Xia Yishan told the truth with a faint smile on her face.
Song Jinglei grabbed Lin Xuanzhi before she could say anything else. She signaled for her to shut her mouth, as Xia Qihua was looking quite distraught.
He whispered into Xia Yishan's ear a little bit. With that, Xia Yishan took him by the arm and walked to the middle of the crowd.
"I invited all of you here to introduce you to someone. Everyone knows that I have an outstanding elder daughter, Xia Zhirou. She left the country to study abroad, but God has blessed me anew. I finally found my youngest daughter whom I lost long ago. She's Yishan, the girl next to me. Thank you all for coming to witness my joy. I hope all of you enjoy your time here…"
Xia Yishan's identity had been recognized by Xia Qihua once again!
Wan Yuning's expression changed, but her elegant manners covered that up soon enough. She glared at Lin Xuanzhi, wondering why Zhirou had such a dumb friend!
Xia Qihua was very upset about Xia Zhirou. Xia Yishan happened to fill the gap and took all that had once belonged to Xia Zhirou!
…
Xia Yishan took a sip from a glass of fruit juice. Everything had met her expectations.
"Sister Yishan…" Lin Chengze approached her.
Noticing that he did not bring a lady companion, it seemed Tan Xiaoling had yet to win him over completely. Xia Yishan was sure that Lin Chengze was merely fooling around with Tan Xiaoling.
In her past life, Lin Chengze would not have even looked at her if she had not been the Xia family's young mistress.
Although she hated him, she had no choice but to greet him.
"You're looking so beautiful today, Sister Yishan. I heard that you've been accepted into the academy. Congratulations!" Lin Chengze did not conceal the fondness she had for Xia Yishan. He always had ladies lingering around him, but Xia Yishan was different from all those ladies. She was beautiful and aloof. It was her unusual indifference that got him hooked. Moreover, Xia Yishan's identity matched his. He had to win her over no matter what!
Lin Chengze did not notice there was a faint, red lipstick stain on his shirt collar. Xia Yishan immediately understood why Tan Xiaoling was so willing to allow him to see her at the banquet. She was declaring her ownership!
"Mr. Lin, you didn't have to come to the banquet if you didn't have the time. Just tell my father. I believe he'll understand. It's quite late now. Why don't you leave early so that the lovely lady won't have to wait?"
"What are you talking about? What lovely lady? I don't understand…"
Xia Yishan smiled and said nothing.
Xia Qihua happened to walk over, and his expression changed when he saw Lin Chengze.
"Father, Mr. Lin seems to have some personal agenda to deal with…"
"Don't worry about it."
"Uncle Xia, I don't…"
Xia Qihua had disdain in his eyes when he looked at Lin Chengze. "Chengze, I always thought you were a good kid. Never did I suspect...Forget it. Look at your collar! Clean yourself up in the guest room before you show yourself again!"
Lin Chengze noticed something off. He went into the guest room immediately. He was furious when he saw the lipstick stain on his shirt collar.
He was at Tan Xiaoling's apartment before coming to the party. After their steamy exchange, she picked a shirt and put on his tie for him herself. He never thought she would do something like this behind his back.
'That vicious lady!'
It was no wonder people were giving him strange looks.
Lin Chengze left the place angrily.
He did not notice the cunning flash in Xia Yishan's eyes not far away. She had successfully sabotaged the relationship between Xia Qihua and Lin Chengze, cutting off his chances of using the Xia family for his own benefit.