Chapter 46 : Iron Tree Blossoms

Fu Sichan’s footsteps paused.

What kind of woman did he like?

How could he possibly like women?

Women only brought him trouble and held him back. He was devoted to his career, where would he find the time to deal with women?

Fu Sichan sneered, about to speak, when an inexplicable image of Mu Qianqian’s cute and silly face flashed before his eyes.

His expression darkened, his tone cold and threatening.

“Are you done playing around and thinking of going back to inherit the family business?”

Cheng Lin was intimidated by his imposing manner and gave himself a hard slap.

“It’s my fault for speaking out of turn, Mr. Fu. Please don’t take it to heart. Just don’t tell my old man that I’m having a good time over here.”

Fu Sichan could easily have a word with his old man and pull him out of this indulgent place, tossing him into the company as a laborer.

He didn’t dare risk that.

However, Cheng Lin had caught a fleeting moment of distraction in Fu Sichan’s eyes.

Could it be that Mr. Fu was actually going to have a change of heart?

Could it be the young girl from the hospital last time?

……

Mu Qianqian returned to work at the Yun Cheng Hotel.

In front of everyone, Wang Yanru, who had previously accused her, apologized.

“Mu Qianqian, I apologize. I misunderstood the situation and thought you really stole something, which is why I said those things. Please don’t take it to heart. I’m usually straightforward and blunt, not calculating. This time, it’s my fault.”

With so many eyes on her, Wang Yanru, not being blind, naturally felt their stares.

She felt humiliated, as if she had been slapped in public, her face burning.

“It’s alright, let’s just leave this matter behind,” Mu Qianqian said graciously.

Her attitude made Wang Yanru even more resentful.

Mu Qianqian had forced her to apologize publicly and now pretended to be magnanimous, trying to win people over? She had never seen a more scheming woman than Mu Qianqian!

Who was she trying to fool with that innocent act?

Yet, others bought into it, standing by her and speaking up for her.

“Mu Qianqian is so generous, letting such a big matter go.”

“Yes, a pure and kind person like her is someone you can be friends with without worrying about betrayal.”

“Much better than those with deceitful intentions, who seem like friends on the surface but, behind your back… tsk, they’ll pin all kinds of blame on you.”

Listening to the crowd’s murmurs and discussions, Wang Yanru’s anger continued to rise.

These people were the real fools, completely deceived by Mu Qianqian’s disguise.

From the very first moment Wang Yanru saw her, she knew Mu Qianqian was no ordinary person and likely had many schemes.

Unlike herself, who was always straightforward and spoke her mind.

Wang Yanru gritted her teeth and said, “Rest assured, everyone, if I don’t find evidence in the future, I will definitely stop making baseless accusations. After all, even if I know it’s true, without evidence, who would believe me?”

Her words carried a hint of sarcasm, as if suggesting that Mu Qianqian had indeed stolen something, but she just hadn’t found the evidence yet.

Having said that, Wang Yanru, seething with anger, turned and walked away.

The hotel staff gathered around to comfort Mu Qianqian.

“Qianqian, don’t take it to heart. Wang Yanru is just jealous of you. She came here to work just to climb up the social ladder.”

“She has worked so hard for so long, but no boss has taken a fancy to her. You just arrived, and someone gave you such an expensive gift. How could she not be jealous?”

So that’s how it is.

No wonder she was targeting me.

Mu Qianqian gave a warm smile and said graciously, “Thank you all for believing in my innocence. I’m here just to earn some money to support my family, with no other intentions. I hope we can all get along harmoniously during this time.”

Her composed and dignified words once again won her the favor of those present.

Mu Qianqian thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, Wang Yanru continued to cause trouble.

That day, while Mu Qianqian was leading the VIPs through the exhibition hall and introducing each exhibit,

“This Iron Tree Blossoms painting is by a renowned poet…”

As soon as Mu Qianqian started, someone raised a question.

“This isn’t a Iron Tree Blossoms, it’s clearly a shrimp.”

“Yeah, did you make a mistake? How did Yun Cheng Hotel end up with such an unprofessional person giving us the tour?”

“Making such an obvious mistake shows poor professional quality. And wearing sunglasses the whole time, who do you think you’re looking down on?”

Mu Qianqian was stunned.

In her memory, the exhibit in this position was indeed supposed to be the Iron Tree Blossoms.

Could it be that Sister Li had moved the exhibit at the last minute and forgot to inform her?

At that moment, Wang Yanru’s voice interjected, “I’m sorry, my colleague here is somewhat clueless and often makes mistakes at work. Let me take over and give you all the explanations, starting with this vivid painting…”

Wang Yanru took it upon herself to replace Mu Qianqian and began explaining the remaining exhibits.

Surrounded by everyone, Wang Yanru spoke confidently and made a strong impression.

Mu Qianqian quietly stood in a corner, as if forgotten by the entire world.

Just then, a girl approached Mu Qianqian, “What’s your name?”

Mu Qianqian turned toward the voice.

“I’m Mu Qianqian.”

“That’s a special name. I’m Ye Wanqing. Can we be friends?”

Mu Qianqian was momentarily surprised and blinked, “Sure.”

Ye Wanqing pulled her out through the back door of the exhibition hall and into the fountain garden behind the hotel.

“Qianqian, you’re really beautiful. I don’t know why, but you seemed familiar as soon as I saw you.”

Mu Qianqian chuckled at her words.

“Miss Ye, your voice is also very pleasant.”

“Don’t call me Miss Ye, it sounds so formal. Just call me Wanqing.”

“Alright, Wanqing.”

Ye Wanqing sat on a step and sighed.

“What’s wrong, Wanqing?”

“I’m here in Bei City to marry my fiancé. But I don’t even know what he looks like, or if he’s handsome or not. What if he turns out to be ugly? I’d be in for a real loss.”

“You haven’t met your fiancé?”

“No, my family arranged this marriage. Two people who don’t know each other at all, bound together by a marriage contract. Anyway, let’s not talk about that. At least I’ve met a good friend like you right after arriving here.”

Mu Qianqian smiled shyly.

Ye Wanqing was very outgoing and, regardless of Mu Qianqian’s willingness, started to vent.

“I noticed that your colleague seems very hostile towards you. You should be careful, she might continue to cause trouble.”

“Thank you for the warning. I will be careful.”

……

That evening, Mu Qianqian was on the phone with her friend Li Siyu.

“I met a new friend today. Her name is Ye Wanqing. We even exchanged contact information.”

“Ye Wanqing? Isn’t that the name of the eldest daughter of the Ye family? If I’m not mistaken, she’s the fiancée of Lu Yunbai, the young master of the Lu family.”

For some reason, hearing the name Lu Yunbai made Mu Qianqian’s heart shiver inexplicably.