It seems Sun Miaomiao's intentions in getting close to Old Madam Huo were far from innocent! A child harboring such thoughts at such a young age—what would become of her when she grew older?
"I think Miss Bai is just fine. Since Muchen likes her, let him be," Old Master Huo remarked. He didn't want to meddle in the affairs of the younger generation. Although they seemed young to him, they were fully grown adults, capable of handling their own matters. They had their own independent thoughts, and it was quite frustrating when the older generation attempted to control everything, under the guise of acting in their best interest.
Thus, Old Master Huo was surprisingly open-minded. He had no intention of interfering in these matters, as long as the person Muchen brought home wasn't a nightclub dancer or a rural floozy, there was no reason for him to object.
"A woman from a small company—what right does she have to be called a lady? Hmph, her arrogant demeanor is truly off-putting! What, does she think I'm an easy target because I'm an old woman with no one by my side?!" Old Madam Huo fumed as she slammed the table twice in anger. "Are you all conspiring against me?!"
Seeing this, Sun Miaomiao bit her lip, leaned over, and whispered softly in Old Madam Huo's ear, "Grandma, please don't be angry. Grandpa didn't mean it. He's just been... deceived by Bai Nuanxi! After all, Bai Nuanxi's sweet talk even tricked Brother Muchen! She's such a good liar! Grandpa hasn't encountered such a cunning girl before, so it's understandable that he's momentarily blinded. Once Bai Nuanxi's true colors are revealed, Grandpa will no longer favor her!"
As she spoke, Sun Miaomiao's hand gently stroked Old Madam Huo's chest, trying to soothe her.
Under Sun Miaomiao's persuasion, Old Madam Huo gradually calmed down. She held Sun Miaomiao's hand, patting it firmly. "You're still my dear one!"
"Grandma, you've raised me since I was little. Who else would I be good to if not you? They say a daughter is like a little padded jacket for the family," Sun Miaomiao said with a sweet smile, looking like an innocent, naive young lady of the Sun family.
Bai Nuanxi scoffed at this. To be able to placate someone with Old Madam Huo's temperament so thoroughly, Sun Miaomiao must certainly be quite adept at flattery!
After pacifying Old Madam Huo, Sun Miaomiao turned around and had someone bring out the gift she had prepared long ago. "Oh, Grandpa, for your birthday banquet this time, I searched high and low to find this gift for you! I'm sure you'll love it!"
"This is a phoenix wood carving I bought from 'Rong Na,' said to be carved from the tree where a phoenix is rumored to rest. What do you think of this phoenix carving?" Sun Miaomiao presented her gift like a treasure.
The intricate phoenix carving was entirely red, with hollowed-out sections perfectly depicting the outline of the phoenix's tail feathers. The entire sculpture beautifully combined aesthetics with the vitality of a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
It was indeed a fitting gift at the moment, symbolizing Old Master Huo's rebirth and eternal life!
"Very nice." Old Master Huo had a keen interest in wood carvings, especially those that were intricately crafted.
"I'm glad you like it, Grandpa." Sun Miaomiao said, casting a glance at Bai Nuanxi, her eyes clearly filled with disdain.
Those eyes unmistakably conveyed disdain!
After all, Bai Nuanxi's gift was merely a chessboard and a set of chess pieces. Compared to Sun Miaomiao's exquisite phoenix carving, it was like comparing the heavens to the earth.
"Miss Bai, what wonderful gift did you prepare for Grandpa's birthday banquet this time? Why don't you show us and broaden our horizons?" Sun Miaomiao had long known what Bai Nuanxi's gift was. Now that she suddenly asked this question, if Bai Nuanxi still didn't understand her intentions, she would indeed be a fool!
Even an idiot could see through this!
Bai Nuanxi waved her hand modestly, "What I prepared is not worth mentioning, just some trinkets for Grandpa's amusement."
"But you should still show everyone, shouldn't you? Gifts are meant to be opened in front of everyone." Sun Miaomiao wasn't about to let Bai Nuanxi off the hook easily.
Earlier, Bai Nuanxi had caused her such embarrassment; now, unless Bai Nuanxi lost face as well, Sun Miaomiao would not rest!
She would not live up to her noble status as Miss Sun if she couldn't even surpass a lady from a small company! If that happened, everything she had learned growing up would have been in vain!
The phoenix carving was actually custom-made by a craftsman she found. His craftsmanship was exquisite, and the details were meticulously refined. She specifically sought him out, claiming that she had searched many places for it, just to show that giving this gift was no easy feat!
She wanted Old Master Huo to understand the effort she had put in. However, Old Master Huo's indifferent attitude clearly showed that he didn't appreciate it. When Sun Miaomiao presented the gift, she smiled, but upon not receiving the anticipated response, her smile became strained.
"Since you've insisted, it would be rude of me to refuse," Bai Nuanxi said, her expression cooling. While she hadn't taken the earlier competitions to heart, she now viewed Sun Miaomiao as an enemy!
Since Sun Miaomiao was so insistent on pushing her luck, it would be a kindness not to pull the trigger!
Such a person deserved no less than to be sent straight to hell!
Previously, Bai Nuanxi had thought Sun Miaomiao hadn't yet grown into the two-faced viper she would become, charming everyone with her duplicity. Given time, she had plenty of opportunities to deal with her. But now, since Sun Miaomiao had left herself no room for retreat, why should Bai Nuanxi hold back?
Just as Bai Nuanxi finished speaking, someone promptly brought out her gift.
Seeing this, Bai Nuanxi scoffed. Such swift action was clearly premeditated!
It seemed that Sun Miaomiao had truly put thought into making her look foolish, using her own gift to bring out Bai Nuanxi's. It all seemed casual, with no hint of being deliberate!
Bai Nuanxi sneered at this.
"My gift may not be as exquisite as Miss Sun's, but I carved it myself at home. Although it's not valuable, it carries my sincere intentions." Bai Nuanxi's fingers brushed over the chessboard. There were some uneven edges, clearly showing the handiwork of someone unfamiliar with carving.
A gift's true worth lies in its thoughtfulness, not in unnecessary extravagance. Bai Nuanxi's gift was practical, something that could be used for playing chess. But Sun Miaomiao's?