How did that not count as meeting the parents?

"What?!"

A thunderous cry rang through the villa as Mu Xu Xi sprang up from the sofa. "You and Xiao Wen went to watch the drama unfold without inviting me?"

Xie Yunshu's ears ached from the noise. "You were busy preparing your graduation materials, so we didn't disturb you. Besides, the whole thing was livestreamed. Can't you just watch the replay?"

"That's different. Watching it on TV doesn't feel the same."

"Well, there's nothing I can do about that. If you want to see it, you'll have to watch the replay. Anyway, I've arranged afternoon tea with two friends. I'm heading out."

"Hey! Mom." Mu Xu Xi planted her hands on her hips. "Leaving me alone again. Hmph."

Shengyuan Academy, art studio

Yan Xiaoqing stopped painting and asked curiously, "You're the Tao Family's real daughter?"

Li Zhaoxi smiled. "But not anymore."

"So you really cut ties with the Tao Family?"

"Yes."

"Good for you!" Yan Xiaoqing gave Li Zhaoxi a firm slap on the shoulder. "You should've dumped a family like that ages ago. What are you going to do next?"

Li Zhaoxi mixed her paints and smiled. "I'm planning to go home at the end of the month to see my parents. It's been two years. I wonder how they're doing. After that, I'll prepare my graduation materials and résumé."

"Let me join you. I can't focus on studying alone."

"No problem."

Men's dormitory, Building A, room 809

Mu Huai'an gripped his phone, his dark gaze fixed on the screen.

Why had the Mu Family interfered in the Tao Family's affairs? Why had they only taken Yan Wen to the Tao Family's banquet?

Their biological son had only just returned. Had they already forgotten the adopted son who had lived with them for fourteen years?

Watching Yan Wen steal the spotlight on-screen, Mu Huai'an trembled with jealousy. He quickly turned off his phone, the fear inside him growing stronger.

"Mom, Dad, my second brother, and my third sister are all starting to ignore me. They're treating Yan Wen so well now. What if one day he wants to throw me out of the Mu Family...?"

Mu Huai'an turned on his phone and dialed a number with no saved contact name. "Do something for me. I'll pay you a two-hundred-thousand deposit first. Once it's done, I'll give you a million."

Tang Yun lay on the bed, swinging his legs back and forth. "That show a couple of days ago was so satisfying. A Yan, if anything that good happens again, you have to bring me along."

Gao Yuyang chimed in, "Yes, yes! Me too!"

Yan Wen looked at the two of them helplessly. "Why do you keep coming to my room every day? Especially you, Tang Zi. Why are you acting like this is your own home?"

Tang Yun propped himself up and sat. "I've already stayed at your house. Why get hung up on something like this?"

Gao Yuyang's eyes widened with curiosity. "You've stayed at Yan Wen's house? When?"

"Yep! I stayed there at the end of last month. I'm telling you, his mom is an amazing cook, and she's really nice. The whole time I was there, she kept worrying I wouldn't be comfortable."

"How does that not count as meeting the parents?"

Tang Yun waved a hand. "Nah, that doesn't count. A Yan hasn't been to my house yet."

Yan Wen sucked in a breath and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Why does that sound... a little off?"

Tang Yun stood up. "I'm going back to call my parents. Good night."

Gao Yuyang stood too. "Then I'll head back and get some rest."

After seeing them off, Yan Wen began washing up. He was brushing his teeth when Xiao Qi appeared. Host, Secretary Liu, the one working for Chairman Mu, has started making his move.

Yan Wen nearly choked on the foam. As he rinsed his mouth, he discussed it with Xiao Qi. What is Secretary Liu planning to do?

While Chairman Mu is away on business, Secretary Liu has been using his position as the chairman's secretary to wheedle quite a bit of information out of the R&D department. Now he's waiting for a chance to get his hands on the research materials.

When?

In two days.

How much longer will my dad be away?

He'll be back in three days.

Let me make a call. Yan Wen walked to the desk, picked up his phone, and dialed. "Dad, I need to tell you something. I just divined that Secretary Liu is planning to betray the company! Hurry back to the office and stop him!"

Mu Xingfeng's deep, authoritative voice came through. "I didn't expect him to act so soon. Xiao Wen, can you divine when Secretary Liu will make his move?"

Yan Wen deliberately paused for a few seconds. "In two days."

"All right, I understand. If he wants to hurt our family, he'd better see whether he has what it takes. We'll talk later. I need to deal with this traitor first."

A black Maybach traveled along a broad asphalt road. Mu Xingfeng sat in the back seat, with only the driver in the car with him.

"What else is on the schedule?"

"Chairman Mu, your schedule for today is finished."

"All right. Back to the hotel."

"Yes, sir."

Mu Xingfeng called the head of the R&D department. "What did you find out about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

"Chairman Mu, there really is something wrong with Secretary Liu. He's been asking us about our product research over the past few days. I started keeping an eye on him and discovered that he's been secretly contacting our competitor, the Shengshi Group."

Mu Xingfeng's expression hardened. "Keep all the evidence you've collected safe."

"Yes, sir."

Mu Xingfeng tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose. The driver asked, "Chairman Mu, the auction is in half a month. Will you need six invitations, as usual?"

"Prepare seven this year," Mu Xingfeng instructed. "Remember that."

"Yes, Chairman Mu."

Tang Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, video-calling his family. His father and mother appeared on the screen.

"Xiao Yun, are you settling in at school?"

"It's been great, Mom. I've even made a really good friend. When school was on break at the end of last month, I stayed at his house."

"Whose son is he?" his mother asked.

Tang Yun bit into a cookie. "His name is Mu Yanwen. He's the Mu Family's youngest son."

"The Mu Family? Look at you, making friends with someone from the Mu Family." His father teased him. "I thought you'd be crying your eyes out in an unfamiliar place."

His mother slapped the back of his father's head. "How can you say that about our son?"

"Ow! I was wrong, I was wrong!"

Tang Yun couldn't help laughing at the scene. "Dad, are you okay?"

When his mother turned back to Tang Yun, she was a loving mother once more. "Xiao Yun, your youngest uncle is going to Weicheng in half a month and staying for a while. Make sure you show him around."

"Why do I have to show him around? He's older than me."

"He's only six years older than you. Besides, your youngest uncle doesn't know his way around Weicheng, so we'll have to trouble you to help him out."

Tang Yun pretended to be troubled. "But... I wanted to go out with my friends."

His father had already seen through him. "All right, all right. We'll give you some extra spending money. Happy now?"

"Don't worry, Mom and Dad! Leave my youngest uncle to me. I guarantee he'll have a great time!"

"You can have fun, but keep an eye on the time. Your youngest uncle is going there on business."

"I know, I know!"

Tang Yun rubbed his chin, his eyes shifting thoughtfully. "Why would my youngest uncle come to Weicheng on business? Since when has his company had any partnerships here? Can't figure it out. Forget it. Time to wash up and sleep!"