Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Mr. Wen stared at Xia Ruya and said, “Ruya, thank you for your concern, but we don’t need the help of outsiders for now. Please thank your father and grandfather on my behalf.”
He was well aware of what the Xia Family was planning to do. However, he had never allowed anyone to manipulate and control the Wen Family. Hence, the Xia Family could forget about taking advantage of the situation.
Xia Ruya’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “Grandpa Wen, my grandfather and father genuinely want to help the Wen Family tide through the crisis. My grandfather often says that that the Wen Family has helped the Xia Family out a lot in the past, and that it’s the Xia Family’s honor to lend the Wen Family a hand this time.”
She thought to herself, Given the Wen Family’s character of maximizing profits and minimizing losses, how could they possibly turn our help down?
It’s impossible.
Wen Haowen’s anger knew no bounds, and his veins were bulging from his forehead. “Father, the Xia Family can help us solve our problem effortlessly. Why are you refusing to agree to it? Do you want to watch the Xiao Family drive us into a corner!?!”
Old Mr. Wen said coldly, “You’re making it sound far more serious than it is. I was the one who founded and built the Wen Corporation singlehandedly. It’s my lifelong work and the fruit of my labor. I care about Wen Corporation more than anyone else. I refuse to accept the Xia Family’s help because we haven’t gotten to the point where we need the help of others yet. If we keep seeking help from others whenever we’re faced with an obstacle, just like we did previously with the Jiang family, what are others going to think of the Wen Family?”
Wen Haowen flew into a rage and barked. “Father, you’re just being stubborn and shoving your twisted logic down our throats. We’re closely acquainted with the Xia Family and everyone in the circle knows that. What’s wrong with receiving help from the Xia Family?”
Old Mr. Wen had an austere expression on his face. However, he could not speak his mind out loud blatantly because Xia Ruya was present as well.
Wen Xinya interjected. “Father, the Wen Family differs greatly from the Xia Family in terms of status. Can you even compare the two to each other? When we cooperated with the Jiang family to defeat the Xiao Family back then, it was two strong families working against one. However, it’s going to reflect badly on our family if we seek the assistance of the Xia Family.”
A look of satisfaction formed on Old Mr. Wen’s face the moment he heard Wen Xinya’s words. What a bright and sharp child who understands what I’m thinking. She has given me an out because she knows it’d be inappropriate for me to say some things since I’m an elder.
Xia Ruya felt extremely embarrassed by Wen Xinya’s comment, especially since Old Mr. Wen did not protest or reprimand her at all. He had clearly agreed with everything that she said. She suddenly realized that she was no longer in any place to meddle with the affairs of the Wen Family ever since Wen Xinya’s return. She initially thought that she had understood the members of the Wen Family very well. Yet, she could not manipulate them at all.
Wen Haowen grimaced. Pride had always mattered a lot to him. At this moment, Wen Xinya’s words had hit the nail on the head and struck a sour note within him. Feeling extremely indignant to have been lectured by someone whom he utterly detested, he chastised. “What do you know? You’re just a child. Go away. This is an adults’ conversation. Shoo.”
Glaring at Wen Xinya in disdain, Ning Shuqian rebuked. “What nonsense are you spouting? Ruya is the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family, whom we raised for twelve years. Besides, the Wen Family has rendered so much help to the Xia Family in the past. If the Xia Family gives us a hand this time, outsiders are merely going to think that the Wen Family is helping us out of gratitude. What’s so shameful about that!?!”
Hanging her head low, Xia Ruya said, “What Aunt Ning said is exactly what my father and grandfather mean.”
Wen Xinya objected. “Exactly! We don’t want others to think that we’re compelling the Xia Family to help us just because we gave them a hand in the past. After all, the Xia Family has been cooperating with Ai Shang Group for so many years, and it’s known to all that the Wen Family and the Xia Family are close. Once the Xiao Family acquires Ai Shang Group, the Xia Family will have an excuse to cease all partnerships with Ai Shang Group. Even the blind can tell the hidden agenda of the Xia Family. That’d be detrimental to our reputation as well.
Old Mr. Wen nodded in agreement. “Xinya has a point,” he remarked.
Wen Xinya grew more confident after gaining Old Mr. Wen’s approval. She looked at Xia Ruya, who remained silent, and said, “Besides, is the Xia Family really helping the Wen Family out of gratitude? Is it really to repay the Wen Family’s kindness for raising you? Are there no other requests at all? For example, your family could possibly request for us to aid them in transitioning to a luxurious mall…”
Instead of beating around the bush, Wen Xinya decided to expose Xia Ruya’s true colors, for she was too sick of the latter’s hypocrisy.
Staring at Wen Xinya, who seemed to have seen through everything in this world, Xia Ruya could not help but feel ashamed and humiliated. Unable to retaliate at all, Xia Ruya said, “I don’t know much about business. Grandpa and Father don’t tell me much, either.”
Xia Ruya clenched her fists tightly. She initially thought that she would be able to kill three birds with one stone. Yet, her plan to harm Wen Xinya had fallen through.
Seems like the plan to request the Wen Family to launch one of their brands in the Xia Family’s mall is not going to work out either. How am I supposed to answer to Grandpa and Father when return?
Not only is the Wen Family not grateful for the Xia Family’s offer to help, they even said such crude and callous words.
Wen Xinya sneered and thought to herself, She doesn’t know much about business? If she doesn’t, why would she have devised such a meticulous scheme?
Wen Haowen tugged at his tie and glowered at Wen Xinya with bloodshot eyes. “Since you make so much sense, why don’t you tell us how we should handle this?”
Wen Xinya humphed and said, “The acquirement of Ai Shang Group hasn’t exactly affected the Wen Family yet. Hence, we mustn’t act rashly for now. As one of the major families, we must keep our cool and stay composed.”
Wen Haowen stared at Wen Xinya coldly and quipped. “It’s easier said than done. Do you even know how to run a business? Do you know what the consequences we may face if the Xiao Family acquires Ai Shang Group successfully?”
Wen Xinya smiled without uttering a word. She was not worried because Old Mr. Wen was against the idea of receiving help from the Xia Family and thus, there was nothing much Wen Haowen could do. Hence, she did not have to say much to him.
Fuming with uncontrollable anger, Wen Haowen sprung up from the couch and yelled, “Father, say something!”
Old Mr. Wen remained silent and sipped on some tea, feeling extremely pleased with his granddaughter’s confidence and ambitions. He reckoned that she must have plans of her own and hence, decided to ask her about it later.
Noticing that Old Mr. Wen had ignored him, Wen Haowen turned beet red with fury and stared at him before turning to look at Wen Xinya. “Weren’t you two making a lot of sense just now? Why have you gone speechless now that we’re deciding on a strategy?”
Old Mr. Wen glanced at Wen Haowen and said, “All you do is get riled up when something happens. It’s time you do something about your ill temper.”
Wen Haowen snapped. “Great! You’re impressive!”
At this moment, Old Mrs. Wen returned from her daily mahjong session. Upon sight of everyone in the living room, she exclaimed gleefully, “Haowen, what brings you here? Ruya, you’re here too!”
