Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xiao Zhiyuan had always been arrogant and prideful, a stark contrast to how disheveled he was now. However, Old Mr. Xiao could tell that he was genuinely remorseful. Old Mr. Xiao sighed and decided not to berate him any further. “It’s my fault too. I’ve belittled that little lass of the Wen Family. I didn’t expect… that she’d be so cunning and meticulous. At last, she hit us with such a huge blow.”
Xiao Zhiyuan took a deep breath and calmed himself down. “Father, you’re right. We’ve all belittled Wen Xinya. That girl used to be a gangster who led a wandering life for fifteen years. However, she managed to secure a footing as soon as she returned to the Wen Family and got rid of all of her obstacles. We can’t underestimate how scheming she can be.”
In hindsight, Wen Xinya’s stepsister had been chased out of the Wen Family and sent abroad while her stepmother ended up being labeled as a vicious woman who had lost all her reputation. Even Xia Ruya, the adoptive daughter whom the Wen Family had raised for twelve years, had been labeled as a conniving traitor. He did not believe that there would be such a coincidence.
Old Mr. Xiao nodded with a sullen expression and said, “Wen Xinya resumed her identity as an heiress halfway through her adolescence. It definitely isn’t a coincidence for her to have made it so far. She’s very scheming and ambitious. She also has a sleeve full of conniving tricks. None of the heirs or heiresses in our circle are as formidable as her. She doesn’t come from a proper background and she definitely knows how to resort to underhanded and despicable means.”
Xiao Zhiyuan said, “This time, the Wen Family resorted to despicable and shameless means to deal with us, be it the manipulation of the media, or exposing your scandal, spreading rumors and making use of Lanxin Investment Firm. However, we’ve got the power and we have what it takes. We don’t have to be worried about these dirty tricks. However, they lured us into investing a large sum of money before exposing my scandal and foiling our plans to salvage the situation. Our reputation got marred and we incurred such a huge loss. I’m guessing that her next move is probably to use the Wen Corporation to attack us and render us helpless.”
After giving his words some careful thought, Old Mr. Xiao sulked and said austerely, “What a cunning and sly girl. She may be the successor of the Wen Family and holds 10% of the Wen Corporation’s shares, but she still doesn’t have the right to make decisions for the Wen Corporation. Hence, it’d be impossible for her to make use of the corporation to attack us. Hence, she’s doing all of this to give the Wen Family a chance to deal with us.”
The two of them had grim expressions on their faces. The fact that the Wen Family had such a scheming and ruthless heir posed a threat to them.
Gritting his teeth in anger, Old Mr. Xiao said, “It’s little wonder that that old fogy Wen Zhihang regards her so highly. She really has what it takes.”
Xiao Zhiyuan took a deep breath and got a grip on his emotions. He hurriedly changed the subject and said, “The most important thing to do now is to accumulate sufficient funds and stabilize our stock prices so as to retaliate against their attacks. As for the shareholders, Father… the Xiao Corporation suffered a major loss because of me and the shareholders have definitely lost confidence and trust in me. They’re very displeased and they might not aid us in dealing with the Wen Family.”
The shareholders had only ever cared about collecting their shares of the dividends. It would be a tall order to make them cough money.
Old Mr. Xiao said sternly, “I’m here to deal with the shareholders.”
He may be old in his years, but he could still handle those old fogies.
Xiao Zhiyuan heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Father, the scandals about me have just been leaked and the reporters have yet to find any concrete evidence. As long as we manage it well, they won’t get up to any more tricks. However… I’ll still need you to deal with the media. I know you have some old friends who have a say in the media.”
He had already instructed his secretary to handle the matter about the undergraduates being his mistresses. Fortunately for him, Wen Haowen’s adulterous affair was exposed and he managed to draw attention away from himself. He had also laid low for the time being and the press could not find any more news. Hence, he reckoned that they would not blow things up.
Heartened to hear his rational arrangements, Old Mr. Xiao said, “Don’t worry, I’m going all out to help you settle this.”
There was always a solution to everything. They were considered to be in a predicament that was not the worst, and they might just be able to overcome the ordeal as long as they did everything right.
Extremely grateful, Xiao Zhiyuan said, “Father, thank you. I feel really bad to have brought you shame and dragged you down with me.”
Old Mr. Xiao waved and changed the subject. “By the way… what’s the matter with Chu Jingnan? Is he your illegitimate son or not?”
The reports on the news seemed to be plausible, and Old Mr. Xia was ill at ease because he had seen the comparison of their photos.
Xiao Zhiyuan frantically denied. “Father, how could that be? I’ve always been very careful. I’d never get anyone pregnant.”
He had indeed always been conscientious and knew better than to create unnecessary trouble.
Old Mr. Xiao pressed his twitching eyelid gently and said with a slight frown, “That may be the case, but we’d better check just to be safe. Besides… it’d be better for your reputation if it’s proven that he’s not your son.”
Chu Jingnan’s existence made him feel extremely uneasy, and he hoped that he was just making a wrong guess.
Xiao Zhiyuan answered with a nod. “Father! Don’t worry, leave it to me to handle this.”
He was thoroughly impressed and in awe of Chu Jingnan, who was knowledgeable and shrewd. That was the very reason why he decided to keep him by his side. However, he did not want to be involved in another scandal because of him. It seems… he couldn’t keep Chu Jingnan around in the company from now on.
Old Mr. Xiao nodded and advised. “As for your wife, you should just… coax her! She definitely feels terrible about the scandal. Throughout all these years, she gave you children and taught them well. She deserves credit for it. This time… you’ve really let her down. Don’t make her disappointed and give up on you.”
He was extremely pleased with his daughter-in-law, Lin Yuechan.
The mention of his wife made Xiao Zhiyuan feel extremely guilty and apologetic. “Father, don’t worry. I’ll explain it to her properly.”
Old Mr. Xiao said, “You should placate Chenyu, too. I know you’ve been displeased with him lately, but he’s a good kid. As his father, you’ve done such a shameless thing. I bet he feels embarrassed too.”
Xiao Zhiyuan hung his head low and listened to the lecture.
Old Mr. Xiao sighed and said, “Zhiyuan, you can only conquer the world by improving yourself. That’s a logic that can never be changed. All affairs will prosper if a family lives in harmony!”
Old Mr. Xiao was ill at ease, for he was uncertain about what the future held for the Xiao Family.
After handing him those instructions, Old Mr. Xiao hunched his back and seemed to have aged ten years. The scandal would definitely bring about dire consequences to the Xiao Family.
It was a crisis for the Xiao Family.
He hoped that they could tide through it this time.
