Her Little Mute Omega [Rebirth] - Chapter 32

Only a few staff members were bustling around the room, with Ye Xiangxing directing their setup.

When Lu Chan appeared, Ye Xiangxing showed no surprise, greeting her warmly with a smile. “Sister, what brings you here?”

“Professor Meng invited me,” Lu Chan replied coolly.

Though she felt a pang of jealousy at Mu Jin’s admiration for Ye Xiangxing, she wasn’t petty enough to hold a grudge or make things difficult.

“I almost forgot, Sister, you’re a renowned entrepreneur,” Ye Xiangxing said with a smile, her face lighting up with sudden realization. “I’ve been so busy helping Professor Meng with the arrangements all day that I’m completely frazzled.”

“Are you also handling the negotiations for this collaboration?” Lu Chan asked, her expression unchanging.

Ye Xiangxing froze for a moment, her gentle face registering disbelief. “Sister, you’re not thinking of investing, are you?”

Lu Chan frowned at her overreaction, retorting coldly, “Isn’t that why Professor Meng invited me here?”

Ye Xiangxing paused, quickly composing herself and resuming her warm, polished smile. “Sister, you’re right. Please take a seat while I fetch Professor Meng.”

“No need. My secretary, Wen Rou, will handle this. Arrange a meeting with her,” Lu Chan said, her tone businesslike, carrying the sharp edge and assertiveness she used in negotiations.

“Sis, you’re not going to handle this personally?” Ye Xiangxing frowned slightly.

“It’s a minor matter. My secretary is perfectly capable of handling it,” Lu Chan replied coldly, turning to leave.

Qi Bujiao followed behind.

As soon as the door closed, she leaned in with a mischievous grin and whispered, “Lu Chan, you were way too serious just now. She’s your cousin, after all. You should at least show her some respect. Sending a secretary to deal with her makes it seem like you don’t value her.”

“This is a business partnership, not a personal favor,” Lu Chan retorted coldly.

“Even business deals require some consideration for personal relationships,” Qi Bujiao insisted with a smile. “We’re family, after all. It’s only right to show some consideration.”

“Business is about rules and profits,” Lu Chan warned in a low voice, striding toward Mu Jin. “If personal feelings come first, things will inevitably go wrong.”

“What could possibly go wrong?” Qi Bujiao muttered, her face filled with confusion.

Lu Chan didn’t bother explaining further.

Qi Bujiao had never managed a company and lacked the understanding to grasp the complexities involved. Explaining would be a waste of breath.

Seeing Lu Chan approach, Mu Jin waved enthusiastically and carefully explained to the people behind her, “My friend has been in line the whole time. She just stepped away briefly for something urgent. I hope you all understand.”

The people behind her waved dismissively. Faced with Lu Chan’s icy expression, they dared not cause trouble.

“Sister Chan, where did you go just now?” Mu Jin asked curiously. As soon as the words left her lips, her eyes flashed, and she quickly added, “Just asking! You don’t have to answer, Sister Chan.”

“She went to discuss business,” Qi Bujiao blurted out, answering for Lu Chan.

She glanced at Lu Chan, noticing no change in her expression, and immediately grinned with delight.

Lu Chan typically forbade others from meddling in her affairs or divulging her information. Even Qi Bujiao herself had never dared to casually reveal details about Lu Chan in the past.

“Is Sister Chan going to fund Professor Meng?” Mu Jin’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she eagerly grabbed Lu Chan’s arm.

Lu Chan nodded silently, quietly savoring the warmth on her arm.

Seeing this, Qi Bujiao raised an eyebrow at Lu Chan.

Lu Chan would typically react with an icy expression of disgust if anyone so much as approached her.

Yet here she stood, unflinching, even as Mu Jin touched her. Anyone else witnessing this would likely be astonished.

“Mu Jin, this is Lu Chan’s first investment in Professor Meng’s research,” Qi Bujiao said with a smile, holding up a single finger. “Guess how much she invested?”

Mu Jin paused, glancing up at Lu Chan’s expression.

Seeing that Lu Chan didn’t object to the topic, Mu Jin’s lips curved into a thoughtful smile. After a moment of contemplation, she typed, “Twenty million.”

Qi Bujiao chuckled, remaining silent.

Noticing Mu Jin’s puzzled look, she whispered, “The unit is hundred million yuan.”

“Hundred million yuan…” Mu Jin’s eyes widened in shock. Her lips moved silently as she turned to Lu Chan, her gaze filled with disbelief. “Sister Chan, is that true?”

“Mm-hmm,” Lu Chan nodded calmly, as if the sum were commonplace.

“Sister Chan is amazing!” Mu Jin beamed, her eyes shining with admiration.

Lu Chan basked in the adoring gaze, her mood brightening.

The line of people ahead of Mu Jin grew shorter and shorter until it was finally her turn.

“Professor Meng, my name is Mu Jin, and I’ve always admired you. I really enjoyed your lecture today—I learned so much. Thank you,” Mu Jin said respectfully, smiling as she pulled a book from her bag.

Seeing the book’s title, Meng Chuan looked up and met Mu Jin’s gaze before lowering his head to sign it, his smile warm and kind. “This book is notoriously difficult to understand, so few people bother to read it. It’s clear you’ve read it more than once.”

“I bought it during my undergraduate years and read it every day for four years,” Mu Jin replied excitedly.

“Impressive. Mu Jin, I hope you continue to work hard and make significant contributions to the field of Secondary Gender research in the future,” Meng Chuan encouraged with a cheerful smile as he finished signing.

Mu Jin’s eyes lit up with excitement as she accepted the book, bowing deeply and asking cautiously, “Professor Meng, would you mind taking a photo with me?”

“If you’re willing to wait a bit, I’d be happy to,” Meng Chuan replied with a smile.

Hearing this, a nearby staff member immediately interjected, “I’m sorry, Professor Meng is very busy and doesn’t take photos with anyone.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Meng Chuan said with a smile, waving his hand. “Mu Jin and I share a special connection. It’s rare to meet someone who appreciates this book so deeply. We should definitely take a photo together.” He glanced at Mu Jin and added, “Please rest for a moment, Mu Jin. I’ll be with you shortly.”

“Professor Meng, please don’t worry about me. I’m not in a hurry. Just getting a photo with you would make me incredibly happy,” Mu Jin said, bowing quickly. Clutching the book like a precious treasure, she stepped aside to wait in an open space.

Lu Chan stood in line behind her.

Having purchased no books, she opened her purse, glanced inside, and pulled out a lipstick.

“Miss Lu, you certainly have a unique approach,” Meng Chuan said with a smile as he accepted the lipstick for signing. His aged face softened with warmth, showing no trace of annoyance or disapproval. “There you go. If you weren’t in business, Miss Lu, with your intelligence and capabilities, you could undoubtedly make a significant contribution to human genetics.”

Lu Chan took back her lipstick without replying and turned to walk toward Mu Jin.

As a member of the Lu Family, her life had been predetermined from birth to serve the family’s enterprises, leaving no room for personal interests unrelated to business.

“Sister Chan, you got Professor Meng’s autograph too! Where did he sign it?” Mu Jin asked excitedly.

“On the lipstick,” Lu Chan said, pulling out her tube.

“Sister Chan, you’re so creative!” Mu Jin praised admiringly.

Lu Chan’s eyes flickered as she flicked her fingers, deftly twisting the lipstick tube. Her slender, pale fingers made the simple motion look exceptionally graceful.

Mu Jin stared, momentarily mesmerized. Realizing her gaze had lingered too long, her cheeks flushed, and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

Seeing this, Lu Chan paused, considered for a moment, and then asked, “Xiao Jin, do you want this lipstick?”

“I…” Mu Jin hesitated, her heart yearning for it, but she shook her head with a smile.

“Mu Jin, don’t miss this rare generosity from Lu Chan! Take it quickly. This is a lipstick personally signed by Professor Meng himself—something others would beg for. After all, not everyone is bold enough to use lipstick as a signature item. When you take your graduate school entrance exam, wear this lipstick. It’s guaranteed to bring you good luck!” Qi Bujiao chimed in from behind, her voice laced with amusement and a hint of mockery toward Lu Chan.

Most people held deep respect for these dedicated scholars, typically requesting signatures on books or other items that conveyed seriousness and reverence.

Someone like Lu Chan, who used lipstick for autographs, would easily be branded as “disrespectful to her seniors.”

However, Lu Chan didn’t care about such criticisms.

She knew Lu Chan wasn’t being disrespectful; it was simply her nature.

Noble, aloof, and unconventional.

In other words, she lacked social graces.

“Thank you, Sister Chan,” Mu Jin said, her lips curving into a happy smile as she carefully accepted the lipstick.

The lipstick’s case was made of high-quality wood, ensuring the autograph wouldn’t smudge.

If properly preserved, it could last a long time.

Most importantly, it was something Lu Chan had used.

Receiving such a personal item felt like their relationship was particularly close.

Though they were currently just friends, Mu Jin couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

She would definitely bring it with her on the day of the exam.

“Lu Chan, Xiao Jin, I have to go now,” Qi Bujiao said with a smile, patting Lu Chan’s shoulder and subtly raising an eyebrow.

Lu Chan’s brow furrowed slightly.

Remembering Qi Bujiao’s earlier help, she refrained from refusing.

Qi Bujiao turned to leave and bumped into Luo Lingxiu.

The moment their eyes met, Qi Bujiao saw that same resentful, unwilling look in Luo Lingxiu’s eyes.

She stopped and asked with a smile, “Classmate Luo, you seem to have a problem with me?”

Luo Lingxiu snorted, refusing to answer, and turned her head away, her eyes still burning with anger.

Qi Bujiao was puzzled but didn’t dwell on it. She pushed through the crowd and left the room.

Seeing this, Lu Chan whispered, “Your classmate seems to despise Qi Bujiao.”

“It’s probably because of Professor Yu,” Mu Jin explained softly. “She really likes Professor Yu.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “Many people in our class admire Professor Yu. Most of them want to marry an Omega like her.”

Lu Chan frowned, recalling the online sentiment that “most people prefer gentle types.”

Yu Ning was clearly a cold and aloof type. How could so many people idolize and admire her?

“Mu Jin, I have to go back now. I can’t wait with you any longer. Sorry,” Luo Lingxiu said with a radiant smile, the anger in her eyes vanished without a trace.

“It’s okay, I have Sister Chan with me,” Mu Jin said, shaking her head slightly, her cheeks flushing.

Fortunately, Lu Chan didn’t object, which eased Mu Jin’s anxiety considerably.

The line of people waiting to see Meng Chuan gradually dwindled. After an hour, the autograph session finally ended.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Meng Chuan said, approaching with a smile.

His bright, energetic gaze first landed on Lu Chan, and he smiled before turning to Mu Jin. “Classmate Mu Jin, I have a feeling we’ll meet again someday.”

“Really?” Mu Jin’s face flushed with excitement as she looked expectantly at Lu Chan.

“Mm-hmm,” Lu Chan nodded firmly.

Whether Meng Chuan genuinely believed his words or was simply being polite, they were undoubtedly the best encouragement Mu Jin could receive.

This seemingly simple statement carried immense power, enough to solidify Mu Jin’s resolve.

“I wish you the best in getting into your dream school,” Meng Chuan said, extending his hand with a kind smile.

Mu Jin, deeply encouraged, eagerly shook his hand.

Lu Chan watched the two pose for a photo, a flicker of thought crossing her eyes.

It seems I’m destined to marry a researcher.

And one who studies human genetics, no less.