Mu Qianrou shook her head with feigned concern. "But if I take the car, how will Sister get there?"
Mu Yaohui responded irritably, "The company doesn't have any extra cars. Just let her take a taxi."
"Qianrou, you're the apple of your parents' eyes. It's only natural for you to take this car—it's fate," Lin Ru added, then turned her head in mock sincerity."Beiyin, you're a good child. You wouldn't fight Qianrou over this, would you?"
Mu Beiyin gave a soft smile. Take a taxi?
Mu Qianrou and Xie Lin would show up in a luxury car worth a hundred million, while she took a cab? When the reporters write about it, the person credited for the collaboration would obviously be Mu Qianrou.
Such an obvious trap—did they really think she'd fall for it?
A flicker of disdain flashed in Mu Qianrou's eyes.
What a joke. So what if Mu Beiyin had caught Xie Lin's attention? With the Mu family backing her, no matter how Mu Beiyin tried to compete, she'd never win.
Thinking this, Mu Qianrou let out a smug smile and signaled the driver to open the door, preparing to get in.
But just then—
Xie Lin suddenly lowered the car window. "Chairman Mu, I must say—Mr. Mu, you seem a bit too harsh on your own daughter."
Mu Yaohui thought Xie Lin was speaking up for Mu Beiyin and quickly explained, "Mr. Xie, it's just asking her to take a taxi. It's no big deal. Even if she's my daughter, she can't be spoiled!"
Xie Lin's lips curled into a faint smile. "I know, Mr. Mu, that you hate deception and are upset about Mu Qianrou pretending to be the project lead. But since she's going to the event too, perhaps it's best to arrange another car for her. Even if she's an illegitimate daughter, she's still your biological child. Letting her take a taxi—what does that look like?"
Mu Yaohui's expression froze, the words caught in his throat.
Xie Lin thought the car was arranged for Mu Beiyin?! That Qianrou was the one supposed to take a taxi?!
Tears welled up in Mu Qianrou's eyes. "Mr. Xie, you've misunderstood. Father…"
"Misunderstood?" Xie Lin furrowed his brow. "But I clearly heard Chairman Mu say, 'The company doesn't have any extra cars. Let her take a taxi.' Wasn't 'her' referring to Mu Qianrou, not Beiyin?"
Mu Yaohui instinctively wanted to say that it was Mu Beiyin who was supposed to take a taxi.
But in the next instant—
Xie Lin narrowed his eyes and said each word slowly and clearly:
"Chairman Mu, if the rightful heiress of the Mu family has to take a taxi to the venue, then Mu Qianrou, the illegitimate daughter, surely doesn't deserve to ride in a car worth a hundred million, does she?"
"Besides, this luxury car was bought with Su Xingling's inheritance. I believe you, Chairman Mu, can tell right from wrong. How could you pamper an illegitimate girl who's accomplished nothing, while neglecting the key contributor to this project? If word gets out, how will you maintain your reputation?"
Mu Yaohui's face went ghostly pale, his expression collapsing.
He never expected Xie Lin to twist the situation like this. The car was clearly arranged to boost Qianrou's presence—but now, Xie Lin's words made it seem like Qianrou wasn't even worthy to sit in it.
Mu Qianrou's bashful expression froze as if she had seen a ghost. Her lips trembled. "Mr. Xie, this car…"
Xie Lin raised an eyebrow casually. "Chairman Xie and Second Miss Mu, what are those expressions for? Did I say something wrong? Was it actually Mu Beiyin who should take a taxi? And this car—is it actually a gift for your illegitimate daughter?"
The series of questions nearly left them stunned speechless.
Mu Yaohui rushed to explain, but Xie Lin had already stepped out of the car on his own.
"Well, if that's the case, then there's no reason for me to proceed with this partnership. I agreed to it for Miss Mu's sake, but who knew the Mu Group would be so unjust."
Xie Lin shrugged. "Chairman Mu, I have no interest in associating with illegitimate daughters. Good day."
Mu Yaohui was gripped by fear—this collaboration was the lifeblood of the Mu Corporation!
If Xie Lin walked away, the deal would collapse. Not only would he be unable to explain to the shareholders, but he might even have to mortgage his villa!
Panic surged within him. Ignoring Mu Qianrou's resentful gaze, he hurried forward and spoke obsequiously.
"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding! How could I treat Beiyin that way? That luxury car was prepared for Beiyin!"
Mu Qianrou staggered slightly. "Dad..."
That was her car, her symbol of status. Why should Mu Beiyin take it from her?!
But Mu Yaohui had no time to consider Mu Qianrou's feelings. "Beiyin, you're such a child. Saying the luxury car is too ostentatious and refusing to get in made Mr. Xie misunderstand. Hurry up and get in."
Xie Lin smiled faintly. "Ah, so it was my misunderstanding."
Mu Yaohui wished he could strangle Mu Beiyin, but now he had to pretend to be a loving father.
"Yes, Beiyin is my most cherished daughter. Qianrou is just an illegitimate child, unpresentable. Allowing her to learn from you is already giving her face; she shouldn't even dream of riding in a luxury car."
Mu Qianrou burst into tears, almost fainting.
Only then did Xie Lin smile with satisfaction. "That's good. I believe Chairman Mu isn't someone bewitched by a mistress. Miss Mu, please get in the car. As for Mu Qianrou..."
He paused, his tone pressing, "If Mu Qianrou wants to go to the venue, I won't stop her. Let her take a taxi. I hope to see you there in half an hour."
Mu Qianrou was truly about to faint! Forcing her to take a taxi and arrive in half an hour was clearly meant to humiliate her!
Xie Lin opened the door for Mu Beiyin. "Miss Mu, please."
Mu Beiyin walked to the car, then suddenly turned back. "Sister, sorry. I didn't want this either. Ms. Lin was right; maybe this is fate."
The car drove away, leaving Mu Qianrou to collapse to the ground.
After the site inspection, Xie Lin drove Mu Beiyin home and asked curiously, "If I hadn't helped you earlier, would you really have taken a taxi?"
Could Huo Shiqing have been right? Perhaps Mu Beiyin had become more temperate, only getting angry at critical moments?
Mu Beiyin didn't even lift her eyelids. "Oh, if you hadn't helped, I was planning to smash that car."
Xie Lin: "..." Sorry to bother you; your temperament hasn't changed at all.
Upon arriving at Yujing Garden, Xie Lin drove away, leaving Mu Beiyin to enter the villa alone.
As she stepped inside, she immediately sensed something was off.
All the lights were off, and heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out any light.
It was only three in the afternoon, yet the villa was pitch black. Mu Beiyin was suddenly enveloped in darkness. Her eyes hadn't adjusted, and she nearly tripped.
She quickly searched for the light switch, but after pressing it repeatedly, the lights remained off. Could it be an electrical issue? Had Huo Shiqing gone out?
She groped her way upstairs in the dark, when suddenly a figure flashed before her—
"Ah!" Mu Beiyin's legs gave way.
A pair of warm, strong hands caught her waist. Huo Shiqing's hoarse voice murmured, "Mrs. Huo, what are you doing?"
Mu Beiyin: "..."
She hadn't even asked what Huo Shiqing was doing!
In broad daylight, he hadn't gone out or slept, yet he cut the power and drew the curtains, sneaking around. Why were rich people's quirks so strange?
Just as Mu Beiyin was about to speak, she suddenly felt something wet on her.
Her palm directly touched the man's skin, feeling his firm yet not exaggerated abs...
Mu Beiyin was stunned, her mind turning to mush.
He... he seemed to have just taken a shower and wasn't wearing any clothes!