Chapter 1009 - Having One Is Better Than Having None.

Li Xue smiled. Of course, she understood what the man actually meant with those words. 

Announcing oneself as Mrs. Feng might sound simple on the surface, but what Feng Shufen meant was not something simple. His tone and his words were to let Li Xue know that the title was not an easy one. That the title alone has the power that she needs to rule in the future. And his caress that came along those words meant the assurance that no matter what, in the end, he would always be there for her. 

"Don't worry. I won't disappoint you, hubby." She said before turning to look at the clock with a sigh. "For now, I guess it's time for a good night sleep. Are you coming with me?" She asked, pressing her lips like a demanding wife who won't be taking no as an answer. 

Feng Shufen looked at his remaining paperwork and was about to ask for some more time. But as if Li Xue has guessed his thoughts prior, before he could request anything, she interrupted taking a deep breath and climbing down the desk. "That was enough for the day. Leave the rest for tomorrow." She said before pulling him out of the study along. 

*** 

A few days passed by. Though many things were going on in the Feng family and everyone was aware of it, none could go and ask Shufen about his attitude. Every other day, they would meet together to discuss things regarding the matter but however they thought, they just wouldn't find a way to pressurize Feng Shufen according to their wishes. 

"Why is it so tough? Isn't he just a young man? We are a generation older than him; can't he give us some face?" A middle-aged man who seemed to be from the age group of Feng Yu Hao said. In his voice, there was both helplessness and anger which he knew he would never be able to vent out. 

While he looked helplessly agitated, others were no different. "You think with the excuse of our greater age we can compete with him. His capability and achievement are much greater than the count of years we have lived in this world. Don't be too superficial otherwise, the face with which we are living off well in Chiboa will also be gone". 

"Yeah, we can't do anything too reckless otherwise other than ruining our image, we would also be considered to be his enemy. And becoming his enemy would serve us no good." 

"But we can't let this opportunity slide off as well. Zhang Xiaotong would bring us the fortune which none other would. In any way, we have to help her. And if we help her today, then tomorrow I am sure she would definitely put us in a good position."

"A way to help her? Huh? Do you think it's easy?" 

People were once again silent. Definitely, there was no way. Though everyone was rooting for Zhang Xiaotong on the surface as well as in their heart, none held the courage to ask Shufen to give her the chance. 

Though everyone in heart rejected the idea of Li Xue, they didn't hold the ability or the position to show their opinions regarding Shufen's relationship on his face. They could think of standing with the masses, but rebelling alone against Feng Shufen wasn't easy. 

But then suddenly someone from the corner of the room said, raising hope in everyone's heart. "In the present situation, I think there is only one way." Almost every pair of eyes turned to look at him expectantly, waiting to hear him say his plan. No matter what it was, everyone seemed to have already agreed to it. 

"Having one is better than having none. Tell us what it is about and we will all support." One said and the others nodded positively to it. 

The person who was having the thought in his head pondered moreover his suggestion before bringing it on. "Let's invite Ms. Zhang to our gathering. Feng Shufen would be coming there as well and with the patriarch around, he wouldn't be able to ignore our words." 

He said and the others stared at each other with some doubt. 

"Haven't we planned that gathering just within the family? Would it be good to invite an outsider there?" 

"Old Feng might not find it good if we invite an outsider without asking him." 

People brought out their concerns one after the other but just one assumption of the future was enough to silence everybody. "Sooner or later Zhang Xiaotong would be getting included in the Feng family so she shouldn't be considered totally an outsider. Given her capabilities and achievements, I am sure Old Feng would like her more." 

He said and others couldn't refute that. After all, with their drawn information, all of them knew that the girl was groomed up in the best facilities just to match the side of Feng Shufen. 

"If that's the only way to help the girl then we shouldn't think twice. Even if there is a risk, there is also the chance of success. Let's take the bait and see." They said and soon one of them went to make the call of invitation. 

*** 

At the same time at Zhang mansion, 

It was Zhan Qian Lan who received the call. Though the invitation to attend Feng's gathering was quite enticing given she knew that it was a rare chance, still she felt a bit doubtful in the heart. Keeping the doubts within, her voice came with mild skepticism, "I got your thoughts but I am not sure. Let's me check with Xiaotong and see if she wants to visit or not." She said before disconnecting the line.

Right at that moment, Zhang Xiaotong came down ready to leave the mansion again for the day. "Ma, I heard someone from the Feng family called for me. Did you attend that call on my stance?" 

Zhang Qian Lan looked at her daughter and nodded. She had something to say to her daughter but seeing her smile, she paused in her thoughts. 

"What did they say? Was that about Brother FenFen?" 

"…" 

"Ma?" When found her mother not saying anything, Zhang Xiaotong asked again, snapping her out from her trance. "What did they say?" 

Zhang Qian Lan simply shook her head. "It's nothing important. They were asking you to come to their family gathering next week. But I would refuse them later. Don't worry about it." 

"Why are you going to refuse it, Ma?" Hearing her mother say that, Zhang Xiaotong asked with a frown. "Going to that gathering would give me a chance to meet Brother FenFen. There is no way, I am going to miss it." 

"Xiaotong, your father has entrusted you with an important project and next weekend you have to meet the clients. Don't say you are not going for it just to attend that gathering?" Zhang Qian Lan said. She would never accept that her daughter was ignorant towards her work. "Xiaotong, don't test my patience. You are not going there and that's final. Do you get it?" 

She said and her words meant an order which she would never like seeing someone, especially her daughter defying.