Chapter 402 - Disrupted Dinner
Gold Heights Condominium.
Iris and Jin Liwei decided to stay at the penthouse for a few days because of Iris' consecutive showbiz work obligations. Her workplaces for the next few days, mostly broadcasting stations and magazine publishers, were more accessible from the penthouse than from the Dragon Palace Home mansion.
Jin Liwei didn't mind where they stayed. Both the penthouse and the mansion were their homes. As long as he and his baby girl were together, he would be happy no matter where they were, even if they had to sleep in a primitive cave.
At the moment, everyone was enjoying a hearty dinner around the kitchen island. The entire household staff joined too, so they had to scooch their seats close together to make room for everyone.
There wasn't anything fancy in the dishes. They were all regular home-cooked dishes, but they were all very delicious. The cook always went all out whenever Iris and Jin Liwei stayed over, cooking more dishes than necessary. It was always a feast whenever the two stayed at the penthouse.
Of course, the happiest person about all the food was the glutton Dom. He was like a starving mad dog who devoured the food like there was no tomorrow. Of course, even as his mouth vacuumed all the food nonstop, he still found the time to chatter with his sister Clover. The two livened up the atmosphere during dinner, making everyone laugh every few moments or so.
Ice Cream and Popcorn were eating their own food on the floor. When they were finished, they tried stealing some food from the pots and pans, but Yi Mei caught them and harshly scolded them. The two were scared of the old housekeeper because unlike the others, Yi Mei refused to coddle them. She treated the two cats like two unruly children who needed some disciplining.
The two cats ran to their mommy and daddy for comfort. Iris and Jin Liwei placed a cat each on their laps. Knowing that their mommy and daddy couldn't resist them, the two meowed cutely, silently asking for more food.
"Don't give them food from your plates!" Yi Mei scolded Iris and Jin Liwei next. "They need to learn some good manners!"
Iris pouted while Jin Liwei sighed. However, the two listened to the strict housekeeper, like they would to a family elder. They could only harden their hearts (at least for now) and do their best to ignore their cats' adorably pitiful begging expressions.When the two cats failed to get what they wanted from their mommy and daddy, they jumped to the floor in disappointment. They headed to their cat room instead to play and take a nap.
Little Jun was also there with Jiang Ying Yue. He sat on his high chair feeding himself with his own hands. He also provided everyone with a source of entertainment with his cute delighted laughter. This was why his Uncle Dom and new Auntie Clover did their best to make him laugh with their antics.
The cheerful dinner atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of the intercom. Yi Mei went to answer it. Moments later, she led Long Hui to the kitchen.
"Dada! Dada!" Little Jun immediately started bouncing on his high chair.
Long Hui kissed his son and hugged his fiancée. A maid brought a chair for him, so that he could sit beside Jiang Ying Yue. He was also given tableware.
However, he didn't get food. He just sat there with an unreadable expression, staring at Iris across the kitchen island.
His stare started to creep out Iris.
"What's the matter, Elder Brother Hui? Do you have something to tell me? If so, just say it. Please stop looking at me like that."
Long Hui didn't answer. He continued to stare at her. It was as if he didn't hear her.
Jin Liwei's expression turned black.Iris touched his thigh and gently squeezed it, silently telling him to calm down. Jin Liwei calmed down…somewhat. However, his expression didn't improve. He glared at his future brother-in-law, not liking the man's expression as he stared at his baby girl.
"Hui…what is it?" Jiang Ying Yue asked in a whisper, feeling awkward about the disruption her fiancé brought to dinner.
Long Hui still didn't answer. Now everyone was looking at him, wondering why he was being so weird.
Iris felt annoyed at his weird behaviour. Although she had the urge to snap at him, she decided to ignore him instead. She continued eating. The others followed her example and started eating once again. However, the cheerful atmosphere from before was already ruined by the sudden awkwardness.
"Little Sister Xiulan, why did you buy the 5% shares?" Long Hui finally spoke and asked her a question.
She raised an eyebrow at his question before answering him. "It's good investment, so I bought it."
A furrow formed between Long Hui's brows. He wasn't satisfied with her answer. "Have you been planning to own shares of Long Industries beforehand?"
"No."
"Then why did you buy the shares?"
Iris placed down her chopsticks. Exasperation flashed in her eyes at his insistent questioning. Nevertheless, she was still able to maintain her calm despite the strong urge to snap at him in annoyance."The opportunity just came when someone wanted to sell 5% shares of Long Industries. My financial manager and I decided that it would be a good investment for my portfolio, so I bought it. That's all there is to it," she told him, waving a dismissive hand.
"Really? You only bought it to decorate your investment portfolio?" Long Jian couldn't hide the skepticism in his voice. "Are you not aware that you're now the second biggest shareholder from our Long family after our father? You now own more than Granduncle Jufang or Grandaunt Meng, not to mention that you own more than me!"
Iris scowled at his raised voice directed at her.
"Hey now. Watch your tone," Jin Liwei immediately rebuked him.
The future brothers-in-law glared at one another.
"Hui, what are you doing? Please calm down," Jiang Ying Yue urgently whispered to him.
"Dada? Dadaaaaaa!!!" Little Jun was so startled by his father's voice that he started crying.
Jiang Ying Yue immediately comforted her son. "I…please excuse us," was all she could say before carrying Little Jun out of the kitchen, leaving their unfinished food and the tense atmosphere.
Dom, Clover, Yi Mei and the other household staff also excused themselves. Dom didn't forget to bring his plate with him, hurriedly putting more food on it, before leaving. When everyone was gone, Iris, Jin Liwei and Long Hui were the only ones remaining in the kitchen.
"Are you planning on buying more shares of Long Industries?" Long Hui asked."If there's another opportunity to do so and I can still afford it, then why not?" Iris replied.
Her answer triggered Long Hui. He abruptly stood up that his chair fell over to the floor behind him. His troubled emotions got the better of him. He pointed an accusing finger at Iris.
"I knew it! You want Long Industries for yourself, don't you?! You're really good at pretending that you don't give a damn about the company! But now you're showing your true colours! You want to acquire it for yourself!"
"What nonsense are you spouting, you fool?!" Iris also lost her temper. "Are you listening to yourself?! You sound like a delusional maniac! You're acting like that beccause of 5%?! I have other investments that are worth more!"
"Long Hui, you're going too far," Jin Liwei warned in a cold voice. His aura became intimidating and he wrapped a protective arm behind Iris.
Long Hui sneered at the two of them. He had now allowed the envy and insecurity towards his genius sister to take over his good sense. He turned his attention to Jin Liwei next. "You knew about this, didn't you? Do the two of you plan to take over Long Industries together in the future? Did you help her buy the shares?"
Jin Liwei scowled and opened his mouth to answer but Iris was faster than him.
"You stupid idiot! I bought the shares with my own money! You think that a global billionaire like Liwei will buy a mere 5%? He'd buy the whole damn company for me if I ask him to, you fool!" she shouted at Long Hui.
Despite his fury at Long Hui's suddenly offensive behaviour, Jin Liwei's mouth couldn't help but twitch hearing his baby girl's words. However, he couldn't really deny any part of what she said. After all, he did buy her two companies. So all he could do was nod.