Rumor Has It I Don’t Follow A-Class Morals - Chapter 47

After coming back from the hospital, Su Yin sat silently in the passenger seat without saying a single word. Ming Muyao wasn’t sure if she had upset her again somehow. But after thinking it over seriously, she couldn’t figure out what she might’ve said wrong.

Still, Su Yin had always liked living in her own little world, wearing her emotions on her face whether she was happy or not. Ming Muyao was used to it by now.

After all, at her age, a kid like Su Yin didn’t really know how to hide her feelings. She either overcomplicated or oversimplified everything.

Ming Muyao figured she’d try to cheer her up later tonight. Maybe Su Yin would come around on her own. It’s just a medical issue—nothing too serious.

But when Ming Muyao pulled the car into the driveway, she spotted a vehicle she didn’t recognize.

The black sedan made her pause. There were only a few cars in her garage, and even though it wasn’t a huge collection, she could tell at a glance that this one wasn’t hers.

Could it be a visitor?

Who would show up out of nowhere on a weekend?

Don’t tell me it’s one of those shady friends of mine again…

Her stomach dropped. It had been a while since she’d contacted those troublemakers. Ever since the poisoning incident, they’d all quieted down. Some had gone abroad, others were pursuing higher education. Most of them had already cut ties with her.

Whoever was here today… she really couldn’t guess.

Still, since they’d come all the way here, she couldn’t exactly hide from them. In the end, Ming Muyao stepped out of the garage with Su Yin, ready to face whoever it was.

Su Yin followed cautiously behind her as they walked toward the villa. She watched Ming Muyao enter the house, then quietly stepped in after her.

The sound of the television echoed from the living room—some variety show where the guests were laughing loudly. Ming Muyao frowned and called out for Aunt Chen, and soon a woman walked over slowly.

She was dressed in a gray business suit. When she saw Ming Muyao, she greeted her politely, “President Ming, the chairwoman is waiting for you inside.”

Chairwoman?

Ming Muyao thought for a moment. The only chairwoman she knew was her own mother.

When she stepped into the living room, sure enough, she saw Ming Zheng sitting on the sofa like she owned the place, sipping black tea and watching the show with a leisurely air. She didn’t even bother to turn her head.

Su Yin saw her too. She shrank behind Ming Muyao, still visibly afraid of the older woman.

“Mom.” Ming Muyao greeted her, then patted Su Yin’s back and said, “You go back to your room first. I need to talk to my mom for a bit.”

Su Yin glanced at her, then nodded and quietly walked past the living room to head upstairs.

Once Ming Muyao heard the door close on the second floor, she walked over and sat on the sofa. She picked up an orange and began peeling it. “Mom, what brings you here today? Something up?”

Madam Ming glanced at her daughter, then looked toward the closed door upstairs. “I heard from Aunt Chen that you took Su Yin to the hospital?”

“Yeah, she’s got some gland issues. I just took her for a follow-up.” Ming Muyao split the orange and held out half to Ming Zheng. “Want some?”

“I don’t eat oranges.” Ming Zheng waved it off, then said seriously, “I told you before to divorce her. Why won’t you listen?”

Ming Muyao popped a slice into her mouth, sighing. “Su Yin’s a good person. Why should I divorce her?”

“Other than her looks, what’s so good about her?” Ming Zheng said, clearly annoyed. “She’s useless when your company’s in trouble. What’s the point of having a wife like that?”

“But Mom, you couldn’t help me when the company was struggling either,” Ming Muyao said calmly. “It was me and my team who found new investors and pulled through the hard times.”

Ming Zheng glared at her. “You’ve got a lot of nerve to say that. Those new investors—whose shares did you use? Did you get the board’s approval?!”

“I’m the biggest shareholder. Of course the shares came from me.” Ming Muyao finished the orange, then looked straight at the elegant woman beside her and said, “Mom, how about this—you give me all your shares too? That way, I’ll still be the majority shareholder. I’ll leave you a little for pocket money. What do you think?”

“What?!” Ming Zheng jumped to her feet in fury, jabbing a finger at her daughter. “You’re seriously trying to get my shares now? Don’t even dream about getting my 20%!”

Seeing her so worked up, Ming Muyao didn’t push. She just shrugged and said helplessly, “It was just a suggestion. If you’re not willing, then fine. It’s not like I can rob you.”

Ming Zheng sat back down, but her face was still stormy.

She turned her eyes back to the TV, then suddenly pointed at someone on the screen. “What do you think of this Omega’s looks?”

Ming Muyao followed her finger and saw a young Omega actress being interviewed on screen.

She didn’t seem to be very famous—at least Ming Muyao didn’t recognize her. She looked young, and she was certainly pretty, but that was it. To Ming Muyao, she was just another beautiful face.

“She’s alright. Why?”

Ming Muyao knew her mother wouldn’t bring someone up without a reason, so she asked cautiously.

“Her name is Fang Qiongyan. Only daughter of a wealthy family in Northern Capital. I met her at a social event—good looks, great family background.” Ming Zheng turned to look at her daughter. “She’s on vacation right now, and I’ve already talked to her parents. You two should meet.”

Ming Muyao felt like she was choking. She stared at the girl on the screen, then asked stiffly, “Does she know about this?”

“Of course she does.”

“And does she know I’m already married?”

Ming Zheng didn’t answer, just shot her a glare and said with clear displeasure, “Hardly anyone knows about your marriage to Su Yin. You can meet Fang Qiongyan first, then get a divorce afterward. Simple as that. Her dowry is generous, and she’s got money of her own. Plus, with your online popularity, she’s more than happy to enter into a marriage alliance with you.”

Ming Muyao looked at the girl on TV and thought, She’s really pretty… why would she want to do something this crazy like marrying me?

“Mom, I’ll say it again.” Ming Muyao got up from the couch and looked straight at her. “I’m not getting a divorce, and I’m not interested in a marriage alliance. Besides, the company’s situation has improved a lot. Once Rui Cheng Group confirms their investment, we’ll be able to ride this out. I don’t need any of this nonsense.”

“Why do you insist on going against me?” Ming Zheng frowned. “I heard about Rui Cheng Group, but they haven’t finalized anything yet. And getting rid of Su Yin would be a good thing anyway. If it weren’t for her, would you have gotten into that car accident?”

Ming Muyao turned back and looked her mother straight in the eye. “I was the one driving that day. It had nothing to do with Su Yin. Don’t pin false accusations on her.”

Ming Zheng opened her mouth, but before she could say anything else, Ming Muyao continued, “I know why you came. If there’s nothing else, please leave. My house isn’t big enough to fit a third person at the dinner table.”

As she turned to leave, Ming Zheng shouted angrily a couple more times, but Ming Muyao ignored her completely.

Eventually, Madam Ming left in a fury with her assistant in tow.

Aunt Chen peeked out of the maid’s room, and only after confirming that Ming Zheng and her assistant were gone did she breathe a sigh of relief. She found Ming Muyao and said, “I heard your whole conversation just now. Muyao, is it really okay to talk to your mother like that?”

Ming Muyao watched as her mother’s car drove out of sight. She silently memorized the license plate before turning to Aunt Chen with a smile. “It’s not a big deal. I’ve told her over and over that I’m not going on blind dates and I’m not getting a divorce. She’s the one being stubborn. This mess isn’t my fault.”

Aunt Chen still looked worried, but Ming Muyao changed the subject. “It’s getting late. Let’s get lunch ready. I’ll go upstairs and call Su Yin down.”

“Alright. I’ll start cooking.” Aunt Chen asked, “How about zhajiang noodles? They’re quick and won’t take too long.”

“Sure. Anything’s fine—you decide.”

Ming Muyao went upstairs to get Su Yin. She’d been worried that Su Yin might’ve overheard something, but judging by her expression, it seemed she hadn’t. That was a relief.

On Monday, Heng Jingxian and her team from Rui Cheng Group officially began their weeklong site inspection. As the person in charge, An Jinyao provided them with a small conference room to use as a temporary office. She also arranged for several department heads and managers to assist them, and everything seemed to be running smoothly.

As the general manager and largest shareholder, Ming Muyao naturally had to come and welcome them in person.

When she saw Heng Jingxian and the others, she scanned the group briefly before smiling and shaking hands with her. “Looks like everyone’s here. I really appreciate your time this week.”

Heng Jingxian replied calmly, “It’s our responsibility.”

Ming Muyao led them to the meeting room, where she left the department heads to coordinate with Rui Cheng’s team. She took Heng Jingxian aside, handed her a cup of coffee, and they stood by the floor-to-ceiling window.

“President Heng, what do you think of the river view? Not bad, right?”

Heng Jingxian glanced out. “It gets boring after a while. But yes, it’s nice. This building must’ve cost you a lot.”

“Money’s not the point. What matters is whether it makes me happy.”

“Wouldn’t it make you even happier if the land value rises?”

Ming Muyao chuckled, then asked, “By the way, how come your assistant didn’t come today? I haven’t had the chance to check in on her since that whole incident.”

Heng Jingxian’s gaze flickered slightly, a trace of tenderness flashing through her eyes, though her tone remained cold. “She’s not feeling well. I told her to stay at the hotel and not go anywhere. She’d just get in the way if she came.”

“You shouldn’t put it like that. If you care about someone, you should show it. Otherwise, how would anyone know how you really feel?” Ming Muyao said. “The whole ‘cold on the outside, soft on the inside’ persona is out of style these days. Not having a mouth to speak with is honestly a nightmare.”

Heng Jingxian turned to look at her. After a moment, she said, “You know, President Ming, you’re really not what I expected. Not at all like how people describe you online. You give off a completely different vibe.”

That piqued Ming Muyao’s interest. “Oh? And what kind of vibe do I give off?”

Heng Jingxian’s lips curved slightly. “Like a total scumbag.”

Ming Muyao: “…”