043 An Unexpected Visit

Ran Siya had just managed to calm her nerves when her heart leapt into her throat once again. Still shaken, she watched Mu Qingcheng anxiously, terrified that she might say something out of turn. Fortunately, the butler approached at that moment, saving her from further peril.

On the other side, Old Master Mu patted Mu Qingcheng on the shoulder and rose to his feet. The servant who had been standing attentively behind him immediately stepped forward to pull the chair back for him. He walked toward the living room with the butler, but just as he reached the doorway, he stopped, turning to glance back at the two girls.

At that moment, one of them wore a trembling, ingratiating smile, while the other remained composed and dignified, nodding slightly in response.

In the living room, Old Master Mu had barely taken his seat when a tall figure appeared, silhouetted against the light. Two even more powerfully built men followed behind him. The three of them looked like a moving wall, silent yet exuding an imposing aura.

Old Master Mu was startled and instinctively stood up, facing the new arrival.

“Grandfather Mu, it’s been a long time,” the man greeted.

“Master Si! This is—”

“You are my elder; please, just call me Qingchen,” Si Qingchen replied, bowing slightly as he shook Old Master Mu’s hand. He observed every courtesy, his bearing calm and unpretentious, without a hint of arrogance.

Old Master Mu couldn’t help but study him more closely, marveling inwardly at how the Si family had produced such a rare talent. Si Qingchen was not only strikingly handsome but possessed an inner quality that was even more remarkable. In truth, Old Master Mu knew well that under Si Qingchen’s leadership in recent years, the Si family had shown signs of surpassing even the Mu family. It was only a matter of time before the Si family claimed the top spot in the capital.

In this moment, Si Qingchen took the seat to Old Master Mu’s right, his disciplined and respectful manner only deepening the old man’s esteem. Although he was surprised by the unexpected visit, Old Master Mu was not entirely unprepared. Having weathered many storms in the business world, he quickly surmised that this likely had something to do with the two young women.

Once the butler served tea, Old Master Mu lifted his chin and instructed, “Go and ask the girls to come greet our distinguished guest.”

“Yes, sir,” the butler replied, leaving for the dining room without question.

Meanwhile, in the dining room, as soon as Old Master Mu left, Ran Siya dropped her pretense. Seemingly unconcerned that the surrounding staff might report her behavior to her grandfather, she looked at Mu Qingcheng with undisguised disdain and commanded haughtily, “I’m warning you: you’d better not set your sights on Brother Beichu.”

“Beichu?” Mu Qingcheng was momentarily puzzled by the name, but after a moment’s thought, she realized Ran Siya was referring to Qin Beichu.

“Me? Interested in him?”

Not only did she have no intention of indulging in romance, but even if she did, she would never be drawn to that kind of pampered young master. Whether it was Qin Beichu or Ran Siya herself, they were both spoiled heirs raised in the lap of luxury—worlds apart from Mu Qingcheng.

Yet Ran Siya knew nothing of Mu Qingcheng’s thoughts. She glared at her fiercely, as if guarding her territory, and continued, “Yes, you’d better give up whatever idea you have. Brother Qin Beichu is exceptionally outstanding; he’s not someone an ordinary person like you can even dream of.”

“What an idiot,” Mu Qingcheng scoffed coldly, shaking her head in boredom, her tone full of derision.

Just as Ran Siya was about to retort, her brows furrowed in irritation, the butler, Mr. Chen, entered respectfully and announced, “Ladies, the master requests your presence to greet our guest.”

“Who is it?” At this, Ran Siya’s eyes lit up, and she immediately forgot her quarrel with Mu Qingcheng. Fluffing her hair, she stood up, her demeanor revealing her familiarity with such social occasions and a certain eagerness.

Mu Qingcheng, for her part, showed little interest. She rose unhurriedly, following behind.

But as soon as she stood, she heard Mr. Chen reply, “It’s the eldest young master of the Si family—Si Qingchen has come to visit.”

Mu Qingcheng went silent.