Chapter 517: Chapter 517

As soon as the words were spoken, a server who had just attended to them pushed a small dining cart towards them, excitement evident on his face.

Tang Xiaowan didn’t even have to guess; she knew her dear husband must have given the man quite a few benefits.

"What exactly is it? Tell me now!"

"Well..." Leng Lingxiao’s lips curled into a smug arch, "Tell you what?"

"Pretending you don’t know!"

"Oh? Pretending? Do I?"

He deliberately teased her and, with a slight shake of his head, refused to answer Tang Xiaowan directly but motioned for the server to begin his performance.

Understood, the server elegantly bent over and respectfully lifted the silver cover.

"Madam, may your laughter always be joyful!"

As the lid was lifted, a faint fragrance filled the air, revealing a large, specially-made pink flower bud in the silver tray. The petals were delicate and soft, and at first glance, seemed like a real peony about to bloom.

Leng Lingxiao pulled out the brass lighter that Tang Xiaowan had given him a long time ago from his pocket. Thɪs chapter is updated by Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

It had become a habit to carry it with him at all times.

Instantly, a soft flame sprung up from the top of the lighter, and Leng Lingxiao carefully brought the flame close to the trigger area of the flower bud.

As the flame touched it, the flower bud seemed to be endowed with life and began to slowly blossom.

What is that? A new product?

Several other diners in the vicinity cast envious glances their way.

When the last petal fully unfolded, it revealed a delicate silver jewelry box. The style of the box was very vintage, carved with exquisite patterns that radiated nobility and a touch of mystery.

Leng Lingxiao smiled as he opened the box.

The gazes of the other guests were drawn once again, and inside lay an exquisite ruby hair clip, eliciting unanimous admiration.

Tang Xiaowan covered her mouth in surprise.

She had not expected that, just from having breakfast, Leng Lingxiao would prepare such a beautiful and thoughtful gift, and her nose immediately felt sore.

Was he worried about my hair flying about?

Couldn’t I just tie it up with a hair tie?

The settings of the ruby were just right, embodying both elegance and vivacity, complementing Tang Xiaowan’s long black hair and fair skin perfectly.

Of course, just like the nine rubies on her bracelet, the color was exceptionally good and could be considered top-notch.

"Do you like it?" Leng Lingxiao asked tenderly.

"I love it, I really do!"

"Here, let me put it on for you."

Tang Xiaowan felt so touched that she was almost at a loss. She lifted her head and looked at Leng Lingxiao affectionately, "Huahua, thank you for doing so much for me!"

That was a double entendre, including the matter of Boxin.

Leng Lingxiao’s thin lips slightly curved, and he slowly stood up, kissed her forehead, then picked up the ruby hair clip and carefully put it on her.

What’s a Boxin in comparison?

Whoever dares to target my little wife is courting death!

"Does it look good?" Tang Xiaowan asked shyly, happily looking at Leng Lingxiao.

"Beautiful, very beautiful, like a little fairy!"

"Can it bewitch you?"

This was something she had picked up from Leng Lingxiao, but to her surprise, he was game, raising his eyebrow and replying, "Utterly bewitched, let’s go back to our room and you’ll see."

"Stop it, there are so many people watching."

"Little fool, can’t you hear?"

The two looked at each other and laughed, as if they were the only ones in the entire restaurant, their hearts and eyes filled with sweetness.

Meanwhile, in a tea house in Jin City.

Yuan Min had arrived ten minutes early for the appointed time, something unprecedented for her.

She used to always be late, arriving leisurely after Lai Jingshan had finished his second cup of tea—not out of disregard for company matters, but to avoid being seen by Third Aunt Lai and misunderstood, and certainly to avoid giving Li Wanshan any handle against her, since a widow’s doorstep invites much gossip.

Now, she was fearless, for nothing was more important than dealing with Wang Junchen and Ye Wanhua.

At eight o’clock sharp, the door was gently opened.

"Big sister-in-law, has my second brother made some small move again?" Lai Jingshan hadn’t even sat down before he began to inquire.

He had been anxious all the way there.

Yuan Min raised her head, a flash of determination and calm in her eyes, "He’s here—sit down first. Today I’ve called you here because there is indeed something very important to discuss, but it’s not about your second brother—it’s about what we are about to face... a tough battle ahead."

Lai Jingshan was stunned and then sat down, his expression turning serious. He knew well that his sister-in-law, Yuan Min, was a decisive and strategic woman. Since she referred to it as a "tough battle," it must be of no small concern.

"Please speak, big sister-in-law," Lai Jingshan said gravely.

Yuan Min nodded and began to explain, "Recently, Wang Junchen has been making frequent moves. Although our project 8028 has been quite successful, I know... he won’t easily let it go."

Lai Jingshan frowned upon hearing this.

"But his father, Wang Jinhui—"

"Has always been at odds, for how many years now? Now that Wang Jinhui has married Tang Mei, Wang Junchen, as his son, will only hate him more."

"These are all rumors, not necessarily—" Lai Jingshan began, then hesitated.

After all, Wang Junchen was no ordinary businessman, and his father Wang Jinhui was the richest man in Huang City; if they teamed up, the consequences could be unimaginable.

Moreover, Wanhua Jewelry held a significant position in Yishen Mall.

Yuan Min caught the hesitation in Lai Jingshan’s eyes, understanding flashing through her own. She was well aware of the importance of Wanhua Jewelry in Yishen Mall and understood what the underlying profits meant for the Leng Family, but she was even more aware that resolving the immediate crisis was far more important than those profits.

Wang Junchen would never let her go, and it would certainly affect both of her sons.

This was Yuan Min’s biggest concern.

"Jingshan, I understand your concerns, but the current situation doesn’t allow us any hesitation. Wang Junchen and the Jiang Family have already joined forces. His aim is very clear—to shake the foundation of our Leng Family. If we keep clinging to those petty profits, in the end, we’ll lose even more."

The so-called foundation referred to the pharmaceuticals.

Wang Junchen’s actions before the launch of 8028 had indeed proved this point.

Lai Jingshan fell silent for a while, seemingly weighing the pros and cons and aware that Yuan Min was speaking the truth, but giving up the current profits from Wanhua Jewelry was indeed a difficult decision for the group.

"Big sister-in-law, isn’t there any other better way?" Lai Jingshan asked tentatively.

He still hoped to achieve a win-win situation.

Yuan Min shook her head, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, "Since they have already made their move, it means they’re determined and won’t agree to cooperate."

With that statement, Lai Jingshan fell silent.

He had always trusted Yuan Min’s judgment, but the matter of his second brother, Li Wanshan, was also challenging.

After a moment, he took a deep breath and said sternly, "Okay, big sister-in-law, rest assured, no matter what about the second brother... I will stand by your side."

Yuan Min finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She believed that with Lai Jingshan’s support, her path ahead would be smoother.

"Is there a plan?" Lai Jingshan asked.

Yuan Min slightly smiled, took a sip of tea, and softly answered, "I’ve already devised a plan, but it requires your full cooperation. First, we need to exploit Wang Junchen’s ambition to topple 8028..."

Her words were filled with cunning and determination; everyone seemed like a chess piece meticulously placed.

Lai Jingshan, known for his generosity, began to feel uneasy as he listened, especially when Yuan Min mentioned the Spring Garden Orphanage—his brow furrowed.