Transmigrated Into a Scumbag Alpha In a Melodramatic Novel and Been Targeted by My Love Rival - Chapter 19

On Xia Wu’s first day at the Shen Family residence, Shen Ruofei hosted a family banquet.

Nearly every member of the Shen Family who could be named attended, including those who had once worked alongside Shen Yuanqing.

By seniority, Shen Ruofei should have addressed them respectfully as “Uncle” or “Aunt,” but these elders treated her with surprising warmth, patting her on the shoulder and saying the Shen Family now relied entirely on her.

Shen Ruofei smiled and explained that she had been hospitalized for a long time due to a car accident, and now she often felt her mind wasn’t sharp, with occasional headaches. If Shen Hong hadn’t brought Xia Wu to help her, she really wouldn’t have known what to do.

Since Shen Yuanqing’s death, Shen Ruofei’s reckless behavior had become an open secret. These elders, well aware of her reputation, had long since found excuses to leave the Shen Family.

Their conversation was now mere politeness, but Shen Ruofei seemed to take it seriously. “The Shen family really couldn’t function without all of you, Uncle and Aunt.”

Shen Xuanming, once Shen Yuanqing’s assistant and now in his forties, had resigned from the Shen family and remarried a divorced Omega. His current life was relatively smooth and content.

Hearing Shen Ruofei’s words, he chuckled. “The Shen family has already been entrusted to your younger generation. As long as you manage it well, there shouldn’t be any problems. Have confidence in yourself. It’s just this Xia Wu—do you really know her background?”

Shen Ruofei responded evasively, “I don’t know. Aunt Hong recommended her, so it should be fine. I trust her completely.”

Only Shen Ruofei knew whether “her” referred to Shen Hong or Xia Wu.

Standing beside Shen Xuanming was Shen Huaisi, Shen Yuanqing’s former second-in-command. She was highly capable and had once been greatly valued by Shen Yuanqing.

However, during a trip, she was accidentally shot, damaging her gland. This setback left her demoralized and unable to recover.

Aware of the distress this caused an Alpha, Shen Yuanqing established a fund for her, ensuring she would be cared for and live without worries from then on.

As a child, Shen Ruofei would often follow Shen Huaisi around, bouncing excitedly and asking to go play with her. Now, Shen Huaisi observed Shen Xuanming from a distance, remaining silent.

The family banquet, held due to the large number of attendees, took place not in the dining hall but by the artificial lake behind the main residence. The picturesque setting, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, offered a serene atmosphere where even the breeze was gentle and soothing.

Xia Wu and Shen Hong sat on either side of Shen Ruofei, while Shen Yuanqing’s former influential subordinates occupied the main table. The younger generation had their own separate table.

Xia Wu, usually unfazed by social gatherings, sensed something unusual about this Shen family banquet. Even Shen Ruofei, typically so laid-back, had donned an expensive dress and presided over the banquet with composed elegance.

Sipping her wine from a stemware glass, Xia Wu observed the scene from her vantage point, taking in every expression and reaction. The Shen elders engaged in subtle power struggles, testing each other’s positions. The younger generation competed fiercely over professional achievements, none willing to concede to the others.

Shen Qiyan was considered one of the most capable and ambitious members of her generation in the Shen family.

This time, Shen Qiyan felt uneasy upon arriving at the Shen family residence.

Ever since Shen Ruofei returned from her car accident, she had spent most of her time at home. She had ordered a complete renovation of the Shen family’s main hall. While some elements, like Shen Yuanqing’s favored peony and gilded patterns, were preserved, the overall color scheme had become brighter and more cheerful, shedding its former gloominess.

When Shen Qiyan first saw the transformed main hall, she thought she had come to the wrong place. Only after a servant explained that the Family Head had ordered the renovation did she nervously begin biting her nails.

Why would Shen Ruofei start taking an interest in the Shen family affairs after her accident?

If Shen Ruofei remained indifferent to family matters and continued her lavish spending, it would have been ideal.

Shen Qiyan had hoped Shen Ruofei would continue her reckless ways, allowing her to mock her and scheme opportunities to seize the Shen family’s assets. Instead, Shen Ruofei had invited Xia Wu and even summoned numerous senior family members for Xia Wu’s first day at the Shen residence.

This was clearly a show of respect for Xia Wu, a declaration to all Shen family members that, after Shen Ruofei herself, Xia Wu now held the highest status in the family.

At this thought, Shen Qiyan couldn’t help but sneer. How many members of the Shen family would actually listen to Shen Ruofei?

After the third round of drinks, Shen Ruofei sat at the head table and lightly tapped her wineglass with her silver knife. All eyes turned to her. She turned, raised her glass, and shot a meaningful look at Xia Wu.

Xia Wu instinctively stood and picked up her glass. Shen Ruofei draped an arm around her shoulders and declared, “Miss Xia, please don’t be too formal while you’re with the Shen family. Though none of us here share blood ties, anyone willing to carry the Shen name since my grandmother’s generation is family. We’re a close-knit clan. Let’s toast to welcoming Miss Xia into the Shen family!”

Shen Hong was the first to stand, followed by the other Shen family members, who slowly rose and raised their glasses.

Shen Ruofei clinked glasses with Xia Wu, then downed the remaining red wine in her glass in one gulp.

The family banquet lasted until four in the afternoon.

Perhaps too excited, Shen Ruofei had drunk too much and was now burping loudly. The Shen family servants carried her away, while Shen Hong instructed them to first give her a bowl of sobering soup before letting her sleep.

The moment Shen Ruofei left, the atmosphere at the family banquet shifted dramatically.

It wasn’t just the younger generation of the Shen family. Even the elders who had been joking and laughing with Shen Ruofei at the banquet now watched Xia Wu with what seemed like forced smiles, as if they were determined to discern something unusual about her.

Xia Wu noticed their gazes, but her lips curved into a smile, showing no sign of nerves.

“Please look forward to working with me,” she said, raising her glass in a toast before downing the liquor in one gulp. She turned to Shen Hong. “I’d like to check on the Family Head’s condition. Please take care of things here, Director Shen.”

Shen Hong seemed surprised.

Normally, upon joining a new company, people would focus on building relationships with their colleagues. Today, Shen Ruofei had summoned the entire Shen family not only to introduce Xia Wu, but also to have her recognize everyone. After Shen Ruofei left, Xia Wu could have used this opportunity to get to know more Shen family members and smooth her path forward.

But she didn’t act as anyone expected. She offered no flattery or attempts at charm. Instead, she gracefully withdrew after the banquet, leaving Shen Hong to clean up the mess.

The Shen family’s internal power struggles meant nothing to Xia Wu. Her sole loyalty belonged to Shen Ruofei.

Shen Hong found Xia Wu’s behavior intriguing. Instead of forcing her to stay, she simply said, “Very well. If the Family Head causes a scene, make sure she gets plenty of rest. She’s been suffering from headaches lately. Miss Xia’s concern for the Family Head reassures me greatly.”

“You’re too kind,” Xia Wu replied.

Those who had come to probe or provoke Xia Wu could only watch helplessly as she strode away without a backward glance, heading toward the main residence.

The younger generation, seated at another table, seemed particularly disgruntled, their pent-up words left unspoken.

“Letting her just walk off like that? We don’t even know what she’s made of!”

“You don’t know Xia Wu? She used to be the CEO of OmniTech!”

“Her? Why did they invite her to the Shen Family?”

“Who knows what Director Shen is thinking?”

“I heard that once Xia Wu fully takes over Director Shen’s position, he’ll leave the Shen Family like those other elders.”

Shen Hong couldn’t care less about the younger generation’s chatter. What did concern her was the noticeable displeasure among the old ministers who had once clustered around Shen Yuanqing when she returned.

“I’ve heard of Xia Wu,” Aunt Shen said. “She’s ruthless and unscrupulous, with no regard for others’ feelings. Bringing her into the Shen Family is bound to stir up a storm of bloodshed.”

The aunt was Shen Yuanqing’s maternal aunt, once a figure of great influence within the Shen Family.

Shen Hong smiled respectfully. “The Family Head is overwhelmed. We need someone capable to manage her. Miss Xia’s reputation may be tarnished, but who could deny her true capabilities after witnessing them?”

Shen Yujin scoffed. “Managing a company is different from managing a family. Little Hong, you must be cautious. If you stumble, the Family Head will be left trailing behind you, powerless to help.”

“Of course. Your words are wise.”

As the gathering dispersed, Shen Ruofei stood behind her bedroom window, watching the departing family members through the gauzy curtains.

This single family banquet had undoubtedly fostered tens of thousands of hidden motives.

Someone knocked on the bedroom door. Shen Ruofei glanced back as Xia Wu gently pushed it open. Seeing Shen Ruofei’s flushed cheeks but clear eyes, Xia Wu realized the young woman had been feigning drunkenness.

“The Shen family is more intriguing than I imagined,” Xia Wu remarked.

The door lock clicked shut. Xia Wu stood beside Shen Ruofei, following her gaze.

Shen Ruofei picked up the bowl of sobering soup and took a few sips. She watched Shen Hong, her aunt, smiling politely as she saw off the elders. After the family banquet dispersed, the younger generation gathered around Shen Hong.

“She works too hard,” Shen Ruofei sighed.

The sobering soup was unpalatable. Shen Ruofei set the bowl down after drinking only half of it.

Xia Wu tilted her head, studying Shen Ruofei with a distant, thoughtful gaze.

During the banquet, Xia Wu had deduced the relationships between Shen Ruofei and the other attendees through their greetings and conversations.

Although the younger generation of the Shen family didn’t fully respect Shen Ruofei, they still needed the Shen name as their backing. In other words, they would be relatively easy to handle.

The real challenge lay with the silent elders seated at the main table. Their seemingly concerned questions about Shen Ruofei and the Shen family were actually probes, designed to gauge her unconscious reactions and expressions.

Years ago, Shen Yuanqing had granted the elders too much autonomy. When he passed away, they all left the Shen Family one after another, leaving Shen Ruofei now in a position like a leader without followers.

If it weren’t for Shen Hong holding things together, Shen Ruofei would likely have already been replaced as the head of the Shen Family.

Noticing Xia Wu’s gaze, Shen Ruofei smiled calmly. “Do you know the saying ‘Southern Song, Northern Shen’?”

“The Song Family of the south, the Shen Family of the north.”

“Exactly. Though both families wield comparable wealth and power, the Song Family still ranks above the Shen Family. The Song Family has four stable vassal families, each with their own duties. They undergo regular evaluations and selection processes, governed by strict systems. But the Shen Family isn’t as cold as the Song Family. As my mother would say…”

Xia Wu finished Shen Ruofei’s sentence, “They’re very humane?”

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