His Beloved Treasure

”If you can brush it off, just brush it off. If you can’t, then tell him the truth—or call me, that works too.”

Qin Mu thought about it and figured she wouldn’t be able to keep it from him for long, so she mentally prepared herself for the possibility of him finding out.

”Alright!”

I’ll send the password to your phone later—it’ll be easier than risking you forgetting it. Remember to save it.

”Okay!”

Qin Mu didn’t say anything else, she simply carried the vase outside.

Qin Haiming came downstairs and immediately saw Qin Mu holding the vase and walking out. Dressed in a beautiful knee-length dress, she carried herself in a leisurely way, like she was at home. For a moment, Qin Haiming thought he was seeing her mother.

The resemblance between mother and daughter had grown uncanny over the years. Qin Haiming’s hand on the staircase’s railing trembled slightly. He gripped it tightly and took a long moment to steady himself before continuing down.

”Done with your meeting?”

Qin Mu placed the flowers on a small round table by the window, a spot seemingly made for vases. When she turned her head and saw Qin Haiming approaching, she greeted him.

”Hmm. When did you get here?”

”Not long ago! Is your cold getting better?”

Qin Mu carefully arranged the vase, bowing her head to fiddle with the lilies for a while.

In truth, she still felt a bit uneasy. Every expression, every word, even every breath seemed to need prior thought—was it okay to show or say it?

Qin Haiming watched her focus so intently that he sank into the sofa, speaking softly: ”Much better. Did Uncle Wang’s call interrupt your work?”

”I’m not that busy.”

Qin Mu replied, then walked to the sofa across from him, smoothing her dress at the hem as she carefully sat down.

She sat upright, gracefully composed.

Qin Haiming couldn’t help but lift his eyes to stare at her, his gaze carrying a tinge of sadness.

Initially, Qin Mu didn’t mind his gaze, but as the staring went on and his expression became more peculiar, she instinctively raised her eyes: ”What’s wrong?”

”Nothing, nothing.”

Qin Haiming smiled faintly, hesitating to voice what weighed on his heart.

Qin Mu...

She wasn’t great at comforting him or saying sweet things, but looking at the evasiveness in his eyes made her feel strangely unsettled.

Although she hadn’t forgotten, there were times she could hardly recall that face.

Even though she’d visited the grave not long ago, how could Qin Mu have known that the man’s heart right now was filled with thoughts of the woman resting in that grave?

No—it’s not even a grave, just a tombstone.

”How about Yichen? Has he been busy lately?”

Qin Haiming shifted the topic.

”Hmm!”

Qin Mu responded briefly. Lately, Mu Yichen had indeed been quite busy. Still, she wasn’t in the habit of asking about the details of his company affairs, so her knowledge was minimal.

”His growth trajectory these past few years has been quite aggressive.”

Qin Haiming remarked, then smiled again.

Qin Mu glanced at him briefly.

”I mean, even I have to give him some respect—or, more precisely, if he doesn’t give me any, I’d still have to request his favor. Thanks to you, I’ve managed to navigate some dealings with him, otherwise...”

Qin Haiming chuckled again.

Qin Mu noticed that his smile still carried its charm.

Father and daughter—they truly resembled one another, particularly in their brows and expressions.

That’s what Qin Mu thought.

That said, most people found her resemblance to her mother more striking.

But staring at him in this moment, Qin Mu couldn’t help but think that her father’s face carried so many similarities—nearly mirroring hers in small habits and gestures.

”The Mu Family also expects me to maintain a good relationship with you.”

Qin Mu spoke candidly, hinting that he shouldn’t feel like he owed his position to her.

With sharp and discerning eyes, Qin Haiming gazed at her calmly and nodded slightly.

He naturally understood the Mu Family wanted Qin Mu to have strong support at her maternal home.

And of course, Qin Haiming was more than willing to be her support. Still, what he wished for most was simple—that he could just be a father who cared for her, nothing more.

Later, when the housekeeper prepared lunch, the two of them ate together. Following his wishes, the meal consisted largely of dishes Qin Mu enjoyed.

”How did you know what I like to eat nowadays?”

Qin Mu had been meaning to ask for a while.

”With your husband around, it’s quite convenient to ask.”

Qin Haiming answered honestly.

Qin Mu suddenly recalled Mu Yichen once mentioning the mutual exploitation between him and Qin Haiming to lure her back to the country. She chose not to continue probing and merely replied: ”I never expected you two could collaborate so harmoniously.”

”You’ll understand one day.”

Qin Haiming said to her.

Qin Mu didn’t offer more words, picking up her chopsticks and eating quietly.

It was rare—this simplicity—and everything suited her taste perfectly.

After the meal, Qin Mu headed to her studio, only to receive a call from Mu Yichen.

”Finished lunch with your dad?”