Chapter 355 — I Want You to Be Like Xu Ningbing (1/2)
Aside from Ye Chen, Mu Qingying's father, Mu Yuansheng, was also at the door.
Xu Mu didn't know why they had come. Could Ye Chen really have persuaded Mu Yuansheng to offer up his daughter as part of some deal?
Inside, Mu Qingying was still lying comfortably on the bed, debating whether or not to open the door when her phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the caller ID — it was her father.
"Hello? …What? You're outside my door?"
Mu Qingying jumped up from the bed in surprise — and blinked in disbelief. "Huh? The pain's gone!"
"Told you," Xu Mu said with a smile. "I know a bit of traditional massage."
"My dad's here. Do you want to see him?" she asked, turning to Xu Mu. "If not, just stay in the bedroom. If you do, sit in the living room."
"I'm a married man. Being here at your place this late wouldn't look good. I'll hide inside," Xu Mu said lightly — mainly because he wanted to avoid Ye Chen. If he stayed out of sight, he could also overhear what Ye Chen was planning.
"Alright."
Mu Qingying nodded and stepped out, closing the bedroom door behind her.
As she glanced back at the door, she couldn't help but feel a strange rush — the thrill of a secret affair.
She opened the front door. Outside stood her father and Ye Chen.
"Qingying, why'd you take so long to open up?" Mu Yuansheng said with a smile as he entered.
"I was in the bathroom," she said quickly, stepping aside. "What brings you here so late?"
"Mr. Ye could only find time in the evening," Mu Yuansheng said, turning to Ye Chen. "Please, come in."
Ye Chen gave a small nod and entered, his gaze sweeping over Mu Qingying's figure — lingering with open appreciation.
That elegant, breathtaking curve beneath her dress… perfection.
Ever since leaving the Xu family, Ye Chen had planned to prove a point — that even if he partnered with random nobodies, he could still rise and crush the Xus.
Then he'd met Mu Qingying — a woman he'd once seen outside a school, unforgettable at first glance — and discovered she came from a powerful family. So he chose to collaborate with the Mu family.
Mu Qingying immediately caught the way he was staring. Her expression turned cold.
She'd hated that kind of gaze ever since she was young.
When she studied overseas, she'd even considered having a reduction surgery — went so far as to consult a doctor.
But the doctor told her she was perfectly healthy, with no reason to "remove" anything.
So she'd dropped the idea.
"Mr. Ye, please have a seat," said Mu Yuansheng respectfully.
Ye Chen sat down without hesitation, completely at ease.
"Dad, you still haven't said why you're here so late," Mu Qingying said, closing the door and joining them.
Mu Yuansheng sat on the sofa and looked at her earnestly.
"Since you're on summer break, I thought it was time we talked."
"Talk about what?" she asked, puzzled.
"You studied business management. I even sent you overseas to advance your studies. Yet when you came back, you said you weren't interested in business."
"I let you become a music teacher because you insisted," he continued. "But it's time to quit."
"Quit? What do you mean?"
"You're my daughter, Mu Yuansheng's only child. You can't be a music teacher forever, can you? Where's the future in that?"
"Even Su family's daughter studied under a master — but being a teacher isn't enough. You're my only heir. What will happen to the Mu family's business?"
"Dad, what exactly are you saying?" Mu Qingying asked.
"I'll be direct." He gestured toward Ye Chen. "Mr. Ye here has connections all over the world — even Middle Eastern oil magnates know him. He's giving our Mu family an opportunity, and we must seize it."
Mu Yuansheng fixed his gaze on her. "I want you to be like Xu Ningbing of the Xu family — to become the president of this new company."
"President? Dad, I can't. You know I'm not like Xu Ningbing — I don't have that kind of boldness," she said, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, I'll teach you," Ye Chen said smoothly. "Within half a year, our company will surpass the Xus. Within a year, we'll be Jiangbei's number one."
"Dad…"
"It's decided," Mu Yuansheng interrupted, standing up to pour himself a glass of water. "You're as smart as Xu Ningbing. From now on, the Mu family's future rests on you."
"You two should go," Mu Qingying said softly. "Let me think about it tonight."
"It's still early. You're kicking me out already? We haven't seen each other in days," Mu Yuansheng teased. "What, are you hiding someone in here?"
"Of course not! I don't even have a boyfriend," she replied flatly.
"That's what I thought."
He chuckled — but as he spoke, he started walking toward the bedroom.
"What are you doing?"
Mu Qingying hurried after him, but she was too late — the door was already open.
Her father glanced inside and smiled. "Why so nervous?"
"I'm not your son, Dad. I'm an adult — ever heard of privacy?"
She looked around quickly — no sign of Xu Mu. Relief washed over her.
Xu Mu, meanwhile, had sensed Mu Yuansheng approaching and hidden himself in the wardrobe ahead of time.
As he squeezed inside, something soft brushed his head.
He reached up and pulled it down — beige-colored, lacy, and unmistakably feminine.
"…Terrifying."
He clenched his fist experimentally — it fit inside easily. The thing was big enough to hold a whole eggplant.
"Xu Mu! Xu Mu!"
Mu Qingying's voice came from outside.
Startled, Xu Mu immediately tossed the object aside, opened the closet door, and smiled. "I'm here."
He'd been so distracted examining the "artifact" that he'd almost forgotten to use his spiritual sense.
"Good thing you moved fast," she said with a nervous laugh. "If they'd found you, I'd have no idea how to explain."
"I saw him heading in, so I hid early," Xu Mu replied calmly. "Since it's all clear now, I'll take my leave."
"Alright," Mu Qingying said softly. She opened her mouth as if to ask his opinion — then stopped herself. After all, what was he to her?
Xu Mu returned home.
Ye Tong and Ye Yu were sitting on the couch watching TV as usual.
When he walked in, Ye Yu greeted him first. "Brother-in-law, you're back!"
[Favorability +10]
Ye Tong's Favorability rose as well.
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
"Not yet. I'll grab something simple later."
Xu Mu smiled, settling onto the couch.
"I'll cook some noodles for you — it's quick," Ye Tong said, standing up.
"No, sis, let me do it. I'll cook noodles for Brother-in-law!" Ye Yu said brightly, eager to help.
Xu Mu was about to reply when his phone buzzed — a new message from Jiang Huihui.