Chapter 57 - The Banquet IV

Xiong Zhi bowed to Old Xiong and offered the tea.

Old Xiong's heart quivered at her speech. He was very moved. He accepted the tea, and gave his own short speech.

"May all of us cheers to the future glory of the Xiong empire!"

As he drank his own, the elders also drank their's. Then the banquet continued.

The elders praised Xiong Zhi endlessly. Saying how intelligent she is, how humble she is, how talented, and how they were moved by her performance and speech.

After the elders, the Zhou family who were present gave their sincere thanks to her, even Mr. Zhou voiced out his deep gratefulness to Xiong Zhi.

While giving out a simple smile to them, Xiong Zhi caught sight of the infuriated Wuyue.

She was glaring daggers at her and her fist was curled.

Seeing her, Xiong Zhi did not forget to give her thanks to her as she was the one who introduced her to the stage and acted out her play. So now, it looked like Xiong Wuyue helped her to be basked in glory.

"My big cousin sister. Your dance earlier is magnificent. You moved the hearts of all men. No doubt, it shows how you worked hard for the guest to be entertained." Xiong Zhi's words were praises but to Wuyue it was full of mockery. Xiong Zhi's eyes were full of contempt unlike her words that cool and sound sincere.

This made her angry more.

"Is your feet fine? You jumped high. You must call a doctor to check it." Xiong Zhi said with a concern in her voice.

To outsider she looked like a little cousin who was worried to her big cousin.

But Wuyue knew more than this. This girl was mocking her!

' Is she telling me that my effort were all in vain?! That my practice for two months, the pain I endured that time were all for nothing! Hateful! Hateful! How my incredible dance lost against your petty song!?! '

But she could not voice it out. She held herself back with all the strength she could. She bit her mouth until blood flow out.

She recovered and smiled awkwardly. Bit by bit with difficulty, she praised Xiong Zhi.

"Little cousin was joking, my.. .my dance...is not....comparable to yours....what magnificent music..."

' Arghhh!! Hateful!! I'm gonna kill you!!! You bitch dared to let me say those words!!! '

Xiong Zhi smiled. It was a genuine smile. She could see how Wuyue having difficulty of speaking. Knowing the attitude of the girl, she must be exploding inside, cursing her a hundred times. Seeing her enduring the shame, Xiong Zhi was happy. But not enough, not enough for her thirst...

' It was just a refreshment, the main dish haven't served yet ...little by little...I let you taste....your own medicine. '

For now, the father and daughter duo goal today was to leave a good impression and gained the favor of the share holders (elders) and Old Xiong, so in the future they could convince them to side at Xiong De to be the the heir of the Xiong Empire and to Wuyue to become the young miss of Xiong. To show them the good for nothing Xiong Zhi out of the picture.

But today's performance of Xiong Zhi, she just not let them see how deserving she is to be the young miss, she also gained the favor of the elders and moved the stone heart of the Old Xiong.

It was a win battle for her and a huge loss to them.

Xiong Wuyue excused herself and went back to his father. They need to scheme again.

While Xiong Zhi went back to her seat, Linfeng walked to her side and stared at her.

He was about to say his thanks when a clapped sounded. An old voice echoed.

"She is truly a genius as you said, Old Xiong. It's good I travelled here to take a look on her." All the guest looked at the back where the old man stand up from his seat and walked in front. Some people were following him behind.

Their interest were picked because this old man called the owner of Xiong Empire as Old Xiong only. With his causal attitude and simple greeting they guessed his identity was spectacular and might be equal to the Old Xiong. But who he is?

The Old Xiong snorted when he heard the voice, without looking to the other party who were approaching them, he asked.

"When did you arrived? Did you arrived late again? You might thought your the honored guests to arrived late."

"Haha. Your still a cold and bitter person ha'? I arrived here when some sparrow were dancing on the stage."

When the audience heard it, the girls snickered. A sparrow? Is Wuyue playing as a phoenix ? It was clearly an insult!

Xiong Wuyue at the side was in furry. Who was this old man!? How dare him to call her a sparrow!

But then she stopped when she remembered something.

' Is he...? '

Her father at the side glanced at her. They shared a look. A knowing look. Looked like there scheme B would be put to play.

When the other party was in front. Xiong Zhi take a look at them. When he saw the old man she felt he was familiar. Like she saw him on the past.

The old man looked at Xiong Zhi and smiled warmly at her. He was very interested and favored this child when he watched and listened to her speech earlier. She was truly a genius. But he remembered something. The deal. He sighed , what a pity.

"Old Xiong, I should not have agreed to your deal. Now it is my lost. And I'm also afraid I might lose two billion to you. Tsk. Tsk."

Old Xiong just laughed. Of course he was happy as this old man was complementing his kin.

"But, I will not give up. There still time." The old man said looking at Xiong Zhi.

Xiong Zhi doesn't know what they're talking about. She was still thinking were she met the old man. Then an image appeared in her mind.

But that old man had a long beard, deep eye socket, and unhealthy unlike this lively old man in front of her. And if he was that old man then.....

Xiong Zhi's heart skipped a beat. She was afraid to looked behind the old man.

But unfortunately the old man had plans.

"Well, you're not the only one who has a genius kin. Meet my grandson, Guan Gao Huan."

Guan Gao Huan step out from behind. His dark brown hair shined as the light of the lantern reflected on it. His golden eyes were sharp, warm and could make your heart skipped a beat. He wear a genuine smile that made all the woman swoon and the gentleman to be comforted. His stall stature bowed to the Old Xiong. He greeted the Old Xiong and the elders.

Xiong Zhi at the side could not listen what he said or what elders said when they greeted him back.

Her world stopped for a moment, no sound could be heard. Like a slow motion her frightened gaze focused on him. He slowly turned his head to her. His smile that made her frightened stiff bloomed as the corner of his mouth curled up more. For the outsider, it was a breathtaking smile but for her, who knew him and live with him for three years know what his smile meant. It was the smile of the devil.

He stared at her.

And she was frozen in place.

She did not even felt that she was shivering cold.

The only thing she could think was,

'The beast is here' .