Yan Xia prevaricated, "Maybe it's because of Third Brother. Now that I've fallen out with him, she no longer has to give me face."
Fang Jiangyi stared at her intently for a while before finally speaking.
"Stay away from them from now on. Except for occasions where you have to put on an act, don't meet them privately."
There was a commanding tone in his words.
To be honest, since they started dating, Fang Jiangyi had basically never interfered in Yan Xia's private affairs. Their relationship didn't seem like that of lovers but more like that of unfamiliar relatives.
Yan Xia obediently agreed, "I understand."
Fang Jiangyi seemed to have something to say to her but hesitated.
"Do you have some grudge against Third Brother?" Yan Xia suddenly asked.
She sensitively noticed that Fang Jiangyi's mood changed for a moment. It seemed her guess was correct. Both Fang Jiangyi and Lu Qianzhou were hiding something from her. It wasn't just for the so - called business competition. There must be other reasons behind it.
Fang Jiangyi asked, "Why do you suddenly ask this?"
"I just feel that you two have always been at odds. Actually, it's a bit of a hassle for me in the middle." She sighed slightly. "Actually, Third Brother and I have always had a good relationship. Even affected by the Lu family, I never thought we would fall out. So I don't want the two people I care about to keep secrets from me."
She stared at Fang Jiangyi's expression, not missing any subtle change on his face.
But Fang Jiangyi suddenly laughed, "Do you think it's me who can't let go? It's him who has been brooding."
Yan Xia was extremely eager, waiting for him to continue.
"You won't understand." Fang Jiangyi said meaningfully. He lowered his head to adjust his watch. "Lu Sheng, you'll know in the future that some things are not about right or wrong. There's simply no answer."
None of them could say that their hands were absolutely clean.
Suddenly, as if Yan Xia thought of something, she said, "Is it like what happened between you and the Cheng family?"
Fang Jiangyi looked up at her.
"I don't know much about what happened between you and the Cheng family. I only know that you had a deep - rooted relationship with Cheng Yanxi. The once - prosperous Cheng family declined overnight, and you took over the Shengshi Group. Do you know how many conspiracy theories there are outside criticizing you?"
She stood up and paced slowly, "I've heard of Cheng Hua before. He's very capable and shrewd. How could he suddenly be found embezzling public funds and even taking bribes? Doesn't it seem strange?"
Fang Jiangyi remained calm throughout.
"How much do you know about the Cheng family? Do you know how rich the Cheng family is?" Fang Jiangyi frowned deeply. "Do you know how much wealth Cheng Hua has amassed secretly over the years? He's just a chamber of commerce president. Why do so many people fawn on him? He deserved his punishment. He's not worthy of sympathy."
Yan Xia was shocked when she heard his words.
She used to be a carefree young lady and never had to worry about such things. She never thought about the source of the family's wealth. If what Fang Jiangyi said was true, then Cheng Hua was not innocent at all.
"What about the other members of the Cheng family? You once said that you never loved Cheng Yanxi. Then why did you be with her? Was it really just to get ahead and take over everything of the Cheng family?" She was really confused.
Fang Jiangyi's movements paused for a moment.
"Is that what you think of me?"
Yan Xia said, "You never tell me anything. I have to ask you myself."
"I can only tell you that I had my reasons for doing all this. I never hurt any member of the Cheng family."
How could he say such words with a straight face? Even if Cheng Hua was not clean and deserved his punishment, what about her sister and herself? Her sister still hadn't woken up. Maybe it was fate, or maybe it was man - made.
And she, Cheng Yanxia, was now wanted and on the run.
All this was thanks to him. How could he say that he never hurt any member of the Cheng family?
Thinking of the last time she saw her sister, Yan Xia's face turned cold. "What about Cheng Yanxia? I heard that she had been studying abroad and only came back after the Cheng family's downfall. She should be innocent."
Fang Jiangyi said, "It's easier to find her with the help of the police. I need to find her."
Yan Xia disagreed, "Doing so will only backfire. Who would dare to show up and throw themselves into the net after knowing they're wanted?"
She didn't know what Fang Jiangyi wanted to do with her. Whether it was to silence her or frame her with false charges, in any case, she wouldn't believe his lies anymore.
Fang Jiangyi insisted, "As long as a person is alive, they won't disappear completely. They will show up one day."
Suddenly, he changed the subject, "You seem very interested in the Cheng family's affairs."
Yan Xia smiled, "I'm interested in everything about your past. It's not about anyone in particular."
Fang Jiangyi took a deep breath and said, "Curiosity killed the cat. The more you know, the more dangerous it is. You'll be involved in many things. You'll understand later. For now, you just need to do your job well."
He had arranged everything properly.
Maybe he noticed that the conversation between them was a bit stiff and the atmosphere was strange.
Yan Xia changed to a more relaxed topic.
"Although Zeling Jewelry is a new brand, it has been growing rapidly in the past two years. How's the acquisition going?"
"The formalities are almost in place."
Like a little girl longing for beautiful jewelry, Yan Xia suddenly looked up at him with eager eyes.
"So, now that you've acquired a new jewelry brand, shouldn't you give your girlfriend some gifts?"
Fang Jiangyi was slightly stunned and hesitated, "I thought you lacked nothing. And I don't know what you like."
He actually had no experience in this regard.
If it were Peng Shiyi, he could just perfunctorily deal with her. But now, facing Lu Sheng, he felt at a loss and more cautious.
"How could a girl dislike having too many jewelry and accessories? I like collecting these things very much. The fact that you don't know what I like is not an excuse for not giving me gifts. It means you didn't put your heart into it. The most important thing is the thought. And you used to prepare gifts for Peng Shiyi."
Fang Jiangyi was momentarily speechless, "It's different..."
Yan Xia looked up and laughed, "Then I'll punish you to go shopping with me another day and visit the Zeling Jewelry store. I'm also curious about what kind of jewelry brand could make you personally come forward for the acquisition."
With a bit of a girl's coquetry, she seemed really happy.
Fang Jiangyi's heart skipped a beat, "Okay. You set the time."
"By the way, how's Uncle? I heard that he used to be a businessman. Now that he's out of prison, will he join Shengshi and participate in decision - making with you?"
Fang Jiangyi pondered, "He's still recuperating. I'll respect whatever decision he makes."