Arranged Marriage? A spark lit up in Mu Yaohui's eyes.But he quickly hesitated. "But she just broke off her engagement—who would still want her...?"
Mu Qianrou lowered her head and said softly, "Dad, do you remember Chairman Huang from Huang Corporation? Ever since he saw my sister at the last banquet, he hasn't stopped thinking about her. He doesn't even mind that she's just broken off her engagement."
Lin Ru hurriedly chimed in, "That's right, Yaohui. Huang Corporation is bigger than us in scale. If Chairman Huang is willing to help, why should the Mu family fear any crisis? Besides, his net worth is in the billions. If Beiyin marries into his family, it wouldn't be a grievance at all."
Hope flashed across Mu Yaohui's face. "Fine. Chairman Huang is a man of status. For Mu Beiyin, after her disgrace, to marry into such a wealthy family—we're not treating her unfairly at all!"
"But that disobedient girl won't listen. If we ask her to meet Chairman Huang, she'll definitely refuse."
Mu Qianrou's eyes flickered. She spoke gently, "Dad, why don't you invite Chairman Huang to your 50th birthday banquet? Then we can let little sister meet him there. Wouldn't that work?"
One week later.
Mu Beiyin hadn't seen Huo Shiqing for seven days. Thinking back to that kiss that never landed, she couldn't help but click her tongue.
Was Huo Shiqing avoiding home out of awkwardness?
Just then, a piece of news caught her attention.
One week ago, the Chu Corporation had canceled its partnership with the Mu family, causing a major blow that left the Mu Group reeling.Yet now, just one week later, the Mu family had somehow secured investment from Huang Corporation?!
Mu Beiyin narrowed her eyes. Something didn't feel right—
Buzz, buzz. Her phone vibrated on the table. She leaned over to take a look—an incoming message popped up.
Lin Ru:Beiyin, your father's 50th birthday is tomorrow. You must come. Oh, by the way, your mother left a box with Yaohui. He said he'll give it to you when you arrive tomorrow.
Mu Beiyin let out a cold laugh. A birthday banquet? Inviting her? Everything about it screamed trap.
But that box her mother left...
Even if it was a trap, she had no choice but to walk right into it.
She told Uncle Zhang that she would be going out the next evening. He nodded and reported it to Huo Shiqing.
Huo Shiqing paused slightly, his fingers still. "Mu Yaohui's birthday banquet..."
Originally, Mu Yaohui had invited him too, but he'd never cared for such social events.
Now, however, he found himself suddenly interested.
The following evening, at the Huoshi Hotel banquet hall.
It was the 50th birthday of Mu Yaohui, Chairman of the Mu Group. He had invited numerous dignitaries and influential guests. The banquet hall was lively and filled with the clinking of glasses.
Mu Yaohui, accompanied by Mu Qianrou, made the rounds, greeting the guests. Many sang her praises without restraint.
"Chairman Mu is not only successful in his career, but also has such a wonderful daughter!"Mu Yaohui responded with hypocritical modesty, "You're too kind. Qianrou still has many shortcomings and needs to learn from all of you. Qianrou, go greet your uncles."
Mu Qianrou took Song Lingqian's arm, gracefully holding her wine glass as she walked into the crowd.
"Miss Qianrou and Young Master Song truly make a perfect couple—talented man and beautiful woman."
"Indeed. No wonder Young Master Song chose to break off the engagement for her. After all, Mu Beiyin is really not presentable..."
Mu Beiyin happened to arrive just in time to hear that. Her brows lifted slightly.
The entire banquet hall fell into awkward silence at her arrival. Some people couldn't help but whisper:
"She really is a country bumpkin. Look at what she's wearing—coming to her own father's 50th birthday without even a proper dress?"
"Ugh, what a disgrace!"
Lin Ru, pleased with the slander against Mu Beiyin, then feigned the role of a kind stepmother and quickly stepped forward.
"Beiyin, come over here, Yaohui's been waiting for you!"
Mu Beiyin narrowed her eyes. "Where are my mother's belongings?"
"What's the rush? Have a drink first."
Lin Ru pulled Mu Beiyin into a corner. Mu Yaohui was talking with a man in his fifties or sixties. When he saw Mu Beiyin, his eyes lit up.
"Chairman Huang, this is my eldest daughter!"
Mu Beiyin frowned. Chairman Huang? The CEO of Huang Enterprises?
A sudden realization struck her, though she hadn't fully worked it out before Lin Ru obsequiously chimed in:
"Beiyin, what are you standing there for? Hurry and drink with Chairman Huang."
Mu Beiyin looked at the repulsive expression on Chairman Huang's face and sneered. "Why don't you have your daughter drink with him?"
Lin Ru sighed. "Because Chairman Huang took a liking to you. Qianrou isn't that fortunate. Beiyin, don't be ungrateful. Chairman Huang is more than worthy of you. He doesn't even mind that you were previously engaged. He paid fifty million for your dowry—this is an honor for you!"
Mu Beiyin finally understood that strange feeling in her chest.
The fifty million investment from Huang Enterprises into the Mu family… so it was because her "dear father" had sold her!
Chairman Huang looked at the woman in front of him, his lewd gaze undisguised. "Miss Mu, you're not even willing to drink my wine? Aren't you being a bit disrespectful?"
Mu Beiyin was certain there was something in the wine. Her expression darkened.
"My father may not have learned anything worthwhile over the years, but when it comes to selling his daughter, he's quite the expert. Sorry—I'm not playing along!"
As soon as she turned and took two steps, a wave of dizziness hit her. Her legs buckled. "You..."
"It's for your own good, Beiyin. Without a little help, you'd never behave," Lin Ru said with a sigh. "Chairman Huang, Beiyin has agreed. Please help her to the guest room to rest."
Mu Beiyin's mind was foggy. Her body wouldn't listen to her. Pushed by Chairman Huang, she had no strength to resist.
...
In the crowd, Song Lingqian saw the scene and suddenly frowned. "What's going on?"
He knew Chairman Huang's reputation—and his habit of forcing women. If Mu Beiyin…
Just then, Mu Qianrou shook her head and sighed. "Brother Lingqian, Sister is with Chairman Huang. Just leave it… even the family can't control her."
Song Lingqian's expression instantly soured. He thought Mu Beiyin was in danger—but it turned out she was willingly debasing herself.
He didn't even need to guess what they were doing upstairs. That Mu Beiyin would throw herself at someone like Chairman Huang—disgusting!
...
Bang!
Mu Beiyin was thrown onto the bed.
Her head spun, and her chest felt like a thousand ants were biting—painful and itchy.
Chairman Huang swallowed hard. "Miss Mu, don't struggle. This is my newest formula—colorless, tasteless, and absorbed through the skin. The drug is already taking effect. Be good—without a man, you'll suffer to death."
Mu Beiyin suddenly realized the drug had been applied on her skin!
So the wine had been a distraction. No wonder Lin Ru was so confident.
Her strength was rapidly draining. If Chairman Huang tried anything, she wouldn't be able to resist.
No… Mu Beiyin forced herself to stay calm. She pulled a dagger from her bag. She wouldn't go down without a fight!
"Why pretend to be some virtuous woman? Your dad already said you've had lots of men. I'm the only one nice enough to marry you. You'd better lie down and behave!"
Chairman Huang chuckled creepily, moving closer, his hands almost reaching her face.
"Miss Mu looks reluctant now, but once the drug kicks in, she'll probably be begging me—"
Bang!
Before he could finish, the guest room door was kicked open!
In the next moment, Chairman Huang was thrown out violently, not even able to scream before he dropped to his knees.
"Miss Mu." A cold, sharp male voice rang out.
Mu Beiyin, nearly consumed by the drug, vaguely heard someone calling her name—it sounded like… Huo Shiqing?
Huo Shiqing frowned and ordered Bai Ji to take Chairman Huang away. He then crouched down and poured Mu Beiyin a glass of water. "Are you okay… Mu Beiyin?!"
Mu Beiyin touched the man's hand and her eyes lit up. She no longer knew what she was doing and collapsed into Huo Shiqing's arms.
Huo Shiqing's Adam's apple bobbed as his mind went blank.
The drug was working.