Chapter 50: The Formidable Third Brother

At this moment, Si Qingchen sat upright, exuding a cold detachment as though he were entirely uninvolved. His sense of timing and control was impeccable. Even Si Bei, standing behind him, couldn't help but lean closer to Si Nan’s ear and whisper, “Has he… finally figured it out?” Si Nan merely snorted, affecting the air of an aloof sage. “Hmph, men—some things they learn on their own.” Si Bei was left speechless.

On the other side of the room, Ran Siya found herself utterly cornered by Old Master Mu’s relentless questioning. Panic gripped her as never before. Mu Qingcheng had said nothing from beginning to end, but the injury in her palm was plain to see. And then there was that baffling “interesting item” in the hands of the Si family’s eldest son… All of it made her too afraid to fabricate a story. She knew that the moment she lied, that eldest son would surely step forward to see justice done himself. Eyes brimming with tears, Ran Siya dabbed at them while shooting a venomous glare at the girl beside her. She truly couldn’t understand how this “country bumpkin” who had appeared out of nowhere had managed to win over so many hearts in such a short time.

But just as Ran Siya’s mind raced desperately for any chance of escape, the commotion outside the door snuffed out her last hope. For it was well known that Miss Ran Siya, who feared nothing and no one, was afraid of one man alone: Mu Jingchi, the interim head of the Mu family.

At that moment, Mu Jingchi strode inside, windblown and travel-worn as though he had rushed straight from afar. His sharp gaze swept the room, finally landing on Si Qingchen. “Young Master Si? What brings you here?”

At this, Old Master Mu stifled his anger for the moment, clearing his throat to remind, “Jingchi, mind your manners. Show respect.”

Mu Jingchi raised an eyebrow, fixing Si Qingchen with a meaningful look for several seconds before repeating, “Eldest Young Master Si, what brings you here, sir?” The honorific was pronounced with deliberate emphasis, his tone betraying his true feelings.

Si Qingchen rose and extended a hand, his voice calm and unhurried. “Titles are unimportant. Call me whatever you like.”

For once, Mu Jingchi said nothing, merely watching Si Qingchen, his gaze growing ever more inscrutable.

He could still remember clearly the last time he’d seen Si Qingchen, at a banquet a year before. Then, Si Qingchen had kept everyone at arm’s length—humble and low-key, yet still so imposing that few dared approach. How different he seemed now… almost approachable.

Mu Jingchi, a veteran of the business world, was famed for his ruthlessness and insight—a cunning old fox whose acumen put others to shame. He had always been keenly observant, and with just a glance, he sensed that something here was out of the ordinary.

“Well then, I won’t stand on ceremony.” He accepted Si Qingchen’s words without protest, smoothly moving to sit beside Mu Qingcheng. Placing a firm hand on her shoulder, he steered her to the far end of the sofa and seated himself between her and Si Qingchen.

“Third Brother!” Mu Qingcheng looked up, her clear eyes blinking innocently. Her gentle demeanor made Mu Jingchi reach out to stroke her hair. He lowered his gaze to the wound in his precious sister’s palm. But when he spoke, it was to the now thoroughly panicked Ran Siya. “Ran Siya, if you don’t give me a clear explanation today, I’ll break your legs myself! Do you really think your muddle-headed grandfather can protect you?”