Chapter 139: Meeting Again

He had already said these words twice today.

How could she possibly believe the words of a stranger?

Qi Mo was not the type to dwell on a point of contention. He simply looked at her and asked again, "So, do you have any questions regarding this partnership?"

Mu Yinyin’s gaze faltered for a moment as she scrutinized him. "Are you truly certain you want to partner with Fanxing?"

"Why else would I have asked you out?" Qi Mo raised an eyebrow, a gentlemanly smile still lingering on his lips.

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered, but she remained silent.

To set her mind at ease, Qi Mo added, "The terms I mentioned earlier are the only ones; they will not change in the slightest. Take a look, and if there are no issues, we can sign the contract the next time we meet."

Mu Yinyin observed the man before her, a profound sense of suspicion clouding her thoughts. Even now, she could not fathom his motive for approaching her.

Or perhaps, had he discovered that she was Yan Luo?

Otherwise, she could think of no reason why this man would lower his status to voluntarily offer her such a lucrative project. For Fanxing, this was a massive opportunity; after this partnership, the company would ascend to a new level, a prospect that would surely make many green with envy.

"Well?"

With just that single word, he studied her.

Mu Yinyin shook her head. "I just can't figure it out. Since Young Master Qi is willing to grant me this opportunity, I will naturally cherish it. A pleasure doing business with you."

She certainly wouldn't walk away from something that benefited her company. Since he hadn't asked for anything in return, she would owe him a favor. If he ever needed her help in the future, she would assist him, provided it wasn't anything unreasonable.

"Excellent. Our partnership shall be a pleasant one, Ms. Mu."

The man wore a soft smile, his gaze toward her appearing deeply affectionate, yet Mu Yinyin could clearly see the detachment lurking in his eyes. This, at least, put her somewhat at ease.

Mu Yinyin pulled at the corner of her lips without saying a word.

"Let's eat." With that, they began their meal, and the subsequent conversation had nothing to do with business.

He was somewhat like Lu Sinian, and somewhat like Fu Siye, yet not entirely like either.

He resembled Lu Sinian in that he was highly conversational; when he spoke, he never allowed the atmosphere to become awkward or stagnant. If he wanted to prevent a lull, he absolutely would.

Where he differed from Lu Sinian was that Lu Sinian was always considerate of others and the epitome of a gentleman.

In that regard, Qi Mo was more like Fu Siye—cold from start to finish. Even when he smiled, it was obvious that the warmth never reached his eyes.

Where he differed from Fu Siye was that Fu Siye didn't smile, nor would he play the part of a smiling tiger like the other two. Fu Siye was aloof and impenetrable throughout, leaving no opening for anyone to exploit.

Mu Yinyin pulled herself together and stopped overthinking it. After finishing their meal, they did not linger.

Just as they rose to leave and Qi Mo placed his hand on the doorknob, he suddenly paused and turned to look at her.

Mu Yinyin’s gaze faltered, her expression confused.

Then, she saw the man curve his lips into an unruly smirk, his magnetic voice resonating: "You are not at all what I heard or imagined you to be."

Mu Yinyin: "..."

"And Young Master Qi is not at all what I saw or heard either."

Qi Mo curled his lips, asking with an inscrutable smile: "Is that so? Then, which version do you think is better?"

Mu Yinyin raised an eyebrow, responding naturally, "Asking that question kills the surprise, doesn't it?"

Qi Mo didn't rush to open the door; instead, he turned to face her. "Wouldn't it be more of a surprise if you were to praise me yourself?"

Mu Yinyin’s mouth twitched—his narcissism was back.

Then again, he did have the capital to be that way.

Mu Yinyin pursed her lips, looking somewhat helpless. "We should be going."

"Mm, if I don't get a compliment from the goddess today, I'm afraid I won't have the heart to walk out this door."

He was blocking the exit; if he didn't move, they truly couldn't leave.

Moreover, he was a renowned expert in Taekwondo and Sanda, and most people were no match for him. Mu Yinyin felt she didn't stand a chance.

She twitched her lips and said, "Yes, Young Master Qi is excellent, thoughtful, and even willing to engage in 'poverty alleviation.' You are a role model for us all."

Qi Mo’s face seemed to darken. A dangerous smile spilled from his lips as he retorted, syllable by syllable, "Poverty alleviation?"

Seeing Mu Yinyin raise an eyebrow in silence, Qi Mo squinted slightly. "I didn't realize I was so benevolent?"

Poverty alleviation?

The fact that no one called him vicious was already a high compliment. He chuckled, "I didn't expect that in Ms. Mu’s heart, I was so excellent?"

Mu Yinyin curled her lips. "Indeed."

Qi Mo raised an eyebrow, said nothing more, and turned to press the door handle. "Let’s go."

"Mm."

They walked out together. Mu Yinyin watched the man’s back, a flicker of contemplation in her eyes. She had sensed just now that he wasn't very happy when she mentioned "poverty alleviation."

But since she had already said it, there was no point in retracting it, especially since it was meant in jest.

However, she had assumed they would part ways without incident. To her surprise, it was a small world—truly a small, unlucky world.

The moment they opened the elevator, they found Fu Siye and Mu Teng inside. Fu Siye’s piercing gaze landed directly on her, impossible to ignore.

Clearly, the elevator doors had just closed; had they been a moment later, Fu Siye would have already descended.

And now...

Huh?

A sense of impatience flickered in Mu Yinyin’s eyes. Truth be told, it felt... rather unlucky.

Running into Fu Siye constantly made it seem as if everything were deliberately orchestrated.

She wondered if Fu Siye thought she was playing hard to get.

Mu Yinyin turned her head away, not wanting to catch even a glimpse of Fu Siye in her peripheral vision.

Qi Mo raised an eyebrow, acting as if he knew nothing, and looked at Mu Yinyin. "Going in?"

Mu Yinyin returned to her senses, said nothing, tightened her grip on her bag, and stepped into the elevator without meeting Fu Siye’s razor-sharp gaze.

Once Mu Yinyin was standing inside, Qi Mo followed.

The elevator doors closed slowly.

The four of them remained silent.

Until they reached the ground floor and the doors opened once more.

They stepped out.

Mu Yinyin and Qi Mo were in the front, so they naturally exited first.

Fu Siye’s expression remained grim. After they left, he followed without a word, not even sparing Mu Yinyin a glance.