The Shens' banquet stirred the wealthy circle. The first news was about Shen Xia's legitimacy as the daughter of Shen Yayi.
In the Gu family, Gu Bo stared at his grandfather in disbelief.
"Gu Bo, I think you need to think once more about your marriage with Cheng An," said Elder Gu. Looking displeased. "A long time ago, I have said that I disapproved of you chasing after that girl, but since you like her so much and she is also the granddaughter of the Shens, I permitted you to marry her. However, the news about Shen Yayi's true daughter had spread within our circle. Cheng An isn't Shen Yayi's daughter. I want you to cancel this marriage."
"But, Grandfather! They were switched when they were babies. It wasn't Cheng An's fault! I still love her!"
"What will you get if you marry her?" asked Gu Bo's father in anger. "The only thing you will get is a new sticky parasite for our family."
Gu Bo gritted his teeth. "I don't mind."
Gu Bo's father threw a file on him. "You don't mind? Do you still want to inherit our family legacy? Do you think you are the only one?"
Gu Bo calmly stared at his father. "But I am the only one who is capable enough to handle this family."
Gu Bo's father, who his whole life was known as a useless heir threw an ashtray to the floor. "How dare you!"
"At least I am loyal to my woman."
"What are you trying to say?" asked Gu Bo's father, who almost wanted to spit blood.
Gu Bo stared at his father. This father of him almost made his mother go crazy with how many mistresses and illegitimate children he had. He had no business sense, was lazy, arrogant, loved to spend money, was easily entice about anything, like women and gambling. Luckily, his grandfather found out about it fast enough before the debt piled up into a mountain that couldn't be paid.
Since he was a child, Gu Bo had hated his father. He promised himself that he wouldn't be like his father, a waste scum.
He also fell in love with Cheng An, who was soft and cute. She was kind and capable. He chased after her for years. In his eyes, she was the best woman he had ever met. And he knew she had feelings toward Zhao Jingfeng before.
But Cheng An said that she chose him over Zhao Jingfeng. She was touched by his love.
He needed to pay back Cheng An's trust in him.
He wouldn't betray Cheng An.
He promised to take care of her for life.
He wouldn't like his father.
Elder Gu looked at his grandson in disappointment.
It was so obvious that Cheng An's innocence is fake, but his grandson's eyes were somehow became blinded and couldn't see the truth when it was about Cheng An.
For him who has seen many, this Cheng An was nothing.
Elder Gu suddenly remembered the girl who hid her brilliance at his banquet some time ago. She was so capable, he even thought that his grandson wasn't at the same level as her.
He was lucky enough to meet her in Country A. It was a business meeting that was targeted by many business owners, and he was invited by an old friend. She was one of the source persons in that meeting. Many businessmen tried to get acquainted with her, even some want to match her with their son or grandson.
It was almost making his heart jump when he realized she was at his banquet when she danced with Zhao Jingfeng. Then he found out that she was the newly adopted daughter of the Chengs. He was so confused that he doubted his own judgement.
But then a few days later, she was gone. Now, she finally showed herself again at Shen's banquet as their newly found granddaughter.
He wanted so badly to matchmake his grandson to her.
The Gu family would prosper for at least the next 50 years if his grandson married her.
Shen Xia. Stella Aldridge.
Should he try to connect with her?
The day after the banquet, Shen Xia visited her friend, Audrey, in the city aquarium.
Audrey was a zoologist vet. She handled various aquatic exotic animals around the world. She was so capable that she was wanted by many countries.
For the whole day, Shen Xia enjoyed the aquarium tour and a special access to some restricted aquatic animals. It was a fun day.
The most shocking thing was that, at the end of the day, Lu Langyi visited Audrey, and by the sight of it, he was chasing after her seriously.
Shen Xia asked Zhao Jingfeng about Lu Langyi and asked his assistant about Lu Langyi's reputation.
The report came back as positive.
Lu Langyi was a loyal man. There was nothing to note down.
Shen Xia hoped that Lu Langyi would succeed at capturing Audrey's heart. It's been a long time since Audrey had a boyfriend. Last time Audrey had a boyfriend, that bastard, Audrey's ex-boyfriend, cheated on her.
The next day, Shen Xia looked at the small apartment she was in.
"Brother Wencheng, I have been wondering. Why did you choose not to use the Shen's name when you entered the entertainment industry?"
Shen Wencheng put a tray on the coffee table. "Here, there is milk tea and a cream puff."
Shen Xia sat on the sofa and looked around the small living room. It was small, but clean and organized. There was a painting that Shen Xia had seen before. That painting was the only pricey thing in this living room. Quite pricey even, touching around 6 million.
Shen Wencheng sat beside Shen Xia. "Hmm, do you remember my experience with Cheng An when I was in senior high?"
Shen Xia frowned. "I do."
"At that time, one of my ex-friends told me that I was saved to transfer school instead of dropping out was only because I have Shen's name as my surname. He said a sexual harasser like me didn't deserve to live."
Shen Xia sneered. "I don't want to judge, but I think that ex-friend of yours was one of Cheng An's admirers."
Shen Wencheng sighed. "Now that I think about it, he maybe had feelings toward her. Well, thanks to that remark, I always had this intention to reach for success without using Shen's name."
"Wasn't it hard?"
"It was. But I am enjoying it. I found my boundaries, my strength, my resolve, my weakness, and even found new friends."
Shen Xia smiled cheekily. "How about a female friend?"
Shen Wencheng was stunned for a second, but quickly gathered his thoughts. "What are you talking about? There is none."
Shen Xia smirked. So obvious.
Ding dong!
The doorbell rang.
Shen Wencheng stood up and walked toward the door. He opened it after peeking through the peephole.
"Are you ready?" asked the person who had just come from outside.
Shen Wencheng nodded. "As I said before, I wanted to bring my younger sister with me."
Sun Xinda, Shen Wencheng's agent, was shocked when he saw Shen Xia. "She is definitely your sister! Both of you have amazing appearances."
Shen Xia stood up and reached for her backpack. "Let's go?"
Shen Wencheng grabbed his sling bag and phone. "Okay. Let's go!" Somehow, Shen Wencheng felt more energetic than usual.
They took an old van and after an hour, they reached the shooting studio. Because this is one of the Shen's branch company's advertisements, the studio was good and the director was well-known.
As they entered the studio, Shen Wencheng and Agent Sun greeted the supervisor and the director. Seeing Shen Xia, the director froze, then immediately asked her if she had any interest in entering the entertainment industry. Shen Xia declined politely.
"Were you often asked to enter showbiz before?" asked Shen Wencheng when they walked to the dressing room.
Shen Xia nodded. "How do you know?"
"You look so calm and used to it."
"Am I?"
"You are. But it's true that you are a favorite for the scouts. Not only are you beautiful, but you have this aura about you."
"Are you saying that you are handsome since I am your cousin?"
"Me? Handsome? Isn't that a given?"
Shen Xia laughed. "True! One of the guests at the banquet told Grandma that she was blessed, having handsome and beautiful grandchildren."
"Well, I can't deny that." Shen Wencheng also laughed. "But, thinking about it, isn't it weird that our first brother is still single?"
Shen Xia sighed. "Isn't that Brother Yaochen's fault?"
"True."
After half an hour, Shen Wencheng came out of the make up room.
Some staff giggled when they saw him. Shen Xia smiled proudly. Her fourth brother sure is handsome and beautiful. He was so mesmerizing that the studio collectively stayed silent until the director ordered the staff to get ready.
Shen Xia stood not far from the director. She watched people running back and forth as the shooting began. Shen Xia was amazed when she saw Shen Wencheng start to act.
While shooting rolled, Shen Xia accompanied Shen Wencheng and cheered for him. Shen Wencheng's assistant was kind to her. And Agent Sun brought her food and drink.
Actually, Shen Xia could feel a few gazes that were thrown at her, but she tried to ignore them. After all, there's nothing wrong when a younger sister accompanies their brother to work, right?
After five hours, the shooting finally ended. Shen Wencheng looked tired, but he still looked beautiful as usual.
Shen Xia reserved a private room in the nearest restaurant. She also invited Shen Wencheng's agent and assistant, but they refused. So there are only the two of them. Agent Sun then went home since Shen Xia told him that they would take another car home.
They just entered the restaurant when a voice shouted at them in an unfriendly manner.
"Hey, isn't that the ugly duckling?"
Shen Xia turned her head and laughed when she saw Cheng An and her two followers.
The roads of enemies are narrow, indeed.