationship between our families?"

Li Sihe paused, his gaze towards Bai Xu had bloodshot menacing in his eyes, he was smiling, but the inner agitation was evident, he said, "To hell with the relationship between the families! Search! Now!"

Wen Jiao was petrified.

Who would believe that Young Master Li, always smiling without depth in his eyes, his emotions never surfacing, would lose his temper in her presence late at night.

This night, Xiangjiang was destined to be restless.

But Bian Yue slept peacefully, waking up to a bright morning.

She came out of the bedroom, her head still foggy from drink.

It was only when she saw the living room, Shen Jinci sitting on the sofa back turned towards her.

Dressed simply in a white shirt, his mere silhouette was alluring, he hadn’t turned around, probably hearing her footsteps, he casually said, "Woken up? Have something to eat."

Only then did Bian Yue shift her gaze from Shen Jinci, noticing the rosewood table laden with breakfast.

He had prepared so much.

Bian Yue marveled, "How can two people finish all this?"

Despite her words, she walked over to sit opposite Shen Jinci.

Among the assortment of exquisite Eastern and Western breakfast options, Bian Yue chose what seemed like the most humble bowl of tofu pudding and began to eat.

"Do you always eat this lavishly in the morning?" The tofu pudding was sweet, to her satisfaction Bian Yue took several more sips, not forgetting to critique, "Last year when I traveled to the Mainland, I tried the salty kind, it was even tastier than this."

Shen Jinci asked how it was made?

Bian Yue said it’s like replacing sugar with soy sauce and shrimp, and adding chili peppers.

Shen Jinci raised an eyebrow quietly, watching Bian Yue eat sweetly, a smile flashing in his eyes, acknowledging her statement.

The atmosphere between the two was just right when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Bian Yue thought it was someone looking for Shen Jinci. Seeing the man leisurely drinking coffee, she kindly said, "Someone is looking for you, aren’t you going to answer the door?"

Shen Jinci put down his coffee, half-smiling at Bian Yue, "Perhaps, they are here for you?"

The knocking continued relentlessly, growing more urgent.

Bian Yue was initially stunned, then jolted into action, quickly finishing her tofu pudding and grabbing her phone that had been left on the sofa all night.

Miss Wen Jiao had sent countless messages.

The messages spanned a duration, each rich in content.

Wen Jiao said: "Bian Yue, Li Sihe has come to my place! Hurry and answer his call to fend him off!"

Wen Jiao said: "Li Sihe knows you went to see Shen Jinci, now he’s searching the whole city for you!"

Wen Jiao said: "You absolutely must not let Li Sihe know that you spent the night with Shen Jinci! Otherwise, if he insists you’ve cheated, the Li Family will devour you alive! They’ll have even more reason to withhold your inheritance!"

Bian Yue read the last message several times.

Bian Yue’s hands shook as she clutched her phone tightly, looking at Shen Jinci with a trembling, anxious voice, "Li Sihe is looking for me."

Shen Jinci’s expression was calm, "I’ll answer the door."

Bian Yue, frightened, grabbed his hand as she did at that banquet, as if clutching a lifeline.

Bian Yue said: "I can’t let Li Sihe know I spent the night with you!"

Shen Jinci’s eyes and voice remained cool and indifferent, "Do you think I am someone disreputable?"

Bian Yue at first didn’t quite understand the emotion in Shen Jinci’s words.

Disreputable?

Their relationship, no matter what, surely doesn’t need such a romantic term, right?

A clear-headed adult like Shen Jinci, how could he not see whether his interest was in profit or in emotion?

She was only seeking a transactional relationship.

Bian Yue slowly released her grip from Shen Jinci’s wrist; amidst the rapid knocking, she made a quick decision, "I’ll hide in the room. If Li Sihe asks, Mr. Shen, you tell him I left last night."

Shen Jinci watched Bian Yue hastily distancing herself from him.

They had just had a heartfelt talk last night.

Shen Jinci thought she could feel his sincerity and gentleness, but it seemed to Bian Yue it was all just business.

Those drunken confessions were merely emotional plays.

He understood Bian Yue’s concerns, yet he felt an unusual and indescribable surge of complex emotions welling up inside him.

"Mr. Shen..." Bian Yue seemed pleading.

Shen Jinci’s expression was cool and detached, his voice revealed nothing as he said: "Go hide properly."

Bian Yue feared that Shen Jinci would change his mind the next second, and hurriedly ran to the bedroom.

Shen Jinci watched as Bian Yue’s figure disappeared at the doorway, then he stood up and walked towards the source of the knocks.

The door opened, and all noises abruptly stopped.

"Mr. Shen, good morning."

"Mr. Li, good morning."

Their eyes met, both men exchanging greetings, neither looking pleased.

Li Sihe felt numbness in his palms, yet smirked coldly at Shen Jinci nonchalantly: "Mr. Shen, may I come in for a sit?"

"Not convenient," Shen Jinci’s tone was cold.

Li Sihe glanced toward the living room, empty.

Yet on that pearwood table, one side had a coffee cup, the other a cleaned-up dining box.

Li Sihe felt his heart plunge into an abyss, the last bit of hope vanishing at that moment.

He was immensely angry, feeling a sharp pain in his chest.

"Indeed not convenient," Li Sihe sneered, eyeing Shen Jinci with intense hostility that quickly turned back to calm, "Enjoy your meal, Mr. Shen. I shouldn’t have come."

Shen Jinci looked at him calmly, distantly: "You indeed shouldn’t have come."

Bian Yue stayed in the bedroom, nervously waiting for a while, until the bedroom door opened and Shen Jinci stood in the doorway.

His figure was backlit, giving him a faint halo, softening his aloof demeanor.

He said, "Li Sihe has left."

Bian Yue sighed in relief, repeatedly apologizing for the trouble, saying she needed to return home.

Shen Jinci watched Bian Yue pack her bag, then rose to bid her farewell.

She said: "You were right, even if I completely get my parents’ money, I don’t have the capability to protect such a large sum. This needs a long-term plan, thank you Mr. Shen for your advice! Goodbye, Mr. Shen!"

It turned out to be just like a lesson in financial planning.

Shen Jinci tugged at the corner of his lips, a faint smile on his face, saying: "Bian Yue, you say you want to plan for the long term, but a person can’t cover all bases, to keep your parents’ possessions, you have to make some sacrifices."

After speaking, he looked uncomfortable, covering his mouth as he coughed lowly, then opened his hand revealing a palm full of blood.

Bian Yue, puzzled by all she heard and now seeing Shen Jinci coughing up blood, panicked, "Why are you vomiting blood!"

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