Chapter 48: The Sweet Satisfaction of a Well-Deserved Slap in the Face

When it came to his grandson’s marriage, he wasn’t particularly concerned. After all, Lu Sinian was still young—there was no need to rush. More importantly, with a grandson as outstanding as his, what kind of woman couldn’t he have if he wished? Although interests and alliances mattered, the old Master Lu had never intended to use his grandson’s marriage as a means to secure some advantage.

Without dwelling on it, Lu Sinian looked at him and smiled, speaking gently, “Grandfather, do you think she’s not good enough?”

The old man’s gaze flickered. “In the end, you hardly know her. You’re unaware of her past—how can you know if she’s good or not?”

“I don’t care about her past. What matters is her future,” Lu Sinian replied with unusual ease. In the past, they were strangers; their worlds did not intersect, and naturally, neither had the right to interfere. But the future was different.

The old man paused, his eyes thoughtful, before finally speaking in a low voice, “Do as you see fit, but stay cautious. After all, she is a great benefactor to our family. If you have the chance, invite her over as a guest—have her for dinner.”

That was the only advice the old Master Lu offered.

Lu Sinian nodded with a smile. “Alright. Shall I wheel you out now?”

“Yes.”

And so, the grandfather and grandson soon returned to the attention of the crowd. The old Madam Lu glanced their way but said nothing. The banquet appeared especially lively.

Yet beneath the surface, everyone harbored their own motives—many were here in hopes of forging further cooperation. Indeed, several partnerships were struck right at the banquet table. Some left with their hands full, while others departed empty and dejected.

When the banquet ended and Nan Shiqing and her group returned to the car, none of them could contain their emotions any longer. In fact, their eyes were filled with a chilling gloom.

“What the hell is going on? How much more is that wretch hiding from us?” He Xia’s voice was shrill, and she had restrained herself with great effort during the banquet. Now, she wanted nothing more than to tear Mu Yinyin limb from limb.

He Chengkui gritted his teeth, his face dark enough to drip water. Sitting in the back seat, he looked at his mother and said in a low voice, “I told you before, Mu Yinyin might not be as simple as we thought, but you insisted she was already under our thumb.”

He Xia’s expression stiffened; she ground her teeth. “How could I have guessed that little tramp had such tricks up her sleeve!”

He Chengkui’s face was grim. “I was going to discuss cooperation with a few people, but everyone treated me like the plague, avoiding me as if I were poison. We didn’t just waste our time tonight—we took a heavy fall.”

“So what do we do now…” Nan Shiqing’s tone was panicked. “If no company is willing to work with us and we’re left on our own, things really won’t end well!”

“That’s why you need to find a way to marry Fu Siyen and get the Fu Group to collaborate with us. As long as we cling to them, we can keep going without interruption.”

Because of Lu Sinian, no one wanted to offend the Lu Group or risk crossing paths with the rapidly rising Starry Group. But if the Mu Group had the Fu Group’s support, that would change everything. Those eager to curry favor with the Fu Group would go out of their way to align themselves with them.

Nan Shiqing’s face grew even more unsightly. He Chengkui, still in the driver’s seat but not yet driving, turned to her. “What’s with that look?”

He Xia’s expression shifted as she too looked at her daughter.

Nan Shiqing bit her lip and finally spoke the truth. “Today, Fu Siyen’s eyes were glued to Mu Yinyin. He didn’t care about what I said or how I was feeling. Even when someone insulted the Mu Group right in front of us, he acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing!”

The expressions of He Xia and He Chengkui darkened even more.

Nan Shiqing continued, clenching her fists, her voice trembling with anger. “He never used to be like this! He always cared about my moods, and if I seemed even a little down, he’d do his best to comfort me. But now—no, not just today, but for some time—I feel like he’s become someone else! He used to wait for me to hang up the phone first, but now he hangs up as soon as he finishes talking. He used to be so patient, but now he ignores me half the time. The difference is so stark—and I think it’s all because of Mu Yinyin! Fu Siyen’s started paying attention to her! Damn that woman for playing such games!”

He Xia pressed her brows together and took a deep breath, as if trying to restrain her emotion. She spoke in a low, steady voice, “We’ll have to reconsider tonight. The more critical the moment, the less we can afford to panic.”

He Chengkui remained silent, his expression stony, but he had already started the engine.

Nan Shiqing didn’t want to say another word, her mind replaying all the moments Fu Siyen had ignored her.

Meanwhile, Mu Yinyin and her companions were also leaving. The four of them sat in the car—Jiang Ling driving, Li Chuan in the passenger seat, with Mu Yinyin and Gu Xiaoqi in the back.

Gu Xiaoqi leaned back in her seat, legs crossed, swaying leisurely. “That was satisfying! The He family bastards all had a rotten night!”

But as soon as she finished, she felt Li Chuan’s icy glare. Gu Xiaoqi stuck out her tongue and quickly put her feet down, not daring to curse anymore.

Mu Yinyin couldn’t help but glance at her with amusement. Clearly, this girl was kept well in line.

“Oh, I’m just in a good mood! That Nan Shiqing is so infuriating—always pretending to be innocent, always trying to destroy your family, Yinyin. I didn’t even insult her enough!”

Li Chuan spoke calmly, “They’ll receive the retribution they deserve. There’s no need for you to resort to foul language.”

Gu Xiaoqi made a face at him but her eyes were full of glee. “I wonder what they’ll do tonight. Do you think the three of them will come to our company tomorrow to beg forgiveness?”

Jiang Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “If that happens, it’ll be quite the show.”

“With their shamelessness, I wouldn’t put it past them. If they kneel at our company’s doors and all the staff see it, I wonder what they’ll say about President Mu’s ruthlessness,” Gu Xiaoqi sneered.

Mu Yinyin curled her lips. “They still have some pride left.”

“Hmph.” Gu Xiaoqi leaned back again, rubbing her brows with one hand, and mocked, “I wouldn’t be so sure. They might really come begging tomorrow. What will you do then?”

Li Chuan withdrew his gaze and sat upright, his tone indifferent. “If they dare come, I’ll receive them myself. Just leave it to me.”