Chapter 304: Go with Integrity!
"Didn’t I say? I’ll send someone to..."
Realizing someone had walked in without knocking, Qin Luoli assumed it was Gao Xing again and felt a flicker of displeasure. But before she could finish speaking, she saw Lin Mu standing there, looking at her with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" Qin Luoli quickly stood up and rushed into Lin Mu’s embrace, a joyous smile blooming on her face.
"I was passing by your company, so I decided to come up and see you." Lin Mu patted her shoulder and added, "And to pick you up to go home."
A warmth spread through her chest, and Qin Luoli’s smile grew even brighter. If Gao Xing were to see this, his eyes would surely turn red with envy.
"You sweet-talker," Qin Luoli couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "You talk as if you’re so busy all the time, but you’re really just a man of leisure."
"Oh, oh, I mean... Lin Mu, don’t take it the wrong way," Qin Luoli said hastily, realizing her slip of the tongue.
Wasn’t I just calling him an idle loafer who lives off a woman?
Seeing her anxious expression, Lin Mu was amused. He casually walked over to the sofa and sat down. "You’re right. I don’t have to work, so of course I’m free."
"Lin Mu, don’t be angry, I didn’t mean it..." Qin Luoli started to panic.
She knew that while Lin Mu always appeared nonchalant on the surface, he was incredibly proud deep down. Her eyes lit up with an idea. "How about... I arrange a position for you at the company? Don’t worry, you won’t have to do anything... just come and keep me company every day, and we can go home together after work."
Lin Mu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. "Alright, I was just teasing you. If you really gave me a job, I probably wouldn’t last long anyway."
Now that he was his own boss, Lin Mu worked in fits and starts. If he were to really join Qin Corporation, who knew what sort of gossip it would stir up. He might not care, but Qin Luoli certainly would.
Seeing her looking a little gloomy, Lin Mu spoke in a gentle voice, "Don’t worry. I promise to come pick you up after work every day. How does that sound?"
"Ah?" Qin Luoli’s mouth fell open in surprise.
"What? You don’t want me to?" Lin Mu crossed his legs. "If you don’t want me to, then forget it."
"No, no, no!" Qin Luoli threw herself at him, grabbing his hand and shaking it as she said coquettishly, "I do, I do! I’m so happy, how could I possibly refuse?"
What she wanted most was to go to and from work with Lin Mu every day, to shop for groceries and cook dinner together, to curl up on the sofa watching TV and gossiping. Now that he had offered to pick her up, Qin Luoli was filled with a happiness so deep it was touching.
"What’s wrong? Why are you crying?" Seeing her eyes turn red, Lin Mu grew anxious.
Qin Luoli leaned against him, shaking her head. "It’s nothing. I’m just happy."
Wrapping his arms around her, Lin Mu said, "I’m sorry. I haven’t been paying enough attention to you. I’ve made you feel neglected."
"Hmph. It’s about time you realized!" Qin Luoli huffed with mock arrogance. "You’d better make it up to me in the future!"
"Alright, I promise!"
...
"Finally done with work!" Qin Luoli stretched lazily, revealing her gorgeous and alluring figure.
It was a pity this beautiful sight was for one man’s eyes only.
"I’m sorry for keeping you waiting so long," Qin Luoli said, smiling a bit sheepishly as she glanced at Lin Mu on the sofa.
"It’s fine. I promised to pick you up." Lin Mu smiled. This woman, Qin Luoli, is quite charming when she’s working. Her intense focus made even my supposedly rock-solid heart tremble a few times.
"Let me just pack up, I’ll be ready in a moment."
Qin Luoli began to tidy her desk, sorting every document, wiping away every speck of dust, and even picking up stray scraps of paper from the floor to throw in the trash. As she was organizing the files, an invitation card slipped out and landed at Lin Mu’s feet.
Lin Mu bent down to pick it up and paused, slightly startled.
He had an identical invitation in his pocket. Qiao Tianhao was hosting a charity gala, and an invitation had been sent to his company first thing, which eventually made its way to him.
"A charity gala hosted by the richest man. A lot of people will probably be there," Lin Mu said with a smile, flicking the invitation. "Are you planning to go?"
Qin Luoli shook her head. "I won’t go personally. Sending a representative to attend will be enough."
In the past, because of the persistent rumors that she and Qiao Zishan were a perfect match, Qin Luoli had always avoided any contact with the Qiao family. Now that Qiao Zishan was dead, she had even less reason to go. Who knew what people would say.
"If you’re not going, then I won’t either," Lin Mu said nonchalantly.
I only came today to see if she would be attending. If she went, then I would go. Qiao Tianhao’s reason for inviting me was simple: to have us prove our relationship. That’s why both of our invitations explicitly stated to ’attend with a partner’.
"Ah? You received an invitation too?" Qin Luoli looked at him in surprise. "It’s not easy to get an invitation from Qiao Tianhao, especially for what is essentially his son’s memorial event."
Lin Mu didn’t explain. "I was just hoping to see the sights, you know? But since you’re not going, what’s the point? I’d probably just get kicked out."
Looking at Lin Mu, Qin Luoli suddenly declared, "Alright then, I’ll take you!"
Since there are so many vicious rumors about me and Qiao Zishan, with some malicious people even insisting that I must attend his memorial, then fine. I’ll go. I’ll bring my man with me and make them all shut their mouths for good!
"You’ve decided?" Lin Mu looked at her.
"Of course!" Qin Luoli squeezed Lin Mu’s hand. "People have invited me to galas before, but I always declined because I was worried they would try to mock you or make a fool of you. That’s why I always refused. But this time, not only are we going, we’re going to walk in there with our heads held high!"
Lin Mu was a little confused. "What? Were you planning to sneak in?"
Qin Luoli couldn’t help but playfully punch his arm. "Hey! You know what I mean! I was speaking metaphorically!"
Rolling her eyes at him, Qin Luoli continued, "Don’t they call you the Divine Doctor? This time, you’ll attend in your capacity as the Divine Doctor. How about that?"
As she said this, her eyes shone brightly.
She knew that even the famous Divine Doctor Sun Tianyang admired the man before her. Sun Tianyang had even asked to become his apprentice, only to be refused. You all look down on my man, don’t you? This time, I’ll show you what you’ve been missing!
Understanding her thoughts, Lin Mu replied nonchalantly, "Fine by me. You can make the arrangements."
"Then it’s settled!" Qin Luoli’s eyes curved into a smile, making her look like a sly little fox.
Utterly captivating.