Chapter 55 "I just... suddenly really want to see you"

The company still needs Mu Yunzhou and his family, so Mu's mother called back some of the other grandchildren that the old ladies had their eye on.

As early as last night, when they discovered that the old lady had a fever, Mu's mother had already called Mu Qi.

Muqi should be on the plane now, and will arrive home no later than this afternoon.

The aunt comforted Chao Xian from the side: "The old lady had already made arrangements for her affairs long ago, and she probably knew about her health condition all along."

Auntie sighed, looking at Chaoxian standing there in a daze, and naturally knew that Chaoxian and the old lady had gotten along well during the past few days at the old house.

Because she had some free time these past few days, the old lady was always accompanied by younger relatives.

In short, the old lady probably has no regrets now except for Muqi.

Chao Xian stayed in the old lady's room the whole time, watching her regain consciousness. Afterwards, the old lady and Chao Xian talked for a long time.

"Among the younger generation of the Mu family, my favorites are Yunzhou and Qiqi. The other younger generation are either too scheming or their calculations are obvious, but I liked you the moment I saw you."

The old lady sat on the bed, her eyes half-closed, and she had to pause after saying just a few words.

The old lady seemed to have lost all her energy and spirit, and then asked Chao Xian to bring out the key.

"This is the key to the Mu family, the foundation of the Mu family. It was passed down to me by my mother-in-law. Now that you are the head of the Mu family, I have chosen to pass it on to you."

The old lady looked at the key, which had been in her hands for decades, and now it had finally found its next owner.

Chao Xian spoke softly to the old lady, thinking of letting her rest.

After all, Muqi was on her way back, and the old lady should be thinking about her granddaughter.

"I know about the current situation of the Mu family, but I believe in Yunzhou's abilities. Chaochao, you must treat Yunzhou well. If one day you don't like Yunzhou anymore, that's normal. Love is about fate and first impressions."

The old lady sighed softly; after all, it was a matter for the young people, and she couldn't say much more.

"I know, Grandma, don't worry," Chao Xian replied softly, while Mu Ziyan sat obediently beside her, pouring water for the two of them.

"From the first moment I saw you, I felt that you were well-behaved and obedient, with a clean temperament. I also saw how good you were to Ziyan. Chaochao... you are a good child."

After the old lady finished speaking softly, she waved her hand to let Mu's mother in.

Chao Xian and Mu Ziyan left the room and saw Mu's mother sitting outside silently wiping away her tears as soon as she saw them come out.

Mu's mother stood up and looked at Chao Xian, seemingly asking if the old lady Chao Xian had any other plans.

"Mother, Grandma wants you to come in."

Chao Xian gently reminded her, and Mu's mother quickly nodded.

Chao Xian watched as Mu's mother entered the room, and then sat down next to the stone bench where Mu's mother had just sat.

Mu Ziyan placed the pastries that the maid had brought over in front of Chao Xian: "Babo, have something to eat."

Chao Xian's gaze was fixed on the pond outside. A slightly chilly wind blew on his face, and Chao Xian didn't know what kind of mood he was in.

This was the first time Chao Xian had ever felt the passing of life from someone close to him.

To watch helplessly as a living, breathing person walks towards the end of death.

In the face of time, life is insignificant.

The old lady who was smiling and talking to me not long ago is now lying in bed, and she has lost all her energy and spirit, surrounded by an aura of death.

"Babo, if you're not feeling well, you should go back and rest."

Mu Ziyan looked at Chao Xian with worry in her eyes. Upon hearing this, Chao Xian pulled his clothes tighter.

Mu Ziyan reached out and handed the tea to Chao Xian.

Mu Ziyan's obedient and well-behaved appearance made Chao Xian reach out and pat her head.

Seeing that Mu Ziyan wasn't wearing a scarf, Chao Xian said softly, "You should go back and rest first. You're dressed a bit too lightly today. Remember to drink some ginger soup when you get back."

But Mu Ziyan still stayed with Chao Xian and waited. Helpless, Chao Xian could only take off the scarf around his neck and put it on Mu Ziyan.

People were coming and going in the room behind them. The younger generation who were supposed to return had all returned. Everyone had greeted the old lady and then waited in the side room.

Mu Ziyan glanced at Chao Xian, then at the door behind him that would be tightly closed after anyone entered or left.

The side room is right next to it, but Mu's mother didn't want to go in just now, and now Chao Xian doesn't want to go in either.

Mu Ziyan wanted to say something more, but Rong Heng brought over the food.

Chao Xian nodded to Rong Heng and watched as Rong Heng brought the dinner inside.

The old house was very quiet at this moment.

The servants who came and went were also quiet.

They dared not make too much noise.

Seeing that Chao Xian was still waiting, his aunt came over and advised him to go and rest first, as the most difficult time for them was probably yet to come, with so many people watching the Mu family.

If things go wrong at this critical juncture, the Mu family might really be finished.

Furthermore, Chao Xian is now the person in charge of the household, personally handed over the key by the old lady, and there will be many things that require Chao Xian's involvement.

Although she and Mu's mother were able to help Chao Xian by his side.

But they can't help with everything.

Auntie sighed: "Winter came too early this year. Several families, led by the Mu family, have been almost all tied down. The Fan family probably started planning this more than just in the last two years."

My aunt married my uncle early on and was the most favored daughter in the family. My aunt's family was quite wealthy, but now she is also tied down and unable to make any moves.

"I heard from your uncle today that the situation is even more serious for Qianyu. The competition in the overseas market is too fierce, and the Mu family's focus is not overseas. They are barely managing to operate now with the help of Elder."

Chao Xian's face paled slightly upon hearing his aunt's words. Mu Ziyan stood beside Chao Xian, his eyes filled with worry as he looked at Chao Xian's appearance.

"But don't worry, Chaochao. The Mu family has weathered so many storms over the years, how could they be afraid of a small Fan family? They are nothing but clowns."

Hearing this, Chao Xian nodded, but he couldn't calm his mind: "Auntie, when does Qiqi's flight arrive? I'll go pick her up."

Upon hearing this, Auntie forwarded the flight information that Muqi had sent to Chaoxian.

"No need to go. Qiqi has already gotten off the plane. The family driver went to the airport a long time ago. Chaochao, the most important thing for you right now is not to leave the Mu family. The Mu family still needs you to stabilize things."

Mu Yunzhou's mother and aunt had told him long ago that they were afraid Fan Yu would harm Chao Xian, so it was best for Chao Xian not to leave the Mu family.

This way, the Mu family can also protect Chao Xian.

Chao Xian looked at the flight information, took a deep breath, and saw that it was getting dark.

Chao Xian felt inexplicably uneasy.

I have a feeling that something else is going to happen, but it could just be my imagination.

Chao Xian took a deep breath and sat down on the stone bench.

Suddenly Rong Heng came out of the room, and the doctor who was waiting in the side room was immediately called in.

Chao Xian wanted to go in, but his aunt stopped him.

Aunt shook her head, indicating that Chao Xian couldn't go in; he couldn't bear to see someone die suddenly.

That would be like watching the Black and White Impermanence (the spirits of death) take away a living person right in front of you, and you would be powerless to stop it.

It's better for Chao Xian not to bear that feeling: "Chao Chao, stay here with me and wait for Qi Qi. The old lady won't close her eyes until she sees Qi Qi."

Through the light from the lamp beside him, Chao Xian could see the tears in his aunt's eyes.

As darkness fell and the wind picked up, the lights in the Mu family's house were turned on early in the morning. Even the warm lights in the corridor could not dispel the chill in people's hearts.

Mu Ziyan quickly asked the servants around her to fetch two coats.

When the coat arrived, Mu Ziyan draped it over Chao Xian's shoulders, while the other coat was given to her aunt.

Chao Xian glanced at Zi Yan's clothes, reached out and touched their thickness, and frowned slightly: "Zi Yan, go back to your room and change your clothes, they're too thin."

Upon hearing this, Mu Ziyan looked at the determination in Chao Xian's eyes and could only nod in agreement.

Chao Xian stood there watching Mu Ziyan leave. The aunt beside her watched Ziyan leave and said softly, "Ziyan likes you very much. The Mu family has changed a lot since you came."

Mu Yunzhou was no longer cold and aloof, and Ziyan also became more lively.

Everyone felt that the Mu family was getting better.

Chao Xian simply smiled when he heard this.

In his heart, he was thinking that in the original story, the Mu family met a tragic end because of his betrayal, but after he came, many things had changed.

But why did things still come to this point?

Chao Xian didn't know if it was because the original main storyline was not allowed to be modified by anyone.

His previous efforts seemed to have been in vain.

For a moment, Chao Xian was somewhat dazed.

What do what I did even amount to?

And why the Mu family in particular?

Is there really no way for me to save Mu Yunzhou?

Chao Xian was struck by the thought that men might commit suicide as depicted in the original text.

My heart felt like it was being pricked by needles, a constant, sharp pain.

And then there's Mu Ziyan, such a well-behaved child. Are we really going to let Ziyan lose her family again?

Chao Xian closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again...

A hint of determination flashed in Chao Xian's eyes.

He absolutely would not just stand by and watch them head towards a tragic end.

Absolutely not.

Chao Xian took a deep breath.

No one knows how long they waited outside, but suddenly a sharp sound from the equipment came from inside the room, followed by heavy footsteps from around the corner of the old house.

Auntie realized what was happening and quickly turned around to push open the inner door: "Mother, Qiqi is back! Qiqi is back to see you! You'll see Qiqi soon!"

Chao Xianxin's heart immediately tightened.

The moment Chao Xian saw Mu Qi, he even breathed a small sigh of relief in his heart.

They've arrived.

Fortunately, we finally made it.

Before Chao Xian could say anything...

Suddenly, crying was heard from the room.

Mu Qi hurried into the room, only to find the old lady staring at the door with her eyes still open.

Mu Qi felt her legs go weak, but she still insisted on walking forward. With her aunt's help, she finally knelt down in front of the old lady.

"grandmother……"

The old lady never got to see her granddaughter.

Mu Yunzhou and the others were still trapped inside the company and didn't even get to see the old lady one last time. When they learned about the old lady's situation, Mu Yunzhou made a video call, which was considered a way of saying goodbye.

Those currently residing in the side rooms are all from collateral branches of the Mu family. Most of them either receive dividends or rely on the main family to maintain the company's operations.

Upon hearing the news of the old lady's passing, everyone's thoughts began to stir.

Everyone knows that the Mu family is now in dire straits.

Since they came because of Mu Yunzhou, everyone just thought...

Separation of family property.

Chao Xian and Mu Mu had white cloths tied around their arms. When they entered the main hall, they saw that all the members of the collateral branches sitting in their seats had their eyes on Mu Mu.

Simply because Mu's mother was followed by the Mu family's lawyer.

The old lady's will will be communicated to all of them by this lawyer.

They originally thought that since they were related by blood from a collateral branch, the old lady would never mistreat them.

But just as the inheritance was finished being read, everyone looked at Chao Xian with some disbelief.

They never expected that the will stipulated that all the property would go to Mu Yunzhou Chaoxian, while Mu Qi would only receive a small portion.

The property of Mr. Mu and his wife's generation had actually been divided up when the old man passed away, so naturally they wouldn't think about the old lady's share.

But these side branches are different.

Their hearts belong only to the Mu family.

The Mu family is so large that everyone wants a piece of the pie.

Moreover, Chao Xian and Mu Yunzhou also have an heir, Mu Ziyan. In the future, as long as either Chao Xian or Mu Yunzhou disagrees with handing over the Mu Group to someone else, Mu Ziyan will be the only heir.

Then they won't get a single share of the Mu Group.

"On what grounds? The old lady would never have divided her property among someone who has never even been to the ancestral hall! How dare you forge a will!"

One of them slammed his fist on the table and stood up, looking furious, as if he were speaking up for the old lady.

Chao Xian felt a little flustered when he heard this. He was flustered because he didn't know anything about the Mu family, only some problems on the books he had just seen.

Even though he was flustered, Chao Xian maintained a completely indifferent demeanor on the surface.

Chao Xian walked straight forward and sat in the main seat.

This is what Mu Ziyan saw when she arrived.

Then Mu Ziyan stood behind Chao Xian, seemingly to support him, and stared coldly at the person who had just slammed the table in dissatisfaction.

"Madam Mu, shouldn't you do something about this? After all, you are the true head of the Mu family. Are you willing to watch such a young upstart manage such a large family?"

Seeing that Chao Xian remained unmoved, the man turned to Madam Mu and offered her advice.

His words implied that Chao Xian was not a member of the family, that he had not been to the ancestral hall, and that he had not been included in the family genealogy.

Chao Xian has ill intentions, so they have to be wary of him.

What gives him the right to take control of the Mu family?

Chao Xian glanced at Mu's mother beside him and saw that Mu's mother nodded slightly to Chao Xian.

Chao Xian then looked up at the people below. Each person had their own thoughts. The old lady had only been gone for less than half an hour, and everyone's thoughts were already revealed.

Chao Xian paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "What Mother thinks is no longer important. If you question the will or me, I have the right to remove you from the family genealogy."

"What power you have! You even dare to remove me from the family tree? I'd like to see if you really have the ability!"

The man had barely uttered his sarcastic words when...

Upon hearing this, Mother Mu frowned and immediately rebuked:

“He does. Chao Xian is the head of the family now, and the key to the family is in Chao Xian’s hands. What are you? How dare you say he has no power?”

Chao Xian stood up and noticed the incredulous looks in everyone's eyes when they heard about the key to the family business. Chao Xian couldn't help but sneer.

"If anyone else thinks there's something wrong with the will, feel free to say so now. I want to see what right they have to think there's something wrong with the will their grandmother left for her grandson, given that they rely on their shallow bloodline."

"After all, my marriage certificate with Mu Yunzhou is still sitting at home."

Chao Xian's voice was slightly indifferent as he glanced at the people below.

"Then I want to split up the family! Who doesn't know that all the troubles the Mu Group has been causing lately are Mu Yunzhou's doing? Why should all of us in the Mu family have to pay for his actions? I demand a split up the family!"

Mother Mu had long anticipated this scene, but she didn't expect it to come so quickly. Even before the old lady was placed in her coffin, these people were already thinking about dividing the family property.

Mother Mu closed her eyes, listening to more and more people below talking about dividing the family property, and her heart sank.

She believed that she had been tolerant and forgiving of her relatives over the years, after all, she was the head of the household and everything was based on harmony.

But now it seems that all of this was a waste of conscience.

These people are worse than dogs!

"Over the years, some people have made a lot of money by relying on the Mu family. Some of their private business dealings should be settled. Since we're splitting up, let's settle things clearly and resolve them one by one before splitting up."

Those who heard this looked up at Chao Xian, but no one dared to speak anymore.

Chao Xian suddenly laughed: "But... if I remember correctly, none of you here have clean hands, right? How about we go somewhere else to talk?"

Chao Xian's tone turned cold, and his imposing manner became fully apparent.

"You think you can split up the family? It's only out of my mercy that I haven't removed you from the family tree. If you want to leave, I won't stop you, but you should know whether you can withstand the Mu family's wrath."

Everyone realized that the Mu family had known about what they had done all along.

Now, hearing Chao Xian bring it up, their desire to separate the family was overshadowed by fear.

They absolutely cannot be sent in.

I originally thought Chao Xian would be easy to manipulate, but now it seems that Chao Xian is even harder to fool than Mu Mu.

Mu's mother was able to remain silent and do nothing out of consideration for their blood relation.

But Chao Xian is not a member of the Mu family.

Moreover, if Mu Yunzhou finds out about what happened today, given his protective nature, they're finished!

Chao Xian glanced at the lawyer beside him and pointed at the first person who slammed his fist on the table: "Call the police. I want him in jail today, no matter what the reason."

Chao Xian thought for a moment casually, then chuckled: "It would be best if he didn't come out for the next few years. I remember he took a lot of money from the company, tens of millions. Let me think... the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, right?"

The lawyer beside him smiled and nodded: "Mr. Chao is not mistaken, it is indeed life imprisonment. I did not expect Mr. Chao to know about these things."

The question and answer immediately startled the man, who sat down and Chao Xian ordered the Mu family's bodyguards to take him away.

His gaze fell on the others, but he only saw that they were all looking down and not saying a word.

"Hey, why is everyone so quiet? Don't you like to talk?"

Seeing that everyone seemed to have no objections, Chao Xian smiled and joked.

They made sure no one dared to say anything.

Chao Xian then glanced at Mu's mother, who then quietly made arrangements for her funeral.

Mu's mother had already made all the arrangements for the old lady's body to be laid in state, the mourning period, and the funeral.

There is only one thing: after the funeral, Chao Xian will take the old lady's memorial tablet to the ancestral hall and place it together with the old man's.

No one else objected, and they all left after Mother Mu finished speaking.

Mu's mother watched them leave and sighed.

He felt that he had been too lenient with these people all these years, to the point that they were now bullying Chao Xian.

"You've worked so hard, Chaochao," Mu's mother sighed.

Chao Xian simply smiled and gently comforted him, "Acting is what I'm best at."

Unfortunately, it was during this turbulent time that everything was put together at once.

Fortunately, there were many people in the Mu family, and Mu's mother and aunt distributed the tasks to each member.

The Mu family servants then orderly arranged everything.

Mu Yunzhou and the others rushed back under the cover of night. Seeing the white cloths hanging all over the Mu family's house, the three of them had tears in their eyes.

Chao Xian, who was originally looking at the night view from under the eaves, turned around and saw Mu Yunzhou and his father and uncle.

The three of them carried the chill of the night, and Mu's father and uncle had slightly red eyes.

Through the light from under the corridor, Chao Xian could almost immediately see the dark circles under Mu Yunzhou's eyes.

Mu Yunzhou glanced at his father beside him, nodded in acknowledgment, and then strode towards Chao Xian.

Looking at Chao Xian's clothes, Mu Yunzhou frowned slightly, then took off his coat and draped it over Chao Xian: "Why are you wearing so little?"

Mu Yunzhou reached out and took Chao Xian's hand. Feeling the coldness of Chao Xian's fingertips, he quickly put Chao Xian's hand into his coat.

The warm coat fell on her body, and Chao Xian looked helplessly at Mu Yunzhou's thin shirt.

But when she looked up, she saw the man's distressed gaze and he said softly to her, "Actually, I'm not cold. I just came out of the room."

"Where's Ziyan?" Mu Yunzhou frowned when he didn't see Ziyan. He had originally asked Mu Ziyan to take good care of Chao Xian, at least to stay by Chao Xian's side and remind him to put on more clothes when he got cold.

Chao Xian reached out and gently rubbed Mu Yunzhou's brow with his fingertips.

“If I keep frowning, I’ll look like an old man. Since you’re not here, Ziyan will keep vigil for you. It’s a bit hot inside, so I thought I’d come out for a walk.”

Mu Yunzhou hummed in agreement and reached out to take Chao Xian's hand.

Looking at the scene at the Mu family's residence, Mu Yunzhou said in a low voice, "Fortunately, you are by my side."

Then Mu Yunzhou brought up another matter: "I heard about what happened to those collateral branches today. After I finish dealing with the Fan family, I will deal with them one by one. Thank you for your hard work."

“We’re on the same certificate, so of course I’ll help you, but that doesn’t mean I’ve already agreed to it!” Chao Xian quickly added.

Mu Yunzhou coaxed, chuckling, "Of course, Chaochao is a big star, very hard to pursue!"

Chao Xian couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, his tone filled with a joy that even he himself didn't realize: "It's good that you know."

"After Grandma's funeral, I need to go to Qianyu's place. I never expected that the Fan family and the Ji family would join forces. But don't worry, Chaochao, I will come back as soon as I've settled things."

Mu Yunzhou felt agitated.

The Ji family left the country many years ago, and several families led by him have developed well abroad.

To everyone's surprise, it turned out that they had joined forces with the Fan family.

But clearly, they had absolutely no conflict of interest with the Mu family.

Upon hearing this, Chao Xian understood that Mu Yunzhou had no choice but to go, and nodded: "Is Sister Qianyu alright?"

"The Mu family company has been completely suppressed, but fortunately Elder is still here."

Mu Yunzhou said this.

Chao Xian hummed in agreement and did not ask any further questions.

Seeing the thin shirt on Mu Yunzhou's body, Chao Xian pulled Mu Yunzhou back to the room where the coffin was kept.

Mu Ziyan knelt at the very front, kneeling upright, and a few members of the collateral branches also came to keep vigil out of old friendship.

After offering incense, Mu's father burned paper money beside him, and his uncle did the same.

"Go and light some incense for Grandma."

Chao Xian spoke softly to Mu Yunzhou beside him.

Muqi stood to the side, her eyes red, and her aunt hugged her.

But when Mu Qi saw Mu Yunzhou, she couldn't stop her tears.

"Brother Yunzhou, I don't have a grandma anymore."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunzhou looked at the coffin, his eyes filled with sorrow.

He no longer has a grandmother.

There's no longer that old lady who would tell him stories to comfort him when he had nightmares and was afraid to sleep.

Mu Yunzhou didn't say anything. He stepped forward, took three incense sticks, bowed, and then placed them in the incense. After his father knelt down in front of Mu Ziyan, he went to his father to burn paper money for his grandmother.

"Qiqi, come with me." Chao Xian glanced at Mu Qi and spoke softly.

Aunt looked up at Chao Xian, then gently patted Mu Qi beside her.

Mu Qi came to her senses and then followed Chao Xian.

The two did not speak until they reached the old lady's room.

Chao Xian did not stop, but continued walking forward.

That was the old lady's small storeroom.

Mu Qi found it a bit strange.

The small storeroom was unlocked and looked quite ordinary from the outside. Chao Xian opened the small storeroom.

The small storeroom, which is cleaned every day, is very tidy.

Inside were some boxes and some small boxes, stacked up.

Chao Xian counted them and, after confirming there were no problems, turned his head.

Mu Qi was puzzled and asked softly, "Chao Chao, is there something you want to do with me here?"

"Before she left, the old lady told me that she had prepared some gifts for you. She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to wait for you, so she asked me to give these gifts to you. These are all things that the old lady prepared for you."

Upon hearing this, Muqi recalled last winter, in the opera house, when her grandmother said she would give her a gift this winter.

She had been looking forward to receiving a gift in winter.

But now... I've received the gift.

But the person who gave the gift is no longer here.

As Chao Xian watched Mu Qi's tears fall in large drops, he gently said, "Qi Qi, Grandma loves you very much."

Mu Qi placed her hand on one of the boxes, gently touched it, and then opened it.

Upon seeing what was inside, Muqi's tears flowed even more uncontrollably.

This box contains her favorite toys and items from childhood. She was cleaning her room before leaving the country, intending to throw these things away.

But now I see all these things neatly arranged in the box.

As for the other items, Grandma prepared everything, from clothes and jewelry to shops and houses.

All for the sake of his granddaughter's future happiness and to ensure she has the confidence to not be bullied.

Looking at these things, Mu Qi lost her footing, squatted on the ground, and burst into tears.

Chao Xian walked over to Mu Qi and squatted down, gently comforting her.

"Actually, I didn't originally intend to go to university abroad. If I hadn't argued with them at the time, I would have studied in China."

Otherwise, I wouldn't have missed seeing my grandmother one last time today.

That was Mu's beloved grandmother!

Upon hearing this, Chao Xian fell silent and gently patted Mu Qi's back.

"Grandma won't blame you. She told me a lot about you, saying that you are pursuing your dreams. She said she loves to hear how happy you are when you talk about school."

She really enjoyed seeing her granddaughter so happy.

Mu Qi choked up upon hearing this.

He kept his head down, not letting Chao Xian see what he looked like at that moment.

The crying gradually subsided.

After calming down, Mu Qi wanted to speak to Chao Xian with a smile.

But she couldn't smile.

"Chao Chao, I want to be alone for a while. Don't worry about me, go ahead and do your work."

Chao Xian was a little worried, but after looking at Mu Qi in front of him, he finally agreed.

Upon stepping outside, I saw Mu Yunzhou.

Looking at Mu Yunzhou's expression, Chao Xian stepped forward and said softly, "Why don't you go and rest? We can handle the vigil."

Tomorrow, the company still needs Mu Yunzhou to stabilize things, while Chao Xian and the others need to announce the death and notify others of the funeral time.

However, given the current situation of the Mu family, they will probably only be able to reach out to some families with whom they have a good relationship.

There were many things to do, but Chao Xian knew in his heart that most of the burden fell on Mu Yunzhou.

Mu Yunzhou reached out and hugged Chao Xian, pulling her into his arms. He buried his head in Chao Xian's neck, inhaling the fragrance of Chao Xian's hair and body.

"I just... suddenly really want to see you."