Mu Yaohui's face was dark. "Then what do you want to do? Have Mu Beiyin speak ill of Qianrou in front of Xie Lin and ruin her reputation?"
Lin Ru avoided his gaze, her voice guilty. "That little bitch used to be so easy to manipulate. How could she possibly speak up?"
"Besides, you could have Dad try to persuade Mu Beiyin. Why let Qianrou suffer like this…"
"Lin Ru, don't think I don't know what you're up to!"
Mu Yaohui's voice turned cold and sinister. "You're jealous of Su Xingling. You torment Mu Beiyin. As long as no one finds out, I've turned a blind eye!"
"But do you know what day it is today? If you dare ruin things for me, I'll divorce you on the spot!"
Lin Ru was frightened, shrinking back, not daring to speak.
Before going downstairs, Mu Yaohui turned to warn Mu Qianrou, "Qianrou, behave yourself. Don't play any tricks in front of me!"
It was the first time Mu Qianrou had been scolded. She bit her lower lip in grievance, eyes following Mu Yaohui's back as she threw herself into Lin Ru's arms, sobbing.
"Mom, sob sob, Dad's so biased… I don't want to live anymore…"
After receiving another slap, Lin Ru finally calmed down completely, trembling with anger.
"He still has that bitch in his heart. Damn it!"
Her expression twisted with hatred, jealousy making her look hideous. "That bitch really had a way with people. Been dead over ten years, and people still can't forget her!"
"But she's dead and I'm alive. In the end, the living win! Qianrou, don't rush. Be patient. Once you marry into the Song family, let's see how arrogant that little tramp can still be!"
Xie Lin sat in the living room, sipping tea.
Mu Beiyin blinked at him playfully, and Xie Lin immediately returned a subtle look.
Soon after, Mu Yaohui came trotting over obsequiously, smiling broadly. "Mr. Xie, what an honor! Our humble home is truly graced by your presence!"
Xie Lin remained cold and aloof. "I heard Chairman Mu had something to say to me?"
Mu Yaohui quickly got to the point. "Mr. Xie, you mentioned we didn't treat Beiyin well, so we specially invited you today to let Beiyin clarify things to you."
Xie Lin raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought Chairman Mu's favorite was the illegitimate daughter."
"How could that be!"
Mu Yaohui spoke righteously. "Beiyin is the most beloved child in this family. She has the best room. Would you like to see it, Mr. Xie?"
Just as Xie Lin was about to stand—
Mu Beiyin bluntly exposed him. "Wasn't the room just given to me today? Madam Lin even scolded me for being ungrateful and stealing from Mu Qianrou."
Xie Lin sneered. "The entire villa was left to Beiyin by Madam Xingling. What kind of stealing is that?"
Mu Beiyin added faintly, "Not only that, Aunt Lin also said I only deserved to live in the basement."
"Outrageous!" Xie Lin barked, "Chairman Mu, are you really letting your mistress bully Beiyin like this?"
Mu Yaohui shuddered, cursing Lin Ru in his mind. He quickly replied, "Of course not! I slapped Lin Ru twice on the spot! Beiyin is the one I care about most!"
Xie Lin finally calmed down. "Good. But for a woman like that, two slaps aren't enough."
Mu Yaohui wiped his cold sweat. "Yes, yes… Mr. Xie, about the collaboration…"
Xie Lin slowly asked, "I heard Chairman Mu still keeps some of Madam Xingling's belongings instead of giving them all to Beiyin? Earlier, Lin Ru stole some of her jewelry. How do you plan to resolve that?"
For the first time, Mu Yaohui couldn't understand what he ever saw in Lin Ru.
How could she cause so much trouble?
He had no choice but to say, "I've already punished Lin Ru! Please rest assured, Mr. Xie. The rest of Xingling's belongings are kept by Beiyin's grandfather. He cherishes her and would never let anything happen…"
Mu Beiyin blinked. "Grandpa cherishes me? But not long ago, he gave some of my mother's things to my sister."
Mu Yaohui's face turned beet red. He wished he could sew Mu Beiyin's mouth shut!
Xie Lin thought Huo Shiqing had overthought things. He was worried Mu Beiyin was being bullied by her family?
Clearly, she's been taking them on single-handedly and driving them mad.
Xie Lin asked mildly, "Chairman Mu?"
Mu Yaohui forced a smile. "Misunderstanding—just a misunderstanding! How could Dad give Xingling's belongings to Qianrou? She took them herself without knowing better! We scolded her afterward too."
"I see." Xie Lin nodded. "Seems the rumors were false. The Mu family doesn't treat Beiyin too badly after all. I just hope you'll properly keep your mistress and illegitimate daughter in line—don't let them ruin the Mu family's reputation."
"You're right, absolutely right."
Xie Lin stood up. "Chairman Mu, why don't you show me around?"
Just then, Mu Beiyin spoke up, "You two go ahead. I still need to head to school."
Mu Yaohui couldn't wait for her to leave. "Want me to have the driver take you?"
Mu Beiyin smiled at Xie Lin. "No need."
Xie Lin caught her hint and gave her a reassuring look in return.
No wonder Huo Shiqing liked her… Mu Beiyin had a sharpness and decisiveness that no one else had.
He had been too narrow-minded before, suspecting she was that hacker and trying to investigate her—nearly ruining their years of friendship.
Forget it. Whatever's going on between her and Huo Shiqing, let them handle it.
After Mu Beiyin left, Mu Yaohui tried again obsequiously. "Mr. Xie…"
"I've reviewed the collaboration—it can proceed, but there are some changes needed," Xie Lin said calmly, digging a trap. "Beiyin said she's too busy and wants to withdraw. Chairman Mu should recommend someone else."
—After all, if this turns out to be a disaster and costs billions, whoever is in charge will take the fall.
—No way he'd let Mu Beiyin take the blame.
Mu Yaohui was overjoyed. Beiyin was out?! Great! He knew she lacked ambition—what a perfect opportunity for Qianrou!
On the surface, though, he still looked regretful. "Sigh! Beiyin is just too willful. She quits whenever she wants. If the family didn't indulge her, she'd offend a lot of people in the real world!"
"How about this, Mr. Xie—let Qianrou handle the project? She's hardworking. Whatever you need, just tell her."
Xie Lin pretended to consider it, then nodded with slight disdain. "Alright. By the way, Chairman Mu, Mr. Huo is interested in this project. When you're free, bring Mu Qianrou to Yujing Garden to meet him."
At the mention of "Mr. Huo," Mu Yaohui froze.
After a long pause, he asked excitedly, "Mr. Huo… is it that Mr. Huo?"
Xie Lin smiled mysteriously. "The very one."
Mu Yaohui was struck dumb with joy. For a moment, he couldn't even react.
He was actually on that man's radar?! If they could just latch onto the Huo Consortium, the Mu family would never have to worry about funding again!
His mind raced.
If he could bring Qianrou, what if Mr. Huo took a liking to her?
After Xie Lin left, Mu Yaohui ran upstairs, thrilled. "Lin Ru! Take Qianrou out to buy some nice clothes and get a full makeover. In a few days, I'm taking her to meet a man who could change the Mu family's future!"
Mu Beiyin left the Mu family villa and strolled slowly, planning to hail a cab once she exited the estate.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She looked down and saw that it was Huo Shiqing.
"Hello…"
Before she could finish speaking, the voice behind her and the voice from the phone overlapped—
"Mrs. Huo, turn around."