Xin Yu had her own reasons for asking Mu Yichuan for help in front of Nan Juechen.
She remembered that Commander Nan had helped with Cheng Yuan's photo incident last time.
"Could you please arrange for someone to protect Yuanzi?" Xin Yu grabbed Mu Yichuan's arm, her voice filled with pleading.
She only had this one friend now, like family, and she couldn't afford to lose him!
"Could you? As long as you promise me, guarantee Yuanzi's safety, I'll do anything—"
Mu Yichuan's cold gaze shot over her, making her heart tremble inexplicably, and she didn't dare to finish her sentence.
Nan Juechen also looked at Xin Yu thoughtfully, his mind preoccupied with the timid Cheng Yuan.
"She…"
Xin Yu turned her head to look at Commander Nan, who seemed hesitant to speak, her dark eyes filled with doubt.
"She'll be fine," Mu Yichuan's confident voice came.
She immediately looked back gratefully. "Really? Was today's incident a coincidence, or is it the same group involved in the photos from last time?"
But out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Nan Juechen's hand tremble slightly, and Xin Yu's heart skipped a beat. "Commander Nan?"
"Commander Nan, we've arrived."
Xin Yu wanted to ask something more, but felt Mu Yichuan squeeze her hand tightly. She didn't understand, but could only watch helplessly as Nan Juechen got off the helicopter.
Then, a warm, burning breath touched her neck. "Just now, A-Yu said she'd agree to anything for her best friend?"
Xin Yu's body trembled slightly from his teasing. Her small hands gripped his large, dry hand that wrapped around her from behind, and she managed to steady herself.
She didn't say anything, just nodded firmly.
Yes, that's what she thought!
"What were you discussing with Commander Nan just now? Was it about Yuanzi being followed?" Xin Yu turned her head, trying to avoid his advances.
"Whatever arrangements you've made, Ayu's words can't be taken back." He chuckled, his plundering continuing.
...
Xin Yu shook her head from side to side, trying to ease the soreness in her shoulders, but as soon as her focus returned, even with her eyes on the design drawings in her hands, her mind was still filled with the scene on the helicopter that night.
The dazzling night view, the frenzied possession.
But three days had passed, and she hadn't seen Mu Yichuan again. He seemed to have vanished, busy with something unknown.
"Ayu, are you very tired?" Liu Shuihan walked over, considerately handing her a glass of water. "Drink some water, don't push yourself too hard."
Xin Yu pursed her lips and nodded. "Thank you, Brother Shuihan. By the way, how is Henhen?"
She was truly afraid that her good friend would be implicated because of her.
"She's perfectly fine!" Liu Shuihan's tone wasn't very good, because he could see that Liu Hen and Cheng Che's relationship was progressing rapidly.
Xin Yu's eyes flickered, and she immediately understood his meaning, a touch of gossip creeping in. "Did Henhen...know Senior Brother Cheng Che before?"
"No, I don't think so," Liu Shuihan pondered. "Only Cheng Yao came to our house often; Cheng Che never came."
This was what puzzled him. He didn't think Cheng Che would fall in love at first sight.
Xin Yu frowned slightly, blinking twice. It seemed Liu Henhen had fallen for Cheng Che at first sight at the temple on Baimu Mountain.
"I guess Dad won't agree," Liu Shuihan deliberately omitted the subject, feeling it made him seem closer to Xin Yu.
"Why?" She didn't seem to care, her mind completely focused on his words.
Liu Shuihan sighed, leaning against the table next to Xin Yu, looking down at his girl. Her bewildered face was truly alluring; he longed to touch her.
"Because of Cheng Yao?" she guessed.
He nodded. "Yes, after all, Cheng Yao is the heir to the Cheng Group."
Xin Yu's eyes widened in shock. What a cruel reality!
So, an arranged marriage was so close to her!
"Yu, what are you thinking about?" Liu Shuihan noticed her sudden pause.
"I was thinking that leaving the Xin family was a stroke of luck." At least it saved her from being sold off by her father.
Wait, he brought Uncle Liu to the hospital to force her into marriage.
She couldn't help but look up at Liu Shuihan. His eyes held that undisguised pain, which tugged at her heartstrings.
"Yu, will you really marry—"
"Brother Shuihan!" Xin Yu stood up abruptly, interrupting Liu Shuihan, because she saw the Master of the House just two steps away!
Why was he at the Mu Group? Both of them greeted him politely, but his eyes never left Xin Yu. "Have you been busy lately?"
"Oh."
"I'll take you to a charity gala later." Although his tone was gentle, it was unmistakably commanding.
Xin Yu frowned. She didn't want to go; she didn't want any interaction with Mr. Mu. "I... the drawings aren't completely finished yet."
"Is Ninth Brother so cruel?" He said with a hint of sarcasm. "Making a non-permanent employee like you work overtime all night?"
Xin Yu's lips twitched. He was forcing her!
"Looks like I need to ask the old man again?" He took out his phone, his deep eyes fixed on her.
"When do we leave?" Xin Yu asked helplessly. She didn't want Old Master Mu to have any ill feelings towards Mu Yichuan.
"An hour later."
...
"Brother Cheng Che." A sweet, soft voice rang in her ears. Liu Hen looked up at Cheng Che intently.
A dark light shone in his blue eyes as he scrutinized Liu Hen with a slightly flirtatious gaze. This timid and shy girl was truly utterly unchallenging.
Liu Hen pursed her lips, speaking shyly, "Brother Cheng Che, you really came to S Country to see me?"
She still couldn't believe it; he had actually come. It all felt like a dream.
"Silly girl," Cheng Che said, tapping Liu Hen's head, "Of course it's true!"
With that, he leaned down again, beginning a new round of conquest.
The night was deep, a cool breeze blowing.
For a long, long time…
So long that Liu Hen felt she couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to give up, when Cheng Che suddenly changed his appearance!
Seemingly mad, seemingly insane…!
Her consciousness, floating and sinking, grew increasingly hazy. Did Liu Hen really want to know if the person before her was truly the always gentle and refined Brother Cheng Che?
This person frightened her, and even more so, made her feel like a stranger.
"Ah!" She screamed in fright at his rough force.
Ring ring ring.
The sudden, eerie ringing of the telephone startled her even more, her body instinctively trying to hide.
Cheng Che stopped, glancing at Liu Hen, who was trembling with fear, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Hello?"
"What are you doing?" Nan Ya's suspicious voice came through; she could clearly hear the hoarseness in Cheng Che's voice.
He nimbly pulled away, got off the bed, and went into the bathroom. "Taking a shower, getting ready to leave. Everything arranged?"
Nan Ya didn't press further. "Yes, waiting for you."
...
"Am I really not good enough?"
The young master's words made Xin Yu pause. Her slender fingers gripped her skirt tightly, not daring to lift her head, let alone offer any response.
"With me, you can enjoy endless wealth." He sat there without moving, speaking only indifferently.
Xin Yu felt her fingers were stiff and powerless, unable to muster any strength. She didn't understand why the eldest uncle had brought up this topic again.
"Eldest Uncle," she said, forced to use Old Master Mu's name to pressure him.
Suddenly, she heard him laugh.
Xin Yu looked up, puzzled. He remained the same, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it was frozen in ice.
"Promise me, I can persuade the old man."
"What do you know?" Xin Yu stared at him, forcing back her fear. "I'm not Old Master Mu's granddaughter at all, am I?"
The eldest uncle didn't answer for a long time, only asking in return, "What do you think?"
His phone rang.
"Hello? Fifth Brother… um, the old man's health is quite good… um."
Xin Yu didn't listen closely to his phone call, only pondering his words. She was certain she wasn't Old Master Mu's granddaughter!
But why was someone as wise as Old Master Mu so insistent on recognizing her as his granddaughter? "That photo—" Seeing him hang up, Xin Yu wanted to ask more.
But he interrupted her, "We've arrived."
Xin Yu turned to look at the Ministry of Environmental Protection building outside. A voice rang in her ears again, low and unreal.
"Remember, at least I can convince the old man, but Ninth Brother, I've never even spoken to him."
Xin Yu got out of the car as if nothing was wrong, but a closer look revealed her hands trembling.
Just like her heart.
The words of the eldest gentleman had undoubtedly stung her.
"Don't be swayed or alienated by others; have your own judgment." Xin Yu kept reminding herself. She subconsciously reached for her ring finger, but it was now blank.
No more phoenix-shaped iris pendant.
Mu Yichuan never mentioned it again.
Following behind the eldest gentleman, she unexpectedly saw Mu Jian as she stepped into the entrance of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
"What are you doing here?" Xin Yu walked up to Mu Jian and questioned him in a low voice, "Were you sent by Mu Yichuan to secretly follow me?"
He simply bowed respectfully but didn't answer.
"Hmph!" Xin Yu snorted angrily, "Where's Mu Yichuan? Is he coming today?"
If not, she definitely had to find a way to leave early.
"Ninth Master is inside," Mu Jian said, startling Xin Yu.
She didn't ask anything more, but quickly followed the eldest master into the charity gala venue.
Looking around, she didn't see Mu Yichuan.
She found a corner seat and was about to sit down when she heard the eldest master say, "Ninth Brother is out."
Xin Yu followed his gesture and looked over, her pupils shrinking sharply.
Mu Yichuan was actually with Qi Qianjin; the two of them walked out of the adjacent reception room together.
Although their posture wasn't overly intimate, they were at least walking side by side.
Xin Yu stared at Mu Yichuan, but he seemed oblivious to her, maintaining his cold expression as he gracefully and decisively took his seat in the front row.
Qi Qianjin also sat down.
"My God! Is that the legendary Mr. Jiu? So handsome, so imposing!"
"Have you heard? The Qi family really went all out this time! All for that ugly woman."
"Pshaw, don't let her looks fool you, she's a super talented woman!"
"Exactly! So-called marriages between wealthy families, who says you have to marry someone beautiful? Money is king!"
"Besides, she's talented..."