He didn't lack fame.
He had done more than enough earth-shattering things, with seizing control of the Wen family being his crowning achievement.
But Wen Gan Ting was different; he desperately needed something that would leave everyone in awe, something that would force them to see him in a new light.
While Nan Yue’s discovery couldn't generate sustained profit, the news itself was explosive enough to make everyone realize that Wen Gan Ting was capable—even more powerful than Lan An.
So, until it was absolutely necessary, he didn't want Lan An to know of Nan Yue’s existence; he couldn't ruin his chance to carve his name into history.
Especially not now.
Lan An had been far too ruthless.
He was nothing more than a man who had married into the family; had he forgotten his own surname, daring to kick Wen Gan Ting off the chessboard like this?
If his actions before were for the sake of his future, now they were fueled by spite.
"No, I’m taking this to the President."
Zhao Xiang nearly laughed out loud; was Wen Gan Ting truly such a fool?
He actually placed his faith in a President who had been stripped of power by the financial magnates—a man who lived only for debauchery and was even willing to poison his own son to satisfy the magnates' demands and secure his nephew’s succession.
Tsk. Zhao Xiang wondered if he should follow Lan An’s lead and find someone else to back.
Wen Gan Ting saw Zhao Xiang’s expression; being looked at like that by a man he had always considered a useless glutton made him feel as though his sanity were about to snap.
A tiger on the plains is bullied by dogs.
His expression twisted in an instant.
Ding.
At that moment, the floating screen of Zhao Xiang’s computer lit up with a new message.
It was from Wen Xiang Yuan.
"Uncle, I want to pull the records for a scavenger named Shen Nian. Grandfather said she is very special."
Wen Xiang Yuan had never contacted Zhao Xiang before because no one had ever cared about her.
Of course, that was in the past.
Back when Wen Xiang Yuan was sidelined and Wen Gan Ting was the undisputed heir of the Wen family.
Wen Gan Ting’s expression became unreadable as he suddenly stepped forward to operate Zhao Xiang’s computer. With Zhao Xiang’s clearance, he could order subordinates to pull any information he desired.
He had never felt so stifled; there had never been anything he wanted that he couldn't obtain.
Especially when it was just information on a few pieces of trash.
He ignored his uncle, who stood by with a darkening expression.
Zhao Xiang escorted Wen Gan Ting back to the Wen residence.
Wen Xiang Yuan was waiting at the entrance, with Lan An’s butler standing by her side.
Seeing Wen Gan Ting flanked by two bodyguards, Wen Xiang Yuan raised an eyebrow and smiled at Zhao Xiang.
"I’ve caused you some trouble, Uncle."
Zhao Xiang smiled amiably, looking as though he had always been fond of his niece.
"Yuan’er is the sensible one after all. You should visit the group more often in the future."
Wen Gan Ting was stung by the harmony between them. Once, he was the one who spoke with Zhao Xiang in such a manner, while Wen Xiang Yuan could only offer polite smiles like a decorative flower, without even the right to join the conversation.
To Wen Gan Ting, it was only natural for Wen Xiang Yuan to be that way.
He had always been the heir to the Wen family, while Wen Xiang Yuan was a useless waste raised in the inner chambers just like their mother.
She was nothing more than a tool for marriage, a mere ornament to add a bit of prestige.
They enjoyed the Wen family's wealth solely for their aesthetic and reproductive value.
As for the history of the Wen family...
That was all in the past, nothing more than legends.
This world should still belong to men.
But standing here now, seeing his and Wen Xiang Yuan’s roles reversed, he couldn't endure it.
He couldn't even force a polite smile the way she did.
He felt an overwhelming sense of humiliation, his heart burning with rage.
"Zhao Xiang, didn't you always look down on this beautiful sister of mine? Didn't you think she was just like my mother—nothing but a pretty face?"
"What? Have you changed your mind now?"
With his back to Wen Xiang Yuan, Wen Gan Ting didn't notice the flash of killing intent in her eyes the moment he spoke.
But Zhao Xiang saw it.
He had never seen such a look on Wen Xiang Yuan’s face.
That intense killing intent wasn't something a sheltered young lady should possess; it was a stench of blood that belonged to someone who had waded through a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
It was a bit like... Lan An.
Lan An was that way because he had lived for so long, seizing power through schemes and intrigue within the financial circles.
But Wen Xiang Yuan... she looked as though her hands had truly been stained with scalding blood.
Other people’s blood...
And perhaps even her own.
Zhao Xiang suddenly felt that Wen Xiang Yuan looked... a bit mad at that moment.
Goosebumps broke out over Zhao Xiang’s skin. Without thinking, he raised his hand and delivered a sharp slap to Wen Gan Ting’s face.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Wen Gan Ting never expected that Zhao Xiang, who had always flattered him, would dare to strike him. Driven mad with rage, he lunged forward.
But the bodyguards quickly pinned him to the ground.
"Take my brother back. Let him have a good rest in his room."
Wen Xiang Yuan had completed a total overhaul of the Wen family in a very short time. Now, with the exception of Lan An’s personal staff, the entire household was comprised of her people.
Lan An wasn't particularly interested in these domestic squabbles; he was a man who believed only in ultimate power.
Servants and spies were merely children’s games to him.
The butler remained silent, tacitly allowing Wen Xiang Yuan’s people to haul the still-shouting Wen Gan Ting into the residence.
"Uncle, why did Brother suddenly..."
Wen Xiang Yuan had already regained her usual gentle demeanor, looking at Zhao Xiang with a face full of concern for her brother.
For some reason, Zhao Xiang couldn't stop thinking about the expression she had just worn.
He swallowed hard.
"...He, he wanted the files on a scavenger."
Wen Xiang Yuan’s expression turned unreadable. "Oh? Whose?"
Zhao Xiang shuddered. "A scavenger named Shen Nian."
Wen Xiang Yuan’s expression turned strange, though a genuine smile reached her eyes.
"How did he find out?"
Zhao Xiang knew he had answered correctly. He didn't want to think—didn't dare to think—whether that sudden message had been a trap set by Wen Xiang Yuan.
He couldn't even begin to fathom how Wen Xiang Yuan could be so calculating. He was simply afraid, wanting only to distance himself from this niece he had once considered a mere ornament.
"Because... it seems Mr. Lan mentioned it to you."
Wen Xiang Yuan was satisfied. She said nothing, but the butler beside her had slipped away at some point.
"Thank you for making the trip, Uncle. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
Wen Xiang Yuan spoke casually; she was feeling a bit tired.
"No need. Another day. I’ll come for a proper visit another day."
Zhao Xiang spoke with great caution. "Weren't you planning to start that Scavenger Entertainment Project? I’ve already had my subordinates begin the evaluation, and the mock press conference was held according to your requirements. You saw the briefing, didn't you?"
Wen Xiang Yuan thought of her afternoon tea with Lan An, and a small smile appeared on her face.
"I saw it. You did a good job, Uncle."
"Better than I expected, even."
Zhao Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and let out a merry chuckle.
Regardless of who held power in the Wen family, as long as he could get a piece of the pie, it was enough for him.
Rate on N.U.
