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Before arriving here, I heard from the Ye family in Guang City that the young lady is the legitimate daughter of the Ming family. Apparently, there was a mix-up at the hospital when she was born, and she was only recently brought back home. Mu Chen stowed his phone and gazed out the car window, offering no response. Lyi Beiting stole another glance at him and mused aloud, "Treating your own daughter as an adopted child and even throwing an adoption celebration banquet, that's something only the Ming family would do." "I can piece together the reason, though. The Ming family entered into an engagement with the Luo family two years ago, right? Riding on the Luo family's coattails, they've reaped quite a few benefits and have recently been hailed as the fourth most prestigious family in Shen City. They probably don't want to let go of the Luo family's support, all for a bit of petty gain. Tsk, the things people do." "Did you catch any of the gossip at the banquet? If it wasn't deliberately spread by the Ming family people, I'd be surprised. With parents who don't stand up for her and underhanded scheming in the shadows, that young lady is likely to face a tough road ahead." Mu Chen's lips tightened, his handsome face intermittently illuminated by the passing streetlights. The light cast his striking features in a play of shadow and light, and his piercing eyes flickered with a barely perceptible chill. Lyi Beiting caught sight of this in the rearview mirror and clicked his tongue in admiration. "Why not just go and take her under your wing? After all, it's the same whoever takes her in. It's quite trendy these days to raise your own future daughter-in-law." Mu Chen nodded. "That's not a bad idea." Lyi Beiting had been rambling on without much of a response, but the moment he made a joke, Mu Chen seemed to perk up. He was momentarily at a loss for words. "Chen, I was only kidding." Mu Chen gave him a look. "I'm serious." Lyi Beiting was speechless. "You're the boss, your call." At the Ming family estate, the once lively chatter had faded, leaving a deafening silence that shrouded the villa. The atmosphere was tinged with awkwardness and heaviness. Ming Chengkang and his wife, Ye Tang, exchanged wordless glances before finally setting their eyes on Jiang Yining.
After a brief pause, Ming Chengkang ventured cautiously, "Yining, do you and Third Master Mu... have you known each other previously?" Jiang Yining replied evenly, "This is our first meeting." Ming Chengkang studied her calm expression. She did not seem to be lying, which only deepened his confusion. Rumor had it that Third Master Mu was ruthless and decisive. Why would he bother with such a trivial matter? Irritably rubbing his temples, Ming Chengkang glanced at Jiang Yining again. Her features were delicate, her skin fair, and her eyes had the distinctive peach blossom shape of the Ye family people, making her as pretty as a porcelain doll. Calling Jiang Yining a beauty who could bring a kingdom to its knees would not be an overstatement. Could it be... A notion began to take root in his mind. "Yi..." Ming Chengkang started to speak, but before he could continue, Ming Qingcheng walked in from outside with a sweet smile and hurried over to him. "Dad, all the guests have been seen off." At the sight of her, a flicker of relief passed through Ming Chengkang's eyes. At least there was someone in the house who eased his worries. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his expression softening. "You worked hard today." Ming Qingcheng's smile grew even sweeter. "Dad, it's just what I should do." Of course, the one not raised at his side was far inferior. Qingcheng had grown up exactly as they had hoped, unlike that one. Ming Chengkang glanced at Jiang Yining and reined in his irritation.
