Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Xinya sat on the couch and watched some television with a bag of tomato-flavored potato chips in hand. She was currently watching a gossip news program while munching loudly on the crispy chips.
The program was airing a report about Xia Ruya’s scandal.
The erotic photo of Xia Ruya posing suggestively was juxtaposed against another photo of her usual demure and innocent self. There was a stark contrast between the two, and Wen Xinya reckoned that everyone who watched the program would definitely flip through the pages of the newspapers to take a look at the comparison.
She whipped out her mobile phone and logged into her email account to send a document to a private investigation agency as an anonymous user. After the document was sent successfully, her lips curled into a smile. She would never miss the chance to hit Xia Ruya when she was down. Besides… Xia Ruya was her arch-nemesis for two lifetimes.
“What are you doing?” Si Yiyan asked, grabbing some potato chips from the bag in her arms and placing a glass of warm water on the coffee table in front of her.
Shaking her head, Wen Xinya answered, “Nothing much!”
Si Yiyan did not probe any further and instead stared at the television screen. “Xia Ruya’s scandal has been going on for days and yet she’s still in the hospital and refraining from giving any comments. I really wonder what she’s getting up to.”
Si Yiyan had never belittled Xia Ruya, for he knew that she was not one to be trifled with, especially since she could manipulate Ning Yuya and Ning Shuqian as well as Wen Haowen and Old Mrs. Wen, all of whom she had made use of to put herself at an advantageous position. She was involved in lots of incidents and mishaps that Wen Xinya had met with. Yet, she never once failed to get herself out of trouble and prove her innocence.
Wen Xinya sneered. “She was planning to use the Wen Family to help resolve her problem and stay out of it. However, I’ve already foiled her plan. She tried to sow discord between me and my family but ended up losing her last bit of hope. What else can she possibly do now that things have come to this?”
Old Mr. Wen had already stated clearly that he would be staying out of Xia Ruya’s affairs. On the other hand, the Xia Family had been staying out of the issue as well and was actively avoiding reporters and paparazzi. It was evident that they would not step in to help her resolve the scandal. Xia Ruya forgot that no one was more reliable and dependable than herself. Pinning all your hopes on others was the silliest thing a person could do.
She did not expect that such an intelligent person like Xia Ruya would commit such a foolish mistake.
She had finally tasted the bitter taste of defeat after having manipulated so many people.
Si Yiyan said, “That may be the case, but Xia Ruya is not a simple person. It’s better to keep your guard up against her.”
Whenever anything happened, she would be able to stay out of trouble. It required a highly scheming plot to be able to do that. Hence, Xia Ruya definitely wouldn’t let a mere scandal render her helpless.
Wen Xinya agreed with Si Yiyan’s words. It would be strange if Xia Ruya was easy to deal with. However, Wen Xinya had her own perspective of the matter. “I know Xia Ruya way too well. This scandal concerns her reputation and image. She definitely wouldn’t show her face easily. Instead, she’d definitely come up with ways to plot against others and manipulate them into resolving the matter for her. Only then can she stay out of it.”
Si Yiyan remained silent. He did not know as much about Xia Ruya as Wen Xinya did. Hence, he took her words seriously and listened to her attentively.
An icy cold stare formed in Wen Xinya’s eyes and she said sinisterly, “But… who can she plot against now? Wen Haowen? Haha… Wen Haowen has always been heartless and overly obsessed with keeping a good image and reputation. He’d definitely shun and avoid being embroiled in this matter like the plague. Why would he stand up for Xia Ruya? So what even if he does? Can he represent the Wen Family? He has just as many scandals and the media is not going to buy his words. Would Grandpa let him go about his ways?”
After angering Grandpa and causing him to be hospitalized, Wen Haowen had been trying his best to be filial and butter Grandpa up. How could he possibly defy Grandpa for the sake of Xia Ruya?
She continued, “It’d be impossible for Ning Shuqian to help her. Ning Shuqian is just a homewrecker who got to marry Wen Haowen. Her reputation is far worse than Xia Ruya’s. What could she possibly do? One misstep and she would land herself in greater trouble. Hence, she definitely wouldn’t do such a silly thing.
“It’d be entirely impossible for the Xia Family to help her. They’re just an affluent family that’s not wealthy enough to secure a footing in the upper-class society. Besides, the Xia Family have always been scheming and overly concerned with their own interests. They’re selfish and cunning. If it weren’t because of Xia Ruya’s connections to the Wen Family, they would have disowned her long ago and made it clear on the newspapers that they had severed ties with her. They wouldn’t let Xia Ruya bring them shame like she is doing now. I bet they detest her greatly. Why would they stand up for her?”
In their previous lifetime, Xia Ruya secured a footing in the Xia Family because she had managed to help the Wen Family clinch a deal with the Wen Family and transition to a luxury mall. Although the Xia Family knew that she was not their biological heiress, they still valued her nonetheless, and even treated her with respect and curried her favor in order to reap more benefits.
However, in this lifetime, Xia Ruya could not seem to establish a partnership between the Wen Family and Xia Family, regardless of how hard she tried. Given the nature of the Xia Family members, how could they possibly let Xia Ruya live an easy life? They had probably already given up on her.
“Xia Ruya spent twelve years building her image and reputation. She definitely values it more than anything else. Her squeaky clean image has indeed brought her lots of compliments and glory, as well as other benefits. If Xia Ruya is upright and has a clear conscience, it’d be fine. Yet, she’s so hypocritical and pretentious. She’s a vicious soul with a gilded appearance which she uses to manipulate others. Her innocence is a double-edged sword.”
Si Yiyan agreed. “Ever since history, reputation has always been a double-edged sword. You can’t be too obsessed with it, lest you end up harming yourself.”
Wen Xinya smirked menacingly and said, “It’s impossible for Xia Ruya to get herself out of trouble this time, because… she can only depend on herself now.”
However, the matter would forever mar her reputation once she made a comment about it.
Si Yiyan said, “It’s human nature to weigh the pros and cons and minimize losses. She’d definitely do so. Don’t underestimate the intellectual abilities of the human mind.”
Wen Xinya guffawed and gibed. “You’re right. The good show must go on. Let’s just wait and see.”
