Chapter 7: Exploitation

If someone dared to offer, Xia Rusheng dared to accept. After completing all the necessary paperwork, she left Xia Yu behind, drove the new car away, and only realized upon returning home what a stir the vehicle had caused within the Xia family.

"Xia Xia, sit down. Your grandmother has something to ask you."

Madam Xia’s expression was severe, and she appeared to be in a foul mood. Xia Rusheng guessed it had to do with the car, and that Xia Yu had undoubtedly embellished the story upon returning home.

"How did you come by that car?" as expected, the old lady brought it up.

Xia Rusheng recounted everything that had happened at the showroom exactly as it occurred. Upon hearing this, Madam Xia’s expression darkened further. She looked at Xia Rusheng, then at Xia Yu, as if trying to discern the truth. In the end, she didn't question either of them and simply told them to go upstairs and rest.

"Chen Ma, what did Xia Yu say to Grandmother?"

Chen Ma had been downstairs and heard everything. She said indignantly, "That mother-daughter pair kept feeding off each other, saying you actively flirted with a stranger at the showroom and got him to buy you a car. I told them you aren't that kind of person. Xia Yu must be jealous of you, which is why she’s talking nonsense in front of the old lady."

"Let her talk. The more she likes to stir up trouble, the less she will find favor with Grandmother." Xia Rusheng wore an indifferent smile, though she felt a chill in her heart. Madam Xia clearly didn't trust her completely; otherwise, she wouldn't have interrogated her so sternly.

This was only the beginning. During dinner, Xia Rui also asked about the car as if in passing, though his focus was clearly different from the old lady's.

"Xia Xia, who really gave you that car? I’m sure that man must have taken a liking to you; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so generous. His family background must be quite impressive, too—worthy of you."

Xia Rusheng wanted to tell Xia Rui that he was overestimating her. That man’s generosity was far from ordinary. Not only was his own vehicle a custom-ordered Bentley Mulsanne, but he had also gifted her a car on a whim without even leaving his name, which spoke volumes about his financial prowess and taste.

"I don't think it's necessary. If he is truly interested, he will naturally appear again," Xia Rusheng replied calmly.

"I agree that it's unnecessary. Doesn't Xia Xia already have a fiancé? She’s about to be married; she shouldn't be out there—"

"Have you said enough!" Xia Rui interrupted Tan Li coldly. "How many times must I tell you? Do not bring that matter up again!"

Madam Xia set her chopsticks down with a sharp clatter and suddenly asked Xia Rui, "Do you mean to say that this marriage engagement is just going to be called off?"

"Mother—"

Madam Xia looked at Xia Xia and said, "The Lin family is a good choice, and the young master of the Lin family has a fondness for you. When you fled your engagement party before you lost your memory, the Lin family didn't pursue it at all, which shows their tolerance toward you. We won't even mention that now. Since you’ve lost your memory, everything is subject to change. I have no other demands, but I want you to spend more time with the young master of the Lin family. If you still don't like him, then we can discuss it further."

Xia Rusheng continued to eat her meal slowly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Xia Rui, thinking she was reluctant but afraid to refuse, was about to try and persuade the old lady further when Xia Rusheng simply said, "Okay."

The Lin family—the only Lin family in A City that Madam Xia would care about was the maternal family of Lu Siyang’s sister-in-law, the most prominent political family in the city.

During the three months she had been married into the Lu family, she had never met the eldest son, Lu Siyun, or his wife, Lin Er. From the gossip of the servants, she learned that as the eldest son of the HIC Group, Lu Siyun had actually married into the Lin family. This highlighted the power of the Lin family; furthermore, the fact that Lu Siyun could climb to the position of the top official in A City at such a young age was due not only to his own methods but also to the backing of the Lin family.

The old lady was trying to use her to climb the ranks of the Lin family.

The meal was tasteless, with everyone harboring their own agendas. Xia Rusheng wondered if she should take this opportunity to get close to the Lin family and investigate who the biological father of her child really was. Since she had become pregnant while living at the Lu residence, if she wanted to find out, she had to start there.

"Chen Ma, what is my relationship with the young master of the Lin family like? I mean, in private." Chen Ma’s primary job was to look after Xia Xia, so Xia Rusheng guessed she might know things others didn't.

Chen Ma paused her work and said, "Actually, the young master of the Lin family has always had a good relationship with the second miss. When Madam Lin came to visit, I don't know why, but she took a liking to you. If it weren't for that, it might have been the second miss engaged to the Lin family."

Xia Rusheng now understood. She asked, "What is the attitude of Tan Li and Xia Yu?"

"Them? At first, they held a grudge against you because of this. But after they found out that the young master of the Lin family was actually an illegitimate son, their attitude changed. However, with the immense power of the Lin family, the status of an illegitimate son doesn't matter much. I suspect that mother-daughter pair is still plotting something wicked."

Xia Rusheng agreed with Chen Ma; there was definitely something fishy going on.

After Chen Ma went downstairs, Xia Rusheng opened her computer and searched for information about the Lin family and their illegitimate son. He was a formidable figure—a second-generation official and a hidden second-generation star. He was now an up-and-coming director who had started his own entertainment company. By promoting a group of young actors while simultaneously using his talent to expand his connections, he frequently appeared in both entertainment and economic news.

After getting a good grasp of the situation, Xia Rusheng was about to close the computer when she caught a glimpse of the latest news. The two people in the headline photo were none other than the Lin family's illegitimate son, Lin Yichen, and Su Xi. The headline read: "Lin Yichen, Su Xi, Guan Ling, and Yu Yuedong join forces for 'Waiting for You'—a star-studded lineup for the New Year season!"

"So you two have a collaboration."

Xia Rusheng muttered to herself as she closed the laptop. She went to find Xia Yu to ask for Lin Yichen’s private number, only to bump into Xia Yu, who was heading upstairs in a panic, clutching her handbag tightly.

"What are you doing in front of my room?"

"Nothing, just looking for a phone number. What about you? What shady business have you been up to that makes you look so guilty?" Xia Rusheng noticed that Xia Yu had been acting suspiciously as she came upstairs and had quickly shoved something into her bag upon seeing her.

"You're the guilty one!" Xia Yu darted past her, entered her room, and slammed the door.

Failing to get the number, Xia Rusheng went downstairs, expressionless, intending to get some fresh air. Chen Ma looked surprised when she saw her. "Xia Xia, didn't you drive out earlier? Why are you back so soon?"

Xia Rusheng frowned, confused. When had she gone out? After Chen Ma had gone downstairs, she had spent two hours in her room searching for information without taking a single step outside.

Could it be—

Xia Rusheng ran to the garage. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the car was still there. However, in the next instant, she was stunned: the entire rear of her new car had been badly scraped and mangled.