Chapter 29: A Timely Helping Hand

Qiu Ke’s gaze was clear, not like she was lying. An orphan, amnesiac, with a missing finger—her identity seemed far from simple. Yet, since Ji Yu was the one who had brought her in, Chi Mu could not bring herself to kick her out.

Chi Mu took a shallow breath, turned around, and dragged Ji Yu by the ear behind the clinic. "Is the Divine Healer’s Clinic under your management now? You brought someone in without even asking me. Your kindness is truly infuriating!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I’m sorry, Sister Mu!" Ji Yu covered his ear, wincing in pain.

Chi Mu’s anger burned, and it took a long while before she finally released him. Rubbing his ear, Ji Yu scrambled three meters away. Once Chi Mu’s temper had calmed slightly, he gauged her expression and spoke cautiously, "Sister Mu, Qiu Ke is really pitiful. She’s been at the clinic for a month, and she’s so well-behaved and obedient. The customers all say she’s cute; she’s helped us sell quite a few medicinal pills."

"One must always be on guard. You keep an eye on her. If anything goes wrong, I’m holding you responsible."

"You got it, Sister Mu!"

Chi Mu’s remark meant that Qiu Ke could stay.

Ji Yu smiled and sidled up to her again, staring at her face. "Sister Mu, you’re so pretty, why do you wear a mask?"

"None of your business." Chi Mu pushed his annoyingly grinning face away. "Help me find two people: a lawyer and a professional manager. They need to be the best. Money is no object."

"When do you need them?"

"Before Friday."

"Done." Ji Yu agreed, though his curiosity got the better of him. "What do you need them for?"

Chi Mu curled her lips, ambition surging in her eyes. "To go to the Chi Corporation and offer a timely hand in their hour of need."

...

The Chi Corporation, primarily engaged in the manufacturing of electrical components, was located in the Hai City Industrial Park.

Chi Lifeng had been waiting in his office for a long time, checking his watch repeatedly. Secretary Wang wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, cooing, "President Chi, all those suppliers are looking to sign with Chi Mu. You’re not actually going to give her the company, are you?"

"If the company is hers, what will I use to support you? Don't worry. That little brat knows nothing about business. I’ll sweet-talk her into becoming the legal representative, and once she signs the contracts, she’ll take the fall if anything goes wrong, while the profits go into my pockets. It’s all gain and no pain."

"Is Chi Mu really that obedient?"

"Of course. She’s been sensible and obedient since she was a child. She does whatever I tell her to."

"President Chi, you’re truly remarkable~"

"Heh, not as remarkable as you." Chi Lifeng leaned in to kiss her red lips.

...

The Public Relations department was closest to the entrance. Employees were whispering early in the morning, glancing toward the door every so often.

"I heard the eldest miss is coming to the company to sign contracts today."

"After the live-streamed family reunion banquet, the eldest miss is very popular. Our suppliers only want to deal with her. I’m afraid the company will have to be handed over to her eventually."

"It’s all temporary. The family business will definitely be taken over by President Chi’s son. At the very worst, there’s still his biological daughter. How could it ever fall to an adopted daughter? President Chi is just having her sign some papers; there’s no way he’d give her the company."

"Shh, she’s here..."

As the glass door was pushed open, everyone fell silent in unison, only daring to peek with their peripheral vision.

Four people walked in. The woman in the lead wore a black overcoat, her long hair slightly wavy and falling loosely. A pair of light grey sunglasses covered most of her face. Her stride was brisk, her demeanor cold and aloof. Following a step behind her was a young man with silver-grey hair, dressed in designer labels, looking handsome and flamboyant. The two men walking at the back in suits and ties looked like elite professionals, devoid of any expression.

Once the four of them entered the office, the PR staff let out a collective sigh of relief. Someone muttered, "The eldest miss’s aura is too strong. I didn't even dare to breathe loudly just now!"

When Chi Lifeng saw Chi Mu enter, he hurriedly offered her a seat and placed a stack of contracts on the table. "Mumu, the legal department has already reviewed these. We’re just waiting for your signature."

Chi Mu removed her sunglasses and looked directly at Chi Lifeng. "In what capacity am I signing these?"

"As the legal representative, of course."

"The legal representative? The one who has to take the blame and go to jail if something goes wrong with the company?"

"Our Chi Corporation operates legitimately with legal production. Nothing will go wrong. Don’t you trust your father’s work?"

"I don't."

Chi Mu was blunt. She took an equity transfer agreement from the lawyer, Xu Zheng, and placed it on top of the contracts. "Only by becoming the largest shareholder of the Chi Corporation and possessing absolute decision-making power can I feel at ease serving as this legal representative."

Chi Lifeng’s expression darkened. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Exactly what I said."

"..."

Secretary Wang, standing to the side, saw the deadlock and couldn't help but interject, "Miss Chi, the company has always been managed by President Chi. Isn't it a bit excessive for you to ask him to transfer all his equity to you?"

Ji Yu chuckled. "Sister Mu, they are so funny. President Chi has run this company to the brink of bankruptcy, and you are here to offer help in their hour of need to revive the company and save the rice bowls of a thousand employees. How can she call you excessive for that?"

He shook his head. "Forget it, forget it. Let’s go. Let’s not worry about whether they live or die."

Ji Yu picked up the sunglasses Chi Mu had left on the table, making a move to leave.

Secretary Wang hurriedly blocked him. "I’m sorry, I misspoke."

Chi Lifeng’s face was livid. "Chi Mu, you’re taking advantage of a crisis! You dare to demand the largest share of the Chi Corporation!"

"Ji Yu, you all go out first. I want to talk to my father alone."

The office door opened and closed. Chi Mu picked up the pen on the table, twirling it between her fingers. "Dad, I’ll allow you to keep two percent of the equity for yourself. With the annual dividends, you can still support your Secretary Wang."

"What did you say?"

Chi Mu smiled faintly. "And there’s Little Zheng from Public Relations, Little Li from the Product Department, and Manager Hu from HR. Does Mom know about these people?"

Chi Lifeng’s face flushed red. "Do you think you can threaten me with this?"

"Of course not. Even if Mom knew, she couldn't do much to you. After all, you are the pillar of the family; they all rely on you to survive."

"Glad you know that."

"So, I followed the trail and found another piece of leverage."

Chi Mu’s voice was light and breezy, as if she were discussing the weather. "In order to support your mistresses—the third, fourth, and fifth—and to please them, you’ve been gambling heavily in Macau. You didn't hesitate to use your position to embezzle huge sums of company money. That’s a prison-worthy offense."

Hit by the accusation, the corner of Chi Lifeng’s eye twitched violently. "Stop spouting nonsense!"

"I’ve attached the evidence to the last page of the equity transfer agreement. See for yourself whether I’m spouting nonsense."

"..."

Chi Lifeng clenched his jaw, finally picking up the equity transfer agreement on top of the contracts and flipping directly to the last page.

There, in black and white, it clearly recorded the company funds he had privately misappropriated over the years—how he used them, when he used them, and where they went. It was clearer and more detailed than his own diary.

Chi Mu handed him the pen. "Dad, sign it. Wealth for freedom—it’s not a bad trade."