Chapter 260 - Discern Rocks From Gems

"I heard things about you from Madam Xi. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier." Offering a polite smile, Ruby Xi focused her attention to Ezekiel Tang which made Lucas Xi and Zoey nod in enlightenment. 

"So Mr. Tang is Aunty's guest? I'm sorry, I didn't know." Changing his behavior, Lucas Xi put up his fakest smile as he wondered why Vivian Xi hung around with people like them. 

After all, considering Vivian Xi's personality, she wouldn't socialize with ill-mannered people. Still, whatever reason Vivian Xi has, Lucas Xi didn't care as he just needed to play safe. 

With their change of behavior, Ezekiel Tang glanced at Zoey in triumph. His ego grew bigger in an instant as he scanned the eyes that carried curiosity why he was being treated kindly by the Xi cousin. 

First, Enzo Li introduced him to good-for-nothing young masters. Despite the fact that they're good-for-nothings, their family status was still above him. 

Therefore, Ezekiel Tang thought it wasn't that bad and just believed Enzo Li wasn't just close with those remarkable men. But now, with Ruby Xi and Lucas Xi treating him especially kind, Ezekiel Tang envisioned his bright future. 

Good thing Olivia Tang was sharp and alert. She was able to befriend Vivian Xi, now they're all benefiting. Just one word that he was a guest of Vivian Xi, their attitude towards him changed completely. 

"So, this Miss Zhou... I'll assume he's not your fiancee?" Since Zoey was within this unexpected circle, Ruby Xi raised her brows briefly. 

"Haha, no." Chuckling, Ezekiel Tang shook his head sideways. "But we had a history together." He added, the side of his lips curled as he made sure everyone around would hear him. 

"But that's all in the past." Glancing at Zoey's unchanging front, Ezekiel Tang beamed her a smile before shifting his eyes to Ruby Xi who was secretly displeased at this man's guts. 

One thing that Ruby Xi despised the most was men who thought they were higher than women. Hence, although she wasn't friends with Zoey, she didn't like how Ezekiel Tang purposely tried to make the woman uncomfortable. 

"That's right. It's all in the past, back when I was naive and was unable to discern rocks from gems." After a second of studying everyone's expressions, Zoey chuckled as she was more than willing to humor Ezekiel Tang. 

Heck. He was trying to give her a bad impression in front of her in-laws. Didn't he do his research on their likes and dislikes? 

At the very least, Zoey did her own research on the do's and don'ts with Matthew Xi's help. Therefore, seeing how Ezekiel Tang thought he was humiliating her, Zoey was disappointed. 

Disappointed at the fact that she cried gold for this guy in the past. What a waste of tears! Truly, Zoey didn't have standards to follow in the past for falling for such a person who was unaware of etiquette and decency. 

When Zoey dropped her rebut, Lucas Xi whistled faintly as the corner of his lips curled into an amused smile. 'Good argument.' He complimented inwardly. 

"Haha! I like you!" Unlike the silent agreement Ruby and Lucas Xi had in mind, Iris Xu spoke her mind like usual. 

Staring at Zoey in admiration, she grinned. Her smile could brighten the gloomy world as if she was an angel descended to make the world peaceful. "Your surname is Zhou?" She asked, ignoring Ezekiel Tang as she has no time to compliment a trash despite having the good graces of Vivian Xi. 

"Yes, Miss Xu. My surname is Zhou, Zhou Zoey of Z Image Group." Glad that Iris Xu was just like what Enzo Li described her, Zoey smiled as she introduced herself properly. 

Since Iris Xu was a superstar produced by Ruby Xi, Zoey knew a bit more of her than Lucas and Ruby Xi. With the help of her odd friendship with Enzo Li, Zoey felt she already knew what kind of person Iris Xu was. 

"Z Image... I think I heard that somewhere..." Knitting her brows, Iris Xu rubbed her chin lightly as she pondered where she had heard that company. 

"Ah!" After a second, Iris Xu's eyes lit up upon recalling when and where she heard that company. "You're friends with Li?" Raising her almond shaped eyes towards Zoey, Iris Xu smiled in excitement. 

"I don't think he calls it friendship." Chuckling, Zoey stated honestly because Enzo Li often told people they were not friends. Hence, Zoey also didn't claim they were, despite their relationship together being more or less like that. 

"Hehe. He must like you that's why." Iris Xu chuckled, shaking her head as she bluntly exposed Enzo Li. 

"Haha. He must be." Chiming in, Lucas Xi backed up Iris Xi's words as he chuckled. "Too bad, Miss Zhou is already married." He added, shaking his head as he pitied the poor Enzo Li. 

Well, Lucas Xi was quite close to Enzo Li. Therefore, he knew his antics as much as Iris Xi knew Enzo Li. 

"Haha. No, I think there's a misunderstanding here." Although Zoey shared a few chuckles with them, she denied as she couldn't imagine Enzo Li having romantic feelings for her. 

After all, Zoey was sharp whenever someone bore romantic interest in her. Still, there was an exception like Enzo Li. Zoey still hadn't figured out that man's wants as he was messier than her own mess. 

As the two continued to tease Zoey, Ruby Xi turned to Ezekiel Tang and smiled. "Mr. Tang, come on. I'll introduce you to the people I know. Aunty Xi will arrive soon." Ignoring Zoey and her two cousins, Ruby Xi offered out of good will, thinking she was reducing Vivian Xi's duties tonight if she introduced Ezekiel Tang to potential business partners. 

With that being said, Ruby Xi and Ezekiel Tang didn't even excuse themselves as they headed towards a group of men that Lucas Xi had neglected just to flirt. 

As Ruby Xi led the way, Ezekiel Tang cast Zoey one last glance who at the same time glanced up to him. The corner of his lips curled into a smirk while Zoey rolled her eyes. 

'I don't wish for his misfortune, but he's trying to dig a grave for himself..' Zoey commented internally, as Ezekiel Tang's personality wouldn't last long before the people he was about to join because he didn't do his research.