His Beloved Treasure

”I guess you’re definitely not an ordinary woman. It’s just that I’ve been stuck at home these past few years, feeling like a fool. If it weren’t for some important guests visiting his company today, I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to step out of the house!”

The woman shook her head, put on her coat, and slowly walked to the mirror in front of her. When she saw the woman reflected within, the unfamiliar sight made her forget to breathe. She stared at the image of herself, a woman who looked barely over thirty, and couldn’t help but feel her eyes gradually blur with tears.

What kind of life had she been living these past few years?

She hadn’t properly dressed up in years and had even forgotten what she used to look like.

The shop assistant went to help other customers, while the shop manager stood behind Qin Mu, looking at the youthful face in the mirror and feeling a touch of emotion.

Some people’s faces are filled with stories; they leave you guessing, yet you can construct an entire tragic drama from them.

And this woman’s life... her story truly resembled a tragic drama.

”My husband is hosting high-ranking officials at AM. I need to head over quickly; if I keep him waiting, he’ll surely throw a tantrum.”

The woman withdrew her gaze from the mirror and turned to look at Qin Mu and the manager.

Qin Mu and the shop manager smiled at her, and she smiled back—a bitter smile.

She realized she hadn’t independently faced strangers like this in years.

After the wealthy lady left, Qin Mu and the shop manager stood at the entrance, staring at the black car for a long time.

”I thought she’d be a middle-aged woman.”

The shop manager sighed.

Qin Mu also murmured thoughtfully, ”Women! Why treat yourself so poorly, right?”

After speaking, Qin Mu turned to look at the shop manager.

”Anyway, I wouldn’t treat myself that poorly.”

The shop manager shrugged, thinking: if you’re going to mistreat anyone in this life, never let it be yourself.

Qin Mu smiled at her again and then asked, ”How about I take you to AM for lunch?”

”Sure! Maybe we’ll witness a dramatic twist?”

”Her husband’s social event is probably in the upscale banquet hall, so we won’t see them. But suddenly, I have a craving for their fish soup!”

Qin Mu said.

”Then I...”

”You’ll join me for the fish soup! Your complexion hasn’t been great these past couple of days.”

Qin Mu said earnestly, staring at her.

The shop manager immediately raised her hand to touch her face, unable to accept the idea of her skin looking worse.

However, the shop manager couldn’t make it for lunch because her mother had arranged a matchmaking meeting for her.

As for Qin Mu, she ended up sharing a table with Wen Runuan.

Wen Runuan happened to also enjoy the fish soup there, so the two women hit it off and started chatting.

During a lull in the conversation, Wen Runuan asked, ”Has anything interesting happened recently?”

”Nothing particularly interesting, but a wealthy lady came to our shop today to pick up a gown. She looked like the young madam of an influential family—said she’d been taking care of her critically ill mother-in-law at home these past years. Her husband was hosting high-ranking officials here today, so he finally let her out for a bit. Sounds like she has quite a story. Have you heard of her?”

Qin Mu’s eyebrows moved a little as her sparkling eyes gazed at Wen Runuan.

”Doesn’t this sound a lot like the second young madam of the Shen Family? I went to the Shen Family once with Mr. Zhang, and at first glance, I thought she was a servant. Only later did I realize she was the second young madam of the Shen Family. She’s just over thirty, but she always seems so dowdy and aged.”

Qin Mu...

What Wen Runuan said matched perfectly with what she was thinking.

Could it really be the second young madam of the Shen Family?

”This woman comes from a scholarly family and was the eldest daughter, but she later married the second young master of the Shen Family. I heard they were deeply in love at first, but then another man appeared—rumor has it he was the second young madam’s old flame, her first love or something. The second young master was furious and forbade her from leaving the house ever again, even resorting to domestic violence against her.”

Qin Mu...

She couldn’t believe it—no wonder the woman was so thin and frail.

”But are we talking about the same person?”

Wen Runuan asked curiously.

Qin Mu couldn’t be sure, so she shook her head, and the two women laughed foolishly.

”Ladies, your fish soup is ready! Careful, it’s hot!”

The staff served the delicious fish soup to their table, along with a few side dishes.

After ladling soup into their bowls, they continued chatting.

”Has Li Yu contacted you recently?”

Wen Runuan asked while gently cooling her soup with a spoon.

”No!”

When Qin Mu answered, she couldn’t help but think of overhearing Wen Runuan and Li Yu talking in the parking lot that day. Her heart suddenly tightened.

”He’s probably out of town filming these days, bringing along his harem.”

Wen Runuan deliberately added that last line to lighten the mood; seeing Qin Mu’s expression, she felt she understood her well now.

Qin Mu seemed particularly afraid of getting tangled up in ambiguous relationships with other men.

”Do you know why he hasn’t had a girlfriend all these years?”

”Because of Li Man?”

Qin Mu thought for a moment and easily guessed.

”Sometimes, you really make it hard to continue the conversation. Can’t you pretend not to know?”

Wen Runuan was exasperated, thinking, ”Can you be any more blunt?”

She had only asked to ease the awkwardness.

Seeing Wen Runuan laugh in frustration, Qin Mu couldn’t help but lower her head awkwardly: ”I really do feel a bit uneasy about Li Yu’s matters!”

”Did Mr. Mu argue with you?”

Wen Runuan raised her eyes slightly, eager to hear the answer.

”It wasn’t just an argument!”

Qin Mu replied softly, her eyes instinctively scanning her surroundings.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone in this hotel—even the table and utensils in front of her—were Mr. Mu’s spies.

Wen Runuan showed a knowing expression and slowly nodded. Her ambiguous gaze only made Qin Mu more embarrassed: ”It’s not what you think!”

”How do you know what I think?”

Wen Runuan raised an eyebrow, her expression even more suggestive.

”You’re so easily immersed in the story—how could I not know?”

Qin Mu said, glancing at her.

”Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Let’s drink the soup first.”

Wen Runuan said.

Qin Mu was just about to thank her for her generous mercy when she glanced up and saw a woman upstairs quietly talking to someone. That woman she could never forget, especially the gown she chose for her—it was from her shop.

The man beside the woman, though his face was unseen, had a tall and upright figure.

”Is that her? The second young madam of the Shen Family!”

Qin Mu lifted her chin slightly. Wen Runuan, who was still sipping her soup, gave her a glance, quickly put down her spoon, and turned her head to look upstairs.