Shanghai in 2023.
The Wen family's old house by the water was bathed in warm light. Wen Qingyu stepped out of Lu Tingyi's car, carrying several bags, and smiled charmingly at the man in the driver's seat:
"Brother Tingyi, I had a really fun day today. Thank you for taking the time to spend with me..."
Lu Tingyi looked at her through the car window and said, "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Your aunt must be getting impatient. Go back now."
Wen Qingyu smiled as she saw the black Maserati off, but once the car had completely disappeared into the night, her smile vanished.
The Wen family has been experiencing cash flow problems lately, which has led to a significant decrease in her living expenses. This is practically torture for her, as she has to buy new luxury items every month.
Fortunately, she still had Lu Tingyi by her side. Although Lu Tingyi had not been recognized by the Lu family and was still an illegitimate child, he had created his own company with the help of the Lu family's resources. In just four years, the company had gone public, and Lu Tingyi had become a rising star in the technology industry in Shanghai. Wen Qingyu only needed to shed a few tears in front of the man, and he would give her a card directly.
Although there are only a few million in it, it can at least last for a while. Thinking back to the day before, Lu Tingyi denied his relationship with Mu Yiran, the resentment at that time was temporarily soothed by this card.
Men are all like that; no matter how much they talk, in the end it all comes down to whether they're willing to spend money.
Lu Tingyi spoke of concern to Mu Yiran, but the only person who could make Lu Tingyi spend money without hesitation was Mu Yiran herself.
Wen Qingyu pushed open the door and went in. Seeing the maid with a worried look on her face, she didn't scold her but instead said gently, "Where's my mother?"
The maid hesitated, then raised her hand to stop her from going in, saying, "Miss, please don't go in yet—"
"You bastard! Get your ass over here right now!"
Wen Qingyu froze on the spot, startled by the old man's hoarse roar. It was Old Master Wen.
She walked into the living room tremblingly and saw her parents kneeling in front of the old man. Her father had a bruised and swollen face, obviously having been beaten by the old man's cane.
"Grandpa, why are you here? You didn't even say a word. I asked Aunt Chen to prepare dinner, ah!" A solid wood cane swung straight over from several meters away, hitting her calf hard. Wen Qingyu staggered in pain and fell to the ground.
Jiang Wen quickly hugged Wen Qingyu, "Dad! Dad! Qingyu is just a child, she didn't do anything..."
"Nothing was done?!"
Grandpa Wen propped himself up on the table and gave the mother and daughter a good scolding:
"The news of your plagiarism has spread from Shenzhen and Hong Kong all the way to Shanghai! Everyone knows that my granddaughter is an idiot who can't even plagiarize properly! I've lost face thousands of kilometers away because of you!"
"We've wasted so much money on you, and you still can't learn it. If you can't copy, why don't you ask someone else to copy it for you? Or just buy it! Father and daughter are both money-wasting idiots!"
After finishing his tirade, Old Master Wen turned to scold his eldest son:
"You were the one who told me that those biopharmaceutical companies on Wall Street would definitely go up, so I agreed to let you divert the project funds here to gamble. Now you've lost everything! What are you going to do about it?!"
The old man grew angrier and angrier, grabbing a teacup that he was about to throw at Wen Zaosi. “This is a government project! Now there’s no money! It can’t be built. You couldn’t even sell your life for that much money!”
Upon hearing this, Wen Qingyu turned deathly pale. The Wen family had worked tirelessly to win the government bid for this project, receiving a total of 1 billion yuan in funding—all gone...
Even if the entire Wen Group were to pay the compensation, the current Wen Group still couldn't afford it!
"I don't care what you think, whether you risk your life or something else, you must pay me back this project payment! The project must continue!"
The old man was so angry his face turned red. He went straight upstairs, cursing as he went:
"You're utterly useless, not even as good as Wen Qie's finger! I shouldn't have brought you back in the first place! You're a money-losing piece of trash."
"......"
Wen Zaosi lowered his head, and his expression twisted for a moment when he heard these words.
Jiang Wen hugged her daughter and sobbed, pleading with her husband, "Honey, what should we do? Even if we sell all our stocks and the house, we still won't have enough money..."
"What do you mean, what to do!" Wen Zaosi growled, his swollen face making his eyes narrow into slits. He looked at their daughter in his wife's arms, hesitated for a moment, and then said:
"I signed a betting agreement! Now I have no choice but to pay with my life to let them take over the Wen family business... Qingyu, you are my daughter..."
Jiang Wen couldn't believe it:
"Husband! What are you saying? Qingyu is your only daughter! How could you sell her to people like that? Those people are involved in the shady business! How many of them are normal people!"
Wen Qingyu's mind went blank as she listened to her mother's words.
Aside from desperate individuals like Wen Zaosi, those who dare to sign betting agreements on Wall Street are all ruthless and will never let someone go without getting their money.
She recalled the people she had met a few years ago when she sent Mu Yiran abroad, people who had been sold into the black market because of gambling losses.
Wen Qingyu shivered, suddenly snapping back to reality, and excitedly said to Wen Zaosi:
"Dad, there's still a way! There's still a way."
Wen Zaosi grabbed her: "There's no other way! Go over there for your father first, they won't do anything to you! I'll go and redeem you once the Wen Group's funds are back—"
Wen Qingyu shook her head frantically: "I mean there's still a way to raise the remaining money! As long as this project starts smoothly, we can get other projects, and then we'll have the funds!"
Wen Zaosi: "What do we do?! We've sold all our properties, and all our stocks except those in the Wen Group!"
Wen Qingyu looked at Jiang Wen:
"Mom, didn't you mention it before? Mu Yiran's maternal grandmother's inheritance and dowry! I saw it, I saw it when I went to the Mu residence that day!"
Wen Qingyu wasn't really sure either. Although she only saw that strange bracelet, judging from the quality of the jade, it was definitely not an ordinary piece!
Mu Yiran never wore such valuable jewelry.
Moreover, besides Qin Heyu, all of Mu Yiran's maternal grandmother's assets and dowry were given to Wen Qie, and they must be in Mu Yiran's hands now!
Whether it's true or not, at least it can temporarily dissuade her father from the idea of selling her abroad!
Hearing her say that, Wen Zaosi pondered for a moment, "Are you sure?"
“Isn’t that a given!” Jiang Wen immediately agreed with her daughter.
Wen Qingyu: "Mu Yiran won't even let us in the door, which means those gift certificates and inheritance documents must be in the Mu family's possession!"
Without thinking twice, Jiang Wen also spoke to her husband.
"If we can get the inheritance back and re-evaluate the heir's eligibility, you'll definitely be the first to inherit! Those dowry items are all genuine antiques, priceless treasures. If we sell them at a high price, we can definitely raise enough money!"
Mu Yiran's maternal grandmother, Jiang Ruyan, was the daughter of the richest man in Jiangnan back then. Many royal antiques and famous artifacts collected by the Jiang family were inherited by Jiang Ruyan. However, when she saw her husband bring her illegitimate son back, she secretly transferred these private assets. Although Wen Zaosi also received a lot, it was just a drop in the ocean compared to what he had received.
Upon hearing this, Wen Zaosi calmed down and pondered for a moment before saying:
"Did she come back alone this time? Didn't the Mo family girl come with her?"
Wen Qingyu knew he was talking about Mo Mumu: "No!"
Seeing her husband's wavering expression, Jiang Wen added another fuel to the fire:
"Take advantage of her being alone now, this is an opportunity! Besides, she's Wen Qie's daughter, she's a member of the Wen family. If something happens to the group, shouldn't she be held responsible?"
"Our Qingyu is still so young, how could you bear to do that!"
Wen Zaosi's eyes were cloudy, and he was breathing heavily. Hearing his wife's heartfelt sobs, he made up his mind.
Who would want to sell their own daughter unless it's absolutely necessary?
Besides, he was just taking back what was rightfully his!
Thinking of the belittling and beating he had just received from Old Master Wen, Wen Zaosi clenched his teeth and spat out a mouthful of blood.
It's all Wenqie's fault!
If she hadn't secretly left the Wen family and dumped this money-losing business on him, he wouldn't be in this situation!
Since Wen Qie is no longer able to take responsibility, then her daughter should be the one to bear the burden!
At the same time, Mo Mumu, who had finally escaped from Guan Shiyan's clutches, walked back to her apartment under the cover of night.
This master's supervisor seems to have his eye on her lately, constantly making her work overtime on experiments! Mo Mumu is so overworked that she doesn't even have time to call Mu Yiran.
While she still remembered, she casually dialed Mu Yiran's number.
The call went unanswered. Mo Mumu glanced at WeChat again; their chat hadn't started more than ten hours ago.
After Mu Yiran's accident last time, Mo Mumu had developed PTSD from Mu Yiran not answering her calls. Knowing that Mu Yiran had been receiving treatment with Ruibeike these past few days, she quickly called Ruibeike again.
But the other party had just left the Mu family and was in a meeting. She told Mo Mumu not to worry and that Mu Yiran was just asleep. Mo Mumu agreed verbally, but she was still very anxious. Although she could see the surveillance footage at the Mu family's gate, she could not see what the Mu family's residence was like inside.
She was hesitating whether to ask Lu Tingyi to go check on her. Although he was a scumbag, at least Lu Tingyi could guarantee Mu Yiran's safety...
Just as her fingertip was about to tap Lu Tingyi's contact in her address book, Mo Mumu saw the contact list below. Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips before dialing the number anyway.
The call, which I thought wouldn't be answered, ended with a few rings before a man's calm voice sounded:
"What's up?"
Mo Mumu held her breath: "Vice Mayor Li Bingcheng?"
...
"...A gift from Vice Mayor Li?" Mu Yiran looked at the exquisite box in Shi Si's hand with surprise.
The two were standing at the entrance of the banquet hall of the Licheng Hotel in the capital. Mu Yiran, dressed in a black umbrella-shaped dress, turned her head, holding a wine glass, and glanced at the young man giving a speech in the center of the banquet hall. Her eyes flickered as she said:
"Take it for now, and ask your young master about it after this is over?"
When did Shi Youxi come into contact with Li Bingcheng?
However, the Shi family also has businesses in Haishi, so it's not surprising that Shi Youxi knows Li Bingcheng. Mu Yiran didn't pay much attention to it, only letting Shi Si check it before putting it away. The birthday and college entrance gifts given to Shi Youxi today were piled up several layers high, so no one would notice this one.
The Li Cheng Hotel had just opened not long ago. It was positioned as a high-end private club. Mu Yiran used the original owner's identity and privileges to book the entire hotel. In addition to several classmates and families with close ties to the Shi family, people related to the Cheng family also attended Shi Youxi's birthday banquet. After the banquet, they could stay overnight directly.
Shi Youxi came down from the stage. Mu Yiran saw Shi Yan leading the boy and talking to several Li Chenwang and other Dongs, so she didn't rush over.
"Miss Cheng." A soft female voice called from behind.
Mu Yiran turned around and saw a stunningly beautiful woman in a beige dress, and was amazed by her beauty:
"Sister, you must have descended from heaven to undergo tribulation!"
Su Yi didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
Mu Yiran grinned and said, "Sister Su Yi is a fairy!"
Su Yi was taken aback for a moment, then realized that the other person was praising her. She blushed and smiled, "Miss Cheng, you really know how to compliment people!"
She asked a man who looked like an assistant behind her to put down a box. "Your photo album is all printed. Luckily, it made it in time."
Mu Yiran quickly pulled out a book and opened it to read. Su Yi saw the woman's eyes overflowing with satisfaction and joy, and chuckled softly:
"Is this a birthday present for Xiaoxi?"
Mu Yiran nodded:
"Yeah. I've never given him a birthday present before, so I don't even know if he'll like this kind of... not very practical gift."
"How could I not like it? Of course I'll like it. The most important thing about a gift is the sentiment behind it. A sentiment is more valuable than money! I think the sentiment behind your gift is very good. It's perfectly normal. What's the use of something practical? A gift that's too practical is just trash."
As Su Yi spoke, she pointed something out to Mu Yiran.
Mu Yiran looked over and saw Shi Youxi standing with Guan Shiyan, as well as Lin Zhi and Ling Ken.
Guan Shiyan mysteriously covered Shi Youxi's eyes. The boy was extremely unwilling, but seeing the eager eyes of the others, Shi Youxi obediently closed his eyes. Then Mu Yiran watched as Guan Shiyan and Ling Ken pulled out a pair of... elephant underwear from under the dining table?
Mu Yiran: "!!!!!"
It wasn't over yet. Guan Shiyan pulled out a shirt with a tattoo of bare abs and, together with Ling Ken, recklessly held it up to the boy's body.
Lin Zhi was coerced into taking photos of them, and while she was taking pictures, she also took out her own phone to take pictures as well.
Mu Yiran's eyes widened in surprise. Shi Youxi, who had her eyes closed, seemed to have discovered something and suddenly opened her eyes amidst the suppressed laughter of the others.
Guan Shiyan, who was grinning broadly, met his gaze, but before he could laugh even more wildly, the elephant underwear was pulled over his head.
Lin Zhi and Ling Ken exchanged a knowing glance and immediately pointed the camera at Guan Shiyan, whose face was covered.
Ling Ken: "So trendy! So trendy, Chairman! How did you know that our Brother Yan is suited to this look? Even more fashionable than pantyhose over the head—underwear covering the face!"
Guan Shiyan struggled helplessly: "Don't take pictures! Don't take pictures! Shi Youxi, this is a gift I carefully prepared! You can dislike it, but you're bullying me!"
While clapping, Lin Zhi said to Shi Youxi in a friendly manner, "President, I'll send you the photos in a bit! I'll definitely keep them to myself! No, I absolutely won't keep them to myself!"
Shi Youxi: "......."
Mu Yiran couldn't help but laugh out loud. Through her teary eyes, she met Shi Youxi's gaze.
Shi Youxi realized that she had just witnessed everything, and her ears turned red instantly. Her narrow phoenix eyes widened, and she looked at her with a pout.
It was as if he was shy, or as if he was accusing Mu Yiran of watching Guan Shiyan tease him without saying a word.
Mu Yiran laughed wildly, finally stopping when the boy's face turned black. She took out her phone, typed a few words, and then pointed at the phone to Shi Youxi.
Shi Youxi snorted and turned his head away, then took out his phone.
Sister: [Don't be angry, I'll bring you something nice later. If you're angry, I won't bring it!]
Shi Youxi immediately looked up at her, her eyes filled with eager anticipation. She said a few words to the teacher next to her, then left Guan Shiyan and walked towards her.
Mu Yiran quickly had someone send the photos of Dong to her room.
Su Yi, who was beside her, had also finished laughing. Perhaps remembering that the one whose face was covered was her son, she hesitated for a moment, but still decided to go and rescue Guan Shiyan. Just as she was about to leave, she caught a glimpse of the faint dark circles under Mu Yiran's eyes and stopped in her tracks.
What happened to Miss Cheng's eyes?
Mu Yiran: "What? What happened? Did you get mascara on your face?"
"No, why is it so dark?"
Su Yi looked closely and discovered that not only her eyes, but also the woman's brow had a little something there.
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