Chapter 20: The Deal

Jiang Yukang watched as Feng Ruoxi entered the school, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He glanced down at his phone, muttering under his breath, "Got you."

He had long suspected that Feng Ruoxi was not who she appeared to be. Ever since he had started conversing with the mysterious "Butterfly" online, he had a sneaking suspicion that this elusive figure was none other than Bai Yunshu, the skilled spy whose tragic death had left him with a heavy heart.

Jiang Yukang was Hawkeye007, and he had been chatting with Butterfly for some time. He knew that Butterfly was actually Bai Yunshu, but he had always been reluctant to confront her about it. His suspicions were confirmed when Butterfly had started asking him to do things that he later found Bai Yunshu had used on her missions.

Now, all the sadness he had felt when he learned of Bai Yunshu's death was gone, replaced with nothing but excitement. The thought of taking a bride at the Feng household was something he had not been eager to do, but now, knowing that Bai Yunshu had transmigrated into the body of Feng Ruoxi, he was more than happy to comply.

He looked at all their previous messages and he smiled, startling his driver. When he arrived at the offices of Jiang Corporation, he was in an unusually good mood. His secretary, Luo Yin, came in and said, "Sir, there is a gentleman here who has been waiting since 7:30 am to see you."

Jiang Yukang frowned. "Who is that?"

Luo Yin replied, "He didn't want to state his name, saying you'd know when you see him."

"Let him in," Jiang Yukang commanded.

After a few minutes, Luo Yin came back with Xia Zhenguo, a man clad in a black suit, his eyes dancing with slight amusement.

Jiang Yukang clenched his teeth, his cold demeanor masking the underlying tension. "What are you doing here, Xia Zhenguo?"

Xia Zhenguo chuckled, a hint of playfulness in his tone. "Funny way to greet an old friend."

Jiang Yukang's gaze hardened, his voice laced with disdain. "We aren't friends, and we were never friends."

Xia Zhenguo shrugged, a casual air about him. "Oh, come on now." He sat down and crossed his legs, a calculated move to assert his presence. "Not going to invite me to sit, are you?"

Jiang Yukang's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "I'm busy. Get to the point."

Xia Zhenguo leaned back in the chair, a hint of purpose in his demeanor. "It's been 5 years now, but I still don't see you making a decision. That's why I came here to find out what's happening."

"What decision?" Jiang Yukang asked, his brow furrowed, feigning ignorance.

Xia Zhenguo's expression turned slightly accusatory. "You can't tell me you forgot. My sister had asked you to think about making her your wife. Forgot already?"

Jiang Yukang's response was measured, his words carefully chosen. "I never said I would marry her."

Xia Zhenguo's eyes narrowed, a spark of determination flickering within. "But you promised to think about it."

Jiang Yukang shrugged, his tone indifferent. "Because she was nagging me."

Xia Zhenguo's lips tightened, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "My sister has been waiting for you all these years. She fell in love the first time she laid eyes on you."

Jiang Yukang responded dismissively, "That is her problem, not mine."

Xia Zhenguo's brow furrowed, a hint of protectiveness seeping into his voice. "Tell me, why won't you marry her? Is my sister not good enough?"

Jiang Yukang shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I don't like her."

Xia Zhenguo leaned forward, his gaze intense. "But you can learn to like her. She's beautiful, well-educated, and has manners. She's a full package and would make the perfect Madam Jiang."

Jiang Yukang's response was firm, his tone unwavering. "I won't marry your sister. Get that in your head and get it in hers."

Xia Zhenguo leaned back, a subtle displeasure etched on his features. "One thing I don't appreciate, young master Jiang, is someone making my little sister unhappy."

Jiang Yukang met his gaze evenly, his expression betraying no emotion. "And you're telling me this because?"

Xia Zhenguo's voice carried a hint of concern, though his eyes remained guarded. "Because you're making her unhappy. She can't even look at other men, and she's not getting any younger. She needs to get married and have kids."

Jiang Yukang's response was blunt, his tone dismissive. "Then what is she waiting for? She should get married."

Xia Zhenguo's brow furrowed, a flicker of frustration in his eyes. "Oh, but she only wants to marry you, and you're playing hard to get."

Jiang Yukang's frown deepened. "Is that all you came from the capital to tell me?"

Xia Zhenguo's expression remained steadfast. "That is the most important."

Jiang Yukang's tone turned clipped, his patience wearing thin. "I don't have all day. I have a conglomerate to run."

Xia Zhenguo leaned forward, a business proposal on his mind. "Well, in that case, I have a business proposal for you."

Jiang Yukang's eyes narrowed, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "I'm listening."

Xia Zhenguo's gaze hardened, a subtle threat behind his words. "Hand over that deal you have with the government, and I'll forget the sadness you're causing my dear sister."

Jiang Yukang's eyes narrowed, his mind racing to uncover Xia Zhenguo's true motives. "I have a lot of deals with the government. Be specific."

Xia Zhenguo's jaw tightened, a glimmer of calculation in his eyes. "The weapons deal. Let's just say I'm expanding, and I think that deal will give me a good footing. You don't need it, anyway. It's not bringing you that much revenue."

Jiang Yukang's response was measured, his voice betraying no emotion. "Unfortunately, I won't just give my business away. And as for that sister of yours, she can be sad her whole life for all I care."

Xia Zhenguo's eyes narrowed, a subtle warning in his tone. "Careful, young master Jiang. You don't want to say or do something you'll regret."

Jiang Yukang met his gaze without flinching, his own cunning and calculation evident in his expression. "Is that a threat?"

Xia Zhenguo chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice as he stood up. "Take it however you want. I'll give you a week to think about this. Either marry my sister or give me that business deal."

Jiang Yukang's eyes narrowed as Xia Zhenguo leaned back in his chair, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "You know, young master Jiang, my sister has been waiting a long time for you to make up your mind. She's not getting any younger, and her heart is set on becoming the next Madam Jiang."

Jiang Yukang's expression remained impassive, but a flicker of annoyance crossed his features. "That's her problem, not mine. I have no intention of marrying her."

Xia Zhenguo tsked, shaking his head in feigned disappointment. "Now, now, let's not be too hasty. Think of the benefits a union between our families could bring. Surely you can see the value in such an arrangement."

Jiang Yukang's fingers drummed against the polished surface of his desk, a calculated gesture. "The only value I see is the one I've already secured through my own efforts. I don't need your sister to bolster my position."

Xia Zhenguo's eyes narrowed, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Don't be so dismissive, Jiang Yukang. My sister is a fine woman, and she deserves to be the mistress of this empire you've built."

Jiang Yukang leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering. "That's not for you to decide. If your sister wants to be the next Madam Jiang, she'll have to make do with one of my cousins."

Xia Zhenguo's jaw tightened, his composure slipping ever so slightly. "You're being unreasonable, Jiang Yukang. My sister's happiness is at stake here. Surely you can make a concession."

Jiang Yukang's expression hardened, his tone laced with steel. "I don't negotiate when it comes to my business or my personal life. If you have nothing else to discuss, I suggest you take your leave."

Xia Zhenguo's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance flaring within. "Don't think for a moment that you can simply dismiss me, Jiang Yukang. This is far from over."

Jiang Yukang's gaze remained unwavering, his lips curving into a faint, humorless smile. "Oh, I'm counting on it, Xia Zhenguo. I look forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve."

The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with the unspoken threats and power struggles that lay beneath the surface. Xia Zhenguo's grip on the armrest of the chair tightened, his knuckles turning white as he fought to maintain his composure.

After a tense moment, Xia Zhenguo stood, his movements deliberate and controlled. "Very well, Jiang Yukang. I'll give you the week to reconsider. But mark my words, I won't be so forgiving if you continue to disappoint my sister."

Jiang Yukang's gaze remained unwavering, his voice calm and measured. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Xia Zhenguo. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a company to run."

With a final nod, Xia Zhenguo turned and made his way to the door, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent office. As the door slammed shut behind him, Jiang Yukang leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin.

The game had only just begun, and Jiang Yukang had no intention of losing.

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