Chapter 75: It would be a pity if you didn’t act!
Could it really be the Luo Family? And had Elder Master Luo actually come in person?
He had brought Young Master Luo to the Qin Family to personally apologize to Lin Mu? And they were kneeling outside?
Everyone found this news hard to believe.
Why? This was the question on everyone’s mind.
It wasn’t just those who had witnessed it firsthand; even Qin Hongshu and the others could still see the scene playing out in their minds. The Young Master Luo Family, Luo Jinping, was kneeling at the entrance of the Qin Family Old Residence, bare-chested and carrying thorned branches on his back. Elder Master Luo was standing beside him and had even declared that they would not get up until Master Lin forgave them.
One could only imagine how shocking that scene was for them.
And what did Lin Mu say? To let them keep kneeling? If this got out, wouldn’t everyone in River City call him arrogant and domineering? To make the prominent Luo Family of River City kneel? What on earth gave him the confidence to say such a thing?
At this moment, people recalled what Qin Luoli had said about the events at the Four Seas Hotel.
Could Lin Mu really be a Grandmaster? Even if he isn’t, his strength must be formidable!
Chen Sien’s expression was incredibly grim. Even the owner of the Four Seas Hotel had come to apologize to Lin Mu. The Chen Family’s goal of demanding an explanation today was bound to fail. Not only that, but the Chen Family had also suffered humiliation at the hands of the Qin Family. If word of this got out, the Chen Family’s reputation would be utterly ruined.
"Lin Mu, why don’t you go out and have a look? After all, they are from the Luo Family," Qin Hongshu’s tone softened, no longer holding the scolding rebuke from before.
"What of it? Since they are here to apologize, they should have the appropriate attitude," Lin Mu said indifferently.
"You..."
Qin Hongshu was about to erupt in anger, but a thought stopped him, and he forcefully swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
"Alright, you can handle these trivial matters yourselves. I won’t stay," Old Madam slowly stood up, gently patted Lin Mu’s shoulder, and said, "How you choose to handle this is your decision. The Qin Family respects it."
Everyone was slightly shaken. Is the Old Madam... choosing to support Lin Mu?
This made those who had planned to use the Old Madam to suppress Lin Mu immediately abandon the thought. The Old Madam had made herself clear, signaling to everyone that she was backing Lin Mu. Whether it was the Chen Family or the Luo Family, since they had come for Lin Mu, the decision was his to make. Moreover, no matter how he handled it, the Qin Family could not object; in fact, they had to support him!
"Thank you, Old Madam," Lin Mu bowed. After all, she was a sensible elder and Qin Luoli’s senior, so she deserved his respect.
The Old Madam smiled contentedly. "Hmm. Good child. When you have time, bring Luo Li to the old residence to chat with me more often. When people get old, they always want the children around more."
"Old Madam, I promise you, I’ll definitely come to see you often when I have time," Qin Luoli said obediently while supporting the Old Madam.
She often visited anyway, but the Old Madam always nagged her about coming alone and urged her to have a child soon. Back then, Qin Luoli had no positive feelings for Lin Mu whatsoever. Forget having a child; she had to think twice before even taking him out of the house.
Now, though, things are different.
Qin Luoli quickly glanced at Lin Mu, her lips curling up ever so slightly.
"Very well, very well. Of all my great-grandchildren, you’re the most endearing," the Old Madam laughed heartily, slowly exiting the hall with Qin Luoli’s help.
"Farewell, Old Madam!"
The group bowed collectively, watching as the Old Madam departed.
Once she had left, Qin Hongshu finally spoke. "Lin Mu, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because the Old Madam supports you. Since you’re part of the Qin Family, you must follow the family’s rules! Now, come with me to invite Elder Master Luo inside!"
The Old Madam could disregard the Luo Family, given her seniority, but Qin Hongshu and the others could not. The Luo Family held a high status in River City; in certain aspects, their roots were even deeper than the Qin Family’s. For the Qin Family to develop in the long term, they not only had to compete with other major families but also maintain certain relationships with them. If Lin Mu’s attitude caused the Luo Family to hold a grudge against the Qin Family, the loss would not be worth the gain.
"How I act is none of your business. If you don’t like it, you can leave right now," Lin Mu replied to Qin Hongshu without a shred of courtesy. He had little goodwill for the man, especially since he had suggested Qin Luoli remarry right in front of him. Even if he and Qin Luoli were to divorce eventually, that was their own affair and had nothing to do with anyone else! It certainly wasn’t Qin Hongshu’s place to say something like that!
"You..."
Qin Hongshu hadn’t expected Lin Mu to be so disrespectful, and his face turned grim. Being treated this way in front of so many people was a deep humiliation.
"Dad." Just as Qin Hongshu was about to speak, Qin Yan quickly pulled his arm, gently shaking her head. Others might not know, but she was acutely aware that Lin Mu’s identity could be far more frightening than they imagined. Although she still had her doubts, the fact that the Luo Family came to apologize in person said a lot.
"Lin Mu, the people kneeling outside are from the Luo Family. If word of this spreads, people will say the Qin Family is unforgiving and merciless. It would have a significant negative impact on the Qin Corporation," Qin Yan said slowly. "Qin Luoli is the president of the Qin Corporation. For the sake of the company and for her, I hope you’ll go out and take a look."
Qin Yan had figured Lin Mu out. The more politely you treated him, the more polite he would be in return. But if you crossed him, he would make you regret it. He hated evil like a mortal enemy and would repay every single slight. This was Qin Yan’s assessment of Lin Mu.
"Hmm, alright. Since you’ve put it that way, I’ll go take a look," Lin Mu glanced at Qin Yan, then slowly made his way outside.
The others exchanged glances, a realization dawning on them. This kid is doing this on purpose, isn’t he? He was just waiting for someone to give him an out? How shameless!
But despite this, everyone’s opinion of Lin Mu began to change again. He seems domineering and arrogant, but he’s actually extremely calculating and knows exactly how to handle things. It seems his reputation as a worthless, live-in son-in-law was just an act.
"What on earth is going on with the Qin Family? It’s been so long and they still haven’t come out. Do they really not take our Luo Family seriously?"
"Lin Mu, get your ass out here now!"
Lin Mu hadn’t even stepped out of the courtyard when he heard the commotion. His eyes narrowed slightly. The Luo Family is certainly arrogant.
"All of you, shut your mouths!" At the doorway, a thinly dressed old man, leaning on a cane, scolded angrily. "If you don’t want to wait, then get lost! Don’t embarrass yourselves here! If you anger Master Lin, I’ll take your worthless lives!"
Upon hearing this, the others’ expressions changed, and they dared not speak another word.
A sneer rang out. "It’s a shame you aren’t an actor, Elder Master Luo. That performance could earn you an Oscar."
Lin Mu slowly walked through the main gate and stood before the members of the Luo Family, a smile on his face.