Chapter 71: Insist on Going

"That's true. Shopping at a Lu Family business is just giving them money. Not worth it!"

Mu Lin cheerfully came up with an excuse for Qiao Canhua.

However, Mu Lin still bought a small gift for Zhao Ling'Er as a token gesture.

Zhao Ling'Er was absolutely beaming.

Everyone was in high spirits. After returning to the Holy Medicine Hall together, Mu Lin went home.

Elder Li was quite happy to see Mu Lin back early. "Mu Lin! Off work already?"

Mu Lin chuckled. "That's right. I've got business tonight, so I came home to rest and recharge."

Elder Li asked, "What business?" As he spoke, he sat down in front of the chessboard and began setting up the pieces.

"Brokering a negotiation between the Qiao Family and the Wu Family," Mu Lin said nonchalantly.

Elder Li's hands paused. He squinted, thinking for a moment. "This Qiao Family… you mean the Qiaos from Shengding Group?"

Although he was retired, Li Yinhe would still give him a simple briefing on the situation every morning before leaving, so he was still relatively well-informed.

Mu Lin smiled. "Of course. The Wu Family refuses to let go of the South Side Plot 6 issue, and it's gotten quite ugly. I have to find a way to get the two sides to reconcile so we can move forward with the business!"

Elder Li nodded. "You're doing well. Starting to look like a real professional! If you prove your ability, I'll make the decision in the future—it wouldn't be out of the question for you to become the chairman of the Li Group!"

'The old man's words are really something else,' Mu Lin thought. 'Li Yinhe and his daughter can't hear this. Can you imagine their reaction?'

"Elder Li, I'm not that ambitious. I'm happy just living a quiet, stable life. With a president like Li Xue around, what more could I need?"

"Since you have a plan, then Grandpa won't interfere!"

The old man pushed a central cannon forward.

The two played chess until evening, when Li Xue and Li Yinhe returned home.

Seeing Mu Lin playing chess with the old man, Li Xue was instantly enraged:

"Mu Lin, you've got some nerve! Leaving work early is one thing, but to go shopping with another woman!" Li Xue was furious, unleashing her pent-up anger right in front of Elder Li.

Elder Li wasn't too bothered by the "leaving early" part, but he became alert at the mention of a "woman."

"What's this? Mu Lin, you have Xue'Er right here and you're already thinking about what's cooking in the pot? That's going a bit too far!"

Mu Lin waved his hands defensively. "It's not like that. That was Divine Doctor Zhao's granddaughter, Zhao Ling'Er. The two of us were helping Boss Qiao buy clothes!"

Elder Li remembered what Mu Lin had said earlier and had a moment of realization. "Oh, so that's what it was!"

Li Xue thought Mu Lin was trying to change the subject and continued to scold him angrily, "Don't think you can distract me, it's not that easy! And don't you dare use Boss Qiao as an excuse."

Mu Lin said, "I arranged a meeting between Boss Qiao and Wu Long. Don't you think he needed to prepare some new clothes?"

"A meeting? Since when? How come I don't know about it?" Li Xue looked serious. "What else haven't you told me?"

Mu Lin replied, "The meeting was finalized after I saw Boss Qiao. I had already clocked out for the day, so how would you know? Besides, nothing was set in stone. Wu Long could still back out. I was planning to tell you after things were confirmed."

Li Xue was lost in thought for a moment. 'There's actually nothing wrong with how Mu Lin handled it. If I had been in charge, I probably would have done it the same way, right?'

Her anger instantly subsided by half. "Then what did you do to Lu Yi? Why does he hate you so much?"

Mu Lin said, "I beat him up in public at his family's shopping mall. He probably felt humiliated…"

Li Xue's expression changed again and again. "There are so many shopping malls in the world, and you just had to go to that one."

"How was I supposed to know? I've only been in Anhua City for half a month!" Mu Lin said, sounding perfectly justified. "I asked Ling'Er to recommend a shopping mall, and she said that one had the best quality."

Li Xue thought about it. 'He has a point.'

"I get it. You didn't do anything wrong. In fact, it's good that you hit him. Lu Yi is so annoying, I've wanted to hit him for a long time."

Mu Lin checked the time and stood up. "I have to go. The meeting is at seven tonight. I need to go find Boss Qiao and discuss the details."

Li Xue said, "I'm going too!"

Mu Lin glanced at her. "What for? You've been so tired lately, why don't you get some rest?"

Li Xue replied, "I am the president of the Li Group. The South Side Plot 6 project will ultimately be handled by our Li Group. Isn't it perfectly normal for me to attend such a meeting?"

Mu Lin said, "The meeting is at Huangshang Huang, in private room 2020. Is that okay?"

Hearing that name, Li Xue's expression changed drastically.

She had been drugged in that room before, and for a moment, she felt extremely resistant to the idea.

"It's… It's fine!" Li Xue said through clenched teeth. "Can I bring bodyguards?"

Mu Lin said, "It's better not to. This is a business dinner. Bringing bodyguards shows a lack of sincerity."

Li Xue's heart went numb when she heard that word. 'Sincerity? You're talking to me about sincerity? When I went to meet Gao Yi all by myself, you didn't say anything about sincerity!'

Mu Lin saw that her expression was off and knew she probably hadn't completely overcome the trauma.

"Bring them if you want," Mu Lin said. "Just tell them to hide well and not to alarm the two bosses."

Li Xue let out a long sigh of relief, but then something felt wrong. 'I'm the president, why am I listening to Mu Lin?'

But she didn't have the mental energy to dwell on it right now.

"Wait for me, I'm going to change." Li Xue turned and went to her room. A moment later, she came out wearing a beautiful evening gown.

Mu Lin smiled. "You should probably change into something a little more casual. Madam Qiao is undoubtedly the leading lady tonight. We're just the supporting cast."

Li Xue pouted. 'What does Mu Lin mean by that?' Then it occurred to her. 'He's indirectly saying I'm beautiful—so beautiful I'd threaten to outshine Madam Qiao.'

'That's basically the highest compliment he could give.'

"Fine," she said, turning around and quickly picking out another outfit.

It was just a simple, casual skirt suit that made her look relaxed and approachable. Standing next to Mu Lin, she looked like a new bride, a perfect match for him.

Elder Li was delighted. "This is good! This is really good! One look and anyone can tell you're a couple!"

Mu Lin didn't seem to react, but Li Xue's face turned red. "Grandpa, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say any more. As long as you two are happy!"

Mu Lin and Li Xue drove to the Holy Medicine Hall.

When Li Xue saw the sign for the Holy Medicine Hall, she froze for a second. "What's going on? Why are we here?"

Mu Lin smiled. "Boss Qiao and Madam Qiao are staying at the Holy Medicine Hall for the time being."

As he spoke, Zhao Ling'Er walked over from a nearby open space, carrying a basket of medicinal herbs. When she saw Mu Lin, she called out, "Brother Mu!"

She put down the herbs and ran over with light steps. Looking Li Xue up and down, she said, "Sister Xiaoxue, you're here too!"

Of course, she knew about Li Xue's existence and had been quite disappointed for a moment when she first found out.

Later, when she learned that Mu Lin and Li Xue's relationship was purely nominal, she was delighted, because it meant she still had a chance.

Li Xue looked Zhao Ling'Er up and down. Seeing her fashionable attire, she couldn't help but feel a little inadequate.

'She's young, she's vibrant, she has no burdens.'

'I'm old, I'm conservative, I'm weighed down by responsibilities.'

Li Xue glanced down at her chest and realized she still had something to be confident about. She quickly adjusted her top to make her curves more prominent.

Mu Lin, completely oblivious to the subtle rivalry between the women, said to Zhao Ling'Er, "Is Boss Qiao in?"

Zhao Ling'Er replied, "He is! Grandpa is taking Madam Qiao's pulse right now. You'll have to wait a little bit!"

Mu Lin waved his hand. "That's fine."

"Why don't you come inside and sit for a while," Zhao Ling'Er invited warmly.

'A clinic is a place for treating the sick,' Li Xue thought. The idea of going inside to sit down made her uncomfortable.

But Mu Lin gently tugged on Li Xue's arm. "Come on! It's an invitation from Ling'Er. You can't just refuse."

Resigned, Li Xue had no choice but to walk into the Holy Medicine Hall.

Upon entering the Holy Medicine Hall, she found it was immaculately clean. A faint, pleasant scent of herbs filled the air, calming the mind.

It was quaint and antique, feeling less like a clinic for treating the sick and more like a teahouse.

'Not bad at all.'

Zhao Ling'Er poured them each a cup of tea. "This is Grandpa's secret recipe, Clear Heart Tea. Please, have some!"

Li Xue reached out, took a cup, and took a careful sip.

The taste was extremely light at first, with no trace of tea flavor.

But as she swallowed, a uniquely fragrant aroma suddenly rose from her throat, seeming to steam upwards and rush straight to the crown of her head.

Li Xue couldn't help but feel a wave of clarity wash over her.