Wen Nian told her not to panic, but how could she manage that?
The man before her represented the highest authority of G country; his smile was the gentlest, yet his words the most chilling.
Song Xiangqiao’s palms were damp with cold sweat—seventeen years old, her mental fortitude already far surpassed her peers.
But no matter how strong, in front of a President, she was no more than an ant.
At this moment, the usually arrogant young girl came to a clear realization.
"Your Excellency... How, how did you come to know..."
Song Xiangqiao felt that even in death, she should at least understand the reasons.
Little did she know, Wen Nian merely smiled, "You are so clever. One day when you sit in this position, you will understand."
The finality of his words ceased just like his steps, abruptly ending alongside his release of her hand before he retreated from the dance floor.
Wen Liangyu sat waiting for him in a chair directly in front, and as Wen Nian approached, he bowed, "Grandfather."
Wen Nian complied and took his seat beside Wen Liangyu.
"Do you like Song Xiangqiao?"
"Isn’t Song Xiangqiao quite remarkable? So young yet so talented, quick to learn, with great potential, and most importantly... she’s skilled at utilizing intelligence."
Wen Nian looked at Wen Liangyu, "Such a granddaughter-in-law should be to your liking, right?"
Wen Liangyu squinted, "Xiaonian, why bother?"
Wen Nian’s expression turned cold.
Wen Liangyu signaled with his eyes to Wen Chou and Xiao Ziyan behind him, indicating they should leave.
Xiao Ziyan and Wen Chou exchanged a glance and, holding hands, went to dance.
Now that there was no one around Wen Liangyu and Wen Nian, "So you’ve discovered it... I thought your grandfather, busy with myriads of affairs, wouldn’t notice."
"Has grandfather not told father and mother?"
"Such matters... the more people know, the harder it is to handle, right?"
Wen Liangyu said indifferently as he picked up a jade pot beside him and poured a cup of tea.
"What does grandfather intend to do?"
"Don’t think of me as too terrible; I won’t do anything to her for the time being. Using this birthday celebration, I just wanted to see what kind of woman she is, the one you are willing to marry without the knowledge of your family or the public."
Wen Nian’s gaze settled on the couple still dancing closely at the center of the dance floor...
He could never understand why Song Lili had changed so much, but actually, he should have thought of it long ago...
It was just that he was too confident, confident in his charm unmatched by any man, confident in his and Lili’s relationship that time and distance could not diminish.
How could a mere Lu Ziqing shake their bond of twenty years?
"Has grandfather discerned anything?"
"Beautiful and eloquent, but... not right for you. She won’t bring you any benefit."
"In your eyes, marriage is just a political tool."
"To a President, marriage should indeed be a tool. Xiaonian, you are the most outstanding among all the descendants of the Wen Family, even surpassing me."
Wen Liangyu continued with his oft-spoken views,
"Even so, you give me great concern because you are too young and therefore too naive."
"What does grandfather plan to do with Song Lili?"
That was the only thing Wen Nian truly cared about.
"It’s not Song Lili I oppose; it’s the bias in your heart, the one you love."
Wen Nian’s fists clenched.
"Since you have come today and learned the truth, we might as well deal with it openly."