Chapter 660: Evil Stepmother Themed Tea Shop

“Xitian just opened downstairs. Come on, I’m treating you to an Evil Stepmother milk tea for lunch.”

“What’s an Evil Stepmother milk tea?”

“You don’t know about this juicy piece of news?”

Xitian, located at the base of the Feng Corporation’s building, began operations in early December, attracting significant customer flow with its half-price promotions.

Some came for Xitian’s brand, and others just followed the crowd, curious about the buzz.

From the Feng Corporation’s office tower, one could see young people flocking daily, coming and going with cup after cup of milk tea.

Most importantly, the themed milk-tea cups featuring Snow White and the Evil Stepmother were everywhere around, adding an intriguing layer to recent office rumors.

During this period, Duan Ying’s vase in her office shattered three times.

She increasingly felt that Feng Nanshu was overshadowing her life, pressing down like a dark shadow, much like she once controlled Feng Nanshu.

Yet, nobody saw her losing her composure in public; she remained graceful as if she weren’t the subject of the stories.

Moreover, she insisted on making soup daily for Feng Shihua and taking it up to his top-floor office to share with him.

“Don’t take the office rumors to heart. After all, it’s hard for an official to settle family matters.”

“I know, thank you, dear.”

Duan Ying opened the lunchbox, served the soup, handed the chopsticks to Feng Shihua, and partly drew the curtains to let in some sunlight.

While doing these, her face showed a bitter smile as if she were a good stepmother slandered by rumors.

“Actually, with your words, it doesn’t matter if more people misunderstand me.”

Feng Shihua’s secretary was also there and was quietly impressed by Duan Ying’s demeanor.

This woman was quite remarkable.

Feng Shihua hummed in approval of the tasty soup and said, “Why don’t you just rest at home from now on? Don’t worry about the company. I’m almost done with my work here and you should take some time to relax, maybe travel.”

“You… what are you saying?” Duan Ying paused.

“I said take some rest at home, adjust your mood, or even go on a trip.”

“No, I am not tired.”

Feng Shihua paused, “You are not fit to appear in the company right now. Everyone’s focus is skewed, and they can’t concentrate on their work.”

Duan Ying initially went to sit and join him but trembled at these words, her grace finally fading from her face.

In fact, Feng Shihua had no other choice.

Since taking over, he hadn’t done well, and his authority was already undermined. Keeping Duan Ying in the company meant nothing but a source of mockery from the employees.

Currently, bringing in merchants for Joy City was a priority, and all units needed to cooperate fully and not be distracted.

If employees were focused on leadership’s spectacle, how could they get any work done?

Most critical was the increase in those questioning his decisions during department meetings in recent days.

It seemed they doubted his capability to manage Feng Corporation, given his inability to manage his family affairs.

When executives start questioning their leader’s decisions, the company is truly in danger.

To make matters worse, the Qin’s Real Estate, managed by Wanzhong and Qin Jingqiu, was popular on social media, making employees nostalgic for the days when Qin was around.

To minimize the damage, making Duan Ying leave the company was the only solution Feng Shihua could think of.

Duan Ying was silent for a long while, then grabbed her bag, turned, and left without a word, her face a mix of anger and injustice, far from elegant.

She had failed in her attempt to interfere in Hurricane Investment by leveraging a dining event.

And now, after finally gaining a foothold in Feng Corporation ‘in the name of a supportive wife,’ she was being ousted again.

She had a hunch she would soon become a joke among the society ladies.

Many influential ladies in the circles had already shown displeasure towards her; words like ‘second marriage’ and ‘social climbing’ were increasingly associated with her.

“Now that Duan Ying has left, the chances of her returning are almost nil.”

“Why not just enjoy being a full-time wife?”

“For ambitious people, that’s even more painful than death, especially…”

“Especially what?”

“Especially knowing that Mrs. Jiang has her own billion-dollar brand. Our Mrs. Feng must feel she’s truly outclassed.”

In the neighboring office, Cai Ming watched Duan Ying hurry away and chatted casually with his wife, feeling like they were watching a drama.

Meanwhile, Feng Shihua rubbed his temples and sat in his office without much expression.

In truth, he did have genuine feelings for Duan Ying and loved their son. Although their marriage started with little emotional foundation, after more than a decade together, even a sham marriage turned real.

Feng Shihua cared deeply about family happiness, especially since having their son, which brought him a lot of joy.

Duan Ying was indeed very gentle and understanding, whether it was an act or sincere; isn’t that what a man desires?

He thought it would be great if Nanshu could also let go of the past and return.

A gentle wife, a lovable son, a graceful daughter, and a… formidable son-in-law.

Wouldn’t the future hold good days?

This summer, he took the opportunity of giving a graduation gift to his daughter to talk about the importance of family harmony in Jizhou, earnestly advising and promising to make up for past shortcomings.

But he received no response and was gradually becoming a joke in his social circle.

The past is past, isn’t the future more important?

Feng Shihua started to blame Duan Ying for her past actions, somewhat disliking his daughter’s stubbornness and unable to accept Jiang Qin’s arrogance.

Opening a stepmother-themed milk tea shop right at the doorstep of Feng Corporation was really tactless.

Hadn’t he considered how to face his father-in-law after getting married? Didn’t he think about how stiffening relations now could affect their future reconciliation?

“Mr. Feng, Mr. Xu from Huazhou Real Estate is here for your tea appointment.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Feng Shihua stood up, left the office, and went to the underground parking where he noticed a large dent in his car door: “What happened here?”

Uncle Gong pressed his lips together: “The lady asked me to drive her home. She kicked it when she got out. I’m not sure what happened. Are you and the lady alright?”

“Nanshu’s Xitian opened below Feng Corporation’s building with an Evil Stepmother theme. There’s been all talk in the company, so I told her to steer clear for now.”

Uncle Gong quietly released the steering wheel and stealthily moved a newly bought milk tea from the dashboard to a less visible spot.

Feng Shihua looked at Uncle Gong, “I know Duan Ying was at fault, but did Nanshu really intend never to return to the Feng family by doing this?”

“Miss has her own family now in Block 7, Unit 1, Apartment 502 at Hongrong Homes, Golden Phoebe Street, Jizhou. She has a dad and a mom who love her very deeply, plus Mr. Jiang.”

“…”

As Feng Shihua remained silent, Uncle Gong maintained his serious façade, though no one knew how much the stoic old driver wanted to sound the horn to the tune of “Good Days.”

He should have retired two years ago but kept driving just for this moment.

He remembered the days when his mistress was oppressed and controlled, helpless even when lodging complaints.

Back then, everyone hoped the young mistress could marry someone ordinary who would cherish her, free from such entanglements.

In other words, if confrontation wasn’t an option, evasion certainly was, right?

But Uncle Gong never imagined that Jian An would build such a large company from nothing in just four years. Impressive!

The outstanding son-in-law dominates the skies – truly, sincerity does not deceive!

Just then, Feng Shihua instructed Uncle Gong to drive, and the black sedan pulled away from the underground garage into the overcast sky, seemingly about to snow.

Meanwhile, Linchuan had already experienced its first snowfall; the world shimmered in white.

Feng Nanshu leaned over her desk, her hair in a high ponytail, carefully examining the reports and summaries sent by Fang Xiaoxuan.

Xitian had opened its milk tea research institute in Kyoto, continuously updating and developing new flavors, leading the field.

Xitian had opened several new stores, especially in third and fourth-tier shopping centers, missing none.

However, in her report, Fang Xiaoxuan specifically mentioned a theme store in Shanghai, including a few photos.

The little rich girl tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes gradually widening.

In the photo, Xitian’s decoration was beautiful, and behind it was a huge faux-rock labeled “Feng Corporation,” with a scene of people queuing up.

Then she saw Snow White and the Stepmother, couldn’t help but shake her feet, then looked up outside the window.

Jiang Qin was outside her window, having spent the morning building a snowman, now finally finished. It looked a bit ugly, but the spot over its heart bore the name Yanzu.

Just then, a snowball whizzed past, nearly hitting Jiang Qin, who cursed in response.

Cao Guangyu stood on the open space, full of vigor.

Jiang, calm and composed, stood up and brushed himself off, then grabbed a handful of nearby snow, apparently planning a hefty retaliation.

But Cao Guangyu wasn’t perturbed. Anyone who’s had a snowball fight knows it’s not the size but how you use it that counts.

However, Zhou Chao, standing nearby, couldn’t help but swallow hard. Without a word, he grabbed Cao Guangyu and ran.

“Hey, what are you doing? We’re having a snowball fight.”

“I saw Jiang secretly packing a rock in that one.”