Chapter 293
The skill of changing faces, though time and experience, even the otherwise foolish Sheng Wenhao learned to wear a mask to hide himself.
The two exchanged a glance outside the door, adjusted their attire, and then walked in with long strides.
“I didn’t expect a busy man like you would actually come, it really brightens my face. If Brother Xu had seen your achievements today, he would surely be very gratified. If our Sheng Yi had half your capability, as a father, I’d probably laugh myself awake dreaming about it,” Sheng Ping said, putting on the airs of an elder, patting Xu Ke’s shoulder and smiling with a loving face.
“But it seems like this is the first time you’ve come to our house since returning to Shangjing. I remember you got along well with Sheng Yi when you were young. How come you never thought of coming to see Sheng Yi and Uncle?” Sheng Ping’s voice wasn’t loud or soft, just enough for the people around them to hear, causing various scrutinizing gazes to fall on Xu Ke.
Recently, Xu Ke has certainly been in the limelight in Shangjing, but he has kept a low profile, with rare public appearances, and even fewer conversations with others. So hearing the conversation, the ears of those around perked up, and even the chatter subsided a lot.
“I don’t wield the reins of the Sheng Family so comfortably as Uncle does, familiar with everything and doing it all with ease. I have just taken over the Xu Family, which keeps me busy with many things. Please pardon me for any impoliteness, Uncle Sheng,” Xu Ke slightly curled the corners of his mouth. Although his voice wasn’t as icy as it sounded, it surely wasn’t warm and gentle.
“I’m getting on in years and not as thoughtful. Don’t find fault with your uncle,” Sheng Ping’s words were gently rebuffed by Xu Ke, yet his face showed no sign of anger, instead, he laughed heartily showing the magnanimity of an elder.
“Alright, I won’t keep you here talking with this old man. You young folks should go find other young folks. Sheng Yi just mentioned taking friends to see the peonies, you should go too, you youngsters can probably get along better,” Sheng Ping indicated a direction to Xu Ke.
Xu Ke glanced toward the slightly secluded direction, a faint, fleeting darkness flickered in his eyes, but regardless of what he was thinking, his expression remained unchanged, leaving others guessing what he had in mind.
“Then I shall head over first,” Xu Ke nodded slightly at Sheng Ping, then walked toward the direction he had just pointed out.
Sheng Ping smiled and nodded at Xu Ke, then shifted his gaze to Sheng Wenhao, who was standing like an invisible man, “You’re back from abroad only occasionally, you should go along and have fun too.” Sheng Ping looked at Sheng Wenhao with warm eyes, but behind the warmth lurked a chilling ruthlessness.
Sheng Wenhao involuntarily shivered, mumbled a quiet response, and left Sheng Ping’s gaze.
Sheng Ping was pleased with his influence over Sheng Wenhao, causing the curve of his lips to widen unconsciously. However, he was unaware that at the instant Sheng Wenhao turned around, his gaze was as cold as Xu Ke’s, and the slight upward curve of his lips was filled with a deep sense of mockery.
Xu Ke and Sheng Wenhao entered the Peony District one after the other. As they did, Xu Ke stood apart from the group led by Sheng Yi, clearly demarcated, looking at each other with coldness seemingly permeating the air.
“I thought you weren’t coming today. Last time, just playing with a few girls at the banquet and you threw a tantrum, leaving us hanging and stepping on our faces. With so many people at today’s banquet, why did you come? Aren’t you dropping your hypocritical guise? Sheng Yi’s high and mighty eyes were filled with malice.
This malice made even his otherwise handsome face repulsive.
“I don’t need you to comment on how I conduct myself. Besides, I didn’t come today for your sake, so don’t delude yourself, it’s downright funny,” Xu Ke said, his lips indeed curving upwards, but it wasn’t a kind smile, rather one brimming with provocation.
Almost the instant Xu Ke smiled, Sheng Yi was provoked.
“Big Brother, mind the occasion. If you hit him today, the plan is ruined,” the underling behind Sheng Yi, seeing his impulse, hurriedly restrained Sheng Yi’s arm, softly reminding him.
Hearing his underling’s reminder, Sheng Yi indeed calmed down, and his gaze at Xu Ke was as if he was looking at a dead man, filled with malice.
“Hope you can continue being this arrogant later,” Sheng Yi spat on the ground, looking at Xu Ke, then shot a covert glance at Sheng Wenhao standing behind Xu Ke, afterward leading his underlings out of the Peony District. It was evident from his demeanor that the conversation between the two wasn’t pleasant.
Sheng Yi, along with his underlings, stopped in a blind spot of the view. Shortly after, footsteps indeed came from the flowers, and Sheng Wenhao appeared in front of them.
“You all took so long to get here, did you crawl?” Looking at Sheng Wenhao’s lifeless expression, Sheng Yi finally vented some of his frustration, and he didn’t mind feeling even more pleasure. Extreme mockery of Sheng Wenhao brought him joy, but thinking of Xu Ke’s impending downfall, Sheng Yi felt he would experience rare happiness.
Having vented his frustration on Sheng Wenhao indiscriminately, Sheng Yi then instructed him, “Take this, and find a chance to slip it into Xu Ke’s drink, make sure it works in one go. If Xu Ke doesn’t consume this, hehe, you know what the consequences will be.” Sheng Yi looked at Sheng Wenhao with the gaze of a termite, sneering maliciously.
“I understand. I’ll make sure Xu Ke ingests it,” Sheng Wenhao, taking a small bag resembling white powder from the others, appeared calm but internally was in turmoil.