The Mu family already had enough scandals. If another one broke out—such as being heartless and letting their niece-in-law go to jail—it would be utterly disgraceful for him.
Old Master Mu gritted his teeth. "Butler! Go get a check!"
The bodyguard took the check with satisfaction and left. In the living room of the Mu family villa, only Lin Xiaxia's sobbing remained.
Old Master Mu was extremely frustrated. He used to think Lin Xiaxia was a good child—articulate and good at making him happy.
But who would have thought that she would spend over five million in the Mu family's name without saying a word!
"What exactly is going on?!"
Lin Ru hurriedly tried to explain, "Dad, this must be a misunderstanding. Xiaxia has always been obedient—how could she brazenly pick such expensive clothes and not pay for them?"
Lin Xiaxia's eyes were red from crying. "It was Mu Beiyin! Grandpa Mu, how could I dare spend the Mu family's money recklessly? It was all Mu Beiyin… She said she was going to buy me clothes as a gift, but in the end, she refused to pay. Then she said she'd send bodyguards to the Mu family to collect the debt—it was all her fault!"
Lin Ru cried as well. "Beiyin must hate me. That's why she's targeting the Mu family. But I'm the one who wronged her—why does she have to drag the Mu family into this?"
"Now not only has the Chu Corporation withdrawn its investment, but all those small companies that follow the wind have also refused to cooperate. The Mu Corporation is under attack from both sides. If Beiyin had just behaved, none of this trouble would've happened. But now she… sob… she's clearly trying to destroy me!"
Old Master Mu was struck speechless.
Ever since the incident at Yaohui's birthday banquet, he'd felt a bit guilty, but more than that, he felt annoyed.
Why wouldn't Beiyin just be with Chairman Huang? Why did she have to blow everything up…
Looking at Lin Ru kneeling on the floor, Old Master Mu sighed.
"Grandpa, don't worry."
At that moment, Mu Qianrou came downstairs from the second floor, her face full of joy.
"Even without the Chu Corporation, it's fine. We still have a major project. I've already contacted Xie Lin's assistant. I'll go meet them tomorrow. If we can bring in Designer Xie, we'll definitely make a comeback with this project."
Old Master Mu was stunned. "You got in touch with Xie Lin's assistant?!"
The Mu family had a large-scale riverside park project in hand—high in both potential and competition. Many companies were eyeing it.
But if they could get Xie Lin to be the chief designer… the project would be secure, and it would elevate the Mu Corporation's reputation!
They had tried negotiating with Xie Lin's team for a long time, but Xie Lin had remained lukewarm. Who would've thought Qianrou actually managed to contact his assistant?
Old Master Mu exclaimed excitedly, "Good! Qianrou, you truly are the Mu family's lucky star!"
Mu Qianrou sighed, "Grandpa, I know Mom made some mistakes, but her intentions were always for the good of the Mu family… I'm willing to make up for her wrongs. Please don't be angry anymore."
Old Master Mu helped Lin Ru and Lin Xiaxia to their feet and said with emotion, "Qianrou, you're such a sensible child."
By comparison, Mu Beiyin was just…
Sigh!
Mu Qianrou suppressed the viciousness in her eyes.
Once she secured this project, she'd be the Mu family's great hero. And Mu Beiyin? What was she compared to her?
—
Early the next morning.
Mu Beiyin's phone buzzed. It was a message from Xie Lin:[Beiyin, where are you staying? I'll come pick you up.]
She replied while eating breakfast:[No need. See you later.]
At the same time, Huo Shiqing took a sip of coffee and glanced at the message on his phone—it was from Xie Lin:
Shiqing, sorry, a friend of mine wants to meet today. I'll come see you tomorrow instead. If your wife truly has a talent for design, she could study with me for a few years.
Huo Shiqing raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
It was rare for Xie Lin to turn him down. What kind of friend could be that important?
He had seen Mu Beiyin's interest in design and intended to introduce her to Xie Lin, but didn't expect Xie Lin to be unavailable.
Still, judging by how early Mu Beiyin got up today, she probably had her own plans too... That was fine. Tomorrow it would be.
Mu Beiyin had just put away her phone when she saw Huo Shiqing responding to messages. She couldn't help but be impressed.
As expected of the man who single-handedly founded the HuoShen Group—working from the early morning.
After finishing breakfast, still feeling a bit awkward because of yesterday's events, she said in a very soft voice, "Mr. Huo, I have something to do today, so I won't be back for lunch. I'll head straight to school in the afternoon."
With that, Mu Beiyin dashed off and jumped into the car, her figure quickly disappearing from sight.
Huo Shiqing curled his lips into a faint smile.
A moment later, Bai Ji arrived. "Sir, I heard the Mu Group is trying to invite Xie Lin as the chief designer for their new project."
Huo Shiqing gave a soft snort. "Then the Mu Group is seriously miscalculating."
Half an hour later, Mu Beiyin arrived at Xie Lin's studio.
She looked at the uniquely designed building—large and distinctive, more like a museum than a studio.
It was her first time there. After walking around inside for a bit, she almost got lost. She glanced at her phone, located Xie Lin's office floor, and was about to take the elevator when she suddenly heard a few footsteps behind her and a nauseatingly sweet female voice—
"Brother Lingqian, you're amazing. I've been trying to get an appointment with Designer Xie Lin for so long without success. I can't believe you made it happen. Thank you!"
Mu Beiyin paused in her steps. Mu Qianrou and Song Lingqian?
Wait—Xie Lin had already agreed to meet her this morning, so he couldn't have arranged to see someone else at the same time.
Why was Mu Qianrou saying that Song Lingqian had already contacted Xie Lin?
Weren't they afraid of getting embarrassed?
On the other side, Song Lingqian said gently, "It's no trouble at all. I know Xie Lin personally. I'll speak to him for you—he won't give you a hard time."
Mu Qianrou's smile deepened. She had been unable to get an appointment with Xie Lin all this time.
But when Song Lingqian heard about it, he immediately set up a meeting, saying that Xie Lin was a friend and they could just go straight to the studio.
As long as she met Xie Lin, he would surely be willing to help the Mu Group...
Lin Xixia exclaimed, "Xie Lin? I've heard of him! He's a famous designer. Wow, Qianrou, you actually managed to get Xie Lin? That's amazing!"
She paused, then added with a mocking tone, "Mu Beiyin could never. She's only good at being difficult. She can't do anything right. Young Master Song, it's a good thing you broke off the engagement. You have no idea what she did yesterday..."
"Enough, Xixia." Mu Qianrou shook her head helplessly and said, "Sister has a bad temper. She didn't mean to pick on you. I'll apologize on her behalf—don't take it to heart, okay?"
Song Lingqian frowned in displeasure at the scene.
Once again, Mu Beiyin was causing trouble, and Qianrou had to humbly apologize.
If it weren't for the pressure from his grandfather, he never would've allowed Mu Beiyin to stay in Ancheng. And every time he saw the scar on her neck, he felt nothing but disgust.
"Let's go inside, Brother Lingqian."
Mu Qianrou pulled him from his thoughts. The two walked in—only to suddenly catch sight of a familiar figure.
Mu Qianrou's face changed. She bit her lip, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. "Sister?"
Mu Beiyin raised an eyebrow and turned around, meeting the trio's hostile gazes with a faint, easy smile.