After Lin Muci returned home, Ms. Lin Cuiping was a little surprised to see her come back alone.
"He's not with you?"
It seemed she had anticipated Ling Qianhe would return with her.
Lin Muci thought for a moment and then asked seriously.
"If Ling Qianhe came back with me, Mom, would you welcome him?"
Ms. Lin Cuiping hesitated a little.
"Well, for his first visit, he should at least bring some gifts, otherwise it would be too improper..."
She mumbled a few words, but then suddenly realized.
"What, is the son-in-law planning to visit his mother-in-law? He hasn't resolved the issue with Mrs. Ling, and I absolutely cannot agree to his relationship with you. You can't possibly go to his home and still have to put up with that wicked woman's attitude, can you?"
Lin Muci let out a chuckle.
"How could that be."
She had the confidence that this would never happen.
"But Mom, you said you have a way to deal with her?"
Getting down to business, Mrs. Ling pulled her down to sit and then patted her shoulders. Lin Muci heard Mrs. Ling say.
"Yes."
"I do have a way to deal with her."
She poured Lin Muci a cup of hot tea and then began to explain.
"I had your Uncle Zhaolong investigate. Mrs. Ling, she was quite capable to marry into the Ling family back then. Her maternal family was actually a considerable overseas clan with significant influence in Europe. She is one-eighth European, and her marriage to the Ling family was considered a strong alliance."
"Later, her family's fortunes declined, but she managed to establish herself firmly within the Ling family and in turn supported her maternal family."
"The forces behind her are quite complex. Her personal investments span many fields, not only real estate but even venturing into more high-end sectors."
Ms. Lin Cuiping straightened up.
She wasn't losing ground.
"However, her investments do not overlap with our Lin family's direction, and in a way, her business empire could even be considered a competitor to our enterprises!"
Ms. Lin Cuiping had indeed transformed from her previous lovesick demeanor.
She had become shrewd and decisive.
"But despite the many industries she is involved in, her largest investment is actually a mysterious pharmaceutical company."
"Moreover, that company is manipulated by her behind the scenes, with another person acting as the front."
Lin Muci pondered for a moment.
She asked.
"You think the breakthrough lies with this pharmaceutical company?"
Lin Cui Ping said.
"You can go and investigate. I think this is a direction. Also, aren't there rumors that her son... has problems? That after the car accident, he lost his fertility?"
"This matter is very likely true."
"And she herself, while shrewd and capable, does not have absolute control over the Ling family. There are still some high-ranking uncles within the Ling family who are coveting the inheritance."
Speaking of this.
Lin Cui Ping coughed.
And touched her nose.
"As you know, Mom has some understanding of wealth disputes within affluent families. And in such families, to vie for wealth – the most important thing is to have offspring."
"Ling Wanli has lost his fertility."
"If..."
"What I mean is, if Ling Qianhe could have children before him, those uncles wouldn't mind Ling Qianhe inheriting the Ling family."
Lin Muci hadn't expected Ms. Lin Cuiping to say this.
She widened her eyes slightly.
"But Mrs. Ling also thinks that way."
"What she's thinking is that if Ling Qianhe has children, and she can control that child, then Ling Qianhe can completely disappear from this world."
She sighed.
"She's just dreaming."
Lin Cui Ping became even more angry.
"Murder is against the law!"
Lin Muci sighed.
"Of course, I know that – murder is against the law. But she's a lawless person to begin with."
Mentioning this, Lin Cui Ping suddenly paused, then said softly.
"This woman is extremely peculiar."
"In any case, I'm determined to fight her. It's not just for Ling Qianhe's sake; you care about him, but I don't necessarily have to."
"But..."
She took a deep breath.
"I've made up my mind to deal with her."
Lin Muci held her teacup, becoming even more curious.
Ms. Lin Cui Ping glanced at Lin Muci, and then said.
"Make a call. I want to have dinner with Ling Qianhe."
Lin Muci froze.
"Mom, you want to see him?"
Ms. Lin Cui Ping nodded.
"Yes."
Her tone was extremely firm.
"Yes!"
"As his future mother-in-law, don't I have some small rights?"
...
Lin Muci went upstairs to rest, while Lin Cui Ping had the driver, Old Li, take her to meet Ling Qianhe. Lin Muci was a little uneasy. She clutched her phone, preparing to check social media.
She had been busy filming for nearly a week without updating her Weibo.
As soon as she logged in.
She saw her fans "wailing" again!
[Help! When will Xiao Ci post a selfie, *sob sob*! I miss her so much I'm about to faint, *sob sob*!]
[I really, really miss Xiao Ci!]
Fans were speculating about her new drama's styling. Domestic film crews ensured tighter security than their overseas counterparts. Coupled with her immense fan base and the fans' incredible resourcefulness, they had indeed managed to get hold of a few blurry leaked photos.
But the pixel count was pitifully low.
And the fans, using those grainy, low-resolution photos as a basis, were chattering excitedly.
[It feels like the styling this time is very cool?]
[Ahhh, I can't tell if she has long hair or short hair. Did Xiao Ci cut her hair short? Could it be a disguise, like cross-dressing, perhaps an assassin? It sounds really cool and dashing!]
The fans were exceptionally excited.
So much so that they wished they could jump up and down.
[The main cast definitely has to include Long Ge, right? And I heard Wei Yang was pulled into the crew by Xiao Ci?]
[Tsk tsk, it's great that they're a team, it must be one supporting another.]
But some fans were righteously explaining.
"Don't talk nonsense, it's definitely not one supporting another."
"Wu Minlong is so principled; using connections surely wouldn't work. He probably chose her because she fits the role. He's not an actor who relies on backdoors. And I heard from some inside gossip that he's gone all out for this movie; he even sold his own house. Do you think he would ruin his movie for personal connections?"
The fans were all very enthusiastic.
"Xiao Ci previously said she wanted to create a masterpiece for Chinese cinema, and I believe her."
"And after her massive success in 'I'm Thriving in the Scum-Abuse World,' her script selection authority must be very high..."
"The scripts she chooses are definitely refined and the absolute best!"
But some fans were providing context.
"However, their resources are usually booked in advance... This was likely a resource secured before 'Scum-Abuse' was released. Her rise in resources... will probably have to wait until her next film."
"But I believe in her judgment. Since she chose Wu Minlong, she will definitely deliver a satisfactory result!"
Lin Muci's fans still had full confidence in her!