Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 872: Chapter 868: Mangy Dog

As soon as this was mentioned, Yao Xinzhu’s expression eased a lot.

What Mrs. Gu had just said in praise of Huo Sining, Yao Xinzhu didn’t take it to heart at all. She thought Mrs. Gu was surely just flattering Huo Sining to boost her own image. Otherwise, how could a twenty-year-old girl have such extraordinary talent? Dealing with gambling stones, treasure appraisal, learning magic, and practicing Qigong massage—it seemed too far-fetched, and it’s a wonder if she could master any of them!

Yao Xinzhu was sure that Huo Sining was the type who had fleeting interests and couldn’t settle down. Such a girl was vain, unlearned, and lacked determination, so she didn’t consider Huo Sining a real rival at all.

Listening to Mrs. Gu’s question, Yao Xinzhu glanced at Huo Sining with pride before slowly beginning to speak, ”I stayed in France for five years, studying fashion and design, with a specialization in perfume and luxury goods management. I spent four years studying both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After graduation, I worked as a department director at the headquarters of a top luxury brand, Samra Company, abroad.”

Mrs. Gu wasn’t very interested in what Yao Xinzhu said about luxury goods and perfumes. She nodded slightly and said, ”That job sounds good. Many perfumes and luxury goods are imported from France. Your job prospects and the market should be very promising.”

What Mrs. Gu said sounded quite perfunctory. While she said that, what she actually thought was that her daughter-in-law was far more impressive. Huo Sining could cure illnesses, gamble on stones, conduct biological research; she was talented and intelligent. The future grandchildren would also surely be smart.

Yao Xinzhu didn’t notice Mrs. Gu’s lack of interest and thought Mrs. Gu was genuinely complimenting her. She felt a surge of joy and continued:

”Our company is striving to expand its market in Huaxia. This trip back home is to represent our company in seeking partnerships here. A Xu’s company is currently working on a collaboration project, and our cooperation concepts align perfectly. We’ve already reached an agreement. Once this project succeeds, we will be the leading luxury goods power in the domestic market for a long time.”

After saying this, Yao Xinzhu looked expectantly at Mrs. Gu, hoping Mrs. Gu would say a few flattering words or inquire more about the specifics of the collaboration. This way, she could smoothly analyze the project’s prospects and profits, then find a way to gain Mrs. Gu’s favor so Mrs. Gu could persuade Gu Xu, ideally postponing their collaboration for another three months.

Yao Xinzhu had thought things through well, but she overestimated herself and underestimated Mrs. Gu. No one here was a fool. Mrs. Gu, who could sit in the position of Gu Family’s matriarch, was certainly not someone who could be easily manipulated by Yao Xinzhu.

Mrs. Gu had been suspicious from the moment Yao Xinzhu mentioned the collaboration with Gu Xu Company. She didn’t miss the calculating look in Yao Xinzhu’s eyes. Internally, she sneered and acted as if she didn’t understand, nodding and then turning her head to look at Huo Sining:

”How come you have time to be here? I heard from Gu Xu that you have to go to Dongyang soon, isn’t it a busy time for you?”

Huo Sining nodded: ”Yes, it’s quite busy. That’s why I came to take a look. I am preparing to open an antique shop in Liulichang. The renovation is nearly complete and is expected to open at the beginning of next month. I’m here to handle these matters; otherwise, I won’t have the time once I go to Dongyang.”

Although Mrs. Gu was not interested in antiques, she worried when she thought about Huo Sining going away for several months: ”Going so far away is not easy. Being alone abroad, there will doubtless be many inconveniences. How about I go with you? I’ve never traveled abroad; I could stay with you in Dongyang for a while. We’ll look out for each other.”

When Huo Sining heard this, she couldn’t help but laugh: ”Auntie, I’m going there to study, and there will be other senior students with me. The school will surely arrange accommodations for us. It’s very safe. You don’t need to worry so much. Three months isn’t very long; it’ll pass quickly.”

Although she said that, Huo Sining felt warm inside. She had always been cautious around the Gu Family, worried that the elders might harbor biases against her. But after spending time with them, she found she was completely wrong.

The Gu Family was detached from outsiders but extremely caring towards their own. They accepted her, treated her as one of their own, and were very protective.

From this old lady, Huo Sining felt a motherly concern. Having lost her mother early, she had hardly any experience of maternal love. This sudden genuine care from a woman made her feel enveloped in a warm, gentle light, leaving her heart feeling a mix of joy and a bit of sadness, making her want to laugh and almost cry.

While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were bonding, the ignored Yao Xinzhu and Liu Manshu were in a poor mood. Especially Yao Xinzhu, who, according to her plan, expected Mrs. Gu to fawn over her and change her opinion. But things were not going as per her script. She was flustered and at a loss, biting her lip and lowering her head, her eyes darkly fixated on Huo Sining with growing resentment.

Huo Sining chatted with Mrs. Gu for a while longer, then took out the double-headed abalone she brought. Mrs. Gu was astonished by the freshness and size of the wild abalone. She placed it in a basin, and smiling at Huo Sining, said:

”Your timing is perfect. Your uncle has been so busy lately, I was wondering what to prepare for him as nourishment. This fresh abalone is just right.”

The hosts chatted as if no one else was around, clearly indicating they were done entertaining their guests and wished to end the visit.

In such circumstances, the hosts did not invite them to stay for dinner. A considerate guest should have the sense to take their leave.

But the two sitting in the living room showed no such awareness. Both had thick skins and weren’t afraid of losing face. Particularly Yao Xinzhu, having not achieved her goal, naturally wasn’t willing to give up. With a poisonous glare at Huo Sining and frustrated, she simply sat on the sofa with no intention of leaving.

Seeing the shameless demeanor of the two, Mrs. Gu was fuming with anger.

Huo Sining glanced at Yao Xinzhu, a slight curl forming at the corner of her mouth, and suddenly asked, ”Miss Yao, I heard your collaboration with Shengtang is mainly focusing on perfumes?”