A monumental favor, wasted on pleading for Mu Qianrou—how blind the Mu family must be.
At the same time, he felt it was unfair to Mu Beiyin.She had been slandered, bullied, and had only just cleared her name, yet her family bent over backward to protect Mu Qianrou, completely ignoring her grievances.
Principal Zhang sighed and tried to persuade him one last time."Old Mr. Mu, sometimes you need to take your eyes off Mu Qianrou and look more at Beiyin. You'll realize she's a hundred, a thousand times more outstanding than Qianrou."
Old Mr. Mu was unwilling to admit, even in his heart, that Mu Beiyin was better than Mu Qianrou. He waved dismissively.
"Impossible. Principal Zhang, you don't understand our family matters, so don't speak out of turn. Qianrou is an illegitimate child; she's suffered greatly since she was young. That's why we dote on her more. Beiyin is different. She just doesn't want to study hard."
Having achieved his goal, Old Mr. Mu didn't want to stay another moment."I'll have Qianrou return to school tomorrow."
Principal Zhang watched the old man's retreating figure, a sneer creeping onto his face.
Director Xu couldn't help but spit disdainfully,"Illegitimate daughter? From what I see, Mu Qianrou's dressed in silk and eats delicacies—how is that suffering? The legitimate daughter gets no love, while the whole family lives harmoniously with the mistress and her daughter. What kind of values is that?"
Principal Zhang shook his head."Kind words can't persuade a ghost destined to die. Just wait and see. The Mu family's favoritism toward the mistress and her child will lead to their downfall sooner or later. By then, they'll regret it—but it'll be too late."
——
The next afternoon, Mu Qianrou really did return to school.
When Chu Zhi heard about it, she came to An University especially to see Mu Beiyin."Ugh, the Mu family really has no shame. Beiyin, are you okay?"
Mu Beiyin shrugged indifferently."I'm used to it. It's fine. I knew the Mu family would never let Qianrou be expelled."
Chu Zhi's heart ached."My heart breaks for you. I'm going to make Shiqing pamper you properly."
Half a minute later, Mu Beiyin's phone rang. The caller ID showed three big characters: "Huo Shiqing." Her cheeks began to flush.
The man's voice came over the line, calm and unhurried."Chu Zhi told me you're upset?"
Mu Beiyin blinked."No, I'm not."
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes."Mrs. Huo, I told you—never lie to me."
This time, Mu Beiyin wasn't lying."I know the Mu family favors Qianrou, so I'm not upset."
Little did she know, this sentence stirred something unfamiliar in Huo Shiqing's heart."I see."
Mu Beiyin wasn't upset—not because she didn't care, but because she had long known the Mu family would act this way.Only through repeated disappointment had she developed the ability to turn a blind eye.
Suppressing the odd feeling in his chest, Huo Shiqing did something childish for the first time—
After hanging up, he had Bai Ji expose everything Mu Qianrou had done at An University and even leaked it to the Song family.
In the past, he had disdained using public opinion as a weapon.But now, if it could make Mu Beiyin just a little happier, childishness didn't matter.
Mu Beiyin looked at her disconnected phone call, frowning slightly in confusion.
What did Huo Shiqing mean by "I see"? Why didn't he say anything to comfort her, and yet she felt... better?
Chu Zhi raised an eyebrow, looked up, and asked,"What did Huo Shiqing say? Why aren't you talking—tsk, what's with your contact name for him? Just 'Huo Shiqing'?"
"I saw his name for you is still 'Mrs. Huo.' You two sound like you're making a report at work. Can't you use something a bit sweeter?"
Mu Beiyin blinked and asked instinctively,"Then what should I name him?"
Chu Zhi's eyes lit up."Give me your phone."
Mu Beiyin, full of trust, handed it over. Chu Zhi tapped around and returned it, speaking mysteriously:
"Don't look at it now. Wait until he calls you next time—you'll feel a rush of sweetness!"
Mu Beiyin: "…"
Why did this feel like she'd been sold off and was still helping count the money?
——
On the other side, Lin Ru was accompanying Mu Qianrou out of the car.
Around them, classmates' scornful whispers filled the air.
"Why is Mu Qianrou back again?"
"Wu Lina got expelled, and she was the instigator—yet she gets to come back?"
"Having a powerful family sure makes life easier…"
"She's just an illegitimate daughter. Mu Beiyin never even uses her family's influence, and this illegitimate one is acting so arrogant."
Mu Qianrou's face twisted again and again. She finally broke down crying once they were out of sight.
"Mom! Did you hear what they're saying about me? Why won't Dad punish them?!"
Mu Yaohui had originally wanted to expel all the students who bullied Qianrou, but Lin Ru had stopped him.
Lin Ru consoled,"Qianrou, this whole thing has already reached the Song family. If we go further and expel those students, Old Mr. Song will be displeased. Don't you still want to marry Chengxiu?"
Mu Qianrou stomped her foot in frustration."So annoying! Why is that old man still alive?!"
Lin Ru's eyes gleamed."Qianrou, your classmates are only in their early twenties, not yet out in society. They're still pure-hearted. If you humble yourself and show a little kindness, in less than a month your reputation will turn around."
She then instructed her assistant to buy over thirty cups of milk tea and deliver them to the class, greeting them kindly.
"You're all Qianrou's classmates, right? Come, have some milk tea. I know Qianrou was a bit impulsive yesterday, but she'll get along with everyone much better from now on."
Mu Qianrou played the part of a demure girl, biting her lip shyly."The class monitor's birthday is next month. Monitor, let me treat you to a birthday party at the Yipintang Grand Hotel. The whole class can come!"
Her classmates widened their eyes and exchanged glances, whispering.
"Maybe Mu Qianrou and her mistress mom aren't as bad as Mu Beiyin said…"
"Yeah, maybe we misunderstood her."
Mu Qianrou smiled triumphantly, hiding her malice beneath her lashes.
——
Mu Beiyin, however, didn't pay much attention to Mu Qianrou's return.
She opened an email and saw a message:[I found some information. Your mother and the Song family might not have been that close, but she did personally write the will. If you want her inheritance, you must marry someone from the Song family.]
Mu Beiyin had always felt something was off.Her mother had gone to great lengths to leave her the inheritance—so why would she add a clause like that?
Even if they were close back then, people change. Who knew what things would be like after twenty years?
The message also said:[You might try looking for your mother's old photos—see if any Song family members appear in them.]
Old photos… That might be a good idea.
Mu Beiyin immediately went to check her photo album, but after searching for a while, realized her phone was gone.
…She must've tossed it aside after getting home and had no idea where.
"Mrs. Huo, what are you looking for?" Huo Shiqing asked as he took a sip of tea, his Adam's apple moving slightly.
Mu Beiyin was still searching."My phone. I can't find it. Did you see it?"
The man raised an eyebrow and called her number. Her ringtone sounded from beneath the sofa.
Mu Beiyin beamed."So it was here!"
Just as she was about to bend down to get it, Huo Shiqing beat her to it. He picked up the phone, glanced down—and seemed to see something amusing. With great interest, he asked:
"Mrs. Huo, what's this contact name you gave me?"
Mu Beiyin froze.
Wait! Chu Zhi changed his name in her contacts—and she hadn't checked it yet!
So… what had she named him?