Chapter 350 - Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Contradiction Intensifies (2) Xin Zaozao’s Initiative to Get Closer

Chapter 350: Chapter 350: Contradiction Intensifies (2) Xin Zaozao’s Initiative to Get Closer

Translator: 549690339

In the end.

Xin Zaozao turned around and left.

As for Mu Cidian, she has no such affection for him.

The next morning, Mu Cidian showed up for work on time.

He arrived at the office, dressed in a black suit, looking tall and strong, showing no signs that he had undergone surgery not long ago and came straight from the hospital.

Mu Cidian slowly sat down in his office chair. The wound at his abdomen was healing well, but it was impossible for it to fully heal in a mere 10 days.

Hence, he had to be cautious.

As soon as he sat down.

He felt his clothes were a bit tight.

His suit and shirt were tailor-made. They can’t be too big or too small, otherwise, they would look bad on him. Especially for people like them who are accustomed to dressing meticulously for work and formal occasions, this kind of immaculate attire reflected an extraordinary temperament.

Mu Cidian endured the discomfort and started to unbutton his suit and shirt.

Just when he had undone the buttons that were most restrictive on his abdomen, someone knocked on the door.

He looked up to see Xin Zaozao standing at the door, a document in her hands.

At that moment, gaze fleeting over his bandaged abdominal wound, and then at him as he buttoned himself up again, her eyes tacitly noted the tension in his clothes.

After straightening his clothes, he said, “Come in.”

Xin Zaozao entered and sat across from Mu Cidian, handing him the document, “I didn’t expect you to come in so early. Since you are here, take a look at this document and the Jones collaboration case. I don’t want you to be clueless when Jones asks you about it.”

“No need,” Mu Cidian flatly refused.

Xin Zaozao’s eyes narrowed slightly, “What do you mean?”

Mu Cidian looked at her.

So Xin Zaozao assumed he would reject it.

However, the reason he didn’t need to look was not that he was refusing but because he wasn’t here to negotiate with Jones. He was just an accompanying person, not needed to immerse deeply in the matter.

He feared the more he knew, the more wary Xin Zaozao would be of him.

“Just put it here.” He suddenly retreated, compromising only to avoid further conflict with Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao watched Mu Cidian, perhaps wondering what kind of scheme he was cooking up in secret.

Mu Cidian did not offer any explanation.

After all, no matter what he said, Xin Zaozao wouldn’t believe him.

After staring at Mu Cidian for a while, Xin Zaozao stood up and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, she said, “Mu Cidian, you better not play tricks.”

Mu Cidian nodded.

He complied so readily.

Still, Xin Zaozao found it hard to trust his compliance.

For this period, Mu Cidian had been too low-key, so low-key that it made her feel uneasy.

Even if Mu Cidian were to confront her directly, it would be better than not knowing what Mu Cidian was thinking, his actions surreptitious it made her consistently on guard.

She stopped at the doorway of the office.

She walked straight into Wan Quan.

Both halted in their steps.

Wan Quan snarled,” Xin Zaozao, why can’t you just disappear!”

“Once you leave the Xin Group and get out of my house, you won’t have to see me, and I won’t have to disgustingly face you…”

“In your dreams!” Wan Quan was furious, “Xin Zaozao, stop being so arrogant and overbearing, mark my words, one day, I will crush you!”

“Heh.” Xin Zaozao sneered coldly, “I’ll return those words to you. One day, I will crush you. By the way…”

Xin Zaozao’s voice suddenly turned high-pitched.

Green with anger, Wan Quan stared at her defensively.

As of now, Wan Quan believed Xin Zaozao was capable of anything.

At that moment, she saw Xin Zaozao walk back into Mu Cidian’s office, approach him, and intimately hug his neck.

Mu Cidian’s body grew tense and rigid.

Xin Zaozao’s lips touched Mu Cidian’s face with a loud smack. Her voice softened greatly as she said, “I’ll be counting on you for the Jones issue later.”

After saying this, she flashed Mu Cidian a faint smile and walked straight out from his side.

As she left, she raised an eyebrow at Wan Quan and walked away with a mocking smile.

At that moment, Wan Quan was so angry that her whole body shook. Of course, she knew that Xin Zaozao was deliberately provoking her and showing off. She flaunted how she could easily seduce Mu Cidian.

Meanwhile, Mu Cidian continued to hold his body rigidly.

The soft touch on his face seemed unforgettable. He had seldom enjoyed Xin Zaozao’s initiatives. Even when he was pretending to be nice to Xin Zaozao, she seldom was this intimate with him. After he was unmasked, there was none of that and she never even smiled in his presence.

He was noticeably affected.

However, all this was brutally interrupted by a sharp voice that shattered all his sensations.

Mu Cidian looked at his mother.

Wan Quan walked in and cursed, “Mu Cidian, are you that cheap? You are willing even when Xin Zaozao uses and humiliates you?”

Mu Cidian didn’t answer his mother.

“Mu Cidian!” Enraged by Mu Cidian’s silence, Wan Quan yelled, “Speak!”

“At least, Xin Zaozao helped me sign the surgery consent form.” Mu Cidian’s indifferent voice was measured and calm.

“Xin Zaozao… huh, Xin Zaozao…” Wan Quan’s grimacing face, with a terrifying smile, “So you’re grateful for life? So you’re shameless enough to let her trample over you for life? Do you know how Xin Zaozao treats you now? You think Xin Zaozao wants to start over with you, she’s just using you to aggravate me, Xin Zaozao doesn’t like you, she doesn’t like you at all!”

The color on Mu Cidian’s face changed slightly.

He replied coldly, “Whether she likes me or not is between me and her and has nothing to do with you.”

“Mu Cidian, you are still so infatuated, do you even understand why Xin Zaozao intentionally approached you! She didn’t have good intentions.”

“I know, but I don’t care.”

“How could I have given birth to a son like you!” Wan Quan trembled with anger, her whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Mu Cidian’s gaze shifted slightly. He didn’t want to see his mother’s current appearance, nor did he want to appease her.

He asked, “Did you need something from me?”

Wan Quan seemed to be holding in her rage as best she could, and said with restrained irritation, “I heard Xin Zaozao is planning to collaborate with Jones?”

Mu Cidian had already guessed what his mother was going to say.

Originally, his mother rarely appeared at Xin Group, probably because she felt humiliated by being suppressed by Xin Zaozao so many times. However, if she did show up, there must have been a reason.

Mu Cidian replied, “That’s a partnership Xin Zaozao is trying to establish. You’d better not interfere.”

“I heard Jones wants to work with you.”

“I told you not to interfere.” Mu Cidian’s tone was firm.

“Mu Cidian!” Wan Quan’s suppressed emotions flared. “Are you mad? Are you insane to treat your father’s killer like this!”

“My father’s killer is already dead!” Mu Cidian said coldly and his attitude was borderline bloodthirsty.

Wan Quan felt a chill run down her spine.

But in the next second, her voice grew amplified, “You’re an ungrateful wretch! You are daring to fall for the daughter of the Xin Family who ruined our happiness, you’ve shamed our ancestors!”

Under his mother’s curse, Mu Cidian’s face finally turned ugly.

He tried stepping back from his anger; on one hand, he didn’t want to quarrel with his mother anymore as their relationship was already so poor. He didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. On the other hand, due to his recent outburst, there was a slight pain in his abdominal wound. He didn’t want to experience that torment again. He didn’t need to torture himself like this.

“Mu Cidian!” Wan Quan glared at Mu Cidian who hadn’t spoken and shouted furiously, “If you dare to assist Xin Zaozao, don’t blame me, your mother, for being ruthless!”

“Up to you.” He responded coldly.

Those cold words turned Wan Quan’s eyes bloodshot.

This was the son she had brought up for over 20 years!

Very well.

Wan Quan’s laughter was assertively malicious.

Very well, Mu Cidian, you wish to be involved with Xin Zaozao. Not in this lifetime, not in the next, not ever!

Never!

Wan Quan stormed out furiously.

Mu Cidian looked at his mother’s receding figure.

He touched his abdomen gently. The uncontrollable emotions just now had strained his wound slightly. He leaned on the office chair, trying to soothe his pain gradually while cautiously avoiding touching his wound any further.

Sometimes he wondered, after all, was he really his mother’s son, or just… a tool for revenge.

He rested quietly for a while.

There were knocks on the door from outside.

Mu Cidian’s eyes flickered.

Yan Zihuan stood respectfully at the door, saying, “Mr. Mu, the chairwoman invites you to join her in the conference room to welcome Mr. Jones.”

Mu Cidian nodded, “I’ll be there in a bit.”

“The chairwoman is waiting for you in her office.”

Mu Cidian responded affirmatively.

He watched Yan Zihuan leave, calmed his emotions, slowly rose from his chair and paused slightly before straightening out his back and leaving the office.

Diagonally across the office, Mu Cidian knocked politely on the office door of Xin Zaozao.

Xin Zaozao looked up, watching him rise and walk towards her, she naturally passed by him, walking in front of him.

The scene just now in his office, where she had taken the initiative to kiss him, seemed as though it had never happened. She remained cold towards him as usual.

The two appeared in the conference room together.

Jones, with his assistant, was already sitting in the room, drinking tea.

Seeing them arrive, he greeted them warmly, “Chairwoman Xin, Director Chu.”

“Mr. Jones.” Xin Zaozao was equally enthusiastic.

Mu Cidian gave a faint smile to Jones.

They exchanged pleasantries, and everyone took a seat.

Xin Zaozao took the initiative to speak, “I feel sorry for asking Mr. Jones to make the trip twice.”

“Don’t mention that. I should apologize. I made an objection at the last moment before signing the contract, causing inconvenience to Chairwoman Xin, please forgive me.”

“I understand Mr. Jones’ careful consideration, and applaud it. I’m grateful for the thoroughness you have shown because of our shared sincerity.”

“The rumors of the Xin Group being backed by Director Mu have been persistent. However, after a few encounters, I have recognized the exceptional Chairwoman Xin. Truly, the Xin family is talented!” Jones expressed sincerely.

“I am honored by your praise. Mr. Jones, with so many years in business, is a senior to us, and there are many areas in which we need to learn from Mr. Jones. The Xin Group sincerely hopes to sign this contract with you, hoping that based on our shared interests, Mr. Jones will offer some guidance.” Xin Zaozao smartly steered the conversation back to the agenda for the day.

Jones chuckled, seemingly quite impressed with Xin Zaozao.

He said, “When I first came to Yanshang Country for investment and development, it was Director Mu who personally visited my company. He waited for almost a month to impress me with his sincerity, which persuaded me to come here to develop. The project was indeed a pleasant collaboration with the Xin Group, opening up my overseas markets. Even though Director Mu was working for the sole interests of Xin Group back then, I owe him greatly. In my life, if there’s anyone I respect, it’s Director Mu.”

Mu Cidian responded with a faint smile.

Xin Zaozao also wore a polite smile.

In fact, since taking over the Xin Group, she had dealt with many key clients and partners. She had a general idea of why Mu Cidian had been able to form his own powerful faction and retain control over Xin Group, despite her father’s leadership. It was no accident. Every bit of his success had been hard-earned.

Of course, she wasn’t moved or impressed.

Because all these results were based on an unkind premise.

For those with malicious intentions, she only wanted to take revenge.

At that moment, Jones shifted his gaze to Mu Cidian.

Throughout the process, Mu Cidian had hardly said a word.

As Jones looked at Mu Cidian, the words on the tip of his tongue suddenly swallowed down. He gave a brilliant smile. Foreigners really do have a sense of humor. He said, “President Mu always shines wherever he goes. You are surely blessed with good luck.”

Mu Cidian was somewhat surprised.

Xin Zaozao also found it a bit inexplicable.

The contract negotiation was going well. It was quite unexpected that Jones suddenly shifted the topic.

Jones said, “I remember when you initially wanted to cooperate with my company and waited daily at the reception outside my office. My receptionist went from initially disliking you to getting you tea and water and later pleading with me to have a meeting with you. I still wonder, how did you impress my secretary? They aren’t ordinary people you know, being the face of my company, intelligent, with degrees and good looks. Even I have a hard time impressing them, so how did you manage?”

Jones was seemingly interested.

Mu Cidian appeared somewhat embarrassed at that moment.

Xin Zaozao gave a cold smile.

What can’t a man like Mu Cidian achieve? A man with ambition, schemes, and an underlying depth. What challenges can impressing a woman bring to him?

First, it was her.

Then, his fiancée Wu Qianyuan.

And even many others. Any woman with a beneficial relationship to Mu Cidian, just as long as he desires it!

In the quiet meeting room, Mu Cidian explained, “I merely touched her with my sincerity. Nothing like what Mr. Jones just said.”

“Not necessarily. My receptionist still thinks fondly of you after all these years,” Jones said with a beaming smile, “Of course, all of that happened years ago. I won’t say much about it, considering it just a fling when overseas. After so much time, it’s not worth mentioning. However, now… Is President Mu being pursued by some girl again?”

“Huh?” Mu Cidian was confused.

“The lipstick mark on your face, did only I notice it?” Jones pointed at his cheek.

The place where Xin Zaozao kissed him.

Mu Cidian was taken aback.

He touched it with his hand.

At that moment, Xin Zaozao also seemed stunned. She turned to look at Mu Cidian, saw the very faint lipstick mark on his cheek.

It was so faint, and since she hadn’t looked directly at Mu Cidian, she hadn’t noticed. But indeed, if you looked carefully, you could see the lipstick mark left by the lips.

Mu Cidian rubbed his cheek, his face seemed to redden slightly.

At that moment, Xin Zaozao’s face also reddened slightly.

But both of them could still stay calm, seeming quite indifferent.

Jones frowned, and felt there was something fishy about the two of them.

As if, there was a secret!

He scrutinized them like this.

In the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

Mu Cidian proactively broke the silence, shifting the conversation quickly, “Mr. Jones, the project has been discussed at length by you and Chairman Xin, and now everything has been settled. We at Xin Group sincerely look forward to cooperating with you.”

Jones snapped back to reality.

After all, they were here to discuss business, he seemed a little too gossipy.

He said, “Our cooperation has always been in perfect harmony, so I hope that you will be in charge of this project.”