Chapter 357: Jian Yining Has a Girlfriend

"Ranran has started school, and I have to go pick her up from school in a while. Since your uncle and aunt are both at home waiting for you, you should go back first. It will be the same if we meet on the day of the wedding," Shi Youxuan said.

"Oh my, the little girl has already started school?" Jian Yining exclaimed.

Recently, he had been busy with a project in A Country, so busy that he wished he could clone himself. He hadn't been in much contact with Shi Youxuan, so he hadn't expected that Shi Ran would already be in school.

Shi Youxuan said, "Yes, but it's not formal schooling yet. She's in the school's preschool class; formal enrollment won't be until September after the New Year."

Jian Yining took two exquisite boxes out of his suitcase and placed them on the table: "A gift for you and Ranran. Don't open it until Ranran gets home." Actually, he had also brought a gift for Sheng Hanyu, but the one for him wasn't packed in the suitcase; it had been sent via courier.

The person arrived home before the courier.

The gift was delivered, and Jian Yining actually wanted to stay and annoy Sheng Hanyu for a while, but his mother's and sister's phone calls kept ringing endlessly, both asking where he was.

Why hadn't he arrived home yet?

"I'll head home first. I'll be staying in Jiangzhou for a while this time I'm back, so let's keep in touch," Jian Yining said to Shi Youxuan, but he deliberately raised his voice so that Sheng Hanyu would hear it clearly.

"Okay." Her good friend was back, and Shi Youxuan was also very happy.

When Jian Yining left, he signaled for Shi Youxuan to see him off.

The two reached the elevator entrance, and Jian Yining pointed at the door and asked, "What's the situation inside? Have you and Hanyu Ge made up?"

"No, don't talk nonsense," Shi Youxuan denied.

Then he pointed at himself: "You aren't with Hanyu Ge because you're waiting for me?"

"Of course not." Shi Youxuan didn't hesitate at all when she denied it. This attitude made Jian Yining feel very hurt: "Don't be like this. At least hesitate a little bit; this makes me lose so much face."

"Fine, I'll be careful next time."

Jian Yining smiled and exposed her: "You don't need to be careful; you'll be the same next time, because that's exactly what you said last time."

"Xuanxuan, I have something I want to tell you..."

Before he could finish, the phone rang again. His sister called once more to urge him: "A Ning, where are you? How long has it been, why aren't you home yet? Mom is so anxious she wants to go pick you up."

Jian Yining had no choice but to tell the truth: "Don't let Mom come out. I stopped by Xuanxuan's place to see her on the way; I'm already out, and I'll be back immediately."

From the airport to Shi Youxuan's house was not on the way at all.

Jian Yixin didn't expose her brother either and agreed, "Okay, we'll wait for you at home."

He entered the elevator, and Shi Youxuan turned back. She got a fright upon entering the house.

Sheng Hanyu was standing at the doorway, standing straight as a ramrod, like a door god!

"What are you doing? Standing here to ward off evil spirits?" Shi Youxuan said crossly.

He closed the door and followed behind her: "Don't go wandering around these few days. The bad guys haven't been caught yet, so you can't let your guard down. You must take me with you wherever you go; I have to ensure your safety."

If Jian Yining hadn't just come by, she might have believed him.

Shi Youxuan flared up: "How many days has it been? You have so many people, why can't you even catch one tail? Does this person even exist or not? Or did you find this person yourself?"

Sheng Hanyu swore that this person definitely existed... no, not one, but a whole group!

These days, because his people were protecting her well, those people were scared and went into hiding.

But now, one must absolutely not be careless; perhaps if they relaxed even a little, those people would seize the opportunity to exploit a loophole.

The Jian Family.

The dining room was filled with laughter and joy, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

The large dining table was covered with delicious food, with over twenty dishes, all made by Lady Jian herself, but only the family of four sat around the table.

According to the customs of Jiangzhou, the bride and groom cannot meet for half a month before the wedding. The wedding was the day after tomorrow, so even though Jian Yining had returned today, Sheng Zerong could not attend the Jian family dinner.

"A Ning, when are you moving the company back?" Jian Yixin asked.

Ever since Jian Yining restored his relationship with the family, this topic had become as frequent as "A Ning, when are you bringing a girlfriend home?"

He said, "As soon as possible."

Tianma Group was very different now compared to five years ago.

Five years ago, Tianma was mainly focused on finance, and industry had just begun.

But after five years of rapid development, Tianma Group was now a true financial conglomerate, with businesses spanning real estate, mining, tourism...

Such a large operation couldn't just be moved away at will.

Furthermore, if he were to move it back, there was another very realistic problem that couldn't be ignored.

Jiangzhou was only so big, and now Dingsheng, the Sheng Family, and the Jian Family had already formed a tripartite balance of power.

How would Tianma be positioned if it returned?

The three families had already formed a balance over the years, cooperating and supporting each other, playing to their strengths and avoiding weaknesses.

If the Tianma headquarters moved back to Jiangzhou, it would inevitably break the existing pattern and require a new plan.

Everyone had deeply intertwined relationships; if the balance were broken, it would easily lead to chaos, which was the main reason Jian Yining kept delaying moving Tianma back!

But he couldn't bear to tell his parents the truth when faced with their eager gazes, so he always used "as soon as possible" or "I'm busy right now" to stall.

"A Ning..."

Lady Jian hesitated to speak.

Without her saying it out loud, her husband and children could all guess what she wanted to say.

"When are you bringing a girlfriend home?"

"When are you bringing a girlfriend home?"

"When are you bringing a girlfriend home?"

The three said in unison, then burst into laughter together.

Lady Jian laughed along with them; that's right, that was exactly what she wanted to ask.

"I'll bring her back next time. She has a very urgent case and really can't get away," Jian Yining said with a smile.

Jian Fu:...

Lady Jian:...

Jian Yixin:...

The air suddenly went quiet; the three of them widened their eyes and opened their mouths, shocked beyond measure.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You don't think I'm fooling you again, do you?"

That was correct; the family members indeed thought exactly that.

Lady Jian asked cautiously: "A Ning, do you really have a girlfriend?"

"Mm."

"Then show me a photo so I can see."

Jian Yining could not produce one: "There are no photos. Won't it be fine if I just bring her back next time? You've waited all these years, so waiting a little longer won't hurt."

Consequently, everyone stopped talking; the air remained quiet, but it became stifling.

Lady Jian was silent for a short while, but she still could not hold back.

She said to her son: "A Ning, I will no longer oppose you being with Shi Youxuan."

Jian Yining:...

In the past, when he liked Shi Youxuan, his mother had always opposed it because Shi Youxuan was Sheng Hanyu's wife.

At that time, she was not only Sheng Hanyu's wife but also Jian Yixin's love rival; it was already messy enough, and if Jian Yining were to get involved as well, it would be too chaotic to look at.

Later, when Shi Youxuan returned, although she had nothing to do with Sheng Hanyu anymore, she had children!

How could Lady Jian agree to let her son, whom she cherished like a pearl or a treasure, marry a woman who had been married twice and had children?

She firmly disagreed, yet she was afraid of driving her son away again; this complex state of mind was directly reflected in her actions, leaving Jian Yining feeling both heartbroken and helpless.

Originally, she had been firmly opposed, yet at this moment, she suddenly compromised.

Lady Jian sighed: "Although she has children, I have seen that child; she is clever and mischievous, and quite likable. As long as she has no further entanglements with Sheng Hanyu in the future, if you are willing to marry her, then marry her."

It was as if, provided Jian Yining were willing to marry, Shi Youxuan would necessarily agree to wed.