After hearing her question, Han Qing went completely silent.
For a moment, Han Muzi couldn’t bring herself to say anything, thinking that maybe she shouldn’t have phrased her question this way…
“Sorry, Qing. I… I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to know.”
“It’s okay.” Han Qing smiled faintly. “It’s been many years since mom passed away, and I have already moved on. Besides, I have also completed the task she gave me and found you, the bloodline of the Han Family, my younger sister.”
With that, Han Qing stretched out his hand and ruffled Han Muzi’s hair, whispering, “Since we lost you, mom’s mental state had been deteriorating. Every day, all she wanted to do was to look for you. She looked everywhere and even went to look for you personally. No one could stop her, so I had to follow her. Later, she became worse and succumbed to depression. On top of that, her body had been in quite a weak state after giving birth.”
When Han Muzi heard what had happened in the past, she felt shocked and bewildered.
“W-Why? Even if I were gone, she should have taken care of herself.”
“Because of guilt. She always felt sorry for not keeping her eyes on you which led to you being abducted. Self-blame, guilt, coupled with all other negative emotions, what do you think she’s going to become?”
Han Muzi was suddenly speechless.
“On top of that, there came another bit of bad news when father’s plane crashed. When mom received the news, she was at a rural village in the mountains looking for you. On her way down the mountain, she couldn’t focus due to her deteriorating mental state, so she slipped and fell.”
Han Muzi’s eyes widened, and her breathing quickened.
“Then, she was sent to the hospital, and the doctor sent us in to see her one last time.”
Han Qing’s expression was as calm as a lake as if he was recounting an insipid story, but standing close to him, Han Muzi could clearly see the turbulent emotions rolling under his eyes.
They stood silently in front of the tombstone for a long time, and later, Han Muzi placed a bouquet of flowers in front of her grave. As the sky darkened, Han Qing asked Han Muzi to leave after seeing that it was about to rain.
After they left the cemetery, it started drizzling as soon as they got in the car.
After the drizzle, the weather became a lot cooler and less muggy than before.
When night fell, Yan excused herself from having dinner with them with the same ‘I’m not feeling well’ excuse. Han Muzi knew what was going on, so she asked the maids to send food to her.
After dinner, Han Muzi and Little Bean played some games on their cell phones in the living room when suddenly, Han Qing sat down and gave Han Muzi a document.
“What is this?”
“Documents for company registration.”
“Company registration?” Han Muzi came to a halt, feeling a little surprised and peculiar.
“It’s better for you to set up a company and find a team to work together. You’re always on your own, and that’s not a good idea.”
Hearing that, Han Muzi couldn’t help pouting. “But Why? Why is it a bad idea? I was like this when I was abroad!”
“It’s a different working environment abroad than it is here. Do you know what news I have received?”
Hearing what Han Qing said, Han Muzi remembered what happened in Su City and curled her lips in amusement. “Someone wants to sue me?”
Han Qing glanced at her emotionlessly. “It seems you are quite self-conscious about your actions. Good to know.”
“I know she wants to sue me, and I’m not afraid.” Han Muzi shook her head indifferently. “Besides, she is wrong in this matter.”
“So do you plan to just let her sue you?”
Han Muzi glanced at Han Qing, suddenly smiling. “Well, I have you, my brother, to back me up, don’t I? I think I can be a little wilful. In the worst case scenario, I won’t make any money from her. No big deal. The contract falls apart anyway.”
“You have just returned to the country. If there is a legal dispute, it will be bad for your future.”
“Is that so? If I can’t become a designer, then I’ll change my course of a career and become an actress.”
Han Qing was taken aback for a moment by her nonsensical remark. Then, he narrowed his eyes at her.
“Become an actress?”
Han Muzi nodded. “Yes. If I really can’t be a designer, I’ll just be an actress.”
“No.” Han Qing immediately rejected her request with a cold expression and said solemnly, “You can’t be an actress. If you can’t be a designer, you can come to my company. I’ll find you something to do.”
Amused, Han Muzi couldn’t help laughing at his serious expression.
“Alright, I’m just kidding. Even if I can’t be a designer, I’m not going to be an actress. This profession is for young people. I’m not young anymore and I sure as hell don’t have the talent in acting. Even if I want to be an actress, no one would dare to hire me.”
Han Qing remained quiet.
“Yeah, Uncle Qing. Mommy is old!” Little Bean added.
Han Mu looked at Little Bean with a vile smile on her face. “Sweetie, what did you just say?”
Little Bean quickly jumped off the couch and climbed onto Han Qing’s lap.
Han Muzi was speechless.
“Anyway, I have solved that case for you.” Han Qing hugged Little Bean while updating Han Muzi about the situation in a low voice. “The company has been set up, and it is near the Han Group. Here’s the address. I’ll have Su Jiu take you there tomorrow.”
Han Muzi uttered, “Are you really setting up a company for me? A-Actually, I think it’s good to be working alone. It’s quite exhausting to lead a team and a company.”
“You don’t have to worry about the team. I have already found the best designer team in the country for you.”
“The best design team? Won’t I have to split the profit with them then? Qing, do you want me to make money, or do you want me to go bankrupt?”
A grin finally broke out on Han Qing’s grim expression upon hearing her poking fun at him. “I believe in your capabilities. I’ll help you with their salaries for the first three months, but after that, you’re on your own. Whether you can build an excellent company, attract enough customers, or build up your own brand, it’s entirely up to you.”
Build my own brand?
Upon hearing his suggestion, Han Muzi was a little stunned. When she was abroad, she labeled her works only with her name, but she had never thought of building her own brand or anything like that.
However, if she really had to lead a team, she would need a distinct style.
Thinking of this, Han Muzi began to feel stressed.
She had a feeling that she would be as busy as a beaver after the establishment of the company.
“Mommy, if you start a company, can I have a position too?” Little Bean suddenly asked.
Upon hearing that, Han Muzi couldn’t help glaring at him, “You are just a kid. What can you possibly do?”
“Hmph.” Little Bean grumbled, feeling a little upset.
“I’ll give you a position.” Han Qing pinched Little Bean’s cheek. “Your mommy will be very busy tomorrow so I’ll take you to my office. What do you think?”
“I can follow you, Uncle Qing? Will you give me a very awesome position?” Little Bean’s eyes lit up, looking naive and innocent.
However, a tinge of cunningness flashed in Little Bean’s eyes, but it was gone after Han Qing took a closer look.
He thought that he’d probably misread it.
