Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Tianyu continued to browse through the posts on the internet in disbelief. Fuming with anger, she cursed. “What the hell? Xia Ruya is an unbeatable cockroach! Her reputation was so badly ruined and she was embroiled in such a controversial scandal which caused an uproar. Yet, she managed to make a comeback within just two years.”
Xu Tongxuan chimed in. “Look at those posts. Influential angel of kindness? The prettiest teacher who touched the hearts of Z Nation? What the hell… so many people have given up their lives in order to rescue the victims of the Yun Chuan earthquake. Who is Xia Ruya? They’re just making mountains out of molehills and she’s just making a big deal out of herself.”
Wen Xinya sighed softly and said, “Well, Xia Ruya has joined Zhishan Club. Everyone knows how influential Zhishan Club is. I shan’t talk about it any further. She’s just trying to use their power and build a name for herself in society.”
Gu Junling agreed. “If Xia Ruya builds a good reputation for herself, she’s going to aid the Xia Family in expanding their chain supermarket business. I heard that business had been thriving the past few days for the Xia Corporation. I reckon they’d be able to expand into luxurious malls very soon. They’d at most meet a few more obstacles without the help of the Wen Family.”
Wen Xinya’s heart sank. Despite having put in painstaking efforts, I still could not stop the Xia Family from making a comeback, and Xia Ruya’s status as a member of Zhishan Club is her trump card. By securing her place in society, she’s helping the Xia Corporation build a stable consumer group. Several merchants are going to invest in the supermarkets on Xia Ruya’s account too. Hence, it’s very likely that they will succeed in expanding.
Han Mofeng said, “This reminds me of something. A few days ago, I chanced upon Jiang Shaofeng and Old Mr. Xia, Xia Mingde exiting a hotel together. Jiang Ruoyina and Xia Ruya were there too. I wonder if they had a discussion about the expansion.”
“Seems like the Jiang Family and Xia Family have established a cooperation.” Han Mofeng’s words further proved Gu Junling’s speculations. The Jiang Family had suffered a major loss because the Xiao Corporation had failed in acquiring Ai Shang Group. “The four major families are only for show now. They’re no longer as wealthy as they used to be and they’re just trying to keep up their image and reputation. Well, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. The cooperation with the Jiang family will do the Xia Family good.”
Ling Qingxuan said, “I heard that Xia Mingde brings Xia Ruya along with him wherever he goes. Xia Ruya has attained a high status in the Xia Family and even Madam Xia has moved back to her maiden home.”
Wen Xinya sneered and said in disdain, “The Xia Family has always enjoyed getting up to devious schemes, and Xia Ruya has now become a member of the Zhishan Club. If it weren’t because of Madam Xia’s family background, the Xia Family would resort to making her divorce Xia Ruya’s father in order to cozy up to Xia Ruya.”
In her previous lifetime, Xia Haolin and Chen Linfang had gotten a divorce as well, which caused an uproar amongst citizens in the city. Chen Linfang was instantly labeled as an evil wretch and the Chen Family fell out with the Xia Family as well. The Xia Family had even encroached on the Chen Family’s business.
Absolutely despising the Xia Family, Zhou Tianyu changed the subject and said, “What’s there to say about the Xia Family? Let’s talk about something else instead!”
They began chatting about something else.
“It’s so boring if we just talk and drink. Why don’t we play some interesting games?” Wen Xinya said while swirling the glass of wine in her hands. The maroon liquid glowed under the dim, yellow light like sparkling red rubies.
Zhou Tianyu chimed in. “It’s indeed very boring. What games shall we play?”
“Why don’t we play truth or dare?” Wen Xinya suggested, placing the glass of wine on the table.
Xu Tongxuan immediately objected. “Truth or dare? That’s so childish! What era are we in now? Why are we still playing such a corny game!?!”
Ling Qingxuan immediately agreed. “Xuanxuan is right. Why don’t we play something else? This game is outdated.”
Han Mofeng agreed with Wen Xinya’s suggestion. “Nah, I think it’s a great suggestion. Well, at least it’s better than just drinking and chatting!”
At last, Xu Tongxuan and Ling Qingxuan conceded after much persuasion by Zhou Tianyu and Gu Junling.
Han Mofeng was the banker, and it was Wen Xinya’s turn to make her choice. “Miss Wen, what’s your ideal type of guy?”
He wanted to ask that question on behalf of Xu Zhenyu, and it was the very purpose of his suggestion to play truth or dare.
Zhou Tianyu immediately urged. “Xinya, hurry and answer the question. I’d like to know just what your ideal boyfriend is like. Even an outstanding man like Senior Zhong Rufeng can’t win your heart.”
Finally seeing the fun in Truth or Dare, Xu Tongxuan said, “You must tell the truth. If you lie, you’ll have to drink as a forfeit and do a dare.”
Gu Junling gave Han Mofeng a thumbs up and said, “Brother, well done! You managed to get something juicy just in the first round.” He then looked at Ling Qingxuan and said, “Ling Qingxuan, put the alcohol away.”
“Alright!” Ling Qingxuan hurriedly grabbed all the bottles of wine.
Reminded of Si Yiyan, Wen Xinya said solemnly, “I don’t drink. Can I do the dare instead?”
“No!” they answered in unison.
After pretending to be deep in thought, Wen Xinya said, “My ideal type is the idol who went to Lan Feng two years ago!”
Back then, Si Yiyan had caused a major uproar in Lan Feng Institute and all of the female students went gaga over him. There were also lots of posts about him on the student forum. The post that was titled: “Turns out there’s really such an outstanding man in the world” was still kept in the classic archive folder of the student forum.
Everyone choked the instant they heard her words.
Si Yiyan was flawless.
Xu Tongxuan kicked Han Mofeng and rebuked. “Can you ask better questions? The one you just asked is so easy for Xinya to answer!”
Zhou Tianyu chimed in. “Exactly!”
Gu Junling grabbed a large glass and poured some wine into it. “Drink up and atone for your mistake!”
Ling Qingxuan raised his arm and applauded. “Drink up, drink up, drink up… ”
“I’ll drink, I’ll drink, will that do!?!” Han Mofeng exclaimed while chugging down the glass at one go.
After the first round ended, Wen Xinya asked Gu Junling, “Gu Junling, is there any girl whom you fancy?”
She was intentionally trying to put him in a spot. Zhou Tianyu had already turned eighteen and was attending university. Hence, she was at a suitable age for dating. If Gu Junling were to continue delaying his pursuit, Zhou Tianyu would end up with someone else, sooner or later.
