Chapter 138: A Powerful Alliance

Qi Mo’s bold admission left Mu Yinyin feeling somewhat puzzled; she couldn’t quite fathom why this man had suddenly sought her out.

Earlier that day, he had called her out of the blue, proposing a lucrative partnership that promised significant benefits for both of their companies. He had only touched upon the general plan and scale, insisting that the specifics be discussed in person. Though Mu Yinyin was initially hesitant, she checked into his background after hanging up and confirmed that he was no fraud.

Qi Mo.

He was a figure from Country E, the head of a massive conglomerate, and essentially the king of the business world in his region. If one were to compare him to the likes of Fu Siye or Lu Sinian, he was easily their equal. Roughly the same age as them, he was, by all accounts, a formidable presence.

Qi Mo finished ordering, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked at Mu Yinyin with a relaxed gaze. Although he gave off an inherent sense of coldness—a smile that never reached his eyes, leaving him feeling profoundly distant—Mu Yinyin did not find him repulsive. She felt no sense of dread, despite the rumors of the ruthless things he had done in the past.

Mu Yinyin had heard of him before. Every nation has its titans, and those at the top are world-renowned. He had indeed executed many decisive and sweeping maneuvers, earning him the reputation among underworld circles as a ruthless tycoon. Many viewed him as a devil, for his methods were truly chilling.

Mu Yinyin remained seated, motionless. Qi Mo studied her, a mocking, amused glint in his eyes. "You seem a bit restrained, don't you think?"

Mu Yinyin met his gaze. She wasn't truly restrained, but she responded with natural composure, "With Young Master Qi sitting right before me, who wouldn't be?"

Qi Mo laughed. "Fair enough. I can see you aren't afraid of me at all. That’s good."

The smile in his eyes still failed to reach them, yet it didn't provoke any sense of aversion. His handsomeness was distinct from that of Lu Sinian or Fu Siye; coming from a different country, his style carried a different flavor.

They didn't rush into discussing the partnership, as the waiter would soon be arriving with their food, and there was no need to hurry. Qi Mo’s primary reason for inviting Mu Yinyin out today was simply to observe her.

As for Mu Yinyin… she likely wouldn't guess in a million years that this man was the mastermind behind that fateful car accident.

Because it was their first meeting, Mu Yinyin had little to say to him. Had it not been for the business proposal, she would have preferred silence.

***

Qi Mo, however, had no intention of letting the atmosphere grow quiet. He continued effortlessly, "What are your thoughts on our potential collaboration?"

Mu Yinyin paused, looking at him. "What makes you so sure we will collaborate?"

"Because I trust my judgment, and I trust yours," Qi Mo said with a confident smile.

To put it bluntly, he was implying that his trust in her judgment stemmed from his own—because his judgment was impeccable, he had chosen her, which in turn proved her own judgment was sound.

Mu Yinyin raised an eyebrow. "A unique perspective, Young Master Qi."

Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm, though it was half-joking. Qi Mo couldn't help but chuckle. "Many people don't see it that way. You’re the only one who validates me. A kindred spirit, indeed."

Mu Yinyin remained silent. She felt there was nothing left to say.

The waiter soon arrived with their food. Once they had left and closed the door, the two were once again alone. Mu Yinyin fixed her gaze on the man and said calmly, "Shall we discuss the specifics of this partnership now?"

Qi Mo raised an eyebrow. "Gladly. But listen closely; my ideas are quite unique."

Mu Yinyin felt a flicker of annoyance. The man was somewhat narcissistic, seemingly needing to praise himself at every turn. It felt at odds with his reputation.

Then again, perhaps it wasn't. Narcissism did not preclude a ruthless heart.

"Go ahead," she said, ultimately offering the words out of courtesy.

Qi Mo didn't press her on her brevity and began to outline the project. He cut straight to the point, speaking with precision and without a trace of his previous narcissism, which improved Mu Yinyin’s impression of him slightly.

***

As he spoke, Mu Yinyin listened intently. The more she heard, the more her astonishment grew. It was, indeed, a unique plan, and if they partnered, it would undoubtedly bring endless profits.

However… a flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes.

When Qi Mo finished, he looked at her with a smile. "Well? Not a bad proposal, is it?"

Mu Yinyin stared at him and asked without hesitation, "The plan is sound, but there is one thing I cannot fathom."

Qi Mo, well aware of her train of thought, looked at her with a playful, mocking smile. "Cooperation is a matter of fate. I find you quite capable, Miss Mu, and the Fanxing Group has a boundless future. If you are destined to rise eventually, doing so under my support will only accelerate the process. That is hardly a bad thing for me, wouldn't you agree?"

*Wouldn't you agree?*

He turned it into a rhetorical question, as if to say he was a master at identifying talent—that he knew her company would reach a level of success that others would admire, so fostering a relationship now was simply a shrewd move.

But Mu Yinyin did not believe a single word of it.

She looked at him, asking bluntly, "I think you could stand to be a little more honest, Young Master Qi."

"Honest?" Qi Mo seemed intrigued, his smile taunting. "You truly want the truth?"

Mu Yinyin raised an eyebrow, not speaking, but her eyes conveyed her persistence. She knew that for a project of this scale, he could have sought much better partners. Even if he didn't choose her, someone like Fu Siye or Lu Sinian would be a far more advantageous ally. A union of giants would only make them stronger. She knew her own worth; partnering with Fanxing might actually lower the growth potential of Qi Mo’s company.

Meeting her steady gaze, Qi Mo threw up his hands in feigned helplessness. "Fine. 'A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit.' Do you consider that to be the truth?"

Mu Yinyin’s mouth twitched. She suddenly lost the desire to speak.

From his demeanor, it was clear: he had no intention of telling her the real reason. And if he didn't want to say it, asking further would be entirely futile.