Chapter 209 - Sealing all Paths

Xiong Zhi smiled at Xiong Emm. However, her smile was not warm at all.

If she had come here without the memories of the events from the past life, then she would not be able to defend against this man. Her second chance at life would most likely be futile.

"First cousin Emm-gege is really kind like the rumors said. I look forward to working with you as well." 

Xiong Emm was a bit caught off guard seeing how the Young Miss, known for her indifference, acted warmly with him all of the sudden. But he was quick to recover as his smile grew bigger. However, that smile did not last for long.

"But, you see, cousin, grandfather had told me before to be strong-hearted, and to have a strong will even when facing my own close kin. I would have to make sure that the Canada branch work smoothly. Especially, the proceeds sent to the main branch must have no issues. After all, business is business." Xiong Zhi's eyes seemed like they could see through all their secrets.

Xiong Emm inadvertently gulped. Even the nearby Xiong Bilan who listened to their conversation was a bit shaken. Does the Young Miss knew about it? 

The Canada branch only amounted to five prevent of the Xiong Empire. Still, it was already considerably big. However, the greedy Xiong Bilan was not satisfied with just that. How could he, with the measly five percent of the total Xiong Empire, have leverage enough to fight head-on with Xiong De, who owned eight percent of the total Xiong Empire? 

In the past, when Xiong De had managed to get Xiong Zhi's shares, getting hold of more than thirty percent of the Xiong Empire, Xiong Bilan who had gotten hold of more than fifteen percent that time had fought back very strongly. 

Though, Xiong Zhi had already expected that Xiong De would win, considering that Guan Gao Huan of the Guan family was behind him as support.

The answer to Xiong Bilan's inner question was easy.

There was always a monthly report which every branch, international or domestic, must regularly send to the main branch of the Xiong Empire. Of course, the proceeds was circulated accordingly as per the empire's management plans and projects. Still, each branch needed to report their own proceeds for the month, including the detailed expenditure, for internal review. This review would then determine how much would be the profits sent back to the branch as their dividends.

Xiong Bilan had doctored those reports and managed to embezzle huge amounts of money from the Xiong Empire every month. Of course, he was not the only one doing this—pretty much, quite a lot of the other branches were doing this as well. However, in the past life, Linfeng had investigated them deeply and reported to Xiong Zhi that not only the empire's money was embezzled, even some properties of the Xiong Empire were targeted. This made Xiong Zhi realize that the second branch, Xiong Bilan's branch, had long developed a deeply-rooted network in the Xiong Empire, considering that Old Xiong had not noticed the deception. Perhaps, the only reason why Linfeng had managed to discover all these was because these people had shed all pretenses after Old Xiong's death. 

Xiong Zhi decided to keep this card in her hand. For now, it was not time to use it yet.

Xiong De watched their reactions and his eyes flashed. He faintly understood that Xiong Bilan must have done something behind his back. He knew that his older brother was restless, moving in the dark to eat up other's shares. However, Xiong De was more surprised that this little girl actually seemed to know it. How did she know that? Did Old Xiong really acknowledge this little girl and gave her all their weaknesses?

Sensing the stare at her, Xiong Zhi turned to him.

Their eyes met. Xiong Zhi's eyes became colder.

Xiong Cai, Xiong Zhi's second uncle, interrupted and tried to curry favor.

"Aiya. My niece have truly grown into a beautiful woman. Both of my daughters could not match up to your beauty."

Xiong Cai's two daughters, Xiong Gaiyu and Xiong Hio both rolled their eyes. They were around the same age as Xiong Zhi, so they greeted her a bit impolitely but warmly.

Xiong Zhi did not have much bad impression on these two girls. In her last life, when the Xiong family was in a mess, Xiong Cai suffered great losses. He had only two percent but even that was lost. He had lost everything due to Xiong Emm's schemes.

The two girls at that time suffered too from Xiong Wuyue's attacks against them. Based on the news she had watched and from what she had heard from Linfeng, these two girls' career fell to the bottom. They were no longer able to enter both the entertainment industry and business industry. It was all Xiong Wuyue's doing.

Witnessing how Xiong Wuyue and Xiong Gaiyu interacted allowed Xiong Zhi to confirm that these girls did not get along well with Xiong Wuyue. With this, Xiong Zhi was more than happy to get to know them.

She smiled at them and did not mind their behavior.

"Thanks, uncle, and thanks, cousins. I am happy you came to celebrate my birthday with me."

"Of course. How could we miss that? Even though we've been busy in Europe, we would still prioritize our precious Young Miss," Xiong Cai expertly bootlicked Xiong Zhi.

Xiong Zhi did not really like this uncle. Before, she was treated like a mindless doll by him, ignoring her and even speaking unscrupulously in front of her. Yet now that she was titled as the family heir, he changed his attitude completely.

But Xiong Zhi decided to not show it. She was the heir now. She would take advantage of this man's bootlicking.

"I am happy you think so highly of me, uncle. I hope it will continue so in the future. You should know, I have a lot of hopes on you, uncle," Xiong Zhi said, smiling lightly.

"Of course, of course!" Xiong Cai was happy that he received a positive response from Xiong Zhi. He knew that this kid was still young. If he could not win by shares and money, he would try to use the kid and let her depend on him. He would wait until she depended on him completely and left everything about the empire to him. It might take time, but he would fully invest in this endeavor and become the mastermind of the empire. How great would that be?

Seeing that cunning smile, Xiong Zhi just inwardly sneered. Naïve.

"Mhm. Work hard, uncle." 'I am looking forward to using you.'

Xiong Zhi decided then that she would use this stupid uncle against the two sinister uncles before her.

Then, Xiong Zhi looked at Xiong Gaiyu.

"Big sis, I have heard of your achievements in the modeling industry. It is too bad though, with what happened with your fiance."

Xiong Gaiyu turned gloomy when she heard Xiong Zhi mention her fiance.

(A/n: Xiong Gaiyi was the girl mentioned in the banquet)

"Tsk. That bastard. Don't mention him. I am faring better by myself now."

Xiong Zhi held Xiong Gaiyu's hand.

Xiong Gaiyu paused, slightly surprised with the sudden intimate move.

"I know, big sis. That bastard doesn't deserve you at all. How could he cheat on you? You deserve someone better than him."

Xiong Gaiyu nodded. She deserved a better man.

Xiong Zhi was a bit stunned that Xiong Gaiyu took the words much lighter than in the past. 

What changed?

Nevertheless, this was a good opportunity.

"Big sis, I have heard that you are having a hard time in choosing your agency right now."

Xiong Gaiyu's face paled when Xiong Zhi mentioned that.

It was true. The modeling agency that she was working at was owned by that bastard's family. Her former boyfriend was an heir and belonged to a very wealthy family as well, although their family could not rival the great surname Xiong at all.

However, if Xiong Gaiyu left the agency, no modeling agency would take her. The very reason was Xiong Wuyue. Xiong Wuyue was hailed the Model of the Year. Her father, Xiong De, treated her like a precious gem, making the modeling industry become heaven for Xiong Wuyue.

They were both surnamed Xiong from the second branch, but the power that Xiong Cai and Xiong De held were very different in comparison.

If Xiong Cai fought against Xiong De, Xiong Cai would surely lose.

Besides, Xiong Gaiyu was not spoiled by her father, unlike how Xiong De spoiled Xiong Wuyue to the ninth heaven.

Xiong Cai treated her daughters like tools. They only needed to bring him benefits, not problems. Xiong Gaiyu knew that very well so she could not really resign from that agency.

Xiong Zhi knew the situation well. That was why she wanted to grasp it.

"I can't stand seeing big sis work under that cheating bastard's company. And I know you and Cousin Wuyu'er are not on good terms. So, big sis, let me help you. I plan to create an agency for you under my name. Under my company. How about that?"

In fact, Xiong Zhi already had the agency ready. Xiao Mei was managing it. But she worded it differently to get Xiong Gaiyu's gratitude. When someone was desperate and you reach out a helping hand with much effort, they would see you in a different light.

Xiong Zhi wanted Xiong Gaiyu to be thankful to her and the agency so she could work harder for IHZHI.

Xiong Gaiyu was dazed.

An agency for her?

'Would she really do that…for me? Why?'

Xiong Gaiyu could not help but be suspicious about it. She was a Xiong after all. She knew how business worked for the Xiong's.

"Why..?" she asked.

Xiong Zhi smiled. Honestly, her jaw had been aching a lot now from smiling too much today.

"Because I believe in big sister's talent. If you want to reach to a higher level than you are in right now, without that bastard's help, then I will make a path for you." Even though her smile was not sincere, her words were true.

Xiong Zhi believed in Xiong Gaiyu's talent. If Xiong Wuyue did not use Xiong De's influence, Xiong Gaiyu might have owned the title of the Model of the Year instead. Xiong Zhi had seen her photos, Xiong Gaiyu was really great.

Since this money tree was bound to waste in a few years, why not pick it up now and let it grow?

Xiong Wuyue would surely scream in agony, once an enemy she could not take down steal that crown from her.

And Xiong Zhi looked forward to that.