Chapter 219
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Chapter 219 Flickering Fire
“No.” Song Xuejiao flatly rejected the driver’s suggestion. Although the suggestion seemed quite effective.
“My relationship with Jiang Yibo faces opposition within the Jiang family. If I tell him this news now and it reaches the ears of other family members, they will do everything to obstruct us. They would be delighted to ruin Jiang Yibo’s mood.”
“I just don’t understand. Young Master Yibo is a prominent figure among the Jiang family’s third generation. Why does he face so much resistance just to get married?”
“The larger the family, the more intense the conflicts. Even when facing external enemies, they won’t stand united.” Song Xuejiao smoothed her hair, and even this simple gesture appeared incredibly alluring.
“I still don’t understand.” The driver looked troubled. “I’m glad I’m just an ordinary person. Otherwise, my brain would be fried from all these schemes and intrigues every day.”
“Currently, Jiang Yibo is abroad, nominally in charge of all the Jiang family’s overseas business. It seems like he’s being utilized well, but he can barely return to the country once or twice a year. He wouldn’t even know if the sky fell down here.”
Song Xuejiao suddenly lost interest in talking and gazed at the slowly moving steel traffic flow outside the window. A sense of melancholy gradually welled up in her heart.
Every time she returned to this city, it gave her a different feeling.
“Bikang… Bikang…” Song Xuejiao muttered while making a phone call.
Since she was back, it was time to get straight to the point!
Lin Aoxue was drinking flower tea at her desk while Su Rui sat comfortably on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
“You used so many resources and spent so much money just to help me take revenge on the Song family?”
Lin Aoxue’s finger trembled slightly.
So, all the things she had done hadn’t escaped his notice. This annoying guy knew everything.
Su Rui opened his eyes, looked at the nearly expressionless Lin Aoxue, and said with a smile: “I didn’t realize I held such an important place in your heart.”
Once certain things are spoken aloud, they lose their romantic feeling. For instance, right now, Lin Aoxue wanted to throw her hot tea in Su Rui’s face.
“I didn’t do it for you. It has nothing to do with you.” Lin Aoxue’s voice remained calm.
Su Rui chuckled: “Actually, if you don’t say it and I don’t say it, we both know the truth. It’s not yet time to break this thin veil between us.”
Lin Aoxue lowered her head, clasped her hands together, and said softly: “I want to…”
“What do you want to do?”
“I want to strangle you.”
The two continued their banter, finding enjoyment in it. Lin Aoxue had discovered that although Su Rui always managed to irritate her, she would feel strange if they didn’t interact this way for a day.
It was like a slow-acting poison, causing those affected to sink deeper without realizing it.
Though Su Rui was smiling outwardly, he felt touched inside. How could he not be moved when a woman quietly did so much for him?
The all-out war between Bikang and Tianxiang Group would have a huge impact on the entire industry. One misstep could lead to complete destruction. Lin Aoxue had risked Bikang’s future just to avenge him!
After feeling touched, Su Rui sighed softly, realizing that his already indefinite high-difficulty mission had been extended indefinitely.
Just then, Lin Aoxue’s phone rang. Seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen, she hesitated before answering.
“Sister Aoxue, long time no see. This is Song Xuejiao. I wonder if you remember me.” Song Xuejiao spoke with a silvery laugh that was quite pleasant. From her laughter, it was impossible to tell her mood.
Hearing Song Xuejiao’s name, Lin Aoxue frowned slightly and asked coldly: “What can I do for you?”
Lin Aoxue was familiar with Song Xuejiao’s name. They had met at some industry association meetings a couple of years ago. However, due to the Song family’s deplorable behavior, Lin Aoxue had essentially blacklisted them all in her mind.
“Aoxue, I haven’t been back to Ninghai for a long time. I’ve heard that there’s been a misunderstanding between Bikang and Tianxiang Group. If you’re free tonight, perhaps we could have dinner together.”
Song Xuejiao’s voice was pleasant, and she adopted a humble attitude. Of course, a party at a disadvantage would be foolish to maintain a tough stance.
“There’s no misunderstanding between us.” Lin Aoxue was direct. She had no interest in accepting Song Xuejiao’s olive branch. Some things had already happened and couldn’t be changed. Some feelings had been hurt and couldn’t be repaired. Some wars, once started, had no reason to stop.
The war between Bikang and Tianxiang Group had begun abruptly, without any warning, but Lin Aoxue had ample reason.
It was simply because, in her eyes, the Song father and son had become enemies.
And there was no reason to show mercy to enemies.
“Don’t hang up.”
Lin Aoxue had no desire to talk with Song Xuejiao and was about to hang up when Su Rui suddenly took the phone from her.
Lin Aoxue didn’t mind this action. In certain situations, she had gradually begun to get used to the feeling of Su Rui making decisions for her.
Being alone for too long can be tiring.
“Hello, Song Xuejiao.” Su Rui said with a smile.
“Who is this?” Song Xuejiao’s eyes showed wariness. She knew that Lin Aoxue generally didn’t associate with any men, except for her father.
When Song Tianxiang called Song Xuejiao back, he hadn’t told her exactly what had happened, so she naturally didn’t know about Su Rui’s existence.
“You can call me Su Rui.”
“Mr. Su, may I ask what your relationship is with Aoxue?” Song Xuejiao tried to suppress the questions and displeasure in her heart.
Being coldly rejected by Lin Aoxue and then having this man rudely interrupt, she was naturally unhappy.
“What am I to her?” Su Rui raised his eyebrows. “I am her man.”
Hearing this, Lin Aoxue almost dropped her cup on the floor.
Song Xuejiao on the other end of the phone almost choked on her saliva—this news was too shocking. When had Lin Aoxue ever had a man? Wasn’t it widely rumored that she wasn’t interested in men?
Seeing Lin Aoxue’s expression, Su Rui smiled awkwardly and quickly corrected himself: “Well, I missed a few words. I am the man standing beside her.”
Lin Aoxue was so helpless that she simply collapsed onto the desk, burying her head in her arms. In the past, she rarely made such unserious gestures, but now it seemed that Lin Aoxue had developed many more feminine charms.
Song Xuejiao thought carefully and finally determined that Su Rui wasn’t joking: “I’m inviting Aoxue to dinner tonight. Could you please ask for her opinion, Mr. Su?”
“No need to ask.” Su Rui glanced at Lin Aoxue and said something that almost made Song Xuejiao explode: “She’s not going.”
“Can you make decisions for her?” Song Xuejiao strongly suppressed her dissatisfaction, trying to maintain a calm tone.
“Of course I can.” This time Su Rui didn’t even look at Lin Aoxue and said calmly: “I am the only man in this world who can make decisions for her.”
Hearing these words, Lin Aoxue’s mind roared. She looked at Su Rui with a complex expression, and a barely noticeable blush crept onto her face.
Song Xuejiao on the other end was clearly shocked by this response. It took her a full ten seconds to digest this information.
“I said I want to invite Aoxue to dinner. Could Mr. Su please convey my message again?” Song Xuejiao repeated.
“I already said, she’s not going.”
Su Rui said this, then suddenly changed his tone: “But I will.”
Lin Aoxue didn’t ask Su Rui why he wanted to go. After everything they’d been through, she knew he must have his reasons.
After saying this, Su Rui added another condition: “However, I’ll choose the dinner location.”
“There’s still an afternoon left, seems like I can make many preparations.” After hanging up, Su Rui narrowed his eyes slightly and dialed a number.
“Mata, this is Apollo.”
After escorting Lin Aoxue home, Su Rui drove to the Junlan Kai Hotel. Apparently, wealthy people in Ninghai liked to host guests there.
He set the dinner location at Junlan, though his purpose wasn’t clear.
After informing Song Xuejiao of the location, she immediately contacted the hotel and reserved a table, showing her sincerity.
Mentioning this hotel reminded Su Rui of Qin Yueran’s stunning legs. Last time, he had spent a night embracing this gorgeous long-legged beauty on the rooftop, which was quite a pleasant experience.
From a distance, Su Rui could already see Song Xuejiao sitting on a sofa in the lobby waiting, looking like a dancing flame.
She was dressed entirely in red, creating a stark contrast with her snow-white skin.
Like… blood on snow.
Was such a woman perhaps too intense?
Song Xuejiao also spotted Su Rui. Clearly, she didn’t think this man who had won Lin Aoxue’s heart had anything extraordinary about him. If forced to find some advantages in his appearance, one could only say his eyes were much brighter than others’.
She still doubted whether Su Rui had the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Lin family.
“You’re more beautiful than I imagined.” Su Rui smiled, appearing courteous.
“I think so too.” Song Xuejiao was quite forthright. Although her tone wasn’t particularly friendly, the smile on her face made people feel comfortable.
“Beautiful women are all confident, but you’re confident among the confident.” Upon first seeing this woman, Su Rui didn’t feel much animosity. She seemed well-mannered, exuding strong confidence, probably the type of strong, independent woman.
Otherwise, Song Tianxiang wouldn’t have called his daughter back to help at this time.
“I’ve reserved a table at the seaside viewing terrace. Let’s talk while we eat.” Song Xuejiao made a polite gesture. She didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward Su Rui either. This Song family lady was extremely confident in her figure and appearance, otherwise she wouldn’t have captivated so many wealthy young men.
But when Su Rui saw her, there was no desire in his eyes. He didn’t even let his gaze linger on certain areas.
Because of this, Song Xuejiao, who was always keenly observant, couldn’t help but detect a hint of danger—such a man would not be easy to deal with.
