After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 45

When they woke up again, they were preparing to return to school after eating.

Because of the sight she saw when she woke up that morning, Xie Rong was still a little embarrassed, so she didn’t dare to look at Qi Musi during the entire period of washing up and breakfast.

It was clearly Qi Musi who took the initiative to hug her, and logically, Xie Rong should have been the one in a bad mood, but she acted like someone who had done something wrong and was feeling guilty, avoiding Qi Musi.

Although she couldn’t quite figure out this mentality of hers, Xie Rong didn’t want to deal with it for the time being; she needed to resolve this emotion first.

Qi Musi was vaguely aware of Xie Rong’s avoidance. She was thoughtful, and then, seizing a moment, she deliberately walked up to Xie Rong and greeted her with a smile, as usual.

However, this time, after responding, Xie Rong found an excuse to go elsewhere and dodge her. It wasn’t like before, where she would stand there indifferently, letting Qi Musi say or do whatever she wanted.

Mo Li noticed the unusual atmosphere between the two of them. Out of concern, she walked up to Qi Musi and asked, “What did you do?”

Qi Musi looked innocent, “I didn’t do anything, oh.”

Mo Li narrowed her eyes, with a look of obvious disbelief.

Seeing this, Qi Musi laughed, “I really didn’t. There’s no need to distrust me so much.”

Mo Li shrugged and walked away. What she didn’t say was that their situation just now was really strange, so it wasn’t surprising that Mo Li was overthinking it.

Meanwhile, Qi Musi looked at the retreating back of Xie Rong, the smile in her eyes deepening.

She wasn’t completely calm. When she first noticed the change in Xie Rong’s emotions, Qi Musi was also a little concerned and flustered. She was afraid that she had been too hasty and caused Xie Rong to feel disgust, which was why Qi Musi tested her repeatedly.

But fortunately, Xie Rong did change, but not in the way she worried about.

It was in another, better way.

Thinking of this, Qi Musi curled up the corners of her lips. It was worth the effort she put into planning this trip.

After breakfast, Qi Musi called the driver again.

Only this time, before Qi Musi got out of the car, the driver said, “Miss, the Master wants you to come home for a visit.”

Qi Musi lowered her eyes, thought of something, and then smiled, sitting back down, “Alright.”

Then she said to the people outside, “You all go back first, I need to go home for a bit.”

If it were before, Zhao Rongrong would have heartlessly waved goodbye, but after hearing Qi Musi’s story yesterday, even Zhao Rongrong couldn’t feel completely at ease.

Xie Rong raised her eyes, looking at Qi Musi visible through the open car window. After a slight pause, she took a step forward and bent down slightly.

Noticing Xie Rong’s movement, a hint of surprise flashed in Qi Musi’s eyes, and she leaned closer, “What’s wrong, Xiao Rong?”

Xie Rong frowned slightly. Although her expression was cold, the worry in her eyes was unmistakable. She asked softly, “Are you sure it’s alright? Are you not being…”

She originally wanted to say, “Are you not being coerced,” but considering the driver was still in the front, she didn’t finish the sentence.

Qi Musi let out a chuckle, “How could that be? After all, this is my family’s driver.”

Xie Rong pursed her lips, her earlobes scarlet.

Qi Musi’s eyes held a gentle light, and her face was full of a tender smile as she watched Xie Rong, “However, I’m very happy that Xiao Rong cares about me so much. I’m so happy.”

Xie Rong frowned and glanced at her, “Be serious.”

“I am very serious.” Qi Musi said this. Indeed, to her now, this was the most important thing, the most worthy of attention.

But she also knew that this was a rare moment of care expressed by Xie Rong towards her, so Qi Musi naturally wouldn’t let this concern go to waste. So she explained and reassured, “Don’t worry, I can probably guess what my father wants me back for, so you don’t need to worry.”

Xie Rong looked at her, and seeing no sign of reluctance, she nodded, “Got it.”

The smile on Qi Musi’s lips deepened, “Then, see you this afternoon.”

The car drove away.

Qi Musi leaned back in the rear seat, the smile on her face quickly fading. The light in her eyes also gradually dimmed, replaced by a brand-new mask, bearing no perceptible flaw.

Qi Musi was not afraid of falling out with her father. After all, strictly speaking, she was not very interested in the family fortune.

But… if Madam Zhong and her son wanted it, Qi Musi would not let them have it.

She was just that kind of person, she returned every grudge.

Since they valued it so much, Qi Musi intended to take it away. After all, they had also once taken away the existence she valued most.

So Qi Musi still didn’t plan to completely break ties with her father. The recent give and take was all within her control. The reason Qi Musi was doing this was merely to find ways to increase her status in Qi Rong’s heart.

Coupled with the reverse brainwashing from Qi Muyan on the side, Qi Rong would likely value his excellent Alpha daughter even more.

Upon arriving at the familiar home, Qi Musi went straight to Qi Rong’s study.

She knew that if he was home and not busy, he would typically be either in the living room or the study.

Qi Musi knocked on the door, and predictably, Qi Rong’s voice came from inside.

Qi Musi pushed the door open and walked in, still wearing the unchanging smile, “Did you need me for something?”

In the past, when Qi Rong looked for Qi Musi, it was basically about the professional field. After all, for a man like him, an Alpha daughter was the pride he had focused on nurturing in the first half of his life, so how could he allow her to arbitrarily choose a different major for some baseless reason?

Qi Musi’s absence from school for the first month was Qi Rong’s doing.

Only later, after various confrontations and the added push from Zhong Ling and her son, Qi Musi was finally released.

But she also knew that Qi Rong had not given up.

As long as he didn’t have a suitable “heir” by his side, he would not abandon the cultivation of Qi Musi. Because no matter what, Qi Musi was… the “former Crown Prince.”

And she was highly gifted.

Qi Rong sat in a soft chair, then tossed a stack of documents onto the desk.

“Take these. If you have any questions, ask me or Secretary Chen.”

Qi Musi stepped forward and opened them, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

Qi Rong’s face was stern, “Musi, you must remember that you are my daughter, and an Alpha. In the future, you are bound to bear the responsibility of the Qi family. I know you chose this major out of dissatisfaction and resistance towards me, but I stand by what I said: you think you’re upsetting me now, but you are actually wasting your own future.”

Hearing this, the smile at the corner of Qi Musi’s mouth changed slightly, but this time she didn’t utter a word of rebuttal, instead hiding all her emotions in her eyes.

Seeing that she didn’t refute as she used to, Qi Rong’s imposing manner softened a little, and his tone became somewhat gentle.

“You are my daughter, and you should know that Dad loves you very much. I can still look after you now, but when I’m gone, with such a large family business, who do you think I should hand it over to? Are you willing to watch me give all the family property to your younger brother?”

Qi Musi narrowed her eyes.

Although she was prepared for him to use this kind of rhetoric, when she actually heard it, she still couldn’t help but reveal a slight hint of emotion.

And this slight hint was exactly what Qi Rong wanted to see.

He took a sip of water, “So Musi, don’t hold grudges against Dad over past events anymore. I’ve also regretted things all these years.”

Qi Musi secretly raised an eyebrow.

Regret?

If he really regretted it, why would he take the bait she dropped? To put it plainly, a leopard can’t change its spots… forget it.

Qi Rong: “I know you chose this major partly to anger me, and partly to fulfill your mother’s dream, so I won’t stop you.”

“I’m still in good health and can still hold things up here, so the four years of university will be my final indulgence to you. You can fully enjoy your current major, courses, and life, but Musi.”

His tone sank, “You shouldn’t stop here, understand?”

“In the future, you will enter the company, learn how to manage an enterprise, and learn to handle all sorts of matters, not become a kindergarten teacher. I won’t allow that.”

“Take these materials back and read them slowly. Although it’s a late start, I believe you are capable of it.”

Qi Musi did not move immediately, nor did she speak, seemingly deep in thought.

Qi Rong was not in a hurry he knew Qi Musi would eventually side with him.

Sure enough, a moment later, Qi Musi picked up the stack of documents on the table, “I understand.”

Qi Rong nodded in satisfaction, “Good, that’s all. Are you staying for lunch?”

Qi Musi naturally wouldn’t stay. After all, this was no longer her home, and she wouldn’t look at Zhong Ling’s face and sit harmoniously with her at the dinner table.

Qi Rong didn’t mind Qi Musi’s refusal, “I understand.”

When leaving home, Qi Musi unexpectedly ran into Qi Muyan coming back.

She checked her phone and realized it was Sunday. Bad luck, ominous.

After getting out of the car, Qi Muyan spotted the person who shouldn’t have been there at a glance. His eyes widened in surprise, and he walked straight over, “You..”

He recalled the “fox spirit” his mother had mentioned before, narrowed his eyes, and asked, “You’re the one behind this, aren’t you?”

Qi Musi couldn’t be bothered to deal with him, since Qi Muyan was brainless. And she was rather curious how Qi Muyan could be so self-righteous running up to her after previously setting her up.

Qi Musi had no desire for small talk with him and simply said, “Don’t block the way.”

However, Qi Muyan insisted on blocking her, “I won’t let you go until you tell me.”

Qi Musi looked at him and chuckled, “Yes, so what?”

She hadn’t expected Qi Musi to admit it so suddenly. Qi Muyan’s eyes widened, and he became somewhat agitated, “Good for you! How dare you use such despicable tactics, you, you contemptible wretch!”

Qi Musi watched him languidly, then interrupted him, “Then what do you call your mother?”

The first reaction Qi Muyan had when he heard this was, “Are you insulting me?”

Only then did he realize what the other person was referring to.

His face turned red, “What do you mean?”

Qi Musi smiled, patted Qi Muyan’s shoulder, “My meaning is, Sister Yue merely followed the old path your mother walked. For a junior to learn from a senior, how can it be called despicable?”

“Instead of insulting Sister Yue, perhaps you should insult yourself first. After all, if you hadn’t brought me that water, my plan wouldn’t have been so successful.”

Qi Muyan’s eyes shot open, “That water…”

Qi Musi slowly put away her smile, lowering her eyes to look at him indifferently, “If you insist on an explanation, I was also learning from you. Now, Father is in the study. You are welcome to go find him and repeat what I just said.”

She smiled faintly, “I don’t mind.”