His Beloved Treasure

”Seen a ghost?”

Wen Runuan joked lightly.

”Maybe!”

Qin Mu’s gaze flickered a bit, her smile tinged with insincerity.

”Huh?”

Wen Runuan froze.

”Let’s eat!”

Fortunately, the waiter arrived with their dishes, allowing Qin Mu to divert the topic.

Wen Runuan noticed she wasn’t keen on discussing further and didn’t pry into her privacy, instead serving herself some soup.

”I love this fish soup from your hotel’s chef. It’s especially fresh and purer compared to other hotels’ soups.”

Wen Runuan commented, taking a sip of her soup.

”If Mu always heard this, he’d probably be puffed up with pride.”

Qin Mu suddenly thought of that man who can barely handle compliments.

But Mu Yichen isn’t just bad at receiving compliments; he’s also not great with small talk.

In short, he’s a super petty man. Thinking back to this morning, when he was at a loss for words, he didn’t even properly say goodbye before heading to work. Oh, so frustrating!

Thus, today’s meal was going on Mu always bill.

”Is Mu always really such an easily proud person?”

Wen Runuan’s clear eyes looked at her as she spoke casually.

”Of course!”

Qin Mu admitted immediately.

”Do you know what his image is in the eyes of outsiders?”

Wen Runuan asked.

Qin Mu put down her spoon, clasped her hands lightly, and said calmly, her eyes flickering slightly: ”Cold as an iceberg, devoid of human sentiment, arrogant and self-centered!”

Wen Runuan: ”...”

”Got it all right, didn’t I?”

Qin Mu asked upon seeing Wen Runuan’s expression.

”Not entirely! For example, I don’t feel that way.”

Wen Runuan shook her head and replied softly.

”Let’s hear it!”

Qin Mu picked up her spoon again.

”In my eyes, he’s cold as an iceberg, but it depends on who he’s with. For instance, he doesn’t show the same demeanor to everyone—like to you.”

Qin Mu lowered her head slightly, acknowledging her point.

”He’s not personable, but when dealing with strangers, what’s the need to show courtesy? For instance, if someone who’s perfectly healthy comes begging to you, would you casually hand him a few hundred bucks?”

”Makes sense!”

Qin Mu nodded in agreement.

”As for being self-centered, there’s an old saying: ’Birds of a feather flock together.’ What do you think?”

Wen Runuan posed the question to Qin Mu again.

Qin Mu had just taken two sips of soup but then set her spoon down and sighed resignedly, ”Miss Wen, you’re obviously here to defend Mu always, aren’t you? Why do all his flaws seem to be rationalized in your perspective?”

”You know I’m not defending him—just stating the truth.”

Wen Runuan spoke earnestly yet remained gentle.

Qin Mu shook her head helplessly, unable to stifle a laugh.

It was rare for Qin Mu to think about Mu Yichen so rationally. After all, spending every day together hardly allowed her to reflect on why he acted the way he did.

Most of the time, it was complaints, bickering, or the occasional cold war.

But Wen Runuan’s explanation today made Qin Mu suddenly feel that Mu was, perhaps, not that bad after all, though he remained arrogant and difficult.

”You know, you and your husband share one common characteristic—pride. Although the reasons for your pride differ.”

Wen Runuan remarked and then returned to savoring her soup.

Qin Mu didn’t argue because she knew herself well to be someone with a strong sense of dignity. But she found herself seeing Wen Runuan in a different light now.

”Are all actors as perceptive as you? Is it because of the long hours spent analyzing characters that you’ve developed a habit of instinctively reading others?”

”It’s related!”

Wen Runuan nodded and didn’t deny it.

Qin Mu was a little spooked by this casual response.

She thought to herself she should probably keep fewer actor friends in the future.

Speaking of actors, she recalled someone, and an inexplicable wave of anxiety washed over her again, her brows furrowing uncontrollably.

”Speaking of analyzing scripts, Jing Qing is actually quite skilled as an actress. If...”

Wen Runuan abruptly chuckled and trailed off.

Perhaps it’s fate. If Jing Qing were not just a good actress but also a good person, she might not have had such a big opportunity to shine afterward.

”Let’s finish this bowl of soup and keep moving forward.”

Wen Runuan suddenly raised her bowl to avoid delving further into a sensitive topic.

Qin Mu couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes curving into crescents.

After finishing their meal, they planned to leave together when Qin Mu’s phone rang. She opened her bag, pulled out the phone, and noticed the name ”Dear Husband” on the screen. Her brows lifted involuntarily as she answered, instinctively glancing upstairs.

”Come upstairs for a moment; it’s important.”

”Okay!”

Qin Mu listened to the steady voice, sensing that it might indeed be serious. Though she couldn’t fully trust her intuition, if it turned out to be wrong, Mu Yichen would be in for trouble.

”Mu always calling for you?”

Wen Runuan released her arm.

”Hmm!”

Qin Mu sighed lightly, helplessly.

”Then I’ll head out on my own. We’ll touch base later?”

”Alright! Take it slow on the way.”

Qin Mu reminded her.

After Wen Runuan left, Qin Mu went upstairs. Mu Yichen stood at the corridor above, saying nothing as he watched her approach, his gaze fixed intently on a spot downstairs.

Qin Mu walked up, feeling he was putting on a mysterious air, but she reflexively looked in the direction he was staring.

Qin Mu...

”It’s her! Jing Feng told me today she’d be coming back, but I didn’t expect her to show up today.”

Mu Yichen’s voice was flat, so calm it seemed he had no interest in the woman chatting with her friends downstairs.

Qin Mu held her breath for a moment before she finally spoke, ”Not today; she’s probably been back for days.”

Jing Qing’s long hair was curled now, making her look more intellectual—like a goddess even.

But...

The couple’s expressions were visibly uncomfortable, and Mu Yichen narrowed his eyes slightly before looking down at her: ”A few days?”

”Including earlier in the restroom, this should be the fourth time I’ve run into her.”

Qin Mu’s gaze lingered on the corner downstairs as she spoke softly.

Mu Yichen: ”...”

”Jing Feng told you she was coming back?”

Qin Mu finally looked away.

”Mm!”

Mu Yichen responded.

”Jing Feng sure goes to great lengths for that sister of his.”

Qin Mu suddenly felt a pang of disappointment, though she had long since grown used to the extent Jing Feng would go for Jing Qing.