She looked over upon hearing the sound.
In the backseat of a luxury car on the side of the road sat Qu Hui, who leaned out the lowered car window to look at her.
Strictly speaking, Sheng Mumu had only met her twice before.
Once at the airport, and once outside a souvenir shop.
Both times, Sheng Mumu didn't leave much of an impression on Qu Hui, and her face was rather vague in Sheng Mumu's memory.
She was only able to recognize her this time due to Qu Hui's slightly sharp voice.
Qu Hui got out of the car and walked up to Sheng Mumu, glancing left and right.
Originally there was a polite smile on her face, but after making sure only Sheng Mumu was nearby, her smile gradually froze as a hint of strangeness appeared. Her words also carried some implication:
"Mrs. Qi, I was thinking about how I could arrange to meet you, and since we've run into each other here, it works out well -"
Qu Hui paused for a moment, her shrewd eyes turning as she observed the reaction of the person in front of her.
Soon, she raised her chin and took a deep breath before getting straight to the point:
"Go ahead, how much money would you be willing to leave the Qi family for?"
Sheng Mumu blinked in confusion: "?"
She had imagined this dramatic line ever since she first came over, that one day someone would come to her with a check asking her to leave the Qi family.
But she never expected that she would hear these words from the woman in front of her, and was stunned for a moment.
Before she could respond, Qu Hui crossed her arms in front of her chest, looking fully confident as she continued:
"I've investigated you -"
...
On the other side, in a luxuriously decorated reception room.
Qi Mo sat relaxed on the sofa with his legs crossed, occasionally nodding in response as he listened to the person next to him speak.
Each of these people on their own could be considered a major figure in Shen City's business circles.
But in front of Qi Mo, they had to be more restrained.
Because they wanted to build ties with the Qi Group, and get a piece of the Qi Group's real estate projects in Shen City.
One of the older men, after introducing the strengths of his company, smiled and said:
"In fact, when it comes to real estate projects, the Tangxin Group has always had a good reputation in Shen City. If the Tangxin Group could participate and lend a hand, perhaps -"
Before he could finish, Qi Mo put his crossed legs down, frowned slightly, and expressionlessly put down his teacup.
The porcelain teacup clinked against the sandalwood table.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to silence everyone else.
The man who had been speaking immediately stopped upon sensing Qi Mo's powerful aura.
He had been asked by President Qu of the Tangxin Group to say some good things about them in front of Chairman Qi.
It was usually just some polite flattery in the business world, but he didn't expect the usually stoic Chairman Qi to show what was almost annoyance.
"We won't consider the Tangxin Group for this project in Shen City," Qi Mo said indifferently.
His prestige built up over many years was fully demonstrated in this moment, and everyone's hearts tightened.
Before they could fully process it, they saw the aura-filled man's eyes take on a faint, perfunctory smile.
This smile didn't reach his eyes at all, and was even chilling. His tone was even colder and more resolute than before as he continued:
"From now on, none of the Qi Group's projects in Shen City will consider Tangxin."
At this moment, personal preferences overrode a businessman's usual cost-benefit analysis.
With him saying no, there was no room for discussion.
The air froze in the reception room for a few seconds.
Everyone present was astonished.
They didn't know what Tangxin Group had done to offend this boss, to make him say such harsh words.
Everyone present was shrewd, and naturally understood the subtext behind these words.
It was basically stating his position - if they wanted to build cooperative relations with the Qi Group, they would have to give up their ties with the Tangxin Group.
With such a dichotomy, there was practically no need to even think about the choice.
In the ensuing discussion, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the Tangxin Group again.
...
"I investigated you. Your parents passed away early, and you have a worthless older brother."
"Marrying Qi Mo was your only chance to turn your life around. You're with him for the money."
Qu Hui stood in front of Sheng Mumu, still holding her head up high.
But because of her lack of height advantage, she seemed less imposing when saying these words.
Ever since being rejected point blank by Qi Mo yesterday, she had thought things over again and again.
To get Qi Mo to accept her, she first had to get this woman to give up the position of Mrs. Qi.
She had struggled for many years in the business world, and seen many wealthy wives.
Besides those who were born into affluent families, most married into wealthy families for fame and profit.
From the information she had gathered, Sheng Mumu rarely appeared in various social occasions under the name of Mrs. Qi after marrying Qi Mo.
If it wasn't for "fame", then there was only "profit" left.
Persuading Sheng Mumu to leave with money was the most efficient method she could think of.
"Although my personal wealth can't compare with Chairman Qi, as long as your asking price isn't excessive, I can think of ways to pay you in one lump sum. With that money, you won't have any worries for the rest of your life. What do you think?"
Qu Hui's tone was suggestive, but her expression radiated contempt from the inside out.
It was as if she assumed Sheng Mumu would leave the Qi family for a lump sum she could receive immediately.
Sheng Mumu maintained her last bit of courtesy, and the corners of her mouth sank: "Are you finished?"
Seeing Sheng Mumu's calm reaction, Qu Hui paused for a moment.
Then she smiled again, her voice growing sharper:
"Hmph, or could it not be?"
"If it's not money, then it must be feelings right?"
"If it's because of feelings, then it's even easier to discuss. You should be able to understand my perspective - only a woman capable enough to match his status is more suitable for the position of Mrs. Qi."
Qu Hui looked completely confident as she continued:
"Successful men need women who can help them, not just taking care of the family, but also providing assistance in their careers."
"And I, am the most suitable woman for Qi Mo."
"Mrs. Qi should be me, it can only be me."
In terms of age, she didn't have an advantage.
But in understanding human nature and strategizing, she considered herself one of the top women.
Facing Qu Hui's hostile attitude, Sheng Mumu appeared exceptionally calm.
In a contest, if only one person imagines a competitive relationship while the other remains aloof, the former has already lost.
Sheng Mumu never considered any woman a rival, whether in the past or present, whether in relationships or career.
As Qu Hui finished speaking, Sheng Mumu finally had enough of Qu Hui's complete lack of boundaries and unawareness.
She didn't agree with every word Qu Hui said, but had no intention of trying to change someone's deep-rooted beliefs.
She told herself internally:
Respect differences in species, let go of savior mentality, or risk mammary nodules.
