Chapter 224 - Making Use of

The reporter choked and was caught off guard.

"Never mind. I already know the answer," Xiong Zhi continued indifferently. "To answer your question, I have no such relations with any of the names you have mentioned. I have my own thoughts regarding my marriage. Remember that." 

She then smoothly turned and continued down the red carpet gracefully.

Xiong Zhi silently clenched her fists. It seemed that from when she was titled as the official heir, Guan Gao Huan started moving fast as well. The Lu family's move might have put him on edge. After all, with all the good stuff bestowed on her, she became a truly good piece. She would not be surprised if one day, he suddenly came knocking outside her door. 

Xiong Zhi's mood suddenly turned sour simply thinking of that.

"Don't mind them. You know, paparazzi! They just want to hear a statement from you and make it sensational. The more you talk, the rowdier they will be," Song Xuantin comforted Xiong Zhi. Her mother was a famous actress while her father was a renowned director. As a child born from them, she naturally grew up knowing a lot of things when it comes to the media.

Xiong Zhi gently nodded at her, throwing the issue momentarily at the back of her mind. They have business to do. 

When they arrived at the entrance of the great hall, the door attendant immediately recognized Xiong Zhi. She was the talk of the society nowadays. Since she was the main family's Young Miss and the official heir of the Xiong Empire, she was straightaway given the VIP treatment although she did not have an invitation. 

She was not even asked to present it. 

Xiong Zhi was led to a seat at a table right in front of the platform. She coolly looked around. Normally, a person with such a high standing as herself would be welcomed instantly by the main host of the event, Xiong De. But since coming here, he was nowhere to be seen. He might be busy. 

"Goodness. I only see all the big shots in the industry," Song Xuantin leaned and murmured to Xiong Zhi. Xiong Zhi noticed it too. The CEO's of the big agencies were here. Their red stars a.k.a. 'money tree' were here as well. Xiong Zhi could also recognize some of the foreign investors behind several well-known media companies. 

Xiong Zhi's eyes sparkled. She came here for two purposes. First is to have fun with Xiong Wuyue, and the other was to grab this opportunity to use the available resources in this banquet. All the people she needed was painstakingly gathered here by her enemy. 

Xiong Zhi sarcastically mused to herself. It would be a pity not to use them and ignore such 'good will' of Xiong De. 

"Young Miss Zhi," Xiong Gaiyu greeted as she came to Xiong Zhi's table. She had just arrived. She was surprised to see Xiong Zhi's presence here.

"Good evening, cousin." Xiong Zhi nodded back at her.

"I'm surprised you attended this birthday party." 

Xiong Gaiyu could not believe that with Xiong Zhi's status now, she would lower herself to attend events like this. In the past, the Young Miss had never attended her relative's birthdays, just like how Master Xiong usually ignored their birthdays. Xiong Gaiyu thought that Xiong Zhi should actually be harder to invite now considering she had become the official heir.

"I have to support our family once in a while. Come sit with us," Xiong Zhi good-naturedly invited. She glanced behind Xiong Gaiyu's back. No one had escorted her or accompanied her. It seemed like no one in the second branch came here except her.

The Xiong family branches' relationsh.i.p.s were that shallow. Only the events held by the Xiong's main family could make them attend such parties unitedly. 

That was why, Xiong Gaiyu's attendance here despite this tacit yet unspoken 'habit' of the members of the Xiong family, showed how desperate she was. Every person here was a big shot in the industry she was in. It was clear to see that she came here for that purpose. She was quite brave, considering it was Xiong Wuyue's birthday party.

Xiong Zhi demurely sipped on her glass of juice. She would use this opportunity as well. She had to advertise these two, her future money trees, her would-be cash cows.

Xiong Gaiyu's surprised voice was not that loud, but the nearest tables still heard her. They shot a glance at Xiong Zhi's table and murmured among themselves in surprise. 

Afterwards, they stood up and approached her table.

Xiong Zhi inwardly thanked Xiong Gaiyu as she soundlessly put down her glass. 

"Young Miss Zhi, what a pleasant surprise to see you here! I have only seen you in the news, but you are even more beautiful in person." One of the big shots immediately wanted to curry favor with the famous official heir of the Xiong Empire. 

Xiong Zhi faintly smiled at him. It was time to play as a sociable person.

"You are surely jesting. I am honored to hear such praise from you. There is still one available seat on our table. Feel free to join us." Xiong Zhi pointed at the remaining unoccupied seat. The big shot sat on the offered seat like a bolt of lightning. He was afraid that the people behind his back would grab it from him. 

"My apologies, gentlemen. I would really like to invite you to join our table as well, but there is no seat anymore," Xiong Zhi regretfully smiled at the gentlemen crowding around their table.

"Oh—" But she appeared to have a sudden thought.

"If you are interested, why don't we put together our tables next to each other? I am sure the celebrant, my cousin, and uncle would not mind. Today is a happy day, worthy of celebration. It's a perfect day for us to get closer to each other," Xiong Zhi cunningly hid her sarcasm with a warm smile like spring breeze. She raised her hand, calling for the server to quickly do her bidding. 

*******

Xiong De was on the rooftop to welcome one of the big shots from the West. 

A mini plane came down the short runway on the massive platform on top of the building especially made for such purposes. A blonde haired foreigner came out. He was a handsome young man. He had a playful grin on and his deep blue eyes narrowed in a smile as he looked at Xiong De.

"Welcome to China. How's the travel?" Xiong De spoke in fluent English.

"Ugh. I hate jet lags. But for the Model of the Year, that suffering is nothing. Is she well?" The handsome young foreigner shook hands with Xiong De.

"Mr. William is very caring. My daughter is currently still preparing for her grand appearance for tonight. Is your father doing well? I heard about the news. I really do hope Mr. Grand is okay," Xiong De said with a trace of bitterness in his voice. 

William Grand. 

It was the name of the person in front of him. His target was actually the father, Hans Grand, the owner of the number one agency in the West. However, there were news that Mr. Hans Grand was suffering from kidney disease. Now, Mr. Hans Grand was still recuperating in the hospital. His only son, William Grand, was now the de facto leader managing the company. 

The Grand Agency was one of the agencies which held a massive influence in the voting for the Model of the Year. Considering that the birthday celebrant tonight was a hot figure in the modeling industry, they have to show their faces as support. Not only that, the Model of the Year was a person surnamed Xiong as well. This was why Xiong De was confident that either Hans Grand or William Grand would come here to give them face. 

Now all he needed to do was to form a long lasting connection with this young man.

William Grand was a cheerful, merry, and sociable person. He was a famous actor and a talented businessman. At the age of twenty-eight, he had already shown great success. He had completely surpassed his peers in terms of achievements.

"My father is recovering well. Thank you for your care. "

They chatted more as they went to the elevator and straight down to the main event place.

The party had not yet started and guests after guests were still coming.

A lively round of laughter from several people made the two men look in that direction. 

"...!"

Xiong De was stunned as he saw that right in front of the hosting platform, five tables were gathered together, and the biggest of the big shots he invited were all there. 

And right at the center, was the girl he totally did not want to see today.

'Why was she here?!'

"Oh, that looks fun over there. Maybe I can join them," the jolly man on his side spoke with enthusiasm and strode forward to the cl.u.s.ter of tables.

"...!"

Xiong De woke up from his stupor and ran to catch up with him. If this continued, this whole event would circle around the Young Miss Zhi instead of his own daughter.