On the day of the old man's birthday party, Ning Shaoyun took Xia Mian to get her hair done early in the morning.

In fact, it was mainly Ning Shaoyun who did it. Xia Mian had such short hair, and since she couldn't wear a hat today, she had to ask the hairdresser to trim it so that every hair stood straight and looked more energetic.

Ning Shaoyun wore a beige cheongsam with a side collar and embroidered red plum blossoms, which made her figure look graceful.

Xia Mian stared at her as if he was about to drool.

Ning Shaoyun was amused by her appearance and teased, "Why are you acting like a pervert?"

Xia Mian stood up with his eyes narrowed, and frivolously took her arm and said, "In front of a beauty like Sister Ning, wouldn't it be disrespectful to your beauty if I don't turn into a wolf?"

"This is the first time I've heard someone explain the word 'hooligan' like this." Rong Xin walked in with a laugh. "Brother Bai said you're always right, and you're right."

Rong Xin was still dressed like a playboy. When he saw Xia Mian's outfit, he couldn't help but whistle. "Wow, what a great outfit! Who designed it? We could hire her to be a stylist at our company. Absolutely amazing."

This time was different from the last time she went to see Old Mrs. Huo. Xia Mian also gave herself a decent image. She didn't want to wear a wig. Since she couldn't be a fairy, she might as well go for a neutral look.

The loose shirt reached her thighs and was held in place with a thin belt. Leggings didn't exist in those days, so she wore black slip-on pants and a pair of short boots. She tied the shirt collar tightly and tied a bow tie with a small silk scarf.

Paired with her short hair, she looks casual and cool yet still girlishly playful, which is eye-catching.

Ning Shaoyun smiled and said, "Xia Mian put it together herself. Isn't it beautiful? The stylist asked her for advice. It would have been even better with a pair of diamond earrings, but it's a pity she doesn't have pierced ears."

As he was speaking, the stylist came over, holding a pair of ear clips and said with a smile, "Miss Xia's outfit is indeed very bold. I am very inspired. If you don't have pierced ears, how about using these instead?"

The stylist's taste is naturally good. Xia Mian took the ear clip that was neither too big nor too small and put it on.

Rong Xin whistled and gave a thumbs-up, "Beautiful!"

As he spoke, he nudged Ning Shaobai, who was narrating, and said, "Right, Brother Bai."

Ning Shaobai also dressed up today. He wore an iron-gray three-piece suit with dark patterns, which made his shoulders look broad and his legs look long. It also highlighted his aura of "I am not easy to mess with", and he looked like a cold and domineering boss.

But he is really handsome.

Ning Shaobai glanced at Xia Mian and said lazily, "Why, you should also respect my beauty?"

Xia Mian shook her head to make herself sober: He is not a domineering boss, he is her good sister!

So, in keeping with the principle of bestie socializing, she smiled and said, "I think we can respect each other."

Ning Shaobai rolled his eyes. "How are you worthy of respect?" He looked her up and down. "Oh, this hairstyle is very respectable and very energetic."

After saying that, he immediately turned around and walked out.

Xia Mian was so angry that he ran after him, "If you have the guts, don't run away! Will you die if you praise me?"

Rong Xin craned his neck to look at Ning Shaobai who had quickly hidden in the car, and shook his head, "Is this still my cold-blooded Brother Bai?"

Ning Shaoyun covered her mouth and laughed secretly.

The Ning family's villa is in the east of the city. It is much larger than the one where Old Mrs. Huo lives. The yard is paved with blue bricks and there are large lawns on both sides. It already has some shadows of later villas and still looks very grand now.

At this moment, there were long tables placed everywhere in the yard, and the tables were filled with self-service fruits, snacks and drinks. Many people came in with expressions of admiration on their faces.

Fan Xiuzhi was busy entertaining guests. She had her hair tied up in a high bun, with two curls hanging down beside her ears, which was a very popular hairstyle at the time. She was wearing a well-cut maroon dress and a set of pearl jewelry, which made her look capable and elegant.

"This is such a grand occasion. Let's learn from Mr. Fan and do the same for our next banquet."

The reason why Western culture is admired in this era is that people know very little about these new cultures, and the freshness and mystery attract people.

Before foreign-funded hotels were introduced, the Western-style buffet banquet style was indeed refreshing.

Fan Xiuzhi was obviously very proud of this. "That's no problem. Mr. Wei, don't underestimate this because it looks simple. It takes a lot of effort to make."

"First of all, it's not easy to find a pastry chef. Also, the waiters need special training on what champagne to pair with the table and how to carry the trays."

"Why is it so troublesome?" Everyone exclaimed. Fan Xiuzhi took the opportunity to take Ning Shaoyang's arm and said, "Our Xiaoyang took care of all this himself. Didn't he study abroad for a few years? He has a lot of friends abroad. It's his grandfather's 70th birthday, and he insisted on showing his filial piety."

Someone immediately praised him with envy, "You are indeed an elite overseas returnee. You are only 20 years old. Mr. Fan, you will be blessed in the future."

"I heard you've started participating in the Chengbei project? Your family makes electrical appliances, right? This is a cross-industry move, right? It's not easy."

Fan Xiuzhi smiled from ear to ear, "He has come back from studying and has gained a lot of experience. I also want to let him gain some experience. After all, foreign ideas are more advanced, and I also want to see what he can do."

"You know what? His hard work and effort in studying for the exam paid off. His skills are truly extraordinary. You know, the stocks, the Chengbei project, and the real estate in Hainan were all his ideas."

Everyone who heard this gathered around involuntarily. These things have been the focus of people's attention recently.

"Did your family invest money in Hainan?" someone asked. "It's going up like crazy right now, doubling in a week. I was afraid to buy in, and now I can't even buy it if I want to."

Fan Xiuzhi tried hard to suppress her elation and said, "This is all thanks to our Xiaoyang. To be honest, the land price was so high back then that I was really worried. I wonder if there's any accurate risk prediction out there. Xiaoyang did the math and told me it was a good buy, so I gritted my teeth and invested. Look now, it's tripled."

There was another wave of praise, and some people who were dissatisfied said, "Hasn't the stock price plummeted recently? It was not cheap when you bought it."

Fan Xiuzhi smiled nonchalantly and said, "You don't know this, right? When buying stocks, you buy when the price drops, not when it rises. Ups and downs are normal. The drop is just right. Xiao Yang has allowed me to buy back a lot more, which has reduced my costs."

"Alas, these are nothing," Fan Xiuzhi couldn't help laughing. "Have you heard about that Mohs phone?"

"I heard it! It's much better than a mobile phone. I heard the few leaked units now are just trial units," said a well-informed person. "It'll be another six months before they officially go on sale."

"I heard that it was developed by a few Chinese students who studied abroad. Now they've returned to China and started a company. They're getting a lot of attention from their superiors."

Fan Xiuzhi said, "Don't you take it seriously? Director Qi is coming here today just for this."

"It's always us who can't find them, so how could they come back to find us?"

The crowd immediately became excited.

"Mr. Fan, please tell me what's going on?"

Fan Xiuzhi smiled proudly, "Those international students working on R&D are Xiaoyang's seniors. I've also invited their leaders over today, and we'll be ready to sign a cooperation agreement then."

People's attitudes have become visibly more enthusiastic:

"This is a sure-win business."

"Boss Fan, you are truly a heroine!"

"How do Mr. Fan and Mohe Company plan to cooperate? Will they participate in the equity or sell it?"

“…”

"Boss Fan, given our friendship, if you need me, I will definitely fight for you."

“…”

Xia Mian couldn't help but laugh, and Rong Xin couldn't help laughing out loud, "This Fan Xiuzhi is really good at bragging. She takes advantage of the fact that no one knows Ning Shaoyang's senior brother and dares to say anything."

"Look at Ning Shaoyang's expression. He almost wants to crawl into the ground. She's trying to pin everything on her little Yang. I'm afraid Ning Shaoyang will be screwed to death by her later."

"I'll tell you a secret. When those researchers first wanted to start Mohel, it was Brother Bai who invested in it." Rong Xin whispered in Xia Mian's ear, "So, Brother Bai owns 40% of the company's shares, and the remaining 60% is divided among the three core members. Brother Bai is the company's largest shareholder."

Although Xia Mian knew that Ning Shaobai was related to Mohe Company, she was still a little surprised. "Mobile phone research and development requires a lot of money, right?"

"It's okay." Rong Xin said, "Brother Bai has a sharp eye. That R&D team is full of geniuses and they haven't taken many detours. Besides, you don't know how much Brother Bai can earn."

"I'm not so clear about what's going on abroad, but in China," he said, getting excited. "Those stocks and Hainan real estate markets that Fan Xiuzhi mentioned are all things Brother Bai has left over."

"A few months ago, not long after we withdrew our stocks, the stock market began to plummet. It's now been cut in half. We also recently withdrew from the Hainan real estate market. From what I know about Brother Bai, that market is definitely going to collapse soon."

It was doomed, and the real estate bubble was much scarier than the stock market. As long as you don't put all your money on stocks, there will always be a day when you can get out of the trap. But the Hainan real estate bubble killed many people at that time.

Rong Xin gloated, "Fan Xiuzhi seems quite proud of being the scapegoat."

Xia Mian suddenly asked, "How much did you earn following him?"

"The initial capital was only 70,000 or 80,000 yuan, which is more than enough to start an entertainment company now..."

Xia Mian looked at Ning Shaobai with bright eyes.

Ning Shaobai asked warily, "What?"

Xia Mian flatteringly took his arm, "Big Brother, can we be good sisters..."

Seeing Ning Shaobai's murderous look, Xia Mian quickly changed his tone, "Are we good brothers? You can't just take Brother Rong with you and ignore me, right? Boss, please take me with you!"

Ning Shaobai pulled his arm out of her hand and said, "Let's talk about it when you have the capital."

"Don't worry!" Xia Mian said, "I'm not as stingy as Brother Rong. I'll take 200,000!"

Rong Xin was surprised, "Where did you get so much money?"

Xia Mian raised his chin proudly, "Guess?"

"I guess you're planning on the Huo family compound?" A soft and cute tone spoke bluntly, "It's not good to be thinking about cheating all day long."

Xia Mian turned around and saw that it was indeed Fan Xiaowan, with Zhou Qianqian beside her.

"Then you didn't guess right." Xia Mian said with a smile, "I told you not to speak carelessly if you have no judgment. Why didn't you listen to my advice? Look, you've been stupid again, haven't you?"

Fan Xiaowan's face darkened. Zhou Qianqian sneered, "Miss Fan, why bother arguing with her? She only knows how to talk, and she'll cry soon."

Zhou Qianqian was also wearing a cheongsam today, and she was decked out in pearl jewelry. She was truly dazzling, so dazzling that it hurt the eyes.

For some reason, she felt very confident and said proudly, "Xia Mian, remember the bet we made. Don't regret it when the time comes."

Xia Mian smiled slightly, "Okay, I'm a trustworthy person. Just use your dirty tricks! See if you can beat me."

Zhou Qianqian's expression also changed.

Xia Mian rolled his eyes and muttered, "He really only remembers the food and not the beating."

The movement on their side finally attracted everyone's attention. Ning Shaoyang's eyes lit up and he immediately came over quickly, "Brother, Sister Yun, Brother Rong, you are here."

His eyes fell on Xia Mian and after a slight hesitation, he recognized her. He frowned slightly, then quickly put on a proper expression, "Ms. Xia, welcome."

Xia Mian said, "Thank you!"

They were all eye-catching enough, not to mention Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun's outstanding looks, Xia Mian's shaved head was also 100% eye-catching.

I guess no one knew them just now so everyone didn't want to act rashly. Now that the host came forward to entertain them, people slowly gathered around.

Fan Xiuzhi narrowed her eyes and quickly came over to greet them, "Hey, it's Xiaobai and Xiaoyun who are here."

She took one look at Ning Shaobai's outfit and couldn't help laughing. "Xiaobai looks so energetic dressed like this. At first glance, he doesn't look like a doctor, but more like the CEO of a big company."

At this point, Fan Xiuzhi jokingly said, "Or are you waiting for your grandfather to divide the family property among you today so that you can give up medicine and go into business?"

Someone reacted, "These two are..."

"Oh, look at me!" Fan Xiuzhi quickly introduced them to everyone, "These are my children, Xiaoyun and Xiaobai."

"No wonder you don't know each other. These two kids aren't as homesick as Xiaoyang. They stay at home all day, either playing tricks on me or clinging to their grandfather."

"They are both very independent. Xiaoyun married into the Huo family a few years ago. She is a virtuous and gentle person, and not very sociable, so you haven't seen her very often."

"Xiaobai went abroad when he was 18 and just came back this year. He's now a doctor at Yanda Hospital! Doctors are so busy, they don't have time to come back at all."

"No time left. Grandpa's birthday party, and such dear grandchildren are only here now? They're like outsiders. Mr. Fan, is your Xiaoyang organizing his grandfather's birthday party alone?"

This person was obviously there to carry Fan Xiuzhi's sedan chair. Ning Shaobai listened to what Fan Xiuzhi had to say and was too impatient to argue with her.

He took out the invitation from his pocket and placed it in her hand, then said to everyone, "We are outsiders anyway."

"Aunt Fan personally sent us the invitation letter, and the time and place are clearly marked. How could we not be polite?" He smiled faintly, "Don't worry, I know that the Ning family's current situation is all due to Aunt Fan. I won't compete with you and Ning Shaoyang."

"Today, just like everyone here, I came here at your invitation to wish Grandpa a happy birthday, and then I will leave."

"Relax." Ning Shaobai smiled at Fan Xiuzhi, "Although I am the original wife's legitimate son, I studied medicine and cannot steal Xiaoyang's limelight."

Ning Shaoyun also placed the invitation in her hand. "Mr. Fan, you are very busy, so we usually don't dare to bother you too much. Thank you for your invitation. It's an honor to be able to attend the birthday party."

Rong Xin and Xia Mian followed suit and placed the invitation in Fan Xiuzhi's hands. "Thank you for the invitation."

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, and many people looked at each other. Ning Shaobai's words, combined with what Fan Xiuzhi had said before, clearly told everyone that they were not unfilial people at ordinary times who came to fight for the family property at the critical moment.

But as the original wife, she was suppressed by Fan Xiuzhi and could not return home, and now she has to make a living independently.

This is quite reasonable, after all, the Ning family's company is indeed managed by Fan Xiuzhi.

Fan Xiuzhi didn't expect Ning Shaobai to come up and confront her directly.

She saw that he hadn't made any move these days, and was certain that his so-called revenge on her would still depend on the old man.

And considering the old man's attitude of considering the overall situation, Ning Shaobai had to pretend to be nice to her in front of everyone.

That's why she sent invitations specifically to annoy them, but she didn't expect...

Fan Xiuzhi was secretly delighted, thinking that she was still too young and impulsive.

Ning Shaoyang's face flushed red. He reached out and took the invitation from Fan Xiuzhi's hand, took a look, and tried to smooth things over. "Brother, Sister Yun, what are you talking about? This will always be your home."

"Xiaoyang, stop talking." Fan Xiuzhi gave a wry smile, "Let's take it slow next time."

"Haven't you known how stubborn your big brother and sister are since you were little?"

At this point, she shook her head helplessly, "One of them studied abroad for six or seven years and hasn't been seen by his family in almost a year since returning home; the other ran away from home to Ming City because of a quarrel with the Huo family, and has never set foot in the house since returning."

Fan Xiuzhi looked well-intentioned. "They are now devoted to studying medicine, one a doctor, the other to becoming an artist. They didn't even care when your grandfather asked to divide the family property, and they firmly said no."

"I'm afraid if I don't send them an invitation to motivate them, they won't even come to your grandfather's birthday party."

Xia Mian was amazed. Fan Xiuzhi's level was indeed very high. With this move, she not only cleared herself, but also solidified the fact that Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun did not want the family property.

If Ning Shaobai and Ning Shaoyun accepted Old Master Ning's property later, they would be contradicting themselves.

Not only that, she seemed to realize that Ning Shaobai's impulsiveness was beneficial to her and began to provoke him.

"Speaking of which, where's Chenchen?" Fan Xiuzhi poked her head out to look for him, then said to everyone, "You don't know, Xiaoyun had a quarrel with the Huo family a while ago and ran away from home. The child almost got into trouble. She was only six years old, it was really scary."

"After the old man found out, he was so worried that he couldn't sleep all night, and he was thinking about how he could see the child today."

Children are always a mother's Achilles' heel, and Ning Shaoyun's face turned cold.

Ning Shaobai patted her shoulder and said to Fan Xiuzhi calmly, "Auntie, are you really taking good care of Grandpa?"

Fan Xiuzhi frowned slightly, and then she heard Ning Shaobai say, "Why are you talking nonsense? Grandpa clearly told us not to bring the child here."

"After all, the bastard in our family who colluded with the human traffickers has not been caught yet. That kind of bastard has no bottom line. If one plan fails, another will come up with another. How dangerous is that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was in an uproar.

"What's going on? Why is someone from the Ning family colluding to kidnap a child?"

"So this is kidnapping for ransom?"

"Then you really have to keep an eye on the child. It's right for the child not to come."

"Mr. Fan, this needs to be thoroughly investigated. Otherwise, if someone with this kind of thinking manages to escape, he'll become more and more daring."

"People like this should be shot dead if they are caught."

Fan Xiuzhi maintained a smile on her face and said, "That's not true. They were just overthinking it after the child got into trouble..."

"It's right to think too much!" Most of the people present were wealthy people who hated kidnapping and extortion. "It's better than thinking too little."

Ning Shaobai said, "Grandpa personally told me not to bring the child back."

He glanced at Fan Xiaowan and said, "Xiaowan, you all know that Grandpa is very strict in managing the family. If this hadn't happened, Grandpa wouldn't have told us this."

He turned his head and asked, "Right, Fan Xiaowan."

Fan Xiaowan choked. If she said it was wrong, she would be denying the old man; but if she said it was right...

Fan Xiaowan looked at her aunt Fan Xiuzhi's expression and didn't dare to speak.

Ning Shaobai also raised the corner of his mouth and said jokingly, "Auntie, you are quite interesting. You keep saying that Grandpa misses us so much, but you just block us here and won't let us in. What's the matter? Are you afraid that we will ask Grandpa for the family property in advance after we go in?"

"Don't worry, I won't take it if I say I don't want it." After Ning Shaobai said that, he took Ning Shaoyun and the others and walked directly to the hall.

The roles were almost reversed compared to when they first came in. For some reason, the people following Fan Xiuzhi felt embarrassed for her.

"Your stepson is quite impressive."

Fan Xiuzhi narrowed her eyes and sighed helplessly, "They are all young and energetic children. As a stepmother, what else can I do except give in?"