Volume One, Chapter 51: Becoming Enemies

When Jiang Wan regained consciousness, her body felt as heavy as if it had been filled with lead. She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, and her blurred vision gradually cleared. Luxurious wine-red car seats appeared before her eyes, and the familiar scent of osmanthus filled the air.

She frowned, and as clarity returned, she realized she was inside Lu Wenzhou’s car. In her slanted view, Qi Mo, seated in the driver’s seat, turned his head to look at her.

“Miss Jiang,” he called without emotion, simply informing her, “Sir asked me to bring you home.”

His explanation brought Jiang Wan fully awake. Fragments of memory pieced themselves together, but… As she sat up in the back seat, she saw that only Qi Mo and herself were in the car. Through the window, a familiar wall came into view.

She was already at Yujing Bay, having successfully left the Jinding Building.

Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t expected Lu Wenzhou to be so accommodating this time. He hadn’t done anything to her. He simply helped her escape? Jiang Wan found it hard to believe. She shook her head, trying to clear it further.

“Thank you,” she said to Qi Mo, reaching for the car door.

But before she could get out, Qi Mo turned to her again, his tone stern. “Sir asked me to relay a message: that is not a place you should go. This is the last time.”

He sounded like a mouthpiece, and the words, though repeated verbatim, carried Lu Wenzhou’s unmistakable tone—a warning laced with threat.

“I understand,” Jiang Wan replied, then stepped out of the car.

She walked straight through the foyer to the elevator. The relief of surviving, the thrill of holding evidence, and a touch of anxiety…

Jiang Wan returned to the marital home, not even bothering to turn on the lights. She hurriedly took out her phone to check the video she had recorded that night.

With this as proof, even if Director Li managed to keep his job, he would have to become one of their people.

Jiang Wan’s heart raced, but… No matter how she searched, the video was nowhere to be found in her album.

It wasn’t in recently deleted, nor in the recycle bin.

How could that be?

Unwilling to give up, she went to the study and turned on her computer, using software to recover and search, but still found nothing.

The reminder on the computer screen reflected in Jiang Wan’s eyes, dimming the brightness within them.

Her hand holding the mouse tightened.

She was certain she had recorded it.

The only possibility—

Someone had deleted it.

Lu Wenzhou.

Jiang Wan couldn’t think of anyone else.

No wonder he was willing to help her. He had her drink tainted water just to destroy the evidence while she was incapacitated.

A self-deprecating laugh escaped her as she pieced together the truth.

She had nearly forgotten.

He belonged to Lin Zhi.

Gathering evidence against Director Li, blocking the Lin family’s bid for the land—wasn’t she opposing him? How could he help her, let alone let her succeed?

Her dim peach blossom eyes burned with indignant anger, then gradually steeled with determination.

*

The next day.

Jiang Wan went to Jiang Group as usual.

Last night, she treated as nothing more than a dream.

“President Jiang.” Just as she arrived at the office, Xia Nuan approached her proactively.

“The design for Miss Lin and Sir Lu’s marital home will now be handled directly by Sir Lu.”

The moment those two names were mentioned, a nameless anger surged in Jiang Wan’s heart.

They were worried she might cause trouble for Lin Zhi, so decided to let him take over?

“The marital home…” Xia Nuan began to explain, but Jiang Wan raised a hand to stop her.

“Since it's your responsibility now, you can communicate with him yourself,” she interrupted coldly. “No need to report to me. As long as he’s satisfied, that’s enough.”

“Ah?” Xia Nuan was stunned.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Wan to react this way.

Watching Jiang Wan stride away, Xia Nuan stood there awkwardly, clutching the undelivered documents.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t report?” she murmured, looking down at the villa floor plans in her arms and swallowing hard. “This is worth more than that place at Yujing Bay…”

Jiang Wan had no intention of asking further, nor did she plan to intervene.

She had taken on the project originally only to help boost Xia Nuan’s performance. Making things difficult for Lin Zhi was merely an added bonus.

Since she was no longer involved, there was even less reason to be entangled with Lu Wenzhou.

For the next two days,

Jiang Wan was busy with other work, running nonstop until Friday.

The company meeting was still ongoing, but the persistent waves of nausea in her stomach forced Jiang Wan to end it early and rush to the restroom.

“Ugh—”

After vomiting in the stall, she emerged to find her secretary waiting outside.

The secretary handed her tissues, concern in her voice. “President Jiang, are you alright?”

Jiang Wan took the tissues, wiped her mouth, and nodded.

“You haven’t seemed well these past two days. Maybe you should find some time to rest?”

“I’m fine…” Jiang Wan went out to wash her hands.

The secretary wanted to follow up, but a sudden phone call interrupted. The ringtone broke the atmosphere.

Yan Yan was calling.

She asked Jiang Wan to accompany her that evening to an investment exchange in Rongcheng.

Due to city development policies, Rongcheng was intensifying efforts to attract foreign partners, and Jiang Wan, fluent in multiple languages, was just the person Yan Yan wanted as a free translator to help seize opportunities.

Since there might be potential for collaboration, Jiang Wan was happy to oblige.

They agreed to meet at the venue.

The exchange was held in a business tower. Jiang Wan arrived wearing a velvet-modified cheongsam, her long hair coiled at the back, adorned with a modern silver hairpin.

Her makeup was refined, yet elegant and dignified. The blend of traditional style and modern flair suited her perfectly. Coupled with her outstanding appearance, she was bound to leave a lasting impression on any foreign guest.

Yan Yan saw through her little strategy at a glance, her sharp gaze tinged with arrogance and a hint of appreciation.

“Not bad. Do your best later.”

She led Jiang Wan to registration, then together they entered the exchange.

As Jiang Wan had expected, her appearance immediately drew the attention of many guests. Eyes of various colors fell upon her.

Curious foreigners approached, and upon discovering Jiang Wan’s fluency in several languages, they actively sought her out.

“I’m an architectural designer. My company specializes in interior and exterior design for real estate projects. If you need anything, feel free to contact me.”

Jiang Wan introduced herself, exchanging business cards with the enthusiastic guests, while also making sure to promote Gu’s Architecture, giving Yan Yan a boost in presence.

For a while,

The two of them became the focal point of the event.

Jiang Wan was in her element, handling everything with poise.

Yan Yan sat steady as a mountain, experienced and composed.

Until—

Several familiar figures appeared in Jiang Wan’s line of sight.

Besides Wang Dexing, the well-known informant of Rongcheng, Lin Zhi and Lin Luoyao were also present.

As their gazes met,

Lin Zhi smiled gently at her and, with Lin Luoyao in tow, walked toward her.