Chapter 79: You Should Have Told Me Sooner!

But before she could say anything, Mu Yinyin glanced at the old master with some surprise. His demeanor was gentle, merely inquiring, not at all as if he intended to refuse.

It seemed Old Master Fu had read the proposal? Was he inclined toward cooperation?

After a moment’s pause, she spoke slowly, “Yes.”

Liang Min had already opened her mouth, intending to scold the old master, but noticing Yinyin’s willingness to cooperate, she held her tongue and remained seated. If this hadn’t been Yinyin’s wish, she would never have allowed the old man to have his way.

Old Master Fu smiled, “I’ve already reviewed the proposal. It’s excellent—very impressive. I think we might as well give this collaboration a try.”

Mu Yinyin arched her brow in mild surprise. “You agree to cooperate?”

Liang Min glanced at Old Master Fu without much emotion; after all these years as husband and wife, she understood his temperament well enough.

“I agree, of course I agree,” Old Master Fu replied immediately, as though fully approving.

Mu Yinyin’s brows lifted again. She looked at the old master, her words carrying a hint of meaning: “Then are you aware there are other conditions to working with me? Has President Fu mentioned this to you?”

President Fu.

Liang Min’s eyes darkened with complexity. Had their terms of address grown so distant? A touch of helplessness flickered in her gaze, but she said nothing in the end—perhaps fate was simply lacking between them.

Or perhaps fate had always been insufficient…

The old master’s expression faltered for a moment, but then he chuckled softly. “At present, the Fu Group indeed has no plans to collaborate with the Mu family.”

Mu Yinyin’s lips curved. “Is that your decision, or should I wait for President Fu?”

The old master’s face stiffened slightly at her repeated mention of ‘President Fu’—it sounded awkward, even to his own ears. Yet, since things had come to this, he had nothing more to say. He spoke directly, “I’ll talk to him and have him come to you.”

As for the specific process, he still intended for Fu Siye to handle it.

Mu Yinyin’s lips twitched, but she wasn’t convinced that the cooperation would truly succeed just because of the old master’s words. She only responded with a light laugh, “Chairman Fu, I’ve come to understand a thing or two about you and President Fu over these past few years. I’ve already told him—I’m giving him three days. If he can’t give me an answer by then, I’ll have to settle for working with the Lu Group instead. A day has already passed.”

Old Master Fu’s expression changed slightly; he hadn’t expected Mu Yinyin to play hardball like this.

Yet, this very quality made him appreciate her all the more—a qualified businesswoman: insightful, decisive, and unafraid to challenge others.

“Very well. I’ll speak to him. Rest assured, it won’t take three days—no, two days at most.”

Mu Yinyin’s eyes flickered as she nodded. “Alright.”

With that single word, she said nothing more, though inwardly she was a little surprised.

She felt almost buoyant with success—she’d managed to win over Old Master Fu.

The hospital room fell silent again.

No one spoke. Liang Min assumed they had business to discuss, and since it interested Yinyin, she had no intention of interrupting.

Then Old Master Fu turned to them, smiling, “In that case, you two should talk. It’s inconvenient for you with me here. I’ll head back first and send someone to pick you up later.” The last part was directed at Liang Min.

Liang Min, impatient, nodded at once. “Yes, yes, I know. Hurry up and go.”

Old Master Fu’s face darkened, but with Mu Yinyin present, he didn’t say more and simply left.

Now only the two women remained in the room.

Mu Yinyin’s composure returned. She looked at Liang Min and said with a gentle smile, “You really didn’t need to make a special trip today.”

“You should have told me sooner!” Liang Min’s voice was full of disapproval, her tone a little sharp—clearly out of concern for Yinyin.

Mu Yinyin gave an awkward smile, suddenly unsure what to say.

Liang Min sighed softly and spoke gently, “You and Fu Siye were not meant to be. That child doesn’t know how to cherish you. Sometimes I wish you were my own granddaughter—how wonderful that would be.”

Mu Yinyin couldn’t help but laugh. “That hardly matters, Grandma. Even if I’m not your biological granddaughter, I can still be your granddaughter in every way that counts. Whatever happens between Fu Siye and me won’t change our relationship.”

Liang Min sighed again. “Of course I know that, but still…” It truly was a pity, such a pity.

Yet, looking at it another way, it was Fu Siye who failed to appreciate her—always acting this way, and that was simply wrong.

Mu Yinyin pressed her lips together and said nothing. At this moment, there was nothing more she could say.

Soon after, Liang Min changed the subject, and the two of them quickly found themselves in a new, comfortable conversation.

During their talk, someone brought nourishing soup for Mu Yinyin. Liang Min watched closely to make sure she drank all of it before she was satisfied.

Liang Min ended up staying in the hospital room until evening.

As the hour grew late, her assistant, who had been quietly waiting nearby, said nothing. Worried that the assistant might feel uncomfortable, Mu Yinyin suggested she take a walk outside.

Eventually, it was time for Liang Min to return.

Because someone had come to fetch her in person.

The arrival was sudden and slightly abrupt.

Liang Min and Mu Yinyin both fell silent.

Mu Yinyin regarded the newcomer calmly. In truth, she had to admit that while Fu Siye had treated her poorly, he was always dutiful toward his elders. Whenever the old master or grandmother was unwell or in need, he was always the first to arrive, never shirking his responsibilities.

Except with her…

A flicker of irony crossed Mu Yinyin’s eyes. She remembered those times when she herself had been gravely ill—yet whether he knew or not, he acted as though he didn’t, not even bothering to utter a word of disdain, simply hanging up the phone.

She could still recall the coldness in Fu Siye’s manner that day.

With some effort, Mu Yinyin withdrew her gaze, steadying her emotions. They were divorced now; the past had nothing more to do with her. Whatever Fu Siye did was his business. All she needed was to remember this lesson and never fall into such entanglements again.

From now on, her life would be her own—only then would it be truly vibrant.

Out of the corner of her eye, Liang Min looked at Mu Yinyin before rising and saying coolly to the man, “Why did you come?”

“Grandfather asked me to pick you up,” Fu Siye replied, his voice as calm as ever, though his gaze flickered in Mu Yinyin’s direction.

“Let’s go, then.” Liang Min turned to Mu Yinyin with a smile. “Yinyin, take good care of yourself. Make sure to eat more nourishing food, alright?”

Mu Yinyin smiled. “You’ve already made me eat so much today.”

“That’s hardly enough!” Liang Min’s eyes were full of disapproval as she instructed again, “You need to eat more. You’re already too thin—it can’t go on like this. You must take care of your health, do you hear me?”

Mu Yinyin laughed softly, “I will, don’t worry.”

Fu Siye’s eyes gradually grew cold as ice.