Chapter 365: Self-Leaked Gossip
“That businessman sight is no different from short-sightedness. As the old saying goes: the poor never wins against the rich, and the rich never wins against the government—that’s the same thing with us now. Why should our family come to you instead?”
“I won’t try to curry favor when there’s nothing to be offered. Since you’ve spoken, Sheng Xiao and Qiqi’s engagement would be annulled. Later, our family would tell everyone about that, and as for Seventh Sister, I will send someone to your door and convey our sincerity.”
“Old Shen…”
“You fired the first shot, meaning that you were keen on burning all bridges with me. I accept that.” Old Shen lifted his brow at Old Sheng, holding nothing back in his words. “Let’s forget about everything we shared before then.”
With Old Shen being so swift and decisive, Old Sheng started panicking inwardly.
He had never imagined that Mu Qiqi’s second uncle would become mayor of Jianchuan since he had been preoccupied with the Gu family lately.
He did not think that the Shen family was same as ever. With Shen Lin joining the army and Shen Jianchuan slowly recovering, they would eventually reclaim their limitless strength.
“Old Shen, you’re being too serious. We still hope that Qiqi could come by to visit us…”
“Save it! Your family might be shameless, but my family knows shame.”
With that, Old Shen left with a flick of his sleeve.
And that left Old Sheng quite upset. Though snuggling up to the Gu family was clearly his idea and he was also the one who held disdain over Mu Qiqi’s birth, how could he have known that her background would suddenly be on the rise?
Nonetheless, the die was already cast.
And with that being the case, his family’s friends.h.i.+p with the Shen family ended here.
The only consolation was that he could bring Miss Gu openly and formally into the Sheng family.
Nonetheless, Old Sheng was not aware that it was just the start of his losses.
Moreover, the old man did not have the delight of losing a burden, and was instead left feeling hollow inside.
After all, he had now made an enemy of the Shen family. If the Shen family were saving certain measures which they could use against Sheng family, the old man would have no solution to offer.
What, did he a.s.sume that his own conglomerate was the only reason he was untouchable in Jianchuan?
Did he not know that the people keen on taking the Sheng family apart was only being careful about the Shen family backing them?
When Old Sheng returned to Seventh Sister’s ward later, Sixth Brother quickly asked, “Grandfather? Was it a success?”
“It is, but…”
“Don’t mind the buts and whatnot. Isn’t it a happy thing that Mu Qiqi would no longer show up in our home? When would you announce this news?”
“The Shen family would do that. You don’t have to worry.” Old Sheng told Sixth Brother.
***
Even though Sheng Xiao had prepared Old Shen for the matter, the old man was really furious that Old Sheng would hold Xiao Qi in such disdain.
If the brat did not have foresight and could read any situation perfectly, he wouldn’t have tried to bother the Sheng family with their engagement.
Honestly, how young was Xiao Qi in comparison?! With Sheng Xiao almost reaching thirty, it was really a loss when Old Shen thought about it now.
Naturally, Sheng Xiao was aware of Old Shen’s strength in character, but even so, the old man would not be happy after what he predicted came to pa.s.s.
That was why he was planning to stay with Mu Qiqi with the Shen family these two days.
And after settling his affairs at Huang Yao, Sheng Xiao promptly returned to fish with Old Shen at the fish pond.
“Humph… I’m making calls to the people who would handle the canceling of your engagement.”
“Let me handle that personally.” Sheng Xiao quickly said. “That said, you don’t have to feel crossed anyway, Grandpa. The Sheng family would soon pay.”
“Who is your grandpa here…”
“With Second Uncle now becoming mayor, those who underestimate the Shen family would see your power once more. Only idiots would cross you now—isn’t that so?”
“Sly!” Old Shen thus a.s.sessed him.
“I’m doing it for your pleasure, Grandpa. Although your family is rising in power again, your numbers are still few, not to mention that Second Uncle and Aunt are old now. You still need us youngsters to be fruitful, don’t you?”
“And even if you get Qi’er to keep looking, would there be a better grandson-in-law than me?”
“Go paint your face in gold. Now scoot—you still have an engagement to cancel.”
Old Shen could not be bothered. The revival of the Shen family had allowed him to see many things clearly, proving him right in being discreet before.
Grinning, Sheng Xiao called a reporter he knew. “Want an exclusive?”
“What could be so important?”
“The Crown Prince of Huang Yao has called off his engagement with Mu Qiqi, granddaughter of the Shen family—because the elders of the Sheng family despise her background.”
“Is that news reliable?”
“The Sheng family would beat you to it if you don’t report.” Sheng Xiao mused.
The other person promptly asked to hang up at that. “I’ll arrange for the draft.”
After all, the grudges between n.o.ble families are all good materials for gossip.
Naturally, once Sheng Xiao leaked the news, every blame would be pinned on the Sheng family.
Despising Mu Qiqi’s birth? She was the honest-to-G.o.d daughter of the Shen family and the mayor’s niece, but the Sheng family somehow still held her in disdain. Did they want to marry in an empress of something?
Therefore, before the Sheng family could notify Huang Yao about the matter from top to bottom, the news was already spreading outside…
All at once, Lu Qianqian, Su Zipei and even Jing Yun were calling Mu Qiqi’s phone.
Since she was still studying a corpse, she had to answer them one after another. “It’s true, but it doesn’t affect me and Xiao Xiao. The show is just getting good, so don’t worry.”
***
“Did the Sheng family dump a young bride—just like that? To tell the truth, Mu Qiqi is nineteen and the Crown Prince is twenty-seven. Isn’t it obvious who is the one winning here?”
“The Crown Prince likes her so much, but the last say in his marriage still ended up being in his elders’ control.”
“The Sheng family really doesn’t know what’s good for them. I’ll even let you in on a secret: the Shen family just won the last election and are on the rise. And yet the Sheng family are belittling them?”
“Whatever happens, their marriage had been formally annulled. Well, a lot of young men and young ladies have another shot now.”
“It is such a tearjerker…”
“Really, I would like to see how the people involved are reacting.”
As for how the people involved were reacting?
What do you mean, reacting?
They broke the news themselves, leaving the Sheng family being cursed all over by everyone else.
Naturally, such things wouldn’t worry Old Sheng since he was much worried about Sheng Xiao going on a rampage.
His worries would be unfounded, nonetheless.
Having helped the Shen family recently, was it not obvious what Sheng Xiao would do next?
Even if the old man would act as if he would throw a fit in his house, Sheng Xiao just could not be bothered.
He would let the old man stay restless for the night, and come tomorrow…
The Sheng family shall continue making headlines at Jianchuan.