Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At this moment, Xia Ruya was dressed in a light blue, toga gown which had a mermaid hem, thus accentuating her beautiful curves. The dress would sway gracefully with each and every action of hers, creating a breathtaking sight. Her hair was tied back into an updo and her tiara made her look exceptionally elegant.
Xia Ruya walked into the banquet hall with the reporters surrounding her.
Wen Xinya noticed from afar, the way that Xia Ruya was staring at her with raised brows and a smug expression on her face, her lips curled into a smirk.
Wen Xinya held her gaze calmly before looking away nonchalantly.
“Miss Xia, you’ve disappeared from the city ever since you withdrew from school two years ago. Yet, you actually joined the Zhishan Club the moment you returned two years later. Did Zhishan Club accept you because of the scandal that you were involved in two years ago?”
“Miss Xia, it’s said that you actively participated in the relief efforts during the aftermath of the earthquake in Yun Chuan and that you even donated all of your savings to help the victims. May I ask if that’s true?”
“Miss Xia, the Zhishan Club has always been strict with their intake of members, and I heard that you instantly became a member of the Zhishan Club without any probationary period. On top of that, President Tang and Vice President Zhou have regarded you with great respect too. Is it true that they’ve allowed you to take charge of the construction of schools in Yun Chuan?”
“Miss Xia, I heard that the Xia Corporation is in the midst of preparations for transitioning to upscale luxury malls where they would be launching another supermarket branch. Is that true? Does that expansion have something to do with the fact that you’re a member of the Zhishan Club too?”
“Miss Xia, you’re dressed to the nines for the gala this evening. Are you here as a member of Zhishan Club, or as the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family?”
“Miss Xia, you stayed over at the Wen Family for a short period of time two years ago and Miss Wen ended up moving into the Mo Family home for a short stay too. There were rumors about you and Miss Wen being at odds against each other. Are those rumors true?”
Xia Ruya remained calm and composed despite being bombarded with questions, all of which she declined to answer. Instead, she continued smiling pleasantly and exuded a graceful aura. She kept her cool and remained poised despite all the commotion and noises made by the reporters. It was as if the red carpet was that of the Oscar Awards and not the Wen Corporation annual gala.
She seemed to be the center of attention and enjoyed the admiration of many others while appearing stunning and captivating.
“Miss Xia, please answer our questions…”
“Miss Xia…”
At the end of the red carpet, Xia Ruya stopped in her tracks and looked at everyone smilingly. “Dear reporters, we’re at the Wen Corporation’s annual gala this evening and the main point is the Wen Corporation. I’m just an invited guest, I shouldn’t be stealing the limelight.”
She was tactfully making it clear that she wouldn’t be making any comments or answering any of their questions today.
Being intelligent, the reporters decided to stop pestering her and instantly backed off the moment they realized that they wouldn’t be getting any news.
Meanwhile, Xia Ruya smiled at Wen Xinya slowly while strutting towards her gracefully, moving her svelte body with much finesse.
Wen Xinya watched as Xia Ruya made her way towards her slowly, and inevitably got reminded of her previous lifetime.
In her previous lifetime, Xia Ruya had also attended the Wen Corporation annual gala in that exact same gown and she was just like a princess; graceful, noble, elegant, posh and eye-catching.
By the time she snapped out of her trance, Xia Ruya had already reached her. She glanced at Old Mr. Wen with an apologetic expression and said, “Grandpa Wen, Xinya, I was stuck in a major traffic jam while I was on my way here. I’m sorry to have shown up late.”
Wen Xinya nodded calmly, well aware that Xia Ruya had turned up late on purpose with the intention of stealing the limelight.
Old Mr. Wen said calmly, “It’s alright!”
Be it in the past or present, he had always admired Xia Ruya. Due to Wen Haowen who was an example, he had been paying lots of attention to Xia Ruya after she was brought home to the Wen Family home, and showed her lots of care and even taught her personally. She had inherited all of the merits and traits of the Wen Family members, something that he was incredibly proud of.
Xia Ruya was not bothered by Old Mr. Wen’s calm reaction. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, “Grandpa Wen, I actually wanted to visit you at the old mansion when I returned to the city previously. However, I was suddenly informed that I was invited to become a member of the Zhishan Club and hence, I haven’t had the time to visit you yet. I’m really sorry about that.”
Old Mr. Wen’s expression changed and he said earnestly, “I’m glad enough to hear that you still care about me. Young people ought to focus on their studies and career.”
Xia Ruya looked at him affectionately and asked, “Grandpa Wen, how has your health been for the past two years?”
Old Mr. Wen smiled and answered, “Still the same.”
Xia Ruya scanned Old Mr. Wen from head to toe and said with a chuckle, “How is that the same? You seem a lot healthier than you used to be.”
Old Mr. Wen glanced at Wen Xinya tenderly and said, “It’s all thanks to Xinya.”
Xia Ruya’s face stiffened, for she was deliberately talking to Old Mr. Wen non-stop simply because she wanted to exclude Wen Xinya from the conversation. Yet, Old Mr. Wen actually included her. She said, “Xinya has really taken such great care of your health.” She then tried to change the subject and asked, “By the way, how has Grandma Wens’ heart condition been? Does she still get relapses?”
Old Mr. Wen was somehow reminded of when Xia Ruya frequently gave Old Mrs. Wen chest massages whenever she felt uncomfortable. The frown on his forehead eased up and he said, “She’s already recovered, and it’s been long since her condition relapsed.”
Xia Ruya asked in surprise, “Really? Grandma Wen has been having that persisting ailment and none of the medications that she tried ever worked. None of the doctors we visited could treat her either. I remember when Grandma Wen… suffered from her relapses and ended up being unable to sleep all night. She only felt better after the massages I gave her. Turns out she recovered all of a sudden.”
Old Mr. Wen shifted his gaze onto Wen Xinya who was seated beside him. He said gently, “It’s all thanks to the herbal recipes that Xinya obtained from Old Mr. Du. Your Grandma Wen’s condition improved tremendously just after three courses. Lately, Xinya has been helping her nourish her health with lots of medicinal soups and tonics. Her health is in better shape now.”
Xia Ruya did not expect there to have been so many changes in the Wen Family within just two years. She could not help but feel threatened.
Old Mr. Wen continued to chat with Xia Ruya for a while before proceeding to talk to another old friend of his.
