Chapter 78: Child, Let It Go

Bo Jinxi still supported himself on his arms, his gaze sharp as he studied the woman beneath him. Her skin was as white as porcelain, evoking the illusion of a fragile, exquisite artifact. He drank in every inch of her beauty, greedily memorizing each delicate expression that crossed her face. His voice, already hoarse, carried an alluring and dangerous undertone.

"The Paradise Resort project is about to launch," he murmured. "Afterwards, I'll be very busy—there won't be time or energy for nights like this."

Jiang Zhi You nearly blurted out a prayer of thanks to the heavens. But then Bo Jinxi added, "So, shall we do it once more?"

By the time Jiang Zhi You fully awoke, Bo Jinxi had already left for the company. She couldn't recall how she’d fallen asleep—exhaustion had claimed her so thoroughly that, despite her usual troubles with rest, she'd slept deeply for once. When she got up, her body was clean, evidence that she'd been bathed. She made herself a cup of coffee, then picked up her phone, only to find numerous missed calls—over a dozen from Xia Ling and one from Yan Feng. Jiang Zhi You didn't return any of them; she simply blocked both numbers.

Elsewhere, in the president's office at BJ Tower, Gao Cen was reporting on work and the upcoming schedule. Suddenly, Bo Jinxi asked, "For today's project summit—has the team from Haifeng Construction arrived?"

"They have. A whole team. They've been waiting in the conference room for a while already," Gao Cen replied.

Today marked the official launch of the Paradise Resort project, with a large meeting organized by all parties and personally chaired by Bo Jinxi. Haifeng Construction was the principal contractor and their presence was indispensable.

"Who's leading their team?" Bo Jinxi inquired unexpectedly.

Gao Cen was a little surprised by his interest. "It's Yan Feng, the current general manager of the Yan Corporation. He's been given full responsibility for the Paradise Resort project."

A faint smile touched Bo Jinxi’s lips. After the way Yan Feng had been thrown last night, he was surprised the man wasn’t lying in a hospital bed this morning.

Half an hour later, Bo Jinxi pushed open the conference room door and entered. The room was spacious, with both sides of the long table already filled with attendees.

The Paradise Resort project spanned many industries, but the contractor was the most critical at this stage. Yan Feng and his team were seated closest to the head of the table. Bo Jinxi took his seat at the head, casting a glance at Yan Feng, who sat with his eyes lowered to a pile of documents, his gaze empty, as if all vitality had drained from him.

The meeting lasted a full four hours, stretching into noon. When it ended, Bo Jinxi suddenly called out, "Mr. Yan, the Paradise Resort project is massive and the schedule is tight. You are aware of that, I assume?"

Called upon, Yan Feng answered in a businesslike tone, "President Bo, Haifeng will do everything in its power not to betray BJ’s trust or expectations."

Yan Feng had been drunk the previous day, which was why he’d spoken so dismissively of Paradise Resort. In truth, the Yan Corporation was beset on all sides and in dire straits. Any rational person would know how desperately they needed this project. It was a blessing dropped from the sky, an opportunity not only to save the Yan family but possibly to propel them to new heights.

From that perspective, Yan Feng ought to be grateful to Bo Jinxi.

Bo Jinxi nodded. "From today onward, Mr. Yan, you are the project director for the contractor side of Paradise Resort. Given the size of the project, perfection is a must—there can be no errors. Therefore, I expect you to be stationed at the project site from now on, working alongside the frontline workers, personally overseeing the overall situation."

Yan Feng looked at Bo Jinxi. The project already had multiple teams; Haifeng’s side alone had an executive manager under the project director, with a safety director, quality director, commercial manager, and production director beneath that. It was rare for a project director to be on site every day, especially since Paradise Resort was located in the most remote outskirts of Rong City, far from here. Clearly, Bo Jinxi intended to exile him to the project department.

But this project was vital to the Yan Corporation. Whatever demands Bo Jinxi made, Yan Feng had no choice but to accept. Besides, after last night, a deep disillusionment had settled in his heart. Between Xia Ling's persistent entanglements and Jiang Zhi You's cold indifference, he only wished for some peace and solitude.

Thus, Yan Feng agreed without hesitation.

As Yan Feng exited BJ Tower, he saw Xia Ling waiting outside. Most of the people with the Yan Corporation were old retainers who had watched Yan Feng and Jiang Zhi You grow up, so they naturally knew about his relationship with Xia Ling—Yan Feng's mistress, whom he had never made any effort to hide from the company, coming and going with her openly.

Xia Ling even fancied herself as Mrs. Yan, though those privy to the truth held her in little regard. The Yan staff greeted Yan Feng with sighs and left first.

When Xia Ling saw Yan Feng, she rushed over. Today, she was dressed unusually simply—a long white cotton dress and a white canvas bag slung over her shoulder. She wore no makeup, making her face appear all the more haggard. Her eyes were slightly red, giving her an air of frailty and helplessness, as if a mere breeze might topple her.

She approached Yan Feng and, with utmost caution, reached out to tug at his sleeve. "A Feng, it's my three-month prenatal checkup today. Will you go to the hospital with me?"

By now, Xia Ling understood the reason behind Yan Feng's sudden change in temperament. He must have learned that she had tampered with Jiang Zhi You’s diary, which had led to their separation. In his heart, Yan Feng was surely angry and resentful toward her. There was no way to explain, and she didn’t intend to try. Three years had passed. Even if what happened between Jiang Zhi You and Yan Feng had been a misunderstanding, there was no returning to the past. Besides, she carried Yan Feng’s child—her only bargaining chip now.

Yan Feng glanced at the slight swell of her belly, but the joy he once felt at the prospect of a child had long since vanished, replaced by aversion. He shook off Xia Ling’s hand, regarding her coldly.

Suddenly, he spoke. "Xia Ling, this child—you should get rid of it."

Xia Ling stood frozen, thunderstruck, unable to comprehend what she’d just heard. After a long pause, she finally asked, her voice trembling in disbelief, "A Feng, what did you say?"

Yan Feng had agonized over this decision for two days and nights, torn every moment by doubt and inner conflict. But now that he had spoken, he felt resolute.

"I said, I don't want this child, Xia Ling. Have an abortion. Let’s both go back to our own lives."

Xia Ling stood there, feeling the sunlight scorch her far more cruelly than usual.

Yan Feng continued, "It's only three months. The procedure won’t harm your health too much. I’ll compensate you—you can name any price. If you agree, I’ll schedule a doctor right now. I’ll accompany you to the hospital and take care of you until you’ve fully recovered and are discharged."