Chapter 55: An Unexpected Incident in the Restroom

— Gu Xiaoqi: [Hand it over to you? But I can't help worrying—will this person pull some tricks? Right now, Fu Siyue clearly harbors resentment toward you, after all you kept so much from him back then...]

At this point, Gu Xiaoqi didn’t know what else to say.

— Mu Yinyin: [Don’t worry.]

Just those two words, and Mu Yinyin said nothing more.

But Gu Xiaoqi still felt particularly uneasy.

Noon.

Mu Yinyin drove to the address Lu Sinian had sent her.

It was a renowned Chinese restaurant in the imperial capital.

Lu Sinian had learned from Wan Yu that Mu Yinyin preferred Chinese food, so he made the reservation here.

When Mu Yinyin entered, Lu Sinian was already waiting. Here, apart from the staff, it was just the two of them.

Mu Yinyin was somewhat surprised; she had expected Lu Sinian to bring his assistant.

“We meet again.” Lu Sinian’s lips wore a gentle smile as he slid the menu toward Mu Yinyin. “See if there’s anything you’d like to eat.”

Mu Yinyin tugged at her lips, “Anything is fine. I’ll let you decide, President Lu.”

With that, she pushed the menu back, clearly not intending to order.

Lu Sinian noticed her reluctance and took the initiative to place the order. The waiter soon left.

Inside the private room, only the two of them remained.

Mu Yinyin was not one to waste time. She looked directly at Lu Sinian and got straight to the point, “I wonder what collaboration President Lu wishes to pursue with Starshine this time?”

Lu Sinian raised his eyebrows and produced a file, handing it to her. Mu Yinyin took it, opened the folder, and quickly scanned the few sheets inside. Her eyes were tinged with doubt.

“President Lu is entrusting such a major project to Starshine. Aren’t you afraid Starshine might mess it up?”

“In terms of design, I believe Starshine is the best. The only question is whether you are willing to take it on.” The smile at Lu Sinian’s lips remained relaxed, never giving a hint of pressure. His voice, when he spoke, was indulgent and inviting, making people instinctively want to draw closer.

This, perhaps, was the charm of the man.

Mu Yinyin hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, “Since President Lu trusts Starshine, I will certainly give it my utmost effort. I only hope President Lu won’t be disappointed in the end.”

“With you overseeing it, how could I be disappointed? Besides, you always manage to surprise me, don’t you?”

Lu Sinian looked at her with meaningful eyes.

Mu Yinyin’s lashes trembled slightly. He’d specifically used this design to approach her—did he know something, or...?

She lifted her gaze to the man, only to find he’d already withdrawn his attention, showing no trace of his earlier demeanor.

Mu Yinyin frowned lightly. Perhaps he was just speaking casually; he shouldn’t know anything.

After a pause, Mu Yinyin smiled and said, “I’ll just step out to the restroom.”

“Alright.”

Quickly, Mu Yinyin walked out.

But—

As soon as she entered, she spotted a familiar figure. Beside the sink, a woman was touching up her lipstick in front of the mirror.

Mu Yinyin’s eyes narrowed slightly as she met the familiar gaze reflected in the glass.

Nan Shiqing turned around instantly. When she realized it really was Mu Yinyin before her, frustration flashed deep in her eyes.

Was Mu Yinyin some lingering ghost?

Why did she have to run into her even here?

What a nuisance!

Meanwhile, Mu Yinyin withdrew her gaze, as though she couldn’t be bothered with Nan Shiqing, not even intending to greet her.

Nan Shiqing bit her lip, suppressing her irritation, and hurried to stand before Mu Yinyin, feigning delight as she spoke, “Sister!”

Mu Yinyin frowned, unwilling to engage, but Nan Shiqing excitedly grabbed her arm. “How coincidental, meeting you here! Sister, who are you dining with?”

She glanced instinctively toward the restroom door as she spoke.

Mu Yinyin pulled back her hand, her expression cold. “It has nothing to do with you.”

With that, she headed further inside.

Nan Shiqing followed behind, her face dark enough to drip water. She glared at Mu Yinyin’s back, wishing she could kill the woman with her gaze.

“Sister...”

“Don’t disgust me, Nan Shiqing. We have nothing to do with each other.” Mu Yinyin’s cold voice cut off Nan Shiqing’s words before she could finish.

Nan Shiqing’s expression grew even uglier!

This was a public restroom, and Mu Yinyin had said such humiliating words, leaving her no room to save face!

Everyone dining here was a prominent figure; mentioning her name, many would surely know it!

Nan Shiqing felt she could barely restrain herself from killing Mu Yinyin right then!

Sensing a few glances, her eyes flickered and she hurried out with her purse.

Today, even though she’d run into Mu Yinyin, she had no time to waste on her. She had spent a great deal of effort to get Fu Siyue to join her for lunch. If Fu Siyue saw Mu Yinyin now, all her work would end up benefiting someone else!

She didn’t want Fu Siyue to wait, nor did she want them to meet, so she rushed back to her private room.

However—

As she left, she couldn’t help glancing back toward the restroom door, but saw no sign of Mu Yinyin.

She bit her lip. Old grudges and new ones alike, she would never forget a single one!

So what if Mu Yinyin was Starshine’s Dragon Head? Once she became Mrs. Fu, no one would dare show her disrespect. Then, all she'd need was a hint to those eager to curry favor with the Fu Group, and that rabid dog would be eliminated!

By then, everything would be accomplished with a mere flick of her fingers—what was there to worry about?

The more she thought, the more she looked forward to it, constantly reminding herself to stay alert and rational. Right now, the most important thing was to become Mrs. Fu Siyue!

Taking a deep breath, Nan Shiqing pushed open the door.

Inside the private room, Fu Siyue was already seated, his body leaning against the chair, his long legs crossed.

Nan Shiqing couldn’t help but gaze at the handsome man before her, her heart racing.

He really was so attractive—features refined, sharply contoured, his bearing cool and aristocratic. Whenever she saw him like this, Nan Shiqing wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and never let go.

The man lifted his eyes slightly, glanced at her, then withdrew his gaze.

Nan Shiqing snapped back to herself and walked over to sit opposite him, a faint smile on her lips. “You don’t dislike this place, do you, Siyue?”

Nan Shiqing’s voice was soft, inviting protection.

Fu Siyue merely responded indifferently, offering no further words.

His deep, magnetic voice was still full of allure, making Nan Shiqing unable to stop herself from wanting to sink into it.

The room fell quiet once more.

Fu Siyue had never been much of a talker.

But Nan Shiqing felt especially stifled. Just thinking about Mu Yinyin’s arrival filled her with unspeakable frustration.

But—

Before she could think of something to say, the man suddenly stood up and said calmly, “I’m going to the restroom.”