Chapter 530
The next day, Lu Xinyi sat silently at the cafeteria, having lunch with Lan Xiaoli and Tang Lilou. Within a day, the news of her upcoming wedding reception had spread throughout the capital and social media. It was hard for the public not to talk about the event. They believed that the Shen family would be hosting an extravagant and luxury wedding for the couple.
As the three continue to eat in silence, Lu Xinyi was greeted several times by countless people she didn’t know. Curious gazes and heated conversation followed her. Both Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi came from famous families so everyone was curious about how they ended up being married in spite of the rift between the Shen and Sun families.
Lu Xinyi wasn’t concerned at all. The stares she received varied from curiosity to jealousy; some even have malice on it, but that didn’t interest her whatsoever. Now that they disclosed their relationship, she didn’t care what people would think of her.
The announcement had greatly lifted the strain in their marriage, making the atmosphere much more harmonious than before. There was no need to pretend more, and it seemed her husband was content with it.
Anyway, if President Shen was unhappy, then there would be more people to be unhappy… especially those who work closely with him.
“Xin Jie, I didn’t know you’re already married to President Shen,” Lan Xiaoli said as she looked around the cafeteria, receiving curious looks from everyone. “Could it be that you’ve fallen in love with him at first sight?”
At that, the others who were trying to eavesdrop with their conversation shut their mouths instantly, their eyes shining brightly in anticipation.
Tang Lilou rolled her eyes. There went their hopeless romantic Lan Xiaoli. She surely knew how to strike up a conversation in public, she thought with sarcasm.
Lu Xinyi didn’t falter and continued to eat with enthusiasm. She refused to be bothered to enjoy her meal. Her expression was neutral as always, and her tone was nonchalant as she replied to Lan Xiaoli.
“Love at first sight? We’re more like childhood lovers. Yi and I have known each other since I was three but also lost touch after my parents passed away.”
As if she’d dropped a bomb on the spot, those who were listening to them were stunned into silence. What? They were childhood lovers parted by a tragic event?! This was big news!
“But why didn’t you tell us, ah?” Lan Xiaoli pouted, “I thought we’re your friends. So how did the two of you get together? You got married without telling us. Your ability to keep secrets even from your friends is really impressive.”
“And to think Xin Jie married an ice block like President Shen? Hehe,” Tang Lilou added. “She probably annoyed President Shen to death with her being the chatterbox between the two.”
Although they’ve only known each other for a few weeks, Lan Xiaoli easily made friends with Lu Xinyi and Tang Lilou, who habitually teased her like an older sister she never had. She was considered as Lu Xinyi’s close friend after the latter saved her from Wen Shufen’s bullying. Otherwise, she’d never dare to tease the little devil sitting across her, without provoking Lu Xinyi.
Lu Xinyi shot her friend a glance and said teased her back.
“Are you upset? If you still want to give me some red envelope, you’re never too late to do so.”
“What? You want money?” Lan Xiaoli gasped. “You’re already Madam Shen. How dare you ask for a red envelope! Not giving you one!” she pouted.
Tang Lilou giggled at Lan Xiaoli’s annoyed expression.
“Don’t worry. The wedding reception hasn’t happened yet. You better make sure you have a decent gown to attend it,” she told the blushing woman. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Really?!” Lan Xiaoli forgot Lu Xinyi’s teasing and turned to her. “Xin Jie, you better make sure you’ll give an invitation this time!” she insisted. Then, she paused as if remembering something. “The Sun family is supportive of your marriage, right?”
“Chairman Sun knows about it, but he doesn’t really have a choice or say as to whom I want to marry,” the little devil said nonchalantly.
—
After her lunch with her friends, Lu Xinyi made her way to the Sun Corp, expecting another show she was eager to see. This time, it was Fu Rui and Zhang Qing who accompanied her to the shareholders’ meeting.
Lu Xinyi sat in silence and didn’t move from her seat as the other shareholders discussed the future of the Sun Corp. She looked at her aunt who was conversing animatedly with other shareholders as if she was watching a clown perform. It seemed that today, Sun Feiyan would lose her control over the company.
In reality, she couldn’t wait to see the Sun Corp fall into shambles. If it wasn’t for this god-forsaken inheritance, her mother wouldn’t suffer such fate from her elder sisters. She closed her eyes, wanting to dispel the sorrow from it. They would never understand her pain.
The hostile takeover had been long started. The shareholdings she got using Zheng Ning was constantly increasing, but she’d also spent a lot of money on it. If it wasn’t for her husband’s help, Lu Xinyi knew she wouldn’t keep up on its pace and lost the money she’d invested in it.
If Sun Feiyan and Chairman Sun were aware of this takeover, would they counter her actions and force her to reveal herself? Certainly, the two wouldn’t sit still and would counterattack sooner or later.
Since Chairman Sun’s health wasn’t improving, Sun Feiyan was temporarily in charge and became the chairman of the board; but the real authority lay on Sun Mingai’s hands.
The meeting hadn’t started so some were curious about the third Miss sudden marriage with the demon king.
“Lu Xinyi, you got married without informing your elders? Please don’t tell us you won’t extend your wedding banquet invitation to us, too?”
“Yes, yes. This is a big event. If the rumors haven’t made it to the news, we would still be in the dark.”
Lu Xinyi smiled at them politely.
“My husband agreed with me to keep it private for a while. We didn’t intend to keep everyone in the dark. We just want to keep it in ourselves for the meantime, without the public prying over our affairs.”
The meeting finally began. In order to cut the expenses, the board of directors decided to withdraw the funds they invested from new projects that were in line. Starlight Collections also got a cut and would lay off several workers and close down some of its branches that weren’t performing well.
As Sun Qiyan continued to listen to Sun Mingai’s recommendation, she couldn’t help but to glare daggers on Lu Xinyi’s way. She was tempted to reveal to everyone that this woman… this little demoness who suddenly joined the board and thought that was clueless on what’s happening was the real owner of Flair Apparel.
As if sensing her hatred, Lu Xinyi turned her head and smiled brightly at her cousin.
“It’s alright, Qiyan. Your launch will be up soon, right? If you do well, the sales will soar again; and you’ll be able to save Starlight from bankruptcy.”
Sun Qiyan almost choked on Lu Xinyi’s blatant provocation. Wasn’t this her way of telling her ‘beat me if you can, or else retreat with your tail tucked between your legs’?