Chapter 54: Let Mu Yinyin Negotiate with Me

“So, has everyone given any more thought to what we discussed last time?” Although he addressed Luo Gang directly, his words were meant for everyone in the room.

As if worried the matter might have slipped their minds, Mu Yinyin spoke up again. “The upcoming collaboration with the Fu Corporation is a major project, and we’ll need everyone to invest. But, since you all find the risks considerable, I’ll let you decide for yourselves. If you invest less, your share of the returns will be smaller. If you choose not to invest at all, you won’t receive any returns.”

Luo Gang’s expression darkened even further. Yet, no matter how he objected now, it was useless. Hardly anyone sided with him. Especially since Mu Yinyin wasn’t forcing anyone to contribute. If they still wanted a share of the profits, their position had become tenuous.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Mu Yinyin arched an eyebrow. “It seems you’re still undecided?”

“I’m willing to invest as usual. No need to cut back—I trust you, President Mu.” A man finally spoke, setting the tone for the rest.

One by one, more shareholders voiced their support for Mu Yinyin, and soon, the majority had expressed their trust.

A handful remained hesitant and silent.

Mu Yinyin’s gaze swept over them, her tone calm. “Since some of you haven’t made up your minds, there’s no rush. I’ll give you a little more time. Once the terms of the collaboration are finalized, if you still haven’t stated your position, I’ll take it as your unwillingness to bear the risk, and you won’t be asked to contribute funds.”

Those who hadn’t spoken up immediately looked at her, but before they could say anything, Mu Yinyin continued, “Are there any other matters for today’s meeting?”

Gu Xiaoqi nearly burst out laughing.

Today’s meeting was meant to be a denunciation of Yinyin, yet with just a few words, she had brought the entire group of shareholders to heel. Gu Xiaoqi could barely suppress her glee!

Even Luo Gang was left speechless.

Seeing this, Mu Yinyin rose to her feet. “If that’s all, the meeting is adjourned.”

Without waiting for any response, she strode out in her high heels.

Many couldn’t help but watch her as she left, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

No one could say for certain whether President Mu’s arrival was a blessing or a curse.

But now that the group was entangled with the Lu Corporation, perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing. After all, this was a level Starstream Group had never reached before. It was only because of Mu Yinyin that the president of the Lu Corporation was willing to personally extend this opportunity.

Whether or not he was attracted by Mu Yinyin’s beauty, the partnership itself was real.

Perhaps what they lacked wasn’t just the chance to work with the Lu Corporation, but the access to this entire chain of influence and its ripple effects.

After all, Lu Sinian had been extremely attentive to Mu Yinyin at last night’s banquet. For that reason alone, many were willing to put their faith in her this once.

And so, the meeting dissolved.

Mu Yinyin resolved one issue after another, and at last, the morning’s work passed smoothly and in peace.

…

Ten o’clock.

Fu Corporation.

Fu Seye was in his office, working, but his mood was clearly foul—the air around him bristled with cold intensity.

Suddenly, the landline rang. Fu Seye frowned, but answered.

It was Mu Teng’s voice on the other end.

“President Fu, President Gu from Starstream Group would like to invite you to lunch. She promises the terms of this collaboration will be to your satisfaction.”

Fu Seye’s expression grew darker.

President Gu. The very woman who, halfway through their conversation last night, abandoned him to defend Mu Yinyin.

He said nothing.

Mu Teng cleared his throat. “Do you… not wish to go? Shall I decline on your behalf?”

“Tell her that since Mu Yinyin is the leader of Starstream Group, I’ll negotiate only with her.”

Mu Teng: “?”

What was President Fu’s angle here? Was he annoyed because he had learned Mu Yinyin’s true identity? Or was something else at play?

He dared not speculate, much less ask. But before he could respond, Fu Seye had already hung up.

Mu Teng touched the tip of his nose and called Gu Xiaoqi back.

She answered at once, clearly awaiting news. “Assistant Mu?”

Mu Teng cleared his throat and explained, “President Fu’s message is that if Starstream wishes to negotiate, President Mu must come in person.”

“What?” Gu Xiaoqi’s face fell. “You know very well the relationship between those two. As President Fu’s personal assistant, you must understand their current situation. Are you sure you relayed the message correctly?”

Mu Teng touched his nose again, answering carefully, “There’s no mistake.”

He even kept a polite smile on his face, maintaining his professionalism, even though this was just a call.

Gu Xiaoqi fell silent, at a loss for words.

“I’ve delivered the message. Is there anything else, Miss Gu?”

Gu Xiaoqi snapped back to herself, hesitating before replying, “Yinyin is busy at noon, but I’ll inform her.”

“Very well.”

With that, the call ended.

Gu Xiaoqi’s expression was grim as she relayed everything to their four-person chat group.

—Gu Xiaoqi: [I just spoke with Fu Seye’s assistant, but Mu Teng told me that President Fu insists Yinyin must come negotiate in person if we want this deal.]

—Jiang Ling: [?]

—Mu Yinyin: [??]

—Gu Xiaoqi: [That bastard! Is he trying to take revenge? He probably feels Yinyin deceived him, so now if she goes to negotiate, she’ll surely be put through the wringer. Maybe we should just drop this collaboration, Yinyin. Our group isn’t desperate for this. No need to subject yourself to this humiliation!]

She kept her eyes glued to her phone, her face growing darker with each thought. What on earth was this man thinking, insisting that Yinyin come to him?

She was certain—there was something wrong with him.

At that moment, Mu Yinyin sat at her desk, her expression frosted with a cold resolve.

She had humiliated Fu Seye in the past—was he now seeking revenge, determined to make things difficult for her?

But this collaboration was crucial; the next step for Starstream Group hinged on this partnership with Fu Corporation.

The Lu Corporation was an option, but in terms of long-term development and profitability, Fu Corporation was the better fit. If…

If Fu Seye refused, she’d have to turn to the Lu Corporation.

Mu Yinyin frowned slightly. Still, she doubted Fu Seye would stoop to petty revenge. He was ruthless, yes, but practical. Surely, he valued profit above all else.

He wouldn’t allow personal grievances to affect business—after all, nothing substantial had happened between them.

After a moment’s hesitation, she typed her reply.

—Mu Yinyin: [Take a break. I’ll handle this myself.]