Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Xinya left quickly, for fear that Anatoli would chase after her. She could not help but find the place extremely dangerous, for she did not have Si Yiyan by her side.
Not long after, Wen Xinya realized that she was getting a little lost. She frantically grabbed her mobile phone and called Si Yiyan.
Si Yiyan asked around for Wen Xinya’s whereabouts. By the time Wen Xinya said that she was at the pool, Si Yiyan was already beside her.
He was no longer as calm and composed as he used to be and instead sounded much more panicky and was breathing irregularly. The frown on his forehead only eased up the moment he saw her.
Staring at her bare feet, Si Yiyan zoomed towards her and grabbed her by the waist to pick her up in his arms. “Didn’t I tell you to call me once you wake up and not to wander around on your own?”
Placing her hands on his shoulders, Wen Xinya said, “I’ve always had a good sense of direction, but this place is built just like a maze. I clearly remember the way, here but I can’t find my way back.”
Staring at her with a bright and clear gaze in his eyes which resembled ivory, Si Yiyan asked, “Why are you wandering around barefooted? What if you hurt your feet?”
Feeling a little disgruntled at the thought of her shoes, Wen Xinya said, “I was wearing them just now, but they got dirty, so I threw them away.”
Si Yiyan could not help but feel a little nervous. Did something happen when she called me just now? he wondered. He asked, “What’s the matter? You don’t look too good.”
Wen Xinya answered, “Do you know who Anatoli is?”
Wen Xinya could not help but feel a little threatened at the thought of the youth who was obsessed with alcohol and lust.
A sullen expression formed on Si Yiyan’s face and he asked, “You ran into him? Did he do something to you?”
Sensing his displeasure, she felt that he looked extremely menacing and devilish. She frantically rubbed her face affectionately against his chest and explained, “No, no, I just saw him flirting with some women and behaving intimately with them by the pool. He didn’t do anything to me.”
“Is that all?” Si Yiyan questioned apprehensively, clearly not believing her words. He glared at her coldly with gloomy eyes.
Wen Xinya had no choice but to say, “Don’t worry, he didn’t take advantage of me.”
After hearing her words, Si Yiyan felt a sudden wave of joy. He looked at her and said, “You’re really brazen. There’s nothing you wouldn’t dare to do. Anatoli is the young master of the Ivanov family, and he’s very sly and cunning. Everyone knows that he’s an ill-bred Eurasian in Russia. Yet, he’s greatly favored by the Ivanov Family. Lucifer had always had a great feud with the Ivanov Family. It’d be difficult for you to get out of trouble if he finds out that you’re mine.”
Fortunately, Anatoli had always been extremely gracious towards women who did not pose a threat to his interests. Hence, it was easy for Wen Xinya to stay out of trouble.
“Indeed, he’s a member of the Ivanov Family.” Wen Xinya had already guessed that Anatoli was part of the Ivanov Family and only acted rashly because she wanted to get back at him for the feud that Lucifer had with them.
Si Yiyan smacked her butt gently and chided. “Why did you still have the audacity to do that then!?!”
“He’s just a lecher who has no morals!” Wen Xinya exclaimed with pouted lips. However, she could not help but feel a little afraid, though she did not regret her actions.
Si Yiyan kissed her sideburns gently and said, “Anatoli may be lecherous, but he’s not a simple man. He’s cunning, relentless and cruel. He currently holds 40% of the Ivanov Family’s business.”
Wen Xinya took a deep breath, shocked to hear that such a pretty man would actually turn out to be as formidable as Si Yiyan.
Si Yiyan said calmly, “I’m sure you know that the proportions of genders are imbalanced in Russia. The rich and powerful in Russia are allowed to marry several wives, and the patriarch of the Ivanov Family has a total of seven wives and thirty-odd children. Children who are born into such families are undoubtedly tempted by power, desires and wealth. The competition within the family is intense as well. There are only three remaining descendants of the Ivanov Family. In order to be one of the very few survivors, he must possess wit and strong capabilities to aid him in winning the intense battle. Not to mention, he even outshone the rest and earned the recognition and respect of the Ivanov Family.”
Familial power struggles were common in the circle. However, the one within the Ivanov Family was far more violent and full of bloodshed. “Is that how the Ivanov Family picks their successor?”
“Yes, they’re a large family of gangsters, and one must be scheming and cunning enough to survive in such family. The violence and brutal selection is indeed a way to train one’s grit. Those who remain are the most outstanding. Every successor has something to do with the other authorities. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to survive.”
Wen Xinya asked with a slight frown, “Will Anatoli be the next successor of the Ivanov Family?”
She found the Ivanov Family to be extremely dysfunctional, for they would resort to killing each other for the sake of power, despite being blood kin. They have no consideration for kinship at all. So what if he’s outstanding and capable? He’s nowhere better than a beast, she thought.
Si Yiyan answered, “The outcome isn’t decided yet, but he has the most hope of becoming the successor.”
“You seem to be rather afraid of him,” said Wen Xinya, who knew Si Yiyan too well. She understood that Si Yiyan was extremely prideful and never found anyone to be a threat, let alone Anatoli. Lucifer was far more powerful than the Ivanov Family.
Si Yiyan said, “I’ve battled him a few times before!”
Wen Xinya asked curiously, “Who won?”
“I did, but…” Si Yiyan pointed at his forehead and continued, “There’s something wrong with him here. He’s very extreme and likes resorting to underhanded means regardless of the consequences. He wouldn’t mind taking a major loss either. He’s a little neurotic and sees me as his greatest opponent.”
Anatoli was indeed a real piece of work, and Si Yiyan was probably worried because of her. “You’re wary of him because you’re afraid that my identity would be exposed, and he’ll start harming me.”
Si Yiyan nodded and said, “I didn’t expect him to be here at this auction either. Given his character, he’d never be bothered by the possibility of his personal feud implicating his innocent family members. He’d resort to anything.”
Wen Xinya rubbed her face against his chest and said, “I’ll stay in the dining room obediently then. I won’t go anywhere else later.”
Si Yiyan smiled and said, “Have you learned your lesson?”
Wen Xinya remained silent while rubbing her face against his chest.
