Chapter 124: More Intrigued by the Visitors Themselves

"Your husband has been gone for several months now; there is nothing wrong with you finding someone new to marry, is there?" Liang Mu pulled her closer, smiling as he spoke. "Don't you want to be with me every day, sister? Don't you need me?"

As he spoke, his hands began to wander restlessly.

He Xia’s body trembled, and she replied with a sense of indulgence, "How could I not want that? But you know my previous situation, baby. You’ll have to bear with it for a few more months; it’s just not possible in the short term."

She sighed helplessly as she spoke.

She had longed for it to be sooner so many times, but in her current state, it was truly impossible. Moreover, Liang Mu was much too young. If word got out, it would look like she was keeping a "young piece of meat," which sounded terrible. If she wanted to be with him, she would have to face far too many complications.

But she was a rational person, after all; how could she ever really end up with Liang Mu? Right now, she was merely placating him. Once the boy grew older, she might just move on to someone else.

"Then what are sister's plans for the future?" Liang Mu teased as he continued his provocations.

He Xia couldn't help but embrace him, kissing his cheek before saying, "Sigh, I can only ask you to suffer for a little while longer. Things must remain as they are for now. Until that woman is removed, we have no other choice."

Liang Mu arched a brow. He raised his hand to stroke her back, his voice softening as he murmured, "Then sister must act quickly. Otherwise, if this drags on, it will only become a future liability."

He Xia gasped, her body trembling. "You devil! You really are a little devil! Come, one more time with sister!"

After a long, exhausting bout, it finally came to an end. He Xia was limp with fatigue, yet strangely satisfied. Sometimes, when her reason faltered, she truly wanted to give him a formal status, but... things were likely not as simple as she imagined.

It would just have to stay this way. Finally, the two drifted into a deep sleep.

Time continued to tick away.

Mu Yinyin had initially promised Jiang Ling that she would not leave, but her phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was a call from Lu Sinian, she was somewhat surprised. Logically, shouldn't he be asleep at this hour?

After a brief hesitation, she answered.

"Mr. Lu?"

Lu Sinian sighed helplessly. "Still calling me that?"

"Sinian." Mu Yinyin finally uttered the name. "Why are you calling me at this hour? Haven't you rested yet?"

"Rest? It isn't even evening yet, why would I be resting?"

Mu Yinyin froze. It wasn't evening, and he wasn't resting? But it was already past midnight back home; he should have been asleep. So... he wasn't in the country.

"You...?" She left the rest of the sentence unsaid.

Lu Sinian chuckled. "Yes, I am also in the United States."

Mu Yinyin was taken aback, but assuming he had come for the auction, she didn't probe further. Instead, she asked naturally, "So, why are you calling me...?"

"Would you like to have dinner together tonight?" Lu Sinian's lips curved into a gentle smile, his voice exceptionally tender.

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered. She had promised Jiang Ling she wouldn't go out that evening, but before she could refuse, Lu Sinian spoke again.

"Tonight, the Chairman of the Li Corporation has invited me to dinner to discuss some potential collaborations."

"The Li Corporation?" A flash of surprise crossed Mu Yinyin's eyes.

"Yes," Lu Sinian said with a light laugh. "Would you like to come along?"

"If you're discussing business, I shouldn't intrude." Mu Yinyin was puzzled. Why would Lu Sinian ask her out to dinner while he was meeting the Li Corporation for business? It didn't seem right.

Lu Sinian didn't leave her in suspense for long, adding with a smile, "The partnership the Li Corporation proposed to me is a 'tasteless to eat, a pity to discard' situation. It’s worth a try, and it doesn't matter if we don't make much profit."

Mu Yinyin looked confused and remained silent, clearly waiting for him to continue.

Lu Sinian smiled again. "However, I happen to know that this Li Corporation is competing with you for the exact same item."

Mu Yinyin stiffened. "You..."

In that moment, she didn't know what to say. She realized that Lu Sinian was helping her—helping her secure that item—and that inviting her to dinner was his way of doing so.

"So, will you come over tonight?" Lu Sinian invited gently.

How could Mu Yinyin not understand? Lu Sinian was telling her that he would agree to this disadvantageous partnership with the Li Corporation just to negotiate on her behalf. She had no time to ponder how Lu Sinian knew about her interest in the Green Bamboo, she was too occupied with the implications of his offer.

"I'll send you the address now. Come over this evening."

After Lu Sinian finished, he sent the address to Mu Yinyin. She felt torn. "You don't have to do this for me..."

Before she could finish, Lu Sinian interrupted with a smile. "This cooperation with the Li Corporation is a long-term play. If it develops well, there could be a surge in returns; it won't be a loss, just a bit of a time sink. His personality is quite difficult, and you would find it troublesome to deal with him later. You shouldn't be standing on ceremony with me, should you?"

Mu Yinyin was moved. Because of Gu Xiaoqi's situation, she really didn't want to be careless. If Lu Sinian were there, the Li Corporation would have to yield the Green Bamboo in exchange for his cooperation.

"I don't know how to thank you." Mu Yinyin's voice sounded profoundly complex. She gripped her phone, momentarily at a loss for words.

"There is no need for such things between us. I'll wait for you tonight. Shall I come to pick you up?"

"No need, I'll go myself." How could she have the nerve to ask him to pick her up too?

The reason Lu Sinian didn't insist on picking her up was precisely because he didn't want Mu Yinyin to feel too guilty; otherwise, he truly would have gone to get her.

"Very well, I will wait for you."

Mu Yinyin agreed, and they hung up. She had initially wanted to tell Jiang Ling, but fearing that Jiang Ling might worry and become distracted during his own business negotiations, she decided to keep it to herself. When the time came, she set off.

...

At a high-end restaurant.

Fu Siye also had a business dinner that night. As he stepped into the elevator, he happened to run into an acquaintance. Fu Siye raised an eyebrow. "What a coincidence."

Lu Sinian looked slightly surprised. "I didn't expect to run into Mr. Fu here. Are you here to discuss a partnership?"

"Yes."

Fu Siye looked at him, then spoke slowly, "Is there something at the auction that also interests Mr. Lu?"

Lu Sinian offered a meaningful smile. Looking at Fu Siye, he said with effortless composure, "I may not necessarily have an interest in the items at the auction; what I am more interested in are the people who have come here."