My Fortune-Blessed Leading Lady
Chapter 450: The Stirring Truths That Are Beginning to Emerge

Chapter 450: Chapter 450: The Stirring Truths That Are Beginning to Emerge

Yuran suddenly felt her face growing hot; she reached for Bo Yan’s waist and gave it a twist, yet her smile didn’t waver, "Brother Seven, do you really think I’m too embarrassed to pick on you?"

Zhizhi sat in the shopping cart, watching his parents’ interaction with undiminished glee, "Mommy, Zhizhi will get it for you. Daddy, just push Zhizhi a little bit, and then Zhizhi can reach it."

Bo Yan applied a little force and pushed Zhizhi right below the cookie section; Zhizhi stood up, stretched out his hand, and grabbed the cookies Yuran had wanted earlier. With pride beaming on his face, he said, "Mommy, Zhizhi got it for you."

Yuran cupped his face and gave him a loud kiss, "Thank you, baby."

"You’re welcome."

The imported supermarket didn’t have many customers since the neighborhood was sparsely populated and even fewer people shopped there in person. Yuran and Bo Yan were also busy on regular days and rarely had the chance to accompany Zhizhi like this.

Zhizhi had his fill of fun and then left holding his parents’ hands.

...

Elsewhere, Huanya was holding an international video conference.

In London, the chairman Xi Zhen, his silvery white hair giving him an air of solemnity and seriousness, was spirited despite his advanced age. Xi Nian and Xi Gu, both addressed him respectfully as Grandfather.

Xi Zhen held a walking stick, and a butler in a crisp tailcoat stood behind him.

The butler performed a deep bow and nodded at the two with an expressionless face.

"Young Master, Eldest Young Master."

"Uncle Kai," Xi Kai had been with the Xi family since its early years in the United Kingdom and settled there with Xi Zhen. After undergoing butler training, he had been managing the Xi family’s main residence in the UK, with more than a hundred servants under his command.

The Xi family had internal discord, which seemed to be a tradition. In the end, the ones who stayed were always the victors.

In the video conference, having received the Young Masters’ responses, the butler simply nodded faintly.

Xi Zhen looked at his grandsons with eyes deep as ancient wells, "Xi Yan and Xi Yang have already determined the winner and loser. You two are really disappointing. If you don’t know how to manage Huanya, then let Xi Yan and Xi Yang handle it.

Two good-for-nothings."

Xi Gu’s hand on the table suddenly clenched, the gloom in his eyes lingering. Unlike Xi Gu’s more obvious emotions, Xi Nian seemed much more composed.

"Grandfather is right."

Xi Zhen scoffed, "Xi Gu, I don’t care how you fight with Xi Nian behind the scenes, but it must proceed without causing any loss to Huanya. But you... good-for-nothing.

If this struggle remains fruitless, you pack your bags and get out."

Xi Gu lowered his head, hiding the humiliation and unwillingness in his eyes, "Grandfather’s lesson is well taken."

"Hmm... Xi Gu, feeling discontented? Then show your capability. A good-for-nothing who only knows how to indulge and lacks awareness."

Xi Gu felt a fire rising from the bottom of his heart, threatening to char him, yet he had no right to defy Xi Zhen. In the Xi family, power was tightly held by Xi Zhen alone; to him, his grandsons were either worthy individuals or worthless, nothing but dogs.

Isn’t it ironic to talk about familial affection in the Xi family?

Xi Zhen’s gaze remained unswerving, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s, piercing through the video feed and landing on the faces of his grandsons, "I am aware of the agreements you two have signed within the company. I’m giving you a final deadline. If it’s as ineffective as the disputes over the past two years, then both of you can pack your things and get out."

Xi Nian’s expression still didn’t waver as his eyelids gently lowered, "Yes, Grandfather."

Xi Gu gritted his teeth, huffing with resentment, "Yes, Grandfather."

The video call ended, but Xi Gu didn’t realize the audio was still on as he abruptly stood up from his chair and pointed at Xi Nian, "You usurper, you think your performance these past two years is enough to make Grandfather see you in a new light?

Let me tell you, as long as I, Xi Gu, am in Huanya, you can forget about doing whatever you want here;

Even if Grandfather eventually takes your side, I have ways to make your life a living hell. Dreaming of taking Huanya from me? Why don’t you just drop dead?"

Xi Nian stood up nonchalantly, ignoring Xi Gu’s sudden outburst. After organizing the documents in his hand, he looked up with an indifferent gaze, "Xi Gu, you’re thirty, not three."

His words were clearly mocking. Seeing Xi Nian moving to leave, Xi Gu rushed over to grab his collar. Xi Nian’s assistant hurriedly intervened, "Mr. Xi, please restrain yourself."

Xi Gu shoved Xi Nian’s assistant away, "Who the hell are you to speak here?"

The assistant replied, "Mr. Xi is right, this isn’t my place to speak, but as Mr. Xi’s assistant, I can’t allow Mr. Xi to suffer any harm in my presence. Otherwise, what would be the point of Mr. Xi hiring me?"

The assistant shielded Xi Nian as they exited the conference room, while Xi Gu turned and glared at his own assistant, "Useless."

...

London.

Listening to the quarrel through the audio.

Xi Zhen’s expression grew uglier by the moment, "Xi Kai, turn it off."

Xi Kai nodded and bent down to turn off the jumbled accusations. Xi Zhen’s face was grim, "Regarding Xi Gu, Xi Nian, what’s your take on this?"

Having followed Xi Zhen for many years, Xi Kai knew very well that this question wasn’t really seeking his advice, but rather something else. Standing respectfully to the side, Xi Kai said, "Chairman, there’s no need to worry. As for the two young masters, I believe the Chairman already has an answer in mind. All we need to do is wait."

Xi Zhen remained silent, his eyes ancient wells with a hint of desolate coldness.

"This wild brat, Xi Nian, is ungrateful. He holds a grudge over the past, and both you and I know on what the past internal strife was founded. Over these years, I’ve kept him down yet he has managed to grow rapidly, and I’m worried."

Xi Kai instantly understood, "Is the Chairman concerned that Young Master Xi Nian might develop ill feelings towards the Xi Family due to the past events?"

Although Xi Zhen didn’t nod, his silence equated to agreement. Xi Kai’s eyes flickered, "Chairman, are you thinking of..."

"Regardless of what Xi Nian may be thinking, or whether he knows about the past or not, I have decided there’s no place for him in the Xi Family. Go handle it."

Xi Kai lowered his eyelashes, "Yes."

...

On the way back, the assistant looked through the rearview mirror at Xi Nian’s indifferent face hidden in the shadows and wanted to speak but didn’t know where to start. All he could do was occasionally check on him until, unable to hold back, he finally blurted out, "Mr. Xi, isn’t the old Chairman being too harsh?"

The lips of Xi Nian, hidden within the shadows, curved into a cold smile, "Why should I care?"

The assistant was indignant, "Over the past two years, if not for you stopping Xi Gu’s decisions in time, Huanya would have been left with nothing but its underwear. Look at all those lousy films. The little reputation Huanya still has, isn’t it all thanks to your efforts?

The Chairman didn’t speak today, but his meaning was clear. Although he cursed at Xi Gu, in his heart, he probably just thinks Xi Gu is a disappointment for never beating you.

It’s just too much."