Director Jiang, don't let the divorce get out of control.

Dusk crept in inch by inch through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the office of the director of a department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

His gaze, behind the gold-rimmed glasses, fell on a thin investigation report, his fingertips slowly tracing the edges of the pages.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Assistant Xiao Ren came in carrying a cup of hot tea, gently placing the teacup on the corner of the table.

"Director, we've investigated. The invitation to yesterday's dinner was sent to Madam through the public relations company 'Yuanyang Culture,' in the name of the Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation."

"Yuanyang Culture has a long-term brand promotion cooperation with Wens. The actual controller of this company was Wen Shaokang's college classmate in his early years."

The light from the table lamp cut Jiang Yubai's profile into sharp angles of light and shadow: "In other words, Wen Shaokang bypassed the formal channels of the Institute of Translation and Interpretation, using an unrelated third-party company as a front to lure her there."

"Yes... If we were to investigate this further, it could be classified as forging official documents and using false information to lure public officials to an appointment."

Jiang Yubai asked calmly, "What other projects does Yuanyang Culture have in hand?"

Xiao Ren: "The most important thing right now is the brand operation outsourcing of the 'Lancheng International Art Center'. The bid amount is in the nine figures. Wens has participated in the bidding and is currently one of the three candidates. Their chances of winning are not small."

Jiang Yubai's eyes were devoid of any warmth, and his tone was cold and indifferent. "Go check Yuanyang Culture's accounts for the past three years... Once you find them, report them. Seal what needs to be sealed, and freeze what needs to be frozen."

Xiao Ren felt a chill run down his spine.

Yuanyang Culture is not large in scale, but it has the backing of Wens Group. Over the years, it has won many government brand projects. If it has manipulated its accounts, a thorough investigation will reveal that it is definitely not clean.

Jiang Yubai meant that Yuanyang Culture should be uprooted from its very core.

"Then... what about the Lancheng project?" Xiao Ren asked tentatively. "Wen's is one of the bidders. If Yuanyang is seized, Wen's, as an affiliated party, will probably be questioned about its bidding qualifications."

Jiang Yubai took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose: "For the project in Lancheng, Wen's bidding qualifications will be reviewed again, and there's a high probability that they will be disqualified."

"The vacant spot will be given to 'Huasheng Wentou,' the company you mentioned before."

Xiao Ren was stunned for a moment.

Huasheng Cultural Investment is one of the local cultural enterprises that the Publicity Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been trying to support. It is not large in size but has a solid foundation.

They have been struggling to find an opportunity to challenge the dominance of established capital like Wens.

Jiang Yubai's move not only cut off Yuanyang Culture's path and squeezed Wenshi out of the project competition, but also conveniently provided Huashengwen with a stepping stone.

Killing three birds with one stone.

"I see."

When Wen Ruan arrived home, the house was dark. She reached out and touched the light switch to turn it on.

It seems Jiang Yubai hasn't returned yet.

She ate a quick bite, then changed into her pajamas and went to the bathroom to wash up, her mind filled with what Jiang Wanxing had said earlier.

Even if she can't help Jiang Yubai, she absolutely cannot hold him back.

She knew better than anyone else, but...

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Wen Ruan dried her face and returned to her bedroom. She picked up her phone and was immediately stunned.

It's the phone number for the old house.

She swiped to answer the call, and Aunt Zhou's cold and serious voice came from the other end: "Young Madam, the Old Madam said that you should take some time to go back to the old house tomorrow."

Wen Ruan's fingers tightened slightly: "Okay, Aunt Zhou, please tell Grandma that I'll go over tomorrow afternoon."

After hanging up the phone, she felt uneasy.

The old lady just called her back a while ago, what does she want her to do now that she's asking her to go over there again?

Jiang Yubai arrived home after eleven o'clock.

He hung his coat on the hanger, went into the bedroom and saw that she was sleeping soundly. He tiptoed to the bedside, gazed at her sleeping face, and looked at her with tender eyes.

He gently touched her cheek, and Wen Ruan frowned slightly, "Hmm..."

Jiang Yubai's fingers stiffened, and he subconsciously slowed his breathing, making sure he hadn't woken her before getting up and leaving.

The next morning, Wen Ruan woke up and instinctively reached out and touched the side.

She suddenly realized, could it be that Jiang Yubai hadn't returned home all night?

Wen Ruan sat up, rubbed her eyes, put on her coat, and went out the door.

In the living room, Jiang Yubai was standing in the entryway, fastening his cufflinks.

His well-defined fingers were slowly and deliberately fastening the silver cufflink.

Morning light streamed in obliquely through the French windows, illuminating half of his shoulder, his gold-rimmed glasses reflecting a few glimmers of light.

Wen Ruan was taken aback and blurted out, "You came back last night?"

She hadn't expected him to still be there.

He would usually have left home by now at this time.

Jiang Yubai looked up when he heard the noise, glanced at her, and said, "Where else can I go if I don't go home? There's breakfast in the kitchen. We can eat it later before going to the Institute of Translation and Interpretation."

Wen Ruan's cheeks flushed, and she nodded in agreement, but then she suddenly remembered Aunt Zhou's phone call last night and hesitated.

I'm unsure whether I should tell him about it.

But if we hide it, and Jiang Yubai finds out later, won't he be unhappy?

"What do you want to say?" Jiang Yubai noticed that she seemed to have something to say but hesitated.

Wen Ruan bit her lower lip lightly, but still told the truth, "Yesterday... I received a call from the old house, saying that Grandma wants me to go there today."

Jiang Yubai fastened his cufflinks, picked up his suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, glanced at her, and said, "If you don't want to go, just say you're too busy with work, and I'll have someone tell them."

Wen Ruan didn't expect him to say that, and then shook her head: "It's okay, Grandma may really have something to tell me. I'll go over after get off work, it won't be long, I just wanted to let you know."

Jiang Yu's gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was calm. Wen Ruan felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and turned her head away to brush her hair down.

"I have a meeting this afternoon," Jiang Yubai said, draping his suit jacket over his arm. "If I can drive quickly, I'll try my best to pick you up."

Wen Ruan felt a warmth in her heart, but then thought it unnecessary for him to make a special trip: "No need, no need, it's not far, don't let it interfere with your work..."

"You are more important."

After saying that, he went out.

Wen Ruan belatedly realized what he had just said, and her cheeks suddenly turned burning hot.

Before she knew it, it was evening. After getting off work, Wen Ruan took a taxi to the Jiang family's old house.

Aunt Zhou personally welcomed her in, saying expressionlessly, "The old lady is waiting for you in the flower hall."

Wen Ruan followed her through the screen wall and corridor. The air in the house always carried a scent of aged sandalwood mixed with the dampness of the wood. Every time Wen Ruan came back, she felt that she could not breathe properly.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, Wen Ruan saw the old lady of the Jiang family sitting in a grand chair, fiddling with a string of Buddhist prayer beads between her fingers, slowly manipulating them with her eyes lowered.

Wen Ruan went in: "Grandma."

The old lady didn't speak, slowly and deliberately fiddling with her prayer beads, and silence spread throughout the flower hall.

Wen Ruan's heart skipped a beat; this was the expression the old lady always had when she wanted to discipline her...

But she really couldn't understand what she had done recently to offend her.

The next moment, the old woman spoke in a cold, menacing tone: "Kneel down."