Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wen Xinya gently drew the thin curtains open. It was in the midst of April and the viburnum flowers were in full bloom. They were pure and white like jade, clustered together beautifully with grace.
It was the time of the year that viburnum flowers were in bloom again!
Wen Xinya took a deep breath and the pleasant scent of viburnum flowers wafted up into her nose. It was her favorite fragrance.
She could not help but be in high spirits. She decided to visit her Mother’s grave with some viburnum flowers after Wen Haowen’s scandal blew over.
After freshening up, Wen Xinya headed to the living room.
The sounds of Wen Haowen kicking up a fuss in the living room could be heard.
“Father, are you old and muddled up? I’m in the midst of a divorce with Ning Shuqian and she’s the one who’s going to gain the most out of my scandal. It’s obvious that she’s the one who plotted against me. It’s not my fault at all. Why do you have to make me apologize to everyone and clarify matters in public?”
After making Yang Ziyu take the rap, he thought carefully about the events that took place that night. Although he admitted that the media was reporting the truth, he felt that it was not as simple as Yang Ziyu harboring designs on him. He wondered, Did Ning Shuqian really not have a part to play?
Old Mr. Wen glared at him coldly. After being punished and lectured, Wen Haowen went on to recuperate for a few days, during which he ate and slept well. He was no longer as remorseful or disheveled as he was at the start. In fact, he was radiant and glowing. Old Mr. Wen could not tolerate it at all.
When everything was peaceful, Wen Haowen would do everything he could to try and give himself credit. Yet, whenever something happened, he would avoid and hide like a coward, leaving it to others to clean up the mess he had created. Even the eighteen-year-old Wen Xinya knew better than to make her family worry for her. Yet, he could still live in peace after creating trouble for everyone.
Wen Haowen was slightly stunned by Old Mr. Wen’s terrifying cold gaze and he sounded much less composed than before. “Father, since the media has already found out everything clearly, it’s obvious that Yang Ziyu was the one who set me up this time. There’s no need for me to make clarifications at all.”
Although adultery and extramarital affairs were rampant in the upper-class society, they were nonetheless scandalous and he had received a ton of controversial attention because of that. He felt that he would be utterly embarrassed if he were to clarify things and make a public apology. How was he going to face others in the future? How would everyone else perceive him? How was he going to continue surviving in the upper-class society?
These questions made him afraid.
Old Mr. Wen said in a tone that was as cold as ice, “Now that something has happened, all you do is coop yourself up at home like a coward. You settle all your business in your room and you don’t even care or ask about the company even though you were the one who caused the stock prices to plunge tremendously. You ruined your own reputation and everyone calls you a scumbag now. Yet, you’ve never once stood up to clarify things. I’ve decided to help you clean up the mess that you created, and I seek your cooperation. Yet, you refuse to give in because you find it embarrassing. You’re so irresponsible and cowardly. How dare you have the cheek to covet the position of the Wen Corporation’s successor?”
Wen Haowen felt awkward and embarrassed. He spluttered. “I… I was injured and I had to nurse my injury at home! Father… you whipped me really hard previously… I’m still aching all over…”
Old Mr. Wen frowned, appearing stern and sullen. “Stop acting so self-righteous. I was the one who raised you. I know clearly what you are.”
Although he had always found Wen Haowen to be extremely irresponsible, the latter’s cowardly behavior truly irked and angered him. He could not accept how cowardly he was and would rather he be heartless and cunning.
Wen Haowen was at a loss for words, though his resentment towards Old Mr. Wen grew deeper. He felt that Old Mr. Wen was out to make him look bad, for the matter had already been resolved and yet, Old Mr. Wen still wanted him to stand up and make clarifications.
Old Mr. Wen said calmly, “All because of you, the Wen Corporation has incurred major losses and our stock prices have plunged by over 600 points. It’s already broken the record high and the shareholders have all voiced their unhappiness towards you. They’ve even started questioning us. Some of them have even suggested that we replace you with Mr. Qian and make him take over your position as CEO.”
Qian Jianhui was the largest shareholder, second to the Wen Family. He had always been peace-loving and benevolent and had also earned the respect of all the other shareholders. It was only normal for him to snatch the position of CEO, now that Wen Haowen had done such a shameless thing. However, Qian Jianhui was rather cunning and sly. Once he became the CEO, it would be difficult to strip him of his position again. Besides… it would be difficult for Old Mr. Wen to pave the way for Wen Xinya.
At the end of the day, Wen Haowen was still a member of the Wen Family and it would be easier to control him. Although he did not wish to continue letting Wen Haowen helm the Wen Corporation, there was no better solution at the moment.
Wen Haowen’s eyes widened in shock and he exclaimed angrily, “That scheming scumbag Qian Jianhui is just taking advantage of the situation!”
Now that Wen Xinya had already gotten into the good books of Old Mr. Wen, he definitely could not lose his position as the CEO of the Wen Corporation. Otherwise, he would just become nothing more than a lazy, sleeping shareholder.
Old Mr. Wen sneered. “If you stand up to clarify things, we’ll be giving the citizens an explanation, and making the shareholders shut their mouths. Once the stockholders amongst the citizens regain their confidence in you, the stock prices will rise again and no one will be able to threaten to encroach on your position.”
Slightly stunned, Wen Haowen said, “Father… you’re the Chairman of the Wen Corporation. If you’re willing to step out and make a stand, Qian Jianhui wouldn’t dare to do anything even if he’s ambitious and cunning…”
He was still rather reluctant to clarify things and make a public apology.
Old Mr. Wen glared at Wen Haowen coldly and said, “You’re really something, huh? You’ve been the CEO for over a decade and now that something has happened, you expect me to stand up and support you. Does my pride even still matter?”
Things had already come to this and yet, Wen Haowen was still unable to get the situation right. Although pushing Yang Ziyu to take the rap would help the Wen Family stay out of trouble, Yang Ziyu was just a small fry and Wen Haowen was the main topic for attention. If he refused to clarify things, others were just going to doubt him and the Wen Family would forever be affected.
So long as he clarified matters and make a stand, he would be able to make himself the victim who felt remorseful and repentant. That was the only way that he could build a positive image and salvage his reputation.
Wen Haowen stared at Old Mr. Wen hesitantly and said, “Father…”
Old Mr. Wen interrupted in frustration. “That’s all I have to say. If you’re agreeable, I’ll get Secretary Cao to arrange a press conference for you. If you’re not, I’ll make a decision that benefits the Wen Corporation the most.”
It was clear what Old Mr. Wen meant. If Wen Haowen was unwilling to clarify matters, he could then forget about being the CEO of the Wen Corporation.
Wen Haowen turned pale, feeling an urge to say something.
However, Old Mr. Wen had already seen through him and turned around to head upstairs.
Wen Xinya found Wen Haowen to be a true coward.
She felt ashamed to have a father like him.
However, she felt that Old Mr. Wen had made an intelligent move by threatening Wen Haowen with his position in the Wen Corporation. Given Wen Haowen’s character, he would definitely concede.
