Old Xiong was really befitting of his title as the Tiger Xiong. He was ferocious and his authority over the industry was strong and unwavering.
With a flick of his finger, the news that the Young Miss of Xiong's birthday was about to take place in the next few days.
The most important news was Master Xiong would personally attend the banquet. Not only that, but rumor has it that the Guan, Lu, and Tang family would come as well. This made the higher class people looked forward to that day. This year was really special as the four heads of legendary families who meet rarely would actually be gathered two times in a single year.
These people of course would take advantage of this opportunity.
As news traveled fast, in the Xiong Second Mansion, Xiong Wuyue was having fits.
Crash! Clang!
"Bitch! Bitch! Bitch! " Every furniture was broken in every curse.
"How dare you! Bitch! Stole! My! Limelight!" Xiong Wuyue's shrill voice resounded in the mansion.
"It supposed to be my birthday! Not yours! Not yours!" Xiong Wuyue crumped the magazines that featured Xiong Zhi's birthday instead of her.
Her birthday and Xiong Zhi were only days apart. They already leaked the news to the media abut Xiong Wuyue's birthday two weeks ago. This became a topic for a while. It featured and become the covers in the magazine. However, days after that, all media sites and magazines were all talking about the upcoming birthday of Xiong Zhi.
It was about the Xiong Main Mansion that everybody wants to take a look into and would finally be open in Xiong Zhi's birthday.
It was about the dresses that the heiress would wear on that special day.
It was all about the news that all the legendary families would gather at Young Miss of Xiong's birthday.
And that some of the future heir fo the family would also be there.
It was all about Xiong Zhi. Xiong Zhi. Xiong Zhi.
"Agghhh! Bitch! How dare you!" Xing Wuyue threw another furniture that she could take her hands on.
"My dear daughter! Wuyue'er!" Xiong De forcefully barged in. A lot of maids were wounded escaped the room. Finally, their savior was here.
"Wuyue'er, calm down."
"Father! Why! Why she was taking everything from me?! It would be my debut! My eighteen birthday! People 's attention should be all about me! Why! Why!" Xiong Wuyue cried.
Xiong De hugged his daughter. He decided that he would burn more money to buy the top search in some media outlets. It was hard to compete against Master Xiong. So Xiong De could not go all out. But at least he could buy some space for his own daughter. This was out of their expectations too.
Every year, he was cautious that his daughter's birthday would make the young miss of Xiong lose face. But as years passed, he became more certain that Old Xiong did not care about it. Or simply ignored this kind of action from them. The Young Mis's birthday was always kept in a low profile ever since. That's why he was confident that this year he could do what he always did. But this happened. Old Xiong made his move. And it was on his daughter's precious 18th year! This also made Xiong De gritted his teeth.
"She is taking everything away from me.."
Xiong Wuyue cried more.
"Shh..Wuyue'er." Xiong De felt pained that he could not do anything about it.
"I promise, your birthday would be grander than that girl. " Xiong De gave a promise. He then clenched his hand. He decided that he would never tell his daughter that they got an invitation to Xiong Zhi's birthday. For now, his daughter could only stay here.
*****
"Young Miss, you are truly beautiful. " A soft voice made Xiong Zhi woke up from her daze.
She looked at the beautiful woman in the mirror. She was wearing a red gown that was embedded with red genuine diamonds over her b.r.e.a.s.t area down to her waist and h.i.p.s. Her shoulder was bare and a set of royal blue sapphire necklaces and earrings adorned her. It complemented well with her red velvet gown. With her hair in updo style and light makeup that matched well her features, Xiong Zhi looked like a gorgeous woman who could trample any man. By her one mere look, she could seduce both man and women.
However, those eyes on the mirror were not happy at all seeing that beautiful appearance.
"Thank you. You did well." Xiong Zhi calmly praised the stylist.
The stylist seemed happy that she got complimented.
A man entered and checked up on her. He was startled at first but he quickly recovered and reported to Xiong Zhi.
"Young Miss, the visitors have already arrived. The refreshments are served already. In ten minutes, we will guide you to come down." The famous organizer said.
"Mhm." Xiong Zhi silently uttered.
The famous organizer observed the young girl for a while.
"Young Miss. A girl named Song Xuantin wanted to see you. Would you like to see her?" The famous organizer thought that this young girl was nervous as she did not smile and only maintain a serious face. He knew that with a comfort from a friend, their client would feel more comfortable.
But Xiong Zhi answered coldly.
"No need."
There was really no need. Xiong Zhi had not met any of them ever since she was excused in the class. She just sent a message and an invitation that her birthday would come. Since there would be people, Xiong Zhi decided to invited her friends as well.
Xiong Zhi reached out to her phone. She checked Linfeng's number. The emergency number. There was no reply or any message from Linfeng.
Xiong Zhi was feeling desolate inside. But she had no choice but to face this feeling and move forward. She just needs to endure. It was her birthday, but for her, it was the day of grieving.
The ten minutes easily passed and the famous organizer came forward to her again.
"They are ready for you, Young Miss."
Xiong Zhi stood up. There were people holding the hem of her gown. They lead her to the door.
"Young Miss, you just have to walk carefully on the stairs. Then -" The famous organizer explained things to her. Xiong Zhi was not really listening, they had already practiced it once two days ago. She just wanted to end this.
The door opened and the spotlight was instantly on her.
She saw a crowd of people below. They were all standing from their chairs. Their tables were segregated according to their status. And with the help of the organizer, Xiong Zhi's friends were on the second row, after the row of the legendary families.
Xiong Zhi did not look on the first row. She just looked at the second row. Song Xuantin and Gu Zhen were there. Surprisingly, Lu Yin Ze was there as well. This made Xiong Zhi a bit stunned. With Lu Yin Ze's status, his seat was on his grandfather's side.
Xiong Zhi was thankful that she had experienced the exposure from the play. Because of this, she was used to the spotlight and the eyes of the crowd following her. She had experienced that all her moves were watched closely. With this, she was not the same Xiong Zhi before who doesn't like the crowd or the watchful eyes observing her.
She slowly descended on the stairs. The music started to kick in. She could not really hear what the host was saying.
She tried to look up again and face this day with her chin held high, even she was feeling desolate and empty.
Then what she saw made her pleasantly surprised.
She saw Aunt Xiong Mai on the second row as well, opposite to the table of her friends. Uncle Nuen Zai was also on the table with her. He was holding the hands of a cute boy. Seeing that boy made Xiong Zhi's eyes lit up. It was her eight-year-old cousin Xiong Ryu! The cousin that she wanted to meet but couldn't meet in her last life.
This made Xiong Zhi's heart feel a bit better. She smiled at them. The people she held dearly was in the second row. This made her steps more lively. She would take a step and once in a while glance at them. Her eyes were only set on them. It would be lovely if Linfeng was here too.
"Our Young Miss Zhi is truly beautiful. If I am just born fifteen years earlier, I will be head over heels on you. What more of the young man here then?" A handsome man in his early thirties was holding a mic and made everyone laughed at his crude jokes. Xiong Zhi recognized him. He was the number one host in Asia that always hosted the Miss Universe pageants and World competitions. It looked like her grandfather really put an effort in this event.
"But it's not my time to shine here. Young Miss, all these people are here to see how you turn more beautiful in the passage of time. Can you grace our ears with your voice?" This light talk was carrying a happy tone making the visitors felt like they were watching a variety show. This was the talent of this man.
A wireless microphone was passed to her.
Everyone waited for her to speak.