Mu Beiyin crossed her arms and leaned lazily against a nearby pillar, smiling as she watched.
Song Weiwei's mind exploded with rage, her fury seeking an outlet. "Regret? Watch your mouth, or I'll tear it off!"
As soon as she spoke, a sudden realization struck her. The manager had mentioned that the Mu family was blacklisted from entering the restaurant. Could it be...
Pointing angrily at Mu Beiyin, Song Weiwei shouted, "Mu Beiyin! How dare you speak? This is all your fault, you wretch! The restaurant refuses to serve the Mu family because you offended them!"
Everyone turned to look.
Mu Beiyin raised an eyebrow. "Song Weiwei, are you as dim-witted as your brother? I didn't even step inside. How is this my fault?"
"It's you, it's you!" Song Weiwei was nearly hysterical. "Otherwise, why would the Mu family offend the restaurant? You're the only one from the countryside. It must be you, this country bumpkin, who angered the owner! I'll kill you!"
She charged forward, aiming to slap Mu Beiyin.
Mu Beiyin sidestepped, and Song Weiwei crashed into the pillar with a loud thud, plunging the scene into silence.
"You, you..." Song Weiwei tried to launch a second attack.
"Miss Mu, are you alright?" Unexpectedly, the manager rushed over and, without hesitation, kicked Song Weiwei in the leg. "What nonsense were you spouting just now?! The Mu family's blacklisting has nothing to do with Miss Beiyin!"
"Miss Beiyin is our esteemed guest. As for who offended our boss, do you really want me to name names? It was Mu Qianrou!"
Everyone was stunned.
Mu Beiyin was an honored guest of the restaurant... while Mu Qianrou had offended them and was blacklisted?!
They had completely misunderstood the situation?!
Song Weiwei panicked, disbelief etched on her face. "Impossible, impossible, she's just a country bumpkin..."
"Outrageous!" the manager interrupted sharply. "You insulted our distinguished guest and attempted to assault her. I've already called the police! Causing trouble in our establishment—you'll pay for this!"
Then, his expression softened into utmost respect. "Miss Beiyin, I sincerely apologize for today's unpleasant experience. Please, come in. Our restaurant offers you lifetime complimentary service. Feel free to order anything you like!"
Mu Beiyin blinked, surprised by the effectiveness of this turn of events.
Could it be that Huo Shiqing had instructed the manager to assist her?
Given this opportunity, she couldn't let it go to waste.
Following the manager inside, she suddenly turned back, feigning a sigh.
"Everyone, I used to work at Bofei Group for two years. We were colleagues. I intended for us to part on good terms, but you insisted on driving me away..."
Outside, the employees looked dejected and embarrassed, soon replaced by anger.
"Mu Beiyin originally wanted to treat us to a meal!"
"If only we'd spoken up for her earlier, we could've dined here without spending that ten thousand yuan!"
"It's all because of Song Weiwei and Mu Qianrou, those jinxes. They pretended to be honored guests without a reservation. Now look, humiliated and dragging us down with them!"
"I've always said those two are more trouble than they're worth..."
…
Mu Beiyin was personally invited inside by the manager.
"Miss Mu, Mr. Shi has instructed that today, all of Fulu Garden will serve you alone."
Mu Beiyin asked curiously, "Why do you call him Mr. Shi?"
The manager was surprised. "You didn't know? It's because Mr. Shi changed his surname. He doesn't like the surname 'Huo.'"
The manager already knew the woman before him was Mrs. Huo. Bai Ji had told him never to hide anything from her, so naturally, he answered truthfully.
Mu Beiyin nodded. Oh… so that's why. Huo Shiqing had mentioned before that he'd changed his surname. It must have been from 'Song,' but since he didn't like 'Huo' either, they had to use the second character of his given name to address him.
She wasn't particularly interested in Huo Shiqing's background. Casually picking up the menu, she planned to reward herself with something good to eat.
But the moment she saw the prices, she nearly spat out her drink!
With genuine shock, Mu Beiyin asked, "Doesn't anyone report you for pricing like this at Fulu Garden?"
These prices were outrageous!
The manager looked helpless and was about to respond when his expression suddenly changed upon seeing someone arrive. He immediately lowered his head.
Mu Beiyin was still puzzled. "What's wrong? Is it a trade secret? You can't tell me?"
"If Miss Mu wants to know, why not ask me directly?"
A gentle male voice sounded. Though Huo Shiqing's tone was calm, it carried no warmth—there was a natural authority in it.
The manager, knowing full well that gentleness was just a surface layer for Huo Shiqing, didn't dare cross him and hurriedly said, "Mr. Shi, you're here. I'll take my leave."
Huo Shiqing gave a slight nod, then turned to Mu Beiyin with a faint smile.
"Miss Mu seems to have some opinions about our pricing?"
Mu Beiyin pointed at one of the wines on the menu. "A bottle of red wine from the Elton Estate in France—ten thousand a bottle would be fair, but eighty-eight thousand? That's too much. As far as I know, Elton only has one grade of premium red wine that can command that price, and they only supply it to a single establishment."
She had been to the Elton Estate before, so she knew a thing or two. Wasn't Huo Shiqing just taking advantage with that price?
Huo Shiqing raised an eyebrow and smiled as he asked back, "Didn't Miss Mu just say it? Elton only supplies that premium red to one establishment. Who's to say that establishment isn't Fulu Garden?"
Mu Beiyin froze in shock.
She had heard that the only reason that place could get the premium wine was because the owner was a close business partner of the estate's master.
Had Huo Shiqing already developed his business empire in France that early? But the Song family's enterprises had supposedly never ventured abroad.
"But," Huo continued, "I have a question for Miss Mu as well."
Before Mu Beiyin could think it through, Huo Shiqing said lightly, "Elton's wine isn't popular in China. One must have visited the estate to know about it. Didn't Miss Mu grow up in the countryside? Could it be you've visited the Elton Estate?"
Mu Beiyin choked, suddenly a bit nervous.
Whenever she got nervous, she couldn't help but eat something—anything within reach would go into her mouth.
Right now, the only thing nearby was the glass of wine Huo Shiqing had just poured. She quickly downed it. "No, no, I haven't. I just heard about it."
"Heard about it?" Huo Shiqing's voice grew even gentler. He tapped her forehead lightly with a half-smile.
"Miss Mu, did I forget to mention? This kind of premium red wine tastes distinctly different from ordinary wine. Those who have never had it before always choke from the aroma on the first sip. Yet Miss Mu's face is flushed and you just downed a full glass like it was nothing. Seems like you're quite used to it."
"Looks like the Mu family really doesn't know you. So the young lady they sent off to the countryside has not only been to Elton Estate but also tasted wine from their private cellar. I must say, Miss Mu, you've surprised me."
Cough, cough, cough!
Mu Beiyin really did choke this time—from the wine and from shock. Just a few sentences, and Huo Shiqing had already begun probing into her "countryside" background?
Why was he asking this?
Stiffening her neck, she awkwardly explained, "Growing up in the countryside doesn't mean I never visited Elton. You can't trust every rumor you hear."
It was perfectly normal that others didn't know what she had done during that time. But she had also never heard of the Song family heir getting involved in a vineyard business!
Huo Shiqing narrowed his eyes. "Mm. Rumors can't be trusted. Alright, let's eat."
Mu Beiyin felt like his words carried hidden meaning.
But since Huo Shiqing didn't press further, she was more than happy to drop the subject and didn't say anything else.
Back home, after Mu Beiyin went to her room to rest, Huo Shiqing looked calmly at Bai Ji.
"She's been to Elton Estate. There's also a scar on her neck… Go find out if she's that person from back then."