Chapter 352 - Old Xiong after Two Years
While the two were immersed in their own world, shortly after, Old Xiong finally arrived in the banquet.
Zhou Min checked his watch. It has been an hour since Young Miss went to the longue. They should have reunited very well, right?
The Young Miss was taken away for such a long time, there naturally were people who looked for her. Butler Zhou Min simply made a few excuses.
It should be about time she returned.
They needed to come back here now before the 'announcement'. This was such a historical event that it was a pity to miss it.
Old Xiong saw Zhou Min. He looked behind him and not finding what he was looking for, the old man's brows furrowed.
"Where's Zhi'er?"
Zhou Min's calm face was still like an ocean. "Young Miss is entertaining the guests."
It was true in some sense.
Old Xiong nodded and did not ask anymore. The banquet hall was huge and was filled of people, so he did not bother to look for Xiong Zhi.
He walked forward. As usual, the presence of the Tiger Xiong was so great and domineering that the guests stopped with what they were doing and slowly gathered to his side.
They greeted the old man with respect and graceful bearings, with their best demeanors. They wanted to impress and curry the Tiger's favor but at the same time keep their image and dignity.
They were like peac.o.c.ks approaching with unfurled tails.
With this, Old Xiong simply ignored the small fries. He was long immune to this kinds of greeting after a long time.
He was given the seat of honor just beside Xiong Zhi's.
The old man looked at the tables of the most important guests. The representatives of each legendary family approached his table one by one. They congratulated him for the successful anniversary and sent their well-wishes for the continuing glory of the Xiong Empire and the legendary families. However, the one he was looking for was not among them.
'Where's that brat?'
Then the people from other Xiong branches came to pay respects to him.
Among them, Xiong De and his daughter was the one who gave the most remarkable greeting.
"Master Xiong, I am glad you've recovered well and took care of your health. I still look forward to Master Xiong guiding the younger generations and ensuring the future of the Xiong Empire."
In between the lines, 'So you're still alive.'
"..." Old Xiong ears' twitched. Why did he feel like this man was cursing him to die instead?
"Do you see me as dead?"
Xiong De's face paled a bit nervously. Did he know something?
A man who has done a terrible conspiracy, that could cause his own downfall if caught, was surely burdened by it all the time. This was what Xiong De was feeling every moment he meets the first branch's Old Xiong and Xiong Zhi, or even Xiong Bilan.
Old Xiong ignored his pale face and snorted. "I am alive and kicking. What kind of ominous allusions are you talking about?"
Before Xiong De could speak, the old man continued.
"How long are you going to stay further in the country? Do you want some of your business abroad to be transferred to others in the West?"
All of the Xiong members froze.
The business that Xiong De was handling was one of the great assets of the Xiong Empire. It was only after the Xiong Main branch in the country.
Xiong Cai used this chance to 'grab' some of the 'spilled tea'.
"Master Xiong, my brother seems intent in staying here in the country. On the other hand, I have a lot of free time. I can manage the business in the United States in behalf of the Xiong Empire."
Who did not know how great the business in there were? It was such a big pie!
Even though Xiong De was such a sc.u.m and a greedy person, he knew well how to manage his business.
But Xiong Cai was a different matter. He was a man who easily made mistakes and has a thumb that could make things worse. That was why he always stuck around the main branch, to pull a bit of money out of the main branch through measly channels. The money could then be used to cover his losses.
Old Xiong naturally knew this so he ignored Xiong Cai.
"Bilan."
Xiong Bilan's eyes lit up while Xiong De's pale face turned grim.
"Yes, Uncle."
Right. Among them, Xiong Bilan was given a new privilege to call Old Xiong 'Uncle', not Master.
It was because of Xiong Zhi's persuasion to Old Xiong. Master Xiong did not like it, but he gave in because it was his heiress' ploy. Though, he did not know how it could be of any help.
Old Xiong looked at his nephew for a while and did not miss the arrogant and boastful look in his eyes. He frowned in distaste inside, but still went on. "What can you say about Xiong De's shares in United States getting transferred to the other branch?"
"Master Xiong, that's—" Xiong De started to complain but Old Xiong's warning gaze made him shut up.
Xiong Bilan thought over his brother's circ.u.mstances and answered confidently. "Whatever Master decides, the second branch shall follow. If my brother is really incompetent such as abandoning his matters, then it must be a wise choice to take it away from him."
For Xiong Bilan, Xiong De was the biggest threat to his position. If Xiong De was eliminated early, then he could focus on targeting the Young Miss and the first branch. Then, everything would fall onto his hands. How smooth would that be?
If he could do it before the Young Miss reaches the age of inheritance, it would be perfect.
Xiong De who has the same mind as him naturally knew what his brother was thinking. He gritted his teeth.
"I see. That's a good suggestion." Old Xiong did not say anymore and sighed internally. Why did he even start with this kind of childish play?
Old Xiong wouldn't take away that business out of Xiong De's hands and transferred it to anyone. He had done it before, and if he had done it now, the balance in power would be lost. He could only do it once.
Besides, Xiong De was really good at handling the business in the States even he took a lot of money in the process. The business in the States expanded very well because of Xiong De's connection. And probably, because he had dealings in the underworld that no one touches that business in that foreign country. So no matter how dark and malicious Xiong De's intentions towards the first branch, Old Xiong could not abandon him so easily.
Everything must be done discreetly and accordingly. So the losses on his sides would be manageable.
And for now, his granddaughter told him that she would handle this matter for him. As she said two years ago, she would be cutting the weeds.
While his granddaughter acted as the director of a ploy, Old Xiong would be a part of the play. One of the main actors, the one who would drive a wedge between Xiong De and Xiong Bilan.
Old Xiong sighed again. How could the mighty him fall to such a degree and became a mere actor of someone's ploy?
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