Chapter 40
Xu Yutang hadn’t anticipated this outcome. She froze, instinctively wanting to apologize, but her words sounded more like a sarcastic jab: “Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose, the glass slipped…”
Xia Wansheng had stepped back; otherwise, according to her plan, she would be the one with the drenched hair, playing the victim. How had she ended up in this awkward situation?
As soon as she spoke, she felt the onlookers’ gazes turn wary, the circle around them widening.
Not only did she dare to spill the drink, but she was also shifting the blame. It was better to stay away from her for safety.
“Who is she? I remember she’s CEO Li’s new companion, does she have some powerful backer? How dare she cause trouble at the Yu family dinner?”
“Exactly, even if Xia Wansheng doesn’t mind, the Yu family won’t let this go, otherwise anyone could step on them in the future!”
The surrounding people whispered, carefully concealing their words, not daring to voice their speculations.
Xia Wansheng, however, remained expressionless, seemingly indifferent.
He ignored her words, placing his champagne glass down, feeling a chill from the wet patch on his chest.
This was an 88,000-yuan handmade Italian shirt.
He had donated all his money, given the cash to the original owner’s parents, intending to sue them for extortion, and he hadn’t accepted any new engagements yet.
He couldn’t afford to compensate for this.
Although he could easily ask Yu Congyan for the money, even the twenty million from earlier, now that Yu Congyan was occupied with a business partner, this was his chance to make a reasonable exit.
Xia Wansheng patted Xu Yutang’s shoulder, pleased with the situation.
Xu Yutang had been prepared for trouble, but Xia Wansheng didn’t seem to mind.
He calmly picked up an ornate dinner knife, ceremoniously wiping it with a silk napkin, leaving a faint mark.
The onlookers didn’t realize what he was doing, just watching him silently, wondering what he was planning.
Yu Congyan had finally managed to escape the chatty client, sensing something was wrong with the crowd gathered over there.
As he approached, the crowd parted like the Red Sea, his unease intensifying.
He had come to this family dinner to prepare for the upcoming division of assets and secure his interests for the second half of the year.
His unease had deepened when Xia Wansheng faced the earlier dilemma. He hadn’t shown any concern about the amount of money, even donating it all in his name without keeping any for himself.
It was as if Xia Wansheng was playing a hyperrealistic game, money was irrelevant, if he couldn’t survive, he could just log off.
Yu Congyan finally realized Xia Wansheng was like an NPC who could disappear at any moment. He hadn’t formed any attachments in this world, so he didn’t care about anything.
Before the knife, concealed in the napkin, could touch his neck, Xia Wansheng closed his eyes.
A true worker never looks back at the explosion.
Then, wary of Yu Aotian suddenly appearing like he had some sixth sense, Xia Wansheng discreetly opened one eye, only relaxing after confirming he wasn’t there.
A second later, he was tackled to the ground.
“Oof!” Xia Wansheng felt his tailbone hit the soft carpet, instinctively trying to get up, but a strong force pinned him down.
What was happening?
He opened his eyes to see Yu Congyan holding him down, his expression filled with a level of panic he had never seen before.
He had almost been too late.
Yu Congyan’s grip on his wrist was firm, gently but forcefully prying his right hand open.
He slowly applied pressure until their fingers interlocked, filling the space between them, forcing Xia Wansheng to release the knife.
The silver knife, wrapped in silk, fell onto the carpet with a soft thud.
“How did you…” Xia Wansheng was caught off guard.
He instinctively wanted to get up, this wasn’t a proper position for them to be in, pinned down on the floor, their fingers interlocked.
Yu Aotian had never been this discomposed in the original book, except when he was framed at the end. He was always calm and decisive, as if he would never fail, never encounter unexpected situations.
His heart was pounding now.
The adrenaline rush subsided, and he realized he was safe, but his body hadn’t recovered from the tension.
“Sorry… did I scare you?” Xia Wansheng wondered how Yu Congyan had seen him, he had made sure he wasn’t around.
He tried to create some distance between them, but Yu Congyan didn’t let go.
He closed his eyes, suppressing the emotions that had surged through him, then pulled Xia Wansheng up by the wrist, patting the dust off him.
Turning to shield Xia Wansheng, he regained his usual, composed demeanor, expertly handling this unexpected incident.
Xia Wansheng rubbed his wrist, the lingering sensation of their interlocked fingers still on his skin. The grip had been firm, yet gentle enough not to leave any marks.
Xu Yutang was trembling, clutching the table for support.
She hadn’t realized what had happened, instinctively wanting to run, but knowing that if CEO Li found out, she would be discarded.
She had brought this upon herself, her repeated arrogance and scheming had worked before, but now she was cornered.
“I just accidentally spilled some champagne, I didn’t do it on purpose, I can compensate you for the shirt!” Xu Yutang panicked, dropping her glass, which rolled across the floor between her and Yu Congyan.
“You should be grateful I was here,” Yu Congyan’s voice was hoarse, he had never moved so quickly before, it was purely instinctive.
“Your past actions with CEO Li have been overlooked, let’s settle the score today.” He adjusted his cuffs, his voice and expression returning to their usual indifference.
These words were practically a ban from the industry for both Xu Yutang and CEO Li.
“Just because I spilled some champagne?! I said I could compensate, why are you pushing me?!” Xu Yutang tried to argue, but she knew it was futile.
Why was she so unlucky today?!
Xu Yutang, unable to stand any longer, her legs giving way, was about to kneel. Even if she couldn’t resolve the situation, she could at least turn public opinion against Yu Congyan.
But before her knees could touch the ground, she was grabbed by her friend.
Xu Yutang struggled to break free, she had no way out, if she couldn’t turn public opinion against Yu Congyan, her future was ruined.
Her friend, pushing her away, disregarding their past friendship, urgently warned: “Stop acting, Chairman Yu knows everything!”
A waiter had informed Old Man Yu of the incident. Having just been outsmarted by Xia Wansheng, he was naturally paying close attention.
Someone had already briefed him on the situation.
Xu Yutang’s tactics were well-known among those who frequented these banquets, but Xia Wansheng’s subsequent reaction was unusual. It seemed like an attempt to prove his innocence, but not directed at anyone present.
Old Man Yu tapped his cane lightly on the floor, sensing a deeper meaning.
Since Xia Wansheng’s actions weren’t for anyone present, it was likely for someone who wasn’t there.
“Investigate Yu Xuan’s recent activities, focus on those old foxes in his faction, see if there are any unusual financial movements.” Old Man Yu instructed.
“The weather is changing…”
He hadn’t approached the main group, but everyone knew the host had already grasped the situation.
CEO Li, still oblivious, flirting with other women, didn’t know his title would soon be gone.
Seeing Xu Yutang being taken away by security, the others returned to their seats, no longer daring to watch the drama unfold.
After checking that Xia Wansheng wasn’t injured, Yu Congyan finally relaxed.
He wanted to say something to Xia Wansheng, but he didn’t know where to start, and the banquet wasn’t a suitable place for a conversation.
“I asked Aunt Liu to make stir-fried lamb with scallions for dinner.” Yu Congyan hesitated, then finally said this.
Xia Wansheng had tried cooking this dish before, he must have liked it.
After the banquet, the waiters led Xia Wansheng to a private room where Old Man Yu was waiting, sitting upright.
He no longer looked at Xia Wansheng with disdain, but with the competitive spirit of a worthy opponent.
“Did you anticipate what would happen today?” Chairman Yu asked, stroking his cane.
He had already instructed someone to investigate Xia Wansheng, but there were no apparent flaws, all information pointing towards him being opportunistic, deliberately approaching the Yu family.
But Xia Wansheng’s actions just now didn’t match his apparent identity, yet it was the best solution to the situation.
Not only did it prevent further tension between Chairman Yu and Yu Congyan, but it also gave Yu Congyan the upper hand in public opinion, while Xia Wansheng maintained his current position.
“How could I have anticipated it? You must have made a spontaneous decision as well.” Xia Wansheng said.
This wasn’t in the original book. He assumed the offer of twenty million wasn’t genuine, just a test of his character.
So he had quickly donated the money, lest the offer be retracted. It might even be counted as a loan from the Yu family to Yu Congyan later.
It was better to donate it, making them feel the pinch while earning Yu Aotian a good reputation.
“You said you were leaving soon, what did you mean by that?” Chairman Yu moved on from the previous question, focusing on this instead.
Could it be that Xia Wansheng had some terminal illness, hence his reckless behavior?
“I’m afraid I can’t reveal that, you’ll know when the time comes.” Xia Wansheng didn’t explain, knowing it would be futile.
“So what did you call me here for? It can’t be just for casual conversation.” Xia Wansheng leaned forward, his tone unusually firm,
“If you’re still trying to get me to leave Yu Congyan, I suggest you retire and enjoy your life, I’m not leaving.”
No one could stop him from completing his mission, not even his boss’s boss.
