Volume One Chapter Twelve: The Struggle for Control of the Pharmaceutical Factory

Mu Shaozhou, seeing her like this, couldn’t hide the smile curling at his lips, his delight overflowing. He knew it—she did have feelings for him.

“What’s your name?” Yu Mo blurted out unconsciously, rising to try and take the man’s hand.

The next second, she was pulled into his embrace. A low, melodious voice brushed her ear, gentle in its tone. “Call me darling.”

Through the gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, her sparkling eyes met his long, beguiling gaze. Mu Shaozhou wrapped his long arm around her, his large hand gently stroking her back. Annoyed by his glasses, Yu Mo reached out and removed them, muttering, “You look better without them. With glasses, you seem like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Mu Shaozhou’s deep eyes narrowed slightly.

A warm, lingering sensation pressed against his lips. Without thinking, Yu Mo’s fair arms wound around his shoulders, her hands clasping behind his neck. She kissed him, awkward and inexperienced.

Yu Mo rolled over, pressing him beneath her, and took him in a heated kiss.

A low groan escaped Mu Shaozhou as desire swept through his mind.

When she finally lost all strength, he flipped them over, reclaiming control.

The night passed in passion.

Morning came.

Yu Mo woke to find the man beside her still deep in sleep. His lashes, dark as crow feathers, lay quietly on his cheeks as the gentle morning sun spilled over his striking features. His profile was awash in golden light, lending him a sense of distance and fragility.

She placed a bank card on the bedside table, pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, and quietly left.

The man on the bed opened his eyes—clear and sharp. He stared at the bank card.

Mu Shaozhou truly didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

Yu Mo had just returned to her own home when her phone rang. It was Uncle Zhang, the steward of the Fu family.

“Miss Yu, Master Fu fell gravely ill last night and is now in the hospital.”

“Uncle Zhang, which hospital is Grandpa in? I’ll come at once.”

Phoenix City First Hospital.

Yu Mo rushed over and saw Master Fu in the intensive care unit.

“How could this happen?” Just yesterday, he was still well at the birthday banquet. How could things change so suddenly…

Uncle Zhang sighed and shook his head. “Last night, the young master came home and had a fierce argument with the old master. He was so angry he suddenly collapsed. The doctors say it was a stroke…”

Yu Mo frowned. “When will Grandpa wake up?”

“The doctors say he’s just passed the critical stage, but he still needs time to be observed. They can’t say when he’ll regain consciousness.” Uncle Zhang’s eyes brimmed with tears. He had been with Master Fu for so many years—not just as a servant, but as family.

Yu Mo comforted him. “Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang. Grandpa is blessed. He’ll wake up, I’m sure.”

Uncle Zhang nodded vigorously, lifting his arm to wipe the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

Yu Mo glanced around but didn’t see Fu Yanting. “Where’s Fu Yanting? Why isn’t he here yet?”

“I tried calling him, but couldn’t get through,” Uncle Zhang replied, then continued, “Miss Yu, you should visit the pharmaceutical factory today. Master Fu used to oversee it himself, but now that he’s fallen ill, I’m afraid things will be in chaos…”

Yu Mo nodded. “Uncle Zhang, call me immediately if there’s any news about Grandpa. I’ll head to the factory now.”

The pharmaceutical factory was in the midst of a crisis, and now Grandpa had collapsed. She had to protect the factory for him.

She turned to leave, only to see Fu Yanting striding toward her.

Yu Mo stepped forward and slapped him across the face.

“Fu Yanting, since you love Lin Hua so much, go be with her. Don’t show yourself in front of Grandpa again.”

Fu Yanting’s face was cold and menacing as he glared fiercely at Yu Mo. “The affairs of the Fu family are none of your concern. You, a woman who grew up in the slums, now back with your birth parents in the Chu family—do you really think Lin Hua is as kind and innocent as you see her?”

“Yu Mo, because you can’t have me, you’re trying to sow discord between me and Xiaohua. How despicable you are!”

A cold laugh escaped Yu Mo. “I’m grateful I never married you. Otherwise, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

With that, she turned and walked away. Her affection for Fu Yanting had blinded her for six years. Never marrying him was something she could be thankful for her whole life.

At the Fu family pharmaceutical factory, Yu Mo met Manager Yao, who was busy organizing a board meeting. She entered the conference room.

Director Huang, seated at the head of the table, looked at her with displeasure.

Yu Mo found a seat and introduced herself. “Gentlemen, I am here on behalf of the factory’s largest shareholder, Fu Ronghan, to attend this meeting.”

Some people were obviously unhappy.

“A young girl like you, coming in and claiming to represent Chairman Fu—you think we’re that gullible?”

“Exactly. Do you have a letter of appointment?”

Yu Mo turned calmly to the man questioning her, producing a letter of authorization bearing Master Fu’s seal.

Just then, the conference room door swung open.

Lin Hua walked in.

Gone was her usual white dress. Today, she wore a cream-colored sleeveless blouse, a wide silk ribbon tied at the collar, matching wide-legged trousers, and light-colored heels. She seemed a different person, the very picture of a capable professional woman.

From the moment Yu Mo laid eyes on her, she sensed trouble.

Sure enough, Lin Hua produced an identical letter of appointment.

She looked around at the dozen or so directors and announced solemnly, “I am here on behalf of Fu Yanting, to attend this meeting and inform you that I will be managing the factory.”

Director Huang studied Yu Mo and Lin Hua, then consulted the HR department for their files.

Both Yu Mo and Lin Hua had graduated from the same university, with identical majors in pharmaceutical science. Yu Mo had been an outstanding student, her thesis excellent, and her photo had once been displayed on the school’s wall of honor. Lin Hua was equally accomplished, recommended for graduate study abroad, though she had chosen to remain and build her career at home.

Director Huang set down their files, his gaze lingering on them both.

“You both want to manage the factory. In that case—” He placed his arms on the gleaming table. “There’s an important production license we need to secure as soon as possible. Whoever gets it done first will have our support.”

The dozen or so directors agreed this was a fair proposal. The license was notoriously difficult to obtain, and trusting two inexperienced young women to manage such a large operation was something they could not accept. Still, since both carried letters of appointment, they had no legitimate reason to refuse.

They expected the challenge would send both girls packing.

Yu Mo had not expected Lin Hua to appear out of nowhere. She could concede a man to Lin Hua, but the factory—never.

“Very well,” Yu Mo agreed.