"Mr. Shen, you may proceed to the next area," his subordinate said politely.
"The next area?!" Shen Yuliang's eyes instantly lost their luster. "I'm here to inspect the site. I shouldn't be doing this kind of menial work! Call your Young Master Bo down. I want an explanation from him!"
"You can't leave without permission."
Furious, he pushed the subordinate away. "Get out of my way!"
Seeing his subordinate being pushed to the ground, Bo Jingyu frowned and stepped forward.
"Young Master Bo, you've gone too far!" Shen Yuliang pointed at Shen Ximan behind Bo Jingyu and started shouting. "This bitch has harmed my eldest daughter, and yet you're siding with her to torture me? You're just taking revenge!"
The farmers working nearby heard the commotion and cast curious glances, pricking up their ears while continuing their tasks at a leisurely pace.
Bo Jingyu's eyes darkened. He lowered his voice and said, "Tell me. How has Man'er offended your Shen family?" He emphasized the word "your" to let Shen Yuliang know that Shen Ximan was now his woman and the second young mistress of the Bo family.
"Yu'er tried to commit suicide because of her!" Shen Yuliang's eyes turned red as if he had suffered a great injustice. "This snake-hearted girl spread some unfounded accusations on her own initiative, which drove Yu'er to a mental breakdown!"
Hearing her own father's ferocious appearance in front of so many people, Shen Ximan felt her heart sink to the bottom of the sea, cold and lifeless. If her mother were still alive, she would surely regret marrying such a man.
"So what are you trying to say?" Bo Jingyu asked coldly.
"… She has harmed our family and the Shen family. That's what I want to say. As a member of the Bo family, you should know the situation clearly," Shen Yuliang added, feeling a bit guilty for no reason.
"Since you said I'm taking revenge, I'd like to ask," he took a few steps forward and looked at Shen Yuliang disdainfully. "When did Man'er get the scar on her face? How do you explain that?"
"My wife told me!" Shen Yuliang said firmly.
Shen Ximan couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. This was her father. He had always only known about her from others' mouths, never bothering to take a second look at her during those years in the Shen family.
"What are you laughing at? Who gave you the right to speak?!" Shen Yuliang glared at her fiercely.
Bo Jingyu stepped in front of Shen Ximan. His voice was so cold that it sent shivers down one's spine. "If you threaten her one more time, I'll make sure you stay in Huazhi Village for the rest of your life."
Apart from Bo Siming, Shen Yuliang had never felt such a powerful and unresistable aura before. And this sense of oppression seemed even stronger than Bo Siming's. He swallowed hard and didn't dare to say another word.
"You don't even have the ability to tell right from wrong, yet you dare to make unfounded accusations. I'm giving you a way out because you're Man'er's father," Bo Jingyu whispered in Shen Yuliang's ear as a warning.
"Even criminals need evidence to be convicted, let alone this kind of baseless rumor! You're in charge of all the demolition areas today. If you don't want your share in the cooperation, you can just leave right now."
After saying that, he walked back with a gentle smile.
Shen Ximan looked at his expression. "What did you say to him?"
"Nothing. Just told him to do his job."
Shen Yuliang gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Then he turned around and started working hard.
"I'm a bit worried about something. That Aunt Zhang…"
Bo Jingyu saw her concern. "The Huazhi Village project has been idle in the group for many years. Even Grandpa doesn't know much about the whole process."
"Those holdouts just want an apartment. After we solve this problem and give them some annual subsidies, they won't have any more objections."
Shen Ximan was stunned. "Then why did you endure the villagers' scolding that day? Did you do it on purpose?!"
He smiled. "It was for Bo Siming to see."
Somehow, their conversations had become so harmonious, as if they had been friends for many years.
"Do you remember the building owned by Zhang Ronglian that I told you about?"
Shen Ximan nodded. "Yes, I do."
"After the project is completed, it will be yours."
She was shocked and stood there motionless.
"Zhang Ronglian damaged the facilities in Huazhi Village in her personal capacity. She should be arrested and sentenced according to the law."
Shen Ximan continued Bo Jingyu's words. "So you got that building to keep this a secret for her?"
He raised his lips proudly. "I bought it at a low price."
Thinking about it carefully, it was no wonder that Zhang Ronglian hadn't shown up. Bo Jingyu had already made preparations in secret. His visit to Huazhi Village to inspect the project was just a cover. His real purpose was to let Bo Siming have his moment of glory and make Grandpa let down his guard. Then he would gradually expand his influence and catch them off guard. It was so sinister.
Shen Ximan felt a chill run down her spine just thinking about it. She must never be his enemy, or she wouldn't even know how she died.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, ah. I just think it's a bit hasty for you to entrust such a valuable thing to me," she stammered and didn't dare to look him in the eye, afraid that he would see through her.
"It's just a matter of time."
After saying that, Bo Jingyu walked away with the subordinate who came to report. "You go back to the guesthouse first. I'll come to find you after I'm done."
"Okay." Shen Ximan watched his back, and pink bubbles kept popping up around her.
Not long after she started walking, she happened to meet Shen Shiyu. This was the perfect opportunity to vent all her resentment.
"Humph, you're really capable," Shen Shiyu sneered.
"Likewise," Shen Ximan replied coldly, curling her lips.
Shen Shiyu looked around to make sure there was no one else, then crossed her arms and sneered. "Oh, why don't you have your bodyguard with you?"
"You're the same. You're siding with Bo Siming to deal with me."
Shen Shiyu's face changed in shock. "What do you mean? Do you like him?"
"We have different tastes. Do you have anything else to say? If not, get out of my way," Shen Ximan rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Over the years, she had never dared to talk back to Shen Shiyu so openly. Now Shen Shiyu even found herself at a loss for words. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
"I'm telling you, Bo Siming is my man."
"… Then take him," Shen Ximan said contemptuously, looking at her as if she were trash.
"Bo Siming is in charge of the Huazhi Village project now. Don't even dream of becoming a phoenix," Shen Shiyu said angrily, mocking her.
It seemed that she still didn't know anything. Bo Siming had the real power, but he didn't have the support of the people. He didn't even care whether the project would start or not.