Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
As expected, there were reports about the Wen Corporation’s annual gala published in the newspapers on the following day, including Xia Ruya’s outfit clash with adult film star Sun Xiaorou, as well as the incident about Ning Shuqian’s fall. The tabloids and newspapers held a clear stand about the accusations of Wen Xinya harming Ning Shuqian. There were even some who felt that Wen Xinya would not resort to such a silly act, especially since she had just reunited with the Wen Family.
However, everyone was doubtful as to whether or not Wen Xinya could secure her place as the successor of the Wen Family.
Everyone was well aware that once Ning Shuqian gave birth to a boy, Wen Xinya would be stripped of her position as successor of Wen Family, regardless of the fact that the Wen Family did not acknowledge Ning Shuqian. A family’s bloodline could only be continued by a male heir at the end of the day. A daughter would be made the successor only as a last resort.
So what if Ning Shuqian gave birth to a baby girl? She would be showered with care, love, and attention, and nurtured well from a young age, unlike Wen Xinya, who had led a wandering life on her own for fifteen years.
Wen Xinya’s position in the circle seemed to be at risk.
A peculiar expression formed on Ning Shuqian’s face the moment she read the news reports on the newspapers. “Ruya, there are reports about you showing up in the same outfit as the adult film star Sun Xiaorou. They’ve even juxtaposed your photo against hers.”
“Let me take a look,” Xia Ruya said agitatedly while grabbing the newspapers from Ning Shuqian. Upon sight of the headlines which included Ning Shuqian’s pregnancy report as well as her outfit clash with Sun Xiaorou, Xia Ruya felt as if she had just received a slap to the face.
The media had also dug up and published all of the disgraceful information about Sun Xiaorou and events that took place before she joined the entertainment industry. There was then a sudden twist. “Xia Ruya Who Has Received Great Attention For Being A Freshly Minted Member Of Zhishan Club, Actually Shows Up To A Gala In The Same Outfit As Adult Film Star Sun Xiaorou!!!”
The exclamation marks were in bold, and it seemed they were placing emphasis on it. As if the piece of news was extremely astounding and unbelievable.
There were also comments about Xia Ruya and Sun Xiaorou wearing the same dress, and the two were even compared with each other.
She could not help but be reminded of her scandal and her virginity test report from two years ago. Back then, she had become a hot topic for gossip and discussion.
Ning Shuqian remarked in exasperation, “These tabloids are going overboard. Sun Xiaorou is known to be a whore. How could they compare such a shameless woman to you!?!”
Ning Shuqian’s words were like a million daggers piercing through Xia Ruya’s heart. Not only did she not feel comforted, she felt extremely upset, for she did not expect that she would one day be compared to such a shameless woman.
The reports about her dancing with Old Mr. Wen were downplayed and paled in comparison to the groundbreaking news of her and Sun Xiaorou. After all, she was still just the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family and the illegitimate daughter of the Xia Family.
Seemingly having realized that her words were a little inappropriate, Ning Shuqian hurriedly grabbed her hand and said, “Ruya, don’t be upset. Outfit clashes are very common and these gossipy pieces of news will be forgotten in no time. You’re the adopted daughter of the Wen Family and a member of the Zhishan Club. How could you be compared to Sun Xiaorou? You’re like an angel from Heaven while she’s like dirt in the mud.”
Xia Ruya said stubbornly, “No… this must have been a deliberate act arranged by someone. Sun Xiaorou has a terrible reputation and she’s notorious for being a loose and promiscuous woman. How could she have shown up at the gala? The gown that I wore is a bespoke one that has a unique design. How could Sun Xiaorou have turned up in a gown that has a similar design?”
Finding her words to have made sense, Ning Shuqian said, “In that case, this must have been arranged by Wen Xinya. I can’t think of anyone except her. However… how did she know that you would turn up in that gown? How did she arrange for Sun Xiaorou to show up in a dress that’s similar to yours, so as to humiliate you?”
“Beats me. Perhaps, she happened to know that I had ordered a bespoke gown from Fan Sizhe,” said Xia Ruya, who was also bewildered. However, her instincts told her that Wen Xinya must have been the one behind it. She was certain that Wen Xinya was trying to ruin her reputation because of all the positive attention she had been enjoying.
Noticing that she seemed to be out of sorts, Ning Shuqian said comfortingly, “Some you win, some you lose. You’ve been enjoying a great reputation and attention lately. Others are bound to be jealous of you. These reports about you will die down soon enough. You should take the chance to lay low for a while too.”
“I know, Aunt Ning. I was too careless this time,” Xia Ruya said, trying her best to conceal all her feelings of dismay and resentment. As Ning Shuqian said, she had indeed been attracting lots of attention lately. Besides, she was now a member of the Zhishan Club. The excessive attention might make the other members of the club think that Xia Ruya was boastful and enjoyed the attention.
Feeling much more relieved, Ning Shuqian said, “Good that you know.”
“Aunt Ning, I know you’re concerned about me, but don’t worry about it,” said Xia Ruya, who was still rather upset despite having convinced herself to get over it. She initially thought that the reports about her and Sun Xiaorou would be downplayed by Ning Shuqian’s fall during the gala. To her surprise, it became a double headline.
Ning Shuqian grabbed the newspapers and said with a look of dismay and bewilderment, “Why aren’t there any reports about Wen Xinya causing me to fall and almost suffer a miscarriage?”
Shouldn’t Wen Xinya be castigated by the public for her vicious actions? Shouldn’t she be berated for harming my baby, and for being unfit for the position of the heiress of the Wen Family?
Why didn’t the media report about her harming me at all!
Xia Ruya had long gotten a grip on her emotions. Upon sight of how agitated Ning Shuqian was, Xia Ruya comforted her in a mellow voice. “Aunt Ning, don’t get too worked up. I’m guessing that Old Mr. Mo had communicated with the media. He wouldn’t let us accuse Wen Xinya and ruin her reputation.”
Anger was written all over Ning Shuqian’s face. “I actually forgot that Wen Xinya has Old Mr. Mo to back her up and support her. That little bitch Wen Xinya. My meticulous plan wasn’t enough to cause her a fatal blow.”
Ning Shuqian was consumed by feelings of pique and resentment, and she turned as pale as a sheet.
Xia Ruya said calmly, “Aunt Ning, that may be the case, but it’s not impossible for us to give Wen Xinya a fatal blow using this incident. Besides, our goal is far more than that.”
