Xin Yu didn't turn around. She only saw Mu Yi'ai's arrogance quickly extinguished.
And Nan Juechen releasing Cheng Yuan's arm.
"Yuanzi..." she pulled her friend close and called softly, "Are you alright?"
Cheng Yuan shook her head, looking at Xin Yu with concern.
"What did you do last night!" Mu Yichuan's cold voice rang out again.
Xin Yu could feel him getting closer, and could faintly smell his cool scent.
This made her heart tremble, and she tightened her grip on Cheng Yuan's hand.
"What did I do? I have no idea what you're talking about!" Mu Yi'ai denied, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes.
Xin Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. Judging from her expression, she definitely did something. Otherwise, given her proud personality and Mu Lao's doting affection, she wouldn't be so afraid of Mu Yichuan.
"Mr. Jiu, what do you think we should do about this?"
Xin Yu turned to look at Nan Juechen, surprised, because she didn't recall him ever directly addressing her as "Mr. Jiu."
"Let her say it herself." Mu Yichuan frowned. This little girl seemed to know Nan Juechen quite well, especially since he wouldn't even glance at her!
"Xin Yu, it's time for yesterday's plan, shouldn't we be leaving?" Mu Yi'ai stepped beside Xin Yu, her tone slightly questioning, but gentle.
This…
She was caught in a dilemma.
First, she didn't want to talk to Mu Yichuan; second, she didn't want to offend Nan Juechen; and third, she couldn't resist Mu Yi'ai's request.
"Oh, Yuanzi, your leg is swollen. Let me take you to the hotel's infirmary." She had no choice but to use her friend.
"Ah? Yeah, it hurts so much." Cheng Yuan was startled for a moment before realizing what was happening and quickly clung to Xin Yu's shoulder.
Mu Yi'ai's cat-like eyes widened, revealing a mixture of surprise and anger. Without a second thought, she reached out and yanked Xin Yu hard.
"You…!" Xin Yu cried out.
She was wearing a strappy long dress with a sheer overlay. Mu Yi'ai's tug pulled the overlay's straps to one side, revealing a large expanse of delicate white skin.
Mu Yichuan pulled Xin Yu into his arms, shielding her.
His dark eyes swept sharply over Mu Yi'ai, his voice as cold as a knife, "You're asking for it."
"Tch, hypocrite! You dare say you don't want to see?"
Xin Yu's lips twitched several times. Had this she-devil taken the wrong medicine today? Saying such things in public!
She nestled in Mu Yichuan's arms, quickly straightening her clothes, then tried to sit up.
She felt a man's large, burning hand encircle her, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, let me go." Compared to Mu Yichuan, Xin Yu's tone was icy and distant.
"What did you say!" He paused, his tone plummeting to freezing point, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
Xin Yu looked up, her clear black eyes filled with accusation. He dared to question her like that!
After what happened last night, did she have to keep trying to win him over?
"I said let me go!" she repeated boldly, making everyone present hold their breath.
Because Mu Yichuan's aura was incredibly oppressive.
"Let you go? Where are you going?" He leaned closer, his tone incredibly intimate, but his words were chillingly insensitive. "Going to find Liu Shuihan?"
...!
Xin Yu glared at Mu Yichuan. He knew!
He knew everything!
But not only did he offer no explanation, he now suspected her! "That bastard!"
Xin Yu's cherry lips trembled with anger. Without thinking, she kicked at Mu Yichuan, who nimbly dodged.
However, his hand remained gripping Xin Yu's waist.
"What's going on!" Old Master Mu's angry voice rang out, followed by steady steps as he approached.
Xin Yu's face paled. She tried to break free from Mu Yichuan's grasp, but the man's strength only increased.
"Let me go." She looked up at him, twisting her body slightly. "Hurry...please."
"How do you beg?" Mu Yichuan's handsome face held a sincere question.
"..." Xin Yu was speechless, her face growing even paler as she bit her lip tightly. "That's your father! Aren't you heartbroken that he's upset?!"
Mu Yichuan's brow twitched slightly, his gaze sharpening as he closed the distance between them again. "I'm more heartbroken for you."
"Ninth Brother, what are you doing? Let go of Xin Yu!" Old Mu raised his hand, trying to pull her away from his grip.
But who was Mu Yichuan? He simply turned Xin Yu slightly with one arm.
A victorious smile curled at the corner of his lips, shimmering and captivating.
Before Old Mu could react, Xin Yu pushed him away with all her might, finally free!
"Ninth Brother!"
"Don't call me. If she weren't your good daughter, I wouldn't have come." Mu Yichuan's arrogant voice was undisguised even in front of his father.
Xin Yu's heart sank. So, if it weren't for Mu Yi'ai, he wouldn't have come to see her!
When did they become like this? "Weren't you all all lovey-dovey during your video chat just two days ago?
Could it all have been fake...?"
Old Mu was speechless. He'd already guessed what was going on when he saw Nan Juechen.
If Mu Yi'ai hadn't offended him, why would Commander Nan, the dignified Commander, have come to S Country!
"What did I do!" Mu Yi'ai raised her head, glaring. "I, Mu Yi'ai, am upright and honest, unlike you, always meddling!"
Feeling Cheng Yuan's gaze, Xin Yu glanced back, both of them looking helpless.
As she looked away, Cheng Yuan secretly glanced at Nan Juechen again. His jaw was clenched, his thin lips pressed together, and anger was almost bursting forth.
What kind of man is this?!
He looks so much like Auntie?!
But the feeling he gives off is completely different. In her memory, Auntie was gentle and poetic.
But the man before her was full of masculinity. Looking at him, it seemed like even if the sky fell, it wouldn't matter! "I told you long ago, I'm determined to handle Nan Yu's affairs!" Nan Juechen lowered his voice, trying not to be too outrageous in front of Elder Mu and Mu Yichuan.
After all, one was a respected elder, and the other a valued junior.
"Even an upright official can't settle family disputes. Judging from Commander Nan's tone, you're not an upright official, are you?" Mu Yi'ai tossed her wavy hair, continuing her provocation.
"Shut up!" Elder Mu roared, swaying with anger.
"Grandpa," Xin Yu quickly supported him, looking at his face with concern, "Don't worry, Yuanzi, get me a glass of water."
She exhaled a sigh of relief; this morning had been anything but peaceful!
Handing over a glass of water, Cheng Yuan turned to Mu Yi'ai, "Eighth Sister, Brother Shui Han is here to deliver samples of handmade crafts. Why don't you come with me to get them?"
She took Mu Yi'ai's arm and led her out of the restaurant. After the two left, Mu Yichuan's gaze slowly fell on Xin Yu. Liu Shuihan had come to deliver samples of handmade products?
Did she ask him for help too?
Quite a few choices indeed!
Xin Yu composed herself, forcibly clearing her mind of unnecessary thoughts. Her watery eyes lowered, her attention focused entirely on Old Master Mu.
"Commander Nan," Old Master Mu spoke slowly, "Did Eighth Brother go and harass Nan Yu?"
Nan Juechen remained silent. He truly didn't know how to broach the subject. Could he say that Mu Yi'ai had forcibly hacked into Nan Yu's phone and then done many indecent things?
"Grandpa, let me help you sit down?" Xin Yu considerately helped Old Master Mu sit in a chair, having roughly understood the situation. Perhaps Mu Yi'ai missed Nan Yu too much?
But all she received in return was everyone's questioning.
How strange, she actually understood this feeling.
"Mr. Mu, I'm sure you understand. If Nan Yu still had any feelings for her, I, as his uncle, would never break up the marriage."
However, Nan Yu's heart died in the car accident three years ago.
Now, the fact that he doesn't hate Mu Yi'ai is already more than enough.
"I will consider sending her to America." Old Master Mu's gaze drifted, his wise eyes no longer focused.
"Grandpa?!" Xin Yu couldn't help but exclaim softly. Wouldn't this completely extinguish all of Mu Yi'ai's hopes? Such a proud and strong-willed woman…
Sigh.
Old Master Mu turned to look at Xin Yu beside him, her face clearly clouded with worry.
How he wished his daughter could be as obedient as Xin Yu!
"Xin Yu, don't interfere in this matter." Nan Juechen said calmly, his eyes like a leopard's. He didn't want this matter to affect their relationship.
Her fan-like eyelashes trembled; she knew this was both a request and a warning.
"She won't interfere." Mu Yichuan's words carried a chilling displeasure, as if a drawn sword had been drawn. His woman wouldn't be threatened by anyone else!
Even if that person was the commander of the Qing Dynasty!
Xin Yu lowered her head even further, but she could still sense the undercurrent of competition between the two men.
"It's decided then." Old Master Mu never hesitated, especially since he only wanted to have some fun with Xin Yu in S Country.
"Could it be..." Xin Yu finally looked up, pleadingly at Nan Juechen, "that we send her away after we've finished our trip?"
His tall frame stiffened. He knew she was kind, but he hadn't expected her to be so empathetic towards someone like Mu Yi'ai.
Nan Juechen gave a soft "hmm" and turned to leave without looking back.
Xin Yu's cherry lips pouted slightly. He still wasn't willing to agree so easily.
Mu Yichuan took two steps to stand in front of Xin Yu, blocking her view of Nan Juechen's retreating figure.
"When did you arrive?"
"..." Xin Yu didn't answer, lowering her head, her small hands clasped together.
He frowned, his thin lips forming a sharp line. "Last night?"
You already know, why ask!
Is it to cover up your guilty conscience?!
"Grandpa, I'd like to ask you for a favor." Although it was a request, Mu Yichuan's words carried an undeniable certainty.
"I'm playing with my granddaughter, I don't have time." Old Master Mu glared at him, thinking, "I've entrusted the Mu family to you, and you still have the nerve to ask for my help!"
"Really no time?" Mu Yichuan wasn't annoyed, lazily sitting opposite Old Master Mu, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Xin Yu beside him.
"Grandpa, I'll go out and see—"
"Last night, the Qi family's daughter stayed in my room all night." Mu Yichuan's mellow voice interrupted Xin Yu, but his words cut her heart like a knife.
He actually admitted it!
And so calmly! Could it be that he confessed to Old Master Mu in order to marry that woman and bring her back to the Mu family?