Wen Jiao paused and then said, "Is Xie Zhang okay with him? People even say behind his back that he's been cursed these past two years, completely turned into another person!"
Bian Yue didn't speak.
She couldn't associate Li Sihe's elegant and noble face with that of a scheming, cunning merchant.
He was a sentimental gentleman, more suited to be trapped in the depths of love and have countless infatuated women wanting to live and die for him.
The windshield wipers rapidly swept across the glass, splashing droplets that were thrown onto the road surface.
Bian Yue leaned her head against the window and said nonchalantly, "It's all for making money, no one would call him a cunning merchant; people would only praise him for being capable."
Wen Jiao pressed the gas pedal hard, angrily glanced at Bian Yue, and her tone grew more impatient: "You're so naive! Your head is green with cuckoldry! Why do you still speak for him?"
Bian Yue pointed ahead, kindly reminded, "Stop looking at me, watch the road."
It would take Wen Jiao an hour to drive back home, and she spent the whole hour cursing by Bian Yue's ear.
Wen Jiao said, Bian Yue, wake up, Li Sihe didn't change today; he's been changed for a long time, it's just you who refuses to admit it.
Wen Jiao also said there's no need for you to feel bad, I'll introduce a few men to you soon, they may not have as much power or influence as Li Sihe, but they sure know how to charm and please. You'll be satisfied for sure.
Bian Yue rubbed her forehead and remained silent.
She thought she would suffer from insomnia at night, but surprisingly, she slept very well.
She slept until the next afternoon until Wen Jiao dragged her out of bed.
Wen Jiao threw that million-dollar red dress onto her bed and urged, "Moon Princess! We're not introducing any men today; there's a banquet tonight, and I'll take you to vent your feelings."
Bian Yue squinted her eyes, just having woken up, her mind not yet clear.
The afternoon sun streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting its light on Bian Yue's creamy white skin.
She messily tidied up her hair, earnestly asked, "Vent what feelings?"
"Don't you know? Shen Jinci is back in the country. Xie Zhang is organizing a welcoming banquet for him at Victoria Harbor, tonight," Wen Jiao paused before continuing: "Li Sihe will also be there, and his date for the night is Shi An'an."
Bian Yue didn't listen to the rest, she just heard the three words 'Shen Jinci' and started to space out.
In the social circles of Gang City, Bian Yue didn't know much about the famous nobles and tycoons, but who wouldn't recognize Shen Jinci?
He was the youngest patriarch of the Shen Family in a century.
Bian Yue remembered, when she was 16 and the Bian Family met with their downfall unnoticed by anyone, all the major media outlets were buzzing about the grand event of 23-year-old Shen Jinci becoming the youngest decision-maker of the Lixing Group.
Shen Jinci's visage was never revealed in public media, shrouded in mystery. However, Bian Yue, being in the center of the elite circles, always heard news about him.
How he performed decisive measures at Lixing Group, how he took just one year to get those troublesome, old-fashioned board members to follow his lead, earning the respect from everyone within Lixing.
Xiangjiang was once the territory of Shen, Bian, Li Families, with a tripartite balance of power. After the Bian Family went bankrupt, the Shen and Li Families annexed all of the Bian Family's assets, creating a new balance of power.
The difference was, on the Li side, 18-year-old Li Sihe was still wrapped up in academics, just starting to get involved with the family's business, and no matter how brilliant, was still inexperienced in tactics. Whereas Shen Jinci was already commanding the authority of the Shen Family, with no one daring to say a word against him.
Rumors from the outside world painted Shen Jinci as a cold-hearted strategist, resorting to any means necessary, brutally efficient, and ruthlessly clean in his methods.
Later on, at the age of 27, Shen Jinci went to Northern Europe by himself, and in just two years, he completed business expansions in over a dozen countries, finalizing the last piece of the Lixing Group's commercial puzzle.
Now, at 29, Shen Jinci sat firmly at the pinnacle of Xiangjiang society, looking down upon all common folk.
With his return to the country, the power structure of Xiangjiang was bound to undergo major changes.
"You just moved out from the Li Family, and Li Sihe immediately starts to date Shi An'an—it's a clear slap in your face!"
Wen Jiao walked up to Bian Yue, bent over, and held her face with a heartfelt concern, "Tonight, if Shi An'an steals the limelight, you, the little princess, will be put to shame!"
Bian Yue was indifferent to whether it was becoming or not—she couldn't care less about Shi An'an's status.
But...
She had to meet this Shen Jinci.
At the banquet's exclusive VIP lounge, with a shawl draped over her shoulders, Wen Jiao took the tea from the PR handler and waited for the latter to leave respectfully before opening her eyes wide in astonishment at Bian Yue.
"You're actually trying to seduce Shen Jinci? Bian Yue, Shen Jinci is not like Li Sihe or Xie Zhang! He's not just some rich playboy; he's a powerbroker. You approach him? You don't even know what he looks like!"
"You've got it all wrong!" Bian Yue helplessly explained, "Isn't the Bian Family's inheritance locked in a Swiss bank by the Li Family? I want to talk business with Shen Jinci. If he helps me get the money out, I can give him 20%."
Wen Jiao had a hunch that this deal wouldn't necessarily appeal to Shen Jinci.
The Bian Family's inheritance was indeed a staggering sum, but Shen Jinci... according to Xie Zhang, that man disliked trouble.
"Well... maybe we could try when we see him later?"
Bian Yue nodded, though she had no confidence: "If it doesn't work, so be it... I'll find another way."
Wen Jiao had seen the good days between Bian Yue and Li Sihe, she couldn't help but say, "Bian Yue... Li Sihe wouldn't just abandon you, have... have you asked him?"
Bian Yue's face was expressionless, she picked up her lipstick listlessly, and carefully painted her lips.
She said, "I would ask anyone but him."
The party was held on a cruise ship at Victoria Harbor, and when Bian Yue got out of the car, she just happened to hear the distant clock tower chime, signaling it was 6 p.m.
Bian Yue was not particularly enthusiastic, so Wen Jiao linked arms with her, chatting away as they walked toward the cruise ship.
The elevator doors opened and the air was filled with an even stronger scent of luxurious and elegant perfume.
As soon as Wen Jiao and Bian Yue appeared, the greeters at the door smiled and approached them, accurately calling out their names, and warmly inviting them in.
As the private room's door opened, they were greeted with a scene akin to a luxurious high-society drama—clothes and makeup implying a lavish lifestyle.
A display of intoxication with wealth, a wasteful display that burns to ashes.
As soon as they arrived, they were surrounded by a bevy of heiresses, like the grand finale act at a zoo.
The Wen Family was top-tier elite in Xiangjiang, with the Wen Group monopolizing nearly all cruise ship manufacturing—a top-listed company.
And Bian Yue, she was the richest young heiress in Xiangjiang.
Bian Yue was dressed in a red gown, exuding a noble and flamboyant aura. She stood out among the crowd with her stunning appearance.
Some heiresses looked on with sympathetic and ingratiating eyes, "Bian Yue! Don't be too upset..."
Of course, what was upsetting was the metaphorical grassland above their heads.
Bian Yue smiled nonchalantly, "I'm doing fine."
As she finished speaking, Shi An'an had already made her way through the crowd to stand before her.
Shi An'an held a wine glass delicately with her bare hand, her smile graceful and gentle: "Miss Bian, are you here looking for Shiheng?"
Shi An'an had indeed been spoiled by Li Sihe to the point of being lawless, but Bian Yue did not want to add to the amusement.
She linked arms with Wen Jiao and excused herself from the group of heiresses, leaving with an air of indifference.
However, just as they turned the corner in the corridor, Shi An'an caught up to them.
The three faced off, and Shi An'an radiated an even brighter smile following her 'victory': "Miss Bian, if you'd like to see Shiheng, how about I help you?"
"I'm not here for him," Bian Yue replied calmly.
Shi An'an was increasingly infuriated; Bian Yue wasn't giving her any regard. She indignantly asked, "Then whom could you possibly be here to see?"