Murong Chengtian was already quite intimidated by Murong Qingtian"s aura. He trembled as he rose from his seat and walked over to Murong Qingtian with eyes filled with horror. Once Murong Qingtian flew into a rage, none of them could bear with it and thus, they were all terrified in their hearts. Since he was the man who single-handedly managed the Murong Gang back then, his ways would not be simple.
"You want the position of homeowner?" Murong Qingtian almost spat those few words out through the teeth; the stern viciousness of it made Murong Chengtian"s heart and liver tremble.
"No, no! Chengtian does not dare to!"
"In that case, you want to give your son the position of homeowner?"
"Why would I? Xiao Qi is still so young, barely a child who is wet behind the ears."
"So you mean that it will be alright once he grows up?"
"No, no, no. Xiao Qi is naturally stupid and could not shoulder such a responsibility. Xiao Ye is the best candidate."
Murong Chengtian was already scared to death at that moment and would not even dare to think about the homeowner position. He only went along with what Murong Qingtian said.
"In that case, Haotian is the one who kept thinking about it?" The subject of Murong Qingtian"s words suddenly turned to Murong Haotian; the alluded man"s heart tightened instantly.
Murong Haotian turned his eyes and gave Murong Chengtian a vicious glare, before he feigned nonchalance and said to Murong Qingtian, "Big brother, third younger brother was spouting nonsense. How did this involve me? I have always behaved myself."
Murong Qingtian suddenly laughed out loud and the laughter was more terrifying. "No one should challenge my endurance. When I am inactive, it doesn"t mean that I"m really old and unable to do anything."
Murong Haotian and Murong Chengtian did not dare to speak further and the others were even less ent.i.tled to speak. The family quietened down in an instant and the atmosphere became as silent as death.
Murong Qingtian glanced at the crowd once and spoke once more, "I was the one who strove hard for the a.s.sets of the Murong Family. Previously, I had already given you all that was left of the Murong Gang"s a.s.sets. Now, only Xiao Ye and Xiao Xi will be my heirs. There is no room for wishful thinking by the rest of you! Thus, do not think that I am unaware of your thoughts. If you dare to have evil designs and covet over things that do not belong to you, do not blame me for purging the family personally."
After he finished saying that in one breath, Murong Qingtian straight off drank all his cup and smashed it on the table viciously. The sound was so loud that it was almost as if it would shatter the table. Subsequently, he abruptly turned and left his seat.
That was the first time the Murong Family parted on such bad terms after the New Year"s Eve dinner.
Everyone turned their eyes towards Murong Yunxi. She was successfully made the scapegoat for that. Because even she herself found it inexcusable. It was her first time to attend the family"s New Year"s Eve dinner and yet it turned out to be like that.
Niannian asked in a puzzled manner, "Mummy, why was grandfather so angry?"
The corner of Murong Yunxi"s mouth twitched slightly and she was actually unable to give a reply. How could she explain the complex disputes between those adults to a child who was barely four years old?
"Niannian, my obedient darling, could you go upstairs and check on your grandfather? Try to persuade him not to be angry!"
"Alright! Niannian will give a red packet to grandfather. Today is New Year"s Eve and Niannian is very happy when Niannian receives a red packet. Niannian received a lot of red packets today. Niannian will give one to grandfather and he will definitely be as happy as Niannian."
After she said this, Niannian jumped down from the chair, turned her tiny body and ran upstairs.
Children"s innocence would usually purify the human soul.
When Niannian popped her tiny head in the doorway of Murong Qingtian"s study, she saw Murong Qingtian standing alone in front of the french window. From his back view, he appeared to have experienced many vicissitudes, and seemed to have aged ten years in an instant.
Niannian"s tiny body bolted quickly into the room; she quickly ran up to Murong Qingtian and hugged his calf. She looked up at Murong Qingtian with her pair of big, nimble and alert eyes.
"Grandfather, Niannian came to give grandfather a red packet. You will definitely be very happy when you get a red packet and you will not be angry anymore!" Niannian"s young, tender and crisp voice chimed into his ears like a copper bell. It seemed to have magic powers that could completely purify one"s soul.
Murong Qingtian lowered his head and met her brilliant, black eyes. The corner of his lips naturally curled into a gentle smile.
"Grandfather is not angry anymore. The moment I see Niannian, I am not angry anymore."
Murong Qingtian squatted down and hugged Niannian in his arms. The soft tiny body threw herself onto his shoulders and the clear, crisp voice chimed again, "Grandfather, those people are bad. They still want to make grandfather angry during New Year. I don"t like them. I will listen to grandfather"s words obediently and will not make grandfather angry."
Niannian was small; under her considerate consoling, all of Murong Qingtian"s displeasure disappeared in an instant.
Murong Qingtian picked up the telephone for the internal line and called for the butler to bring a few dishes up. The grandfather and grandchild pair began to eat their New Year"s Eve dinner happily in the study.
"Grandfather, don"t we have to watch the Chinese New Year Gala when we are eating the New Year"s Eve dinner?" Niannian lifted her tiny head up and looked at Murong Qingtian with puzzlement. She liked the way ordinary people spent the Spring Festival and the absence of the Chinese New Year Gala made her feel as if something were missing.
Accompanied by Niannian, Murong Qingtian watched the Chinese New Year Gala for the first time, after they finished their New Year"s Eve dinner. People always complained that the Chinese New Year Gala was increasingly boring, but they relished the Gala and watched it with delight.
While it was complete happiness and harmony upstairs, it was desolate downstairs and hard for one to eat.
Despite the spread of delicacies on the table, one actually could not find the appet.i.te to eat.
Murong Haotian ate his vegetables as if he were chewing on wax. When he looked up and saw Murong Yunxi, Gong Yu and Murong Ye giggling and talking about something, an unknown sense of anger burned in his heart in an instant.
"Xiao Xi, why did you leave your job as a scriptwriter and think about taking over the family business? I have to say, the arts and literature are worlds apart from business management. There is a great distance between both industries."
Murong Yunxi was well aware of the meaning beyond Murong Haotian"s words and she chuckled, "The difference is indeed great, but it also requires natural talent to be able to manage the two careers well. Coincidentally, I have two talents. I cannot let down G.o.d"s great love for me!"
"Haha, girl, you are really confident. Kids these days are all so arrogant." After he said that, Murong Haotian turned to look at Murong Jun and whispered to him, "Xiao Jun, you have to stand firm and fight steadily. Being overly satisfied with yourself makes you conceited."
Although Murong Haotian"s voice was not loud and his words were said to Murong Jun, it coincidentally allowed everyone seated at the table to hear clearly.
Murong Chengtian interrupted in a timely manner: "Second brother, Xiao Jun is already good enough. He came to the company to help you since such a young age. It is already not bad that he could perform so well. Unlike many young people these days who desire to reach the sky in one single bound, he started step by step, steadily from the basics. If my Xiao Qi could be like your Xiao Jun in the future, I will be contented."
The conversation flowed back and forth and while it appeared to be idle chatter, the subject was all directed towards Murong Yunxi.
Murong Yunxi could not allow them to curse the locust while pointing at the mulberry and so, she also turned to Murong Ye and said, "Bro, I believe you started to help Dad right after the age of 20, right? Back then, you were still in school. You were able to let Dad hand over so many things to you with confidence upon graduation. I have to say that the key lies in whether one has the ability to take over. Look at how well you"ve performed for the past few years."
Murong Ye"s lips curled up into a faint smile and he gently sc.r.a.ped Murong Yunxi"s nose. "While I did perform well, I have to say that your talent still made me look at you with new eyes. I really could not pick out a single fault from your performance in the past six months, especially the move you made yesterday. It was really amazing. One is truly capable when being able to help everyone make money!"
"Oh, Bro, you don"t know. I was kind enough to make money for everyone out of hopes that the New Year"s Eve could bring in greater benefits to everyone, treating it as a red packet for everyone. However, if someone doesn"t know his place and wants to curse the chef while eating the food, then that is not right."
Murong Ye and Murong Yunxi"s back and forth conversation was as sharp as a knife; every sentence stabbed towards Murong Haotian and Murong Chengtian. It made Murong Haotian gnash his teeth with rage.
Unable to watch that from the side any longer, Murong Lanxi could not help but speak out, "Xiao Xi, aunt will make a toast to you this New Year. Thank you for the great gift that you gave everyone yesterday."
After Murong Lanxi finished speaking, she drank her drink in one gulp. While Murong Lanxi did not like Murong Yunxi initially, since yesterday, all her views had changed. She was different from Murong Haotian and Murong Chengtian. She was a woman and was already married, so, she was already very gratified to have those shares. Thus, she didn"t push for much. As for Murong Haotian and Murong Chengtian"s battle, she didn"t wish to partic.i.p.ate in it.
Right from the start, Murong Lanxia did not partic.i.p.ate in or share her opinion about the family"s business. Thus, she sincerely liked Murong Yunxi since the beginning, and while they usually do not interact, since they met that New Year, the necessary etiquette still had to be observed.
Subsequently, Murong Lanxia also lifted her gla.s.s up. "Xiao Xi, small aunt will also make a toast to you. I wish you a happy New Year!"
Both aunts had made their toasts and although Murong Haotian and Murong Chengtian did not follow suit, they could not say anything further.
The other juniors naturally were not ent.i.tled to speak much and as they were not very familiar with Murong Yunxi, they could only eat in silence.
As the quiet meal was nearing its end, after Murong Lanxi finished eating, she said to Murong Yunxi, "Xiao Xi, are you staying here tonight?"
Murong Yunxi was puzzled by Murong Lanxi"s sudden words and nodded her head indifferently, without speaking unnecessarily.
"In that case, tonight, we won"t leave, either. Aunt will stay and have a good chat with you. Ultimately, we are relatives and we can"t be too estranged."
Subsequently, Murong Lanxi turned to look at Su Rui to say, "Xiao Rui, it was rare for you to come to the main house. Tonight, we will all stay here. I see that you have a good relationship with Xiao Xi, so you should stay and spend the new year with Xiao Xi."
Everyone present were outstanding characters and they all knew at one glance what the intentions of Murong Lanxi"s sudden and shocking play were. So, it seemed that Murong Lanxi was also making her own small scheming!