Chapter 1169: Tit for Tat

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

“What a joke.” Wei Zhong sneered and waved his hand. “Chase Xia Wanyuan away.”

He knew very well that Xia Wanyuan had come to the Wei family for Wei Jin. He would not give Xia Wanyuan a chance. No matter what, Wei Jin had to marry Lin Qingyuan.

And with Lin Qingyuan’s help, he would become the head of the Wei family in Jiangnan.

The butler hesitated for a moment and handed the visiting card in his hand to Wei Zhong. “But there’s a visiting card from Jun Shiling here.”

Wei Zhong took it and saw that the Jun family’s seal was on the invitation.

Compared to Xia Wanyuan, who had the same origin as him, Wei Zhong was in a dilemma when he saw the invitation with the Jun family’s seal.

He did not want to take it, but the weight of the Jun family was there.

Wei Zhong hesitated for a moment and finally folded the invitation. “I’ll go see them. Go to the Lin family now and tell Lin Qingyuan that Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan have arrived at the Wei family. Let’s see what he does.”

“Yes.” The butler hurriedly retreated and headed towards the Lin family.

In the front hall of the Wei family, Xia Wanyuan and Jun Shiling were welcomed.

Xia Wanyuan glanced at the antique decorations in the hall. Every ornament here could be considered priceless.

Even a small teacup could cause a sensation in the antique market.

Even though Xia Wanyuan had seen countless rare treasures, she could not help but sigh in her heart. The Wei family of Jiangnan could really be considered deeply rooted. 

It could be seen that after they separated from the family back then, Old Madam Wei had brought everyone north and actually did not get anything. The really good things were all left in the Wei family in Jiangnan.

All these years, Old Madam Wei had relied on herself to support the entire Wei family in Beijing. It was really difficult for her.

“What a rare guest. I didn’t expect CEO Jun to come to my Wei family today. It’s my honor.” Wei Zhong strode in from the door. As he walked, he reached out to Jun Shiling with a face full of joy.

“You’re welcome.” Jun Shiling nodded at Wei Zhong.

Wei Zhong looked at Xia Wanyuan. “Isn’t this Wanyuan? How has Wanyuan been recently? How is the old lady’s health?”

He looked like a very amiable elder.

Xia Wanyuan glanced at him. “Is Second Master Wei in charge of the Wei family?”

When he said this, Wei Zhong’s expression froze.

Xia Wanyuan’s meaning was obvious. Xia Wanyuan was the head of the Wei family in Beijing. Since Wei Zhong had not become the head of the Wei family in Jiangnan, it was very against the rules to call Xia Wanyuan by her name.

Wei Zhong spat in his heart and his old face quickly returned to normal. “Mrs. Jun.”

Xia Wanyuan and Jun Shiling sat on the guest seats. Wei Zhong was clearly the host, but looking at the two leisurely people in front of him, he felt uncomfortable.

It was as if Xia Wanyuan and the rest were the masters, and Wei Zhong was just someone who looked up to them.

While Wei Zhong was sizing Xia Wanyuan up, Xia Wanyuan also glanced at Wei Zhong. “I heard that the Wei family is going to marry the Lin family.”

“That’s right.” Wei Zhong nodded openly. “Speaking of which, this is a good thing. The marriage between the Wei family and the Lin family will be quite useful to our family.”

“I wonder which family she’s from?”

“It’s my younger daughter, Wei Jing.” Wei Zhong smiled in embarrassment. “I’m ashamed to say this. My younger daughter has been raised outside because of her birth characters and hasn’t been listed in the family tree. She’s about to get married before she’s listed in the family tree.”

“Wei Jing.” Xia Wanyuan smiled. “It’s quite similar to Wei Jin’s name.”

Wei Zhong nodded. “They’re sisters to begin with. They look alike and have similar names. Speaking of Wei Jin, I want to ask Madam Jun how my daughter, Wei Jin, is living in Beijing? Is her health good?”

Xia Wanyuan slowly took a sip of tea. “As a father, shouldn’t you know better than me whether she’s good or not?”

Wei Zhong ignored Xia Wanyuan’s implied meaning and nodded with a smile. “I’m just confused because I’m concerned. I should have treated you well today, but I’m really sorry. Recently, my family has been busy with my daughter’s marriage. I’m afraid of neglecting you. Why don’t I treat you well after the marriage is over?”

Xia Wanyuan put down her teacup. “There’s no need for hospitality. It’s just that I came back to offer incense to my ancestors. Where’s the ancestral hall? Bring me there.”

Wei Zhong’s expression froze. How could I let Xia Wanyuan enter the backyard? This Xia Wanyuan was clearly scheming. Who knew what she was here for? 

“I’m sorry, the ancestral hall is being repaired. Let’s do it another day.”

“Second Master Wei, do you not treat me as a family?” Xia Wanyuan looked at Wei Zhong with pressure in her eyes.

Xia Wanyuan was used to the disputes in the royal court and temples. The words she said could be regarded as the golden rule by the civil and military officials.

How could Wei Zhong resist such power? He braced himself and was about to collapse when someone suddenly walked in.

“Father-in-law, did I come at the wrong time today?” A gentle voice came from outside the door.

Xia Wanyuan looked up. Outside the door was a very elegant-looking man. Although he looked gentle, his eyes had a deep light like the sea. One look and one could tell that he was someone with a hidden agenda.

Wei Zhong seemed to have found his savior. He stood up and looked at Lin Qingyuan excitedly. “Young Master Lin, let me introduce you.”

Lin Qingyuan walked over and met Jun Shiling’s gaze. “There’s no need to introduce me. I know the famous Jun Shiling and Madam Jun.”

Then, Lin Qingyuan reached out to Jun Shiling. “CEO Jun, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jun Shiling stood up and held Lin Qingyuan’s hand. “Young Master Lin, you’re too polite.”

Lin Qingyuan smiled, then his gaze landed on Xia Wanyuan. His glasses lit up slightly. “Everyone says that the Wei family specializes in producing peerless beauties. That’s right. Madam Jun can be considered a national beauty.”

Xia Wanyuan nodded slightly at Lin Qingyuan. “Young Master Lin, you flatter me.”

Xia Wanyuan and Wei Zhong’s conflict was immediately put on hold by Lin Qingyuan.

Lin Qingyuan was very sociable.

Even though it was his first time meeting Jun Shiling, he could chat with him.

Lin Qingyuan kept introducing the scenic spots in Lin Xi to Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan. “Why don’t we do this? After saying so much, why don’t we have dinner together? It can be considered a welcome for the two of you.”

Xia Wanyuan glanced at Jun Shiling and shook her head gently. Only then did Jun Shiling look at Lin Qingyuan. “We just arrived today. Madam is weak. Let’s rest so that we can attend your ceremony tomorrow.”

“Alright then.” Since he had already said so much, Lin Qingyuan could not force them. He called someone in and took out a business card from his assistant. “This is for CEO Jun. If you have any questions, you can look for me directly.”

“Okay.” Jun Shiling nodded and took the name card.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

With Lin Qingyuan blocking them here, it was definitely impossible for them to enter the Wei family today. Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan could only leave first.

Watching them leave, Wei Zhong looked worried. He looked at Lin Qingyuan. “Young Master Lin, about the succession ceremony and wedding tomorrow, Jun Shiling and the rest won’t cause trouble, right?”

Wei Zhong knew that Xia Wanyuan and Wei Jin had a good relationship. He was worried that Xia Wanyuan would disrupt tomorrow’s wedding.

“What are you afraid of?” Lin Qingyuan’s eyes were filled with confidence. “This is Lin Xi, not Beijing.”

Lin Xi was the world of the Lin family and the Wei family. Even if Jun Shiling’s methods were heaven-defying, did he still want to direct everyone here?

Although Lin Qingyuan said that, Wei Zhong’s heart was still in turmoil.

He was already panicking. After Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan came, he panicked even more.

Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan left the Wei family and slowly walked along the path outside.

Lin Xi was an antique city.

It still retained many ancient buildings from hundreds of years ago. The river meandered through the middle of the city, and limestone bridges connected different sections.

It was spring, and the flowers were blooming. There were mountains in the distance, water nearby, and flowers beside them. The environment was very good.

Xia Wanyuan looked at the scenery by the roadside, but her mood was not so relaxed. “Can’t you see through Lin Qingyuan?”

No wonder he could return to the Lin family after twenty years and take down the position of the head of the family. Just by listening to him, one could tell that this person was unfathomable.

Jun Shiling reached out and took the petals off Xia Wanyuan’s head. “No matter what happens to him, as long as you want to, I’ll help you save Wei Jin.”

Xia Wanyuan looked at Jun Shiling. At this moment, Jun Shiling exuded a domineering aura that made one involuntarily submit.

When he said these words, not only did they not feel strange, but they also did not feel that he was talking nonsense. Instead, they really believed that he had the ability.

Xia Wanyuan smiled. “Is CEO Jun that amazing?”

Jun Shiling smiled and pulled Xia Wanyuan into his arms.

The two of them slowly walked forward. Not long after, they met Feng Wuyou and the others walking over at a corner.

When Feng Wuyou saw Xia Wanyuan, her first reaction was to greet her. Unexpectedly, just as she waved her hand, she suddenly thought of Xuan Sheng beside her and could not help but look at him carefully.

However, at this moment, Xuan Sheng’s expression was very indifferent. There was nothing sad about him.

Feng Wuyou waved at Xia Wanyuan in relief. “Beauty!”

Xia Wanyuan also saw Feng Wuyou and nodded at her.

Jun Shiling glanced at Chu Yi, who was also sizing him up.

Their gazes brushed past each other, as if they had just experienced an earth-shattering battle, and as if nothing had happened.

Chu Yi retracted his gaze and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

“Aren’t you leaving?” Seeing that Feng Wuyou still wanted to talk to Xia Wanyuan, Xuan Sheng glanced at her indifferently.

“Alright.” Feng Wuyou knew that Xuan Sheng was feeling uncomfortable, so she temporarily gave up on the chance to talk to the beauty and followed Xuan Sheng.

“Old Xuan, are you okay?” After walking for a long time, Feng Wuyou carefully glanced at Xuan Sheng.

Xuan Sheng looked up. “Why won’t I be okay?”

Feng Wuyou pursed her lips. “I was just asking.”

He still said that he was fine. From what I think, Xuan Sheng almost wrote the words “I’m very sad” on his head. 

Xuan Sheng walked forward and could not be bothered with Feng Wuyou.

Looking at Xuan Sheng’s bleak back, Feng Wuyou felt inexplicably sad. She held Chu Yi’s hand. “Let’s go back to the hotel first and let him be alone.”

Chu Yi glanced at Xuan Sheng. “Okay.”

Xuan Sheng walked slowly along the river and walked to a small step. Xuan Sheng sat down and threw small stones into the river aimlessly.

After some time, he suddenly smelled a strong fragrance of pastries.

Xuan Sheng turned around and saw Lu Li’s bright smile.

“CEO Xuan, why are you here alone?”

Although Xuan Sheng did not have that kind of romantic love for Lu Li, he had to admit that Lu Li was a person who could make one’s mood improve.

Xuan Sheng smiled. “Why aren’t you afraid of me? I’ve already scolded you so much. Why do you still dare to talk to me?”

Lu Li sat beside Xuan Sheng. “Because I’ve thought it through.”

Lu Li had been home for the past few days.

When she returned home, she realized that her grandparents had begun to grow old. Her grandfather, who could lift a load of water effortlessly in the past, could no longer lift water.

In Lu Li’s impression, Grandma, who could always walk in front of Lu Li and bring her to the market, was actually much shorter than her this time.

The traces left by the wind and frost on the elders became heavier and heavier. Lu Li could clearly sense the traces of time.

It was precisely in front of such clear and intuitive years that Lu Li felt that her love that was restrained by emotions was actually not a big deal in the face of life and death.

Cherishing the present was actually more important than anything.

Just like now, she did not ask Xuan Sheng to like her, nor did she need to have any expectations for him.

They had already experienced sitting and chatting like this.

Xuan Sheng understood the emotions in Lu Li’s eyes. He smiled and reached out to touch her hair. “Girl, you live so well.”

She was much more knowledgeable than most people. Even he could not catch up to Lu Li.

Lu Li smiled and handed the pastry in her hand to Xuan Sheng. “CEO Xuan, do you want to try what I made? Don’t worry, I didn’t use oil. It’s very refreshing.”

Xuan Sheng reached out to take one and tasted it. “It’s quite delicious.”

A smile appeared in Lu Li’s eyes. “As long as you like it, CEO Xuan.”

Xuan Sheng slowly ate a pastry and suddenly said, “Actually, I know that you made those dishes.”

Xuan Sheng had a picky mouth and a sensitive taste. Xuan Sheng sensed it the moment the food entered his mouth, but he deliberately did not want Lu Li to fall into it again.

Lu Li was not surprised at all. “I know. You’re so smart. I definitely can’t hide these tricks from you.”

Xuan Sheng smiled and glanced at Lu Li. “Now that you’ve thought it through, you don’t have to be afraid of me in the future. I won’t be fierce to you.”

Lu Li nodded. “Mm!”

Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan passed by from afar on the bridge. Looking at Xuan Sheng and Lu Li, who were sitting and chatting together, Xia Wanyuan sighed. “Do you think Xuan Sheng will like Lu Li?”

Jun Shiling did not speak, but he looked at Xia Wanyuan meaningfully, making her heart skip a beat.

“What kind of look is that?”

“A look of condemnation.”

“……..”