4_Inauguration Caremony

"Now, we welcome the main character of the day.. the new appointed president of Mu Enterprise, Mu Lihai!" the MC said with a hint of enthusiasm in his voice as his gaze fell to the right side of the stage.

Simultaneously, all eyes went to the same spot. The function was grand and it was glittering all over. With the biggest hotel room rented for the night, the inauguration caremony of Mu Enterprise brought amazement and wonder to the upper social circle on that night.

Tonight, Mu Lihai would be officially appointed as the new president, taking over his father's place as his father decided to settle overseas to further their influence there.

Mu Lihai was now the man responsible for the future of the big company.

Seconds felt like forever when Mu Lihai's figure didn't appear on the stage. Everyone started to wonder what happened.

Mu Ruan, Mu Lihai's mother began to clench her hands in silence. Looking over her conflicted gaze, her husband put his hand over hers softly. It was a silent assurance that everything would be alright.

Some seconds past and everyone started to become impatient.

Then a man walked over to the stage.

His steps were slow as if he was taking his time. He stopped at the center and stood there with his back straight and full of confidence.

He masked his emotions well.

He scanned the guests very slowly in one full sweep. From the right to the left. He closed his eyes for a full two seconds and opened them back.

"My name is Mu Lihai, the new appointed president of Mu Enterprise. It's a pleasure to meet you all and please enjoy the night." he took a 45 degree bow to show his appreciation for all the guests that came.

Nobody spoke a word when he talked on the stage.

And it was not that his speech was long and boring. It was utterly short.

Then, slowly.. a resounding clap was heard across the function hall as many honourable and wealthy families clapped their hands together below the stage. A smile plastered on their faces as they continued to clap.

It was hard not to clap. Especially when they were all stunned by his intimidating aura that could make even the time stop. When he stood on the stage silently, gazing over the entire hall, no one could even breath or move.

He looked just like those men in the novels. Those who could control the world and dominate it as a leader.

And nobody saw how the man in front of them- tried so hard to not tremble. His knuckles white due to his fist tightly clenched together. The rumble in his head could only be seen and felt by himself.

Then, the real fun began. The bouquet started with a line of out-of-the-world meals that suited the taste of those in noble era. The full course meal was laid upon after the serving of sweet and fresh-picked appetizer.

Everyone started mingling and socializing. The socialites began looking for their fellow friends while those tycoons were chatting over some business with their acquaintances. The atmosphere became lively.

Mu Lihai dragged his feet to the table where his family was. It was at the most front part of the hall. Mu Zhi patted his son's shoulder as if giving him courage. Mu Lihai looked over his father's face. The man's countenance looked brighter than any other day.

'Guess he really wants me to take over so quickly..' Mu Lihai sighed inwardly.

Mu Ruan walked over to her son's side as she gave him a smile.

"I thought something happened behind the stage. What took you so long?" she asked him with a hint of worry in her voice.

She really thought that her son was too panicked and it triggered some trauma to his head again. She knew that forcing his son back in the country wasn't a very good idea. But she really couldn't stand him running away and thinking that he was guilty for his whole life. Although they had explained it to him that it was not his fault at all- Mu Lihai wouldn't listen. He was always in denial.

She really wanted to see her son's cheerful smile again. Although he could be considered 'wild' and very social with his circle of friends back then, he was very different now. It didn't suit him at all. He was too obedient and quiet it made her think that her son became a robot.

That accident changed him.

"I'm fine. Just.. nervous." Mu Lihai lied. With a faint smile, he excused himself and greeted his uncles and aunties at the second table. They all toasted for him happily.

Mu Ruan watched her son's back while her hands folded into fists. She held the urge to cry. It was sad to see her son like this. Living like he wasn't alive.

"We need to find her family members." her husband said suddenly. He stood beside her while he glanced over his son.

"We need to let Lihai go and see them so that he can apologize." he continued.

"What do you mean? It wasn't Lihai's fault! Why would he apologize?" she countered.

"But he thinks otherwise." he told her. Mu Zhi knew that something was wrong with the accident. But the fact that his son hit the woman to her death was something he knew his son couldn't get over with. Although it wasn't entirely his fault.

"What if it backfires? If we tell Lihai to go and apologize, would it seem more like we want him to admit that he was indeed wrong?" Mu Ruan said.

She really didn't want to see her son's breakdown again. It was too heartbreaking that for her whole life being a mother- that was the first time she ever slapped her son. She did it in the spur of the moment when he kept telling her that he had killed someone and he was afraid.

"We'll discuss this at home." Mu Zhi decided to just let it go for now. He didn't want to spoil the mood. His wife should be happy today, not sad.