Jing Qing’s gentle blessing shone with a tender and considerate smile on her face.
Qin Mu suddenly felt that her own expression must look really sour and unconsciously let out a soft laugh.
Mu Yichen glanced down slightly and, seeing Qin Mu’s expression, thoughtfully looked towards Jing Qing with a smile, "Merry Christmas!"
"Is your company having a party?"
"Last time I was at your company, I promised a few friends to bring them autographed photos. I happen to have them with me tonight. Can you take me inside to give it to them?"
Jing Qing’s voice remained soft as ever.
Huanhuan clung tightly to her father’s neck, her eyes harboring a bit of malice as she gazed at the ’beautiful auntie’.
"Then I’ll go on ahead!"
Qin Mu slightly lifted her eyes.
"Alright! Huanhuan, you stay with me first, and then I’ll meet up with you later."
Qin Mu thought to herself, as long as you’re happy.
But she couldn’t help clenching her teeth.
Jing Qing watched Qin Mu leave without saying much more, just following Mu Yichen back inside.
Once inside, Jing Qing stood by his side, gazing at the lively crowd, feeling inadvertently sentimental and also a bit of warmth. Despite past issues, it had been a long time since they had appeared together in front of so many people.
Even though he was holding another little girl in his arms, when she looked at him, her eyes couldn’t help revealing an extra measure of tolerance.
When people curiously looked towards the doorway, Secretary Xi immediately noticed and with a slight movement in her eyes, quickly approached: "Boss! Miss Jing."
Jing Qing amiably nodded to Secretary Xi.
Secretary Xi finally turned her gaze towards the little girl in Mu Yichen’s arms.
"Miss Jing mentioned she promised some of our staff autographed photos. She happens to have brought them today. Take Miss Jing to settle this matter, as a Christmas gift for everyone."
Jing Qing, surprised, looked at him again: "Yichen, you’re not coming with me?"
"I have someone more important to accompany."
Secretary Xi lowered her gaze and after a few seconds of silence, offered her hand, "Miss Jing, please?"
Jing Qing could only follow Secretary Xi forward, but after taking two steps, she couldn’t help but look back, torn, "Yichen!"
He said indifferently, standing motionless by the door while Huanhuan turned back to him and buried her face against the door, unwilling to look at Jing Qing’s tender and saddened expression.
"Miss Jing, please wait a moment!"
There was a microphone stand nearby, and Secretary Xi asked Jing Qing to wait there, then she stepped forward, gently tapped the microphone, and started to speak.
Jing Qing watched from the side, and before Secretary Xi finished speaking, she turned around, only to find that Mu Yichen was no longer there.
Her heart clenched painfully at that moment with a mix of humiliation and resentment. She bit down on her teeth, unable to utter a word, only wanting to leave.
"Miss Jing, the boss arranged this as a special treat. Could you please cooperate as a friend of our boss?"
Secretary Xi requested of her, with proper etiquette.
Jing Qing had no choice but to stop and then step forward to stand.
Yes, after what she said to Mu Yichen, she had to follow through. After all, she couldn’t let others think she was petty. So, she moved forward again and looked at the crowd below the stage with a sincere smile.
The young men and women were enraptured by her, some fanatically so.
However, it was the older leaders who seemed more interested in Jing Qing’s identity as the young lady of the Jing Family, rather than her celebrity status. They were also interested in the love triangle between Jing Qing, Mu Yichen, and Qin Mu.
Truth be told, as senior executives of the corporation, they preferred their boss to marry a woman of equal social status for the benefit of the group’s development. But who was their boss? Did he need a woman’s support?
When Qin Mu returned, Yang Qianxi immediately gave up her original seat and moved to the side.
After sitting down, Qin Mu picked up a glass of untouched wine from the table, "I am late, so I’ll punish myself with a drink!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and with a light laugh, she raised her glass to her lips and downed the wine in one gulp.
As they were chatting, the door suddenly flung open from the outside.
Yang Qianxi immediately stood up when she saw Mu Yichen, an expression of flustered excitement on her face.
But it wasn’t just Yang Qianxi who was excited; all their colleagues were too.
He walked in holding the child and after placing the child down, he asked genteelly.
His voice was soft and made the ladies’ ears pregnant with delight.
Qin Mu looked at each love-struck face with a helpless sigh; Huanhuan had already run over to her side and snuggled into her arms. Qin Mu chuckled as someone had already poured juice for her daughter and placed it beside her, so she gave Huanhuan the juice to drink.