Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Old Mr. Wen brought Wen Xinya with him to chat with some old friends and the shareholders of the Wen Corporation.

“Xinya, this is the biggest shareholder of the Wen Corporation, Mr. Qian. Mr. Qian holds 13% of the Wen Corporation’s shares.”

“Nice to meet you, Uncle Qian!” Wen Xinya greeted smilingly while glancing at the slightly chubby Mr. Qian. Although he was already in his sixties, he seemed to have taken good care of his skin, for he still looked rather youthful. He had a beer belly and he looked exceptionally sly when he smiled and his eyes turned into small slits.

Dimples formed on Qian Jianhui’s chubby face whenever he smiled. “My niece, your Grandpa and I are longtime friends, and he’s only a few years older than me. You’re getting the seniorities wrong by calling me ‘Uncle’.”

Wen Xinya looked at Old Mr. Wen in shock.

Qian Jianhui was entirely amused by her expression; she looked just like a blooming flower. He thought to himself, Seems like my efforts to keep my youthful appearance haven’t gone in vain.

Old Mr. Wen smiled and said, “It’s only understandable. Your Grandpa Qian has always placed much emphasis on nourishing his health. His body age is at least ten or twenty years younger than his physical one. He’s known to be age-defying.”

However, he greatly admired Wen Xinya. Old Mr. Wen had long told Wen Xinya about Qian Jianhui, informing her that he was actually sly, cunning and narrow-minded even though he seemed kind and benevolent on the surface. Knowing that he was a tough nut to crack, Wen Xinya deliberately got the seniorities wrong in a bid to please Qian Jianhui and get closer to him. Old Mr. Wen took his hat’s off to Wen Xinya for coming up with such a brilliant idea.

Pretending to be upset, Qian Jianhui said, “Old Wen, how could you say that about me? Look at yourself. You look like you’re taking age-defying pills. You’re a true freak that never ages.”

Old Mr. Wen looked at Wen Xinya and said smilingly, “This is all thanks to my granddaughter, Xinya. I passed out all of a sudden two years ago and got hospitalized. She then got interested in medicinal herbs and therapy all of a sudden. Her maternal grandfather introduced her to Old Mr. Du, whom she has been learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine from since then. Miss Du has also been guiding her along.”

Given how much Qian Jianhui valued health-nourishing techniques, he would definitely be interested.

Just like he had expected, Qian Jianhui looked at Wen Xinya in awe and said, “Magical Hands Du is the best Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, and Miss Du is also known for her incredible skills and knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine healthcare and skincare techniques. How lucky of you, Old Wen!” He then looked at Wen Xinya and said, “I’ll have to seek some tips for nourishing my health one day.”

Du Shinan had an incredible reputation in the Traditional Chinese Medicine industry and he was highly respected by many. There were several patients who wanted to consult him and seek treatment form him. Hence, Qian Jianhui was extremely interested the moment he heard that Wen Xinya was an apprentice of Du Shinan and Du Ruo. He was also intending to use Wen Xinya to get close to Du Shinan.

Wen Xinya scrutinized Qian Jianhui’s expressions and asked, “Do you always feel weak in your limbs and occasionally get the runs? Do you also suffer from insomnia sometimes, Grandpa Qian?”

Qian Jianhui’s eyes widened in shock and he asked, “How did you know?”

Wen Xinya smiled and said, “Grandpa Qian, you’re suffering from a gastro-spleen imbalance, and instead of nourishing your stomach and spleen, you took large amounts of blood-nourishing medicine which made your condition worse. That’s why you’re experiencing these symptoms.”

Greatly impressed by Wen Xinya, Qian Jianhui hurriedly asked, “How can I get treated?”

Wen Xinya said, “I’ve only learned about some Traditional Chinese Medicine theories and techniques from Grandpa Du and Miss Du. I don’t know much about treating conditions yet. However, I do have a herbal soup recipe for nourishing the stomach and spleen. You may try them for a few days and see if they work!”

Extremely pleased, Qian Jianhui agreed. “Sure, sure! Thank you, my grand-niece.”

Xia Ruya walked towards them slowly with a glass of wine and said, “Grandpa Wen, Grandpa Qian, Xinya, what are you guys chatting about? You seem so happy.”

Qian Jianhui and Wen Xinya were initially in the midst of a joyous conversation. Upon sight of Xia Ruya, he turned to look at her and said, “Ruya, you’ve changed so much in two years. Why didn’t you come and visit me even after you’re back?”

Xia Ruya smiled at him and said, “Grandpa Qian, you’re still the same as two years ago. You haven’t changed or aged at all! No… you actually look much better and more youthful than before. I must seek some tips from you another day.”

Xia Ruya was classy and carried herself well. She made Qian Jianhui grin widely from ear to ear.

Qian Jianhui was much warmer and enthusiastic towards Xia Ruya, as compared to Wen Xinya. The difference in his attitude made a sullen expression form on Old Mr. Wen’s face.

It was obviously an embarrassment towards Wen Xinya, for he was more enthusiastic when talking to Xia Ruya, the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family.

However, Wen Xinya was not bothered by it at all. After all, Xia Ruya had already become a member of Zhishan Club and anyone would want to suck up to her a little.

Xia Ruya looked at Wen Xinya and said, “Grandpa Qian is very personable, previously… ” She then looked at Old Mr. Wen and paused in her speech before continuing, “That’s why I’m close to Grandpa Qian.”

She was afraid that Old Mr. Wen would get the wrong idea and think that she was using Qian Jianhui to make Wen Xinya look bad. Hence, she tried to explain herself.

Old Mr. Wen nodded calmly. Compared to Wen Xinya, Xia Ruya was much more pretentious and knew how to suck up to others. She had always been rather close to the shareholders of the Wen Corporation. Old Mr. Wen seemed to have accepted her explanation.

Waltz music began to sound in the background.

Xia Ruya smiled and extended her hand. “Grandpa Wen, may I have the honor of inviting you to a dance?”

Old Mr. Wen stared at her hand in shock. Back when Xia Ruya was still a member of the Wen Family, he had danced with her a few times before.

Although it was a normal activity that they had done before, he could not bring himself to accept her offer and his arm tensed up.

In fact, Xia Ruya was trying to give him a hint by attending the annual gala and inviting him to a dance. She wanted to use her status as a member of the Zhishan Club to get the Wen Family to acknowledge her as their adoptive daughter.

It was a great temptation to the Wen Family who had raised Xia Ruya for twelve years. In the eyes of outsiders, Xia Ruya had always been the adoptive daughter of the Wen Family and one dance was all it took for the Wen Family to benefit from her status.

Wen Xinya’s pupils constricted. The same thing that happened in the previous lifetime, took place again in this lifetime. Wen Xinya could not help but feel oppressed and inhibited.

Although it was just a dance, everyone understood the significance of the first dance which was usually performed with a highly respected person.

If Grandpa agrees to Xia Ruya’s request, others are going to think that he values her.

That was also how… Xia Ruya secured her placed in the Wen Family and made Wen Xinya’s life become a tragedy.

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