Chapter 59 She Was Reading the Contract, But He Was Watching Her

Meanwhile, Mu Yinyin and Lu Sinian had already arrived at their private room. Both were seated and all the dishes had been served.

Mu Yinyin glanced at Lu Sinian with a trace of apology. "I'm sorry, I was delayed for a bit just now."

Lu Sinian smiled faintly. "It's all right. I just didn't expect President Fu to be here as well."

A flicker of irony passed through Mu Yinyin's eyes, but she said nothing. Instead, she picked up her chopsticks.

Since they were out for a meal, she might as well eat.

Lu Sinian raised his brows and picked up his chopsticks too, not in any hurry to discuss business.

The two of them ate like ordinary friends out for a meal, not like business partners negotiating a deal.

After a while, Lu Sinian looked at Mu Yinyin with a smile. "So, what do you think? Does the food suit your taste?"

Mu Yinyin arched an eyebrow and nodded. "Since you personally chose the place, it must be good."

She knew of this restaurant, but had never actually eaten here. Back when negotiations were ongoing, Xiao Qi always handled things, and later, after marrying Fu Siye, she rarely went out at all. In hindsight, she truly had…

Not only had she wasted her best years, but she had also lost the life she should have had.

But now…

It wasn’t too late. She could reclaim what she had once abandoned, and discard the useless things she should never have possessed.

"As long as you like it. If you wish, we can come here often in the future," Lu Sinian said casually, his tone light and without any sense of pressure or ulterior motive.

After all, with a company as large as his, Lu Sinian had no need to curry favor with anyone, much less stand in anyone’s shadow—he was Fu Siye’s equal. No one could push him around, nor could anyone force him to bow and scrape.

Mu Yinyin merely curled her lips and said nothing. When she was nearly finished eating, she finally spoke slowly, "I wonder, President Lu, what kind of cooperation did you want to discuss with me this time?"

"Let's finish eating first. I'll show you after. If you're on board, we can sign today."

Mu Yinyin’s gaze flickered. From Lu Sinian’s casual tone, she suspected this partnership was just his way of helping Starshine—a gesture of gratitude for her saving the old master.

She said nothing and continued eating.

Ten minutes later, both had finished and set down their chopsticks.

Lu Sinian handed her a document. "Take a look."

Mu Yinyin accepted it, opened the file, and when her eyes fell upon the first line, surprise flickered in her gaze.

"Are you planning to enter the national competition?"

Lu Sinian raised an eyebrow. "That's right. I just don't know if you’ll be free to join me when the time comes?"

Mu Yinyin’s eyes grew complicated.

She had thought Lu Sinian had simply found her a decent contract, just to help Mu Corporation. But now it seemed this project was important to the Lu Group as well—yet he was willing to entrust it to Starshine. Although Starshine was a leader in this field, its capabilities were still limited and might not rival the Lu Group’s.

Yet he was still willing to partner with them.

This surprised Mu Yinyin.

She looked up at Lu Sinian. "Aren't you worried this project might be ruined by handing it to Starshine?"

Lu Sinian chuckled lightly. "Before I met you, I did hesitate, which was why I never approached Starshine."

Mu Yinyin was taken aback. She gazed at Lu Sinian. "After meeting me? I’m hardly an expert in this field—what makes you so certain you want to work with me?"

Mu Yinyin felt conflicted about this partnership and wasn’t particularly keen to accept. If things went wrong, it would reflect poorly on both companies, and this project might involve some complications she preferred not to deal with at the moment.

If she agreed to participate, then…

Her gaze became more complex.

Lu Sinian observed her thoughtful expression and instead of answering, asked, "Is there some difficulty?"

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered and she finally looked straight at him. "I’m worried I won’t be up to the task. With both companies involved, Starshine might just be a burden."

"No, I see Starshine as the main force in this project. The Lu Group will simply use its strengths for the packaging and post-production. The early-stage design still depends on you, and I have always trusted your vision."

Mu Yinyin’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Lu Sinian. "Did you know me before, President Lu?"

Lu Sinian smiled gently. "I didn’t know who Starshine’s CEO was before, but by chance I heard a few things about the Mu family’s heiress."

Mu Yinyin froze for a moment.

She said nothing, simply gazing at the man before her.

Lu Sinian appeared easygoing, yet it seemed he already knew all her secrets.

She pressed her lips together in silence.

Yet Lu Sinian smiled. "I brought the contract with me. Seventy percent for you, thirty for me. If there’s no problem, we can sign today."

Mu Yinyin's gaze wavered, but she said nothing.

Lu Sinian placed the contract in front of her, still smiling. "If you’re not satisfied with the split, I can take only twenty and you get eighty."

Given what Mu Yinyin had done for his grandfather, Lu Sinian wouldn’t have minded giving all the profits to her, but that would have seemed too deliberate. Seventy-thirty was already generous; if he gave more, it would only make her uneasy.

And sure enough—

Mu Yinyin replied coolly, "No need. Fifty-fifty is enough."

Lu Sinian smiled with a hint of amusement. "So you agree to the partnership?"

"With you supporting Starshine so generously, of course I’m willing. Once this is finalized, Starshine will benefit enormously, and for that I’m already very grateful. There’s no need to give me an extra twenty percent—let’s just split it evenly."

"A seventy-thirty split, as discussed, stands. In the end, I’m the one taking advantage here. Without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to compete in the national competition. Think of it as one more contribution you’re making to the Lu Group."

Mu Yinyin's gaze trembled slightly. So, he really did know.

But how had he found out?

At the old madam’s birthday banquet, she had sensed something off in the way Lu Sinian looked at her. At the time, she had simply thought he was surprised to learn she was Starshine’s CEO and also skilled in medicine. But now, it seemed…

No wonder Lu Sinian had announced in front of everyone that he wanted to work with her.

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered.

She said nothing.

Lu Sinian smiled. "Why don’t you look over the contract first?"

Mu Yinyin turned her attention to the contract. The private room suddenly fell into silence, broken only by the occasional sound of her flipping through the pages.

Now, the two were seated on the sofa for business talks, not at the dining table.

Facing each other, Mu Yinyin read the contract while Lu Sinian looked quietly at her.