Rumor Has It I Don’t Follow A-Class Morals - Chapter 16

Driving a black Cullinan out of the garage, Ming Muyao set the GPS and started cruising leisurely toward the company.

Luxury cars really were more comfortable to drive.

Leaning back against the leather seat, she tapped her fingers to the rhythm of the music, soaking in the joy that came with wealth.

A car like this was meant to be driven by yourself. Hiring a chauffeur just made things less convenient. It wasn’t that Ming Muyao was vain—she simply preferred a life of ease.

After a thirty-minute drive, she saw the building registered under her name come into view.

She’d heard that buying this building back in the day had cost a pretty penny. Now that land prices were skyrocketing, the building’s value had nearly increased tenfold.

Compared to gaming, Ming Muyao felt that woman might’ve been better suited for real estate.

After parking the car and double-checking that she’d entered through the right door, Ming Muyao started walking toward the company.

She already had a plan for today: her “persona” had to stay intact. Clock in on time, and then just chill and coast through the rest of the day. As long as she wasn’t too obvious, no one would make a fuss.

Just as she finished setting her plan in stone, she spotted a very familiar face in the lobby of the building.

The person clearly noticed her too—their eyes lit up as they quickly came over.

“Muyao-jie!”

Xu Bu hurried over, carrying what looked like breakfast. Judging from the fancy packaging, it obviously wasn’t just for herself.

Sure enough, Xu Bu immediately shoved the breakfast into Ming Muyao’s hands with a smile. “I heard you were coming in today, and I was worried you wouldn’t have time for breakfast. I brought this just for you—still hot, fresh out of the steamer.”

Ming Muyao glanced at the kraft paper bag. Inside were fried dough sticks, buns, and porridge—things she actually liked.

“I’ve already eaten.” Ming Muyao smiled lightly and returned the food to her. “I’m about to be late. Do you need something? If not, I’m heading up.”

Xu Bu originally wanted to play it cool, but seeing that Ming Muyao was really about to leave, she quickly spoke up. “I do, I do. I actually need a favor.”

She paused for a second to gather her words, then said directly, “Muyao-jie, you know my bar’s been in some trouble lately. I urgently need some money. I was wondering if you’d be willing to lend me a bit?”

This was the first time Ming Muyao had ever been asked for money this bluntly.

She looked at Xu Bu, then gave a helpless smile. “Xu Bu, I run a company, not a bank. You run into trouble and just ask me for money—you might want to check first if I even have the ability to lend it.”

Wasn’t it Xu Bu who had told her about the company’s own cash flow problems? Now she had the nerve to ask her for money?

Does she think that even a dying camel is still bigger than a horse, and she’s just trying to squeeze one last payout before the company folds?

Xu Bu didn’t know what was going through her mind. She just gave a pained expression and said, “Muyao-jie, I only need about a million. Ever since someone died at the bar, I’ve had to smooth things over. There are people to pay off, up and down the line.”

“And what does that have to do with me?” Ming Muyao replied.

Xu Bu was at a loss for words. She looked at Ming Muyao with pleading eyes and said gently, “Muyao-jie, if nothing else, you could consider it an investment. I’ll give you part ownership of the bar in exchange. How about that?”

Ming Muyao raised her brows in surprise. “So, you’re not planning to pay me back?”

Xu Bu was suddenly speechless.

Seeing her like that, Ming Muyao simply stepped around her, resting a hand on her shoulder and giving her a pat, signaling her to go look for someone else.

Just as she was about to walk away, Xu Bu turned and chased after her, lowering her voice. “Muyao-jie, if you don’t help me, my bar’s finished. Then where will you guys go for fun? Who else would take care of you the way I do?”

Ming Muyao turned her head and gave her a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t be going to your bar anymore. And unless it’s important, don’t come looking for me.”

“Ming Muyao.”

Xu Bu’s face suddenly darkened. She called her name in a low voice and said, “You don’t want everyone knowing what you did at my bar, do you?”

Hearing that, Ming Muyao turned around and stared at her.

Xu Bu must’ve really hit rock bottom to talk to her like this. After saying it, even she seemed to regret it. She tried to smooth things over. “Muyao-jie, please don’t be mad. I really came to you because I had no other choice. You’re the only one who can help me.”

Ming Muyao stared at her deeply. She had no idea what kind of material this woman might have, but judging from the behavior of her predecessor, getting photographed or recorded might’ve been part of her… ‘kinks.’

Not that it matters—I’m the one living in this world now. Even the tiniest bit of scandal could become a serious headache.

“Alright then.” Ming Muyao touched her chin like she was giving it some thought, then smiled at Xu Bu. “Use my name to gather Yan Wei and the others when you have time. We’ll have one more get-together at your bar.”

Xu Bu’s eyes lit up. She quickly thanked her and once again tried to hand over the breakfast, telling her to eat well.

Ming Muyao glanced at the food, her expression turning cold. She walked over to a nearby trash can and tossed the entire bag in.

When she turned around to leave, she spotted a woman in a white suit standing not far away.

The woman seemed to have been standing there for a while. Only when Ming Muyao looked over did she start walking toward her, accompanied by her assistant and secretary.

“President Ming.”

The woman walked over calmly. Seeing Ming Muyao’s wide-eyed stare, she looked a bit confused, but still kept things professional. “Welcome back to the company. We didn’t get a chance to visit you while you were in the hospital—our apologies.”

Ming Muyao stared closely at the woman’s face, then shifted her gaze to the name badge on her chest.

An Jinyao. Position: Director of the Marketing Department.

“Chairman Ming called me yesterday and said you’d be coming in today. I didn’t expect you to arrive so early.” An Jinyao kept up the small talk while saying, “President Ming, your office has already been cleaned. There are quite a few documents waiting for your signature. Shall we head upstairs?”

“An Jinyao…?”

Anyone would feel uneasy hearing their full name called out by their boss—marketing director or not.

An Jinyao met her eyes. The two locked gazes.

Ming Muyao studied the woman’s face for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “Nothing. Let’s go upstairs.”