Clatter— Mu Yanxi’s phone fell onto the desk. Her slightly widened fox-like eyes quickly regained their focus.
She was suddenly overjoyed, like a miser who had gotten something good and was secretly gloating. She glanced at Yi Wulan and said disdainfully, “Oh, so it’s just acting?”
Yi Wulan hesitated for a moment before nodding. “You could say it’s to help me.”
Hearing this, Mu Yanxi’s little fox tail was already secretly wagging in the air like a pinwheel, but her face didn’t show it. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin in a noble and aloof manner. “Then what benefits can you give me?”
Yi Wulan’s gaze fell on the document, gesturing to it.
Mu Yanxi looked troubled.
She had just been giving Yi Wulan the cold shoulder for a few days. If she agreed so easily, wouldn’t it make her seem easy to coax?
She wasn’t the same gullible little girl from her teenage years anymore.
When she wanted to be close, Yi Wulan wouldn’t agree. Ugh, although getting dizzy from kissing for too long was a consequence of her own making, wasn’t that how it was always written in novels?
If you truly love someone, shouldn’t you be willing to live for them, die for them, dig out your liver, draw your blood, and replace your bone marrow for them?
Yi Wulan wasn’t even willing to get a little dizzy while kissing her. She was indeed the same big-tailed wolf who had seduced her years ago!
Seducing her with that face and then starting to hide—where in the world could you find such a good deal?
Besides, what did she mean by “act appropriately intimate”?
Doesn’t she know that transferring abilities requires deep intimacy?
She wants me to take the initiative, right?
Then I’ll… I’ll…
Reluctantly agree.
After all, she had always been someone who would cast aside shame for money.
If something couldn’t move her, it must be because the money wasn’t enough.
And as it happened, five profit points from the holographic technology were truly a lot.
Mu Yanxi had wanted to keep up the act and use her usual string of nonsense to bargain for more benefits. But the words hesitated on her lips, and she abruptly changed the subject. “Where’s the pen?”
Yi Wulan was taken aback. “What pen?”
The pen to sign the document immediately, of course, in case you go back on your word.
“The pen for signing the contract.”
Yi Wulan hadn’t really intended to use this document as a transaction; she simply didn’t know what else to give. Hearing this, she handed over the pen without another word.
Mu Yanxi signed her name with swift, flamboyant strokes. After confirming it was now hers, she cleared her throat and gave Yi Wulan a gentle smile.
Seeing her smile like that, Yi Wulan had a bad feeling. She asked, “Did you hear everything I just said clearly?”
Just then, the housekeeper brought out the prepared dishes. Mu Yanxi nodded immediately, replying very agreeably, “I heard you.”
Seeing Mu Yanxi agree so readily, Yi Wulan felt a little uneasy. She frowned and asked, “You really heard me? You’ll go with me on Saturday?”
“I have to record a variety show on Friday night. I’ll go with you on Saturday afternoon.” Mu Yanxi picked a shrimp from her favorite seafood platter, meticulously peeled it, dipped it in sauce, and held it to Yi Wulan’s lips. “More intimate?”
Yi Wulan’s fingertips suddenly tightened. She lowered her gaze, then slowly, tentatively, parted her lips.
During this, Mu Yanxi didn’t cause any trouble, asking in an extremely affected tone that could make one’s skin crawl, “How is it?”
Yi Wulan barely chewed a few times before swallowing the shrimp with a calm expression, praising, “It’s alright.”
Mu Yanxi pulled out her chair and simply sat down next to Yi Wulan. Although it was just a strand of her hair touching Yi Wulan’s arm, Yi Wulan’s hand, which was picking up food, slowed down, and her voice involuntarily softened. “What is it now?”
Mu Yanxi sensed Yi Wulan’s tension and was finally satisfied. However, she wiped the smile from her face, sat up straight, and leaned back to the side, assuring her, “I know what to do. Don’t worry, President Yi. Since you’ve spent so much money, I will definitely cooperate well and perform my role diligently for you.”
Yi Wulan stared, stunned, as Mu Yanxi suddenly moved away. Seeing the other’s all-business expression, she opened her mouth, held back her frustration, and put a large serving of food on Mu Yanxi’s plate—all of it the chives that Mu Yanxi avoided like the plague. “Eat.”
Mu Yanxi pretended not to notice Yi Wulan’s anger. She took an empty bowl from the side, pushed her own bowl away, and began to crack and eat a hairy crab on her own.
On Friday evening, Secret Room Rush Rush Rush began its fourth live broadcast.
This episode’s secret room was located in the neighboring city of Huaicheng, just an hour’s drive away, so they could return the same night. When Mu Yanxi arrived at the recording site, she was not surprised to find Jiang Tong absent.
After Jiang Tong was blacklisted, he had originally wanted to pop up and look for other opportunities, but the official post from Chenyue Construction and the comment Bai Yu’an had posted as a gossiping bystander had completely blocked his path.
The upper-class circle of Yuncheng wasn’t large, but it wasn’t small either. A few rich second-generation kids loved to chat about such gossip when they were bored. Just two days ago, Bai Yu’an had heard that Jiang Tong had gone abroad.
Though it was called “going abroad,” it was actually similar to being exiled in ancient times. Forget returning to the Jiang family; he probably wouldn’t be able to return to China for the rest of his life.
Before the recording began, the atmosphere among the entire production team was strange. This was especially true when they looked at Mu Yanxi, where the strangeness gradually shifted from surprise to a hesitant desire to speak.
Especially after the dramatic reversal upon reversal on Weibo, the director’s team breathed a sigh of relief that they hadn’t deliberately suppressed Mu Yanxi for Jiang Tong’s sake. It would have been too fake to portray a Yanjing University graduate as a silly, sweet girl.
They were all shrewd people in the entertainment industry. Even though Mu Yanxi hadn’t intended to hide her academic background, after the Weibo incident, she was seen by them as someone who had deliberately stepped on Jiang Tong to show off her credentials. A reality show wasn’t like filming a drama where everything was scripted, so everyone was slightly wary of her.
However, Mu Yanxi paid no attention to the others’ gazes. She cooperated fully, letting them blindfold her and lead her wherever they wanted. Even in the secret room, she remained quiet and didn’t try to steal the spotlight, just as usual.
It was as if she were still that pretty but empty vase.
Seeing this, the production team relaxed their guard a little. Even the other guests became more lively during the latter half of the recording.
But Mu Yanxi paid no mind to any of this. As soon as the recording ended, she hurriedly got into the car back to Yuncheng.
Perhaps her attitude was too eager, as even her manager couldn’t help but speak up. “Teacher Mu, are you giving up your career at the peak of its popularity to make up with the one at home again?”
As soon as she said this, Mu Yanxi, who was about to check the time again, hid her phone like a thief. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
The manager, still remembering how Mu Yanxi had stood her up for dinner that day, said coolly, “Never mind.”
Mu Yanxi held back for two seconds before retorting, “We’re finally off work. Aren’t you in a hurry to go home, take a bath, and go to bed early?”
The little assistant beside them nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, Sister Ling, I really want to go home early right now too.”
After saying that, she even let out a cooperative yawn.
The manager poked the little assistant’s head. “If you don’t know how to talk, then shut up. How many times have I told you not to speak carelessly in the entertainment industry?”
The little assistant was bewildered. “But… but isn’t it just us in the car?”
The manager shot her another glare.
Seeing the fire diverted, Mu Yanxi quickly turned her gaze out the window, trying her best to reduce her presence.
But after looking for a while, Mu Yanxi felt more and more awkward.
This awkwardness lasted until the next day.
On Saturday afternoon, Yi Wulan, for once, didn’t bring a driver.
The little ancestor named Mu was very flamboyant. Since she didn’t have to go to the office, the moment Yi Wulan led her to the Maybach, she frowned, casually hooked Yi Wulan’s arm, and started walking towards the flashy green Bugatti Veyron inside. “No, no, I want that one!”
Yi Wulan forcibly pulled her away. “You’re wearing high heels. You’re not allowed to drive a sports car.”
“You can drive.” Mu Yanxi dragged Yi Wulan back over, then spouted some nonsense. “Of course we have to take the car I like to see Grandma. Otherwise, she’ll think you brought a secretary over.”
Yi Wulan sized up the flamboyant ‘little secretary’ who had spent an hour getting ready after their meal and retorted coolly, “In that case, Rongjia might really go bankrupt.”
Mu Yanxi: …
Fortunately, Yi Wulan still intended to be a decent person. Just before Mu Yanxi was about to explode, she got into the driver’s seat of the sports car.
Having gotten her way, Mu Yanxi lazily flopped into the passenger seat, put on her sunglasses, and opened the car’s roof, giving off the leisurely air of someone going on vacation.
But as soon as the car left the garage, “Whoosh—”
A biting cold wind rushed in. Mu Yanxi had almost forgotten how aggressive the recent cold air was, and her beautiful hairstyle was instantly ruined.
She clutched her head and quickly closed the roof. It took her a while to recover, breathing in the warming air inside the car. She silently began to fix her makeup in the car.
An hour and a half later, the car stopped at the entrance of the Yi family’s old residence. Mu Yanxi and Yi Wulan got out and walked inside. Yi Wulan deliberately slowed her pace.
But Mu Yanxi, beside her, seemed not to notice and walked even faster.
Yi Wulan’s face immediately darkened a shade. She didn’t look like she was visiting her grandmother at all; she looked more like she was here to collect a debt and seize the house.
As they neared the main door, Yi Wulan finally couldn’t hold it in anymore, but she couldn’t bring herself to mention it proactively. After brewing for a long time, she managed to get out, “You…”
Mu Yanxi’s steps finally halted. She looked at Yi Wulan for a couple of seconds, as if she had finally remembered her mission. “I know, I know. We have to act intimate. I won’t let Grandma find out.”
Then, Mu Yanxi, who usually couldn’t wait to cling to her, simply walked over to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Yi Wulan and gestured forward. “This is okay, right? Let’s go.”
Yi Wulan: …
Yi Wulan glanced at Mu Yanxi standing beside her. Her hands at her sides slowly clenched, then relaxed.
Then, she proactively reached out and took her hand.
Seeing this, Mu Yanxi let out a small “ah.”
Her tone was deliberately low, as if she were extremely reluctant.
Yi Wulan’s grip tightened, and she quickened her pace inside.
Naturally, she didn’t see the undisguised smile on the little fox’s face after getting her way.
Old Madam Yi had just finished lunch and was watching a Beijing opera on the sofa. When she saw Yi Wulan and Mu Yanxi enter, she immediately walked over. Her gaze shifted between their faces before finally landing on Yi Wulan. “What’s wrong? Is Lanlan in such a bad mood to see me?”
Yi Wulan quickly adjusted her expression. Just as she was about to speak, Mu Yanxi squeezed in. “Grandma, don’t mind her. She’s like this with everyone, like a block of wood with no sense of romance.”
The old madam pulled Mu Yanxi over. “That’s right. Not like our Xiao Mu, who’s getting more and more beautiful.”
Mu Yanxi shot a triumphant eyebrow raise at Yi Wulan and helped the old madam back to the sofa. Yi Wulan took the opportunity to sit down next to Mu Yanxi.
Next, it was as if Mu Yanxi had suddenly become enlightened. She coaxed the old madam until her face was wreathed in smiles, and she even stuffed a bank card into Mu Yanxi’s hand.
Yi Wulan, watching from the side, was amazed. She only knew that Mu Yanxi was full of flirtatious nonsense on a daily basis; she had no idea that Mu Yanxi’s glib tongue was also so skilled at charming the elderly.
Yi Wulan couldn’t get a word in edgewise, so she simply kept quiet, sipping her fruit juice mouthful by mouthful, forcing a calm expression.
When Mu Yanxi said she was thirsty and casually picked up the glass of juice Yi Wulan had been drinking from, Yi Wulan stiffened and slowly, bit by bit, turned her head.
It took her a good while to find her voice. “You…”
“What’s wrong?” Mu Yanxi turned her head and waved the bank card in her hand, showing it off. “Grandma gave this to me. Only to me.”
The hand holding the bank card deliberately waved in front of Yi Wulan. She gently lifted Yi Wulan’s long hair, as if by accident, and intentionally let a strand brush against the nape of Yi Wulan’s neck.
Yi Wulan’s upper body went rigid, and she suddenly stood up.
The old madam looked over. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” Yi Wulan glanced at the old madam, a rare hint of evasion in her eyes. “I’m going to the restroom.”
After saying that, she strode away.
The old madam watched Yi Wulan’s retreating back thoughtfully, then turned back to look at Mu Yanxi.
Mu Yanxi met the old madam’s gaze, completely composed.
The old madam smiled lovingly. “Is it that fun to tease her?”
“Especially fun.” Mu Yanxi nodded honestly. “After all, a scene like this can only be appreciated here with you.”
The smile on the old madam’s face deepened, without a hint of blame. “Then how long do you think it will take for her to come back?”
“Hmm…” Mu Yanxi spouted nonsense with a straight face, teasing, “Her leg isn’t good, so she walks slowly. At least half an hour, I’d say.”
“I see that Lanlan’s complexion has improved a lot. Has her leg really recovered?” The old madam deliberately raised her voice, making the already loud sound of the Beijing opera even louder.
“It’s recovered.” Mu Yanxi answered obediently. “She recuperated for a while after the surgery, so at least her daily life won’t be affected anymore. If it weren’t for the recent change of season and the frequent rain, her complexion would probably be even better.”
“Lanlan… I’ve watched her grow up since she was little. Her grandfather treated her with strictness as his successor from a young age. When she first had the car accident, she saw many doctors to no avail. Later, no matter how I tried to persuade her, she would refuse without even a perfunctory excuse.”
The old madam sighed, then looked at Mu Yanxi seriously. “It was because of you that she agreed to receive treatment again, wasn’t it? Your agreement to this marriage is Lanlan’s blessing.”
Mu Yanxi noticed the old madam’s eyes were turning red and was suddenly at a loss. She took the old madam’s hand and comforted her, “I’m also very happy to be with her. Don’t worry, she will get better and better.”
The old madam patted Mu Yanxi’s hand. “You’re a good child.”
About twenty minutes later, Yi Wulan returned to the living room.
The news was playing on the TV, and the old madam was talking about Yi family matters. Yi Wulan sat back down next to Mu Yanxi with a calm expression. Seeing a full glass of juice on the coffee table, she reached for it.
But just as her hand touched the glass, Mu Yanxi’s hand reached out to block her, gesturing to a pitcher of juice on the right. “This glass is mine. If you want some, pour it yourself.”
Yi Wulan’s face fell. Her already pale skin made her look even colder. She picked up the pitcher, filled a glass for herself, and then, seeing a faint lipstick mark on the rim, took a furtive sip before quickly putting the glass down.
She tried to join their conversation. “It seems he’s being sent to the sanatorium on the west mountain.”
Hearing this, the old madam sighed. “This can be considered his retribution. If it weren’t for them back then, you wouldn’t have… Lanlan, you must live well from now on.”
Yi Wulan pursed her lips. After a few seconds, she slowly relaxed them and answered softly, “Yes.”
The old madam had four children. She should have been enjoying her golden years surrounded by family, but instead, she had watched her own flesh and blood fight amongst themselves, one after another meeting with misfortune. After talking for a while, she became melancholic. Yi Wulan coaxed the old madam to her room for an afternoon nap.
Seeing this, Mu Yanxi sensed that the two had things to discuss and didn’t disturb them.
Yi Wulan paused as she helped the old madam up the stairs. She glanced towards the main door, then turned back to walk a few more steps with her grandmother, but couldn’t resist looking back again.
“Are you fighting with her?” When Yi Wulan turned her head for the third time, the old madam finally couldn’t help but expose her.
Yi Wulan quickly composed herself and walked up the steps. “No.”
“Still say no?” The old madam pushed Yi Wulan’s hand away and placed her own on the banister. “Don’t think I didn’t see you watching Xiao Mu the whole time I was talking to her. It seems I’m old and can’t compare to a young girl anymore. Even Lanlan can’t see me.”
Yi Wulan quickly went to support her again, a rare look of anxiety on her face. “Grandma.”
“Alright, I can probably guess even if you don’t tell me.” The old madam suddenly reached out and patted Yi Wulan’s head. “I don’t know who you take after with this personality of yours. You’re a grown woman. Can’t you even speak to her properly and clearly?”
Yi Wulan remained silent.
The old madam pushed open the bedroom door and sighed. “Don’t always bully Xiao Mu.”
Yi Wulan retorted, “I’m not bullying her. It’s clearly her who…” She trailed off, closing her mouth and frowning as she helped the old madam to the bed, unwilling to continue.
The old madam seemed to see through Yi Wulan’s thoughts and smiled. “You can’t bear to say anything bad about her, can you?”
Yi Wulan immediately denied it. “No.”
The old madam took Yi Wulan’s hand and had her sit on the bed. “Do you like her?”
Yi Wulan didn’t answer, but she didn’t deny it either.
The old madam studied Yi Wulan’s features, using her other hand to brush away a stray lock of hair from her forehead. She said softly, “I can tell that child likes you too.”
Yi Wulan’s hand, which was being held, tightened. Her expression slowly softened, and she lowered her head, looking a little shy.
“But… she is your partner in a commercial marriage. Your marriage involves financial interests.”
Yi Wulan’s relaxed expression quickly tensed up again.
The old madam patted Yi Wulan’s hand, stopping her from speaking. “Lanlan, the words are harsh, but this is the truth. I watched you grow up, and I had my own selfish reasons when we arranged the engagement. I didn’t care that Xiao Mu was young, nor did I care about her sexual orientation. I arranged the marriage for you, hoping she could support you in the future.
Your marriage was a transaction between two groups from the very beginning; its purpose was not pure. As the elder party and the biggest beneficiary of the group, do you really expect Xiao Mu to come to you and say, ‘It’s not because of the marriage alliance, it’s because of you as a person’?”
The old madam looked into Yi Wulan’s eyes. “That would be bullying her too much.”
Yi Wulan was stunned, then frowned deeply. “But…”
“Don’t I know you? Your health is poor, and you don’t want to be a burden to her. But just because Xiao Mu is willing to be considerate and give you a chance now doesn’t mean she always will. A relationship is a two-person affair. Sometimes, compared to natural disasters and man-made calamities, the cold shoulder can be more hurtful.
So, Lanlan, you have to learn to dote on her more. Xiao Mu is only in her early twenties, right? She’s still young. What will you do if one day she really runs away because you bullied her?”
Yi Wulan seemed lost in thought. The hand held by the old madam unconsciously squeezed back.
After the old madam fell asleep, Yi Wulan gently closed the door and walked out.
She asked the housekeeper who was cleaning the door and learned that Mu Yanxi had gone to the garden.
Remembering the thin clothes the little peacock was wearing, Yi Wulan’s pace quickened involuntarily. Yi Wulan had moved out after coming of age, but she was still very familiar with the garden and found Mu Yanxi in no time.
Mu Yanxi was standing on the small bridge over the central lake, feeding the fish. It was unclear where she had gotten the fish food, but she was tossing it in listlessly.
Yi Wulan stood under a plum tree for a while before walking over quietly.
The early plum blossoms in the garden were already in full bloom. A gust of wind blew by, carrying the fragrance of plums to her nose. Mu Yanxi felt a bit cold from the wind and was about to wrap her clothes tighter when a coat suddenly fell on her shoulders, carrying a familiar body heat.
Mu Yanxi slowly turned around, not surprised to see Yi Wulan. “You…”
Yi Wulan wrapped the coat around her. “There’s no one else here. You won’t be photographed.”
“I’m not cold.” Mu Yanxi had always been one to choose style over warmth, capable of prancing around in just two layers in the dead of winter.
Yi Wulan insisted, “Wear it properly.”
“You could just wear it and warm my hands for me.” Mu Yanxi handed the coat back.
Seeing this, Yi Wulan was about to warm Mu Yanxi’s hands, but Mu Yanxi dodged, feigning confusion. “Isn’t Grandma asleep?”
She’s asleep, so there’s no need to act, right?
Yi Wulan’s hand froze in mid-air. She forcibly grabbed Mu Yanxi’s hand. “You talk too much.”
Mu Yanxi glanced at Yi Wulan’s impatient yet subtly smiling, contradictory expression, and chuckled. It would be a waste not to accept free warmth.
She expertly slipped her hands into Yi Wulan’s palms to warm them, deliberately scraping Yi Wulan’s palm with her fingertips from time to time. Remembering what happened in the living room, she remarked, “Yi Wulan, your Yi family members are really cold-blooded.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Yi Wulan said, then realized Mu Yanxi was referring to the car accident the old madam had mentioned. She squeezed Mu Yanxi’s hand. “Don’t let your mind wander all day.”
“You, tsk.” Mu Yanxi looked at her with disdain. “It’s one thing that you don’t like to talk, but after being wronged, how can you not even use your brain a little more? Didn’t they say the president of Rongjia is very smart? After all this time, if it weren’t for the incident with Shuilin Fang, would you have just let them continue to run wild in Rongjia?”
Yi Wulan: …
Yi Wulan hesitated for two seconds before speaking. “But Grandma is still alive.”
“Well, now they’re either paralyzed or in jail, so they’ve gotten what they deserve.” Mu Yanxi pouted. “By the way, were there any other people involved in that incident?”
“There shouldn’t be.”
Mu Yanxi stared at Yi Wulan suspiciously, trying to find a hint of evasion on her face, but unfortunately, Yi Wulan was completely candid.
But on second thought, Old Madam Yi only had four children. The second branch had been jailed years ago due to internal strife, the third branch was the paralyzed Yi Hongwei, and the fourth branch had married far away. Any further relatives would be from more distant side branches.
“Fine.” Mu Yanxi reluctantly accepted this fact, but couldn’t help asking, “Can’t Yi Jingming and the others be locked up forever?”
Yi Wulan shook her head, helpless. “This is a society ruled by law.”
A society ruled by law, yet they didn’t get the punishment they deserved for orchestrating a car accident and attempting murder.
Mu Yanxi muttered under her breath, “When they get out, can’t you just randomly set a trap in the business world and let them fall into it again?”
Yi Wulan: “Their current crimes will already keep them locked up for many years, and besides…”
Before Yi Wulan could start lecturing again, Mu Yanxi pulled her hand back and blew on it to warm it up. “Forget it, I can’t talk to you about this. It’s freezing out here, I’m going back.”
After Mu Yanxi left, the corners of Yi Wulan’s long-tense mouth slowly relaxed. The wind blew across the lake, lifting the hair on her back.
Mu Yanxi reached the corner, turned back to look at Yi Wulan’s lonely figure, and felt a pang of sourness in her heart. She tried to hold it in, but couldn’t, and walked back in a few steps. “Um…”
Yi Wulan turned around, clearly surprised. “What’s wrong?”
Although Mu Yanxi hated Yi Wulan’s usual distance and coldness and couldn’t help but tease and bully her every time, whenever she saw Yi Wulan’s lonely and desolate back, her own mood would worsen.
She knew about the people behind the car accident, but because of Old Madam Yi, she had to maintain a superficial decency with them.
If you want to be a Bodhisattva so badly, then go on and save people. Why do you always have to put on this kind of act in front of me?
Big-tailed wolf, all you know is how to act pitiful.
Mu Yanxi said irritably, “Yi Wulan, is this your house or my house? Are you going to make an outsider like me search the entire villa for your room? Hurry up and take me there.”
Yi Wulan was stunned. “You can ask the butler.”
“Do you know how long my fans have to fly just to say one word to me? Am I the kind of person who can be approached by just anyone?” Mu Yanxi said haughtily, grabbing Yi Wulan’s belt and pulling her towards the house. “Hurry up, it’s freezing.”
Yi Wulan was led back into the house all the way.
There were many people in the house taking care of the old madam. Perhaps to save Yi Wulan some face, Mu Yanxi let go of her hand as they entered the door and walked straight in without looking sideways.
Yi Wulan glanced at her own, unusually wrinkled belt, but didn’t straighten it as she usually would, as if she wanted to preserve it intentionally. She took a step forward to lead the way.
The noble and aloof appearance Mu Yanxi put on for outsiders didn’t last long. As soon as she entered the room, she called out, “Yi Wulan!”
Yi Wulan closed the door and looked at her quizzically. “What?”
Mu Yanxi confirmed, “We’re staying here tonight, right?”
Yi Wulan nodded. “Do you have other things to attend to?”
“I don’t have anything to do, but… are there no other beds?” Mu Yanxi looked troubled and said coolly, “This is your childhood room. A person like me, who spouts nonsense and uses clever words, is afraid of defiling the great President Yi’s childhood memories.”
Yi Wulan: … “It’s fine.”
Seeing Yi Wulan’s hesitant look, Mu Yanxi was delighted. She walked to the bed with a grin, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalance. “Oh? So President Yi means I can lie on your incredibly noble bed?”
Yi Wulan’s expression finally broke, revealing a look of helplessness. “When have I ever stopped you?”
“No, no, no.” Suddenly feeling hot after coming back indoors, Mu Yanxi gathered her hair, trying to hide her warming ears, and said with feigned seriousness, “I still think that a business partner like me, who gets paid to do a job, shouldn’t casually defile President Yi’s bed.”
Yi Wulan walked up to Mu Yanxi. “You can.”
Mu Yanxi insisted, “No, no, no, I’m just an outsider. What right do I have?”
“You can.”
“No, I can’t.”
The two went back and forth for three or four rounds. Even Yi Wulan herself didn’t realize she was playing such a childish game of debate with Mu Yanxi.
Until Mu Yanxi once again said, ‘I can’t,’ Yi Wulan once again replied with, ‘You can.’
Only this time, Yi Wulan’s voice was a few degrees lower, and the gaze she directed at her, apart from the initial seriousness, held a bit more earnestness.
The tips of Mu Yanxi’s ears turned bright red. She felt inexplicably guilty under that gaze. She unbuttoned her trench coat to cool down and said with a dry laugh, “O-Okay, if I can, I can. It’s getting late, shouldn’t you go… go see if Grandma is awake?”
“No need, someone will take care of her.” Yi Wulan took another step forward, almost pressing against Mu Yanxi.
Mu Yanxi instinctively took a step back, her heel hitting the edge of the bed. She changed the subject. “Ah, then do you want to go read some documents?”
Yi Wulan: “No need.”
Mu Yanxi suggested again, “Ah, then watch a drama?”
“No need.”
Mu Yanxi’s hands, clasped behind her back, gradually tightened. She could hardly bear Yi Wulan’s scrutinizing gaze any longer. “Ah, then do you want to…”
“No need.” This time, Yi Wulan’s words came out before hers. “Are you avoiding me?”
Although it was a question, her tone was very certain.
Mu Yanxi couldn’t help but take another step back and fell directly onto the bed.
Yi Wulan looked down at Mu Yanxi from above. Despite wearing a soft, light-coffee-colored coat, the posture still exuded an invisible sense of pressure.
Mu Yanxi knew that Yi Wulan’s curiosity had never been that strong. Otherwise, in her previous life, she wouldn’t have just watched her help Yi Jingming without ever questioning her.
For her to ask this question now, it must have been circling in her mind countless times until she finally couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Mu Yanxi snorted inwardly. She didn’t think this block of wood, Yi Wulan, had truly seen the light, but seeing as Yi Wulan had rarely spoken up, she could play along.
After a moment of thought, she suddenly took off her trench coat and tossed it aside flamboyantly in front of Yi Wulan.
Yi Wulan’s gaze was drawn to it. By the time the coat landed, Mu Yanxi’s arms were already wrapped around Yi Wulan’s neck, pulling her down slightly. She sensually stroked Yi Wulan’s lips with her fingertips.
“Since President Yi is so eager to engage in daytime debauchery with me in broad daylight, I suppose I can accompany you.”
Yi Wulan: …
No matter how unflappable Yi Wulan was, she was still stunned by Mu Yanxi’s words.
She really couldn’t figure out how a matter that could be answered with a single sentence had been twisted and turned by Mu Yanxi onto the bed.
Mu Yanxi’s face was simply too stunning, especially when she was seducing someone with such words. Anyone else would have been utterly bewitched by her.
Yi Wulan had experienced this countless times. Although she wouldn’t be easily led astray by Mu Yanxi anymore, her heart couldn’t help but tremble. “Stop fooling around.”
“What do you mean, stop fooling around? Yi Wulan, who is avoiding whom here?” Mu Yanxi held Yi Wulan’s neck tightly, pulling her down again. She propped herself up and leaned close to her ear, a few words floating out from between her lips. “Act more intimate? Hmm? Like this? President Yi?”
Yi Wulan pursed her lips, not scolding her again, but not saying anything else either.
“Tsk, no fun.” Mu Yanxi suddenly lost interest in teasing her further.
She adopted an attitude of not caring what Yi Wulan wanted to express, too lazy to guess.
In any case, the one who secretly photographed Yi Wulan and liked Yi Wulan was the younger her. It had
AB-SO-LUTE-LY! NO-THING! TO! DO! with the current her!
Yi Wulan was silent for several seconds. Her leaning posture suddenly pressed down a little more. “Don’t call me President Yi like they do.”
Mu Yanxi was stunned, not expecting Yi Wulan to reply.
The sudden coolness from Yi Wulan’s coat and the familiar cold fragrance made her waist go soft. She felt as if she were imprisoned, and her fox-like eyes widened in shame and anger. “Yi… Yi Wulan! This is not okay, that is not okay, what on earth do you want!”
“It’s my fault.” After being scolded by the old madam, Yi Wulan had reflected a great deal on her way to find Mu Yanxi. She tucked a stray strand of hair from Mu Yanxi’s forehead behind her ear. “I’m sorry.”
Mu Yanxi was stunned, unable to process for a long moment that Yi Wulan was apologizing.
Then, she looked at Yi Wulan’s expression. Her face was cold. Where was there any hint of someone who had done something wrong?
Anyone who didn’t know better would think Yi Wulan was interrogating a criminal.
Heh.
Mu Yanxi simply withdrew her hands and sneered, “Alright, just give me a call when it’s time for dinner. I’m going to scroll through Weibo for a bit. I’ll go act with you in front of Grandma later.”
After saying that, she turned to grab the coat she had thrown, looking for her phone.
But just as she was about to stand up, Yi Wulan grabbed her hand.
Mu Yanxi frowned. “What are you doing?”
Yi Wulan’s dark pupils stared intently at her face. It was unclear what she saw, but she suddenly seemed to change her mind. Her eyes sharpened, and she took the initiative to lean down.
Mu Yanxi’s pupils shrank, and she said warily, “Hey, Yi Wulan, what are you doing? This isn’t within the scope of our acting, is it?”
She suddenly had a bad feeling and forced a calm expression. “If you keep this up, I’m going to have to charge extra.”
Yi Wulan nodded and said, “You can.”
Mu Yanxi stared at her in horror.
Yi Wulan had always been self-disciplined, calm, and composed. Even with a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes, they seemed to be perpetually covered in a layer of frost, as if no one could move her.
But the words she was saying now were extremely abnormal.
“Did… did you hear me clearly?” Mu Yanxi was truly anxious. “Do you know what ‘charging’ is for? Has your head injury gotten worse and you’re not thinking clearly? Didn’t you say that being too intimate with me would make you dizzy and affect your injury? Or, or are you, do you have so much money you don’t know where to spend it?”
Yi Wulan denied, “No.”
Mu Yanxi: … Is she playing with me?
“Yi Wulan!”
Mu Yanxi was furious, her voice trembling as she accused her without restraint, “Outsiders all say the president of Rongjia is a strategic, young, and accomplished ice queen. What are you doing now?
You have a head injury and need to keep your distance from me. I can understand that. Fine, I kept my distance.
After I kept my distance, you used a contract to make me act with you. Fine, I acted.
So what about now? Aren’t you tired of running around in circles? Are you… are you a puppy?”
As her words fell, the entire bedroom fell into a deathly silence.
Yi Wulan quietly met Mu Yanxi’s gaze. The force on Mu Yanxi’s arm loosened. She reached out and gently pressed the pearl of Mu Yanxi’s rosy lip, her cool and distant tone still familiar.
“Yes.”
Mu Yanxi: …
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