The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 365 - 368. The Beauty Trap (Part 2)

Chapter 365: 368. The Beauty Trap (Part 2)

"Haohao, do you want to go to Uncle Jiang’s house to play?" As they left the amusement park, Jiang Chenxi spoke to Little Douding, who was leaning on his shoulder, drowsy from fatigue.

Little Douding opened his eyes, "Go to Uncle’s house?"

"Yes, Uncle bought a toy for you a while ago, but I forgot it today when we left. Would you like to go get it yourself, Haohao?"

The little guy’s eyes lit up, "Is it a Transformer?"

"Yes, a special New Year’s gift prepared just for Haohao."

"Okay, I’ll go back with Uncle Jiang, but Uncle Jiang, I need to call Mom first; otherwise, she’ll worry."

Jiang Chenxi smiled and nodded, put him in the child seat, and fastened his seatbelt.

To make it easier to keep in contact, Pei Yinong had bought Little Douding a watch that could make calls. Watching the little guy talk in a babyish voice from the rearview mirror, Jiang Chenxi’s eyes were full of smiles.

Mr. Jiang and Mrs. Jiang had long been informed that today Jiang Chenxi would bring a little friend home, so they had prepared well in advance.

"Hello, Grandpa Jiang and Granny Jiang," Little Douding greeted the two without any shyness, quite politely.

A smile broke through Mr. Jiang’s stern expression, "Hello, little friend, what’s your name?"

"My name is Pei Hao, but you can call me Haohao," Little Douding replied.

Mrs. Jiang’s heart melted at the little guy’s words, taking hold of Little Douding’s hand, "How did you know we have the Jiang surname?"

"Uncle Jiang said you are his mommy and daddy, and since Uncle Jiang’s last name is Jiang, of course you both are Jiangs too," Little Douding explained convincingly.

Mrs. Jiang suddenly beamed with joy, "Haohao, you’re so smart." She handed him some pastries prepared specially for him, "Here, have some treats."

Little Douding didn’t take one immediately but first said thank you, then picked up a piece from the plate, and sat on the sofa nibbling slowly, "Granny Jiang, this pastry is really yummy."

Mrs. Jiang smiled warmly, "If you like it, eat more; these are all for you." Mrs. Jiang adored children and had been yearning for a grandchild since Jiang Chenxi graduated from university. Upon meeting a child as amiable and sensible as Little Douding, her eyes sparkled with delight, wishing that such a wonderful child could be her own grandson.

Though Mr. Jiang spoke less, his gaze was constantly on Little Douding, his eyes gentle and his first impression of the child quite favorable.

Jiang Chenxi came out of the room holding a box, the promised gift for Little Douding.

"Thank you, Uncle Jiang," Little Douding said, joyfully expressing his gratitude while embracing the box.

Little Douding left only after having dinner at the Jiang’s house. Mrs. Jiang, who hadn’t interacted with a child this young in many years, was completely charmed by Little Douding’s pleasing demeanor, taught well by Pei Yinong. After just one meal, Little Douding had thoroughly won her over.

Jiang Chenxi watched his mother, who refused to let go of Little Douding, a victorious smile flashing in his eyes.

When it was time for Jiang Chenxi to take Little Douding back, Mrs. Jiang was reluctant to part, "Chenxi, why not let Haohao stay over tonight? You could take him back tomorrow."

Originally in Jiang Chenxi’s arms, Little Douding leaned forward to be held by Mrs. Jiang at her words. She quickly reached out to embrace him. Instead of nestling into her arms, though, Little Douding hugged her neck and kissed her face, "Granny Jiang, I will miss you too, but I have to go home now; otherwise, my mom will worry. I’ll come to visit you again."

Her heart melted completely at such understanding words paired with a kiss. After Jiang Chenxi left, Mrs. Jiang turned to Mr. Jiang to chat, "Haohao is really so sensible. How did his parents educate him? If only he were my grandson."

Mr. Jiang, preoccupied with the newspaper, ignored Mrs. Jiang’s comments.

Mrs. Jiang pulled the newspaper from his hands, "I’m talking to you, did you hear me?"

Mr. Jiang finally spoke, "If you like children so much, why not let Chenxi get married early and have a grandson for you?"

Mrs. Jiang rolled her eyes, "Don’t you think I want that? But does Chenxi listen to me? I’ve introduced him to so many potential partners; not one has worked out. At first, he was willing to have dinner with them, but now he doesn’t even want to meet them. Chatting with them is like asking for his life."

Mrs. Jiang was worried; her son hadn’t been in love before. It would be understandable if he were once hurt by love and now hesitated to fall in love again, but that wasn’t the case. He didn’t seem to fancy any girl, so what was his aversion to marriage?

"Do you think it’s possible Chenxi has that kind of problem?" Mrs. Jiang wondered aloud.

Mr. Jiang, not understanding, looked at her puzzled, "What?"

"You know, that thing?" Mrs. Jiang explained, realizing Mr. Jiang still didn’t get it, so she plainly said, "The thing where he likes men instead of women. Since Chenxi doesn’t want a girlfriend or to get married, could it be that he doesn’t like women?"

Mr. Jiang reproached gently, "What nonsense are you thinking of all day? It’s perfectly normal for Chenxi to not want to get married at his age."

"In the blink of an eye, I’m already thirty, not so young anymore. When you were my age, Chenxi could already run errands."

"Nowadays young people are different from our generation, right?"

Mrs. Jiang thought about it and felt there was truth to that. "That’s true, times have changed. But I still hope Chenxi can marry soon. Look at Haohao, such a well-behaved child."

Mr. Jiang agreed. "Mm, the child is very well-mannered."

After sending Little Douding home, Chenxi came back to find his parents were still awake. Mrs. Jiang called him over. "Chenxi, come and have a chat with Mom."

Chenxi sat down.

"Did you send Haohao home?"

Chenxi nodded. "Mm."

"Haohao is really sensible. Whose child is he?" asked Mrs. Jiang.

"A friend’s. She had something to deal with at home today and couldn’t take care of her child, so she asked me to help for a day," Chenxi explained without mentioning that the child was Pei Yinong’s. The incident with Pei Yinong had caused quite a stir in Beijing back in the day. It was better his parents didn’t know; a bad first impression would hinder everything that followed.

The night after returning from Charming Color, Chenxi pondered what Shen Junyu had said and agreed it made a lot of sense. His father was quite conservative and would certainly object if he knew about Pei Yinong. But if he could meet and accept Pei Hao without prior knowledge, then accepting Pei Yinong later might not be so difficult.

Once the issues at home were settled, he would go find Pei Yinong. Without the obstacle, perhaps she might accept him again.

"When you have children in the future, I’ll have to ask your friend how they educate their child so well," Mrs. Jiang said enviously.

Chenxi just smiled without responding.

Mrs. Jiang looked at her son. "Chenxi, seeing how cute Pei Hao is, don’t you want to have your own child?"

Chenxi smiled warmly. "Mom, I’m not in a hurry."

Mrs. Jiang rolled her eyes. "You might not be in a hurry, but I am. I want to hold my grandchild. If you have a grandson like Haohao for me, I won’t mind if you never get married."

Mr. Jiang, upon hearing this, glared. "What nonsense are you talking about? Having children without getting married is hooliganism." He then turned to Chenxi. "Don’t listen to your mother’s nonsense. We Jiang men cannot do such a thing. You can choose not to date or get married, but you must respect relationships, understand?"

Seeing his father’s serious expression, Chenxi nodded, "Dad, don’t worry. I understand the propriety."

"Mm," Mr. Jiang grunted and returned to his newspaper.

Mrs. Jiang, still not giving up, said to her son, "I have a colleague whose daughter just returned to the country, about your age. She’s pretty, from the pictures I’ve seen. Why don’t you meet her?"

Chenxi replied, "Mom, if you really want to have a grandson, I can bring Haohao to our home more often."

Mrs. Jiang rolled her eyes again. "How could that be the same? He’s not my own grandson."

Chenxi tentatively asked, "Mom, what if I become Haohao’s godfather? That way, he’d be your grandson, wouldn’t he?"

"That’s still different. I want to hold my own grandson, your child. No matter how cute Haohao is, he belongs to another family. Alright, alright, I know you don’t want to meet her. I won’t ask anymore. But Chenxi, a man should be established by thirty. You’re almost that age, so don’t just focus on your academia and books all the time. Look at Hengyi, he’s about to be a father, Jun Yu is getting married soon, and even Han Yi has a serious girlfriend now. Among you all, you’re the only one who’s single. Doesn’t it bother you to see them flaunt their love every day?"

Chenxi chuckled. "Mom, it seems you’re getting trendier, even knowing about flaunting love."

Mrs. Jiang hit him lightly. "Do you think your mother is that out-of-date? I am a university professor, after all."

Chenxi put his arm around his mother’s shoulder. "Yes, yes, my mom is definitely at the forefront of the times."

Mrs. Jiang was charmed by her son’s sweet talk.

Chenxi didn’t plan to directly reveal his feelings for Pei Yinong to his parents. Instead, he intended to take a roundabout approach, letting them grow fond of Pei Hao first and accept him, which would pave the way for their acceptance of Pei Yinong.

Of course, these were things Pei Yinong didn’t know yet, and he didn’t plan to tell her just yet.

From that day on, Chenxi occasionally brought Pei Hao home to spend time with his parents. Mrs. Jiang asked a few times if it was really okay to bring someone else’s child to their house so often, but Chenxi managed to provide evasive answers each time.

But that’s a story for later.

**"

Nancheng.

Yan Anbang had the worst New Year’s of his life, not only was his home no longer bustling with guests as in past years, but even the relatives he usually mingled with frequently didn’t visit.

Everyone avoided him as if he were the plague.

The stark contrast drove home the harsh reality of fair-weather friends and the coldness of the world to Yan Anbang.

So, the lawsuit brought by Zhao Jiaqing, which he had previously disregarded, now had him in a panic, prompting him to seek her out to talk.

Zhao Jiaqing had no intention of dealing with him, but since Shen Qinglan had just called her a couple of days ago, informing her about Ya Xi’s situation, Zhao Jiaqing was on edge. Worrying that the escalation of their conflicts might truly upset Ya Xi, she reluctantly agreed to sit down and talk with Yan Anbang.

Yan Anbang went to meet Zhao Jiaqing alone and had purposely chosen a teahouse for the meeting, one with good privacy conducive to discussion.

By the time Zhao Jiaqing arrived, Yan Anbang was already waiting for her.

As soon as Zhao Jiaqing sat down, she cut to the chase, "Speak up, what exactly do you want from me today?"

The two disliked each other intensely, and Yan Anbang had no desire for idle chatter, "I want you to drop the lawsuit."

Zhao Jiaqing sneered, "Why should I?"

Yan Anbang placed a check in front of Zhao Jiaqing, "If you drop the lawsuit, this check is yours."

Zhao Jiaqing picked up the check and scoffed, "Yan Anbang, are you joking with me?" Did he really think a sum of money was enough to dismiss her, did she look that desperate for cash?

"I know you don’t need the money," Yan Anbang began. When he divorced Zhao Jiaqing, although she left with nothing, the Zhao Family was affluent and being the Zhao Family’s only daughter, she inherited everything after Mr. Zhao’s death. "Consider this compensation. It was wrong of me to hit you that day, but you can’t deny that if you hadn’t provoked me, I would never have raised a hand. Even in court, you can’t refute this."

Zhao Jiaqing’s expression turned frosty, "Yan Anbang, you call me selfish, but aren’t you just as self-centered? To save yourself, you push blame onto a woman, and for what you call love, how many atrocities have you committed."

Yan Anbang’s gaze darkened slightly, "Zhao Jiaqing, it was wrong of me to hit you, and I admit that. But when have I ever committed such heinous acts?"

"If it wasn’t for you, how could Ya Xi have..." Zhao Jiaqing stopped herself midsentence, "Yan Anbang, I won’t let this go. I will see you imprisoned and receive the punishment you deserve."

"Zhao Jiaqing, are you saying there’s no room for discussion?" Yan Anbang asked.

"That’s right, I came today to tell you I will still sue you, I will never forgive you."

"It was you who leaked those things online right? First posting the video of Yanyan pleading with you, then exposing the past, all to ruin my reputation. Now that you’ve succeeded, you want me in jail too. Aren’t you afraid of tarnishing the reputations of Sheng Yu and Ya Xi?"

Zhao Jiaqing snorted, "Now you care about the dignity of Sheng Yu and Ya Xi? When you were entangled with Qin Yan, how come you never considered that you were a father, that you should think about the feelings of Ya Xi and Sheng Yu? You’ve engaged in such filthy deeds, and now you come before me playing the role of a good father? Yan Anbang, you’re the most hypocritical person in the world."

"Do you truly refuse to drop the lawsuit?"

Zhao Jiaqing nodded, "Yes." She had to see Yan Anbang go to prison, or she couldn’t face Ya Xi.

Yan Anbang’s eyes shifted uncertainly, staring intently at her, "Zhao Jiaqing, I hope you won’t regret this."

Zhao Jiaqing sneered, "That’s advice better given to you."

After an acrimonious parting, Zhao Jiaqing left the teahouse, and Yan Anbang returned home, maintaining a stern face. Qin Yan tried to ease his tension by massaging his shoulders, "Anbang, what did she say, did she agree?"

Yan Anbang’s face was cold, "She didn’t agree. Since she wants to sue, let her. Anyway, I’ve already been suspended from my position. Now I’m just an ordinary soldier, why should I be afraid of her?"

"But what about Ya Xi and Sheng Yu? If you go to jail, they will definitely suffer in the future."

Yan Anbang snorted lightly, "I’ve done all I could, but Zhao Jiaqing is obstinate. What can I do? They should blame their selfish mother."

Qin Yan looked worried, "But Anbang, if something happens to you, what am I to do? It was with great difficulty that I could finally be with you."

Yan Anbang sighed deeply, a tone of pity in his voice, "Yanyan, you’ve been put in a difficult situation because of this. If that day does come, just go. In the second drawer of the nightstand, there’s a bank card registered in your name; it’s the money I’ve saved for you. The pin is your birthday. If I really do go to prison, you take that money and leave the country; it’s enough to last you the rest of your life."

Tears streamed down Qin Yan’s face as she looked at Yan Anbang, "Anbang, let me go plead with Zhao Jiaqing again."

Yan Anbang shook his head, "Don’t bother anymore, let it be. Even if I return to the army now, there will be no prospects for me in the future. So, I’m thinking of submitting a request for discharge."

"Anbang, it’s all my fault. It’s my mistake."

Yan Anbang comforted her, "Yanyan, stop blaming yourself, it isn’t related to you, you’re the biggest victim here. Stop crying, it breaks my heart to see you cry."

Qin Yan hung her head, tears continued to fall, but there was no real emotion in her eyes.

That very evening, Zhao Jiaqing was involved in a car accident on the way back to the hotel. The driver fled the scene, and by the time passersby had brought Zhao Jiaqing to the hospital, she was already in shock due to excessive blood loss.

After emergency treatment, Zhao Jiaqing’s life was saved, but she was left in a vegetative state, with a slim chance of ever waking up again.

When Yan Shengyu received the call from the hospital, he was on the train from G City to Beijing, originally planning to take a flight to Xueli City. However, because of this incident, Yan Shengyu immediately changed routes and headed to Nancheng.

The car accident came too abruptly. No one knew who was behind it. The vehicle involved in hitting Zhao Jiaqing was unlicensed, and the only thing captured on surveillance footage was a white van, indicating the incident was deliberate rather than accidental.

The van was originally parked at the corner of the street and only charged toward Zhao Jiaqing after spotting her.

Yan Anbang was the last person to see Zhao Jiaqing. Given those who had conflicts with her lately, the police naturally turned to her, but the investigation showed that though Yan Anbang had a motive, there was no evidence to prove her guilt.

When Yan Shengyu learned that his mother had become vegetative, after seeing Zhao Jiaqing, he went to the Yan Family to find Yan Anbang, who had just been released from the police station.

Upon seeing Yan Shengyu at the doorstep, he knew what Yan Shengyu was there for, "Do you also think I turned your mother into a vegetative person?"

Yan Shengyu stared at him steadily, "Then tell me, if not you, who did this? Could it have been her?" Everyone knew who the ’her’ in question was.

Yan Anbang’s face darkened, "Indeed, your mother and I were about to come to blows in court, and we can be considered sworn enemies, but believe it or not, I never wanted your mother dead."

"You didn’t, but that doesn’t mean others didn’t," said Yan Shengyu with a meaningful tone.

Qin Yan looked embarrassed, "Sheng Yu, you don’t suspect me, do you?"

Yan Shengyu didn’t speak. Yan Anbang said coldly, "Absolutely not Yanyan. She is kind-hearted; she wouldn’t do such a thing."

Yan Shengyu’s face remained stern, as he looked at the father so eager to defend Qin Yan, his eyes seemed to ice over, "I will get to the bottom of this, and if I find out it was you, I will not let it go."

Yan Anbang’s expression shifted slightly, but Yan Shengyu had already turned and walked away.

Back at home, Yan Anbang was also at a loss. At such a critical juncture, Zhao Jiaqing was involved in a traffic accident, which was not good news for Yan Anbang.

There had already been a lot of negative comments about Yan Anbang on the internet due to previous events, and now, with Zhao Jiaqing’s accident, all fingers were pointed at Yan Anbang.

Yan Anbang was now pointed at and talked about every time he went out, with everyone behind his back speculating that he had someone take out Zhao Jiaqing.

Shen Qinglan learned of these events from Jin Enxi, who was investigating Qin Yan in Nancheng. Qin Yan’s past in the psychiatric hospital was suspicious, and Shen Qinglan suspected it was related to Qin Mu’s disappearance. Outsiders couldn’t access this part of the past, so Jin Enxi had no choice but to investigate in person.

"An, do you think Yan Anbang is behind this?" Jin Enxi asked.

Shen Qinglan’s beautiful eyes flickered, "Investigate Qin Yan, see who she’s been in contact with lately, whether there have been any financial dealings."

Jin Enxi paused, "You mean to say Qin Yan might be behind this?"

"Not certain, but that woman is anything but simple. This is just a direction of suspicion; be careful in your investigation."

"Got it," Jin Enxi said. "An, I found something else in Nancheng. The head of the psychiatric hospital Qin Yan was admitted to has disappeared; it was said the whole family emigrated abroad, just before the new year, around the time we started suspecting Qin Yan, that head of the hospital emigrated. Don’t you think that’s too coincidental?"

Shen Qinglan’s gaze deepened slightly, "It only proves that there is definitely something wrong with Qin Yan. Enxi, you must pay attention to your safety, stay in contact daily, and don’t take risks if you find something."

"I’ll be cautious. I have a family now, and I value my life; I won’t joke with it," Jin Enxi said. "By the way, Yan Sheng Yu is also investigating Qin Yan. He shares your suspicion, thinking that Zhao Jiaqing’s accident has something to do with Qin Yan."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglan pondered for a moment and said indifferently, "When necessary, help Yan Shengyu from the shadows."

After hanging up the phone, Shen Qinglan thought for a while and then made a call to Doug, who was with Ya Xi in F country. After Ya Xi recovered, she and Doug went on a trip around Europe.

When Doug heard from Shen Qinglan that Zhao Jiaqing had been in an accident and was now in a vegetative state, he was silent for a long time. Looking towards the sunset where Ya Xi was smiling and waving at him from a distance, he spoke softly, "Do you need me to bring Ya Xi back to the country?"

"She will find out about this sooner or later; you should tell her," Shen Qinglan responded.

"Alright, I understand. I’ll find the right opportunity to tell her," Doug said, his eyes full of tenderness as he watched Ya Xi.