Chapter 419: Can’t Fool Yourself
“Isn’t it just? Surely you’ve heard about how the Crown Prince was humiliated in so many different ways… there’s a new one every day.”
“I wonder if he would come to the reception today.
“Probably not. He himself was the one who made a fuss about wanting to leave the Sheng family.”
The guests could hardly avoid mentioning Sheng Xiao’s name, and Old Sheng naturally scowled when he heard them. “There’s no such person in the Sheng family. I hope that you could show respect and don’t mention a person of no consequence in my grandson’s wedding.”
“Not really. We were just talking about how excellent your second grandson is. Such a rare, capable youth.”
“Isn’t he? It’s not like Huang Yao needs any specific person. With Chairman Sheng’s wise leadership, Huang Yao could prosper even if another CEO is at the helm.”
Such courteous words were naturally much nicer to the ears.
Naturally, Sheng Kai felt valued when he heard them.
Likewise, the old man wouldn’t have to keep nitpicking.
Indeed, instead of forbidding discussion of Sheng Xiao, they could stomp him further into the mud.
***
Jing Yun and Sheng Minglan only arrived at the hotel when the ceremony was about to start.
Though embarrassed, Old Sheng had to go up and greet them. “Jing Yun, Minglan…”
“Grandfather.” Sheng Minglan greeted the old man as if out of practice.
“When your Second Brother’s wedding is over, you should get read to. Do you like a wedding like this? I’ll prepare an even grander one for you when the time comes.”
“There’s no need. Xu Holdings had been busy lately, so we are planning to have a wedding abroad.” Sheng Minglan declined.
Seeing that the pair were not accepting his grace, the old man said nothing since he was merely being courteous. Although he wanted to announce his connection to the Xu family, he knew very well that he was never earning Jing Yun’s favor, and with that in mind, not having a wedding relieved him instead.
“Hurry inside. The ceremony is starting soon.”
Jing Yun led Sheng Minglan into the reception hall, and some of the guests immediately pointed at him. “That’s the Crown Prince’s former assistant, though he’s the third young master of the Xu family now.”
“How heartless… he didn’t even lift a finger to help Sheng Xiao despite how far he’s fallen.”
“Didn’t you hear? He is engaged to the fourth sister of the Sheng family. He has to be careful since he’s their son-in-law now.”
Jing Yun said nothing, but Sheng Minglan turned to shoot a look at those gossiping women.
Soon, the wedding ceremony began.
All the guests held their breath, watching as Gu Ziling walked up the red carpet in her million-dollar wedding gown and arriving before Sheng Kai.
The couple looked so loving.
After all, Gu Ziling had suddenly realized that the most powerful man in the Sheng family was Sheng Kai now.
Sheng Xiao could go to hell for all she cared.
And so her marriage to Sheng Kai today held some extent of willingness, a far cry from her initial reluctance to be with a man who loved her.
Perhaps, she might even be unwilling to leave him when the duration of their agreement expires?
After the reception, Old Sheng was invited on stage to say a few words of blessing for the new couple.
And the first thing he mentioned was how blind he was.
“I had been blind to not notice that I have such a good grandson. Really, to think that I raised a white-eyed wolf for over twenty years and almost matched the wrong couple. That is why I’m apologizing to my grandson and granddaughter-in-law here.
“From now on, I only wish that the two of you could move forward hand-in-hand weather through any storm, and have a few more children so that this old man could have the joy of playing with grandchildren once more.”
“Of course, if anyone out there would be to challenge my grandson or bully my granddaughter-in-law, these old bones will be putting his life on the line.”
“I also must say that Sheng Kai has been outstanding for the family, and he will be Huang Yao’s hope of the future. I am betting every expectation I have on this new couple now.”
The old man’s words were very much erasing Sheng Xiao’s accomplishments at Huang Yao in its entirety.
He was really good at being a heartless grandfather.
“Let’s go, Jing Yun.” Sheng Minglan couldn’t help roaring inwardly after listening to the speech.
“Tired?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s greet the new couple then.”
With that, Jing Yun led Sheng Minglan to Sheng Kai and Gu Ziling. With the reception over, the couple was ready to change for the toast.
“Second Brother, Second Sister. I’m leaving with Minglan—there are many things we have to deal with back at Xu Holdings.”
“At least eat something before you go.”
“No need.” Jing Yun responded stiffly, tugging at Sheng Minglan to depart.
Even so, before they left, Sheng Minglan told Sheng Kai, “No matter how much you all want to deny Eighth Brother’s existence or smear his good name, all of you have to admit that Sheng Xiao was the one who pushed Huang Yao to where it is now in the last ten years. You can lie to the guest about that but not to yourself.
“You have my blessing, Second Brother.”
Sheng Kai’s face dropped, but he couldn’t do anything to Sheng Minglan.
Of course, Sheng Minglan herself spoke out of turn because her rage had reached a boiling point, and did not care where she was now.
The old man would smear, humiliate, set fires just to corner and destroy his enemies without any shred of conscience. But was it not ironic that the Sheng family would take shelter under the tree said people grew?
“Are you really that angry?” Jing Yun couldn’t help grinning at how she was huffing.
“I can’t settle the score for Eighth Brother if I didn’t say anything!” Sheng Minglan snorted.
“Well… it’s still early. Let’s have lunch with Young Master.”
“Okay.” Sheng Minglan nodded.
Jing Yun gave Sheng Xiao a call then to confirm where he was.
Knowing where they’ve been, Sheng Xiao gave him an address.
When Sheng Minglan noticed that they were not heading the Shen Residence, she asked Jing Yun, “Aren’t we going to meet Eighth Brother?”
“Young Master gave me another address. He’s there now.”
Sheng Minglan nodded but didn’t ask anything else until they arrived at Zhongteng’s reception desk.
“Mister Jing, Miss Sheng?” A receptionist asked.
Sheng Minglan nodded in confusion, and the receptionist led them to the CEO’s personal elevator and brought them Sheng Xiao’s office.
“Chief Sheng, your guests have arrived.”
“Come in.” Sheng Xiao’s voice spoke out from within the office.
Sheng Minglan followed the receptionist into the office to find Sheng Xiao on the swiveling office chair, greeting them, “Sit anywhere you like.”