The death of Murong Hongyan was quickly conveyed by Liu Shuhui to Mu Zhengtao. Mu Zhengtao, who had been in high spirits, turned a shade of purple as a pig's liver upon receiving the call from his secretary. He grabbed his phone and smashed it on the ground.
"Damn it, he died, but he still managed to trick me."
"Husband, why are you so angry?"
"Murong Hongyan unilaterally tore up our cooperation agreement. My chance to acquire Binhai Grand Hotel is gone. Damn it."
"But we still made billions in liquidated damages, so we didn't lose anything, did we?"
"Your knowledge is as short as your hair. A new Binhai high-speed rail station, integrating passenger and freight transport, will soon be built next to Binhai Grand Hotel. What do you think that area will be like? I put so much effort into this, and it all went to waste. I'm truly unwilling!" Mu Zhengtao clenched his fists, glaring into the distance with resentment.
"Did he also receive the news?"
"He's dead, what news could he have received!"
"Oh… he… died? Isn't that even better? Not only did you make billions, but you also got the land."
"?… How so?"
"With his death, most of the shares will go to your mistress and that wild child." Zhang Ziqi's anger flared up whenever this was mentioned, and she couldn't muster a pleasant expression.
"Most of them?"
"Not most, do you think it's all of it? Don't forget about Murong Yanran."
"Didn't she detach herself from the Murong family?"
"Legally, there's no such thing. Perhaps her share will be even more than yours and your mistress's two children. Unless…"
"Unless what?"
"Unless they are not truly father and daughter."
"Hahaha, Heaven helps me! Heaven helps me…"
Mu Zhengtao's eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter. He quickly grabbed his phone and ran out.
In the car, Mu Zhengtao dialed Liu Shuhui's number. "Hello, Shuhui. I'm coming out now. Let's find a place to meet and talk."
"Heh… My husband just died, and it might not be a good idea for me to go out. Let's talk on the phone about whatever it is."
Mu Zhengtao narrowed his eyes, thinking, "Could this Liu Shuhui have some other intentions?"
"As we agreed before, I'll give you an extra fifty million on top of the original price. We'll complete the handover with the lawyer tomorrow, and then the transaction will be done. Additionally, I'll send another fifty million to my son for his living expenses in America."
"Heh heh… Zhengtao, do you think you can buy a plot of land worth over a billion for two hundred million?"
"Liu Shuhui, what do you mean by that?" Mu Zhengtao's expression immediately darkened, and he said with a grim face.
"Heh heh, it means exactly what it says. I won't ask for too much. I'll sell it to you for a billion after the handover tomorrow. Otherwise, you won't get it."
"You… very good, really very good. Fine, a billion it is. Wait for my call tomorrow." Mu Zhengtao hung up the phone, his eyes revealing a fierce glint. He immediately dialed a number not saved in his contacts. "Rat, help me keep an eye on someone…"
As the saying goes, wealth moves the heart. Even though she knew Mu Zhengtao was a ruthless man, she couldn't resist the temptation of a billion. However, fearing Mu Zhengtao's revenge, Liu Shuhui quickly ran back to her room, woke her son, and hastily drove away.
Li Haochen accompanied Murong Yanran back to the Murong family villa. To their surprise, Liu Shuhui and her son were nowhere to be seen. Only a few housekeepers and maids were at home.
They knew that Murong Yanran had fallen out with Murong Hongyan, but they were unaware that Murong Yanran had left the Murong family, and no obstruction occurred.
Entering the hall, Murong Yanran, suppressing her grief, gathered all the housekeepers and maids. "Aunt Liu, my father… has passed away. Please help me arrange the mourning hall. I'm young and don't understand much. Thank you!" After speaking, Murong Yanran bowed deeply to them.
The housekeepers and maids were startled. She had only fainted and been hospitalized a few days ago, and now… The housekeeper quickly stepped forward to help Murong Yanran up, comforted her, and then went to make the necessary arrangements.
The next morning, Murong Yanran, who had not slept all night, looked pale and haggard. If Li Haochen hadn't forced her to drink a bowl of plain congee, she probably wouldn't have had the strength to sit up.
Wearing mourning attire, she knelt by the mourning hall, waiting for condolences from relatives and friends. In reality, no one came. Murong Hongyan was an orphan and had died suddenly, so no one knew. Therefore, friends, colleagues, and the like did not show up.
The only ones who came to offer condolences were Liu Zijun, a few employees from Yipin Stewed Soup, Chen He, and the Xiao Nian from the coconut milk shop. Li Haochen had notified them last night, hoping to have a few familiar faces to lend support, as it would look bad if no one came. He also wanted them to comfort Murong Yanran.
As it approached noon, Liu Shuhui received a call from Murong Hongyan's lawyer. Filled with joy and after arranging for her son, she drove to the Murong family villa. The moment she entered, she saw Murong Yanran kneeling by the mourning hall, looking grief-stricken, and became angry. "What are you doing in my house? If you don't leave, I'll call the police."
As she spoke, she tried to push, but seeing Li Haochen beside her, she retracted her hand and could only vent her anger on the housekeepers and maids. "I'm telling you, do you want to quit? What are you all standing here for? Don't you know she's been kicked out of the Murong family? Letting any Tom, Dick, or Harry in. Your bonuses for this month are gone."
The staff, who were already dissatisfied with Liu Shuhui, immediately threw down their work. "If we don't work, we don't work. I don't care about it anyway."
"Exactly, I'm not working anymore either. You vicious, sharp-tongued vixen. If it weren't for the former madam's kindness to us, I wouldn't have stayed."
"Yes, yes, sisters, let's go."
"Aunt Liu, can you do me a favor and wait until after my father's funeral before you leave, okay?" Murong Yanran, supported by Li Haochen, walked up to the housekeepers and pleaded sadly.
"This… Alright, Miss. Don't be too sad, and take care of yourself." The housekeepers comforted Murong Yanran again and returned to their posts, ignoring Liu Shuhui.
"You… You're infuriating me! Hurry up and get out! This is my house, and I'm calling the police."
Just as Liu Shuhui was about to lose her temper completely, a refined gentleman in a suit and glasses, wearing framed glasses, walked in.
Upon seeing him, Liu Shuhui's face lit up with a fawning smile. She quickly ran over. "Lawyer Li, you're here! Please, have a seat."
Li Mingxuan glanced at Liu Shuhui without speaking. He went to the mourning hall, paid his respects, and then returned to Murong Yanran's side. "Miss Murong, please accept my condolences."
"Thank you!" Murong Yanran was also puzzled by Li Mingxuan's arrival but didn't dwell on it.
"Lawyer Li, about the commission you mentioned on the phone, I wonder…?" Liu Shuhui clasped her hands, her eyes gleaming as she waited for Li Mingxuan to announce it.
Li Mingxuan cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Shuhui. He took out a document from his briefcase and turned to Murong Yanran. "Miss Murong, this is the will drafted by Mr. Murong before his death. The will states that you are the sole beneficiary of all assets of the Murong family."