Manager Zhang's expression softened slightly, and he snorted coldly. "Miss Qianrou, you don't know how arrogant Mu Beiyin is. She keeps calling me an outsider. I've worked at Mu Corporation for over twenty years—if not for achievements, then at least for hard work!"
Mu Qianrou bit her lower lip, looking helpless. "Sister... how could you say that? Manager Zhang has devoted himself to Mu Corporation. You should apologize to him."
Manager Zhang looked at Mu Beiyin triumphantly.
Mu Beiyin sneered, "So Manager Zhang remembers he's been with Mu Corporation for over twenty years. Do you also remember who your former superior was?"
Manager Zhang's face changed, and he was momentarily speechless.
… His former superior was Su Xingling, a major shareholder of Mu Corporation!
Mu Beiyin spoke coldly, "The founder of Mu Corporation was my biological mother, Su Xingling. I own 50% of Mu Corporation's shares. Am I not qualified to come to the company?"
Manager Zhang never expected Mu Beiyin to be so assertive. His face turned red. "You..."
Mu Beiyin glanced at Mu Qianrou indifferently. "Sister, without asking the reason for the argument between Manager Zhang and me, you directly blamed me and asked me to apologize?"
"Do you also think I'm not part of the Mu family and have no right to come to Mu Corporation? You're an illegitimate daughter who comes and goes freely in Mu Corporation, yet I, the rightful heir, am being excluded. What kind of logic is that?"
As her words fell, everyone around looked over.
Previously, they only heard that the eldest daughter had no intention of inheriting the company, so they didn't find it strange when Mu Qianrou came. But now, hearing this... could it be that the eldest daughter was deliberately excluded by Mu Corporation?
After all, just now, Mu Qianrou, without distinguishing right from wrong, sided with Manager Zhang and forced Mu Beiyin to apologize!
Mu Qianrou gritted her teeth in anger, her eyes filled with resentment, pretending to be remorseful.
"Sister, how could you think that? I really didn't know Manager Zhang wanted to drive you away. Maybe he was just afraid you'd cause trouble today... I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
Mu Qianrou's eyes turned red, and she sighed, instructing the bodyguards beside her as if she were the master:
"Remember my sister's face. Don't stop her in the future."
The bodyguards then stepped back. "Yes, Miss Qianrou."
Mu Beiyin almost laughed sarcastically. The bodyguards left by her mother only listened to Mu Qianrou now.
Mu Qianrou asked gently, "Sister, why did you come today?"
Mu Beiyin replied slowly, "Isn't it said that you're signing a contract with Xie Lin? I came to take a look. Is that not allowed?"
"Of course, it is." Mu Qianrou seemed very happy. "Did you come specifically to give me your blessings? It was my fault yesterday for making you angry. You should go up now."
Mu Beiyin went straight into the elevator. Mu Qianrou subconsciously clenched her fists, her face gradually becoming twisted.
... What's there to be proud of! When Xie Lin arrives later, she'll let Mu Beiyin know the difference between heaven and earth!
She didn't see Xie Lin yesterday and thought there was no hope.
Unexpectedly, an hour later, Xie Lin personally called Song Lingqian to ask if this collaboration was personally invited by Mu Corporation's young lady.
After Song Lingqian confirmed, Xie Lin agreed and said he was giving face to Mu Corporation's young lady.
Over the years, everyone knew that Mu Corporation's young lady was Mu Qianrou. As for Mu Beiyin, who came from the countryside, no one cared.
So everyone believed that the "Mu Corporation's young lady" Xie Lin referred to must be Mu Qianrou.
Thinking of this, Mu Qianrou's expression finally improved.
So what if Mu Beiyin is the eldest daughter of Mu Corporation? Wasn't it still her who invited Xie Lin?
—Upstairs in the reception hall.
Mu Beiyin walked in slowly. Mu Yaohui and Lin Ru's expressions both changed. Mu Yaohui instinctively wanted to start shouting.
Unexpectedly, Lin Ru pulled him back. "Yaohui, Beiyin rarely shows interest in the family business. Don't be too harsh on her. Beiyin, come have a seat."
The shareholders and managers around them all shook their heads, visibly disappointed in the eldest daughter.
Mu Beiyin made herself comfortable without the slightest courtesy. Just then, she heard Lin Ru boasting.
"Beiyin, I heard you also went to see Xie Lin yesterday? What a pity—this collaboration opportunity ended up going to Qianrou. Beiyin, I hope you're not feeling resentful."
Lin Ru's words drew curious looks from several people.
"The eldest daughter also went to see Xie Lin? But Xie Lin didn't agree to her, and instead chose Miss Qianrou?"
"Mu Beiyin not offending Xie Lin is already the best outcome. You expect her to achieve something?"
"If I were Xie Lin, I'd choose Miss Qianrou too. What does Mu Beiyin bring to the table besides trouble? Bad luck."
Lin Ru continued smugly, "Everyone's really disappointed in you. You should learn more from Qianrou."
Mu Beiyin's eyes sparkled slightly. "Mm, all right."
Just as her voice fell, Mu Qianrou walked in. Everyone stood up to welcome her, showering her with praise without restraint. She was treated like the true master of the Mu family enterprise.
Once everyone was seated again, the assistant quickly announced, "Mr. Xie Lin has arrived."
A tall, imposing man with a striking presence entered the reception hall.
Mu Yaohui's eyes lit up, and he quickly led Mu Qianrou to greet him. "Mr. Xie, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Xie Lin nodded with a smile, then turned to look at Mu Qianrou. "This must be Miss Mu?"
Mu Qianrou smiled shyly. "Hello, Mr. Xie."
Xie Lin nodded in satisfaction. "I've reviewed your proposals. There are some areas that need adjustment, but I'm willing to join this project for Miss Mu's sake."
Mu Qianrou was nearly overjoyed. Receiving such affirmation from Xie Lin—what an honor!
Lin Ru was also elated. She cast a disdainful glance at Mu Beiyin. "Beiyin, look at how outstanding Qianrou is. Yaohui and Lingqian dislike you for a reason. Maybe you should reflect on yourself."
Mu Beiyin smiled faintly and exchanged a look with Xie Lin.
Xie Lin nodded and, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, extended his hand toward Mu Qianrou and said:
"Then, I look forward to our cooperation."
Mu Qianrou was thrilled. She couldn't help glancing at Mu Beiyin. So what if she was the eldest daughter of the Mu family? She could only stand aside and watch as she, Mu Qianrou, basked in the spotlight.
Mu Beiyin deserved to be trampled underfoot!
Just as Mu Qianrou reached out to shake hands—She suddenly heard Xie Lin call out a name:
"Miss Mu Beiyin."
…Miss Mu Beiyin?!
The room instantly fell into a dead silence. Everyone's expression changed.
Mu Qianrou's face stiffened. Embarrassed, she quickly reminded him, "Mr. Xie, my name is Mu Qianrou."
She assumed he had simply called the wrong name. But just after she spoke, Xie Lin coldly withdrew his hand without hesitation.
"Mu Qianrou? Never heard of you. Who are you, and why are you impersonating Mu Beiyin?"
Everyone was stunned. What... what was going on?
Lin Ru's mind buzzed in shock, and she quickly panicked. "Oh my, Mr. Xie, perhaps you've gotten confused? Beiyin and Qianrou are sisters—they're often mistaken for one another."
Mu Yaohui reacted swiftly, trying to appease him. "Mr. Xie, you may not know—Qianrou is my younger daughter. Maybe you just got the names mixed up. She's been the one managing this project…"
"I got it wrong?" Xie Lin interrupted with a cold laugh. "This Mu Qianrou—isn't she Chairman Mu's illegitimate daughter?"
"And Mu Corporation has the audacity to use an illegitimate daughter to fool me? I made it very clear—I wanted to work with the daughter of Ms. Su Xingling. You think I don't know who Su Xingling's daughter is?!"