Chapter 15: Power Play

"Please sit, Mr. Jiang," Gu Fenyi looked up at him after cleaning her fingers. "What brings you here?"

Jiang Yue paused, smiled, stepped back, and sat on the sofa.

Gu Fenyi now understood why Ye Wenbo thought she would fear Jiang Er.

This Jiang Er stood tall with a dark complexion. At first glance, he didn't look like a businessman but more like a river gang enforcer. In modern terms, he looked like he belonged in organized crime. Even wearing a pressed suit, he showed no elegance.

But did this make him scary?

Gu Fenyi blinked slowly, taking in the man's appearance.

How could people of this era compare to the blood-soaked generals of her time, all surrounded by death?

Gu Fenyi grew up in a powerful household, surrounded by such people since childhood. Later, she married into high society and managed a family of over 400 people. Whether on battlefields or in royal courts, she never showed fear!

How could she possibly fear Jiang Er?

"Has Mr. Jiang come to seek revenge for Jiang Jing?" Gu Fenyi spoke first.

"I need an explanation. Our Jiang family member was beaten at your home... we can't let this go easily."

"And if your Jiang family beat someone from my Ye family, what then?" Gu Fenyi asked quickly.

Had Jiang Jing beaten someone too?

Jiang Yue showed no surprise.

He didn't know much about his younger brother, but he knew the boy enjoyed fighting with his peers.

"What does Mrs. Ye suggest?"

"I believe in treating others as they treat you. That's why I beat him."

She implied she had good reason to beat Jiang Jing, and he had no valid reason to complain.

Jiang Yue felt surprised.

He realized Gu Fenyi wasn't as foolish as rumors suggested. Instead, she showed remarkable calm. His visit seemed pointless now.

Still, Jiang Yue couldn't help asking, "Why should I trust Mrs. Ye? Jiang Jing is my brother."

His tone grew serious with the last sentence.

Ye Wenbo's face hardened, his eyebrows sharp as he glared at Jiang Yue like an irritated wolf.

But Gu Fenyi remained calm. She beckoned to Ye Wenbo with her finger. "Come here."

The fierce energy around Ye Wenbo immediately faded.

"What is she doing?" he wondered.

Ye Wenbo felt embarrassed as Gu Fenyi's gesture resembled someone calling a dog.

But with an outsider present...

Ye Wenbo didn't want Jiang Yue to mock him.

He moved closer to Gu Fenyi.

As soon as he did, Gu Fenyi turned slightly and placed her hand on his forehead.

Her fingers felt cool from the strawberries.

Ye Wenbo's forehead felt warm.

At her touch, Ye Wenbo's body trembled, and his heart seemed to shake.

Gu Fenyi didn't notice these small reactions. She quickly pushed back his hair and tapped her fingertips on a white scar.

"Mr. Jiang, your brother caused this," Gu Fenyi tapped the scar repeatedly, her voice sinking with anger.

"What? Only your Jiang family can bully my Ye family?"

Ye Wenbo barely heard what Gu Fenyi said.

His entire body tensed.

As a young man in his prime, no woman had ever touched him so intimately before...

Ye Wenbo's eyes flickered.

Gu Fenyi's actions reminded him of childhood memories—parents showing their children's injuries...

This thought made Ye Wenbo blush again.

While she spoke seriously to Jiang Er, his mind wandered.

Jiang Yue saw the scar on Ye Wenbo's forehead.

He wanted to dismiss the injury as minor.

But Gu Fenyi's stern face stopped him. Jiang Yue changed his approach: "Even so, it's just children fighting. Why bring it to the adult level?"

Jiang Yue's secretary felt confused as he listened.

Hadn't President Jiang come to pressure the Ye family?

Why did his confidence seem to weaken?

Now he sounded like a parent making excuses for his child.

Gu Fenyi sneered.

Since Jiang Yue entered, she hadn't smiled. Her first smile resembled the first flower blooming after frost melts—stunning and eye-catching.

"This started as a private matter. I beat Jiang Jing because of what he did to Ye Wenbo. If Mr. Jiang disagrees, he can beat me in return for Jiang Jing..."

"Wasn't Mr. Jiang the one who turned this into a dispute between our families?" Gu Fenyi's tone sharpened as her smile vanished.

Jiang Yue squeezed his fingertips.

Damn.

No one had told him this Ye lady can skillfully manipulated emotions! She shifted between moods expertly!

With her logic, he had no grounds to complain.

"If you want revenge for Jiang Jing, you can fight me today," she challenged.

Jiang Yue never expected a woman to challenge him.

And this woman was Gu Fenyi, Ye Wen's wife.

Jiang Yue shook his head instinctively. "I don't hit women."

Realizing this might provoke her, he quickly corrected himself: "I don't fight with women..."

When he looked at Gu Fenyi again, her smile had disappeared.

Jiang Yue sighed. "Since Jiang Jing caused this... let's forget it."

"Forget it?" Gu Fenyi raised her eyebrows. "Does Mr. Jiang think people can just walk into the Ye house whenever they please?"

Jiang Yue found this amusing.

Did Gu Fenyi want to settle accounts with him? She clearly didn't fear him.

Jiang Yue couldn't help admiring Gu Fenyi.

Ye Wen served as the Ye family's backbone. With him gone, Gu Fenyi supported the family instead. Whether genuinely calm or just appearing strong, she commanded respect. Many would panic in such circumstances... especially facing Jiang Yue, a powerful figure.

"Then what does Mrs. Ye suggest?" he asked.

Ye Wenbo looked at Jiang Yue and suddenly sensed danger.

But Jiang Yue remained oblivious.

Gu Fenyi stood up.

Ye Wenbo's breathing slowed.

Anticipation built.

Jiang Yue would regret this.

Balance matters greatly, Gu Fenyi thought as she made a fist.

She grabbed Jiang Yue's suit collar with one hand.

The secretary froze.

What was happening?