Chapter 8 A Hard Nut to Crack

The four light words, sharp as blades, stabbed fiercely into Xu An’an’s ears. She stared coldly at that tall, lean figure, yet felt an inexplicable heaviness pressing on her heart.

She stepped outside, leaned against the wall, and took several deep breaths. When she raised her eyes again, any trace of emotion had vanished from her gaze.

The men of the Jiang family—none of them are any good!

"Why are you alone? Where’s Young Master Jiang?" Shen Ying approached, planning to seize the opportunity and ask Jiang Yu to help mediate a collaboration between their families.

“He’s left,” Xu An’an replied coolly.

Smack!

A sharp slap landed on Xu An’an’s face.

Shen Ying’s expression twisted with rage for a split second. "You can't even keep a man—what use are you?"

A burning pain flared on her cheek, and Xu An’an almost laughed. She pressed the tip of her tongue against the inside of her right cheek; there was a faint taste of blood.

For the first time, Shen Ying had struck her face.

If she weren’t truly desperate, Shen Ying would never leave such a visible mark—after all, it would affect the image of a loving mother she worked so hard to maintain.

Clearly, the Xu family was in urgent need of the Jiang family's help.

To Xu An’an, this was good news. As long as they needed her, she would no longer be at their mercy.

“You’d best remember what your duty is,” Shen Ying said, her face growing darker without any outsiders present. She was desperate to break Xu An’an, to tame her as one would a dog.

But Xu An’an was a tough nut to crack.

She was like wild grass—impossible to eradicate, always springing back with the wind.

Even with Xu An’an’s mother’s fate in her hands, Shen Ying could see that beneath Xu An’an’s obedient façade, she was waiting for her chance.

Shen Ying needed to subdue her before Xu An’an could break free of the Xu family, to secure more benefits for them.

Suddenly, Shen Ying smiled, adopting the guise of a kindly mother. She gently stroked the swelling on Xu An’an’s right cheek. “An’an, you must understand, I only act this way because I’m anxious for you.”

“After all, your background puts you at a disadvantage from the start. Now that you’ve finally managed to attach yourself to the Jiangs, you need to hold on tightly to Young Master Jiang. Only then can you have a good life in the future.”

“And even if you don’t think of yourself, you should at least consider your mother, who came from the slums.”

Slums at every turn—the word always on her lips.

Xu An’an lowered her lashes, hiding the darkness in her eyes. She answered obediently, “Mother, I understand your intentions.”

Seeing Xu An’an so meek and compliant, Shen Ying was very satisfied.

Afraid someone would see Xu An’an’s reddened face, Shen Ying waved her off as one would shoo a bothersome fly. “All right, since Young Master Jiang isn’t here, you can go.”

“Yes.” As Xu An’an turned to leave, Shen Ying suddenly spoke again. “The new medicine I've been researching has made progress. It should be ready in about a month.”

A flash of hope lit Xu An’an’s eyes, gone as quickly as it came.

Shen Ying came from a family renowned for medicine, especially skilled in traditional practices. Back when Xu An’an’s mother was at death’s door, it was Shen Ying who saved her. Since then, her mother had been kept in the intensive care unit.

The price: Xu An’an had to marry into the Jiang family in place of Xu Wanwan.

As for the future, Xu An’an dared not let Shen Ying get too close to her mother.

Yet Shen Ying’s skill was the only thread of hope she had.

...

In order to gain independence as soon as possible, Xu An’an sought out President Wang three times before finally securing a meeting.

She had once overheard her colleagues at the TV station mention President Wang—a man interested in investing in new projects, though no one had managed to win him over.

If she could secure Wang’s investment, her status at the station would soar.

President Wang was a man in his early forties, his figure still decent, not yet gone to seed. He spoke with wit and humor.

But the way he looked at Xu An’an was off.

She ignored the discomfort of his gaze and maintained a professional smile, handing over the proposal she had prepared so carefully.

“President Wang, if you have any requirements, please let me know.”

He perused the proposal first; it was precisely to his taste.

But his appetite was far larger.

He wanted to have Xu An’an in every sense.

His words grew more suggestive, hinting that if she wanted his investment, she would have to offer herself. He even mentioned her boss, Xue Shengnan.

“Miss Xu, the fact that you found me for investment means you want to be a strong woman like Xue Shengnan, don’t you?”

“And how did Xue Shengnan succeed? I think we both know, deep down. After all, for a woman striving in this world without background or connections, it’s so much harder than for a man.”

“There’s nothing wrong with taking a shortcut now and then.”

“No one will blame you—in fact, they’ll envy you for having such an opportunity.”

“After all, as talent scouts, we do have a keen eye.”

Talent scouts? The most revolting things can be dressed up to sound so refined!

Xu An’an’s expression grew colder.

“President Wang, I appreciate your appreciation…” But I am not that kind of person, and neither is President Xue.

She had just started to speak when a waiter suddenly shifted the screen beside her.

Xu An’an looked up by chance and was caught off guard by a pair of deep, dangerous black eyes. The man’s handsome face was icy, carrying the aura of a privileged heir.

It was Jiang Li.

His cheeks were lightly flushed—a sign he’d drunk quite a bit.

Sitting across from him was a woman gazing at him with infatuation. By all appearances, they were on a date.

As expected—the men of the Jiang family were all philanderers.

Xu An’an scoffed inwardly and withdrew her gaze indifferently.

But she could feel Jiang Li’s glare, burning with a certain anger. Was it because she had caught him on a date with another woman, and his pride was wounded?

But at best, they were little more than bed partners.

What business was it of his?

President Wang noticed the wine served to the next table and immediately asked the waiter to bring some over. During Xu An’an’s brief distraction, he took her silence for acquiescence.

After all, few would pass up such a golden opportunity.

“Ali, I really love you! Give me a chance!” the woman across from Jiang Li pleaded, her eyes sparkling. “You love my father’s prized vintage, don’t you? I risked everything to bring it to you—doesn’t that prove my sincerity?”

Hearing the truth behind Jiang Li’s drinking, Xu An’an nearly choked on her water.

She recalled Jiang Yu mentioning Jiang Li’s love for fine wine, with the family cellar holding countless treasures worth millions.

If Jiang Li was seeing this woman for the sake of her rare wines—well, it was plausible.

After all, Jiang Li only appeared to be a model gentleman.

“Miss Xu, the wine’s here. Let’s have a couple of glasses first.” President Wang beamed as he poured her a glass.

It was a strong spirit.

Caught up in the spectacle, Xu An’an almost forgot her purpose. She slipped the proposal back into her bag and stood up. “President Wang, I cannot possibly agree to your proposal.”

“What did you say?!”

President Wang felt he had been played.

If she was going to refuse, she should have done so sooner. Instead, she waited until he’d ordered two bottles of expensive liquor and was getting hopeful, only to reject him now!

His face contorted in rage. “Whether you’re willing or not, it’s out of your hands now. Drink both bottles—or else I’ll make sure your superiors at the station teach you a lesson you won’t forget!”

Xu An’an couldn’t be bothered to respond. She turned to leave.

“You filthy whore, stop right there!”