My Manor

The person who came to find Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi was none other than Qi Li.

After she took them out of the office building, a Rolls-Royce was already parked outside. This car, identical to the one Jiang Hai owned in the United States, was also the same color. Qi Li had purchased it after returning from the States.

Once they got in the car, the three of them sat in silence, heading to the destination Qi Li had booked. Despite her calm exterior, Feng Yunchen's heart was racing. After all, in a sense, she was the mistress, and Qi Li was the wife. Few dared to act arrogantly in the presence of the main wife.

Ai Xiaoxi, on the other hand, was visibly anxious, her fingers twisted nervously. Qi Li noticed their discomfort and couldn't help but feel a bit irritated. She thought about taking the two of them by their heads and smashing them together—perhaps beating them wouldn't even satisfy her anger. But she knew that wasn't the right course of action. She had to think this through carefully, especially since she couldn't afford to explain such behavior to Jiang Hai.

Qi Li's relationship with Jiang Hai had become increasingly complicated. It seemed like every time the plot wasn't progressing, she would step in to steer things back. She had become a somewhat selfless figure in this regard.

At this point, it wasn't really the time to dwell on those matters. Qi Li had already known about Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi's visit to Jiang Hai's manor. She had a policeman stationed nearby for protection—though he wasn't exactly an "eyewitness" in the typical sense, his role was to safeguard the area. With Jiang Hai's investment in Winthrop's tourism, his significance to the town was undeniable. He had once been its biggest taxpayer, so the police kept a vigilant eye on his property, even having a patrol car outside his manor at all times.

When Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi entered the manor, Qi Li was immediately informed. She had even sent a private detective to take pictures. But after receiving the photos, she was uncertain about what to do next.

For a regular wife, catching her husband cheating would lead to warnings or even divorce. However, the relationship between Qi Li and Jiang Hai was too complex for such easy resolutions. If she wanted a divorce, Jiang Hai wouldn't be pleased. And if she tried to warn him, it would be futile—he wouldn't care about half the manor's worth. With his wealth and capabilities, he could easily rebuild his life elsewhere.

Qi Li's relationship with Jiang Hai had become increasingly ambiguous. Initially, she had seen him as insignificant. Their relationship had been nothing more than a business arrangement, but over time, she began to see a different side to him.

Jiang Hai, once unremarkable to her, had gradually started to shine. Exceptional men are undeniably attractive. It was like owning a toy that you might forget about until others begin desiring it. This was how Qi Li began to see him. After spending time at his manor and getting to know him better, Qi Li couldn't deny that Jiang Hai's quiet demeanor had a certain appeal. To others, he seemed aimless, but to her, he became a solid anchor.

Jiang Hai's financial success far outpaced hers. His recent cattle deal alone had brought in more money than her business had in years. He was rich, had a good heart, a great figure, and most importantly, he gave Qi Li a sense of security—a feeling she hadn't experienced since childhood when her father had protected her. This sense of safety had slowly evolved into deeper feelings for him.

At times, she found herself pondering what could have been, wondering if she had embraced this relationship sooner, if her life with Jiang Hai in Winthrop would be different. But such thoughts were just that—thoughts. In public, they were business partners, and privately, their bond remained uncertain.

Thus, Qi Li suppressed her anger as she looked at the two women before her.

The car soon arrived at their destination, a restaurant Qi Li had decorated herself. The interior was complete, but the place still smelled of fresh paint. Although she had used the finest ingredients, Qi Li decided to wait another month before opening, to allow the space to air out. For now, the staff was still settling into their roles.

The restaurant specialized in Jiang Hai's beef, and everything was designed to resemble a western-style establishment. It was a high-end venue where only guests in appropriate attire would be entertained. In fact, guests who tried to act above their station would be swiftly turned away.

Upon entering, Qi Li was greeted by the staff who respectfully bowed as she passed, but they didn't disrupt their work. This was Qi Li's request. She didn't believe in unnecessary formalities. Unlike Jiang Hai and most others, she preferred a straightforward approach.

The three of them were led to a table in the middle of the hall, where teppanyaki and freshly cooked steaks were the main offerings. As Qi Li sat down, a French chef, looking to be in his thirties, approached with confidence. He greeted them in French, and before they could respond, he awkwardly switched to Chinese, though his skills in the language were not perfect.

"Hello, ladies, dear Qi, I have prepared the food. You can see my cooking skills," he said with a wink at Qi Li.

Qi Li didn't react, but Feng Yunchen raised an eyebrow. Ai Xiaoxi, who had been silent, seemed uncomfortable, but the three of them remained seated.

The chef proceeded to cook, and the aroma of the food soon filled the air. He served the dishes, dividing them into three portions. The ingredients were average, but the craftsmanship was superb. The steak, however, was different—it had been specially brought in by Qi Li from Jiang Hai's farm, and it tasted exceptional.

Though it was still early in the day, the three women enjoyed their meal. Qi Li remained indifferent to the chef's attention, while Feng Yunchen and Ai Xiaoxi savored the food. The French chef, after finishing his work, didn't retreat to the kitchen but instead lingered nearby, his gaze fixed on Qi Li. She paid him no attention.

Once the meal was almost finished, Feng Yunchen finally gathered her courage and spoke up. "If you have something to say, now's the time. Otherwise, we'll get back to work."

Qi Li, still calm, replied as she took another bite of steak, "Words? Do my words even matter? If I tell you to stay away from Jiang Hai, will you listen?"

Feng Yunchen hesitated. "Actually, this doesn't depend on us, but on him."

Qi Li nodded slowly, her gaze steady. "Exactly. Today, I'm simply treating you to a meal. As a wife, I'm giving you a chance. But by the way, Feng Yunchen, why bring someone else? Aren't you worried that what you gain will just be divided?"

Feng Yunchen wiped her mouth and chuckled lightly. "You're right." (To be continued.)