Everyone was busy conversing with each other as they waited for the event to start. All of them were curious to see who’d be the next heir of the Sun family. While the outside was crowded with paparazzi and media personnel, inside wasn’t better. The gossips were worse, and they didn’t dare to hide it.
“Ah, I haven’t seen a party as grand as this from the Sun family in years. Perhaps the last one was for Sun Weijun’s ascension as the CEO of Sun Corporation,” someone commented in the crowd. He was part of the group of reporters who received exclusive invitations, courtesy of Sun Qiyan.
They watched as Sun Feiyan and Chairman Sun welcomed the other guests. Sun Feiyan was dressed in a white fitted gown; her long black hair was kept on a loose bun, some strands framing her face. Her every movement was graceful and magnificent, causing some people to be at awe with her beauty.
Unlike Sun Qiyan, Sun Feiyan rarely showed herself in public. That was why many people had found her face refreshing to see.
“That isn’t surprising at all. Compared to other Big 5 families, there aren’t many geniuses born from their family. Sun Weijun was decent, but the older Sun Meixiu was also known for her beauty and brains. She definitely outshone her other two sisters,” his partner said.
“I know, right? It has been years since they threw a party as grand as this. It wouldn’t be surprising if Sun Feiyan will follow the steps of her father as she is the next in line.”
“What about Sun Meixiu’s daughter? What’s her name again? Ah! Lu Xinyi!”
The first reporter frowned. “Is she really Sun Meixiu’s daughter? She lacks the elegance and beauty her mother had. She looks like a country bumpkin. An ugly duckling! So ugly compared to her cousins.” He snorted and downed his wine in one go.
“I-I don’t think you should say that,” one of his colleagues said nervously. His eyes were looking beyond the first reporter and hoped that he wouldn’t get implicated later.
“What? I’m just telling the truth! The Sun family is lucky enough that they have a Sun Feiyan in their younger generation, or else who’ll manage the Sun Corporation? It couldn’t be that commoner’s daughter who only knows how to cook!”
It wasn’t a secret to the public that Sun Meixiu canceled her engagement with her fiance to marry another man without her father’s approval.
“President Shen, did Mr. Reporter say the truth? Am I really that ugly?” A feminine voice could be heard behind the reporter who insulted Lu Xinyi.
When the other reporters saw who it was, their faces blanched and lost all of their colors. The first reporter was confused with their reactions so he turned to see who was standing behind him. The next voice that followed was enough to make him pee on his pants when he realized who it was.
“No, dear. He must be really blind if he couldn’t see how beautiful you are,” Shen Yi responded as Lu Xinyi hooked her arm into his.
“P-President Shen?!” The reported gasped, his face beet-red. If it was because of the wine he drank or out of fear of Shen Yi, his colleagues weren’t sure.
Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi’s arrival had taken the attention of some guests. Some were surprised to see that Shen Yi attended while the others were curious as to why Lu Xinyi was with him.
Shen Yi, in his well-tailored black suit, fit his status and emphasized his tall stature while Lu Xinyi, although wasn’t the most beautiful in the event, got the fair share of admirers from the guests. Her innocence and graceful movements were able to make people feel think that her appearance was pleasing to the eyes.
Hair gathered, draping over one shoulder; her red sequin gown accentuating her feminine figure. Lu Xinyi wasn’t ugly, unlike the reporter said.
Most of them hadn’t seen and met Lu Xinyi personally, and their opinions about her only relied on the previous pictures they had seen. Ugly? How could they say that she was ugly? Her appearance alone could easily outmatch some celebrities that attended the party. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
Most of all, that face and refined beauty reminded everyone of Sun Meixiu! Who hadn’t known that of all of Chairman Sun’s daughters, only Sun Meixiu had an unrivaled beauty?
The reporter’s face turned pale. Seeing as how disgusted Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi were looking at him, he felt like digging his own grave to hide from this pair of demons. If she was ugly, then what about the rest of the women inferior to her?
The commotion had easily reached Chairman Sun’s ears. His assistant whispered to his ear and informed him about Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi’s arrival.
“What?! Are you telling the truth? Xin’er came?” The excitement and longing in the old man’s voice were apparent.
Within the Sun family, who didn’t know that Chairman Sun and Lu Xinyi were like water and fire? There would be an argument whenever the old man tries to persuade his legitimate heiress to come back home. Her arrival wasn’t something he’d expected.
“Yes, Chairman. The third miss is back. She arrived earlier with President Shen,” his assistant confirmed.
Chairman Sun was ecstatic. After years of arguments, did his granddaughter finally had a change of heart and agreed to come back to his family? With Lu Xinyi and Sun Feiyan around, he wouldn’t have to worry about their family’s future anymore.
Sun Feiyan and Sun Qiyan, who were standing beside him, had mixed emotions. Sun Qiyan cursed Lu Xinyi in her heart for appearing at a time she wasn’t needed while Sun Feiyan remained calm. Her face didn’t reveal any surprise or hatred to the woman who just arrived.
Meanwhile, Sun Mingai, who was waiting upstairs, also received the news about Lu Xinyi’s arrival.
“Who the hell allowed that bitch to enter my house?!” She screamed at the top of her lungs as expensive decors inside her room were thrown everywhere in her rage. Her face was contorted with so much anger for Sun Meixiu and her daughter. Just their faces were enough to make her blood boil with so much anger.
“Mother, you must calm down. Let’s see what Lu Xinyi is up to. Wouldn’t it better if you keep her closer than to keep her at bay? It would be easier for you to destroy her chances if you know what she’s up to,” Zuo Yun, her adopted son, commented.
Sun Mingai plopped down on her bed and thought about it. What Zuo Yun said made sense to her.
“You’re right. Let’s go down and see Meixiu’s daughter. Lu Xinyi could only blame her mother if she suffers in the future!”
Back to Chairman Sun…
“Let’s go and greet your cousin. It had been too long since Xin’er visited us.” The old man led the two to where Lu Xinyi and Shen Yi were.
“Ugly duckling, huh?” Lu Xinyi nodded, a wine glass on her gloved hand as she regarded the reporters. She then turned to Shen Yi who was starting to get bored, “Darling, isn’t there a fable where the swan grows up ‘ugly’ in a family of ducks and later finds his appearance changing as he discovers his true identity?”
“Yes, that same little bird who suffers abuse from the others around him until—much to his delight—he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all.” Shen Yi affirmed.
