"Auntie, if Fu Yan Ting knew the truth, would he still stay with the Fu family?"
"What are you talking about? I don't understand." Mu Qing Xiang responded with feigned calm.
In reality, Mu Qing Xiang was unsure of what Li Qin knew. Had Li Qin truly discovered the truth? After all, the old master had destroyed all the evidence when he was alive. How could she possibly know?
Regardless, she couldn't afford to panic now. Mu Qing Xiang comforted herself and said to Li Qin, "If you want to live well in the Fu family, I advise you not to speak carelessly or spread rumors. Otherwise, the Fu family's rules are not to be trifled with."
Li Qin wasn't angry at Mu Qing Xiang's words. It was fine. After her initial probing, she was certain that the matter was true. Now, she just needed to find enough evidence to make Mu Qing Xiang admit it. Li Qin harbored her own plans but didn't show it on the surface. She was determined to get the ten percent stake in Fu Corporation. No, once she found the evidence, she could demand even more. She didn't believe Mu Qing Xiang would dare to refuse. With this thought, Li Qin grew more pleased with herself. Now, she just needed to break up Yan Xi and Fu Yan Ting. Li Qin knew that Fu Yan Ting deeply loved Yan Xi. If they were separated, it would break Fu Yan Ting's last line of defense, and he would crumble. Then, she could deliver the final blow.
"Auntie, I heard that the illegitimate son of the Mu family has recently returned to the country. He's here to claim his inheritance. You know, the Mu family's relationships are not as harmonious as they appear. If Yan Xi were to get involved with that illegitimate son of the Mu family, he wouldn't be able to inherit the family fortune. And Fu Yan Ting would despise Yan Xi when he saw her like that. It's a win-win situation."
"Did the Mu family bribe you to do this?" Mu Qing Xiang looked at Li Qin. Although it was a question, based on Li Qin's words, Mu Qing Xiang was very sure her deductions were correct. Li Qin chuckled awkwardly when Mu Qing Xiang saw through her. Mu Qing Xiang was no longer interested in the Mu family's affairs. She only wanted to break up Yan Xi and Fu Yan Ting. Therefore, after a brief thought upon hearing Li Qin's proposal, Mu Qing Xiang agreed.
Upon returning to Yan City, Mu Jing Chen's first act was to contact Yan Xi. He called her, inviting her to meet. However, Yan Xi was currently under house arrest by Fu Yan Ting and could not leave the Fu family's old residence. Thus, she politely declined Mu Jing Chen's invitation. Yan Xi didn't tell Mu Jing Chen about her house arrest, as she didn't want him to worry. After all, this was a matter between her and Fu Yan Ting. Even without these complications, Yan Xi would have contacted Fu Yan Ting. Now, it had only accelerated her plan.
Yan Zi Tong couldn't bear to see Yan Xi in this situation. Knowing that Uncle Mu was resourceful, he secretly contacted Mu Jing Chen and informed him of Yan Xi's current predicament. Upon learning this, Mu Jing Chen immediately rushed to the Fu family to rescue Yan Xi. He was the eldest young master of the Mu family. Despite being illegitimate, the Fu family members dared not provoke him. After all, there was the relationship with the old madam. Furthermore, the Fu and Mu families had a deep connection, and the Fu family members dared not offend anyone from the Mu family. Seeing Mu Jing Chen arrive, they quickly let him in.
Mu Jing Chen was still searching for Yan Xi. The Fu mansion was vast, and he had no idea which room she was confined to. However, after searching a few rooms, he saw Yan Xi walking out. Seeing Mu Jing Chen, Yan Xi felt a familiar sense of closeness, as if seeing a long-lost relative. She stepped forward and asked, "Jing Chen, why are you here? How is the company? How many days are you planning to stay in Yan City?" Mu Jing Chen smiled helplessly and said, "Xi Xi, you're asking so many questions at once. How am I supposed to answer them all?" Yan Xi paused, realizing she had asked too much. She looked at Mu Jing Chen with a hint of apology. Mu Jing Chen understood Yan Xi's feelings and patiently explained, "The company's operations are all normal. I've handed over some work to Ci Ci to handle. As for me returning here..." His voice trailed off, and his eyes darkened. He was silent for a moment before continuing, "You know, everything the Mu family has now should have belonged to me, the illegitimate son. Now, it's time for me to return and reclaim what is rightfully mine." Yan Xi didn't know much about the Mu family's affairs. She hadn't made a point of inquiring about them. Generally, Mu Jing Chen would tell her, and she would listen. If he didn't want to talk about something, she wouldn't force him. This was one of the rare times Mu Jing Chen had voluntarily brought up matters concerning the Mu family with Yan Xi. Yan Xi didn't know how to comfort Mu Jing Chen, so she just listened quietly as he spoke of his past. Mu Jing Chen became increasingly emotional as he spoke, eventually losing his composure. Seeing this, Yan Xi stepped forward and gently hugged Mu Jing Chen, offering him solace.
"What are you two doing?" Suddenly, a cold voice echoed from above Yan Xi. Yan Xi froze and instinctively let go of Mu Jing Chen. Mu Jing Chen's mood soured further upon seeing Yan Xi release him so quickly. He thought, 'Yan Xi is still afraid Fu Yan Ting will misunderstand tonight, isn't she? It seems she still hasn't let him go and still cares about his feelings.' Yan Xi turned around and saw Fu Yan Ting standing there, his expression icy. Yan Xi cautiously asked, "Fu Yan Ting, why are you here?"
"What? It's not me, who were you hoping to see? Yan Xi, you're truly something. I know your personal life is not very disciplined, but I didn't expect you to be entangled with another man in the Fu family's old residence. And now, my grandmother is still unconscious, yet you not only feel no guilt but have also brought back a wild man." Fu Yan Ting was truly furious. Yan Xi's attitude towards him had always been cold, but she was so warm to other men. This was a huge blow to Fu Yan Ting's ego. Fu Yan Ting was genuinely enraged, so hurtful words, unthinking, blurted out of his mouth. Yan Xi had intended to explain to Fu Yan Ting that things were not as he saw them, that there was nothing romantic between her and Mu Jing Chen. But before Yan Xi could explain, she heard Fu Yan Ting speak such words about her. In Fu Yan Ting's mind, she, Yan Xi, was simply an unchaste and promiscuous woman. No matter how Yan Xi tried to explain, Fu Yan Ting wouldn't believe her. Since that was the case, why should she bother explaining?