Fu Siye frowned, his face dark as he remained silent.
Seeing his continued hesitation, Old Master Fu's expression grew even more displeased. "You brat, what do you mean by this? Are you really going to give up such significant benefits for Nan Shiqing?"
Although the proposal offered by Mu Yinyin carried risks and required substantial investment, even a fool could tell it was a project with an extremely high probability of profit. The real risks lay in poor management or a lack of intelligence, which would lead to great losses. Another possibility was genuine envy and deliberate sabotage. However, the Lu Corporation, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Fu Corporation, was a trusted partner, incapable of such actions, thus eliminating that concern.
"I didn't say I would give up," Fu Siye's frown deepened.
Old Master Fu's gaze flickered as he studied the person before him. "Then what do you mean?" Hearing Fu Siye's words, he was no longer as urgent, his eyes showing a hint of contemplation.
Fu Siye sat in his chair, not rushing to speak. After a pause, he cast his gaze back to the proposal left by Mu Yinyin. He had not expected Mu Yinyin to be so bold as to present him with such a plan.
"Speak?" The Old Master's brows furrowed tightly, clearly impatient as he watched his grandson become a silent, impenetrable figure.
Fu Siye spoke calmly, "I will handle this matter. You don't need to worry."
"I don't need to worry?" Old Master Fu was amused to the point of laughter. "If I don't worry, wouldn't you just tear up this proposal and pretend you never saw it, continuing to protect Nan Shiqing?"
Fu Siye's expression darkened further. He looked up at his grandfather and said, "I told you, she is my savior." This fact was indelible and impossible to forget.
Old Master Fu was again amused. "You brat, did you hear anything I said just now as if it were nonsense? You've done more than enough for Nan Shiqing over the years, there's no need for anything more. Without you, Mu Corporation would have collapsed long ago. Receiving your help is a blessing she's accumulated over lifetimes; it's enough to repay saving you a hundred times!"
Fu Siye's expression turned extremely cold. However, facing his own grandfather, he could not act rashly. He simply said in a deep voice, "I have arrangements for this matter."
"What arrangements?"
Fu Siye replied indifferently, "If they want to cooperate, they must listen to me. I cannot agree to her terms."
Old Master Fu frowned slightly and fell silent. If cooperation was possible, and he could secure it, then it didn't matter. After a moment, he spoke again, "So, you mean you will definitely secure this cooperation?"
"Yes."
"And if the other party prefers not to cooperate with you at all? Will you abandon Mu Corporation then?"
Fu Siye's brow furrowed even tighter. He looked up coldly at his grandfather, not uttering a single word.
Old Master Fu's face darkened again, and he said coldly, "No matter what, you must secure this cooperation!" With that, the Old Master no longer wished to stay. He snorted and walked away. He realized Fu Siye's temperament was exactly like his grandmother's—stubborn to a fault! How could he have such a wife and grandson! The Old Master walked with his hands behind his back, the sound of the door closing seeming a bit too loud.
Fu Siye remained seated, unmoving, unbothered.
...
An hour later, Nan Shiqing returned to the company. She went directly to her mother's office, her face a grim mask.
He Xia looked at her with confusion. "What's wrong?"
Nan Shiqing's brow furrowed as she gritted her teeth and spat, "Mu Yinyin is too much! Why isn't this bitch dead yet! Why! Why!"
He Xia stood up and walked to Nan Shiqing's side. "Come sit down first, have some water. Tell me slowly what happened."
Nan Shiqing took the water He Xia poured for her, took a sip while sitting on the sofa, and then set down the cup. She recounted the day's events in detail. By the time she finished, Nan Shiqing's state was abysmal, like a bitter shrew, her eyes bloodshot, as if she were about to tear someone apart.
He Xia's expression also turned serious. "How dare she be so ruthless? Her father wasn't like this."
"She must have taken after her mother! That bitch!! How could she! Mom, what should we do? Will Fu Siye agree to that cooperation with Mu Yinyin? Mu Yinyin seemed so confident, that proposal must be very good! I even felt that Mu Yinyin only needed to say a few words, and Fu Siye showed signs of being moved! Mom, if he agrees, will he really abandon us!" Nan Shiqing's voice trembled with panic. Unbeknownst to herself, she clutched He Xia's hand, as if she would lose her support if she let go.
He Xia's expression was also grim. At this moment, she couldn't be sure either. "Without seeing the contract, it's hard to say."
Nan Shiqing pursed her lips. "The cooperation is one thing, but Fu Siye's grandfather completely disregarded me. He even criticized Old Master Fu in front of me. I felt so humiliated then. Fu Siye didn't defend me either, Mom. I feel terrible now. I always feel that after Mu Yinyin divorced him and her personality changed drastically, she herself changed!"
He Xia gripped her phone tightly, her face unusually solemn. She had also noticed this, and it was clear that Fu Siye was different from before. He Xia took a slight breath and looked at Nan Shiqing, speaking in a deep voice, "Girl, perhaps we need to change our strategy."
Nan Shiqing looked at her with confusion. "What do you mean?" She stared intently at He Xia, not wanting to miss even a hint of emotion on her face.
He Xia's eyes narrowed, and she said coldly, "Before, I always told you to be reserved, to make him feel you were precious. As long as he couldn't have you, he would be restless."
Nan Shiqing paused and couldn't help but say, "But, he never showed any intention of touching me before. It was as if we were mere acquaintances; he simply saw me as his savior..."
He Xia didn't think much of it and said directly, "He was married at that time. If he had developed any physical desires for you then, perhaps this man truly couldn't be relied upon."
Nan Shiqing: "..." She pursed her lips, momentarily at a loss for words. He Xia looked at her and said, "So now that he's divorced, you can occasionally have some physical contact with him, to make him..."