Mu Beiyin's expression stiffened as she met Huo Shiqing's gaze, her scalp tingling with unease.She couldn't tell Huo Shiqing the real reason she married him—not yet.
There were too many questions and illogical aspects surrounding the Song family, the jade pendant her mother left behind, and why the will required her to marry someone from the Song family.
Until she had everything figured out, she didn't want anyone else getting involved.
And more importantly… she couldn't explain why, but she didn't want Huo Shiqing to know she was using him.
Mu Beiyin didn't dare meet his eyes. She lowered her head and muttered, "I… I was just worried about you."
Huo Shiqing let out a faint, unreadable chuckle.
Last night, Mrs. Huo had seemed anxious, but after learning that he could do calligraphy, her mood had clearly improved.
So he guessed that his calligraphy skills were the reason for her sudden good mood.
But why would she care so much about that?
Huo Shiqing said lazily, "So it was just out of concern. Here I thought, if I didn't know calligraphy, Mrs. Huo might be considering marrying someone else."
"Cough, cough!" Mu Beiyin nearly choked on her own saliva.
Was Huo Shiqing starting to suspect her?
She had been too hasty in testing the waters.
Mu Beiyin coughed lightly and decided to stabilize the situation first. "Of course not! Do you really think I'm that kind of person? I just want to get to know you better, that's all!"
She stepped forward in small, careful steps, her eyes darting playfully as she changed the subject. "It's getting late… How about we go home?"
Looking at the sly but slightly frightened little fox before him, Huo Shiqing's lips curled into a faint smile. "Alright."
Mrs. Huo was definitely hiding something.
That was fine—he had time to uncover it.
…
At the Mu residence.
The housekeepers were setting the dishes on the table. Old Master Mu looked around and asked, "Where's Qianrou? Why isn't she home yet?"
Just as he finished speaking, Mu Qianrou walked into the villa, looking distraught. As soon as she saw them, tears began to fall.
She dropped to her knees with a thud and sobbed, "Dad, Grandpa, Mom, I'm sorry. I've been expelled from Anding University… sob The principal said he wants to speak with my parents. I've brought shame to you all."
The expressions on the Mu family members changed instantly. Mu Yaohui asked instinctively, "What happened?!"
Mu Qianrou choked through her sobs. "Dad, please don't ask. I don't want to go back to Anding. I just want to live peacefully."
Lin Ru rushed to help her up, her heart aching. "Oh Qianrou, what are you doing? You've always had good grades and been obedient. How could Anding University expel you? Someone must be bullying you!"
Mu Qianrou shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "No, Mom, no one bullied me. I'm just so heartbroken… Let's just forget it, okay? I'm scared that if I stay at Anding, I might not even survive. I'm not as clever or manipulative as my sister. I…"
She suddenly realized she had said too much and quickly covered her mouth.
But Old Master Mu and Mu Yaohui had already heard her loud and clear.
Mu Yaohui's brows furrowed. "Mu Beiyin?! Did she stir up trouble again?"
Mu Qianrou panicked and said quickly, "Dad, don't blame Sister. She just hates me too much. That's why she told everyone I was out drinking with men last night. sob She said I was that kind of woman, and the teachers and students believed her. They said I have a messed-up private life and don't deserve to stay at Anding. I might as well be dead…"
Mu Yaohui's expression darkened. Old Master Mu slammed the table furiously. "Absurd!"
Lin Ru clung to Mu Qianrou, crying uncontrollably. "How could Beiyin do this? Qianrou is such a good girl—doesn't she know that? Why would she smear her sister's reputation like this? sob My poor daughter…"
"Qianrou, why don't we just transfer schools? I know Beiyin doesn't like you. Let's transfer, stay out of her way at Anding. Otherwise, I'm really worried something bad will happen to you…"
Mu Yaohui's face grew darker. "That ungrateful girl! I knew sending her to a top university would only bring trouble!"
Old Master Mu closed his eyes. He had been the one who suggested spending some money to get Mu Beiyin into Anding University.
But now…
He sighed. "Qianrou, I'll personally go talk to Principal Zhang tomorrow. Anding owes the Mu family a favor. Just rest at home for a few days—you'll be able to go back to school soon."
A glint of triumph flashed in Lin Ru's eyes.
She knew that favor had actually been owed to Su Xingling more than two decades ago.
And now, they were using that dead wretch's favor to protect Qianrou… Ha! Wouldn't Mu Beiyin be furious when she found out?
…
The next day, Mu Beiyin went to school. During a break, she spotted Old Master Mu.
Narrowing her eyes, she thought, "The Mu family may hold some power in Ancheng, but I never expected Qianrou to actually get expelled."
But it was only the second day, and the old man had already come to beg for her. A bit too eager, wasn't he?
…
In the principal's office.
Old Master Mu said, "Principal Zhang, I've heard about the situation. Qianrou just isn't good at defending herself. This isn't something that warrants expulsion."
Principal Zhang's throat tightened. "Which matter are you referring to?"
Old Master Mu grew displeased. According to Qianrou, the school wanted to expel her because Mu Beiyin had spread rumors about her being a bar hostess.
At that thought, Old Master Mu's last shred of tolerance for Mu Beiyin vanished.
"Beiyin is a jealous girl. Her words can't be trusted. Qianrou has always been well-behaved and innocent. How could she be out drinking late at night? Expelling her over such a trivial matter is completely unreasonable!"
As soon as he finished, the principal and other teachers looked at him in shock and disbelief.
Principal Zhang's expression turned cold. "Mr. Mu, do you truly believe Mu Beiyin fabricated those accusations?"
Old Master Mu scowled. "What else could it be?"
Director Xu let out a scoffing laugh. "And you have the nerve to call yourself Beiyin's family? When she was the one slandered, you did nothing. Now you're here defending the real culprit?"
Old Master Mu's frown deepened. "What do you mean—"
"Yesterday, Mu Qianrou bribed a student named Wu Lina to spread lies, accusing Beiyin of sleeping around and having a chaotic private life."
"There is both eyewitness and material evidence. Qianrou admitted it herself. And now, the entire Mu family has developed collective amnesia?"
The surrounding teachers chimed in, each one speaking their mind, leaving Old Master Mu red in the face.
… Last night, Qianrou clearly told a different story at home.
Could it really have been her who defamed Beiyin?
No. Qianrou had always been kind, always fond of her sister. It was Beiyin who constantly targeted her. Old Master Mu couldn't believe it. Beiyin must have tricked them all!
Besides, Qianrou's engagement to the Song family wasn't finalized yet. A scandal like an expulsion couldn't be allowed to leak.
Old Master Mu calmed himself and said, "Let's speak plainly, Principal Zhang. Twenty-three years ago, Anding University owed the Mu family a favor. As long as you agree not to expel Qianrou, we'll consider that favor repaid. The Mu family won't bring it up again."
Although that favor had originally been owed to Su Xingling, what did it matter now?
This trouble was caused by Mu Beiyin—using her mother's favor to protect Qianrou was only fair.
Upon hearing this, Principal Zhang's gaze shifted from contempt to pity.