Mu Beiyin stammered, "I—I understand your character, not your wealth. I don't care how many businesses you own, so it's perfectly normal that I haven't paid attention to who owns Fulu Garden, right?"
Huo Shiqing didn't say whether he believed her or not. "Is that so?"
"Of course it is…" Mu Beiyin was about to continue her nonsense when she suddenly realized something.
If Fulu Garden was Huo Shiqing's property, didn't that mean it was part of the Song family's assets?
Then why did Fang Xuan, as Mrs. Song, show no courtesy whatsoever and throw her out? Why did Song Lingqian and Mu Qianrou need to make appointments every time they went?
She could no longer force a smile. Stiffly, she asked, "You opened Fulu Garden... don't your family members know about it?"
Huo Shiqing replied casually, "I started it a few years ago, without telling my family. Naturally, they don't know."
Oh… no wonder. Mu Beiyin suddenly understood.
From earlier, it was already obvious that Huo Shiqing didn't have a good relationship with his family. So it made sense that things might be even worse with Song Lingqian's side. Keeping it a secret seemed reasonable.
Ding ding—just then, her phone buzzed.
A new message appeared:[Mu Beiyin, Bofei Group just secured that big Nordic contract. There'll be a celebration banquet at Fulu Garden tomorrow. Sister Qianrou specifically mentioned that you used to be part of Bofei, so she asked me to invite you. Come on, see the world a little.]
The message was from Song Weiwei—Song Lingqian's younger sister.
Mu Beiyin's gaze turned cold, and she let out a sneer.
Song Lingqian wasn't favored in the Song family and had no inheritance to claim, so he had to start his own company. Two years ago, he came to her with sweet talk, and since she thought he was her future husband, she agreed to help him.
Bofei Group was built up step by step with her support. But in the end, Song Lingqian kicked her aside and enjoyed the fruits of her labor with Mu Qianrou.
As for that big Nordic deal—that was a project she secured. Now it had become Mu Qianrou's trophy?
Wait a second... an invitation? Fulu Garden?
Mu Beiyin suddenly sensed something off.
Last time Fang Xuan got kicked out, the manager at Fulu Garden had said even if the old master of the Song family came, they wouldn't be received. The entire Song family had been blacklisted.
So how did Song Weiwei manage to book a table now?
Her eyes narrowed, and she asked indirectly, "Mr. Huo, the food at Fulu Garden is really good. Are there any open spots tomorrow? I'd like to go again."
Huo Shiqing casually had someone check. "Only the banquet hall is available, but if you want to go, you're free to enter anytime."
The banquet hall was still open? Song Weiwei was planning to bring the Bofei team, and there was no way the private rooms could accommodate that many. A spoiled heiress like her wouldn't stoop to the main hall, so the banquet hall was the only option.
If the banquet hall was still available, that meant Song Weiwei hadn't reserved anything at all!
And yet she had the nerve to send her an invitation so publicly…
Tsk. This was the first time someone had so eagerly delivered their face to be slapped.
The next afternoon, Mu Beiyin walked out right on time, dressed in a red dress.
Bai Ji lowered his head. "Sir, it seems Madam is about to stir up some trouble."
Huo Shiqing took a sip of tea and chuckled softly, "Let her be."
No matter how big the fuss she made at Fulu Garden, he could protect her.
…
Half an hour later, outside Fulu Garden.
Fulu Garden was nestled between mountains and water. Upon entry, one passed a long causeway with a scenic pavilion. Further ahead was the main hall.
Song Lingqian and Mu Qianrou didn't show up; this gathering was arranged by Song Weiwei, but the private room had been booked under Mu Qianrou's name.
The moment Song Weiwei saw Mu Beiyin, and noticed how many men's eyes were drawn to her, her anger flared instantly.
"Mu Beiyin, just look at what you're wearing—so slutty! Who are you trying to seduce?"
Mu Beiyin casually smoothed her hair. "If you're jealous of my looks and figure, just say so. After all, even if you wore this dress, no one would be seduced by you."
"You—!" Song Weiwei was stunned. She hadn't expected Mu Beiyin to be so sharp-tongued now—completely different from before.
Mu Beiyin sneered. Song Weiwei had always liked Mu Qianrou and thus hated her. In the past, because of Song Lingqian, she never argued with Song Weiwei and hadn't even said a harsh word.
Which only emboldened Song Weiwei further, making her think Mu Beiyin was weak and easy to bully.
"So what if you're pretty? My brother still dumped you!"
Song Weiwei mocked her condescendingly, "I heard you married some old and ugly man? Hah! Look at you—once you lost my brother, only someone like that would want you!"
"You should've told me earlier—I could've introduced you to my chauffeur. After all, you'll never find another man as good as my brother. A driver's all you're worth—just bad luck on your part!"
The surrounding employees clearly heard how insulting this was. After all, Mu Beiyin had once been Song Lingqian's fiancée, but now Song Weiwei was openly saying she wasn't even worthy of the Song family's driver.
Mu Beiyin sighed. "Yeah, I'll never find someone like Song Lingqian again."
Song Weiwei was just getting smug, thinking this fool still couldn't let go of the Song family. Then she heard Mu Beiyin continue—
"Someone who owes me his life, who owes me money, who cheated on me and flaunted it like he couldn't wait for the world to know what a scumbag he is? Yeah, it's hard to find another backstabbing, two-faced, brainless bastard like that."
The area went quiet for several seconds.
"Mu Beiyin!" Song Weiwei's face twisted with bitterness, flying into a rage.
"You couldn't control your man and now you blame my brother?! And to think he and Sister Qianrou were kind enough to remember your past efforts and had me invite you here! Look at you—do you even deserve it?!"
"When you were at Bofei Group, you accomplished nothing, did no work. Unlike Sister Qianrou—she secured a huge deal as soon as she joined. So what if my brother likes her? Now she's the one paying out of pocket to host this dinner. Could you do that?!"
Mu Beiyin laughed from sheer anger.
What a load of twisted nonsense. Who really secured that deal? And whose inheritance was Mu Qianrou spending now? Others might not know, but Song Weiwei certainly did. And she still had the nerve to act so self-righteous?
Song Weiwei snorted smugly, "Speechless now? Come on, everyone, let's go in."
The employees breathed a sigh of relief, clearly excited, and began flattering her—
"Thank you, Miss Song!"
"And we have to thank Miss Qianrou too! Miss Song is right—Miss Qianrou is way more competent than some people. At least when she's around, we get group dinners. That never happened before."
The group followed Song Weiwei toward the entrance. Just as they reached the door, she suddenly stopped.
"Wait—I've changed my mind. Everyone else can go in, but not her!"
She pointed at Mu Beiyin, eyes gleaming with malice and superiority. "If you insist on coming in with us, then we're canceling the whole dinner!"
That immediately sparked cries of dismay among the employees.
"No way—we all posted on social media about coming to Fulu Garden tonight!"
"Yeah, Mu Beiyin, maybe you should just leave. Miss Song doesn't want you here. You should know your place!"
Mu Beiyin swept her gaze over the crowd.
Several of those speaking had once benefited from her, yet now, for some petty favor, they completely ignored old ties.
Well, what kind of people would side with Song Lingqian and Mu Qianrou anyway?
As for this so-called dinner…
Mu Beiyin blinked, then asked with a meaningful smile, "You sure you want me to leave?"