Chapter 86: Worlds Apart

One week later.

After Xingxing collaborated with the Fu Corporation, things finally settled into place and the project officially entered its development phase.

As for Luo Gang, one of the company’s shareholders, he had been endlessly haggling over terms. Mu Yinyin, having completely lost her patience, made it clear that he need not participate any longer—no need for him to invest, and he would receive no dividends.

Yet…

Luo Gang’s resistance was nothing more than personal animosity towards Mu Yinyin. He hadn’t made it to his position as a shareholder by being a fool. If even the Fu Corporation was willing to sign on to the project, then it was certainly a worthwhile venture.

So, in the end, he put up his usual share of capital. Seeing this, none of the other shareholders dared to make any special demands, and all agreed to invest as well.

Meanwhile, the Mu Corporation—

They too managed to find several companies to jointly develop a project, just as they had hoped.

The news from the press conference spread far and wide, stirring heated discussions all over the country.

At this moment.

Mu Yinyin, Gu Xiaoqi, and two others sat together sharing a meal.

After taking a bite of food that Li Chuan had served her, Gu Xiaoqi sneered, “He Chengkui and He Xia really are cunning—managing to come up with a new scheme at the last minute. It’s as if they’re seeking rebirth from the ashes.”

Li Chuan’s expression was cool and detached. “A cunning hare has three burrows.”

He spoke no more, but his cold demeanor said enough.

Jiang Ling, on the other hand, fixed his gaze on Mu Yinyin. “What do you plan to do?”

Mu Yinyin continued eating calmly, only speaking after swallowing her food. “There’s no rush. Let them enjoy their little triumph for a few days.”

“Oh?” Gu Xiaoqi’s interest was piqued. “So you already have a plan?”

Mu Yinyin arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

Gu Xiaoqi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I have a feeling they’re going to meet their downfall.”

Mu Yinyin’s lips curled slightly. “Their press conference was indeed impressive, and their newly launched electronic device is garnering a lot of attention. Both the design and its features are quite complete—perhaps it will even become a mainstream product in the future. But I suspect they’re well aware of one fatal flaw.”

“What flaw?” Jiang Ling asked, as he served her more food.

Mu Yinyin looked at him with a half-smile. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Gu Xiaoqi puffed up indignantly. “You’re leaving us hanging! That’s not fair!”

“It’s just more fun to keep a little suspense. In fact, I’m looking forward to the day their product finally hits the shelves.”

“Didn’t they say it would launch in a week?” Li Chuan commented calmly.

Gu Xiaoqi’s suspicion only deepened. “What’s going on? Negotiating a partnership took time and required a lot of funds—so how can they launch so quickly?”

Mu Yinyin analyzed evenly, “Because only a hundred units will be released in a week. Their current funds should be enough for that. I suspect they began production before the partnership talks were even finalized. Once the deal was struck, they announced it outright.”

Gu Xiaoqi frowned, growing more distrustful of the Mu Corporation team. “Isn’t that a bit too hasty?”

Mu Yinyin’s lips twisted with a hint of scorn.

Jiang Ling, ever composed, spoke up. “They probably hadn’t intended to announce so soon. But with everything we’ve been doing lately, we’ve forced them to the brink. If they failed to deliver any results, the company might have collapsed altogether.”

Gu Xiaoqi snorted coldly. “Serves them right! They’ve done so many despicable things—it’s only fitting that retribution catches up with them. Yinyin, I’m waiting for the day you get your revenge!”

Mu Yinyin’s lips quirked. “We can stretch this out a bit. Let them savor the sweetness of selling those first hundred units.”

“Huh?” Gu Xiaoqi eyed her with suspicion. “You’re not planning to let them enjoy their success for a while, are you?”

“That’s exactly the idea.” Mu Yinyin continued helping herself to food.

Seeing Gu Xiaoqi’s discomfort, Li Chuan silently served her more dishes while remarking, “Only by letting them climb higher can you make the fall that much harder. Isn’t that the best way to get revenge? Otherwise, wouldn’t letting them off lightly be too easy on them?”

“That… makes sense, actually…” Gu Xiaoqi pouted. “Oh, forget it. Let’s just eat!”

…

Fu Corporation.

At this moment, Fu Siye was also having lunch.

He wasn’t alone, however.

Sitting across from him was Nan Shiqing.

Nan Shiqing watched Fu Siye cautiously. Noticing that his mood seemed normal, she relaxed before speaking softly, “Siye…”

Fu Siye glanced at her impassively, saying nothing.

Nan Shiqing smiled gently before continuing, “Actually, you feel guilty toward me, don’t you?”

Fu Siye’s gaze faltered for a moment. Indeed, signing the contract with Xingxing this time had been a disservice to the Mu Corporation.

He spoke in a low voice, “I was surprised by Mu Yinyin’s approach as well. But after the partnership ends, I’ll make it up to the Mu Corporation.”

Xingxing’s terms were simple: for the duration of their collaboration, Fu Corporation could not work with the Mu Corporation.

Once the partnership ended, Xingxing would no longer have any say in the matter.

Nan Shiqing shook her head with a gentle smile. “That’s not necessary. Siye, you never owed me anything, so there’s no need to go so far for my sake.”

Fu Siye frowned slightly, about to speak, but Nan Shiqing smiled again and continued, “Siye, I know you’ve always blamed yourself for my health, thinking it’s connected to you. But you weren’t responsible for that fire all those years ago. Even if you hadn’t been there, I might still have been hurt. Perhaps it was just my fate. My health has improved greatly now. You really don’t need to think of me as your savior.”

“If you hadn’t saved me, I probably wouldn’t have survived,” Fu Siye replied firmly, dismissing her reassurances.

Nan Shiqing smiled softly. “You’ve done so much for me over the years. Even if I did save your life, what you’ve done for me has long surpassed any sense of obligation. Siye, truly, thank you for always being there for me.”

“There’s no need for all that,” Fu Siye said, his eyes calm, his tone indifferent.

Nan Shiqing was used to his manner and didn’t mind, only smiling as she went on, “Actually, I’m very happy about your partnership with my sister this time. Siye, I sincerely hope the two of you can reconcile. So truly, you don’t need to worry about me. Maybe my sister harbors some misunderstanding toward me, but I believe that, given time, she’ll come to trust me. You don’t need to feel any pressure because of me—I’m genuinely happy to see things as they are now.”

Her voice was gentle, her eyes filled with sincerity.

Fu Siye’s gaze shifted slightly. Both women were sisters, not related by blood but raised together from childhood and educated in the same environment. Yet how could two people turn out so utterly different?

One was gentle and understanding, the other…

He scoffed—