Chapter 14: Dinner Party

At 11 AM, the salary was deposited.

Fan Xia transferred 30,000 yuan to Wen Jing’s account. Before she could even message Wen Jing, the latter had already sent her a voice message: “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

The voice message was only two seconds long, with an extremely noisy background, making Wen Jing’s words barely audible. Calculating the time difference, it should be around 4 AM where she was. She had probably gone out to party at a bar again.

Fan Xia sent her a message: “This money is for you to buy skiing equipment. Study hard over there.”

However, Wen Jing never replied to her again. Perhaps she was too busy having fun to even see the message, or maybe she saw it but was too lazy to respond since the money was already in her hands.

Having been close to the Wen family for so many years, Fan Xia knew each member like the back of her hand.

When lunchtime arrived, Fan Xia took out the lunch Wen Lan Sheng had prepared all morning. It contained all her favorite dishes, as well as the seafood soup she had casually mentioned was delicious at the Yunding Restaurant, which Wen Lan Sheng had immediately learned to make.

Zhuang Nian was still munching on his weight-loss meal. Seeing Fan Xia’s appetizing lunch, he took two deep breaths of the fragrant aroma, his face full of resentment as he ate his “grass.”

“Why are you still eating that?” Rong Xiu walked out of the office at some point, having taken off his suit jacket, revealing a neatly ironed white shirt without a single extra crease. He wore a black leather armband, its subtle sheen accentuating the firm lines of his arm, exuding a sense of abstinence from within.

He leaned lightly against Fan Xia’s desk, his narrow, beautiful eyes lowered to look at the dishes in her lunchbox. Stir-fried vegetables, sautéed shrimp, and beef stew with potatoes were as homestyle as could be. The only slightly novel item was probably the seafood soup in the thermos.

As expected, Wen Lan Sheng could only make these seemingly virtuous superficial dishes, which were actually just perfunctory. The meals he prepared for Fan Xia were not made with care at all.

“You don’t know, CEO Rong, being a househusband isn’t easy. Sometimes they’re like an old father, constantly making the same dish they know their fiancée likes until she gets sick of it.” Zhuang Nian teased Fan Xia with a glance and joked, “This is also an expression of love!”

This wasn’t love at all, it was simply not being attentive.

Rong Xiu’s pale fingers tapped lightly on the desk surface, imperceptibly. What a pity for her, having to eat the same old homestyle dishes for so many years.

If it were him… he wouldn’t bear to do that.

“I ordered lunch from Yunzhai. Want to eat together?” Rong Xiu looked at Fan Xia and said.

Fan Xia was slightly stunned and was about to refuse.

“I can’t finish it alone,” Rong Xiu said lightly, blocking her reason for refusing.

“Alright then.” Fan Xia could only nod.

Rong Xiu curled his lips, the corners of his mouth carrying a smile of certain victory.

In less than ten minutes, the waitstaff from Yunzhai arrived. Seeing their setup, Fan Xia finally understood why Rong Xiu said he couldn’t finish it.

There were five or six dishes alone, and they weren’t in the ordinary plastic takeout containers, but rather in exquisite ceramic plates like in a restaurant, with elaborate plating.

Zhuang Nian looked at Yunzhai’s food, then at the mixed greens salad in his hand, and ran out of the office in grief and indignation. Out of sight, out of mind.

In the spacious office, there were only the two of them now.

“This is Yunzhai’s signature slow-fire beef, simmered for several hours over low heat. The flavor is completely different from ordinary homestyle beef stew made in a pressure cooker. Come try some.” Rong Xiu took his seat unhurriedly, his fingertips resting on the pure white tablecloth.

Fan Xia took a piece and tasted it.

“How is it?” He glanced at Fan Xia indifferently, his narrow eyes shedding their sharpness, displaying a kind of casual charm.

“It is indeed different, with a more delicate and tender texture that’s still chewy.”

The corners of Rong Xiu’s mouth curved up, his faint gaze falling on the lunchbox Wen Lan Sheng had prepared for her, landing on the beef stew with potatoes he made. “Let me taste Lan Sheng’s cooking?”

“Lan Sheng’s skills definitely can’t compare to Yunzhai’s chefs. You’d better not eat it,” Fan Xia said softly.

Rong Xiu chuckled, his voice low and gentle. “I’m not that picky.”

He picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of beef from the lunchbox, putting it in his mouth. His thin lips pursed slightly, his expression revealing a hint of arrogance where Fan Xia couldn’t see.

It really wasn’t very good. How could someone stew beef until it was so dry and tough? Even soaked in broth, it couldn’t hide how difficult it was to chew. The beef wasn’t tender, but the potatoes were almost mush, showing that Wen Lan Sheng hadn’t properly grasped the order in which to add the two ingredients.

In his entire life, Rong Xiu had never eaten such unappetizing beef stew with potatoes.

After taking care of Fan Xia for so many years, Wen Lan Sheng’s cooking skills were actually this poor.

Rong Xiu secretly tightened his grip on the chopsticks, his gaze cold. How did this kind of person deserve to have Fan Xia?

“Actually, Lan Sheng’s cooking is not bad. If the beef could be stewed a bit more tender and he didn’t take the shortcut of putting the potatoes and beef in the pressure cooker together to save time, it would be better.” Rong Xiu slowly put down his chopsticks, the curve of his lips contemptuous.

“It seems you not only know how to cook, but you’re also very good at it.” Seeing Rong Xiu comment in such detail, Fan Xia laughed.

Rong Xiu’s narrow eyes lifted playfully at the corners. “I’m not just all talk. I attended a private boys’ high school where culinary classes were taught by master chefs. If there’s a chance, I’ll cook for you to try. Don’t look down on it.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Fan Xia laughed.

A hint of laughter flashed across Rong Xiu’s cold brows and eyes. “It’s settled then. But if you eat my cooking, Lan Sheng won’t be upset, right?”

“Of course not.” Before Fan Xia could answer, Rong Xiu continued, “You and Lan Sheng have been together for so many years and are about to get married. He must not be the jealous type. Surely he wouldn’t throw a fit just because you ate a meal with me.”

Rong Xiu’s words actually left Fan Xia at a loss for how to respond.

Although Wen Lan Sheng acted very magnanimous in public, he was the most temperamental in private.

“You can also invite him to join us. The three of us can have a meal together.”

Fan Xia looked at him in surprise. “Is that okay?” If that was the case, Lan Sheng probably wouldn’t cause a scene with her since it would be a meal with three people.

“Of course it’s okay.” Rong Xiu rested his chin on one hand, smiling faintly. The wine-red beauty mark under his left eye was dazzlingly bright. “It’ll also be a good opportunity for me to teach him some new dishes so you don’t have to keep eating more or less the same things.”

“Sounds great.” Fan Xia readily agreed.

Rong Xiu watched Fan Xia with a smile, his eyes concealing a raging fire. “Eat. I have plans with Rong Yan tonight.”

The purpose of having dinner with Rong Yan was to get her to willingly sell the remaining 5% of Shanhai Group’s shares in her hands. This way, Rong Xiu’s position in Shanhai Group would be even more unshakable.

However, 5% of Shanhai Group’s shares was no small amount. The annual dividends alone were considerable, a veritable money tree. Rong Yan definitely wouldn’t let go unless Rong Xiu offered very generous terms.

“Shanhai Group is what Mother left me. Rong Xiu, you’re just a usurper. Now you even want to take back the measly 5% I have left. Aren’t you being too greedy?” Rong Yan gritted her teeth, glaring at Rong Xiu with hatred.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you, Sister. If you hadn’t bribed your way, I wouldn’t have become chairman so quickly.” Rong Xiu swirled his wine glass with casual indifference.

“If you called me here just to mock me, I don’t think there’s any point in talking.” Rong Yan made a show of leaving.

“Miss Rong, please don’t be angry. We’re all family. Let’s sit down and discuss this calmly.” Fan Xia quickly stopped her. Although Fan Xia knew that Rong Yan had no real intention of leaving at this point, if she truly didn’t want to negotiate with Rong Xiu, she wouldn’t have come to this dinner party at all.

However, face still had to be given. After all, she was Rong Xiu’s biological sister. It was necessary to give her a way out, and since Fan Xia wasn’t a Rong family member, just an executive assistant, it was most appropriate for her to persuade Rong Yan to stay. This way, both sides could save face.

As expected, Rong Yan merely snorted without refuting a single word and sat back down, following the lifeline Fan Xia had thrown her.

“So tell me, what else can we discuss now?” Rong Yan sat with her legs crossed, her attitude aggressive.

“I’ll get straight to the point then. I’m already aware of your secret collaboration with Newman Group.” Rong Xiu took out a stack of documents and tossed them in front of Rong Yan. The flickering red wine in his eyes reflected a blood-like dark red glow, like a bloodthirsty creature. He appeared casual, but his aura was oppressive and aggressive. This was Rong Xiu’s true face, his sharpness fully exposed at the dinner table.

Seeing the irrefutable evidence before her, Rong Yan was momentarily speechless.

“Actually, I don’t care about your partnership with Newman Group at all. The 5% shares pose no real threat to Shanhai Group.” Rong Xiu’s narrow eyes made no attempt to hide his arrogance. This condescending attitude was more unbearable for Rong Yan than a direct slap in the face.

“Then why did you call me here now? To mock me?” Rong Yan suppressed her anger.

“There is indeed that intention.” The corners of Rong Xiu’s mouth curved into a contemptuous smile. “But we are family after all. Selling that 5% to Newman Group is not the best choice for you.” After provoking Rong Yan’s fury, Rong Xiu suddenly changed his tone.

“What do you mean?”

“Why not sell it to me instead? We’re family. I won’t mistreat you.” Rong Xiu smiled meaningfully.

“Hah!” Rong Yan snorted coldly. “You would be so kind?”

“Miss Rong, when we learned of your private dealings with Newman Group, the company had already developed a complete set of defensive measures. Even if Newman Group has the financial strength to purchase enough shares through over-the-counter transactions and the secondary market to threaten the chairman’s position, we can adopt a poison pill plan to prevent a hostile takeover. We could even turn around and acquire Newman Group. But what benefit would you gain from that?”

Fan Xia presented Rong Yan with the pre-prepared countermeasure documents. Rong Yan’s face instantly turned grim.

“Besides, Shanhai Group is your mother’s life’s work. Can you really bear to see it fall into outsiders’ hands?” Seeing Rong Yan’s resolve waver, Fan Xia pressed the advantage, appealing to her emotions. “The chairman knows you have your own revenge, so these are the terms we’re offering you.” Fan Xia took out the assets they had prepared to allocate to her after discussing with Rong Xiu. Her voice was gentle yet seductive. “This cash is even more generous than what Newman Group is offering you. Plus, the two large plastic surgery hospitals in the core business districts of S City and A City will also be yours.”

Looking at the assets before her, Rong Yan couldn’t believe it. “They’re really all mine?”

Rong Xiu nodded casually while swirling his wine glass.

Fan Xia smiled. “Although the chairman has a cold personality, blood is thicker than water. He still has feelings for you.”

Rong Yan chuckled as she looked at Fan Xia. “Pretty boy, you’re quite the smooth talker. No wonder Rong Xiu keeps you by his side… Fine, I’ll sign.”

Fan Xia smiled, ignoring Rong Yan’s teasing, and took out the prepared documents and pen.

“Wait.” Rong Yan suddenly looked at Rong Xiu, her gaze profound. “After I sign, I’ll have no more ties to Shanhai Group. I admit I made a wrong move back then. Before I go, I’ll toast to you.”

Rong Yan poured ten glasses of alcohol, not red wine, but strong white liquor.

She looked at Rong Xiu. “As long as you drink these, I’ll sign.”

Rong Xiu calmly raised his eyes.

“The chairman has quit drinking. Miss Rong, I’ll drink on his behalf.” With that, Fan Xia picked up the glasses one by one, downing all ten glasses of strong liquor in an instant. The fiery alcohol burned her throat and stomach, her fair face instantly turning a rosy red as if aflame.

“Who told you to drink that?” Rong Xiu abruptly stood up from his seat, supporting the swaying Fan Xia. Rare anger surfaced in his cold eyes.

“You—” Rong Yan watched Fan Xia’s actions, then glanced at Rong Xiu’s uncharacteristic behavior, understanding something.