Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Fluttering Heart Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Fluttering Heart Jiang Yisen felt his heart stir.
He had never had such a direct emotional response before, the kind that made his heart flutter. Always playing the field, passing through a sea of flowers without a single one sticking to him, this level of purity actually reminded him of the thrill of meeting his first love back in his school days.
Seeing her walk away, Jiang Yisen finally retracted his gaze and glanced over at Fang Minghe, whose eyes were still fixed in that direction.
Jiang Yisen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke from between his thin lips, the glowing red ember tossed to the ground and crushed under the heel of his shoe. With one hand casually in his pocket, he leaned back lazily against the hood of the car, “Mr. Fang, do you know that girl?”
“Which one?” Fang Minghe also turned his gaze back, sounding puzzled.
“The one in the white dress.”
“Don’t know her.” Fang Minghe wasn’t interested in what dress someone was wearing. He just wanted to find the spokesperson he was fond of. As luck would have it, she had agreed to an audition and the contract had been signed, saving him the trouble of arranging to meet with her next week to discuss this matter. Why not talk about it right here and now?
Jiang Yisen gave him a strange look. If you don’t know her, why keep staring? Don’t think he missed the flash of delight in his eyes. For someone his age, he’s not at all composed.
His lips curved slightly, seeing him eager to chase after her. Maybe he was smitten at first sight too?
After thinking for a moment, he said, “Seeing how eager you are to go over there, shall I join you? We can also discuss our cooperation further. Working with the Jian Family won’t leave you at a loss.”
Fang Minghe: “…”
As if that’s what he was thinking.
Was it just to pull him into opposing Bao Yan?
Businessmen can’t afford to neglect one aspect in favor of another. He didn’t want to offend Bao Yan, as that would not benefit him.
The Fang Group had always stayed neutral between the Jiang Family and the Bao Family, neither fawning nor distancing themselves without cause.
Cooperating with both sides was so much more appealing.
His handsome face remained expressionless, cold as ice: “No need, no talks, no negotiations.”
Jiang Yisen: “…”
Such a tough old guy to deal with! No wonder he’s nearly thirty and still single, no sense of romance!
He took a deep breath. The Fang Group had always been an important business partner to him, but their interests weren’t yet so closely tied that they were in the same boat. He could collaborate with the Jian Family as well as with the Bo Family.
Jiang Yisen hadn’t intended to take down the Bao Family completely, but they had dared to reach out to the Jian Family’s company.
Did they really think he was a pushover?
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit another one, and made up his mind: “How about this, you seem quite interested in that girl just now, how about I help you win her over?”
In the face of the company’s future.
The allure of a moment’s infatuation was not worth mentioning.
Fang Minghe: “?”
Jiang Yisen, the notorious playboy, sure lived up to his reputation, with nothing but women on his mind.
Did he think everyone was like him, fond of romantic dalliances?
“No thanks, I can handle it myself.”
Now it was Jiang Yisen’s turn to be surprised.
How could someone as romantically inept as him win over a woman?
Jiang Yisen’s smile was wicked, the smoke dispersing in the air as he narrowed his eyes slightly: “Well then, I look forward to seeing your skills.”
“Please entertain us, Mr. Fang, during this long, tedious night. We need some amusement to pass the time.”
Fang Minghe originally came to Fenglin Villa to discuss a partnership, but was relentlessly pursued by Jiang Yisen, so he could only move up the meeting to tomorrow. With nothing else on, he figured he might as well take a look.
Jiang Yisen followed him nonchalantly, one trailing behind the other.
…
Open-air lawn
The place was vast, bordering the sea, and not far away stood houses constructed of wood, surrounded by flowers and plants with colorful lights hanging from the eaves. The area outside the wooden houses was filled with large patches of red roses.
The atmosphere was quite romantic.
A bright moon hung in the night sky, its silver light spreading across the sea surface, accompanying the waves as they lapped the sandy shore, bursting into frothy white foam as beautiful as the Milky Way, with a warm breeze carrying the faint scent of the sea.
Fenglin Villa was indeed a great place for a vacation, with several barbecue grills set up on the shallow beach.
Chu Muxi had organized the barbecue at the spot with the best view, with rose bushes right behind.
By then, Jiang Jingcheng and the others had already arrived.
Dressed casually in shirts and trousers.
He sat in a beach chair, with an expensive bottle of red wine on the table beside him. Jiang Hemian was also with him, the two seemingly chatting over red wine.
Jiang Zhouye was somewhat distanced from the barbecue grill, probably to avoid the smoke irritating his already fragile throat. He wore a floral shirt and beach shorts, sitting on a chair and browsing his phone.
Jiang Yunchuan, however, was full of enthusiasm, donning an apron and taking on the role of barbecue master. But he clearly lacked skill, having charred several skewers in front of him.
Jiang Leyi, losing her patience, pulled him away to take over, while Chu Muxi, who couldn’t stand the smell, watched from the side.
Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, who had gone to rest, appeared in a wooden house with large windows at the back, along with Chu Xin. The three of them seemed to be chatting, but Mrs. Jiang was not in high spirits, and after being scolded by her, Mr. Jiang was a bit reluctant to engage with Chu Xin.
But Chu Xin was just too talkative, and he could only awkwardly chime in with a few words. Even his drink had been switched to orange juice, and he had gone out of his way to buy a coconut juice for Mrs. Jiang, always thinking that her anger was due to not having the sweet coconut juice. But… it seemed she got even more upset after the purchase and wouldn’t say a word to him.
The scene was quite lively.
Yang Jiashu, who enjoyed joining in the fun, saw Jiang Yunchuan waving at him: “Yun Chuan.”
Jiang Yunchuan looked up and motioned with his hand: “Jiashu, you’ve come at the right time. Come and try my grilled skewers. Yiyi said they tasted bad, but I learned from the barbecue master.”
The real barbecue master was grilling at another spot; this area was essentially for these young masters and mistresses to practice and play with, not for them to truly get hands-on.
Upon seeing the burnt mess in front of him, Yang Jiashu fell silent: “What is this?”
Jiang Yunchuan frowned: “Beef! Can’t you tell?”
Yang Jiashu: “…If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you put the charcoal in the plate.”
Now it was Jiang Yunchuan’s turn to be lost for words; he had worked hard for half an hour.
“Jiashu, long time no see,” a soft female voice spoke up.
Yang Jiashu turned to see Chu Muxi and gave a polite smile: “Long time no see.”
She took the opportunity to turn to Lu Qingyan, with a gentle smile on her refined face: “Ah Yan, long time no see.”
Lu Qingyan, with a cool gaze, nodded at her as a greeting.
Chu Muxi chuckled and shook her head playfully: “You’re still the same as before. You seem easy to get along with, but you’re very cold-hearted. If you keep this up, Nanshu won’t chase after you, she’ll be discouraged by your coldness.”
“It’s just as well that Grandpa Lu arranged this marriage for you, otherwise it would be tough for you to find a wife.”
Jiang Nanshu was utterly dumbfounded. When it came to verbal finesse, no one beat Chu Muxi.
With a joking tone, she brought up the two things Lu Qingyan disliked the most.
[666, you’re truly a master of language, knowing that Lu Qingyan hates being chased by me and still mentioning it in his presence, aware of his strong aversion to being forced into a marriage, yet emphasizing it. Standing right here, I can feel the waves of animosity, tsk, this feeling… is just too awesome!]