Chapter Fourteen: Wife, I Need to Use the Bathroom

Han Ning’s brows furrowed lightly. That Jeep Wrangler, which had made that guy’s eyes light up, had been bought merely for novelty’s sake. She’d driven it only twice before leaving it untouched. It was hardly a luxury car, and certainly unsuitable for business meetings or contract negotiations. Han Ning didn’t even bother answering Yang Jiekai’s question, nor did she seek his opinion. She simply tossed a set of car keys his way. “Go drive.”

Yang Jiekai caught the keys, glanced at them, and couldn’t help but pout in dissatisfaction. “Bentley, huh? Doesn’t feel right to drive.”

Han Ning paid no mind to his mutterings, standing coldly by the Bentley’s door, her gaze icy and indifferent, as if to say: drive if you want, if not, get lost.

“Fine, fine, I’ll make do,” Yang Jiekai said, seeing her expression as frigid as if it had been frozen for millennia. Oddly enough, he usually hated anyone speaking to him in a threatening tone—if it were someone else, he’d have tossed the keys aside and stormed off—but facing Han Ning, that stubborn streak of his simply couldn’t surface.

As he opened the door, he couldn’t help but cast a longing glance back at the inconspicuous Jeep Wrangler parked in the corner. His fondness for this model stemmed from his days on the mercenary battlefield, where his vehicle had been a heavily modified version—an armored, bulletproof beast that was more tank than car. Seeing a similar model, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia.

He started the engine, and the Bentley’s smooth purr filled the air as they slowly left the garage.

Just a few reverse turns and maneuvers were enough to make Han Ning, herself an expert driver, inwardly praise his skills. What seemed ordinary to most, in the hands of a professional, revealed subtleties: the precise handling, the perfect angles, the smooth control—these weren’t things anyone could master at will.

Seeing that this man’s driving was decent, Han Ning finally let go of her last worries, comfortably settling into the spacious leather seat in the Bentley’s rear. At first she’d been concerned that this scruffy, thuggish-looking fellow might not even know how to drive.

But as the Bentley gently rolled onto the avenue, her heart suddenly jumped into her throat.

Roar!

The moment they hit the street, Yang Jiekai slammed down the accelerator. With deft adjustments, he pushed the Bentley rapidly up to one hundred kilometers per hour in the blink of an eye!

“Slow down!” Han Ning shouted, nerves taut as she glared at Yang Jiekai.

“No worries. If a high-end car like this moves at the same speed as all those ordinary clunkers, what a waste, right?” Yang Jiekai replied, utterly at ease behind the wheel, as if he were driving a toy.

Han Ning was about to retort when Yang Jiekai pressed the gas again, the vehicle rocketing forward.

“Stop the car! Stop right now!” Han Ning, seeing the needle hit one hundred sixty on the speedometer, felt her heart clench. She cried out, heedless of her image.

On the highway, this speed might be nothing, but here they were in the bustling city center. Never mind traffic regulations—at that speed, even the slightest misstep could mean disaster.

“It’s fine,” Yang Jiekai said casually, face relaxed, as if he were out for a joyride.

“There are traffic police up ahead!” Han Ning, seeing him ignore her warnings, resorted to threats.

Yang Jiekai smiled faintly. “Whatever. They can dock points, revoke my license, fine me if they want.”

He muttered under his breath, “Besides, I don’t even have a license.”

Han Ning felt her heart spasming, regret gnawing at her insides. If not for the fear of an accident, she would have kicked this dangerous man out of the car right then.

Seeing that persuasion was useless, she could only close her eyes, gripping the handle tightly, helpless and vulnerable, praying nothing would happen. Han Ning, lofty businesswoman though she was, was still a woman—a mortal flesh and blood—who, faced with mortal danger, could not help but be afraid.

Luckily, disaster did not strike.

After a long while, Han Ning slowly opened her eyes and saw they had already reached the sparsely populated outskirts. Only then did she exhale in relief, realizing her back was drenched in sweat.

“My dear wife, what were you panicking about? Trust my driving. That was just a warm-up—next time, I’ll show you something even more thrilling!” Yang Jiekai, still savoring the excitement, felt invigorated by the rush of speeding through the city, the sensation reminiscent of his days dodging bullets on the battlefield. His ride back then was a customized Wrangler, equipped with a machine gun on the hood—pure exhilaration.

Han Ning’s heart finally calmed. She ignored his annoying antics, silently vowing never to let him drive her car again.

Clear Spring Manor was located in the suburbs of Anhai City, with Han Enterprises holding considerable shares there. Han Ning chose the negotiation site here for safety—no matter how formidable He Yuan was, he surely wouldn’t dare make a move against her on her own turf.

As Yang Jiekai pulled up to the manor’s entrance, a staff member hurried over, opened the door, and greeted Han Ning politely.

Han Ning’s memory was exceptional; she recognized the staffer as one of the manor employees and nodded before heading inside. Yang Jiekai handed over the keys for parking.

Once they had walked away, the staffer’s expression changed. He spoke quietly into his walkie-talkie, “Target has arrived, accompanied only by a driver.”

The manor was themed around nature, with artificial hills, strange stones, and lush greenery—an idyllic environment. Yang Jiekai followed Han Ning, admiring the scenery while discreetly surveying his surroundings.

He’d already noticed the staffer’s odd demeanor upon entering, and had a few suspicions.

“My dear wife, I need to pee!” Yang Jiekai suddenly called out behind Han Ning.

She frowned, glanced around, and snapped, “How many times have I told you—not to call me that!”

“Got it!”

Yang Jiekai grinned. “Where’s the kitchen?”

Han Ning was nearly beside herself with anger at his antics, pointed out the direction, and strode off. After a few steps, she realized something was wrong—he’d said he needed to pee, so why was he asking about the kitchen?

Madman!

She cursed inwardly, but didn’t dwell on it, heading alone to the meeting spot.

The location was a pavilion at the heart of Clear Spring Manor. He Yuan and several attendants had been waiting there for some time. Upon seeing Han Ning, He Yuan rose to greet her. “President Han, it’s been a while—you’re as beautiful as ever!”

Han Ning exchanged a polite handshake, masking her disgust behind a professional smile. “You flatter me, President He. It’s an honor to have you visit our humble place—if there’s anything lacking, I hope you’ll forgive us.”

She deliberately emphasized that this was her domain.

“Heh, I’ve long heard the head of Han Group is a beauty, and you certainly live up to it. That figure—tsk, tsk! Must be a D cup, right?” A lewd voice sounded, making Han Ning’s brows knit. She looked over to see a burly man with a mop of curly hair, dressed sloppily, sitting in a chair picking at his feet.

“Fuzzball, mind your tongue!” He Yuan rebuked his attendant with token severity, then smiled at Han Ning. “Apologies, President Han—my subordinate lacks manners. Please don’t take offense.”

Han Ning felt disgusted, but kept her composure, exchanged a few pleasantries, and took her seat, getting straight to business.

“President He, I trust you’ve reviewed the project materials. I wonder if you’re interested in this venture?”

He Yuan, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, had a fair complexion and a tailored brown suit—a scholarly appearance.

Yet anyone who knew He Yuan would never associate him with the word “scholar.” He was the only son of He Xiao, renowned for his cunning and ruthlessness, infamous even beyond his father’s reputation in Anhai City.

Some said if He Xiao was a tiger, his son He Yuan was a viper. There’s an old saying: better to prod a tiger’s tail than step on a snake’s. Those familiar with He Yuan knew just how much he was feared.

There was once a skeptic in Anhai City who offended He Yuan. Within days, his entire family vanished without a trace. The case was never solved, but everyone knew who was responsible.

“I’ve seen the materials—it’s an excellent project,” He Yuan said softly. If judged by looks alone, he could easily be the prince charming of many young women’s dreams.

“So, regarding the partnership, what are your thoughts?” Han Ning pressed, eager to secure his commitment. “This project was only made possible through extensive connections. If you choose to work with us—”

“Let’s discuss the project later,” He Yuan interrupted, signaling an attendant to pour a glass of baijiu and smiling at Han Ning. “It’s rare to share a meal with such a beauty. Let’s drink first, then talk business.”

Han Ning saw it was a large glass that could hold two shots, and frowned. In the past, she would’ve refused such a toast outright.

But things were different now—she needed He Yuan’s cooperation to take her first step toward independence.

“Very well. Since you’re so hospitable, I won’t decline,” she said, steeling herself to down the entire glass in one gulp. Instantly, a fiery heat swept through her body, her throat ablaze. She rarely drank, and when she did, it was usually mild red wine. Drinking two shots of baijiu at once was unprecedented for her.

“Excellent! President Han is indeed forthright!” He Yuan, instead of drinking himself, refilled her glass. “As the saying goes, good things come in pairs. I’ll toast you again.”

Han Ning was shrewd—if the first glass could be excused, the second was clearly deliberate. He Yuan intended to get her drunk.

“President He, let’s leave the drinking here. I’d like your stance on the partnership. You must know how profitable this venture will be. If you’re not interested, I’ll have to seek another partner.”

“Hahaha!” He Yuan burst into laughter. “Interesting, very interesting. Tell you what—if you want my commitment, finish this bottle, and I’ll agree at once.”

Han Ning’s brows drew together. “It seems you’re not sincere. In that case, I’ll take my leave.” She began to rise, but at that moment, Fuzzball grabbed her hand, grinning. “Beauty, when our boss offers a drink, no one dares refuse!”