Lu Xinyi stayed seated, which made the atmosphere within the ballroom a little awkward. Wouldn’t she give her own grandfather some face and join them on the stage? Everyone was waiting for her. Seconds had pa.s.sed before Lu Xinyi released her hand from her husband and made her way to the stage.
“Feiyan, join us,” Chairman Sun called for Sun Feiyan. She was known for her filial piety, who would never say no to their grandfather’s wishes. Was this why she was giving way to Lu Xinyi as the next successor of the family?
The woman slowly brought down her wine gla.s.s at the table before making her way to follow Lu Xinyi. The two met down the stage, giving each other an unreadable gaze, before Lu Xinyi took the first step which was followed by Sun Feiyan.
Lu Xinyi grabbed the skirt of her gown, lifting it slightly over her heels to keep herself from tripping up the stairs. Face-planting in front of everyone wouldn’t be a great way to greet anyone. She would rather give that opportunity to Sun Qiyan later, she mentally noted.
Her feet landed on the stage with a soft click of her heels as she stood beside Chairman Sun.
“It’s my pleasure to announce to you that Lu Xinyi would be joining Sun Corporation soon. Our partners need not worry as Feiyan would be with our Xin’er on every vital decision she has to make for the company. I’m a.s.sured now that with these two, Sun Corporation will be in safe hands.” Chairman Sun announced with a bright smile on his face.
There was momentarily stunned silence in the crowd before the applause began. Some were confused why Chairman Sun didn’t pa.s.s the company to Sun Feiyan since she was already doing a good job managing the company. However, none of them had the courage to question Lu Xinyi in public. The demon beside her was scary enough to make them stay away from her.
Most of them knew that Lu Xinyi was a top student at Silver Leaf Academy. Did this mean that she’d give up her dream to become a professional chef and follow the steps of her mother as a businesswoman?
“I know that with Xin’er and Feiyan, our family and company will continue to thrive and prosper in the years to come. Thank you all for listening so… shall we get the party started?”
He motioned towards the waiting orchestra on his right, who started the music at once.
Shen Yi once again followed his wife and helped her step down the stage, making sure she wouldn’t tumble down from her clumsiness. Lu Xinyi released a breath she didn’t know she was holding the whole time she was up the stage.
“That was uncalled for.” She grumbled, loud enough for Shen Yi to hear her.
“Did he force you?” Shen Yi would really give the old man a piece of his mind. How dare he decide for Lu Xinyi? Didn’t he know he was throwing his own granddaughter to a group of vultures?
Shen Yi led her back to their table, pulled back her chair, and helped her into her seat before taking his next to her.
“I didn’t have any choice…” Lu Xinyi pursed her lips and looked around them. “I didn’t know Qiushan pa.s.sed her 6-percent share in the company to my name before leaving the family.”
“But you don’t own a share with the Sun Corporation.”
Shen Yi knew this. Lu Xinyi hadn’t any connection with the Sun family and their company except for blood ties.
“Apparently, my mother owns 10 percent of the shares of Sun Corporation. Her profit over the years has acc.u.mulated. Since I am her next of kin, the shares and that money will become mine.”
So it was like this, Shen Yi thought. No wonder the old Sun insisted on keeping Lu Xinyi in the family. If Lu Xinyi declined and sold her shares, the Sun family would lose the majority of shares of the company to other people.
“You can sell it if you don’t want to,” he suggested. Losing the majority of shares would mean the family would also lose control of the company. It could be disastrous and would surely ruin the family in a single strike.
Shen Yi was known to be ruthless to his opponents. He wouldn’t give anyone a chance to get back on their feet to defeat him. He would always go for a quick kill. Too bad though that his wife wasn’t merciful enough to give her opponent a quick death. She would rather see them being desperate and hopeful before crus.h.i.+ng each hope that they had.
“No.” She shook her head, making her curly hair bounced behind her. “I’ll keep the shares for a while and let it earn more money for me. I wouldn’t say no to extra cash.” Lu Xinyi winked at her husband.
“Am I not giving you enough money?” Shen Yi pondered, “Since you’d taken over Flair Apparel, you rarely use the cards I’ve given you.” His lips set in a hard line, making Lu Xinyi let out a laugh. It was his own version of pouting.
Ah, her husband was really cute when he’s pouting. Why did he want her to spend his money anyway? Hadn’t he pampered her enough by giving her with so much food and letting her get away with her mischief?
“It’s not that I don’t want to spend your money, but you worked hard to earn it. Whenever I see those cards, it reminds me of how you spent long hours and sleepless nights to earn it. I have cash on my own anyway so…” she shrugged and gave him a half-smile.
“But you don’t mind taking and spending Sun family’s money?” He eyed her.
“They have nothing that interests me except for money, and technically, it’s my mother’s money so why would I let them enjoy it when I can s.n.a.t.c.h it under their nose?” Lu Xinyi defended.
As the couple conversed in low voices, Tang Shui appeared beside Lu Xinyi and held out a hand to her.
“Xin’er, would you allow this old man to dance with you?” He was a little worried that his niece would change her mind and disa.s.sociate herself from their family.
“Of course, Uncle Shui,” Lu Xinyi smiled back and took his hand, letting him pull her from her seat.
Tang Shui nodded his thanks to Shen Yi as they left him alone at the table. He led Lu Xinyi to the dance floor and took the lead of their slow dance. Lu Xinyi was careful not to step on his toes, trying to remember the dancing lessons she had with her husband. She was really thankful that Shen Yi was patient enough to teach her, or else she was sure that her dance partner would surely curse her for stepping on his shoes.
“I’m sorry, Xin’er. We should have told you sooner that you’re also related to our family. We didn’t want to distress you,” Her uncle started to explain. His voice had a hint of regret on it.
“Uncle probably has his reasons why he hid it until now. I’m curious though; is my maternal grandmother really a Tang?” she asked confusedly.
Before Tang Shui could answer her question, her next words had hit the sore spot of the Tang family.
“And why was she or the Tang family not around at the critical time when we needed help the most?”