Chapter 36: A Different Her

That last sentence dripped with irony. His meaning was clear: Mu Yinyin never involved herself in the company’s affairs, yet still received dividends. Now that she had started coming to work, she was giving orders and even cutting back on the brothers’ benefits. Someone like her was hardly fit to be the head.

There was no formal chairman in this company—only the four founders. Thus, Mu Yinyin was the leader here. But because she had been absent for so long, Jiang Ling had been handling all matters, and now it was difficult for her to command authority.

With a half-smile, Mu Yinyin looked around at everyone. “Since I’ve just arrived and many of you think I’m making arbitrary decisions, let’s make an exception this time.”

Everyone fixed their gaze on her, waiting for her to continue. Luo Gang’s expression was particularly unpleasant, but he was still eager to hear what outrageous thing this damned woman would say next.

Then, in an even tone, Mu Yinyin spoke. “This upcoming partnership will require a large investment. I won’t force everyone to share the risk. If you don’t want to take chances, you don’t need to invest, and you won’t share in the profits either. If you do want to take the risk, you can invest with us. If you can’t contribute equally, you can put in less, and your dividend will match your share of the investment.”

For a moment, silence fell over the room.

“This isn’t fair!” Luo Gang’s face darkened further.

Gu Xiaoqi laughed coldly. “What do you mean by fair? You want to put in nothing and just reap the rewards?”

Luo Gang’s face twisted, but he quickly turned to Mu Yinyin, gritting his teeth as he spoke. “You rarely come to the company and never take responsibility for anything. Now you suddenly make such an absurd decision—shouldn’t you compensate everyone?”

Jiang Ling shot him a cold look. “Don’t you know Yinyin has always invested the most?”

“That’s her duty—she knows she hasn’t been around—”

Before he could finish, Gu Xiaoqi cut in icily, “Don’t you realize she’s personally revised and written many of our proposals?”

Luo Gang fell silent, his lips parting as if to speak, but Mu Yinyin’s calm voice cut through the tension. “So, are you investing?”

“You—!” For a moment, Luo Gang was so angry he couldn’t utter another word.

Ignoring him, Mu Yinyin turned her gaze on the others. “In the past, due to personal reasons, I wasn’t able to come to work. I apologize for that. From now on, I will hold myself to the highest standards and never let the past repeat itself. I’ll also find a way to make amends.”

Luo Gang snorted, but before he could speak, Mu Yinyin continued, “You have two days to consider this partnership. I’ll call another meeting at this time the day after tomorrow. That’s all for today.”

With that, she stood and walked out, paying no mind to anyone’s reaction. Gu Xiaoqi and the other two immediately followed.

As soon as they entered Mu Yinyin’s office, Gu Xiaoqi couldn’t help but complain, “Yinyin, you shouldn’t have apologized! You may not have been coming in, but you’ve been handling all sorts of matters, even more than anyone else. How can they say such things? If you hadn’t looked at me like that, I would have said more.”

Mu Yinyin curved her lips in a faint smile. “Not coming to the company was my own fault, that’s undeniable. But Luo Gang has grown restless—this parasite needs to be removed, and soon.”

Li Chuan and Jiang Ling walked over and sat down on the office sofa, while Mu Yinyin took her seat at the desk, her expression grave.

Li Chuan sneered, “We’ve kept him around for half a year—he really thinks he’s made it to the core.”

Jiang Ling glanced at Mu Yinyin, his voice gentle. “So what’s your plan?”

Mu Yinyin pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “Isn’t there a banquet tomorrow?”

“You’re planning to attend this time?” Gu Xiaoqi looked at her with some skepticism.

Everyone was familiar with the situation at Starry Group, except for Mu Yinyin’s existence. If she attended the event…

Mu Yinyin’s gaze gradually steadied. “Since I’ve decided to come back, and the divorce is done, I no longer need to consider his feelings. It’s time to get back on track.”

From now on, no one would be able to stop her from moving forward.

They say a man is the greatest hindrance to drawing one’s sword. But to Mu Yinyin, the bitterness lay in the fact that for others, it’s mutual love—while for her, it was all one-sided.

She took a gentle breath, meeting the complicated gazes of her three companions, then smiled lightly. “Trust me, I’m really back.”

Gu Xiaoqi spoke up at once. “Of course I believe you—I’m just worried you’ll be too sad.”

Mu Yinyin laughed softly. “It’s more a relief. There’s nothing tying me to him anymore. That’s a good thing.”

She looked at everyone, her tone relaxed. “Don’t worry about me. I really am fine now.”

Li Chuan paused, then said, “Hang in there. Time is the best medicine. If you plan to attend tomorrow, have your assistant prepare a gown in advance. We’ll all go together.”

“Alright.”

With that, they each returned to their offices.

Time passed quickly.

Madam Lu’s birthday banquet arrived as scheduled.

She was Lu Sinian’s grandmother, celebrating her sixty-eighth birthday. Old Master Lu was still recovering, but able to attend in his wheelchair.

Night had fallen.

At nine o’clock, countless cars crowded the entrance, parked haphazardly nearby. Guests stepped out one after another—men in their finest suits, women in elegant gowns, every hairstyle and detail of their makeup meticulously crafted.

At the entrance, Lu Sinian was greeting the guests.

He watched as a car pulled up and four people stepped out, one of whom he recognized. His gaze sharpened.

The woman wore a pale blue, cinched-waist evening dress that showed off her figure perfectly. Her long hair cascaded loosely down her back and over her shoulders, radiating elegance and poise.

Her delicate face bore only the lightest touch of makeup, yet her natural beauty made her the center of attention.

A flicker of astonishment passed through the man’s eyes—he had never seen her like this before.

A moment later, he stepped forward to greet them, a gentle smile on his lips.

“President Jiang, President Li, President Gu—I didn’t expect all of you to come together tonight.” His smile softened as he turned to Mu Yinyin, warmth in his expression. “And you—how should I address you?”