บท 8: The Triad of City S
The dinner ended with Li Nuxie gulping a glass of red wine. She grimaced as the acrid aftertaste in her mouth continued to linger. Lines have appeared on Li Jiayie's forehead as she caught Li Nuxie's reaction.
Her lips formed a straight line. She brought the table cloth to her mouth, wiping it slowly before putting it down on the table. "How many times do I have to tell that to be a cultured woman, you need to get used to drinking wine?"
Li Nuxie took a deep breath as Li Jiayie's lecture assaulted her ears. She never liked the taste of wine. On normal days, she would not have taken a sip. But a dinner with Old Madam Li was not complete without a bottle of wine. In City S, people can only drink legally once they reach the age of 20.
That's why she escaped the first ever party she organized. She cannot stand rubbing elbows and drinking wine with social hypocrites. That's also the reason why she insisted having her own house. At the Li Ancestral House, they have their own cellar where her grandma kept her most prized wines and liquors that only see the light when there were occasions.
"I'm sorry, grandma," she said, lowering her head.
Li Jiayie dismissively waved her hand. "I groomed you be the next Young Madam of a powerful family since I took the responsibility from your parents," she looked at Li Nuxie before continuing. "I expect you to do your duty obediently and without failure."
Clenching her fists under the table, Li Nuxie gritted her teeth. Li Chao was indeed correct when he told her that the dinner would be her marriage dinner. Even Li Chnaying warned her, albeit in subtle way. She raised her head and looked straight into her grandma's sharp eyes.
She forced a smile. "I understand, grandma." Li Nuxie might have gotten her way in the past but it seemed that she was still heading towards the same path she tried so hard to avoid.
Veins around Li Jiayie's neck became more visible when she clenched her jaw. Her grip on the wine glass tightened that Li Nuxie was worried her grandma might crush the glass. An exasperated sigh escaped from Li Jiayie's lips. The response of her granddaughter has been echoing in her mind.
Li Nuxie said she understood what she was saying but she never said that she will do it. Li Jiayie lifted her chin, her eyes narrowed into slits.
Growing up in the Li Ancestral House, Li Nuxie has never seen the Old Madam Li lose control. Even when her son, Li Haoshan, Li Nuxie's father, has given up the 30 percent shares in the company to be with her mother, Shu Rue, Li Jiayie maintained her cool. But when her grandma's eyes narrowed into slits, Li Nuxie held her breath, bracing for the coming hurricane.
A few minutes have gone by and only their breathing can be heard in the room.
"If you say so," Li Jiayie's voice rang around the room. She stood up, reaching for her cane at the left side of the table. She glanced at her watch which glittered against the artificial light coming from the ceiling. "It's late. Let's head back."
Li Nuxie nodded as she pushed her chair backwards to stand up. She reached her purse on the table. Old Madam Li headed towards the door in small steps while Li Nuxie followed behind her, head bowed down.
Dao Ze followed behind the two women towards the elevator. Neither of the two spoke so naturally, Dao Ze maintained his silence, not wanting to be caught in crossfire.
A few walks towards the elevator, there was already a group crowding in front of it. Li Nuxie remained oblivious to her surroundings as her gaze remained on the floor.
Until her grandma's voice disturbed her peace.
"If it isn't the illegitimate daughter of the Yang Family, I don't know who it is."
Li Jiayie's straight back greeted Li Nuxie when she raised her head. Her grandma's legs were slightly apart, as if getting ready for battle. Her forehead creased when she understood what her grandma had just said. Yang Lina is here? She curled her lips, her hand gripping tightly on her purse.
She was yet to collect the compensation from Yang Lina for ditching her brother. Although she has long avoided the high society, Li Chanying told her that the Li Family has been the talk of City S when the engagement was cancelled. After all, the Yang Family did a press release that it was Yang Lina who broke the engagement.
The chatter around the group died down when Li Jiayie spoke. Although they belong to the inner circle of Yang Lina, she was still illegitimate and the one who said that was the Old Madam Li, known as one of the Triad of City S.
The Triad of the City S is composed of three families: the Xu, the Yang, and the Li. The Xu Family was on the top of the Triad for almost a century due to its grasp on the military and business world in Country C. For its part, the Yang Family dominated the politics of City S as well as its surrounding towns. It has also stakes on prominent businesses in Country C.
Meanwhile, the Li Family has been controlling the Country C's textile industry for centuries already. It owns the largest plantation of silk worm in the country and the biggest exporter. The Li Family was also a household name in the academe. Li Nuxie's father, aside from being a traveller, was a famous archaeologist. He was awarded as one of the most influential archaeologist in the modern times, being the one who discovered century-old chest that contained ancient texts of an extinct language.
The Yangs and the Lis for the longest time have been fighting to replace the Xu Family on the top of the Triad. However, the influence of the Xus was already embedded deep in the soil of City S. It would not be easy to bring them down.
"Well, if it isn't the Old Madam Li, I don't know who it is," Yang Lina's shrill voice broke the silence. She emphasized the old, her voice was full of ridicule.
Li Jiayie's grip on her cane tightened. Although Li Nuxie knew that her grandma will never lose her composure in public, she thread on the side of caution. She took a step forward and stood side by side with Li Jiayie. Chin slightly raised, she flashed her teeth.
"Long time no see, Miss Yang," Li Nuxie raised an eyebrow as she greeted Yang Lina. To be called as Miss Yang was one of the things Yang Lina hated in her life. The Yangs has a legitimate daughter, the Young Miss of the Yang Family, Yang Shana. Li Nuxie watched as Yang Lina's face contorted while her hands balled into fists. Even though she was illegitimate, Li Nuxie was impressed on how Yang Lina controlled her emotions. At least, she can give it to her. Very much different from the spoiled Yang Shana.
"Li Nuxie. What a surprise. I didn't know you are back," she said after a while.
Linking her arms to her grandma, Li Nuxie raised her shoulders in half-shrug. "Don't worry. No one knows," she replied.
Yang Lina crossed her arms, tilting her head while she sneered. "Traveling always? I'm surprise you can still maintain your position as the Young Miss Li."
On Li Nuxie's side, Li Jiayie's body became stiff. Li Nuxie squeezed her grandma's arm gently before she spoke.
"I can guarantee that I am the only daughter of my father," she peered at Yang Lina, quietly watching her expression. "But of course, I really don't mind having a baby sister. After all, being a Young Miss can be quite tedious. Oh!" Li Nuxie put her hand over her mouth, her eyes got rounder. "What am I saying?"
She shook her head before continuing. "You can't relate to me because you're not the Young Miss Yang. My bad," mockery was dancing in Li Nuxie's eyes.
Yang Lina opened her mouth to speak but no word came out. The minions behind her stayed silent. They might be bullying Li Chanying but they cannot openly go against the Young Miss Li. Li Nuxie was on a different level. Even Yang Lina who was known for her smart rhetorics have been rendered speechless. What's more when it comes to them?
At least, they know when to talk and when they should not, Li Nuxie thought as she watched the minions wringing their hands.
Li Jiayie gave a nod of approval on Li Nuxie's actions. Indeed, this was the girl she has raised.
"Is there something wrong here?" A male voice from behind Li Nuxie has disturbed the stand-off. The minions have suddenly come to life. They were full of smiles and giggling like school girls.
"Omg, it's the Second Young Master Xu," one of the minions whispered.
"He's so handsome, I'm dying," another has screeched.
Li Nuxie rolled her eyes. She cannot believe there were women who literally go gaga over a man. She mentally shook her head. She will ask Li Chanying to throw her out of the window when the time comes and she chased after a man.
Pulling her hand from Li Nuxie's grasp, Li Jiayie turned around. "Second Young Master Xu," she greeted the newcomer.
"Second Young Master Xu," Yang Lina also greeted the intruder. Li Nuxie chuckled when Yang Lina lowered her head after greeting the Second Young Master Xu. But she thought Yang Lina has a thing with the First Young Master Xu? Intriguing, huh.
Li Nuxie also turned around. Brown eyes met playful eyes. The man staggered slightly. It was almost unnoticeable if not for Li Nuxie's keen observation. She wrinkled her eyebrows. Did he know her? The man was indeed handsome with his straight nose, a basketball player height, army-cut hair, and a porn-ish body built. However, the man's skin was lighter than her.
She was not a racist but her skin was her biggest insecurity. Although her skin was smooth, it was already baked from constant exposure in the sun during her beach trips. While she wore sunscreen, the sun's rays were more stubborn than the PA++ in her sunblock.
"Young Miss Li. I didn't expect to see you here," he said, flashing his dimples. Li Nuxie can hear the sighs from her back.
"Second Young Master Xu, although your family owned this establishment, I didn't expect to see you here either," she said.
The man's laugh reverberated in the lobby. A few seconds later, there was a sound of body falling on the floor but no one paid attention.
Xu Ming or famously known as the Second Young Master of Xu Family eyed Li Nuxie curiously. This was the first time he met the elusive Young Miss Li. Nine years ago, he was at the party organized by Li Nuxie. However, when he won the contest, Li Nuxie has already left the venue. It was her cousin Li Chanying who handed him his prize.
The woman in front of Xu Ming was wearing a dark emerald bodycon dress. It was knee-length and hugged her curves almost perfectly. The sleeves were made of lace that covered her slender arms. She was wearing a black strap on sandals that made her taller.
What he liked about Li Nuxie the most was her jet black hair. It was accentuated with a tiara-inspired headband that made her looked like a queen. Well, come to think of it, the way Li Nuxie stood in front of him, half-smile on her lips, head slightly tilted, she looked like a queen who was thinking of the next punishment.
She has the bearing to be the next Young Madam of the Xu Family.
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Yuinavarro
Yuinavarro Hello guys, sorry for the late update. As usual, my laptop has becoming real slow. I might need to upgrade my OS now. Hope you enjoy the update and can leave reviews. It will be very much appreciated. Thanks! :D
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