"I understand, you all go back to work first," Fan Xia said calmly, already guessing Rong Yan's purpose for coming.
Before her imprisonment, she was still in her prime, about to inherit billions in assets as the heir. After her release, her power had been stripped away, and she had no foothold in the group anymore.
Of course she had to make a scene, take a gamble, and try to squeeze back into the center of power at Shanhai Group.
"I am mother's daughter, the rightful heir to Shanhai Group. How dare you continue sitting in this position!"
"This group was built by my mother and grandmother over two generations. A man usurping it for three years should be enough for you. How dare you dilute my shares while I'm not in the company and kick me out of the board of directors behind father's back. Father says he doesn't recognize you as his son!"
"Look at your current state, always drinking at one banquet after another. Is this what a man should be doing? Where has your upbringing gone? Ruining our Rong family's reputation, mother won't be able to rest in peace!"
Fan Xia placed the hot milk on the table, listening to the constant arguments coming from inside the office, or more accurately, Rong Yan's monologue. She hadn't heard a single word from Rong Xiu.
Fan Xia could almost guess Rong Xiu's expression at this moment - contemptuous and arrogant, head lowered carelessly adjusting his cuffs, facing Rong Yan's rage without a hint of emotional fluctuation, not even bothering to give her a glance, making Rong Yan seem like she was raging impotently.
Just as Fan Xia thought this farce would end with Rong Xiu's cold treatment, a piercing sound of glass breaking came from the office. The verbal confrontation was about to escalate into violence, and Rong Xiu, being a man, was no match for Rong Yan.
Fan Xia immediately rushed in. The expensive Persian carpet was covered with shards of broken glass. Rong Yan was holding half a wine glass, her expression agitated.
Rong Xiu remained motionless, his eyes calm, not frightened by her extreme behavior.
But the broken bottle in Rong Yan's hand was still a threat.
Without thinking, Fan Xia stepped forward and, drawing on her years of experience living in an orphanage, swiftly restrained Rong Yan's arm.
"It hurts, it hurts! Let go!" Rong Yan cried out in pain. Although she was a woman, Rong Yan had been a pampered young lady since childhood. Even her life in prison had been made comfortable by people taking care of things for her. She had no strength to resist.
Fan Xia didn't listen to Rong Yan, but instead looked towards Rong Xiu.
Rong Xiu was also looking at her. Their gazes met again, but this time Rong Xiu didn't avoid it. His thin, pale lips even curved into a rare smile, the small wine-red mole under his long, narrow eyes displaying a seductiveness completely contrary to his usual ascetic demeanor.
"Fan Xia, let her go," Rong Xiu said calmly.
Fan Xia released her hold. Rong Yan rubbed her arm that was almost broken and glared fiercely at her.
Rong Xiu stood up unhurriedly, stepping in front of Fan Xia. His wrinkled white shirt and messy hair didn't diminish his aura one bit. Instead, it added a touch of earthiness that he usually lacked.
He lowered his gaze and looked at Rong Yan silently for a moment, his voice distant: "You should leave. I won't hold this against you."
Rong Yan was filled with resentment: "Why? This group originally belonged to me."
"Because I'm now the largest shareholder of the group. If you have the ability, come and fight me for it," Rong Xiu said, his narrow eyes filled with indescribable contempt.
"You— Father, he—" Rong Yan said through gritted teeth.
Rong Xiu glanced at her arrogantly: "Oh, by the way, don't think about using father to pressure me. It's better if he doesn't recognize me. I'll take the opportunity to kick him out of the board of directors too."
"Fine, fine, for money you've become completely heartless," Rong Yan, with no more tricks up her sleeve, could only vent a few more words before leaving the office. As she left, she didn't forget to bump into Fan Xia hard, taking the opportunity for revenge.
"Are you alright?" Rong Xiu stared at Fan Xia's shoulder that had just been bumped by Rong Yan, his voice sounding as if something was gripping it.
"I'm fine," Fan Xia smiled slightly and handed the hot milk to Rong Xiu. "Drink some hot milk to ease your hangover."
Wisps of steam rose from the paper cup, the mellow aroma of milk spreading throughout the office, dispelling the originally pungent smell of alcohol. The milky white liquid swayed slightly in her hand, her long fingertips becoming even more rosy from the heat conducted by the paper cup.
Rong Xiu's eyes moved slightly, his tightly closed thin lips almost biting his tongue: "Did you buy this especially for me?"
Fan Xia nodded slightly, her eyes smiling silently.
Rong Xiu's mind trembled, an unidentified sweetness almost making him dizzy.
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