Chapter 228 - Xiong Zhi's Gift

On the platform, Xiong Wuyue just received the gift from the final well-wishers. The segment for gift-giving was finally about to end.

"What precious gifts! Young Miss, you are so lucky to have received such wonderful and heartfelt gifts," the host congratulated with Xiong Wuyue. Their combination on stage were both light-hearted and soft.

Xiong Wuyue laughed. "I am truly thankful. Don't worry, aunties and uncles, your gifts are on good hands. I don't plan to just use them for myself." Her answer made the guests clap in appreciation.

"Now, this will end with-"

"Not yet." A cool voice of a woman right in front of them made the host stop in his words. 

All people inside the banquet turned to the source of the voice.

A stunning woman in her silvery white dress stood in front of the platform, the shining lights made her appear glowing. Her small and delicate face was captivating, while the faint smile on her calm face made her seem charming and untouchable at the same time.

A lone flower on top of the mountain peak.

That was the impression that came to everyone's minds.

Amidst the low background music, only the gentle tapping of her heels as she walked in front of the platform rang inside the hall.

Everyone present recognized the beautiful young woman immediately.

The host's eyes sparkled. 

He certainly knew the lady in front of them, since she was the talk of the town and the subject of envy of everyone in the high society nowadays. The official heiress of the Xiong family and the favored person of several legendary families.

"Oh my, It's Young Miss Xiong Zhi! What an honor to have you here! Would you like to speak some words to our dear celebrant?" This was not in the script, but with her status in the Xiong family, the host knew that this girl was absolutely important. Doing this should bring a lot of advantages to Xiong Wuyue, and to him as well, as the host of this party. 

So he did not hesitate and welcomed her immediately, giving her some spotlight.

Xiong Wuyue, whose face had paled the moment she saw Xiong Zhi appear in front of her, glared at the host. Unfortunately, the host did not see it as his flattering eyes were glued to Xiong Zhi.

Naturally, Xiong Zhi noticed it. Her eyes had remained fixed on Xiong Wuyue, never leaving her out of sight. Her faint smile became a bit more apparent.

"That's a nice offer. I just want to give my especially prepared gift to my dear, lovely cousin 'personally'. After all, I truly want my cousin to feel my sincerity," Xiong Zhi answered gracefully. Her eyes were still glued at Xiong Wuyue. 

Xiong Wuyue had not noticed that she had already stood up from her seat and was glaring at Xiong Zhi. 

"Oh? Maybe, cousin does not really want me to be here? After all, I did not receive any invitation from you. Is that why you are glaring at me, because I'm not invited?" Xiong Zhi asked in a faintly hurt yet still 'acting innocent' voice, while she frowned very faintly, as if wondering.

The host was stunned by her words. He turned to look at Xiong Wuyue.

Xiong Wuyue immediately closed her eyes. She could not have an outburst here. She forcefully calmed herself, and finally opened her eyes. Her fingers were imperceptibly shaking, but she laughed and talked in a light tone to cover up her momentary awkwardness.

"Cousin! You're here! I am so, so~ surprised! I did not dare to give you any invitation, you know. How can you be here, in this lowly one's birthday? After all, all those years before you never attended at all. I figured you also would do the same this year." 

The host was quite shocked to hear Xiong Wuyue's answer. The Young Miss of the Xiong family, the official heir of the Xiong Empire, actually really came here uninvited? What was happening here?

If the host could feel that there seemed to be some undercurrent between the two, then the guests who were the cream of the top in their respective fields instantly knew that there was something going on, too. But they chose to stay quiet and listened to their exchange.

Xiong Zhi stared a couple of seconds at Xiong Wuyue. They were both smiling at each other. But deep within, both wanted to devour each other alive.

'So, it appears we are going to play with words, huh?' 

Xiong Zhi smiled brighter. Her dimple showed.

'Fine by me. Bring it on.'

"Oh. My bad. I did not attend in the past years because I hate traveling. My body was quite weak before. How can I travel from here to France? But now, you have finally celebrated your birthday here in our country. I am quite happy that I finally got the chance to attend your birthday. Unfortunately—" Xiong Zhi's voice turned slightly sad and appeared at a loss.

"—You don't seem to welcome me anymore."

"..." Xiong De and Xiong Wuyue were speechless.

How could they welcome her when they knew clearly she was just here to ruin the party?! She obviously came here with ill intentions!

Xiong Wuyue' trembling lips parted as she shyly laughed it off.

"Oh my, I see. I am glad that this year is quite different. In fact, I am very happy to receive this unexpected attention from cousin. Thank you for coming here to my birthday," Xiong Wuyue had no choice but to lower herself with gritted teeth.

It was true that in the past, she had been celebrating her birthday overseas. So, she really had no way to refute that.

However, Xiong Zhi was just starting to have fun. How could she let her back out and finish this 'wulin' fight when it have not even truly started yet?

"You're much welcome. Don't ever think that because of my status now, I will not celebrate your birthday with you. From now on, every birthday you celebrate in the country, I will surely attend," Xiong Zhi said, almost like she was giving alms.

Xiong Wuyue bit her lips hard.

'Ha. Was she warning me that I should not celebrate my birthday here in the country, because she will ruin it every chance she got? In her dreams!'

After venting a little in her mind, she smiled at Xiong Zhi.

"Then, cousin, I certainly will not forget to invite you next time."

Xiong Zhi's cherry lips parted slightly and an amused laughter came out.

It was sweet and charming to the ears of the onlookers, but it was mocking in Xiong Wuyue's ears.

"Sure thing," Xiong Zhi said.

Then she added.

"As the official heiress of the Xiong Family, I intend to dedicate myself to take care of the family, after all..." '...and pull out the weeds', Xiong Zhi silently added.

In the past and in the present, she had never truly cared about the Xiong family. She only ever cared for her Aunt Mai and Uncle Nuen Zai.

And now, as the official heir, she could even care less. Because she was now a big fish that everyone in the family needed to catch and eat. Since that was the case, she would happily act as a bait and watch them swing one by one and drown, step by step.

It just so happened, this pair of father and daughter was the first group of fishermen she wanted to pull and drown into the depths of the sea, never to show their faces again.

Xiong Wuyue frowned at her words.

'Official heir of the Xiong family? Was she dreaming?'

Xiong Wuyue have not learned of the news yet so she simply scoffed at those words and mocked her inside her mind, but since the show was not over yet, she needed to act out her pure and kindly role.

"Then, I will be in your care."

Xiong Wuyue's calm response made Xiong Zhi raise her eyebrow. She had expected her to start trembling and burst out in anger, but she took it too lightly.

'What was going on? Did the sun rose from the west today?'

But she put it in the back of her mind as she still had to present her 'wonderful' gift to the witch.

"That's why I came here. May the attendant please bring my gift here?"

A butler came forward while holding a box in a beautiful golden wrapping.

Xiong Wuyue stared at it. She would not be surprised if the box was full of snakes inside of it. There was no way that this woman who had fought with her fist to fist would give her something nice. 

Suddenly, she had an idea.

She exclaimed in surprise.

"This is really well-wrapped. I am so happy to receive such a gift from you! I am really blessed!"

Xiong Wuyue's exaggerated exclamation made Xiong Zhi raise her eyebrow once again. This girl was surely scheming something. 

But she was curious, so she waited to see what Xiong Wuyue was up to.

Xiong Wuyue looked at the guests.

"How about we open this gift and let everyone have a look?"

After those words came out, Xiong De's eyes sparkled. He, too, understood what his daughter was up to. Then, he looked at the box that Xiong Zhi had brought. He silently wished.

'Please, let there be some disgusting things inside the box.'

While both the father and daughter wished something inappropriate was inside the box, Xiong Zhi who seemed to realize Xiong Wuyue's thoughts appeared to look stunned. 

'Can these two get any lower?'