After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 40

The next day after lunch, Sang Shi’an changed into the custom-made gown she had ordered that month and put on a diamond necklace worth enough to buy a sports car. As she got into Jian Chenyu’s car, she feigned forgetting to apply perfume, subtly imbuing herself with Jian Chenyu’s signature woody, cool fragrance.

The Jian family’s ancestral mansion was nestled halfway up a mountain, a sprawling four-courtyard estate passed down through generations. The air quality was exceptional, making it an ideal place for Old Master Jian to recuperate.

From the main gate to the residence, they had to drive a considerable distance. Along the way, centuries-old cypress trees formed a dense canopy, appearing even more majestic against the stark winter landscape.

Now dusted with a layer of lingering snow, a rare sight, Sang Shi’an pulled out her phone to capture the moment.

As the car came to a stop, Sang Shi’an noticed Jian Chenyu’s father, Jian Zhihuan, escorting someone to the parking lot. After a brief conversation, the other man got into an Audi and drove away.

“Former provincial governor,” Jian Chenyu explained as she parked the car, clearing Sang Shi’an’s confusion. “He maintained good relations with our family during his tenure. He comes every year to give Old Master Jian birthday gifts.”

“And he deliberately arrives before the other guests,” Sang Shi’an clicked her tongue. “Good thing he’s retired now.”

Jian Chenyu chuckled softly. “His son has already climbed to the hall-level rank.”

Now that the conversation had reached this point, everything became clear. They were here to seek a business partnership.

One generation of collusion between officials and merchants wasn’t enough; they wanted it to last for generations to come.

“Don’t talk to me about such things,” Sang Shi’an said, covering her ears in disgust. “I’m a good socialist youth, educated under the national flag.”

Jian Chenyu chuckled softly, and true to her word, didn’t press the matter further. “Let’s get out of the car. I’ll take you to meet my grandfather first.”

Sang Shi’an obediently followed Jian Chenyu, greeting the family members before being led to Old Master Jian’s room.

The room was filled with the scent of incense. Old Master Jian looked somewhat weaker than when Sang Shi’an had last seen him, but his cloudy eyes still held their usual imposing gaze.

Jian Chenyu squeezed Sang Shi’an’s hand. “Greet him.”

Sang Shi’an snapped out of her daze. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Gone was the defiant edge she’d shown when warning Jian Chenyu the night before. Jian Chenyu suppressed a smile and presented the gift they’d brought. “This is An’an’s birthday gift for you.”

The gift box revealed a piece of ink jade, its value immediately apparent. Sang Shi’an suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to ask Sang Shiyue for a birthday gift. But how did Jian Chenyu know she’d forgotten to ask her brother?

Since she had only decided to come to the Jian Family last night, and she and Jian Chenyu were staying under the same roof, how could Jian Chenyu have had time to prepare a gift for her?

“You’re so thoughtful,” Old Master Jian’s voice brought Sang Shi’an back to reality.

Sang Shi’an continued to speak obediently, “As long as Grandpa likes it.”

Contrary to her expectations, Old Master Jian didn’t mention Jian Zhenyang. After asking a few questions about the health of her family elders, he announced it was time for his afternoon nap.

Jian Chenyu led Sang Shi’an to her room to rest. As soon as they entered, Sang Shi’an’s tense body relaxed. She turned to ask, “How much did the gift for your grandfather cost? I’ll have my brother transfer the money to you.”

Jian Chenyu named a figure that made Sang Shi’an think she was hallucinating. “Are you extorting me?”

“They said it was unearthed from the tomb of some Ming Dynasty prince. The old man loves antiques. Don’t tell your brother,” Jian Chenyu said meaningfully, turning her head. “After all, in my grandfather’s eyes, it wasn’t just from you—it was from both you and your brother.”

Sang Shi’an: ?

“Jian Chenyu, do I not have any—”

Jian Chenyu gestured for silence, pointing to the caller ID on her phone. “It’s my dad. Wait a moment.”

Sang Shi’an watched her retreating figure, realizing after a few seconds that she had been tricked. Furious, she slammed the door shut, wanting to erase the sight from her mind.

When Jian Chenyu came downstairs, Jian Zhihuan was already seated in the silver-roofed Maybach. The rear window slowly lowered. “Get in.”

Jian Chenyu settled into the car, and it began to move, circling the Jian residence at a leisurely pace, clearly indicating Jian Zhihuan had something to discuss.

“Dad.”

Jian Zhihuan paused before asking, “Why was Sang Shi’an here today? Where was Sang Shiyue?”

This wasn’t the first time Jian Zhihuan had raised this issue. Jian Chenyu had known she couldn’t avoid it. “Dad, I’m not close to him.”

“Our families know each other well, and we have significant business ties. You’re not much older than him, and you’ve met countless times over the years. If you treated him with even half the warmth you show his sister, how could you not be close?”

At this, the smile vanished from Jian Chenyu’s eyes, and her voice lowered. “I don’t want to go through with the arranged marriage anymore.”

Jian Zhihuan seemed unsurprised. Fortunately, Jian Chenyu was his daughter; otherwise, he would have erupted in fury. “Reason?”

“Since returning home, I’ve thoroughly studied the company’s business models. Even the Sang Family is striving to transform. Dad, must we continue down this rigid path, waiting for our uncles to bleed the company dry and declare bankruptcy?”

Jian Zhihuan’s heart sank. “You want to split the business? Don’t even think about it. Your grandfather gave your uncles and aunts their shares to protect the entire company back then…”

“But their greed knows no bounds,” Jian Chenyu interrupted, meeting her father’s gaze. “They’re no longer satisfied with the original division. They’ve already taken their share and still want to cling to the company, bleeding it dry.” She spoke slowly and deliberately, “Dad, you know this all too well, don’t you?”

The Jian Family’s insistence on a strategic marriage wasn’t because the company was truly in trouble. It was merely to preserve the Jian Clan’s reputation. Even projects unrelated to their own had to be supported, such was the ingrained habit of prioritizing family interests, deeply rooted in her grandfather’s mindset. When Jian Zhihuan took over the Jian Clan, it was precisely because he was the sibling who valued familial ties above all else.

“Even if you wanted to completely sever ties with them, their shares, positions, and projects within the company would destabilize the entire operation, Chen Yu. You’re still a student. Don’t think running a company is as simple as the textbooks make it out to be.” Having reached this point, Jian Zhihuan finally calmed down. He stopped looking at his daughter through the eyes of a father and began treating her like a business partner, prioritizing profit above all else.

“The research on neutrophil-based cancer therapy is nearing completion. Clinical trials with volunteers have already begun.”

Jian Chenyu’s gaze remained steady, her expression composed. “Even before I returned to China, I received numerous offers from companies. Just a few days ago, this breakthrough was published in Nature, and even more people will come seeking collaboration.”

“I hold all rights to this technology. I can bring it to the Jian Clan, or partner with others. Dad, this is what I wanted to discuss with you.”

The spacious back seat fell into silence. The leather seats bore the weight of the moment as Jian Zhihuan’s hand slowly clenched into a fist.

Even before Jian Chenyu graduated from Oxford, she had received offers from industry giants. If this research truly succeeded, it would mark a revolutionary turning point in human medical history, bringing immeasurable benefits to the Jian Clan.

After a full three minutes, Jian Zhihuan finally relaxed his grip and leaned back in his seat. “I underestimated you,” he admitted.

Jian Chenyu leaned forward, took his hand, and smiled faintly. “Dad, you were the one who insisted I study at Oxford in the first place. I’m truly grateful.”

Jian Zhihuan shook off her hand, gasping for breath. “Are you hiding something from me?” he demanded. “If I don’t agree, who else are you planning to collaborate with on this research? Sang Shiyue?”

He quickly dismissed his own words. “No, the Sang Family has never mentioned anything like this. They’re not the type.”

“But you’re going to Yanjing University for graduate studies. Have you been planning this all along? Is that why you’ve been dragging your feet on company matters?”

Jian Chenyu offered no explanation, simply stating, “I won’t help the Jian Family the way you do, unless it belongs solely to me.”

Jian Zhihuan frowned. “You can’t possibly want to drive them all out, can you? They’re your relatives—the closest people you have in this world besides me and your mother. They just want a bigger share of the profits. Our family’s wealth will last for generations anyway. Harmony brings prosperity.”

“I deeply respect Aunt,” Jian Chenyu replied, her lips curling into a sardonic smile at the mention of “harmony brings prosperity.” “As for the others…”

“If I hadn’t happened to be picking up experimental reagents that day, I would be the one lying in the hospital ICU,” Jian Chenyu said softly but firmly. “Father, I don’t ask for your help. I only ask that you stand aside.”

After speaking, she instructed the driver, “Uncle Li, please turn the car around. We’ve been out for half an hour already; we shouldn’t keep our guests waiting.”

With that, Jian Chenyu relaxed against the seat back, closing her eyes slightly.

Jian Zhihuan stared at Jian Chenyu, his mouth opening and closing several times, words forming on the tip of his tongue but never escaping. From a young age, Chenyu had been independent, excelling in her studies and social interactions without requiring his intervention, giving him the illusion that he had her under perfect control. At this moment, he realized he had never truly understood his daughter.

Nor could he fathom her intentions.

The instant Jian Zhihuan turned away, Jian Chenyu’s eyelashes fluttered, her cold eyes clearly reflected in the car window.

A faint, almost cruel smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

She hadn’t intended to bring this up so soon.

Given her usual caution, she might have waited until the clinical trials showed significant results, or until she had calculated the precise anti-cancer efficacy to use as leverage.

Just as Jian Zhiyan had advised her to postpone submitting her thesis, she could no longer wait.

She needed to accumulate all her bargaining chips as quickly as possible, to have the strength to defy the Jian Family’s vast interests.

Sang Shi’an’s face seemed to materialize before her eyes, and a gentle warmth slowly spread through her heart.

Jian Chenyu’s mind flashed back to Sang Shi’an’s clumsy and childish attempts to test the waters, the memory tinged with a faint, sweet fragrance. She remembered it well—it was the scent of Sang Shi’an’s favorite perfume.

Perhaps she had truly failed as an older sister. Even when Sang Shi’an was young, she had broken her promises, leaving Sang Shi’an to hold a grudge for four long years. Now, she was exploiting their childhood bond, taking advantage of their proximity.

Even though the Sang-Jian Families had never publicly announced their arranged marriage, she still carried the unspoken weight of her connection to Sang Shiyue.

In their circle, where appearances mattered above all else, it was common for married individuals to have lovers. But they would never tolerate relationships between those of unequal social standing, let alone same-s3x partnerships.

She couldn’t change her gender, but she couldn’t allow Sang Shi’an to face both the stigma of being a lesbian and the added burden of being branded as someone who stole her own brother’s partner.

Sang Shi’an was young and didn’t need to consider these things, but Jian Chenyu couldn’t pretend not to know.

She needed to have a clear, legitimate opportunity to pursue a relationship with Sang Shi’an, without any distractions or hidden agendas.