Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Chapter 1387 - 795: Miss Si Gets Warned? Wanwan Turns Dumb and Sweet? (Part 2)

The Huo family planned the full moon banquet for an unexpected minor incident quietly, as they did not intend to make it a grand event; given their status, it’s too easy to attract attention.

Previously, during Huo Qinqi and Shen Shuci’s wedding, there were reports against them, accusing them of extravagance and even stating that it’s inappropriate for state employees to hold such grand weddings. Some even claimed that Huo Qinqi’s salary and benefits were insufficient to support such a wedding, demanding an investigation of his salary account.

With Huo Zheng and his wife transferred back to Beijing, the city’s dynamics were greatly affected. Many eyes are watching them, prompting the Huo family to act even more discreetly.

Although the banquet was simply held at a restaurant with a few tables, the identities of the attendees were not ordinary.

Close friends and colleagues of Huo Zheng and his wife, along with a bunch of Huo Qinqi’s friends, were noteworthy in their own right.

Although Jiang Chengsi, the popular figure in Beijing, did not attend, Si Qingxiao did.

Previously, during You Yunzhi’s birthday party, Huo Qinqi attended, so for the full moon banquet of the Huo family’s grandson, the Si family definitely needed to show appreciation. Since the Huo family preferred to keep it low-key, Si Yushan and his wife did not accompany her but sent their daughter instead.

The Huo family maintained excellent relations with the Jiang family, with many familiar faces, and thus had little worry about any incident occurring.

Si Qingxiao knew Tang Wan would also be attending, so she arranged to meet with her.

"I’m still at the studio, why don’t you come over first? Later, Fifth Brother will bring the child over to pick me up, and we can go to the restaurant together."

Si Qingxiao gladly agreed, only to unexpectedly encounter a familiar face at the studio.

...

Although Si Qingxiao’s identity had been publicized, everyone knew she was the Si family’s young lady and a highly capable person; not everyone had met her in person. After all, there had been mishaps at the birthday party, and many photos never surfaced.

People within the circle knew her, but that didn’t mean everyone in Beijing recognized her.

People at Tang Wan’s studio heard that Si Qingxiao was Fourth Master’s girlfriend; imagining how "Miss Xiao" was generous, they likely guessed her identity.

"Wanwan has several guests. Let me take you to the lounge to sit down and have some tea," Chen Zhi greeted her increasingly politely.

"No need, I’ll just browse around."

Si Qingxiao’s gaze fell on the studio’s display cabinets, all filled with non-sale items.

She was entranced, her eyes glistening, and Chen Zhi began to grow apprehensive...

The last time she came to settle the balance for a screen, she casually took away a non-sale item. Could she be back for more?

If this continues, the items in their display cabinets will be emptied.

"Manager Chen, may I take a look at this peony brooch?" Si Qingxiao asked with a smile.

"Sure, just a moment while I grab the key." Chen Zhi’s head started to throb slightly, and he began to grumble about Tang Wan. Knowing clearly that Si Qingxiao never leaves empty-handed when visiting, why did she invite her to the studio rather than meeting elsewhere?

After Chen Zhi left, Si Qingxiao continued to examine those non-sale items, pondering how wonderful it would be if they were all hers.

She was studying a Cyan Feather blue enamel hairpin when the transparent glass of the display cabinet reflected a shadow. Accompanied by a faint scent of perfume, she turned to glance...

She didn’t know her, yet she looked familiar.

Tang Wan’s classmate, seen at the Jiang family’s full moon banquet, and later encountered during Jiang Chengsi’s club’s recruitment.

It’s quite a coincidence; at the last full moon banquet, he bad-mouthed Ruan Mengxi, and she overheard; during club recruitment, he tried to use connections from Ruan Mengxi to get in, and she caught onto that too; even during the interview, Jiang Chengsi found it difficult, and she witnessed clearly...

They weren’t acquainted, yet a grudge was formed.

"These are all non-sale items, not for sale," she suddenly spoke. "It’s not something money alone can buy; Wanwan said it depends on relationships."

Si Qingxiao merely smiled, evaluating her without a response.

The last encounter was during Jiang Chengsi’s recruitment for an assistant, which was last year. Several months later, she seemed like a different person, her nose was more pronounced, lips fuller, becoming prettier and more refined.

"I heard you’re Wanwan’s old customer, so she invited you for her child’s full moon banquet."

"Yes," Si Qingxiao nodded, uncertain of her intentions.

She seemed unaware of her identity or the deeper relationship with Tang Wan, and Si Qingxiao didn’t plan on wasting words on someone irrelevant.

Logically speaking, they were not close enough to consider greeting each other upon meeting, what was her tone aiming for?

"Wanwan and I have been classmates since high school, known each other for almost ten years, very close. A customer is just a customer, so just buy the items without involving other matters..."

Si Qingxiao merely smiled, realizing she was afraid of spreading gossip to Tang Wan, intentionally warning her.

Tang Wan’s old classmate seemed annoyed as if her punch landed on soft cotton; when she decided to leave, Si Qingxiao called out to her.

"Miss..."

She turned her head towards Si Qingxiao.

"Since you and Teacher Tang are on good terms, naturally my words won’t stir things up. I’m busy every day, not interested in your affairs..."

"Don’t take yourself too seriously."

The woman, irritated, stomped away in high heels, only for a man to appear from the side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, seeming affectionate, resembling a couple.

Interestingly, another familiar face.

He once provoked Jiang Chengsi in the club’s racing competition; though Si Qingxiao could not recall his specific name momentarily.

Upon seeing Si Qingxiao, he paused.

She looked familiar, but he couldn’t immediately pinpoint where.

On that racing day, it was winter, heavily bundled in warm clothing, he found this woman strikingly familiar...

"Brother Dong, let’s go quick!" The woman, noticing her male companion staring at another woman, grew jealous. With Si Qingxiao’s striking beauty, she clung to his arm, coquettishly pulling him away.

"I feel like this person looks familiar," Geng Dong frowned, unaware of where he might have seen her.

"Do you find every beautiful woman familiar?" the woman playfully teased.

"No, no beauty could compare to our baby at home," the man said while pinching her waist, and they left the studio together.

...

While Chen Zhi hadn’t returned, Tang Wan emerged from the office, "Fourth sister-in-law, I’m sorry to keep you waiting. A guest earlier, also my classmate, made me chat a bit longer."

Tang Wan initially teased by calling her fourth sister-in-law, which Si Qingxiao found awkward, yet grew accustomed to it over time.

"Yes, I ran into her earlier, seemed familiar from the full moon banquet, is she a classmate you’re close with?" Si Qingxiao asked casually.

That woman was definitely not someone to meddle with.

Previously, attending the full moon banquet, likely attempting to cozy up to Tang Wan, despite insulting a classmate behind the scenes, later specially applying at Ruan Mengxi’s club, trying to get closer to Jiang Chengsi, Si Qingxiao sensed her dubious character from the start.

"Not exactly close, it’s just recently she keeps coming to order jewelry, bringing business, never haggling prices, with no particular demands on custom jewelry. Naturally, profits should be earned."

With Tang Wan’s words, Si Qingxiao understood their relationship.

Regarding this old classmate, Tang Wan harbored reservations but didn’t carry gossip behind others’ backs, not her style. She didn’t realize the classmate would link to Si Qingxiao, hence said little.

Everyone grown into adults in society, no fools amongst them.

Originally attending her child’s full moon banquet likely aimed to acquaint with illustrious people, now finding a wealthy boyfriend, frequently visiting to order items, inviting her to socialize, obviously buying is fake, currying favor is real.

Tang Wan wasn’t naive, likely she aimed to leverage her current boyfriend to ascend further, keeping relations with Tang Wan might introduce higher-ups.

That little scheming, Tang Wan was aware of, thus avoided closeness. As she willingly spends on jewelry, owning a business, there’s no reason to refuse.

As for the relationship...

Nothing substantial.

Tang Wan and Si Qingxiao both held their own thoughts; Tang Wan felt her old classmate was opportunistic, living calculatingly, while Si Qingxiao feared Tang Wan might get deceived.

Thinking perhaps Tang Wan still hasn’t faced much in society, shielded too well by Jiang Jinsang, being somewhat naïve.

She advised, "In school, relationships are pure, but entering society reveals that people change."

"Many things, once entangled with money or interests, turn sour. Keeping cautious at all times does no harm."

Tang Wan nodded with a smile, appearing unblemished and innocent.

Si Qingxiao frowned:

Heard rumors pregnancy dumbs a person for three years, did Teacher Tang turn silly?

Tang Wan had no idea someone perceived her as naïve and gullible.