The Song family couldn’t understand why Song Nanzhen had suddenly gone mad.

Before they could react, Song Nanzhen was already introducing Liu Fen to others while shaking hands with her.

“This is my eldest sister-in-law.”

“This is my second sister-in-law.”

“My eldest niece…”

“My brother must have been called away by the Elder, so you’ll only meet the women and younger generation for now.”

“This is my third niece Ming Lan. Ming Lan, why aren’t you greeting our guest?”

Song Minglan was furious. Nobody else had been forced to greet them, so why was she being singled out?

Called out by Song Nanzhen, Song Minglan reluctantly greeted Liu Fen.

Others shared the same thought. Once called out by name, they couldn’t pretend to be invisible anymore.

The eldest sister-in-law of the Song family reacted most quickly. She knew Song Nanzhen never acted without benefit, and her attitude was telling. The second branch of the Song family wanted to push Sheng Xuan to marry Tang Hongen, which explained their coldness toward Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan. The eldest sister-in-law thought to herself that there was no need to show attitude to Tang Hongen’s new wife.

She immediately started conversing with Liu Fen: “Our family has always been close to Comrade Hongen. Now that you’re married to him, you’re one of us. Is this your daughter? She looks so vibrant.”

Xia Xiaolan chuckled inwardly. They weren’t outsiders, yet nobody had bothered to acknowledge them earlier.

However, Huo Chenzhou and his mother’s strange attitude today, and Song Nanzhen’s initiative to break the ice – could it be pure kindness?

When the eldest sister-in-law praised Xia Xiaolan’s appearance, “vibrant” was a versatile compliment for the older generation. A handsome young man could be called vibrant, a beautiful young woman could be vibrant too… it somewhat described one’s bearing, suggesting Xia Xiaolan was spirited and energetic.

Liu Fen’s face brightened with a smile.

Xia Xiaolan also smiled sweetly while thanking Madam Song.

The second sister-in-law knew she didn’t get along with Song Nanzhen – whatever Song Nanzhen supported, she would oppose. She simply ignored Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan completely.

Song Minglan’s gaze kept returning to Xia Xiaolan, looking again and again. Wasn’t she supposedly dating one of the Zhou family’s sons? What was wrong with these Beijing men? They pounced on any pretty woman they saw, regardless of her background… Though she was lucky – whatever questionable past she had was now somewhat legitimized by becoming Tang Hongen’s stepdaughter.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t possibly miss Song Minglan’s obvious scrutiny.

She didn’t rely on the Song family for survival, so why should she try to please them? If they had common topics to discuss, they could chat; if not, maintaining this polite distance was fine. With Song Nanzhen taking the lead, her mother wasn’t being ignored, so Xia Xiaolan saw no need to bristle like a hedgehog.

“Minglan and the others are young and don’t quite understand proper conduct. Don’t take offense,” Huo Chenzhou said.

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “They are quite young indeed.”

Huo Chenzhou sensed sarcasm in Xia Xiaolan’s response, as Song Minglan had just graduated from university and was older than Xia Xiaolan.

“They’re hothouse flowers, can’t be compared to you.”

He meant that as someone who could handle multi-million projects, she shouldn’t mind these sheltered young ladies, right?

Everyone loves flattery, and Xia Xiaolan found this compliment particularly skillful. “Brother Huo, you’re quite the smooth talker. Let me toast you with tea instead of wine.”

Huo Chenzhou felt antsy.

Not because of Xia Xiaolan’s beauty, but because the current atmosphere was perfect for discussing business.

“About the project I mentioned before, I have some new ideas to add. I’m very sincere this time – would you like to discuss it?”

Was all this just for that previous project? He was dedicated to his career!

Xia Xiaolan set down her teacup, “Brother Huo, I’m willing to discuss the project, but you know I’m going abroad for a year soon. How could I manage this project remotely?”

Partner with Huo Chenzhou using the eight million yuan earned from Golden Sand Pool.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t trust anyone when her money wasn’t under her direct supervision. Even with Tang Hongen present, it didn’t guarantee Huo Chenzhou wouldn’t take advantage – business situations could change in an instant.

Moreover, she wanted to try some short-term operations with this money overseas… If she lost it herself, at least she’d know where it went.

Huo Chenzhou was also considering this issue. The clever ones still thought about further education, while the less intelligent ones wastefully squandered their time. What a world!

“Look at my plan first. Investment is secondary – you could at least participate in the architectural design.”

He was determined to get her involved.

Xia Xiaolan could only agree. Since Huo Chenzhou had changed his attitude and modified the project plan, if he wasn’t plotting against Tang Hongen anymore, participating in the design wouldn’t hurt.

If he was still scheming, she would firmly reject it later.

Huo Chenzhou’s warm reception today wouldn’t become her reason to harm Tang Hongen.

With Song Nanzhen’s company, Liu Fen didn’t feel slighted.

Xia Xiaolan and Huo Chenzhou seemed to have endless topics to discuss.

When Tang Hongen came from the study, this scene didn’t seem to surprise him.

“Fen, Xiaolan, and Elder Song would like to meet you both.”

All eyes swept toward them instantly.

Why did the Elder want to see this mother and daughter?

From Tang Hongen’s tone, it seemed like a private meeting… What made them worthy of such an honor?

Tang Hongen knew the Song family would react this way. Elder Song wanting to meet Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan privately would certainly spark speculation.

These people, looking down on everyone from their high horses – Tang Hongen’s lips curled: Everyone in this room combined wasn’t as clever as Song Nanzhen alone.

Song Nanzhen stood up, “The Elder is very kind. Just answer whatever he asks, don’t be nervous.”

Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen weren’t nervous to begin with, but they couldn’t publicly reject Song Nanzhen’s goodwill.

This mother and son were both quite formidable.

A thought crossed Xia Xiaolan’s mind: If Song Nanzhen and Huo Chenzhou were this capable, probably none of the Song family members were truly foolish. They weren’t impolite – they simply didn’t consider her and her mother worth their attention.

As Tang Hongen led Liu Fen and Xia Xiaolan to the study, the Song family members were left to their thoughts.

The second sister-in-law touched her bracelet, “Nanzhen, your actions lack integrity.”

Everyone had tacitly agreed to maintain a cold attitude, yet Song Nanzhen and her son deliberately went against the grain – who were they trying to oppose?

Song Nanzhen stirred her coffee with a small spoon, “Second sister-in-law, I’m a daughter of the Song family. I follow whoever leads the family.”

If the Elder had accepted them, why should she make things difficult?

Just because of some discontent?

Please, that discontent couldn’t be eaten or drunk, nor could it bring her any practical benefits.

But Tang Hongen could!

The wind had changed direction, and amusingly, these people were still clueless.

Thinking of these two points, Song Nanzhen felt extremely satisfied.