Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Unable to Escape the Black Lotus Villain - Chapter 21

At the entrance of the banquet, Mu Junyi looked at Ning Qi, who wore a reckless smile, and felt a secret hatred in his heart.

What is wrong with this straw bag? Why didn’t I find her so difficult to deal with before?

Originally, he just wanted to make things difficult for Mu Xin so that he could hold more leverage later. But now, with Ning Qi stirring things up, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

It was impossible to let Mu Xin leave, but begging them to come in was even more impossible.

Seeing his face flicker between shades of uncertainty, Mu Xin sneered inwardly. She didn’t want to waste any more time.

“Since you find it so difficult, then don’t bother. Just tell me directly what your purpose was for seeking me out.”

Since they had already effectively torn off their masks of civility, Mu Junyi knew that lingering here would only make him a laughingstock. After a moment of consideration, he forced a smile.

“Then let’s go.” Without waiting for Mu Xin and the others, he walked straight toward the banquet hall.

“Just going in like this?” Ning Qi asked in a low voice, staring at the entrance of the banquet hall as if lost in thought.

Mu Xin thought she was afraid and reached out to tuck Ning Qi’s arm into hers. “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything.”

“Hehe, that’s good then. I’ll just wait to watch the show.”

Ning Qi gave a mischievous laugh and pushed Mu Xin’s wheelchair to follow him. Good, let’s go see what kind of tricks they are playing.

Ning Qi and Mu Xin followed Mu Junyi all the way through the banquet hall and up to the second floor, ignoring the gazes cast by the crowd. Finally, the three entered a room that looked like a conference hall.

As soon as Ning Qi entered, the people inside cast curious glances at her.

“Hello everyone.”

Ning Qi gave a calm greeting. Her sharp eyes spotted an empty seat, so she pushed Mu Xin over and sat down beside her.

“Uncles, it’s been a long time.”

Mu Xin recognized most of the people in the room. They all shared one identity, shareholders of the company.

She scanned the room and noticed that, except for two or three people, almost everyone was there. On the surface, she remained unruffled, but in her heart, she noted down every face present.

“Xiao Xin, how have you been lately?”

“Xiao Xin, the college entrance exams are coming up, right? You should focus more on your studies and save old Mu some worry…”

They spoke words of comfort and greeting, but Mu Xin understood the underlying meaning perfectly. They wanted her to understand her place.

“You guys are so talkative. Can’t you just get to the point? If it weren’t for you being so troublesome, Xinxin would be resting at home right now.”

At that moment, Ning Qi suddenly sneered. The sarcasm on her face was unmistakably clear.

Mu Xin raised an eyebrow, sensing that the “Seven-Seven” of today seemed to have thorns. Is it because of me?

The shareholders’ expressions soured at being interrupted by Ning Qi, but they kept their faces stiff and remained silent. Fearing a total fallout that might lead Ning Qi to take Mu Xin away, Mu Junyi coughed twice to take over the conversation.

“Mu Xin, your uncles are only concerned about you. You are still young and should focus on your studies.”

“Mhm, you’re right. And so?” Mu Xin spoke expressionlessly. She saw right through their little schemes.

“So, my father, third uncle, and several other uncles have discussed it. From now on, I will take over your position as the successor. As for you, just focus on finishing your studies. When the time comes, the family will look for a good marriage for you.”

Mu Junyi didn’t bother hiding his intentions anymore. He spoke as if it were a matter of course—not only did he want the successor status, but he was also preparing to kick Mu Xin out of the Mu family.

Ning Qi’s expression changed, and she instinctively grabbed Mu Xin’s hand.

No wonder her personality changed so much after this banquet in the original book. Such pressure was indeed a massive blow for a girl not yet eighteen. She didn’t know how Mu Xin had managed to endure these hardships one by one.

“Don’t worry,” Mu Xin squeezed her hand and tapped the table.

“It doesn’t matter who becomes the successor, as long as it’s good for the Mu family. However…” Mu Xin’s tone suddenly turned icy. “I remember that changing the successor not only requires a review by the shareholders’ meeting but also an audit of the successor’s various qualifications.”

“Setting aside whether you’ve gone through a shareholders’ meeting, as for Mu Junyi himself—I don’t think he’s worthy.”

Mu Xin’s voice echoed in the conference room, reaching everyone’s ears.

“Mu Xin, what do you mean? What right do you have to say I’m not qualified!” Mu Junyi’s forced smile shattered instantly. He looked at Mu Xin with humiliated rage.

“Sorry to interrupt. Although this is a private Mu family meeting, I think since I’m sitting here, I should be useful.”

At this, Ning Qi lazily raised her hand. She turned around, pulled a manila envelope from her large backpack, and slammed it onto the table with a thud.

A thick stack of photos spilled out from the opening.

Everyone present took a look at the photos, and their expressions shifted instantly.

“During Mu Junyi’s time studying abroad, he received two academic honors. But according to the information I have, these were obtained through illegal means. Not to mention his messy private life and his history of threatening and bullying classmates.”

Ning Qi looked up at the panicked Mu Junyi and continued, “I don’t care if he’s qualified to be the successor of your Mu family. I just feel that he isn’t even qualified to be Xinxin’s opponent.”

Actually, if Mu Junyi’s actions hadn’t taken place abroad, Ning Qi would have handed over the evidence long ago to send him away for “tea.”

Watching the imposing Ning Qi, Mu Xin’s eyes lit up. She picked up a photo and looked at the ashen-faced shareholders with a smile.

“Uncles, what do you think now?”

Her tone was indifferent, but standing and sitting together, the aura of the two girls suppressed the group of “old foxes” in the room. It was not an atmosphere two minors should have been able to project.

The scene fell into a dead silence; not a single shareholder spoke.

“Mu Xin, don’t think you’ve won. Even without the successor status, you still have to leave the Mu family.”

Mu Junyi seemed to have lost his cool. He signaled several shareholders, and one of them stood up.

“Xiao Xin, as President all these years, Old Mu hasn’t made much of a contribution to the company. After discussing it, we shareholders have decided to elect a new President. We hope you can understand.”

“What did you say?”

The previously calm Mu Xin suddenly lost her composure. Ning Qi quickly supported her shoulder.

“Think carefully. My father is the largest shareholder of the company. What benefit do you get from targeting us?”

Mu Xin took a breath, her brow furrowed. She hadn’t expected that while they seemed to be targeting her on the surface, their real target was Mu Hongsheng. And looking at them, they clearly had absolute certainty.

Her mind raced, trying to find a solution.

Mu Junyi was very satisfied with Mu Xin’s current expression. He smiled triumphantly. “My dad and third uncle have $30%$ of the shares. Combined with several other shareholders, our shares already exceed what’s in second uncle’s hands. Do you think you still have a chance?”

Mu Junyi’s smile grew even more arrogant. He slapped his forehead as if suddenly remembering something.

“Oh, look at my memory. To be honest, someone actually wants to help you.”

He took out a document from the side and waved it at Mu Xin.

“Li Kan from the Li family somehow came up with 5% of the shares. He specified that they are for you—specifically, a betrothal gift for the future daughter-in-law of the Li family. Well? Do you want it?”

He didn’t care if that 5% fell into Mu Xin’s hands. As long as he could make her lose the successor status, the Mu family would eventually belong to them anyway.

“Li Kan?”

Mu Xin’s hands rested on her knees, her nails digging into her skin. One could imagine her current state of mind. How did Li Kan know about the Mu family’s affairs, and how did he get his hands on shares? He even had the gall to use them as a transaction.

Future daughter-in-law? Does he think he has me cornered?

But given Li Kan’s status in the Li family, he shouldn’t have that kind of power. Things were developing beyond her expectations. Mu Xin bit her lower lip, lamenting her own carelessness.

“What’s the rush, Xinxin?”

At this moment, Ning Qi was very calm—one might even say relaxed. Things were going exactly as she expected. Although she didn’t know how the “scumbag male lead” had done it, he was indeed involved.

“I’m fine, Seven-Seven. I just feel a bit tired.” Mu Xin forced a smile, her exhaustion flashing briefly. She truly was exhausted.

“If you’re tired, learn to rely on me, okay?”

Ning Qi rubbed Mu Xin’s head and opened her backpack once more.

“Uncle Mu has 40% of the shares. I wonder if adding the 12% here would be enough to achieve absolute control?”

Ning Qi handed the document to Mu Xin, whose mouth had hung open in surprise. Ning Qi couldn’t resist reaching out to touch her face. She’s just too cute.

“Well? You’ve become a wealthy lady overnight. Anything you want to say?” Ning Qi leaned in and winked at her, the meaning clear: Quick, praise me!

Uh…

Mu Xin really didn’t know how to describe her feelings. Gratitude? Certainly, because Ning Qi had helped her immensely. But more than that was the sense of security Ning Qi gave her.

Ning Qi never told her what she was doing. But whenever she was helpless and needed someone to lean on, the first person to appear was always Ning Qi. Her eyes felt a bit hot, and a certain impulse began to spread in her heart.

“Mhm. You’re very handsome today!”

“Only today?” Ning Qi was a bit dissatisfied.

“No, you’re always handsome.”

“That’s more like it.”

Ning Qi touched Mu Xin’s face again and stood up, looking at Mu Junyi with a half-smile. I’ll deal with you first, then go find the male lead.

“No… impossible. How could you have so many shares?” Mu Junyi looked at the document Ning Qi produced, becoming somewhat hysterical. He didn’t even try to verify it. If Ning Qi dared to bring it out, it was likely real. But the question was, how did she do it?

“Oh, it wasn’t that hard. I just showed that ‘Uncle’ over there a few things he didn’t want to be seen.”

The “Uncle” she referred to was the largest shareholder besides the Mu brothers.

Ning Qi shrugged and placed the file in Mu Xin’s lap. “Let’s go. Shall we head back?”

The matter was mostly settled. Mu Xin understood the remaining issues better than she did.

“Okay. I’ve wanted to go back for a long time.”

Mu Xin nodded. Ning Qi pushed the wheelchair toward the door. When they passed Mu Junyi, she paused.

“Stirring things up with Li Kan, huh? Then you’re probably finished.”

Without waiting for his reaction, she walked straight out.

The two didn’t linger. They left the banquet hall, found Qin Yuyou—who had been waiting for a long time—and contacted the driver to head home.

In the car, Qin Yuyou sat in the front passenger seat while Ning Qi and Mu Xin sat in the back. As soon as she got in, Ning Qi started to doze off. First, she leaned against Mu Xin, and finally, she simply hugged Mu Xin and fell asleep.

Before long, Mu Xin heard soft breathing. Her eyes curved into a smile, and she shifted her arm to let Ning Qi lie completely in her arms.

Qin Yuyou noticed her movements and finally couldn’t hold back.

“What is actually going on between you two?” She already knew what had happened today. She hadn’t expected Ning Qi to do so much without saying a word.

“Mhm… I think I probably have fallen in love with her.”

Mu Xin’s voice was very light, as if she were afraid of waking Ning Qi.

“Uh, you’re for real? Just because she helped you today?” Qin Yuyou was surprised by her bluntness. At the same time, she disapproved. If Mu Xin was making an impulsive decision just because of today’s events, it wouldn’t be fair to her or to Ning Qi.

Mu Xin wasn’t angry at Qin Yuyou’s doubt. She lowered her head with a smile and touched the top of Ning Qi’s hair, her eyes filled with tenderness.

“Xiao Yu, many times, when you realize you love someone, you might have already loved them for a very long time in your heart.”

Looking at the sleeping person, Mu Xin’s smile became more pronounced.

What does Seven-Seven feel about me?

This is good. I’m suddenly looking forward to life in the future. After all, having someone you love is a very happy thing.