His Beloved Treasure

She only remembered the first half of what happened last night.

Outside, the rain was still falling in a slow and deliberate autumn rhythm.

——

Mu Yichen was up early in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her. Simple jeans and a T-shirt adorned his princely figure, exuding an aura of noble charm while seamlessly moving between refined grandeur and domestic simplicity.

Standing methodically in the kitchen, stirring the steaming pot of congee, its perfect consistency matched exactly the texture preferred by the woman who had fallen back asleep upstairs.

Living at the Mu Mansion for so long, such moments were rare for Mu, but viewing her cooperation last night, he made the effort to rise early and cook for her.

Mu Yichen finished preparing breakfast, glanced outside, and then went upstairs to wake her.

His dark eyes brimmed with indulgent affection for her.

Last night, she hadn’t drunk too much, although her cheeks were flushed as they left the bar and the alcohol had clearly made an impact.

”Qin Mu! Qin Mu!”

Mu Yichen cupped her face in his hands and gently patted her to wake her.

”Mm? Mm?”

Qin Mu mumbled drowsily, barely opening her eyes.

”Not having breakfast?”

”Mm!”

Mu Yichen sighed, seeing her exhaustion. She probably wouldn’t manage to eat much anyway.

So, he gently laid her back down again.

Mu Yichen didn’t think his stamina was usually this poor, but perhaps because she was next to him, he had quickly fallen asleep beside her.

Still, the feeling was wonderful!

By noon, Qin Mu finally woke up but felt increasingly uncomfortable.

”I heard you smoked three cigarettes last night. Care to explain that, Mrs. Mu?”

Mu Yichen gazed calmly at the dazed woman sitting beside him, questioning her.

Smoking? Three cigarettes?

Who told him?

Qin Mu’s mind briefly froze. Had she gone dumb after drinking last night?

No, absolutely not. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to mention smoking to him—even drunk, she wasn’t that clueless.

”What’s the matter? Mrs. Mu doesn’t want to explain?”

Mu Yichen’s tone remained patient as he probed again.

”That’s not it! President Mu, you must be joking! How could I possibly smoke?”

”Oh? That lingering smell of smoke on your lips—did someone pass it on to you, then?”

Qin Mu covered her mouth with both hands in shock. Someone passing smoke to her? She might as well admit to smoking herself, rather than let President Mu think someone else had been that close.

Besides him, had there even been another man around?

From what she remembered, there hadn’t been.

”Wen Runuan smokes—is it possible it was her?”

Qin Mu pondered aloud.

Mu Yichen said nothing but stared silently at his wife, observing the hopelessly naive expression on her face.

This silly girl thought he was clueless?

”It might’ve been a couple of puffs, but I stubbed it out immediately. It was awful—totally burned my throat!”

Seeing no way to hide it further, Qin Mu confessed.

”Why would I tell you I smoked three whole cigarettes? Such a specific number...”

Qin Mu muttered to herself after she finished explaining.

Mu Yichen couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Qin Mu stared at him. ”What’s so funny?”

”Nothing! Just wondering if the congee I made earlier is still edible.”

Mu Yichen quickly composed himself and spoke seriously.

Qin Mu ...

”I don’t want congee. I’m craving noodles now!”

Qin Mu declared.

”Alright!”

Mu Yichen agreed instantly, adding, ”No work this afternoon—when we get home, write me a reflection on the smoking. I need it by tonight.”

”What?”

Qin Mu stared in disbelief at his retreating figure.

Before exiting, Mu Yichen turned back to her. ”Hurry up and get ready; the noodles will turn soggy if left too long.”

”Okay! Right away!”

Qin Mu hastily replied, but after he left the room, she sat in a daze.

What did he just say?

A reflection?

Was President Mu joking? She wasn’t a school kid, and it had only been a couple of puffs.

Suddenly, everything from last night flooded back. Did he really need to trick her like this?

Saying she told him three cigarettes?

Qin Mu suddenly realized he was straight-up lying to her.

Reflexively, she reached up to grab her hair and shook her head in frustration, ready to burst from anger.

After freshening up, Qin Mu changed into casual clothes and headed downstairs. She immediately noticed him carrying out the bowl of noodles, her mood still sour.

Mu Yichen placed the bowl on the table and raised his eyes to meet her resentful gaze. ”What’s wrong now, Mrs. Mu?”

Qin Mu ...

Qin Mu felt like she’d been conned by many people since returning to Rongcheng, but none schemed against her more than President Mu.

She had long since let her guard down around him, only for him to turn it into an opportunity to outplay her repeatedly.

”How about a couple more drinks tonight?”

Mu Yichen teased, his deep gaze fixed on hers.

Qin Mu slid the bowl closer to herself, cradling the steaming noodles to distract her sudden lift in mood from the fragrant aroma. She ignored him and focused on her meal, clutching chopsticks in hand.

A laugh escaped her lips—it seemed like even her fingers had started aching.

It was reflexive; the thought lingered as she raised her head, peeking across the table at Mu Yichen.

”Focus on eating!”

Mu Yichen ordered, noticing her distracted state.

Qin Mu sighed deeply and withdrew her gaze, feeling indignant but succumbing to her rumbling stomach—it was time to prioritize the noodles.

After finishing, Mu Yichen moved to the kitchen to wash dishes, while Qin Mu slouched in her chair waiting, hugging herself like a child. Resting her chin on her knees, she fiddled with her phone and stared blankly at its screen.

Good Doctor: ”I ended up even more tipsy than you last night. When I got home, Jing Feng gave me an earful for it.”

Big Mumu: ”... Are you okay?”

Good Doctor: ”I’m fine! Slept it off overnight. What about you? Didn’t rest well?”

Big Mumu: ”...”

Good Doctor: ”?”

Big Mumu: ”President Mu discovered my smoking and is making me write a reflection. Dammit, how did he even find out? I only had a couple of puffs!”

Good Doctor: ”President Mu sees everything!”

Big Mumu: ”Cut the praise—he’s nothing but a cunning trickster!”

Qin Mu put down her phone and started hugging her knees again, turning her gaze towards the kitchen at the attractive man working inside. Hmm, yesterday there had been women praising how wonderful he was.

After washing the dishes, Mu Yichen wiped everything dry until it was sparkling clean, satisfied at last before turning to look into the dining area. She was still curled up on the chair, hugging her knees and daydreaming like a foolish child.

Hmm, seeing her perched against her knees like this—it tugged at his heart.

Tonight, Mrs. Mu would have to produce a proper reflection for him. Smoking was intolerable in his book.

The more Mu Yichen thought about it, the angrier he felt. Smoking was serious business to him.

Smoking could become addictive, something every smoker knew—especially someone like him, who enjoyed a puff now and then.

When she had been pregnant, he had fought hard to quit, but now he had started slipping again in recent days.

Even if he allowed himself to slack, Mrs. Mu would never be given that leeway. His dark gaze rested on the silly woman curling in her chair.

Qin Mu glanced up slightly, noticing him emerging from the kitchen, and slowly raised her head to ask, ”Are we heading home?”

”Mm! Unless you’d rather stay here?”

Mu Yichen’s deep black eyes gazed at her, his warm voice replying.

”I want to go home!”

After eating, Qin Mu felt drowsy again but insisted on returning home. It was warmer there, surrounded by family...

Well, um.

”Mm! Home is perfect for writing reflections!”

Qin Mu tilted her head with admiration-filled eyes towards him. ”President Mu! No, husband! Darling! Can we skip the reflection? Your little Qingmei has grown up for many years now.”

Qin Mu’s black, sparkling eyes stared at him as though pleading—you need to stop treating your Qingmei like a child. She was grown up—old enough to have given him two kids. Writing reflections wasn’t for adults anymore!

Mu Yichen chuckled faintly, lowering his gaze to hers. ”My little Qingmei is grown physically, but mentally, she’s still a child.”

Qin Mu ...

She nearly coughed up blood in response. What kind of logic was that?!