Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ning Shuqian picked a full set of blue diamond jewelry. They were magnificent in both quality and design. However, Ning Shuqian looked at the necklace with slight discontentment showing on her face.
Although the necklace was beautiful, it was still nothing compared to the Star of the Sea that the Wen Family gave to Mo Yunyao. It was one of the largest diamonds in the world, weighing over 40 carats. At present, the Star of the Sea was in the hands of the old man.
Ning Shuqian’s eyes gleamed. She thought to find an opportunity to convince Haowen into getting that Star of the Sea for herself. There was no way she would let that rascal Wen Xinya lay her hands on such an elegant and topnotch diamond for free. She was the only one who was worthy of donning such a gem, not some stupid brat.
Wen Xinya watched Ning Shuqian in shock as she made the payment swiftly. The entire set of blue diamond jewelry cost an alarming price of over eight million yuan. Ning Shuqian actually turned out to be such a spendthrift.
Ning Shuqian smiled. “It’ll be my birthday in two days, and your dad is planning a birthday cocktail party at Oriental Pearl Hotel. Xinya, you have to come!”
For this birthday cocktail party to happen, she had to beg Haowen for a long time before he agreed to it reluctantly. Ning Shuqian knew that it was only because Yuya was kicked out of the Wen Family and sent abroad that Haowen gave the green light.
As the old man did not explicitly acknowledged her, her position in the circle was rather awkward. This made it difficult for Haowen to promote her birthday cocktail party publicly. If words were to spread, people would think that Haowen had a falling out with his father because of her, and this would ruin his reputation.
This was the first time she was holding a birthday cocktail party, and the eight million yuan jewelry set was bought specially for it. She was determined to attract the gaze of everybody at the party on that day, to assert her position as the Madame of the Wen Family so that nobody would dare look down on her.
“Father is holding a birthday party for you?” Wen Xinya was astonished. She actually forgot such an important event.
“That’s right! I was pretty surprised too. It’ll be held two days from now at eight in the evening.” Ning Shuqian’s lips curled into a smile, beaming with pride.
“Does my grandpa know that you are holding a birthday cocktail party?” Wen Haowen was actually holding a birthday party for Ning Shuqian. This came to her as a complete surprise.
However, it made sense since Wen Haowen probably agreed to it to compensate for the fact that Ning Yuya was chased out of the Wen Family and sent overseas. On the other hand, Wen Haowen must be trying to rattle her and gain an advantage over her, especially since he moved out of the Wen mansion while bearing a grudge against her.
The smile on Ning Shuqian’s face stiffened. However, she regained her composure right after. “Your father insisted on holding a birthday party for me, and there was nothing I could do to stop him. You father should’ve told your grandfather about it, I guess!”
“I see! No wonder Aunt Ning bought such beautiful jewelry. It was to prepare for the birthday cocktail party.” Wen Xinya guessed that not only did Wen Haowen not tell her grandpa, but he also did not intend to let him know. He planned to keep the birthday cocktail party a secret from grandpa.
Ning Shuqian held her hand and looked into her eyes intimately. “Xinya, will you attend Aunt Ning’s birthday party?”
Wen Xinya looked at Ning Shuqian awkwardly, unsure of what to reply. “Aunt Ning, I…”
She finally understood the rationale behind Ning Shuqian’s actions today. She intentionally asked her out for shopping and even gave her such expensive jewelry all for the sake of presenting an image of a gentle and loving stepmother to others.
If she were to miss Ning Shuqian’s birthday cocktail party, it would be the talk of the town. With the impression that Ning Shuqian was a kind and loving person, everybody would think that she was overbearing towards her stepmother. Furthermore, Wen Haowen took the initiative to plan the party. Not showing up would only give people the idea that she was so arrogant that she had no respect for her father.
After all, Ning Yuya was kicked out of the family and sent abroad the moment she returned to the Wen Family. Not to mention, Ning Shuqian and Wen Haowen also moved out of the Wen mansion. Those against the Wen Family only knew one side of the story, and she would be painted as the bad guy.
If she were to attend Ning Shuqian’s birthday cocktail party, it would also mean that she acknowledged Ning Shuqian as her stepmother, helping her. She was publicly acknowledged by her grandpa as the successor of the Wen Family during her homecoming party. Accepting Ning Shuqian as her stepmother would be the same as her being acknowledged by the Wen Family.
It was a lose-lose situation.
She walked straight into the trap set up by Ning Shuqian.
Ning Shuqian actually managed to come up with such a scheme. Wen Xinya had underestimated her.
Ning Shuqian held her hand with a gentle look on her face. “Xinya, I’m sincerely inviting you. This is my first birthday cocktail party, I really hope you can attend.”
Wen Xinya hung her head low. “How about this, Aunt Ning! When grandpa and grandma attend your birthday party, I will go with them.”
There was no way grandpa and grandma would lower their position and attend Ning Shuqian’s birthday party.
Ning Shuqian looked at her mournfully. “Xinya, I know you couldn’t accept me as your stepmother. I won’t force you, but I hope you can think this through. Even if it’s not for me, you should attend my birthday party out of respect for your father.”
“Aunt Ning, you know grandpa. He…” One should never break character. Since Ning Shuqian was such a great actor, she would go along with her act until the end.
Tears welled up in Ning Shuqian’s eyes. “It’s all my fault. I put you in such a difficult spot just because I didn’t want your father to be embarrassed.”
The way she whined over her grievances, it made it seem as if Wen Xinya was bullying her.
“I’m very touched that Aunt Ning is looking after father. Since that’s the case, why don’t Aunt Ning convince father not to hold this birthday party!” It would really be embarrassing for Wen Haowen if nobody from the Wen Family showed up at the party when he put in so much effort to hold one. His reputation would suffer a huge blow. Didn’t Ning Shuqian just want others to know that she was an unfilial daughter?
Ning Shuqian’s eyes widened as she stared at Wen Xinya, momentarily exposing the anger and hatred behind her facade.
Wen Xinya looked flustered. She shrank her shoulders with fear, and her voice trembled. “Aunt Ning, did I… did I say something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Ning Shuqian immediately composed herself and replied in a soothing voice, “You’re right, I should convince your father. I should not go along with his ideas.”
This little b*tch, what a shrewd tongue she has. Well, that doesn’t matter. I’ve got her this time, she’s going to lose no matter what.
