Chapter 104: Don't Speak Too Soon

Mu Yinyin turned her gaze toward the man. She was certain she had never seen him before.

And yet, she could feel him sizing her up, his eyes lingering on her features as if trying to engrave her face into his very bones.

She remained silent, seemingly content to let him stare.

After a full minute, the man seemed to snap out of it. Frowning, he said, "Forget it. You look a bit like a friend of mine, so I won't make things difficult for you. Let's settle this privately. There's no need to involve the police."

"I'm sorry, but I've already called them," Mu Yinyin replied calmly.

She did not believe his excuse for a second. Staring at her like that, only to claim she resembled a friend? She was now even more certain that this man's sudden appearance was entirely deliberate.

Ten minutes later, the traffic police arrived. After assessing the situation, they immediately tested the man for driving under the influence. The breathalyzer test confirmed a minor level of alcohol in his system. Liability for the accident was quickly determined.

Her assistant arrived soon after, and Mu Yinyin got into her car to be driven home. As for the man, he was taken away by the police.

Once inside the car, Mu Yinyin instructed Meng Tao directly, "Look into the man who hit my car today. Find out who he is and what his motive was for crashing into me."

Meng Tao immediately agreed without asking any unnecessary questions. Most of the time, she simply did as Mu Yinyin ordered without questioning, unless she was dying to gossip about something.

Meanwhile, after Fu Siye dropped Nan Shiqing off at her home, he returned straight to his own villa. He had absolutely no desire to linger at her house, despite He Xia's persistent invitations for him to stay.

The night grew deeper.

The man who had been taken in by the police was eventually released. However, his driver's license was suspended for six months, his car was impounded for fifteen days, and he was fined. Because it was only a minor DUI, he was spared detention.

Upon his release, he immediately went to see his boss. Before he could even speak, the man sitting on the sofa spoke in a low, deep voice, "Well? Did you get a good look at her?"

The man wore a silver mask and a bespoke black suit, his build strikingly similar to Fu Siye's. Although his voice was magnetic and pleasant to the ear, it carried an underlying chill of malice.

The drunk driver was no longer as arrogant and unruly as he had been earlier. He entered with extreme caution, barely daring to breathe for fear of displeasing the man before him. He could feel the piercing gaze of the man's icy blue eyes, sharp even in the darkness.

He nodded hurriedly. "Yes, yes! I saw her clearly!"

The masked man narrowed his eyes, remaining silent.

Not daring to hesitate, the driver added cautiously, "Her appearance is an eighty percent match to the photo you gave me."

The masked man's eyes narrowed further, still silent.

The driver stood to the side, half-bowed and silent, waiting for the masked man's instructions.

Five minutes later, the masked man stood up and said coldly, "Get me a detailed dossier on her this time."

"Yes, sir."

The masked man said nothing more, and the driver, eager to leave, bowed out cautiously.

***

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

However, there was no other way to obtain the green bamboo they sought except through an auction in Country M. This only strengthened their resolve to make the trip.

Over the past two days, while stabilizing Gu Xiaoqi's condition, they had also quickly arranged affairs at the company. This would ensure that Li Chuan wouldn't be under too much pressure during the time Mu Yinyin and Jiang Ling were away.

Although the collaboration with Lu Sinian had not officially begun, the project with Fu Siye was already underway. Both required Mu Yinyin and Fu Siye to personally oversee the operations. However, due to the urgency of the situation, Mu Yinyin decided to meet with Fu Siye.

Currently, the two were at a Chinese restaurant. Since the sudden departure was due to an issue on her end, she felt apologetic and had naturally invited him to dinner.

Though they were divorced and there was some estrangement between them, it did not affect their business partnership. They were now just ordinary business partners, a distinction Mu Yinyin kept clear in her mind. Since she was the one causing the disruption, she naturally had to show her sincerity.

Mu Yinyin arrived first. After she ordered, Fu Siye arrived fashionably late. Indeed, he took his sweet time. Mu Yinyin suspected he might have done it on purpose, but she didn't mind waiting a little longer.

As soon as Fu Siye walked in, he saw Mu Yinyin sitting at the table, looking down at something. Today, she was still dressed in professional attire—a tailored black blazer and a black skirt. Her long hair was swept up, making her look elegant and sharp. She exuded the strong aura of a career woman, a stark contrast to the wife she used to be at home.

Mu Yinyin looked up to find Fu Siye studying her. Showing no particular emotion, she gestured to the chair opposite her and said softly, "Please, have a seat."

Fu Siye sat down in silence.

Soon, the waiters served the dishes she had ordered. Once everything was set, they quietly withdrew, leaving the two of them alone in the private room to get down to business.

With anyone else, Mu Yinyin might have engaged in pleasantries and eaten first. But with Fu Siye, there was no need. She knew he wouldn't have the patience for small talk over a meal anyway.

"I asked you here today to offer my apologies," Mu Yinyin said, her voice calm.

Fu Siye's expression remained indifferent. He said nothing, simply staring at her, waiting for her to continue.

Without hesitating, she went on, "I won't be able to assist with our partnership for the next few days. I wanted to ask for your opinion—would you prefer to manage things yourself in the meantime, or wait until I return?"

In truth, Fu Siye was perfectly capable of handling the project alone in her absence. However, she had to give him advance notice. Otherwise, if an emergency or sudden change arose and she wasn't around to resolve it, it would damage her credibility.

Fu Siye let out a cold sneer, making no attempt to hide the mockery in his eyes. "Isn't Fanxing always known for keeping its word?"

Mu Yinyin's eyes flickered slightly. "My apologies. I have something crucial to attend to. If Mr. Fu is dissatisfied because of this, I will find a way to make it up to you."

"Make it up to me?" Her words drew a cold laugh from him. "What could you possibly offer to compensate me?"

The sarcasm in his voice was unmistakable. Clearly, Fu Siye wanted for nothing, so how could he possibly need anything she had to offer?

Mu Yinyin looked at him calmly. "Don't speak too soon."

She did not elaborate. Yet her words instantly reminded Fu Siye of her identity as Lord Yama.