Chapter 27: The Little Ghost Secretly Eats Cake Again

Because of Song Huaichuan’s position as president of the Charity Association, he was an important guest that evening. Xie Ningwan chatted with him a bit more.

“Thank you, President Xie, for your contributions to our charity efforts,” Song Huaichuan said politely, raising his glass to Xie Ningwan.

“It’s not my contribution,” Xie Ningwan replied calmly and composed. “You should thank my second uncle.”

Song Huaichuan had heard a bit about the Xie Family’s internal affairs and responded with a gentle smile, saying nothing more.

The spot where the two stood was in a corner of the venue, backed against a wall near an ornate three-dimensional sculpture. It was relatively secluded, perfect for avoiding idle chatter.

This meant that two or three guests who had also wandered into the shadows for some quiet gossip failed to notice them.

“…Relations between Second Old Xie and President Xie were never good to begin with. Organizing this charity gala is just for show.”

“They’re blood uncle and nephew, after all… But yeah, in wealthy families, there’s no real family affection except from one’s own parents.”

When Song Huaichuan heard outsiders gossiping about Xie Family relations, he gave Xie Ningwan an apologetic smile. Xie Ningwan nodded nonchalantly and gestured to the side, suggesting they move somewhere else.

At that moment, one of the guests behind them picked up the conversation. “Speaking of parents, is it true that President Xie’s parents died in that car accident plotted by someone inside the Xie Family, just like the rumors say?”

“Shh—it’s not cleared up yet, but I think it’s pretty much a sure thing.”

“Sigh, it wasn’t entirely the car accident either. I heard that after it happened, Madam Xie’s injuries weren’t severe and she could have been saved. Unfortunately, the vehicle flipped into the river, and rescue arrived too late. Madam Xie drowned…”

By this point, Xie Ningwan’s face had turned as cold as ice, his fingers tightening around his wine glass.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and continued to Song Huaichuan, “President Song, please.”

Song Huaichuan nodded and walked out of the corner with him.

Xie Ningwan was in a foul mood and didn’t notice that when the word “drowned” came up, Song Huaichuan’s expression had been just as grim and pained as his own.

Meanwhile, the little ghost Song Yaoyao circled the dessert table in the center of the venue, picking out the treats he wanted and looking for a chance to stuff one into his mouth.

There were simply too many guests in the hall. He floated around several times without finding an opening and watched helplessly as a small cake he’d already picked out was taken by someone else.

He sulked for a moment, then turned and spotted Xie Ming and Xie Ninghong, whom he’d been looking for earlier.

The two stood at the uppermost part of the venue, next to Old Master Xie who leaned on his cane. They occasionally exchanged words, their faces sinister as they scanned the entire hall, seemingly searching for someone.

This put them right in Song Yaoyao’s line of fire. He floated over to them with a stern expression.

“Wait until later and apologize to Xie Ningwan properly in front of everyone. No matter what, we have to hold the moral high ground on the surface,” Xie Ming said in a low voice, tilting his head toward Xie Ninghong. “With so many people watching, if Xie Ningwan keeps pursuing it, he’ll be the one who looks petty.”

Xie Ninghong was indignant. “Do we really have to do this? I don’t want to bow my head to him, not even pretend.”

“You idiot,” Xie Ming slapped him. “It’s just for show. If you can’t even endure that, how will others side with you or speak up for you?”

A flash of defiance crossed Xie Ninghong’s eyes, but he listened to his father and scanned the crowd for Xie Ningwan.

His expression was dark. He didn’t notice the little ghost floating right behind him, wearing an equally sullen look.

Song Yaoyao had originally planned to crash straight into Xie Ninghong upon arriving, but after overhearing their words, he changed his mind.

Soon, Xie Ninghong spotted Xie Ningwan. He adjusted his expression and walked toward him.

The guests in the hall had already been covertly watching the Xie Family members. Seeing this, they parted to form a path, eager to see what would happen next.

Xie Ninghong drew closer and closer to Xie Ningwan, who noticed his approach, paused his conversation with Song Huaichuan, and looked up at him with cold eyes.

“Brother, you’re here,” Xie Ninghong said, forcing a smile as he approached and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I thought after that misunderstanding earlier, you wouldn’t come.”

Xie Ninghong raised his wine glass. “No matter what, I was wrong about what happened before. I want to apologize to you. I—”

He had just reached Xie Ningwan and uttered the word “apologize” when his foot suddenly caught on something. He pitched forward uncontrollably and dropped heavily to his knees in front of Xie Ningwan!

“…!”

The surrounding guests gasped at the sudden turn of events and stepped back, hands over their mouths as they stared.

“To apologize like that, he didn’t have to kneel, did he?”

“What sincerity. He’s even kowtowing.”

The crowd murmured and whispered, half-jokingly.

Xie Ningwan: “…”

His face had been cold before, but now he glanced at Xie Ninghong’s legs, shook his head imperceptibly in exasperation, and a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

“What happened?” Xie Ming and Old Master Xie hurried over upon hearing the commotion.

Xie Ming pulled Xie Ninghong up, his face a mix of shock and fury. He glared at Xie Ningwan, then at his useless son.

“Second Uncle,” Xie Ningwan said leisurely, arms crossed, “My cousin’s apology is certainly sincere.”

“You…!” Xie Ming was furious but couldn’t spout threats in front of all the guests. Xie Ninghong, now pulled up, flushed with shame and anger, his face alternating between red and pale.

In the midst of the clamor, Old Master Xie approached, leaning on his cane. His expression wasn’t pleasant either, but with things as they were, for the sake of the Xie Family’s face, he tapped his cane and adapted to the situation. “Ningwan, look at your younger brother. He’s sincerely repented.”

“Since that’s the case, in front of all these guests, let everyone bear witness. Whatever happened before between you cousin brothers, let’s call it even.” His voice was aged and hoarse, amiable yet carrying authority.

As soon as Old Master Xie spoke, all the guests turned to Xie Ningwan, awaiting his response.

The Xie Family’s complicated affairs weren’t news anymore. Old Master Xie was, after all, the previous head of the family, and Xie Ningwan had given him face before.

But this time, Xie Ningwan didn’t yield. He chuckled lightly and said in turn:

“Then I’d also like everyone here to bear witness. Most of the Xie Corporation was built by my parents. Now that they’re gone… it’s time to split the family.”

At these words, Old Master Xie was so shocked that his cane fell. He immediately stopped pleading for Xie Ninghong and grabbed Xie Ningwan’s arm.

The other Xie Family members watching the drama were equally startled and rushed forward to mediate. After all, nearly the entire Xie Family depended on the Xie Corporation in Xie Ningwan’s hands to survive.

One of them even brought up Xie Ningwan’s parents, saying they wouldn’t have agreed if they were still alive. A mocking smile appeared on Xie Ningwan’s face. Before he could say anything colder, suddenly, the crystal chandelier on the hall’s ceiling began swinging uncontrollably.

An eerie wind howled through, the lights all went out, and decorations in the venue crashed to the ground, startling everyone present.

With the sudden chaos, the event’s steward hurriedly organized an evacuation. The guests left the hall amid whispers and speculation.

This “charity gala” ended in utter disarray, with the Xie Family’s pleas and curses blending into a chaotic mess.

In the confusion, Song Yaoyao quickly floated to the dessert table and shoved two pieces of cake into his mouth.

…

Outside the venue, Xie Ningwan stood alone by the garden, quietly gazing at the fountain pool nearby, as if waiting for someone.

“Song Yaoyao?” He suddenly sensed something and turned his head, calling softly.

“I’m right here.”

The little ghost poked his head out from behind him and draped himself over his shoulder. The boy’s soft, warm voice rang out gently.

As soon as he spoke, the sweet scent of cake couldn’t be hidden anymore. It wafted around him, and Xie Ningwan couldn’t help but laugh.