A Misty Night, With A Crystal-Clear Moon - Chapter 17
Chapter 17: The Price of Virtue
Though Liao Qingyun did not understand the full scope of the situation, Cui Xin’s words made him guess most of it. It wasn’t as complicated as he had thought: merely unrequited love, leading to resentment and hatred. Most matters between men and women in the world are like this. It seemed this Mu Shaohui had a narrow heart. He was immediately wary; doing business with such a person meant that any slip-up could lead to ruin. Yet, for now, he still needed to proceed with the deal to expand the Qingyun Gang’s influence in Shanghai.
“Hahaha, Young Master Mu, calm your anger. Since Young Master Mu is fond of Miss Yu, I’ll have someone act as a matchmaker, and you can choose a favorable date. Won’t that solve everything? Why get so angry? Anger is bad for your health.”
Situ Nuo was instantly anxious. “Godfather, how can you give Yu’er to such a…” He almost blurted out something inappropriate, then changed his phrasing. “I mean, since Yu’er is not ordinary, and Young Master Mu already has a wife and concubine, how can you ask her to suffer the indignity of being a concubine?”
Liao Qingyun was surprised that Situ Nuo was defending Yu Linglong. Yu Linglong knew Situ Nuo had feelings for her, but she hadn’t expected him to openly challenge the Qingyun Gang’s main financier for her sake. She felt immensely grateful, and seeing his determined expression, she couldn’t help but give a slight smile.
“Situ Nuo? Hmph. Are you fond of her too?” Mu Shaohui challenged. He was an intensely possessive man. A year ago, he had fixed his gaze on Yu Linglong and determined she was his forever. No one could take her from him. In his mind, Yu Linglong could only belong to him.
Situ Nuo felt speechless. He didn’t know what it felt like to love someone; he couldn’t be certain of his feelings.
“Hmph, Mu Shaohui, I, Yu Linglong, would rather marry a beggar on the street than marry you! Abandon that thought!”
Mu Shaohui clenched his fists tightly. “You were like this when you were glorious a year ago, and you are still like this now that you are destitute! Yu Linglong, are you here just to humiliate me? I really will force the righteous to be debauched! Liao Qingyun, I’ll buy this girl from you. Starting tomorrow, the Great World Ballroom is yours.”
With that, he moved to grab Yu Linglong. Linglong suddenly pulled a silver hairpin from her hair and held it to her chest.
“If you dare to use force, all you will get is my corpse!”
Cui Xin’s face turned white. She grabbed Linglong’s arm. “Miss, how can you take your own life? We haven’t avenged the Master’s death yet!”
Situ Nuo had never seen such a fiercely virtuous woman. He was shaken. He didn’t want her to die, yet he was afraid that intervening would injure her. He could only stand there helplessly.
Mu Shaohui was momentarily panicked, then he stared intensely into Linglong’s eyes. He knew Linglong was gambling with him. She was betting he would back down, but he chose to take the risk.
He stepped closer, and then Yu Linglong plunged the hairpin deep into her chest. Bl00d immediately spurted out. He was completely terrified and stood motionless. Situ Nuo quickly rushed forward and supported Linglong. “Will you still force her? If you truly like her, you should let her live in peace and happiness.”
Mu Shaohui looked at Yu Linglong, his gaze slowly softening. He tremblingly reached out his hand, wanting to check the severity of her wound, but Cui Xin forcefully blocked him. “What more do you want? Do you need her to die? You harmed the Master, you destroyed the Yu residence, and now you’ve hurt Miss like this! Even in the underworld, Miss will continue to hate you!”
For the first time, he didn’t know what to do.
Memories flooded his mind like flowing water. A year ago, he was full of ambition, sent by his father to Suzhou for business negotiations. He had returned from England; back then, being publicly sent abroad to study was no easy feat.
He studied economics with a clear and straightforward goal: to take over the Mu family business. Fortunately, he enjoyed economics. He was excellent at mathematics and grew up surrounded by praise. No one had ever rejected him. His academic performance was outstanding, and he never disappointed Mu Yinchun.
That year, he returned from his studies, enjoyed Shanghai for a while, and then eagerly wanted to start working with Mu Yinchun. Mu Yinchun was very proud of his son and immediately handed over one of the family’s banks for him to manage. Seeing his father’s trust, his heart was warmed, his passion surged, and he threw himself into the work.