Xia Qing Tian knew that Song Jun Han would not let things go, but she did not expect him to shamelessly make such a request to her father.
Three days after failing to have her hit by a drunk driver, he was already trying to get back into the Xia family company.
Using the embarrassment he had previously caused her at the Xia family as leverage, he directly resorted to emotional blackmail against her father.
Her father was also being obtuse.
Then again, it was understandable. Song Jun Han’s father was her father’s mentor, a halo that easily made her father mistakenly believe Song Jun Han was some kind of good person.
Xia Qing Tian had met Song’s father when she was young. Her impression was of someone serious and rigid, but learned and cultured. He had also secretly slipped her candy behind her father’s back.
Who would have thought that good bamboo would produce foul sprouts like that scum, Song Jun Han.
Her father’s face was also full of embarrassment at the moment. The post-high school celebration he was hosting for Xia Qing Tian had been going quite smoothly.
Xia Qing Tian, unusually, had not given Aunt Liu or Xia Qing Yu any frosty looks. He was just sighing contentedly when his secretary called. As he was opening champagne, he had asked Xia Qing Tian to take the call for him.
He had no idea the secretary was reporting Song Jun Han’s employment request. If he had known, he would have freed his hands even if he had to open the champagne with his feet to take the call himself.
“Qing Tian, that whole son-in-law thing is in the past. Dad thinks he’s quite talented, and it’s just a normal company onboarding…” Her father guaranteed repeatedly, “There’s absolutely no intention of finding another son-in-law, really! You… you put the knife down first! Let’s talk properly!”
[BEEP—]
[The Chosen One System has been activated.
Choose A: Require joining the company, identify the company mole colluding with Song Jun Han, reward a one-hour limited-time ten-times luck bonus gift package.
Choose B: After all, he is your biological father, so of course, you should forgive him. The mere Xia Corporation can be left to him. He who obtains the system obtains the world. Reward: Direct activation of the points mall.]
Xia Qing Tian held a long serrated knife, its blade gleaming coldly.
She didn’t reply, nor did she even glance at her father. She directly brought the knife down, splitting the three-tiered cake in front of her in half.
Then, she mechanically made a few more cuts, dividing the cake with great flourish.
Afterward, Xia Qing Tian expressionlessly placed the cake pieces on plates and handed them out one by one.
Her father watched nervously, while Xia Qing Tian’s mind was racing.
According to the system, there was already a mole within the Xia Corporation.
It made sense. If there hadn’t been a mole early on, how could Song Jun Han, a mere son-in-law, have gained control so quickly and piled up all the evidence of financial fraud on her father, leading to his untimely and unclear death!
As for the system’s mention of “he who obtains the system obtains the world,” if she were reborn and couldn't even hold onto the Xia Corporation, what use would the world be to her?
“Qing Tian…” Aunt Liu took the cake from Xia Qing Tian, received a pleading look from her father, and could only swallow nervously before saying, “This cake is your favorite ice cream cake. Does it… suit your taste?”
Having made up her mind and hearing Aunt Liu call her, Xia Qing Tian turned around, looked at Aunt Liu, and gave a faint smile, “Aunt Liu knows my taste so well.”
“Uh… I heard it from your father. That… am I being nosy?” Aunt Liu looked at Xia Qing Tian with a hint of nervousness, afraid of displeasing her again.
“It’s nothing, I’m very happy.” Seeing Aunt Liu’s cautiousness, Xia Qing Tian gave a dry laugh.
If it were her past self, she would have said something very unpleasant at this point.
Having died once, she had come to terms with many things.
Her knife was always meant to be used against outsiders, not against her own family.
Hearing Xia Qing Tian’s words, Aunt Liu also breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
Seeing the atmosphere ease, her father finally said with a smile, “Qing Tian ah…”
Before he could finish, her father met Xia Qing Tian’s eyes, which were filled with dissatisfaction and a warning. The rest of his words were swallowed back.
In this day and age, how many fathers were like him?
Scared like a grandson…
But what could he do? He owed this daughter and his late wife too much.
“Now that the college entrance exams are over, and there are still two or three months until university starts, I’ll go to work at the Xia Corporation during this period. Consider it an early internship,” Xia Qing Tian said to her father.
“Why would you want to work at the Xia Corporation out of the blue? You’ve finally finished your exams, go have some fun!” Her father said, “Playing is so much better. You’re a girl, don’t work so hard. If you don’t have enough money, just tell Dad. Or I can have the secretary transfer you another three hundred thousand later? You can go shopping tomorrow? When your sister’s summer vacation starts, I’ll have Aunt Liu take you all out to play?”
“No, I’ve already decided. Please make the arrangements,” Xia Qing Tian said, lowering her head as she cut the cake. “It’s our family company. No matter how hard I work, it’s only right. I should help you share the burden too.”
In her past life, she hadn’t helped her father at all. In this life, she should take on some responsibility.
“Qing Tian…” Hearing Xia Qing Tian say this, her father was deeply moved. He hadn’t expected his daughter to be so mature now. Amidst his emotions, he couldn’t help but remind her, “It will be very hard work…”
Xia Qing Tian handed a cake plate to Xia Qing Yu and casually said, “No matter how hard it is, it’s better than having it snatched away by outsiders.”
In this life, she would absolutely not allow that scumbag Song Jun Han to interfere with the Xia Corporation again!
Hearing this, Xia Qing Yu froze. Her fingers gripped the edge of the cake plate, her earlobes flushed, and her nose felt a sting.
She knew it. Xia Qing Tian was targeting her.
What Xia Corporation! She had never thought of competing with Xia Qing Tian for the Xia Corporation. Did she need to be so wary of her?
She had thought…
Xia Qing Tian’s gaze swept over Xia Qing Yu, and in an instant, she knew she had said the wrong thing.
She hadn’t meant to target Xia Qing Yu. She had meant…
“I’m full…” Xia Qing Yu put down the cake plate, turned, and ran straight back to her room upstairs.
“How can you be full? The soup hasn’t even arrived yet…” Her father looked dazedly at Xia Qing Yu’s retreating back.
Aunt Liu’s expression was not good. She lowered her head slightly, her hands hanging by the edge of the table.
“I’m sorry.” Xia Qing Tian looked at Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu seemed somewhat surprised to hear Xia Qing Tian apologize.
“I wasn’t talking about Xia Qing Yu,” Xia Qing Tian said softly and apologetically. “I meant… I…”
Everyone else was unaware of Song Jun Han’s malicious intent, nor did they know about the mole within the Xia Corporation. She didn’t know how to explain.
“It’s okay, today is your celebration. You just be happy. I’ll talk to Qing Yu,” Aunt Liu shook her head and smiled faintly at Xia Qing Tian. “Auntie believes you didn’t do it on purpose. This is also something you like, try it.”
“No, I’m full too.” Xia Qing Tian got up and looked at her father. “I’m going to the Xia Corporation tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? So soon?” Her father was startled. He then saw Xia Qing Tian also stomp up the stairs. In the end, he could only sigh to Aunt Liu, “This child is becoming more and more wilful.”
Aunt Liu merely smiled, looking at Xia Qing Tian’s retreating back, appearing thoughtful.
After going upstairs, Xia Qing Tian didn’t return to her room but went straight to knock on Xia Qing Yu’s door.
“Mom, I’m fine,” Xia Qing Yu’s voice came from the room.
“Open the door,” Xia Qing Tian said. “I’m not your mom.”
“!”