Chapter 497: Xiao Zhiyuan from the Xiao Family
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The clas.h.i.+ng of outfits caused a minor upheaval amongst the guests at the gala.
Soon, Xia Ruya changed into another gown and returned to the banquet hall. However, the laughter and gossip did not cease. She smiled and said, “Outfit clashes are very common. I’m sure it’s happened to everyone before.”
Wen Xinya watched as Xia Ruya became the subject of ridicule and gossip amongst the guests, though she was no longer as awkward as she was a while ago.
However, Wen Xinya was not that naive as to think that Xia Ruya would be defeated by a mere outfit clash. She simply wanted to provoke Xia Ruya and reduce the amount of glory the latter had been receiving lately.
Old Mr. Wen stared at Xia Ruya who remained calm and composed despite the frivolous comments. He remarked, “I watched Ruya grow up. She’s scheming, ambitious and driven. I used to think that she had inherited all the attributes and merits of the Wen Family members, all of which would aid her in being a competent successor. However…”
He did not complete his sentence.
“Grandpa, I understand,” said Wen Xinya, who was shocked that her grandfather had mentioned that matter to her. However, she reckoned that Old Mr. Wen must have had his own ideas and thoughts about Xia Ruya, especially since she became a member of Zhishan Club and caused such a stir right after she returned from being away for two years.
Old Mr. Wen nodded instead of continuing. After all, he greatly admired Xia Ruya and he had witnessed how serious her scandal had become back then. He too, saw how dejected, aggrieved, miserable, agonized and humiliated she felt back then.
However, within just two years, she had returned to her glorious position in the city, looking much more glamorous than before.
However, it was definitely not coincidental.
It was not an ordinary feat to be able to resume one’s composure within such a short period of time, as with the outfit clash.
Old Mr. Wen brought Wen Xinya to chat with some old friends.
At this moment, Xiao Zhiyuan walked towards them with his son, Xiao Chengyu, and greeted. “Old Mr. Wen, long time no see! I’ve rarely seen you ever since you retired from the business world. You still look as glorious as in back then!”
Although he greeted Old Mr. Wen politely, he stared at Wen Xinya with his eyes that resembled dark pools of ink. His lips curled into a charming smirk.
He only deduced that she must have had something to do with the downfall of the Xiao Family after their failure to acquire Ai Shang Group.
Old Mr. Wen said calmly, “My glorious days are just a thing of the past. The world belongs to the youngsters now.”
Although the Wen Family and Xiao Family were not business partners, they were still part of the four legendary families of the city. Hence, Old Mr. wen decided to invite them to the annual gala this year. After their downfall two years ago, the Xiao Family had picked themselves up again and returned to their glorious days.
Xiao Zhiyuan s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Wen Xinya and said, “Miss Wen has changed so much over the course of two years. I heard that she had pa.s.sed her examinations with flying colors and often achieved good grades when she was in Lan Feng Inst.i.tute. It’s little wonder she’s a member of the Wen Family.”
Blus.h.i.+ng shyly, Wen Xinya said, “Uncle Xiao, you’re flattering me.”
The Xiao Family must have found out that she was the reason behind their failure to acquire Ai Shang Group. Hence, she guessed that they definitely had ill intentions for greeting them first.
Xiao Zhiyuan s.h.i.+fted his gaze to Xia Ruya, who was the center of attention, and said to Old Mr. Wen smilingly, “Old Mr. Wen, you’re really lucky. Not only do you have such an outstanding granddaughter, but you also have such a praiseworthy and gentle adoptive granddaughter. Now that Miss Xia has become a member of the Zhishan Club, the Wen Family will definitely be taken to greater heights in the future.”
Although he was feeling jealous and indignant, his actions and words were full of pretentiousness and hypocrisy. He was indirectly trying to say that Wen Xinya was not as outstanding as Xia Ruya and that the Wen Family had exchanged a gem for a worthless Wen Xinya. He was also mocking them for nurturing Xia Ruya and developing her talents, only to give her back to the Xia Family and aid them in expanding their business.
Being an experienced businessman, Old Mr. Wen understood clearly just what he was driving at. He glanced at Xia Ruya and said, “You’re right, both Xinya and Ruya are very outstanding children. That must be Chengyu beside you. He’s so grown up now.”
Old Mr. Wen sounded extremely proud when he mentioned Wen Xinya and Xia Ruya, as if he did not hear the mockery in Xiao Zhiyuan’s words. However, he sounded extremely nonchalant when he talked about Xiao Zhiyuan, as if he was just a casual topic.
Xiao Chengyu’s face grew sullen, though he calmed down soon enough. Although Xiao Chengyu was rather capable himself, he paled in comparison to Wen Xinya and Xia Ruya. Old Mr. Wen was simply taking the chance to mock him.
Wen Xinya watched in awe and thought to herself, Grandpa is indeed old and wise. Xiao Zhiyuan made such a perfect yet derisive comment, but Grandpa managed to get back at him.
Xiao Chengyu smiled and said, “Chengyu definitely can’t hold a candle compared to your granddaughters. I feel really ashamed, for I can’t take my child in hand as well as you can.”
He was simply trying to say that Old Mr. Wen had educated Xia Ruya and helped her develop her abilities, only to give her away to someone else.
Old Mr. Wen said calmly, “Don’t say that. Xinya may be outstanding, but the credit goes to Old Mr. Mo, not me.”
Old Mr. Wen managed to retort. Although it was true that Xia Ruya was outstanding and belonged to the Xia Family, it was also true that Wen Xinya had received great guidance from Old Mr. Mo and hence, no one would dare to comment about it.
“Old Mr. Mo really lives up to his name,” said Xiao Zhiyuan, who finally understood why his father was so fearful of Old Mr. Wen who never failed to let others catch anything wrong with his words. He even managed to diss Xiao Zhiyuan effortlessly.
Old Mr. Wen smiled and said, “Xinya’s maternal grandfather taught her how to play chess, write calligraphy, paint and read, all of which she’s talented and well-versed in. I almost thought that Xinya is going to become a literary prodigy like her grampy.”
Xiao Zhiyuan was at a loss for words.
Wen Xinya stared at Xiao Zhiyuan coldly and thought to herself, This Xiao Zhiyuan is just beating around the bush and indirectly trying to provoke Grandpa and insult me while Xia Ruya is at the peak of her glory. However, Grandpa used Grampy to get back at him.
The hypocritical and arrogant Xiao Zhiyuan still had to be defeated by Old Mr. Wen.