Ch 38: Lu Xixiao: “What did I think?”; Welcome Banquet; Wen Li arrived.
Lu Group, Chairman’s Office.
Lu Xixiao, in a suit, sat at his desk, reviewing a business plan. Having recently undergone surgery, his complexion was pale and sickly, making him appear even more austere and intimidating.
He multitasked, saying, “Let Zicheng take full responsibility for the West City District development project. Tell him to implement the plan as soon as possible and inform him of tonight’s video conference.”
Lu Qi said, “Young Master Zicheng is attending a banquet at the Wen Family tonight. Should we adjust the meeting time, or…?”
Lu Xixiao looked up, “Which Wen Family?”
“It’s…”
Lu Qi wasn’t sure if it was his own problem or if Lu Xixiao’s questions were prone to overinterpretation. In the past, the Fifth Master wouldn’t have asked such a question. He replied, “It’s the Wen Family you’re thinking of.”
“???” Lu Xixiao looked at him, “What am I thinking?”
Lu Qi met those emotionless eyes, his neck shrinking. He hastily said, “Nothing, nothing. I mean Miss Wen’s family.”
After Lu Xixiao’s question, Lu Qi, whose thoughts often strayed, hadn’t even remembered Wen Baixiang, directly mentioning Wen Li’s name. Realizing he’d spoken incorrectly again, he cursed his own stupidity.
So, he shifted the focus to cover it up: “Wen Ming, the eldest Master of the Wen Family, returned from abroad yesterday. Young Master Zicheng has some connections with him. His attendance at the banquet is purely personal and unrelated to the Lu Family.”
Lu Xixiao stared at Lu Qi, his gaze seeming to penetrate him. After a moment, his eyes returned to the business plan in his hands, and he remained silent.
Seven o’clock in the evening,
The city lights began to shine.
Luxury cars parked one after another outside the Wen Family’s gate. Guests arrived in an endless stream, the scene ablaze with lights, a gathering of celebrities from all walks of life.
It was called a welcome banquet, but it was actually Wen Ming’s coming-of-age banquet.
To help Wen Ming become familiar with this circle and make a good impression on his elders, Wen Baixiang invited everyone he could. The meticulously arranged banquet hall silently showcased the Wen Family’s wealth and their importance placed on Wen Ming.
In the banquet hall, clinking glasses filled the air as elegantly dressed guests chatted and laughed.
Wen Baixiang, holding a glass of champagne, greeted each guest with a smile, appearing at ease.
A young man stood beside him, handsome and refined. Though only twenty-five or six years old, he moved effortlessly among the seasoned veterans, speaking eloquently and confidently.
“This must be our protagonist for tonight. He’s quite handsome and looks like a man destined for great things.”
“Mr. Li, you flatter me. I’m still a newcomer and have much to learn from you. I’ll rely on your guidance in the futureโto your health!” Wen Ming smiled, showing his social grace.
His poised demeanor impressed many.
“I heard you’ve been abroad? Did you just finish your studies or were you busy with some big project?” Mr. Li asked with a chuckle.
Wen Ming replied, “To be honest, I haven’t accomplished anything significant. I worked as a consultant at -JUCYโ for three years.”
“-JUCY-? That’s a Global Top 500 Company, a high-end brand among luxury goods.” Mr. Li’s gaze towards Wen Ming instantly changed.
“Promising young man, promising indeed. Chairman Wen, you’re so fortunate. Your three children are all outstanding. I heard your eldest daughter joined Lu Corporation headquarters and is now a jewelry designer there. Her future is bright.”
“Dad, Uncle Li.” Wen Yan, wearing a custom-made evening gown, adjusted her skirt and walked over in high heels, standing beside Wen Ming. She addressed him, “Brother.”
Wen Ming responded faintly, his tone somewhat distant.
“I think I heard you talking about me? What were you saying? Let me, the person involved, hear it too. Let’s see if you were saying anything bad about me.” Wen Yan joked, gentle and graceful, yet playful.
Mr. Li pretended to be mischievous, “We were indeed saying bad things about you! Saying that you’re not only beautiful but also talented, surpassing all the other socialites in Beijing.”
Wen Yan, “Uncle Li, that’s not badmouthing me; you’re just making me a target of envy.”
This caused Mr. Li to burst into laughter.
Elegantly dressed ladies gathered in small groups, observing Wen Yan, who shone brilliantly in the crowd.
“Chairman Wen’s genes are truly remarkable. All three of his children are outstanding individuals. It’s truly enviable.”
“Three children? You’re right about three.”
“What do you mean by that? Are there more than three?”
“I recently heard a lot about the Wen Family from my youngest son. He said the eldest Miss Wen is adopted.”
Once the topic was raised, their gossiping nature took over.
“Adopted? She’s truly fortunate. Chairman Wen is indeed a shrewd businessman. His judgment of people is impeccable. Although she’s adopted, she’s no less impressive than those true daughters of wealthy families, perhaps even more so.”
“So what? No matter how outstanding she is, she’s not biologically related. Now that the true eldest Miss Wen has returned, Wen Yan’s days are likely to be difficult.”
“The true eldest Miss Wen? You mean Chairman Wen has another biological daughter?”
“Exactly. She’s Chairman Wen’s daughter with his second wife. She was neglected since childhood and raised in the countryside. She was only recently brought back, and I heard she’s not very presentable.”
“I heard that too. She’s not just unpresentable; she’s a complete country bumpkin. No.1 Middle School is full of stories about her.”
Wen Baixiang was chatting with someone when he heard a commotion. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Song Baiyan entering.
“Isn’t that Old Master Song? He actually came in person.”
“Chairman Wen’s influence is truly great. The Song Family usually avoids these social gatherings. Yet, they’re attending this welcome banquet.”
“The young man beside Old Master Song must be the great math genius. He’s the pride of the entire Song Family, and he’s here too.”
“Hurry and greet them. If we’re late, we won’t get a chance.”
Wen Baixiang apologized to the guests he was with and hurried towards Song Baiyan.
Pushing through the crowd, Wen Baixiang reached Song Baiyan.
Surprised, he said, “You actually came in person! Why didn’t you inform me beforehand? I could have picked you up at the gate. I apologize for the oversight. Please don’t mind it.”
Song Baiyan waved his hand, “This old man just came out for a stroll after dinner. You’re busy, don’t worry about me.”
“Zhi Xian, you’re here.” Wen Xin rushed out from the crowd, her face beaming as she stared at Song Zhixian.
However, Song Zhixian only nodded politely at her.
Wen Xin, having received a cold response, felt a little hurt.
Wen Baixiang, “Ming, this is Old Master Song. Greet him.”
Wen Ming, “Hello, Old Master Song.”
Song Baiyan, with his hands behind his back, looked at him and nodded perfunctorily, “Good, good.”
He then began searching for Wen Li in the vast banquet hall.
Song Zhixian had been searching since he entered.
“Are you looking for someone? Let me help you.” Wen Ming offered.
He didn’t notice the slightly unusual expressions on his family members’ faces.
Except for Wen Ming, Wen Baixiang and the others immediately guessed the reason for the grandfather and grandson’s behavior.
Sure enough,
Song Baiyan asked, “Where is Wen Li? I’ve been looking at too many math problems, my eyes are blurry, and I haven’t seen her.”
“Wen Li?” Wen Ming repeated the name and then looked at his father and family, seeking an explanation.
Wen Xin, already feeling neglected, became even more sullen. Her smile vanished, and she said without thinking, “She’s gone back to her grandmother’s house in the countryside.”
Song Baiyan was greatly disappointed, “Ah? She didn’t come back?” He said without reservation, “This old man came specifically to find her.”
Wen Baixiang, “This…”
“Who is this Wen Li that Old Master Song is talking about? Is there such a person in the Wen Family? I’ve never heard of her.”
“She’s the daughter of Wen Baixiang and his second wife, the true eldest Miss Wen. I just heard about it from Madam Lin. She was raised in the countryside and was only recently brought back.”
“They didn’t raise their biological daughter and instead sent her to the countryside, then adopted another?”
“Who knows? But this Wen Li is quite capable. She’s just been brought back to Beijing and has already established a connection with the Song Family. Old Master Song even came for her. She’s not simple.”
“I heard she’s also a math genius, even more talented than the youngest Miss Wen. That’s probably why.”
Meanwhile, outside the Wen Family’s gate,
The butler, responsible for greeting guests, confirmed that all the guests on the list had arrived. He was about to go inside to help when a taxi pulled up.
After a night of luxury cars, this was a surprise.
The butler looked inside through the car window.
Before he could see clearly, the car door opened.
Upon seeing the person, the butler froze for a moment, then his expression changed.
