Chapter 4: Delusions of Climbing High

Cui Hao, following his employer’s orders, had just stepped out of the lounge when he saw the eldest Miss Xiao laughing and chatting with Nangong Xin. Sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. Since the Xiao family’s eldest daughter was here, the second Miss Xiao must have arrived as well. He needed to find her quickly and bring her to the lounge.

Cui Hao widened his small eyes, searching the banquet hall carefully for the second Miss Xiao. Suddenly, he spotted her sitting in a corner, engaged in conversation with an unfamiliar girl. The sight made his scalp tingle with fear.

How could it be so coincidental? That unfamiliar girl was precisely the one his boss regarded with great caution!

Xianyu Jing had been lost in thought, gazing at the chocolate cake on the top tier of the dessert stand. A girl in an elegant lavender strapless dress approached, took a piece of cake, and handed it to her.

Xianyu Jing looked up at the girl, who was half a head taller, and thought perhaps she assumed Xianyu couldn’t reach the cake herself. In truth, she wasn’t hungry anymore. Still, she politely said, “Thank you.”

The girl’s pale yet captivating face was bright with a gentle smile. Her voice was soft and graceful: “You’re welcome.”

Moved by the girl’s kindness, Xianyu Jing exchanged a few words with her and learned she was Xiao Zhiyun, the second Miss Xiao, often seen in TV commercials for Ruiyu Jewelry.

The Xiao family wasn’t a renowned family in the imperial city; they had only moved from a southern city a few years ago, but they were considered wealthy. Yet, this second Miss Xiao didn’t have any of the airs one might expect from a wealthy heiress.

They had only chatted briefly when Cui Hao hurried over, bowing respectfully. “Miss Xiao, please come upstairs to the second floor.”

Xiao Zhiyun, upon seeing Cui Hao, understood immediately who had sent him. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she replied, “Alright.”

Then, she smiled at Xianyu Jing. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we can talk again sometime.”

Xianyu Jing nodded, and Cui Hao hurriedly whisked Xiao Zhiyun away.

He wasn’t joking—if his boss found out the two had not only met but enjoyed a pleasant conversation, he’d be packing his bags that very night!

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As soon as Xiao Zhiyun went upstairs, trouble came for Xianyu Jing.

“Who is that girl? She’s completely unfamiliar!”

“Ha, who knows? Maybe some nouveau riche managed to sneak in…”

Nearby, three or four elegantly dressed socialites gathered, pointing and gossiping about Xianyu Jing.

“Hmph, does she think a few words with the second Miss Xiao will earn her favor with the Nangong family?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Everyone knows Young Master Ao’s favorite is the second Miss Xiao!”

“What? She actually dreams of winning Young Master Ao’s affections!”

…

Listening to their increasingly wild speculation, Xianyu Jing was speechless.

She understood exactly who this “Young Master Ao” they spoke of was. He was the eldest grandson of Madame Nangong, the current head of the Nangong family!

In the past few days, her training had included learning about the important members of the Nangong family.

The Nangong family was a prestigious household in the imperial city, with deep roots and business interests throughout the country. Madame Nangong was the previous head of the family and had two sons. The eldest, Nangong Fengcheng, and his wife Jiang Yu died young in a plane crash, leaving behind their eldest grandson, Nangong Ao.

Madame Nangong’s younger son, Nangong Fengxiao, married the eldest daughter of the Jiang family and had a daughter, the third Miss Nangong Xin.

The second young master, Nangong Lu, was the son of Madame Nangong’s brother, Nangong Yuan Zhao’s eldest son, Nangong Siyao. The fourth young master, Nangong You, was the child of Nangong Yuan Zhao’s youngest daughter, Nangong Simiao.

Because Nangong Ao was exceptionally talented, Madame Nangong passed the position of family head to him when he was just twenty. He managed most of the family’s businesses, including ZR Group, Angel Hospital, and Yuxiang Airlines.

Now, this head of the Nangong family was only twenty-six and still unmarried, making him the target of every ambitious debutante in the imperial city.

Unfortunately, Young Master Ao had no interest in anyone except the second Miss Xiao, who had only recently arrived from the southern city. Yet, Madame Nangong had never given her blessing, and so the second Miss Xiao had not yet entered the Nangong family.

Such matters of the heart were beyond Xianyu Jing’s knowledge. She only knew that Madame Nangong had invited her to the banquet tonight to broaden her horizons and introduce her to other members of the family.

As for the rumors swirling around her, she simply pretended not to hear.

But ignoring them didn’t mean others would let her be.

The gossip quickly reached Nangong Xin.

Nangong Xin had always disdained the flocks of girls vying for the position of the Nangong family’s mistress. That place was not for just any woman to claim. The Nangong family was not an ordinary noble household, and even most heiresses were unqualified—let alone some upstart, insignificant girl!

Although Nangong Xin was the star of tonight’s festivities, her heart longed for her “bright moon,” who had not yet arrived, leaving her mood somewhat sour.

And now, someone had dared to provoke her!

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Just as Xianyu Jing was about to step out onto the terrace for some air, a sharp command sounded behind her: “Stop right there!”

She hadn’t expected the voice to be directed at her and continued toward the terrace, only to be blocked by a man and a woman.

“Ah, so you deliberately ignored us. Are you disrespecting Miss Nangong?” the man said, dissatisfied.

It took Xianyu Jing a moment to realize what was happening. She turned to see the angry face of Nangong Xin, puzzled. “Are you looking for me?”

Nangong Xin shouldn’t know her yet—why was she being singled out?

“Where did you come from? Where’s your invitation?” Nangong Xin’s tone was blunt and unfriendly.

Every guest at her birthday banquet was a familiar face from the circle of wealthy families, admitted only with a special electronic invitation from her.

Xianyu Jing was stunned. She had been arranged to attend by Madame Nangong and had no invitation.

Before she could reply, the other woman blocking her way gave a mocking smile. “Ha, did you sneak in? Or did you latch onto some rich young master to get in?”

…

Xianyu Jing didn’t know how to explain.

Butler Xue had instructed her not to reveal her identity until Madame Nangong introduced her to everyone.

Seeing her silent, Nangong Xin assumed she was guilty and was about to call security to throw her out.

The eldest Miss Xiao gently tugged Nangong Xin’s sleeve and whispered, “Xin Xin, tonight is your birthday banquet. Don’t make too much of a scene.”

Nangong Xin was the star of the evening. Her outburst had already drawn the attention of the surrounding guests.

But as the third Miss Nangong, she was proud and would not tolerate anyone breaking the family’s rules.

Such a presumptuous social climber deserved to be expelled!

Nangong Xin had just called for security when a familiar voice sounded from the doorway: “What’s happening here?”