Chapter 192: Chapter 184: One Wave Has Not Settled, Another Wave Arises
Upon hearing Hua Muyun speak as well, Wang Zhantian couldn’t stand still any longer. Without waiting for Xiao Lin and the others to speak, he immediately called out loudly, maintaining a smile as he suppressed the anger in his heart, walking towards Hua Muyun and Elder Chen who were only about ten meters away.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to be laden with tension, and nearly everyone’s thoughts raced. The Wang Family was about to make a move; it was impossible they would leave the opportunity unchallenged, especially since the news of the Wang Family’s alliance with the Xia Family through marriage had already spread throughout Yanjing’s high society. Though only a tenth, maybe even less, of those invited were present today, if the Wang Family quietly left tonight, they would undoubtedly become a laughingstock in Yanjing high society like Qu Yongbo by tomorrow.
Moreover, in Qu Yongbo’s case, it was because his son truly made a mistake and the opposing party’s measures were exceedingly strong. Yet, Qu Yongbo likely had the capability to bail his son out, whereas the Wang Family was in a different situation. With the engagement already given, being intercepted by Xiao Lin halfway through makes them lose face even more so than Qu Yongbo.
After all, in the minds of Huaxia people, marriage is not a trivial matter, especially between two such families, involving the survival of tens of thousands affiliated with Xia Family’s companies and enterprises.
Upon hearing Wang Zhantian’s words, Hua Muyun and Elder Chen finally turned around as though they had just noticed Wang Zhantian and his brother, Hua Muyun wore a slight smile and said, "Brother Zhan Tian arrived quite early, and as for being the witness, that’s naturally no problem!" Hua Muyun agreed without revealing his emotions.
"As Mu Yun has already agreed, Zhan Tian can respect this old man, so I will naturally oblige!" Elder Chen, seemingly unaware that the Wang Family wished to marry Xia Xue, nodded and responded with a smile.
"Then, I thank both of you in advance!" Wang Zhantian came forward in large strides, exuding considerable presence, completely unlike his earlier demeanor with Xiao Lin, which was merely to discuss matters related to the Qu Family to demonstrate the Wang Family stood with them. It was different now since it involved the future development plan of the Wang Family.
The Wang Family never made unnecessary moves because they had set their sights on the promising development prospects of Xia Family’s new energy project. If there were no prospects, the Xia Family wouldn’t have invested in this research institute without compensation for several consecutive years. However, due to current financial difficulties, the Xia Family extended an olive branch to the Wang Family, who, to cover their intentions, could only use Fatty Wang and Xia Xue’s engagement to distract others.
Of course, the Wang Family could openly cooperate with the Xia Family on developing such a project. Yet, if the Wang Family genuinely adopted such a posture, the Xia Family would definitely not collaborate with them. Imagine, if the Wang Family, without any prior contact with the project, suddenly invested a billion, it shows their emphasis on the project’s development prospects?
That’s sometimes how Huaxia people do business.
Hua Muyun was quite open and said, "It seems Brother Zhan Tian is not only here to celebrate Elder Xia’s birthday today, but also to engage with the Xia Family. Coincidentally, I have a younger relative interested in a young lady from the Xia Family; why not conduct both engagements within days and make everyone happy?"
Elder Chen pretended to ask unknowingly, "By the way, I wonder which young lady from the Xia Family the Wang Family’s son is interested in?"
At this moment, Fatty Wang couldn’t help but feel tense, somewhat similar to Qu Haobo’s earlier feelings, though the level of tension was noticeably less. Fatty Wang’s status and position in the Wang Family are incomparable to Qu Haobo’s in the Qu Family. Qu Yongbo garnered respect as Yanjing Municipal Committee’s third figure, yet within the Qu Family, his rank wasn’t high, so for Qu Haobo, one among over twenty third-generation members in the Qu Family, Qu Yongbo wouldn’t risk flipping the Wang Family.
However, Fatty Wang’s status and position within the Wang Family were different. Currently, among the third-generation members of the Wang Family, Fatty Wang stood out the most due to his assistance in achieving significant results in various investments and official operations over recent years. Fatty Wang was evidently becoming the next inheritor of the Family Head position of the Wang Family.
Wang Zhantian slightly twitched his lips and casually smiled, saying, "Just as this young friend has his own insight, our Shumin also took a liking to Xia Xue. Shumin has been beside Xia Xue for years, and Elder Xia finally agreed a few days ago for these two young ones to get engaged during his eightieth birthday celebration!"
Wang Zhantian certainly lived up to his reputation, his words were sharp, mentioning only that Fatty Wang had been beside Xia Xue, without explicitly stating their relationship. The reality was the same: Fatty Wang genuinely liked Xia Xue, for years he hadn’t sought other women.
Despite Fatty Wang’s unattractive and even somewhat repulsive appearance, to put it bluntly, given Fatty Wang’s status, many beautiful women flocked to him. Whether Fatty Wang had women or not remained unknown to outsiders; what was known was that no woman claimed to be Fatty Wang’s girlfriend, demonstrating Fatty Wang had indeed acted better than Qu Haobo in this regard.
Moreover, Wang Zhantian entrusted the engagement matter to Elder Xia with ulterior motives. Consider this—my son stayed by Xia Xue’s side for years, indicating Fatty Wang’s true affection for Xia Xue. Besides, they were well matched in status, and Elder Xia agreed to the children’s engagement. Would a Yanjing Municipal Committee Secretary, a prominent figure in the Huaxia educational realm, and a heavyweight in the Yanjing Chen Family dare break these two apart?
If you dare to do it, what will the upper circles of Yanjing say tomorrow? Bullying others with power? Snatching women by force? It sounds so unpleasant when it gets out.
Wang Zhantian had calculated well, as he thought Xiao Lin dared to challenge the Wang Family relying on the backing of Hua Muyun and Elder Chen, but the Wang Family was not weak either. Their words alone could block the mouths of Hua Muyun and Elder Chen.
"Uncle Wang, please speak clearly. What do you mean by Wang Shumin being always by my side? Don’t get it wrong; I’ve been rejecting him all along, yet he’s like a sticky gum clinging to me. With your Wang Family’s vast power and influence, I naturally would not dare to offend you completely. And now, you clutch the Xia Family’s new energy research funding to force me..." Xia Xue, feeling supported by Xiao Lin, Hua Muyun, and Elder Chen, said whatever she had in her mind, being ready to offend the Wang Family entirely, and thus spoke sharply.
"Xia Xue, what are you saying? Shut up!" Elder Xia was furious upon hearing Xia Xue’s words. Regardless of anything, even if you don’t get betrothed to Fatty Wang, you can’t speak of others like that!
Xia Xue seemed to ignore everything, and all her grievances were ignited by Elder Xia at that moment. Perhaps emboldened by Xiao Lin’s backing or Hua Muyun’s presence, she looked at Elder Xia with blazing anger in her eyes.
"I will say it; I will speak out. Don’t think I’ve forgotten everything, don’t think I remember nothing. I’ve kept it in my heart, always waiting for a day where I could say everything I want to say..."
"Xia Xue..." Xia Yusheng’s voice suddenly rose, seemingly trying to stop Xia Xue from revealing some secret.
"It’s okay, go ahead, speak out all your grievances, I’ll stand by you!" Xiao Lin felt Xia Xue’s entire body trembling, the grip on his arm tightening, almost hysterically.
Hua Muyun and the others didn’t expect Xia Xue to have such a backstory, but upon hearing Xiao Lin’s words, they fell silent. They all cherished their family’s reputation and the fact that Xia Xue chose today and this setting to reveal it seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Even Elder Xia did not foresee this move. From the previous situation, even if the Wang Family and Xiao Lin fought over Xia Xue, it would not be a bad thing for the Xia Family. Whoever won would marry Xia Xue, and the victorious side would naturally be the stronger one, causing no loss to the Xia Family. Yet unexpectedly, Xia Xue was so hysterical as if she was about to reveal long-held secrets.
Thinking of this, Elder Xia quickly stepped forward and, a bit painfully, said to Xia Xue, "Xiaoxue, I know..."
"You know? Yes, you know everything. You know how my mother died, you know how I survived, but has the Xia Family ever showed any concern for my mom? Or any concern for me? You are just a bunch of vampires, only knowing how to leech off. Even now, my mother’s grave is still in that small village, and has anyone ever cared? Has anyone ever paid respects?" Xia Xue said excitedly.
These words from Xia Xue shocked everyone in the Xia Family, especially Xia Yunong, whose expression turned uncertain, while the others showed fear. Elder Xia remained relatively calm, while Xia Yusheng displayed a bit of surprise, stepping forward a few steps to Xia Xue, asking in shock, "Xiaoxue, did all your childhood memories return?"
"Dad, my memories have never been lost; I just didn’t want to remember the past, didn’t want to recall it!" Xia Xue’s voice gradually lowered.
"Because I know, only by choosing not to remember, I can appear carefree in front of you, making you think I’ve forgotten the past, but I won’t forget, and I never will. I want my mother’s innocence to be cleared, I want my mother to return to the Xia Family’s ancestral grave!"
Xia Yusheng now found Xia Xue increasingly strange and couldn’t help but ask in shock, "Xiaoxue, what on earth is going on? Tell me, I’ll support you!"
At this moment, Xia Yunong suddenly walked slowly towards the hall exit, unnoticed by anyone as all eyes were on Xia Xue.
"Xia Yunong, do you remember that night twenty years ago?" Xia Xue suddenly addressed Xia Yunong, who was about to leave the hall, saying.(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian () to vote for it, your support is my biggest motivation.)