His Beloved Treasure

Qin Mu spoke earnestly, but after finishing, she felt her words might have been a bit over the top, afraid she’d scare Xiaomei. She quickly added, ”You’re the greatest assistant in the world, don’t feel bad.”

Xiaomei immediately straightened her back upon hearing this. ”Hmph! Of course! From now on, you’ll be the best designer in the world, and I’ll be the best designer’s assistant.”

Even if she’s just an assistant, it’s not a role anyone can take on.

By ten o’clock, they hurriedly dispersed, since they all saw the message from Mu.

”Tell Yichen to take it easy, your little body can’t handle much.”

Wen Runuan said to her before leaving.

Qin Mu...

”Hehe! It’s useless to say that. Mu is built for the domineering CEO archetype.”

Xiaomei remarked.

Qin Mu...

By the time Mu Yichen came out, the other three had already gone downstairs. He leaned lazily against the wall, hands in his pockets, watching his wife.

Qin Mu turned her head and accidentally fell into the darkness of his ready and waiting eyes.

Xiaomei left first. Wen Runuan and Li Yu went to the underground parking lot to fetch their car, and Wen Runuan asked him there, ”How did you know Qin Mu doesn’t like eating seaweed?”

”Is that some kind of secret? I just casually asked one of the staff. It seems the entire hotel staff knows Qin Mu doesn’t like seaweed.”

Li Yu explained modestly.

Wen Runuan...

”Sister Runuan has changed a lot from before. What transformed you? Marriage?”

Li Yu finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity. Perhaps they’d grown familiar enough recently for him to ask.

Wen Runuan froze for a moment, completely unprepared for someone to tell her she had changed.

”How have I changed?”

”Before, Sister Runuan was indifferent to worldly affairs, rarely appearing in public. Since marrying Brother Wang, it seems like you’ve become a whole new person.”

Li Yu wanted to say she seemed more worldly but was afraid of offending her, so he stopped short.

”That’s the charm of marriage. You’ll understand once you get married.”

Wen Runuan reminded him, nearly forgetting her original point.

Li Yu smiled, nodding like he understood, though he had no plans to marry anytime soon.

”Hey! You’re dodging the question now. I was just about to ask about Qin Mu. Tell me the truth, do you like her?”

Wen Runuan questioned.

”Yes!”

Li Yu replied candidly.

Wen Runuan...

”A girl who grew up abandoned by her family yet remains so independent, strong, and rational—what man wouldn’t like her? Though I’ve said before, liking doesn’t mean possessing. Being friends right now is good too.”

”But you’re increasingly concerned about her. You were at the TV station first thing this morning, weren’t you?”

Wen Runuan wasn’t buying Li Yu’s casual phrasing.

”Yes!”

”You’re not even that attentive to the projects you invest in.”

Wen Runuan didn’t sound as exasperated as before, merely stating the facts.

”I’d definitely be more concerned about the projects I invest in; it’s just that I happened to have some business at the station.”

Li Yu lowered his head slightly, standing beside Wen Runuan, appearing much like a younger brother.

Wen Runuan sighed helplessly. ”Qin Mu thinks you like Li Man. Li Man thinks you like Qin Mu. I’m completely confused now. Who do you actually like? Are you getting close to Qin Mu to confuse Li Man, or do you really not like your little sister? If you’re pretending for anyone’s sake, Li Yu, you’re no better than those scumbags out there—you know that?”

”I’m Li Yu!”

He placed his hand on his chest, slightly childish, as if making a vow to an older sister.

”Forget it! I shouldn’t meddle in your affairs anyway. It’s just that Qin Mu is a girl who has been kind to me, so I wanted to warn you.”

Wen Runuan thought back to the past.

”Qin Mu has been kind to you?”

”If it weren’t for her, I might still be the sister you used to know, indifferent to the world. But that kind of sister could only bow and scrape, unable to sit at the same table with you or help you find resources. Do you understand?”

Wen Runuan’s gentle, water-like eyes fell on the upright man before her as she spoke with great seriousness. Wen Runuan kept many people in her heart—the ones she had grievances with, the ones who had helped her. Though she rarely talked about it, she never forgot.

Li Yu...

Wen Runuan left, and Li Yu got in his car. On the way back, Li Yu suddenly remembered how Wen Runuan had inexplicably changed her style years ago, shifting from a sophisticated intellectual persona to a girl-next-door image. It was back then that she gradually gained fame that overshadowed Jing Qing and began confidently navigating various social circles.

Turns out, it was all because of Qin Mu.

Qin Mu never saw herself as being kind to Wen Runuan. At the time, she was simply at odds with Jing Qing and coincidentally encountered her. She had originally thought of it as mutual exploitation, and that once Wen Runuan climbed high, she probably wouldn’t bother with her anymore. Who would’ve thought they’d eventually become friends who shared everything?

Qin Mu and Mu Yichen didn’t return upstairs. The two of them quietly listened to the conversation from behind a car until Li Yu drove off.

Qin Mu found herself pinned against the wall by Mu Yichen’s tall frame, though not pressed directly—there was still some space between them.

Mu Yichen stood in front of her, one hand gripping her arm.

Their posture held steady for quite a while, Mu Yichen’s deep black eyes fixed on the woman who lowered her gaze in thought. Only after Li Yu’s car disappeared did he ask, ”Was it as I told you?”

Qin Mu raised her eyes, her dark, sparkling gaze meeting his. ”He never said he wanted to pursue me.”

At that moment, the vast parking lot suddenly became eerily quiet. Her voice carried an undeniable sense of conviction.

”If he were so foolishly ambitious, do you think I’d still allow him to stay in Rongcheng?”

Mu Yichen’s tone wasn’t particularly forceful, yet it carried an unshakable intimidation.

Qin Mu found it hard to rebut, letting out a soft sigh instead. ”Can we leave now?”

Mu Yichen didn’t say anything more, knowing better than to provoke her when she was annoyed. He took her hand and, holding it behind her, slowly led her toward his car.

Feeling his warm, firm grip—very different from her softer, cooler hands—Qin Mu suddenly chuckled quietly.

”Hey!”

Before getting in the car, she abruptly stopped him at the door.