Cao Huiling and Cao Haoyue's relationship was neither warm nor cold. The two coexist only because they shared the same family name and were part of the same family.
However, if one were to take that off of them, then, the two would definitely become two rivals who never want to see each other!
Actually, Cao Haoyue did not have any qualifications to compete with Cao Huiling, the Eldest Miss of the main branch. Aside from being prettier than the latter, the former could only swallow the disadvantages that the second branch possessed.
But this inferiority complex surged out a fire that could never burn out. It continues to engulf Cao Haoyue's heart and choke her with the reality that no matter what she does, she will never be better than Cao Huiling.
This is why, even though Cao Haoyue hated her so much that her guts turned green, she could never openly go against and deal with Cao Huiling.
Xue Zhao naturally knew that the two cousins did not get along well with each other. However, as the Old Master's head secretary, the relationship between the family branches was not his to mediate.
"Seventh Miss Cao, please follow me."
"Alright, I will follow you."
With that, Cao Haoyue raised her chin slightly upward in a manner of arrogance in front of Cao Huiling.
Though she didn't know why the Old Master called her to his study, Cao Haoyue could treat this as a privilege that she could enjoy tonight.
But little did she know that this could also be the last time she will ever appear in the Cao family mansion.
…
Cao Huiling narrowed her eyes at the disappearing back of her cousin and her father's secretary.
The displeasure of knowing that some other people's daughter was able to step into her father's study was boiling inside her.
Even, she, the eldest daughter of the Old Master, can't go in there. Yet, what right did Cao Haoyue have to take this advantage?
"Mother, what are you standing there?"
A young man in a business suit who has two to three points similar to Song Yu Han's face appeared.
It was Song Yongrui, Song Yu Han's half-brother.
Cao Huiling returned her calm countenance and looked towards her son.
Compared to Song Yu Han's devastating handsome features, Song Yongrui's face leaned slightly on his maternal side, possessing an oriental and heroic appearance.
"Mother, did you get the things I wanted? Zhang He and Xuan Zhao will hold a party tomorrow so make sure to get all of it before the party starts, okay?" Song Yongrui towered over his mother and without even greeting her, he had already demanded things from her once again.
Cao Huiling pursed her lips into a smile and said, "I know. I already have Assistant Lin get those things for you. But… Xiao Rui, when are you returning to the company to work? Your father needs you right now."
Song Yongrui was satisfied when he heard the first half of his mother's words but when he was finished listening, he scowled and his expression darkened.
Irritated, Song Yongrui glared at his mother and retorted, "The company has so many employees but my father still needs me there?"
Cao Huiling felt that her chest was being squeezed by her son but she urged herself to calm down: "Son, you can't be like this forever. You need to go to the company and work."
Song Yongrui, however, didn't think so as he said, "I'm the Cao family and Song family's only heir, why should I work? Besides, mother, even if I don't work, won't I still own everything that grandpa and father owned? So, don't force me to work anymore."
"Look, even Zhang He and Xuan Zhao don't work, why should I, this young master, work when others don't?"
"Anyway, let's not talk about this anymore. I'm still young. Why should I bury myself with work and become bald. Do you want me to die being a workaholic?"
Every time her son released a word from his lips, Cao Huiling felt like her heart was being pierced by thousands of arrows. She hated that the iron couldn't become steel. But this was her son.
Even if Song Yongrui was reckless and free to do everything that he wanted, Cao Huiling could not admonish her only son.
Song Yongrui's words were, in fact, right.
As the eldest grandson of the Cao family and legitimate son of Song Ruan, Song Yongrui has every right to be arrogant and overbearing. Cao Huiling also wished for nothing but for her son to get and receive everything that is great in the world.
If only…
If only Song Yu Han didn't appear and ruin her plans, Cao Huiling was willing to accept whatever her son decided to become in the future.
But with her son being constantly compared to Song Yu Han, Cao Huiling tried to do everything to teach her son to become a great man. She hired a lot of experts and professors that were renowned for their own strengths.
It was too bad that Song Yongrui only listened with one ear before taking it seriously.
Cao Huiling has a lot of words to say to her son, but she couldn't bring herself to say it in the end.
"Alright, pretend as if I did not say anything. Just make sure that you don't do anything that will sully the name of Cao and Song family," Cao Huiling could not reform her son but she could at least remind him not to fool around too much.
Song Yongrui already expected her to lose in this topic and hugged his mother: "I know. Don't worry, mother. We're only partying with the other sons and daughters of high society. Maybe I can bring back a daughter-in-law too."
Cao Huiling almost coughed up blood.
D-daughter-in-law? Why not take care of yourself first before bringing back a new member of the family?
Cao Huiling watched as her son swaggered back to his room.
…
Cao Haoyue did not know what happened in the corridor and it was too bad that she missed it, else, she would have mocked Cao Huiling for having a wastrel son despite herself being such an outstanding woman.
But she really did not have the time to spare to worry about how other people educate their children as she stood in front of Old Master Cao, who was sitting in his cushioned chair behind the desk.
As soon as she entered the study, she was overwhelmed with anxiety and elation.
But she held back and continued to be expressionless.
Aside from herself and Old Master Cao, Xue Zhao and another man whose aura was inexplicably strange and stifling was inside the study.
No one spoke the moment the door closed and isolated them from the outside world.
Cao Haoyue took this time to glance around the study that she only had a glimpse from afar and was eventually rendered speechless.
Painting, calligraphy, antique items, and maps that were worth hundreds of millions were on the study. They served as a decoration, but one would never dare get too close as one would be too afraid if they broke one of these things.
Though the curiosity she had over these things quickly transferred to the mysterious man.
Cao Haoyue wondered if he was also a 'Cao'.
Is he a distant member of the family?
Otherwise, why does she not remember him in any gathering that the Cao family attended.
The Cao family was a big family in terms of the number of the family members. There were far too many branches and distant relatives, all of which were part of the Cao family.
Thus, it was not strange for Cao Haoyue to assume that the man was also a member of their family.
As she observed the other, the strange man also turned his head slightly to glance at her. His eyes were as calm as the waters in the sea yet it held so much power as if a storm that could kill people were just beneath that calmness.
Cao Haoyue felt uncomfortable being stared at by this man so she turned head to look at the Old Master Cao and said: "Uncle, you called for me?"
Old Master Cao hummed a response.
Seeing this, Xue Zhao moved to stand beside the old master's desk and introduced the man to Cao Haoyue: "Seventh Miss, this man is a senior elder of an organization called An Hun, Elder Liao."
Cao Haoyue was shocked and was only short of gasping out loud.
No wonder… no wonder he had this crazy and scary pressure from him. So, he was a member of An Hun.
Cao Haoyue bit her lips nervously and greeted the man: "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Elder Liao did not respond to her greeting, making Cao Haoyue feel embarrassed.
However, she could not complain about it. The man should be an important guest.
Ah, now thinking about it…
Did he come here personally because of her request? Could it be that they wanted to tell her the good news personally?
Then, paying such a huge sum of money was no longer a waste if it was the case…
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