"Everyone’s worked hard today, and I’ve heard from Qinqin that you’ll all have half a day off tomorrow, so tonight let loose and have fun. After you’re done drinking, a private room upstairs at the club has been reserved for you, enjoy yourselves,"
Mu Yichen said as he poured himself another drink.
When everyone heard about partying at the club, they were nearly whistling with excitement.
Qin Mu quietly sipped tea on the side, while Mu Yichen clinked glasses with everyone again.
Xiaomei did not expect Mu Yichen to be so generous, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
But it was Mu Yichen who said, "After one more drink, I’ll have to say goodbye to ’Qinqin’! She’s pregnant now, and today she’s worked hard all day; she needs to rest early tonight."
He purposely paused for a moment when he said the name Qinqin.
"No wonder you’re so eager; you’ve been waiting for us here! But we’re not unreasonable—go on ahead. But why do you say our Qinqin’s name so weirdly, President Mu?"
"Because Qinqin—belongs to your family!"
Mu Yichen replied with a smile.
"Isn’t she part of your family?"
Xiaomei thought she was instigating something and even winked at Qin Mu; Qin Mu looked at her helplessly, thinking you can’t outwit President Mu.
"What’s mine is Mrs. Mu!"
Mu Yichen put his hand on Qin Mu’s shoulder and spoke while looking at her blushing ears.
His eyes, dark and unfathomable, seemed to be electric.
However, the woman across from him did not take the bait, acting nonchalant as she sipped her juice without a change in expression.
Everyone couldn’t help but laugh, as Mu Yichen picked up Qin Mu’s coat and purse: "Shall we go?"
Qin Mu then stood up: "We’re all family here, so don’t stand on ceremony. Whatever you need, just tell the server. I’ll take my leave first!"
Mu Yichen couldn’t get over how long she was taking to say her goodbyes, then forcefully whisked her away, arm in arm.
"Going home now?" Qin Mu asked the man who was holding on to her as they left.
"Let’s go to the upstairs,"
Mu Yichen suggested while wrapping his arm around her and leading the way.
Qin Mu turned to look at him; Mu Yichen’s black eyes stared back, serious yet...
Qin Mu felt a bit overwhelmed by his gaze, thinking of going upstairs...
A small surge of excitement rippled through her heart, and were it not for the pregnancy, she would have pinned him down first tonight.
But as soon as the two entered the elevator, the private room behind them buzzed to life—not with the noise from before, but a wild frenzy of excitement.
Xiaomei then took charge, inviting everyone present to take turns playing games. Later, even the restaurant manager was pulled in to join the fun, and knowing they were Qin Mu’s people, the manager reluctantly had a couple of drinks.
The group played unrestrainedly and had a blast!
Qin Mu and Mu Yichen returned to the room Qin Mu stayed in when she first came to Rongcheng.
Mu Yichen asked, "Does it feel different now that you’re here compared to before?"
Qin Mu hadn’t noticed.
"When you came here the year before last, you weren’t a local, and you didn’t even consider staying."
Mu Yichen wrapped his arm around her shoulders, walking and talking.
Standing in front of the living room window, looking out at the myriad stars in the night sky intertwined with the Wan Family’s lanterns afar, Mu Yichen held her shoulder. Qin Mu, shorter by nearly a head in her comfortable flats next to President Mu, seemed especially harmonious this way.
"And now, here I am, having a child with a man in this place!"
"And in a few months, you’ll be marrying him in a grand wedding!"
"By then, the whole world will know he married his childhood sweetheart!"
Qin Mu couldn’t help but smile proudly as she said this, extending her arms as if embracing the entire night sky.
Mu Yichen gazed at her optimistic demeanor, then turned towards her.
Qin Mu also turned and was suddenly embraced at the shoulders, all quiet.
Qin Mu’s throat felt an unease, Mu Yichen’s eyes were intoxicating, fixing her in place, unable to move.
"Now little Qingmei has grown up! She’s even having children with her childhood friend! And now she’s daring enough to talk about a wedding with him!"
Just as he raised his hands to hold her, what should have been a touching speech left Qin Mu feeling shy, but then he squeezed her cheek a little too firmly.
Startled at first, Qin Mu then raised her hands to slap away his, and after he laughed and let go, she hit his shoulder hard: "Mu Yichen, you jerk!"