“M-Master…” Chu Zhihao stuttered. He now regretted meddling with Lu Xinyi’s affair. If his dumb daughter hadn’t called him today, he wouldn’t have to face Shen Yi’s dark and unfathomable eyes. He also didn’t expect He Haotian arriving with him.
‘s.h.i.+t.’ He cursed his luck inwardly. They indeed came from the Chu family, and by using He Haotian’s name to promote his restaurants, Chu Zhihao’s business was able to gain popularity within the city. By utilizing the two-star Michelin chef’s popularity, it had brought him a hefty amount of profits for the past five years.
However, he never thought that the aloof chef had come back to the country unannounced. Had he known this would happen, Chu Zhihao wouldn’t come here.
“Oh, you still know who your real master is, Uncle Hao? I thought you don’t value the opinion of the main family anymore.”
There was a hint of sarcasm on He Haotian’s voice as he regarded the old man. He’d heard, even when he was overseas, that this man had purposely bragged his relations.h.i.+p with him. Did Chu Zhihao think that he could easily get away with it?
Lu Xinyi patted the s.p.a.ce next to her seat, gesturing her husband to sit beside her. Shen Yi sat down and pa.s.sed the little girl to Lu Xinyi. He ignored the other two women who were ogling at him.
“Why is he here? You invited him?” she asked Shen Yi.
The man in question shook his head and wiped the tears from Shen Yuyan’s face.
“He heard that you were competing against Chef Qin’s apprentice next week. He called me last night to inform that he’ll be coming for a visit,” he answered.
Lu Xinyi hummed. Well, she had almost forgotten that her next cooking battle with Ye Xieren would be up soon. However, she hadn’t thought that her mentor would be interested to oversee such things.
Chu Zhihao wiped his sweat from his face and sat back from his seat.
“Master Chu, let me explain… this…”
“Uncle Hao, there’s no need for you to explain. My eldest brother has informed me about everything.” He Haotian said nonchalantly as he sat at the main couch between where the Shens and the Chus were seated.
“With my brother’s approval—from now on Uncle Hao, we’ll be cutting you off from the family. Please refrain from using my name or any member of the main family again,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the couple didn’t pay attention to them. Instead, Shen Yi focused his eyes on his wife’s cheek marred with a red mark.
“Is it still painful?” he asked worriedly. He then turned to Fu Rui and Jiao Jiao. “Quick! Get your Miss some ice pack.”
His wife, seemingly amused with his actions, patted his hand.
“Darling, it’s alright. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Shen Yi’s frown deepened.
“Why did you let someone slap you? If they dare to slap you once, you should have returned it tenfold! This is how the Shen family deals with those who offend them.”
“But dear, if I do that, Miss Chu’s face would be no better than the pigs! She’s an actress, remember? Face value is important for an actress like her,” Lu Xinyi reminded him, but in her mind, she tried to imagine Chu Ting with a swollen face. She smirked at her own silly thoughts.
“I don’t care.” Shen Yi huffed before taking his phone from his coat. He called a number which was picked up at the first ring.
Chu Zhihao thought that he’d heard the worst by being kicked out from the Chu family, but he was in for a bigger punishment from the devil himself.
“Kang Wei, file a case against Chu Ting for physical a.s.sault. You better make sure she’ll get the maximum punishment for hurting my Xinxin. Also, terminate all the contracts we have with Chu Zhihao and his family. From now on, we will not enter any business with them.”
This shocked everyone within the room except the Shens and He Haotian. Within the capital, who hadn’t heard of Kang Wei’s name? In the field of law, he was some sort of a legend. Every case he handled would always win. Money didn’t influence him since it was the least thing he was short of. Currently, Kang Wei was the head legal counsel of the Shen Group, courtesy of Shen Yi.
Going pale, Chu Ting felt that this was the worst thing that happened in her life. This would also mean the end of her career!
Her eyes didn’t leave Shen Yi since he arrived. She and Yao Zhelan looked jealous and envious of the undivided attention Shen Yi was giving to Lu Xinyi.
Xia Yuhan, who was watching the scene with her manager, pinched the bridge of her nose. Couldn’t these two not be so shameless to throw dog food wherever they go? The store manager beside her was dumbfounded. Her knees weakened, forcing herself to steady but clinging to Xia Yuhan’s arm.
“Miss Xia… I was wrong… I’m really wrong…”
Xia Yuhan raised a brow on her.
“Now, you know how to be loyal? You shouldn’t have let anyone bully Lu Xinyi, and how dare you talk bad about the woman who’s paying your salary? Are you out of your mind?” she asked, her voice filled with irritation.
The manager stared back at her in bewilderment.
“Miss Xia, what do you mean?”
“You still don’t get it, do you? Lu Xinyi doesn’t want the public’s attention focused on her. Do you really think that I’m the Big Boss of Flair Apparel?”
“Miss Xia, this… I didn’t know.” The manager admitted. Her poor judgment had clouded her eyes and had treated Lu Xinyi unfairly.
“The person who’d managed to revive and save Flair Apparel from bankruptcy is none other than the woman beside the demon king,” Xia Yuhan muttered beside her, her words loud enough only for the manager to hear.
While Lu Xinyi owned the majority of the shares for Flair Apparel, she kept the management and the concept designs under Xia Yuhan. Xia Yuhan never met anyone who’d put a lot of faith in her skills and capability until she met Lu Xinyi.
Even her own family had believed that she and her dream for Flair Apparel would never succeed, and just when she reached the brink of bankruptcy, Lu Xinyi extended an olive branch to save her.
Now, Flair Apparel was better than ever. Their growing sales and expanding branches were proof that it was starting to make its name in the fas.h.i.+on industry. With Lu Xinyi’s influence, Flair Apparel was able to hire Yuan Jin, one of the top photographers of the country and was able to convince w.a.n.g Zhuyi and Zheng Yue to sign up for them.
Xia Yuhan knew that Flair Apparel would never achieve all of these if it wasn’t for Lu Xinyi’s help. These dumb people were so ignorant and kept on offending Lu Xinyi. Had they known that she was currently the most powerful woman within the capital aside from Madam Li, they wouldn’t dare to obstruct her way.
If Lu Xinyi would use her status as Young Madam Shen and a Sun heiress, any person who antagonized her would surely get the shorter end of the stick. Xia Yuhan then confirmed that not only Lu Xinyi was pampered by the demon king, but he also spoiled his wife rotten to the core.
‘It was a good decision that I ride Lu Xinyi’s coattails, or else I will end up like these bimbos,’ she told herself.
“Please, Miss Xia. You have to help me…” Now that the manager knew who Lu Xinyi really was, her face had a ghastly expression.