Chapter 229: The Abnormal Couple

With the work matters finished, Shi Youxuan returned to her room to call Jian Yining.

It only rang once before Jian Yining answered immediately, his familiar, joyful voice coming from the other end: "Yingzi, is that you, Yingzi? Hahahaha, I'm not dreaming, am I? You finally decided to reach out to me on your own?"

At first, he had also thought Shi Youxuan was dead, and he had been heartbroken for several years.

It wasn't until two years ago when Zhu Yiwen contacted him that he learned Shi Youxuan was not dead, and that she had married the richest man in L Country, Zhu Yiwen, and become Lady Zhu.

The two had a daughter; although Shi Youxuan did not say whose daughter it was, Zhu Yiwen had shown him a photo of Shi Ran.

Just by those eyes, Jian Yining knew the child was Sheng Hanyu's.

Although knowing Shi Youxuan was alive made him very happy—the kind of happy that was ecstatic.

But the fact that it took Shi Youxuan three years to contact him, and not even by her own hand, but by having Zhu Yiwen reach out to him, hurt Jian Yining's pride.

However, he could understand it.

Back then, Jian Yixin had found Shi Youxuan and lied, claiming it was he who had given her the address; in Shi Youxuan's heart, he was a traitor, so the fact that she could take the initiative to contact him still showed that she considered him a friend!

Now that Shi Youxuan had called him on her own, did it mean she was no longer angry about what happened five years ago?

Jian Yining was still the same—enthusiastic, lively, and humorous; the two hadn't been in touch for a long time, yet there was no sense of estrangement, and they chatted very well over the phone.

Originally, Shi Youxuan had wanted to remind him to strengthen his security and be careful not to fall into the traps of Feiying and the others.

After all, a tall tree catches the wind, and Jian Yining's reputation in the local area was resounding; he was filthy rich.

But before she could start, Jian Yining said: "Yingzi, I heard that you and your daughter were kidnapped a while ago. Are you both okay?"

She chided him: "Hmph! When did you hear about that? It's been so long since it happened, and you're only just thinking to ask? Are we still friends?" Although she was scolding him, it wasn't sincere; she knew why Jian Yining hadn't asked.

Even though he didn't ask, and even though they were far apart, he had always been concerned for her... and her daughter!

"I wanted to ask, but I didn't dare reach out to you," Jian Yining said truthfully. "I was afraid you wouldn't want to see me, wouldn't want to talk to me, and I was afraid you were still angry about what happened five years ago."

"I'm not. You are my best friend. You were in the past, you are now, and you will be in the future—always good friends."

That one sentence made Jian Yining both happy and sad.

With the good friends back in touch, the matter of meeting naturally made it onto the agenda.

The itinerary had actually been arranged long ago, but the original plan was for him to only meet with Zhu Yiwen in L Country to discuss specific business; now that the two good friends had cleared the air, they were naturally going to meet.

The Zhu Family had been preparing for two days.

They were decked out in festive decorations to welcome the honored guest!

The gates of the Zhu Family mansion were wide open, and a bright red carpet was laid from the entrance of the mansion all the way to the Castle checkpoint—the very place where Sheng Hanyu had been stuck and unable to enter before.

Huge banners were hung outside the mansion, with words of welcome written on them.

All the trees in the courtyard were draped in red and hung with colorful decorations, and red lanterns were hung everywhere.

This was the highest etiquette in L Country for welcoming an honored guest; if it weren't for the strict hierarchical regulations that could not be overstepped, Shi Youxuan would have even brought out royal cannons!

Zhu Yiwen went to the airport in person to pick up the guest, and Shi Youxuan had brought Shi Ran to the checkpoint early in the morning to wait and welcome him; the guest room was naturally all prepared.

The best guest room in the mansion.

With Jian Yining coming, this treatment compared to Sheng Hanyu's back then... was incomparable!

It was better by more than just a little; it was like heaven and earth, a world of difference!

Sheng Hanyu felt very bitter inside.

When he came, Xuanxuan wouldn't even show her face.

Now that Jian Yining was coming, she was so excited that she had spent the last few days busy with nothing but this.

She hadn't overlooked a single detail regarding food, clothing, housing, or transportation, and now she had even brought her daughter to the entrance early in the morning to pick him up; and the weather forecast even said it might rain! What if the child got soaked in the rain!

However, when he was soaked in the rain back then, he had developed a fever and almost caught pneumonia, yet Shi Ran had been completely fine.

Shi Youxuan had been almost crazy with joy, insisting that it was the good luck brought by Alisha.

Right, all the kindness Shi Youxuan was showing him now was actually for Alisha, not for him, Sheng Hanyu!

He didn't even dare let her know his identity, fearing that if she found out, he would be kicked out immediately.

The entire mansion was filled with a joyful and happy atmosphere; only Sheng Hanyu stood by the window, wallowing in self-pity, feeling sour and miserable inside.

He didn't go out; as early as last night, he had started faking an illness as an excuse not to go out.

Let him go welcome Jian Yining?

No way.

He had gone to the United States to find Jian Yining and ask for Shi Youxuan's whereabouts, and Jian Yining had played dumb even though he knew, choosing to risk bankruptcy rather than tell him; and now he wanted him to go welcome him? Not a chance.

The people who went to the airport to pick up the guest returned, and a line of Rolls-Royces slowly drove in.

Jian Yining stepped out of the car, holding the hand of Shi Ran, who was dressed up like a little flower.

Shi Ran skipped along beside Jian Yining, while Zhu Yiwen and Shi Youxuan walked alongside them; the group was chatting and laughing, the atmosphere harmonious.

"Swish—"

Sheng Hanyu pulled the curtains shut, threw himself onto the bed, and covered his head to sleep.

In the living room downstairs.

Jian Yining looked around the Zhu Family Mansion; it truly lived up to its reputation.

As expected of a family with a diamond mine, even the ceiling was inlaid with diamonds; it was wealth to the extreme!

He hadn't seen Shi Youxuan in five years, and she hadn't changed much; she was still as young and beautiful as ever.

This showed that her life over the past few years had been quite satisfactory; a woman could only remain forever young when she was in a state of happiness; if she were overly anxious and constantly plagued by trouble, even the most expensive cosmetics and skincare would be of no use.

Shi Youxuan said with a smile: "A Ning, it's not easy for you to come here; don't be in such a hurry to leave this time, stay for a few more days."

"Sure, I have no problem with that, I'm just afraid your husband won't be happy," Jian Yining joked.

He had experienced Sheng Hanyu's jealousy back then; it was as thick as a vinegar jar that had become a demon—you could smell the sourness from far away!

But Zhu Yiwen did not.

Zhu Yiwen smiled and said, "Not at all. Although there are many people in the house, they are all servants. My wife doesn't like to socialize with outsiders, and she is quite lonely herself. Since you are old friends meeting again, just stay here for a few more days and keep her company."

The way he said this seemed perfectly fine on the surface, but it just didn't sound like something a husband should say.

Jian Yining decided that when things quieted down, he would properly ask how they got along as a married couple.

He also smiled and said, "Alright, then I will respectfully accept your offer. I'll stay at your place for a few days; if you find me an eyesore, you must tell me directly. I am a dull person and cannot read the room."

If Jian Yining were dull, then there would be few smart people left in this world.

He was only being modest, and of course, there was an element of joking; no one would actually think that.

Shi Youxuan also smiled and told Jian Yining that there was someone she had originally wanted to introduce to him, a sister she had just recognized.

It was just unfortunate that her sister had fallen ill, so they couldn't meet today, but there would be plenty of time in the future, and they would eventually meet.

"What is that woman's background? Is she reliable?" Jian Yining asked, alert.

He felt that Yingzi was simple-minded, kind, and easily trusted others, and he was afraid she would be deceived.

Still worried, he added a warning: "Don't let yourself be cheated by others."

Zhu Yiwen interjected, "Rest assured, don't I still have to vet her? I have investigated Alisha's background, and there are no issues at all. Furthermore, she saved the lives of both mother and daughter, so her character is trustworthy."