Mu Beiyin immediately snapped out of it and almost cursed in her heart: "…"
Damn it, it's not just a resemblance—this is Huo Shiqing!
What is he doing here?
She couldn't help but glance behind Huo Shiqing. Strange, he couldn't possibly be here on vacation.
She swallowed and forced a smile. "Mr. Huo, what a coincidence."
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
He had followed the trail all the way to Baishui Town and discovered that the hacker had once lived in this small villa.
But when he arrived at the villa, the one who opened the door was none other than Mrs. Huo.
Clearly, Mrs. Huo was hiding something from him.
Huo Shiqing curved his lips and followed her lead. "Not a coincidence. I came to find you."
"…Huh?"
Mu Beiyin was dumbfounded.
He came all this way to find her?
She was about to ask why, but before she could speak, Huo Shiqing casually asked,
"Did you come here for something?"
Mu Beiyin faintly sensed she was being led by the nose, but her brain hadn't caught up yet, so she answered instinctively.
"This is my house. I came to get my mother's photos."
This is her house? The suspicion in Huo Shiqing's heart became clearer.
The corners of the man's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile, and he didn't press further. "Let's go, Mrs. Huo."
Without thinking, Mu Beiyin refused, "I still have something to—"
Before she finished, Huo Shiqing gave her a casual glance. His expression was calm, but Mu Beiyin could sense a hint of threat in his eyes.
"…"
She immediately backed down and forced a change of tone. "But since you came all this way to pick me up, I can't waste your kindness. Let's go home. Right now."
Huo Shiqing looked very satisfied.
After getting in the car, Mu Beiyin shrank into the corner. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard Huo Shiqing speak slowly:
"Since Mrs. Huo came back for an album, then… where are the photos?"
Mu Beiyin's expression stiffened. She suddenly felt a bit guilty.
Wait, guilty about what? She did come for the photos!
Even though this villa used to be her hacker base, there was no way Huo Shiqing knew that. His question was probably… just concern, right?
Mu Beiyin looked away, no longer in the mood to joke. "Lin Ru burned them."
Huo Shiqing's casual expression disappeared.
It was the first time he had seen something like sadness or disappointment on Mu Beiyin's face.
For some reason, it bothered him a lot.
When they got back to Yujing Garden, Mu Beiyin went straight upstairs. Huo Shiqing's eyes turned even darker.
"Look into how many years Mrs. Huo lived in Baishui Town."
Soon, Bai Ji, who was sitting in the front, replied, "During the time she was kicked out to the countryside, she lived in Baishui Town. Later, she left and only came back four years ago."
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes. The hacker who attacked Huo Corporation's system did so five years ago.
Could it not have been her?
But a villa like that—besides the owner, no one else could stay long-term… It seemed Mrs. Huo had a deep connection with the hacker.
Apparently, Bai Ji realized the gravity of the situation too. "Sir, I…"
"Send someone to interrogate Lin Ru," Huo Shiqing cut in lightly. "Ask her where she hid Su Xingling's photos."
"Lin Ru said she burned them, but with her personality, if she really got Su Xingling's photos, she would've kept them to 'torture' her symbolically. She wouldn't have burned them right away."
Bai Ji: "…"
Bai Ji: "?"
Sir, do you even realize what you're saying?
You clearly suspect Madam is that hacker. So why are you now ordering me to go find her photos?
If she is the hacker, then she's our enemy!
Huo Shiqing glanced over indifferently. "You have a problem with that?"
Bai Ji trembled. "No, sir. I'll get on it right away."
"And one more thing," Huo Shiqing added.
Bai Ji scurried back instantly.
Huo Shiqing suddenly chuckled, his voice gentle. "Whether or not the photos were burned, Mrs. Huo is unhappy. If she's unhappy, then I want more people to be unhappy."
Hearing that tone, Bai Ji knew someone was about to suffer. "Understood, sir. I'll send someone to An University immediately."
—Lin Ru, Lin He, and Mu Yaohui had already suffered. The three had gotten themselves arrested and thrown into the police station. The entire upper-class circle probably knew by now—humiliating enough.
That just left Mu Qianrou.
So what Mr. Huo meant was… he wanted Mu Qianrou to suffer too.
…
Ancheng University.
Mu Qianrou had completely turned around public opinion using a few small acts of kindness.
Even Lin Ru's reputation had improved.
These days, she was once again the adored, high-and-mighty campus queen.
Coincidentally, Xie Lin was at An University today giving a lecture. He had chosen to keep Mu Qianrou afterwards, drawing envy from all the students.
Mu Qianrou blushed. "Mr. Xie, about last time…"
"There was a misunderstanding last time, Miss Mu. I still have a good impression of you." Xie Lin smiled warmly. "Would you like to take a walk around campus with me?"
Everyone looked at them with envy.
Mu Qianrou was overjoyed. So what if Xie Lin had chosen Mu Beiyin for the last project because of Su Xingling? She was the one he actually favored!
She had been mocked for days because of the illegitimate daughter scandal, but now she walked proudly beside Xie Lin, heading toward the crowded area—determined to show everyone her charm!
Xie Lin's eyes glinted as he said intentionally, "Actually, even though the last project didn't work out, there may be another one. Miss Mu, you and Lin Ru's sincerity really moved me…"
Mu Qianrou, thrilled, was just about to say yes when suddenly, everyone's phones buzzed with a news alert.
The next second, all eyes turned toward Mu Qianrou with odd expressions.
"Her parents are shameless… barging into someone else's home to steal things—are they robbers?"
"I bet all those fancy clothes and jewelry Mu Qianrou wears were stolen too."
"Just days ago we were praising Lin Ru for being kind and beautiful. Turns out she's just another vicious stepmother. Ugh!"
"Xie Lin is really going to work with Mu Qianrou? Is he blind?"
Hearing his name, Xie Lin paused. "What are you all talking about?"
Several students stepped forward indignantly. "Mr. Xie, please don't work with Mu Qianrou. Her parents broke into someone's home and tried to steal things!"
"Yeah! It's terrible. Everything Su Xingling left for Mu Beiyin was taken by the stepmother and the illegitimate daughter."
"And to think Mu Qianrou acts like a saint around us, calling Mu Beiyin 'sister' in public while threatening and abusing her behind the scenes. Who knows what else she's done!"
Mu Qianrou's face went pale, her body swaying as tears welled up instantly. "I… I don't understand what you're saying. Mr. Xie, please don't believe them…"
Damn it! These students must've taken Mu Beiyin's side and are slandering her!