Chapter 17: Overestimating Oneself

Manager Yang hurriedly helped Xia Yu to her feet, only to be pushed away by her ungratefully.

“How can the people in this resort be so careless, bumping into our little Yu and hurting her? Can you afford to compensate her?” Tan Li’s mother, who had always treated Xia Rusheng with great respect, felt a surge of resentment upon seeing Manager Yang. Thinking he was just a manager and wouldn’t dare offend the Xia family, she let slip some harsh words before Xia Rui could stop her.

Manager Yang maintained his professionalism, responding to her words with a polite smile and offering a measured apology.

Xia Rui, embarrassed by Tan Li’s mother’s behavior, quickly apologized to Manager Yang. “I’m sorry, Manager Yang. My daughter is too mischievous and immature. This is not your fault, so you don’t need to apologize. We are the ones who should be apologizing.”

Manager Yang’s attention then shifted to the torn piece of clothing on the ground. His expression subtly changed. “Second Miss is precious. If she is truly injured, our resort really can’t afford to compensate. Let me first consult with my supervisor to see how we can make amends for Director Xia.”

Without waiting for a response, Manager Yang stepped outside to make a call.

Xia Rui’s face flushed repeatedly with frustration—this is a resort under the S&Y Group, a place that neither the Lin family of City A nor the wealthiest Lu family dared to challenge, yet now their own family was offending it!

“This is all your doing. From now on, the Tan family is the Tan family, and the Xia family is the Xia family. Live your own lives. Tomorrow, pack up and leave!” Tan Li’s mother, irritated that her son-in-law was losing his temper over a mere manager, was even more incensed. “Xiao Yu is your daughter. She’s been hurt, and yet you side with an outsider? A hotel manager of all people, hitting someone and still acting righteous. I’m going to file a complaint against him!”

“If you have a complaint, you may go directly to the front desk. We have dedicated staff to register complaints, and if the complaint is valid, our upper management will dispatch someone to handle it promptly. Would you like me to accompany you?” Manager Yang had just finished his call when he heard talk of a complaint. As part of the service, he naturally offered to escort her.

Xia Rui hurried to explain, “The elder is just worried about the child and spoke impulsively. Manager Yang, please don’t take it personally.”

Manager Yang’s demeanor cooled toward Xia Rui. Since the S&Y resort was established, no one had dared cause such a scene there. Today was a first. How could the Xia family’s eldest miss live a peaceful life with such people around?

“Our general manager has instructed that our resort’s service does not meet Director Xia’s family’s expectations. I sincerely apologize for the unauthorized arrangements I made earlier. Starting tomorrow, we will follow Director Xia’s original requests and rearrange your accommodations and services accordingly. If Second Miss has indeed been injured, we will handle compensation strictly according to the contract.”

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With a courteous smile, Manager Yang finished speaking, but Xia Rui felt utterly humiliated.

“Of course, if the eldest miss is outside this scope, she is a permanent VIP of our group and may continue to enjoy our special services.”

Manager Yang deliberately added this, making it clear that without the Xia family’s eldest miss, the resort staff wouldn’t even acknowledge the others. No matter what, the eldest miss was the resort’s only recognized guest.

Xia Rui could no longer bear to stay. After politely escorting them out with a smile, Manager Yang turned to Xia Rusheng and said, “As an outsider, I shouldn’t interfere in Miss Xia’s private affairs, but there is something I’m genuinely curious about. Could you help me understand?”

Xia Rusheng smiled and nodded. “I can, but you must help me solve a question of mine first.”

Manager Yang seemed to anticipate her inquiry and said, “All arrangements concerning Miss Xia were personally ordered by the president. But even our president acts on orders. As to whose orders those are, I believe Miss Xia, being intelligent, can guess for herself.”

Xia Rusheng was somewhat surprised. She knew the chairman and president of S&Y Group—a man of strict principles and integrity, yet also aloof and unapproachable. If not him, who else could have the authority to give such orders?

Could that mysterious major shareholder be him?

“May I ask my question now?” Manager Yang continued without waiting for her nod. “I get the sense that Miss Xia is not a person without temper, but you’ve been holding back. Is there a particular reason why?”

Xia Rusheng was taken aback by the question but quickly understood. “You’re asking on someone else’s behalf, aren’t you?”

Manager Yang chuckled, tacitly admitting it.

“My mother left me an inheritance, but it’s still held by my grandmother. Until I get what’s rightfully mine, I won’t sever ties with them.”

Satisfied with her answer, Manager Yang said, “Our president just asked me to tell you that no matter what difficulties you face, you can always come to him.”

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“Thank you.” Xia Rusheng smiled faintly, not deeply moved. She was so accustomed to hiding her emotions that gratitude was quietly tucked away in her heart. Still, she would remember this kindness forever.

After Manager Yang left, Xia Rusheng gathered her things. She had no appetite; the mental exhaustion made her feel as if a cold was about to resurface. Drowsy, she was about to end the day with a sleep when the doorbell rang—a piercing, maddening sound.

“Who is it!”

Her voice was sharp with anger as she flung the door open.

“Surprise—who upset you?” Lin Yichen’s dust-covered face was full of shock. The joy he had hoped to reveal was smothered by Xia Rusheng’s furious glare.

“It’s you? How did you find me here?” Xia Rusheng glanced at her watch. “It’s nearly midnight. What are you doing in H City at this hour?”

“Of course, your grandmother told me. Doesn’t it surprise you that I suddenly appear?”

Xia Rusheng took a deep breath. “Do you see any joy on my face?”

Lin Yichen loved seeing her impatience. When her tolerance reached its limit, he leisurely pulled out a ring box from behind him. Seeing it, Xia Rusheng immediately took a step back, preparing to close the door.

That ring box was the same one he had used to propose at the last premiere. What on earth was he up to?

With a swift move, Lin Yichen wedged his foot in the door, slipped inside with agility through the gap, and smoothly closed the door behind him.

Unbeknownst to the two inside, the moment Lin Yichen shut the door, outside the once quiet and dark villa, two car headlights suddenly flicked on. A man sat in a Bentley, slowly opening his eyes from rest.