Chapter 40: The Mastermind’s Disguise

Mr. Zhu quickly responded and hurried to follow Fu Siyue’s steps.

Meanwhile, Nan Shiqing was entirely unaware that, in her moment of intense focus, she had unconsciously let go of Fu Siyue’s hand. Watching his figure walk ahead, she didn’t move to follow. Instead, she glanced around, found her mother in the crowd, and immediately called out to Fu Siyue, “Siyue, my mother is calling me. I need to go over for a moment.”

“Alright,” Fu Siyue replied indifferently, saying nothing more.

Nan Shiqing, not bothering with further explanation, went straight toward her mother’s direction. At this moment, He Xia was entering, arm in arm with her younger brother.

Now, the Mu Corporation was under her brother’s management. Back when they seized control of the company, it was her brother who had helped devise the strategies. Now, the chairman’s position belonged to her brother, while she served as the corporation’s CEO.

He Chengkui wore a deep blue suit today. He had just turned thirty this year, looked very young, and with his well-chosen attire, even quite handsome—so much so that many women couldn’t help but try to get close to him. In truth, he was only a few years older than Nan Shiqing, but the difference in their roles made it seem greater.

They were laughing and exchanging toasts with others when Nan Shiqing suddenly hurried over. “Mom, Uncle.”

Her gaze was complicated, clearly indicating she had something important to say.

He Chengkui looked at his niece, sensing her urgency, and immediately smiled at those around him. “Excuse me for a moment.”

Everyone was tactful enough not to intrude, and after a few polite words, they went off to greet others.

He Xia looked at her daughter, puzzled. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Come with me.”

This matter was too important for Nan Shiqing to speak openly in front of so many people. The siblings exchanged a quick look at her mysterious and troubled expression and followed her. Soon, the three of them reached a quiet corner, away from any prying ears.

“It’s safe here. Tell us, what happened?” He Chengkui studied his niece.

Nan Shiqing frowned slightly, not rushing to explain but instead asked, “When did you arrive?”

“Just now. What’s the matter?” He Chengkui looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Nan Shiqing knitted her brows more tightly, then finally spoke. “Just now, when I was with Fu Siyue, someone came over, trying to curry favor, and mentioned the Dragon Head of Starlight Group!”

The last two words came out through gritted teeth, her expression barely contained. Both He Chengkui and He Xia immediately sensed something was wrong. “What is it? Say it plainly,” He Chengkui urged.

“The Dragon Head is Mu Yinyin!”

If the setting had been less formal, she would have shouted it aloud. Both of them were stunned into silence. After a moment, He Xia couldn’t help but laugh, “Girl, what are you talking about? How could Mu Yinyin possibly be the Dragon Head of Starlight Group?”

He Chengkui’s brows were furrowed. He had been hoping to discuss a collaboration with Starlight Group lately, and now, to hear such news left him silent, waiting for Nan Shiqing to continue.

Nan Shiqing bit her lip. “I’m not lying. I couldn’t believe it either at first, but it’s true! The Dragon Head is Mu Yinyin! It’s really her! Mom, Uncle, what should we do?”

He Chengkui stood there in a daze, then frowned. “Who would have thought she had such an identity?”

He Xia’s smile froze on her lips.

A minute of heavy silence passed before He Chengkui spoke first. “If that’s true, then we must cultivate a better relationship with her. I have a collaboration to discuss with Starlight, and I’ve been struggling to get in touch. Shiqing, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Me?” Nan Shiqing pointed at herself in disbelief. “Uncle, are you serious? Just a few days ago, she sent us an agreement demanding we return Mu Corporation’s shares to her. All she wants is to take the company back. Why would she help us?”

“She only wants to reclaim what’s hers; she doesn’t want Mu Corporation to collapse. It’s still her father’s life’s work. Surely, she hopes it will thrive. If you negotiate a collaboration with her, it would be a good thing for her as well. Just do it.”

Nan Shiqing was speechless.

She suddenly felt her uncle was being unreasonable. Mu Yinyin had already made her position clear—now they were adversaries, and she wanted the company back. If she didn’t try to devalue the shares, that would already be merciful. How could she possibly give them an opportunity to rise?

He Xia, having collected herself, looked at her daughter again. “Are you absolutely certain she’s the Dragon Head of Starlight?”

“I’m sure! This can’t be faked!”

He Xia’s expression grew more severe, but soon she recovered her composure. “If that’s the case, then it’s all the more reason for us to strengthen our relationship with her and let everyone know about our connection to Mu Yinyin.”

She had once tried to keep Mu Yinyin hidden from the world, believing that only then could her own daughter’s excellence shine, and others would disregard Mu Yinyin. But now that Mu Yinyin’s status had risen so dramatically, she had no choice but to change strategies—to elevate their own interests by leveraging Mu Yinyin’s value.

He Chengkui nodded immediately. “You’re right. In a moment, we need to go out and greet Mu Yinyin, let everyone see our connection.”

Nan Shiqing bit her lip, her eyes full of resentment.

She was truly unwilling to accept this!

Why should Mu Yinyin, who had already fallen from grace, suddenly gain such an enviable identity? Why?

“Calm yourself,” He Xia said, noticing her daughter’s discomposure.

He Chengkui frowned slightly. “We’re finally on the rise. You can’t let everything go to waste now. Think of a way to win Fu Siyue over—get married as soon as possible. That way, our position will be secure.”

It was just a pity they couldn’t yet change the company’s name, or people would say their family was ungrateful.

Nan Shiqing pressed her lips together. “I just can’t accept it. When Fu Siyue learned Mu Yinyin was the Dragon Head of Starlight, his face turned grim. Of course he was angry, but I’m afraid from now on, he’ll be drawn to her, step by step. I’m beginning to suspect that Mu Yinyin’s quick consent to divorce was just a ploy.”

With a man as exceptional as Fu Siyue, she didn’t believe Mu Yinyin divorced out of heartbreak or despair.

After all, no matter how Fu Siyue had treated Mu Yinyin in the past, she had never let go.

“That’s enough—don’t dwell on it. This is a public event. People will notice if we linger here too long. Collect yourself and come out with me to greet Mu Yinyin,” He Xia said, frowning in displeasure at her daughter’s lack of composure—so unlike her usual self.

Nan Shiqing took a deep breath, lifted her head, and forced her emotions under control.

…

At this moment, Fu Siyue was in a corner discussing business with Mr. Zhu, when a figure slowly approached, causing his eyes to narrow in suspicion.