Mu Yichen’s expression turned cold subconsciously, yet he did not utter a word more.
Standing to the side, Qiao Yi watched Jing Qing’s subtle movements and sighed inwardly, knowing that Jing Qing had not given up on Mu Yichen; however, everyone familiar with him knew where his heart lay, and he felt sad for Jing Qing’s persistence.
After exiting the elevator, Jing Qing’s hand had already found its way into the crook of Mu Yichen’s arm, and it remained there until they sat down in the private room when she had to remove it, but the two of them had no interaction whatsoever.
"I just love the fish head soup in Chinese restaurants, you both must try it later."
After taking her seat, Jing Qing was not at all awkward nor did she act the least bit like the heiress or the movie star she was, even assuming the role of a female hostess, helping Mu Yichen entertain the guests.
Mu Yichen’s gaze lifted unconsciously, looking towards Qiao Yi sitting diagonally across from him.
Qiao Yi merely exchanged glances with him, then hurried the waiter to pour tea and water.
When Mu Yichen entertained guests, unless the guests preferred to order themselves, he would always choose a few signature dishes, and this time was no different.
The dishes were served quickly, and everyone’s wine glasses were filled with red wine.
"Shall we toast first to the two guests who have traveled from afar?" Jing Qing picked up her wine glass, turned her head, and asked Mu Yichen for his opinion with tenderness.
Mu Yichen did not speak, but he picked up his wine glass nevertheless.
It was, indeed, time for a toast first.
Midway through, Mu Yichen stood up: "I’ll go to the restroom for a moment."
Not even two minutes after he left, Jing Qing placed down her chopsticks, still smiling: "Qiao Yi, you take care of the two guests for a moment, I need to discuss something with Yichen."
After giving her instructions, she picked up the coat from the back of Mu Yichen’s chair along with her purse and stood up.
Qiao Yi lifted his eyelids, holding his wine glass and drinking with the two company presidents. After Jing Qing left, the two presidents asked him, "Isn’t she the future lady boss of your company?"
"Humph, not necessarily." Qiao Yi laughed unconsciously, a laugh tinged with sarcasm, albeit a very light one.
"Oh? Is there someone more suitable for President Mu than Miss Jing?"
The words from the two guests who had come from out of town seemed to show how little they knew about Rongcheng’s affairs.
"Whether she’s suitable or not, that’s for the people involved to know, I’m not too clear on it."
Refusing to entertain another question that made him feel uncomfortable, Qiao Yi brought the glass to his mouth and took a drink all to himself.
Jing Qing found the man washing his hands in the restroom and approached him, handing him his coat: "Do you not like socializing with these two guests?"
Mu Yichen looked up through the mirror at the woman behind him, who carefully draped his coat over his shoulders with a particularly tender and considerate demeanor.
"What act are you putting on today?"
He spoke indifferently, completely ignoring her question.
"What other act could I be putting on? It’s nothing more than longing for you; since you don’t come to see me, I have no choice but to come see you."
Jing Qing continued to smile, her eyes understanding as she spoke to him.
Mu Yichen couldn’t help but laugh, his eyes helplessly on her: I thought I made myself clear enough.
"So? Am I not qualified to pursue you anymore?"
Mu Yichen raised his eyebrow, took the coat off his shoulder, and held it in his hand; before walking away, he said to her: "That’s your freedom."
Mu Yichen had already started to walk away, but she turned around and called out to him.
Facing the somewhat irritated man’s back, she bowed her head, opened her black purse, and took out a white bag: "Can I show you something?"
Mu Yichen finally turned around, taking the white bag she offered with patience.
Her fingernails were painted black, somewhat glaring, and he lowered his gaze to the bag and opened it, frowning slightly.
"These are some photos from Qin Mu’s last business trip to Paris."
He browsed through the photos with a frown, all of them of her and Jian Yan together, appearing intimate. In one photo, they walked side by side along the street, each holding a coffee cup, chatting as they walked, looking all the more vexing to him.
"Did you have someone spy on her again?"
After looking through them, he lifted his eyes and looked at her seriously, asking with a hint of sarcasm.
"I just wanted you to know, she’s not worth your care."
Jing Qing spoke softly, without any temper, even somewhat humbly in front of him.
"Whether she’s worth my care, that’s my business. But you repeatedly spying on her, — you might want to consult Jing Feng about the legal knowledge in this regard, also, Jing Qing, I don’t care who you like, but if you hurt her again, or if your family hurts her because of you, for her, I’d be willing to bankrupt myself, even if it costs me my head, understand?"