Read Novel Full Chapter 50.2 – Birthday Banquet: Second Part (II)
Chapter 50.2 – Birthday Banquet: Second Part (II)
The Huo couple, maintaining their polished facade in public, smiled and nodded in agreement. Old Madam Huo even added with a look of gratitude, “That’s right! Director Luo was so fond of the painting—if not for Xiao Yun’s work, we wouldn’t have secured that project.”
They were banking on the fact that Ning Shaoyun wouldn’t make a scene at her grandfather’s birthday banquet, forcing her to swallow this insult.
The Ning Shaoyun in the past might have tolerated such things, but now she was a mother—a mother bent on revenge.
Earlier today, when Xia Mian saw Ning Shaoyun, she had noticed a change in her. While she still appeared gentle on the surface, there were moments when she seemed lost in thought, and an overwhelming fury burned within her.
Xia Mian suspected that Ning Shaobai must have told Ning Shaoyun about the roles the Huo family and Fan Xiuzhi played in Chenchen’s kidnapping incident.
So, she wasn’t surprised seeing Ning Shaoyun didn’t hold back at all.
“Aunt Fan, what’s wrong with you today? You keep talking nonsense.” She continued coldly, “Aside from Grandpa, I’ve never gifted a painting to anyone. What I do remember, though, is that the Guardian painting I spent two years working on was stolen.”
The Huo couple’s expressions changed immediately.
“Ning Shaoyun, what are you trying to say?” Old Madam Huo snapped.
Old Master Ning frowned as well.
Fan Xiuzhi hurriedly tried to smooth things over. “Oh my, Xiao Yun, it was just a painting! Why are you making such a fuss? It’s been nearly half a year—how long are you planning to hold on to this grudge?”
“Your mother-in-law only did it for Chengbei project,” Fan Xiuzhi continued. “Do you know how many people fought tooth and nail for that deal? You should be proud of your contribution—why make a big deal out of it now?”
Old Master Ning maintained his usual smiling expression, though his tone carried a hint of warning. “Xiuzhi, let’s not discuss such trivial matters today. It’s perfectly normal for young people to have their disagreements—no need to blow things out of proportion.”
Fan Xiuzhi met Old Master Ning’s gaze and refused to back down. “Dad, you should also say something to Xiao Yun. She is a mother now—she shouldn’t be acting so petty. ”
Then she added with a joking tone, “I’m just a stepmother, so it’s not my place to comment. But you’re her grandfather—she has to listen to you! After all, she still has a future to think about, doesn’t she?”
Old Master Ning’s expression cooled. Before he could respond, Ning Shaobai spoke up. “Grandpa, I also think it’s better to clear things up now. Otherwise, if Aunt Fan keeps slandering us whenever she pleases, who knows how my sister’s reputation will be ruined in the future?”
“We can’t let her use your birthday celebration and our filial piety as excuses to falsely accuse us.”
His words were sharp and direct, making the guests exchange glances in bewilderment.
“Xiao Bai, what are you talking about?” Fan Xiuzhi frowned.
Ning Shaoyun replied coolly, “Xiao Bai isn’t wrong. From the moment we stepped into the gate, we have lost track of how many times you’ve tried to discredit us.”
“You said it yourself—you’re a stepmother. You never raised us, so there’s no need to be so eager now.”
“As you wished, I’ve already divorced Huo Xuewen. Without the Huo family as my backing, I no longer have the ability to compete with you and Ning Shaoyang for the family inheritance. So you can rest assured.”
“What kind of nonsense is this?!” Fan Xiuzhi exclaimed in distress, looking like she had been greatly wronged.
Then she adopted an air of reluctant concern, as if she really cared for the siblings. “You… you actually got divorced?”
“Do you know what you are doing!?” She turned angrily to Huo Pengyi and his wife. “In-laws, the children might be ignorant, but what about you? How could you let such a huge matter happen without discussing it with us first?!”
She then looked at Old Master Ning. “Dad, did you know about this?”
Old Madam Huo sighed, looking pained. “You’ve all seen how she’s acting in front of so many people. Imagine how she is at home—what could we do?”
“It was just a painting, yet she acted as if it was a life-or-death matter. She didn’t even consider her own son when demanding a divorce.”
Old Madam Huo continued, “We had no choice but to go along with her. We originally thought she’d calm down after some time.”
“But so much time has passed and… alas!”
“We never intended for you two to actually get divorced,” Huo Pengyi said, frowning. “Xiao Yun, I admit your mother-in-law was wrong in this matter, but a gifted painting can’t be taken back.”
“I can compensate you, all right? Consider this an apology from our Huo family,” he said. “Since you love painting, I even went out of my way to find you a teacher. We’ve also set up a new art studio for you at home so you can paint however you like. No one will ever touch your work again. What do you think?”
Then he turned to Old Master Ning. “I was originally planning to bring this up privately after the banquet, but these kids acted too rashly and brought it up now… I apologize for the trouble, Old Ning.”
The couple knew full well that Ning Shaoyun would never reconcile with Huo Xuewen, so they were twisting the narrative to make it seem as though everything was her fault.
Xia Mian noticed the smug smile on Fan Xiuzhi’s lips and was certain that the three had planned this together.
Sure enough, Fan Xiuzhi didn’t even give Ning Shaoyun a chance to respond before she turned toward the young man who had just arrived and gasped dramatically. “In-laws, could it be that the teacher you found for Xiao Yun is none other than Hongqiu?!”
The young man was of average height, with delicate features and a reserved demeanor. His expression was aloof, carrying the air of an artist. He greeted Fan Xiuzhi politely, “Aunt Fan.”
Fan Xiuzhi pulled him toward Ning Shaoyun. “Oh my, Xiao Yun, the Huo family is truly sincere! Hongqiu may be young, but his artistic skills are remarkable. Despite his age, he’s already a member of the Yan City Calligraphy and Painting Association. His mentor is none other than Master Ma Lisheng!”
Xia Mian stared at the young man, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
Old Master Ning’s expression subtly changed. “Xiuzhi…”
“Don’t stop her!” Ning Shaobai interrupted with a gleeful smile. “Let Aunt Fan keep boasting.”
Ning Shaoyun, on the other hand, looked at them with open mockery.
Fan Xiuzhi noticed the sudden coldness in Old Master Ning’s gaze. A trace of doubt flickered in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
Someone who was on good terms with Fan Xiuzhi spoke up to persuade them, “Xiao Yun, the elders have done so much for you. The least you could do is show some respect. Isn’t that basic etiquette?”
“Etiquette is for people who are genuine friends and family,” Ning Shaoyun, who was in full battle mode today, retorted bluntly. “Showing etiquette to those who want to harm me? That would be trampling on the dignity my parents gave me.”
“You—!” That person was about to say more when Wei Hongqiu, who had previously worn an indifferent expression, suddenly seemed excited. His gaze fell on the painting on the table. “This [Longevity Deity Idling in the Countryside] painting…”
Huo Pengyi quickly interjected, “Yes, my daughter-in-law painted it. Isn’t her talent remarkable? If you have time, perhaps you could teach her. The matter of tuition is negotiable…”
Wei Hongqiu lifted his head and looked at Huo Pengyi, his tone sharp. “Are you joking?”
Old Madam Huo couldn’t hide her sneer. “It would be quite beneath you to teach her, of course. But her past works seemed decent. Maybe this one just didn’t turn out well…”
She then turned to Ning Shaoyun and said, “Look at this. Your painting only holds sentimental value for family members. To outsiders, it’s completely worthless. Was it really worth causing such a huge ruckus over it?”
“Who said this painting is worthless?!” Wei Hongqiu snapped angrily. “The level of skill in this painting is more than enough to qualify as that of my own teacher. And you people want me to teach her?”
He turned to Huo Pengyi, utterly confused. “So, what kind of joke are you trying to pull here? If you’re trying to insult her, don’t drag me into it!”
Huo Pengyi’s expression stiffened, and he quickly apologized, “Young Master Wei, we absolutely didn’t mean it that way.”
“Then what did you mean?” Wei Hongqiu was furious. “Didn’t you just say she’s your daughter-in-law? She’s been married into your family for six or seven years, and you still don’t know her level of artistry?”
“With this level of skill, she should already be famous in the art world. And yet, she’s completely unheard of. Could it be that you’ve been deliberately suppressing her?”
Xia Mian couldn’t help but chuckle—now she remembered where she had seen this young man before. He had been at the auction, sitting behind them, and had shown great interest in Ning Shaoyun’s Guardian painting.
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