Mu Beiyin's expression stiffened.She sensed that Huo Shiqing was testing her, so she immediately blinked and lowered her head with a shy expression:"Mr. Huo, what are you saying? Do you really think I'm such a petty person?""Xu Lingling wanted to hit me, so I asked Housekeeper Xu to hit her instead. I'm already satisfied with that."
Huo Shiqing ignored her words.If he hadn't shown up just now, Mrs. Huo would likely have found her own way to exact revenge.
At that moment, Uncle Zhang came running over in a hurry and explained anxiously, "Sir, Madam wanted to design a small garden here. It was my fault—I let Housekeeper Xu and her daughter take advantage of the situation. Madam, you've been wronged."
Mu Beiyin shyly waved her hand. "Thank you, Uncle Zhang. Luckily, Mr. Huo came in time. I'm fine."
Huo Shiqing's eyes flickered as he let out a faint laugh.Wronged? Uncle Zhang was overthinking it.If anyone was going to suffer, it definitely wouldn't be her.
After Mu Beiyin returned to her room, Uncle Zhang immediately reported, "Sir, Lin Ru's niece, Lin Xiaxia, has arrived in Ancheng. About your plan…"Huo Shiqing said coldly, "Proceed.""Yes, sir."
…
The next morning, Mu Beiyin had just woken up when she received a call."Beiyin, I'm in Ancheng! I heard a new women's boutique just opened—come shopping with me!"
Mu Beiyin held the phone away from her ear, raised her brows as she glanced at the caller ID.The person calling her was Lin Ru's niece, Lin Xiaxia. She had stayed briefly with the Mu family before and completely treated herself as the lady of the house, never giving the real young miss—Mu Beiyin—any respect.
In the past, for her grandfather's sake, Mu Beiyin had hosted Lin Xiaxia a few times, which Lin Xiaxia took as a license to treat her like a gullible fool.And now she was back?
Mu Beiyin's eyes gleamed. Lin Xiaxia probably still thought she was that easily bullied girl, someone she could use like a walking ATM.
With that thought, Mu Beiyin went into the dressing room and picked out the clothes Huo Shiqing had prepared for her.All the clothes were rare designer pieces, one-of-a-kind and impossible to get with money alone. She selected a few pieces of luxurious jewelry and picked up a pricey handbag.
Huo Shiqing was sitting on the sofa in the living room reading documents. When he saw her outfit, his brow lifted slightly.After Mu Beiyin left, the man's smile deepened, and he spoke warmly:"Looks like it was Lin Xiaxia who invited her out."
The moment Bai Ji heard that tone, he knew someone was in trouble. He shuddered involuntarily."Sir, if you want to help Madam vent her anger, you could just destroy the Mu family. Why go through all this trouble?"
Huo Shiqing replied casually, "Because my wife's hands must remain clean. She must not be touched by even a trace of gossip.As for the Mu family—let them devour each other like wild dogs."
…
An hour later, at the entrance of the mall.
Lin Xiaxia was already losing her patience, her face as dark as the bottom of a pot.Mu Beiyin had said she'd already left the house, yet she'd been standing here for so long with no sign of her—was she doing this on purpose?!Just a neglected daughter of the Mu family, someone who'd always been treated worse than her—where did she get the nerve to act so high and mighty?
Just as Lin Xiaxia was angrily about to call and question her, a luxury car pulled up in front of her.Mu Beiyin stepped out of the car.
She was dressed in luxurious clothing, adorned with sparkling jewelry, and even the handbag in her hand—Lin Xiaxia had seen it at an auction before—was worth several million.Lin Xiaxia clenched her fists, hiding the darkness in her eyes, and forced a smile like that of a close friend. "Beiyin, you're here."
She had no idea who this woman had seduced, showing up decked out head to toe in designer brands, with an outfit worth tens of millions. She clearly wasn't short on money.
Lin Xiaxia hinted, "Beiyin, it's been so long since we've seen each other. Don't you have a gift for me? I don't care—you owe me a good one. That bag in your hand looks perfect."
Mu Beiyin suddenly raised her brow and turned to look at her.Her gaze was cold and sharp, lacking the warmth and caution of the past, making Lin Xiaxia's heart skip a beat.
But in the next moment, Mu Beiyin smiled and nodded. "You want a gift? Sure. But I don't recall you ever giving me anything. Friends should exchange gifts, don't you think?"
Lin Xiaxia's smile froze. "Oh come on, I was just joking! Let's go check out that new women's boutique."
She was determined to bleed Mu Beiyin dry!Sister Xirou had said Mu Beiyin had no friends, and since she was willing to be her only friend, Mu Beiyin should be grateful and fall at her feet.
After all, back then, whatever she said, Mu Beiyin agreed to it without question.
Mu Beiyin pretended not to notice the greed in Lin Xiaxia's eyes. "Alright, let's go."
When the two arrived at the boutique, the sales clerks took one look at Mu Beiyin's outfit and instantly recognized a VIP, quickly calling down the store manager.
The store manager greeted her with a flattering smile. "Miss, please have a seat and rest for a moment. We're making you some coffee. Is there anything in particular you'd like to see?"
Lin Xiaxia watched this scene, feeling a burning sting in her eyes.Why did that motherless bitch Mu Beiyin still get to live in such luxury? That money should all be hers!
Mu Beiyin curled her lips into a faint smile. She had worn such extravagant clothes today precisely for this moment.
Feigning nonchalance, she said casually, "I'm not the one shopping—my friend is. Help her take a look around."
Only then did the manager turn his attention to Lin Xiaxia. Compared to Mu Beiyin, Lin's clothes were clearly less expensive, and her presence lacked elegance, but since they were friends, it was unlikely she couldn't pay.
So the manager personally gave Lin Xiaxia a tour.
Over the years, Lin Ru had been sending money to her brother from time to time, so Lin Xiaxia lived more lavishly than most corporate heiresses. Naturally, she wouldn't look twice at ordinary clothes.
What's more, she was determined to take full advantage of Mu Beiyin, so she gathered every dress she thought looked decent.
Mu Beiyin glanced at them—every dress in this boutique cost at least two hundred thousand. Lin Xiaxia had picked over a dozen. She really dared to ask for it.
"Beiyin, I think all of these are beautiful. What do you think?" Lin Xiaxia was hinting for her to pay.
Mu Beiyin gave a light "hmm," "If you like them, have them all wrapped up."
Lin Xiaxia was thrilled, glancing at Mu Beiyin with disdain. What an idiot. No wonder Aunt Lin and Cousin Xirou said she was easy to manipulate—so true.
With that thought, Lin Xiaxia didn't hesitate and waved her hand grandly. "Wrap them all up for me!"
The store manager beamed and personally packaged everything, then respectfully brought over the card machine."Miss, please swipe your card."
Lin Xiaxia immediately looked at Mu Beiyin.In the past, to reassure Old Master Mu, Mu Beiyin would always offer to pay first.
But this time, even after a whole minute, Mu Beiyin didn't move.
The atmosphere turned awkward. The manager reminded her again, "Miss Lin, if you didn't bring your card, we also accept checks."
Lin Xiaxia's face flushed red with embarrassment, growing more impatient by the second. She urged irritably, "Beiyin, why are you just standing there? Pay up!"
This woman was being so uncooperative—how dare she make her lose face! She was definitely going to make her pay for this later!
Seeing her prey take the bait, Mu Beiyin blinked with a deliberately puzzled look, her tone laced with ambiguity.
"Huh? But I didn't buy anything—why should I be the one paying?"