Xia Ruya was in the midst of brewing some rose tea. The rose petals floated on the surface of the water and seemed to have come alive. They gathered together and exuded a vibrant Jew. They looked just like fresh flowers.
Ning Shuqian stared at her fluid movements in envy. “It’s been a few years since we met and you’ve become even better at brewing tea, Ruya.”
For the past few years, Ning Shuqian had been rather interested in brewing tea and hence, had put in painstaking efforts into taking lessons. However, she could never compare to Xia Ruya, who possessed grace and finesse.
Xia Ruya placed the brewed floral tea, which had petals floating beautifully on the surface, in front of Ning Shuqian and said, “I’ve just been practicing it out of boredom. Practice makes perfect.”
Talent was important too when it came to brewing tea. Not everyone could do a precise and good job.
Xia Ruya was rather proud of her own talent.
Ning Shuqian picked up the white peony glazed teacup and took a whiff out of it gently. She sipped it slowly and realized that the fragrance of tea would linger in her mouth. It was her first time tasting such splendid floral tea.
She placed the teacup down and said in surprise, “I heard that you’ve started your own floral tea brewing classes in Harbor city and you would conduct them personally every week. What made you think of doing this?”
She was greatly taken aback when she first heard about it.
The mention of it made Xia Ruya smile. “I just thought that floral tea has a rich history and it was my honor to have learned some of the techniques. I felt that it would be a pity to let these traditional Chinese tea brewing techniques cease after me, so I decided to conduct these classes and impart my knowledge to others. I enjoy it very much.”
When she first returned to Harbor City, her reputation in the upper-class society was completely ruined and she had a hard time afterward. She then got reminded of Zhou Huiyan, whose marriage to a wealthy man was greatly opposed by many at first. Although Zhou Huiyan was a famous celebrity back then, most people would criticize celebrities for marrying wealthy men.
Zhou Huiyan quit the entertainment industry after marrying her husband. Not long after, she started conducting floral arrangements lessons that were popular amongst the upper-class society. Hence, it allowed Zhou Huiyan to befriend other ladies of the upper-class society within a short period of time. Her reputation was also greatly improved afterward.
Her floral arrangements techniques were the most unique and different from the popular ones used by the members of the upper-class society.
After Xia Ruya started conducting those lessons, she managed to pique the curiosity of many other heiresses, who then spread the word about her lessons. Her impeccable tea brewing techniques also rose to fame as more and more people began signing up for her lessons.
Most people only knew about her based on hearsay and no one actually knew her in person. Hence, she managed to clear her name and earned a greater reputation by befriending the wealthy heiresses.
Hence, her floral tea brewing lessons gave her a better reputation in the upper-class society of Harbor City.
Ning Shuqian nodded and changed the subject. “When did you come back to Capital City? Why didn’t you inform me at all?”
Ever since Xia Ruya returned to Capital City three years ago, Ning Shuqian rarely contacted her. They only started getting closer again this year.
She was not too sure about Xia Ruya’s return at the start and only found out that she was back after speaking to her on the phone today.
Xia Ruya brewed some English white rose tea for herself. The pure white roses were much more fragrant than red roses. “I’ve been back for a few days. But I had something to attend to, so I didn’t inform you about it beforehand.”
The 21-year-old Xia Ruya was no longer as puerile or flighty as she used to be. She was now like a blooming white rose—beautiful, poised, elegant, pure and flawless.
She was also seen as a white rose to the members of the upper-class society of Harbor City.
Ning Shuqian sighed softly and remarked, “You’ve changed a lot in the past few years.”
She was dressed in a white bespoke Chanel dress that ended at her knees. She uncrossed her legs and sat on the couch, appearing poised, lofty and elegant. She was clad in a full set of white-rose-themed Jewelry that was made out of jade. The bright and clear Jewelry accentuated the fairness of her skin and her elegance which seemed natural.
Xia Ruya had indeed changed a lot.
She was no longer as delicate or vulnerable as she used to be.
However, her pureness and perfection earned her some sympathy.
Her sultry yet innocent vibe also gave her an irresistible charm.
Xia Ruya said, “It’s only human for me to change after all that happened.”
For the past three years, she had not been living too well in Harbor City and it was practically hell compared to the days of luxury that she lived as the heiress of the Wen Family in the past. It made her detest and resent Wen Xinya even more for taking away what used to belong to her.
But so what if she resented her?
She still had to do everything she could to get back what belonged to her.
Ning Shuqian also knew that she had had a tough time in the past three years. “Fortunately, you’re finally out of the woods now. The Li Family is now in control of the Li Corporation and you’ve also started your own brand as the head designer of the Li Corporation. Your status and position are now stable and the Li Corporation will be in your control in no time.”
Xia Ruya had a hard time when she first returned to the Li Family. The shareholders of the Li Corporation made life hard for her and demanded that she be stripped off her position as the successor because of her scandal. Although Old Mr. Li was the chairman, he couldn’t overwrite the shareholders’ decision because he lacked power due to his lack of energy to manage the corporation. Hence, he couldn’t deal with them at all.
The news of Xia Ruya’s scandal had also spread throughout the upper-class society of Harbor City. She had a hard time building her reputation and yet, she faced the danger of having everything ruined for her.
Xia Ruya was helpless and at last, she had no choice but to give up the rights to her succession.
However, her life still didn’t improve afterward. Fortunately, she pulled through various ordeals like drug addiction and a car accident. She slowly climbed her way up and swallowed her pride. With the help of that mysterious person, she also managed to get to where she was today.
