"Ah Qian, how is the hotel's operation going recently?" Before dinner started, Mu Haotian brought up work matters. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI★Fire.net
Mu Shuoqian indifferently replied: "Business as usual."
"I heard that the Prime Minister of Country F is coming to Aus City for an inspection visit. If we could host the Prime Minister and his delegation, it would bring many benefits to our hotel's reputation and future development. I hope you and Hewen can successfully secure this deal."
As the eldest son of the Mu Family, Mu Hewen quickly said: "Don't worry, dad, I will do my best."
"That's good. I hope you brothers can work together in harmony to make the hotel successful."
Mu Hewen glanced at Mu Shuoqian and promised with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes: "Understood, dad."
Mu Shuoqian remained detached and unresponsive.
"Mu Fan, in two more months you will be taking the college entrance exam. Play fewer video games and review more." Mu Haotian, picking up his knife and fork, still held great hopes for his younger son, "If you have any difficulties with your studies, talk to your brother."
"Dad, I want to apply to Aus City University." Mu Fan's gaze shifted to Gu Qili, who had been keeping her eyes downcast.
Upon hearing this, her heart skipped a beat, wondering why Mu Fan had been inquiring about the school recently.
"Nonsense, I've already made arrangements with several prestigious overseas universities, just waiting for your results to come out before the interview. Now you're talking about applying to Aus City University, are you deliberately going against me?" Mu Haotian's face stiffened as he slammed his fork down heavily.
"Dad, you're always favoring foreign things. Aus City University is a nationally renowned institution; it's not like I can just get in if I want to. As for foreign schools, I'm not interested, nor do I want to study abroad. Staying in Aus City is just fine. It's close to home, and there's a lot happening overseas – who knows when a bombing could happen."
"Alright, enough." Mu Haotian waved his hand to stop him from continuing and glanced at Gu Qili, "From now on, stop discussing your university around Mu Fan; you've made him wild with your ideas."
Gu Qili felt completely wronged. Where Mu Fan wished to study wasn't something she could decide with a few words; she didn't have that much influence.
She sneakily frowned in protest at Mu Fan, who then also smiled without saying anything further.
Everyone silently continued their meal, with no one speaking—only the sound of knives and forks cutting food and scraping against plates could be heard.
"Mom, does uncle like my second aunt? They're always sneaking around and locking themselves in uncle's room. I've seen them several times." Sitting next to her mother Qi Meihui was her five-year-old daughter, Mu Xinrou, with her shiny black bob cut and small, bright eyes. She was scooping rice with her spoon, her gaze flitting back and forth between Gu Qili and Mu Fan.
"Rou'er, don't talk nonsense. What could possibly be going on between your second aunt and your uncle?" Although Qi Meihui's tone was scolding, her face was smiling as she pinched a grain of rice from Mu Xinrou's mouth.
"They must be playing kissy-kissy," Mu Xinrou pouted, smacking her lips together.
Even though these were the innocent words of a child, they instantly conjured up a myriad of discordant images in the minds of the adults present.
Mu Shuoqian seemed as if he hadn't heard anything, meticulously cutting his steak with an elegant motion, like a properly mannered noble from a royal family.
Compared to him, Gu Qili was not as composed; the dissatisfaction from Mu Haotian soon overflowed towards her. He didn't resort to verbal abuse but instead gave her a fierce glance, pushed his plate and utensils away, and left his seat abruptly.
Even if Gu Qili had thick skin, she found it impossible to continue dining under such circumstances. But if Mu Shuoqian didn't leave, neither could she.