As soon as Xu Zifan spoke, Yao Kexin instantly thought of Xu Zifan's past conflicts with Xia Shuangshuang and Xu Hao. Before Xu Hao could speak, she stepped forward, smiling sweetly as she greeted them, "Uncle, Aunt."
Yao Kexin always remembered to help Xu Zifan; his enemy was her enemy. So she called him with particular sincerity, her voice clear and melodious, just like a junior waiting to receive a red envelope when meeting the parents for the first time!
Xia Shuangshuang's expression changed slightly. She was only three years older than Yao Kexin, so why was she being called an old aunt? Especially since she had dressed up to look more mature in order to match Xu Hao, and on her own she looked like a juicy peach, very attractive. But standing next to Yao Kexin, who was wearing light makeup, Yao Kexin looked particularly youthful and energetic, as if they were really a generation apart. This was really too embarrassing for Xia Shuangshuang, who was proud of her beauty!
She wanted them to call her "little aunt," but that was meant to make them feel resentful, not for her to feel resentful! How did it turn out like this?!
Young Master Lin had been standing nearby, fearing they might cause trouble. Upon hearing Yao Kexin call for help, he spat out a mouthful of wine! Old Master Lin looked over, and Young Master Lin quickly waved his hand, forcing a smile, saying, "Great-Grandpa, I choked, cough cough, it's alright, it's alright."
Young Master Lin's gaze towards Xu Zifan and Yao Kexin was peculiar, and his gaze towards Xu Hao and Xia Shuangshuang was even more so. The powerful figures around them were all astute, and they sensed something amiss from Young Master Lin's expression and eyes. They had been there the whole time but hadn't heard of Xia Shuangshuang's identity, and now they couldn't help but glance at Xu Hao. Xu Hao was usually very cautious, but his behavior at Old Master Lin's birthday banquet today was somewhat inappropriate.
Xia Shuangshuang's smile was barely holding on. She clung tightly to Xu Hao's arm, looking at him, hoping he would say something to define her status. However, Xu Hao only gave Xu Zifan a reproachful look and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Miss Xia is the spokesperson for Xu's new product." He would be a fool to agree in this situation; he could only try to salvage the situation.
Xu Zifan nodded, looked Xu Hao and Xia Shuangshuang up and down, and suppressed a laugh, saying, "So that's how it is. I thought you had some strange fetish, Uncle."
Anger flashed in Xu Hao's eyes, while Young Master Lin couldn't help but laugh out loud. Everyone looked at Young Master Lin again, and he hurriedly waved his hand, waving his phone, "It's nothing, it's nothing. I saw a joke online, um, it's nothing."
Xu Hao suppressed his anger and said apologetically to Grandpa Lin, "Grandpa, I have always been ignorant and rude. I hope you will forgive me."
Grandpa Lin smiled and waved his hand, indicating that he didn't mind. Xu Hao then adopted the airs of an elder and said to Xu Zifan, "Take your friend out to have some fun, but don't cause any trouble."
If Xu Zifan really left, he would definitely give the impression of being unreliable and reckless. So he didn't move and said with a smile, "No rush. I recently started a small company, and it's doing quite well. It's a rare opportunity to see you all today, so I'd like to ask for your advice." He bowed slightly and greeted everyone in turn, calling them all "uncle" and "elder brother" affectionately. He said, "I have some humble opinions on emerging industries in the last two years, and I would like to ask you all for your advice. I hope you will be generous in your guidance."
The powerful figures and the Lin brothers naturally treated such a polite junior with affability. Xu Zifan took two glasses of champagne from the waiter's tray, handed one to Yao Kexin, and then led her to stand next to Xu Hao to discuss matters with the "uncles." Xu Hao tried to interject several times, but Xu Zifan skillfully avoided the conversation, and gradually he couldn't get a word in edgewise. He could only stand there watching Xu Zifan chatter more and more enthusiastically with the heads of the various families, while he had to maintain a smile and appropriately show an expression of admiration for Xu Zifan, his heart filled with gloom.
The bigwigs initially only gave the junior face, offering a few perfunctory words. However, once Xu Zifan started talking, they saw his true abilities. He was no ordinary, carefree brat. His business acumen and insights into various industries rivaled those of their carefully groomed heirs, making them unable to resist engaging in increasingly in-depth conversations with him. They even found themselves genuinely pleased and began to praise this young man. Even Old Master Lin, after hearing his vision for the future, offered a few words of praise. The Xu family uncle and nephew, at the center of the banquet, felt Xu Hao, the head of the Xu family, relegated to a mere foil to Xu Zifan's efforts. His pent-up frustration was about to explode!
Xia Shuangshuang felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her smile completely shattered. What she had expected to be a glamorous banquet had turned into a complete farce! She couldn't even imagine the terrible first impression she had left on the people in this industry. And what about those celebrities present? She had hoped to network with them and expand her connections, but now? What would they think of her? Would she be treated like some insignificant little starlet? The fact that she had come to this place with Xu Hao and was clearly not valued by him was the greatest insult to her!
But she dared not do anything, not even speak, for fear that Xu Hao would turn on her and ignore her. She glanced at Yao Kexin out of the corner of her eye; Yao Kexin stood beside Xu Zifan, the two looking like a perfect couple. Even while conversing with the bigwigs, Xu Zifan didn't ignore Yao Kexin, glancing at her occasionally and smiling at her, clearly placing her in a very important position. With Xu Zifan's attention, even though Yao Kexin was the lowest-ranking celebrity present, she had become the most valued companion, the only one truly integrated into high society with a formal status, and was respected.
The two women were so close, yet the gap between them was so vast. Xia Shuangshuang felt no pleasure whatsoever, only endless humiliation. She forced a smile, lowered her eyes, and silently convinced herself, "What's this? This society laughs at poverty, not prostitution. My humiliation today doesn't mean I'll be humiliated forever. As long as I capture Xu Hao's heart and successfully marry him, with my status as the wife of the Xu Group's president, most people at this banquet will have to fawn over me. Today is just a small setback, nothing to worry about!" Yes, nothing to worry about!
After trying to console herself for a while, Xia Shuangshuang finally cheered up and regained her composure, though her gloomy mood could no longer lift. Seeing her so submissive, Xu Hao's contempt for her deepened. How could someone who didn't even respect herself expect anyone else to? Her submissive behavior today solidified his opinion of her; she was nothing more than a little toy he could summon and dismiss at will.
That evening, Xu Zifan spent half the evening chatting with the various business tycoons. He even obtained the contact information of several domestic tech moguls from Old Master Lin, which essentially meant Old Master Lin was offering him a chance to network. Xu Zifan was extremely grateful and told several witty yet polite jokes, making Old Master Lin laugh heartily several times and drawing everyone's attention. They all looked at this young man with new respect. After all, he seemed to be very popular with the bigwigs.
The powerful figures also developed a much better impression of Xu Zifan. He was sensible, articulate, had high emotional intelligence, and was also highly intelligent. Anyone would like such a junior as long as there wasn't a significant conflict of interest with their own family. The powerful figures even decided to have their juniors befriend Xu Zifan. "One is influenced by one's company," they reasoned. If a notorious playboy like Xu Zifan could become so outstanding, what excuse would they have left to waste their days?
However, it was precisely because they had seen Xu Zifan's true capabilities that the bigwigs' opinion of Xu Hao completely changed. They had all been paying attention to the huge pie that was Xu's Real Estate when Xu Zifan's parents had their accident. It was Xu Hao who returned and protected Xu's Real Estate, and then launched other projects under the Xu family, allowing the Xu family to grow to its current size. Before, they only thought Xu Zifan was immature, and that Xu Hao had gone to great lengths for the Xu family and his nephew. But after today, no one would think that way anymore.
Xu Zifan is clearly a talented young man, so why has he been known for so many years as an incompetent playboy? It's obvious how much manipulation Xu Hao has done. They're not fools; it seems a fierce battle between the Xu family uncle and nephew is brewing. They don't want to get involved, so they need to carefully consider their future cooperation with the Xu family, lest they become cannon fodder in their power struggle.
Having achieved his goal, Xu Zifan naturally and respectfully said to Xu Hao, "Uncle, I'm taking Kexin to get something to eat. Please excuse me."
Xu Hao nodded, and Xu Zifan led Yao Kexin by the hand towards the food area, not even glancing at Xia Shuangshuang. This perfectly reflected Xia Shuangshuang's role at the banquet: a decorative vase ignored by Xu Hao. That's why Xu Zifan had previously asked if she was his aunt, but now he wouldn't even look at her—because she was merely a decorative object. This not only slapped Xia Shuangshuang in the face, but even Xu Hao, who had used Xia Shuangshuang to provoke Xu Zifan, felt as if he had been slapped a dozen times. He wished he could turn back time; he would never have come up with such a terrible idea.
But before this, how could he have predicted that Xu Zifan would be so calm? Looking at Xu Zifan's retreating figure, he realized for the first time how much he had underestimated his nephew. This wasn't a fool; he was clearly a tiger disguised as a pig! He had been fooled by Xu Zifan! Otherwise, he wouldn't have used such a plan at all. Now, he had lost everything, completely becoming Xu Zifan's stepping stone, allowing Xu Zifan to catch the eyes of the big shots. In this round, he suffered a crushing defeat.
Now, what he needed to pay most attention to was Xu Zifan's intentions—whether he wanted to take back the Xu family business, and whether he would devise a plan to deal with him. Xu Hao was somewhat absent-minded, not continuing his conversation with the bigwigs, nor noticing Xia Shuangshuang's embarrassment, his mind preoccupied with Xu Zifan's possible actions. Meanwhile, Xu Zifan had already been pulled into a group of friends by Young Master Lin, who was introducing them to each other.
Young Master Lin, named Lin Zihe, looked at Xu Zifan with a curious gaze and asked in a low voice, "Do you really believe that Xia Shuangshuang is the spokesperson for the Xu family?"
Xu Zifan shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Otherwise what? Does she really really belong to my aunt?"
Xu Zifan chuckled, glanced in the direction of Xu Hao and Xia Shuangshuang, and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter. They actually look quite well-matched."
Lin Zihe asked in surprise, "You just call her 'Auntie' like that? Don't you mind at all? Aren't you angry?"
Xu Zifan took a sip of champagne and smiled meaningfully, "Don't be angry, I will wish them a long and happy life together. However, didn't my uncle say that Miss Xia is just a spokesperson for Xu's new product? I believe my uncle, he wouldn't do something like that... well, like incest."