OFCC – Chapter 81 – Novels Space

When Mu Yanxi woke up the next day, she was met with a pair of reproachful almond-shaped eyes, which gave her a real fright upon waking.

After realizing it was Bai Yu’an, Mu Yanxi let out a heavy breath. “I say, Eldest Miss Bai, what are you doing so early in the morning?”

“It’s already noon,” Bai Yu’an said irritably, her tone quite resentful.

“Didn’t you say that a terribly ominous divination can be turned into good fortune by meeting a benefactor? Kang Qi’s assistant just contacted me, saying President Kang wants us to go over this afternoon. He’s probably going to politely decline us and help that Mu Yanche instead. How can his luck be so good?”

Mu Yanxi acknowledged her with a sound, casually opened her phone to reply to a couple of messages, then threw back the covers and leisurely got out of bed, heading for the bathroom. On a table she passed, there was a vase of fresh flowers, and she casually plucked one.

Bai Yu’an was still rambling on and complaining about Mu Yanche when she saw Mu Yanxi holding the flower and sniffing it lightly. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt that the rose in Mu Yanxi’s hand was blooming more vibrantly, lending a strange sensuality to her fair face.

Bai Yu’an was stunned. Seeing that Mu Yanxi still had the leisure to admire flowers, she came back to her senses. “Do you have some other plan?”

“People online might not know about Kang Qi’s car accident, but you were an eyewitness at the scene. You must have noticed something suspicious, right?” Mu Yanxi put the flower back in the vase and said faintly, “Since Mu Yanche wants to reap the benefits of his righteous and courageous act, he’ll also have to bear the consequences of this car accident being investigated.”

“You mean! You’re saying he!”

“Many coincidences are actually premeditated. It’s just a guess.” Mu Yanxi winked at her. “Aren’t you going to hurry up and put on some light makeup? Don’t we have to go to the hospital?”

“Hey, wait a minute!” Bai Yu’an squeezed into the bathroom with her. “How did you guess that?”

Mu Yanxi: “With my brain.”

Bai Yu’an: … “I’ll give you one more chance.”

Mu Yanxi waved her phone, pointing to a message on the screen. “Chen Xu went to the police station last night as an eyewitness to cooperate with the investigation. The other two cars at the scene yesterday fled, and the police still haven’t been able to confirm the owners’ information. It was clearly a premeditated car accident.”

Bai Yu’an grabbed Mu Yanxi’s wrist. “Then let’s hurry and tell Kang Qi.”

Mu Yanxi held her back and explained helplessly, “It might be someone else eyeing the new energy vehicle project, or someone Kang Qi has offended in the past. There’s no evidence to prove it was Mu Yanche.”

Bai Yu’an: …

Bai Yu’an felt that all the patience she had in her life was being exhausted by Mu Yanxi. She held it in and held it in, nearly suffocating herself, before finally spitting out, “Can you stop being so cryptic when you talk? Can you just give me a definite conclusion?”

Mu Yanxi spat out the water and washed her toothbrush. “What’s definite is…”

“What is it? What is it?”

Mu Yanxi cleared her throat. “…is that President Kang is looking for us.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Bai Yu’an expressionlessly splashed some water at Mu Yanxi. “Sooner or later, I’m going to beat you to death for that mouth of yours.”

“No need to say more, I understand.” Mu Yanxi lathered her facial cleanser and sighed. “This is indeed my fault. After all, if we lose this partnership, the money you used to run away from home and escape your blind dates won’t appreciate in value. Xiao An’an, I get you, I really do.”

Bai Yu’an: …

Bai Yu’an instinctively felt something was wrong, but her train of thought was still led astray by Mu Yanxi. After washing her face, she turned on the faucet, furious. “Who cares about that little bit of investment appreciation? My private savings are enough for me to squander for a lifetime. Do you think I’m a pauper like Mu Yanche who can only put on a show? Who are you looking down on?”

Mu Yanxi quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, Miss Bai is rich and imposing, spending money like water—”

Then the topic shifted, and she asked in a very punchable way, “Then why did you want to hit me?”

Bai Yu’an: ?

Bai Yu’an was momentarily choked up, but she quickly reacted and was about to turn on the faucet to splash Mu Yanxi again. “Me hitting you is a personal grudge, it has nothing to do with money.”

After washing her face, Mu Yanxi still had water droplets she hadn’t wiped off, making her look miserable and pitiful, but the words she spoke made one want to grind their teeth in hatred. “You don’t have to explain. I know you’re going to abandon me, but I don’t blame you. Who can blame me for not having Mu Yanche’s good luck?”

Bai Yu’an’s head buzzed with anger at Mu Yanxi’s ‘understanding’ nature. Her brain, which hadn’t slept well for two consecutive nights, became directly irritable, and she reached out to grab Mu Yanxi’s hair.

Slender fingertips shot towards the top of Mu Yanxi’s head. The gentle breeze lifted a few strands of her long hair that was draped over her shoulders, but she herself remained calm and composed, looking in the mirror.

Just as Bai Yu’an’s claws were about to grab her, Mu Yanxi suddenly sighed and murmured, “Are you planning to rely on your experience in eating, drinking, and having fun to negotiate a partnership with an old fox like Kang Qi later? Sigh, how tragic.”

Bai Yu’an’s hand froze. “What do you mean?”

“Mu Yanche won’t come empty-handed. He’ll at least bring enough funds for the first phase of the new energy vehicle project.” Mu Yanxi dried her face and began to explain slowly, “But didn’t President Kang ask for us again? He’s in the hospital now, not the company. He wouldn’t specifically ask for us if it wasn’t for something important.”

Bai Yu’an immediately withdrew her hand. “Really? You’re not just trying to coax me again, are you? Can you give me a straight answer about the partnership?”

“Do you think negotiating a partnership is like picking up money off the street?” Mu Yanxi turned sideways and flicked Bai Yu’an on the forehead, smiling without warmth. “Xiao An’an, I finally know why your parents are so anxious to marry you off.”

“Why?”

“They’re afraid the Bai family will be bankrupted by you if they don’t find someone to help.”

Bai Yu’an: …

Bai Yu’an was speechless, suddenly feeling a sense of betrayal, as if everyone was slacking off together, but you were secretly studying behind my back.

Back when their two families were collaborating on the Shuilin Fang project, the project was handled by her parents and Yi Wulan. Bai Yu’an had thought Mu Yanxi was just like her, a second-generation rich kid who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.

But it wasn’t until Mu Yanxi mentioned the Feicheng project to her a few months ago that she realized she was the only one who was truly slacking off. Or rather, Mu Yanxi was only nominally eating, drinking, and having fun without taking over Xinyu’s affairs, but she had helped Xinyu earn a lot of money through financing collaborations on projects like this.

Unfortunately, Bai Yu’an understood this point too late and could only swallow it down with tears.

Visiting hours at the hospital started at two in the afternoon. When Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an arrived, they didn’t see Mu Yanche in the hospital room.

The weather in Feicheng was much colder than in Yuncheng. By the time the two of them left the hospital, the sky had completely darkened, and a light, drizzling rain had begun to fall.

The car couldn’t drive directly to the entrance of the inpatient department. Just as Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an were in a bind, someone chased after them from behind. “Miss Bai, Miss Mu, President Kang asked me to bring you an umbrella.”

It was Kang Qi’s assistant.

Both of them were the type to dress for autumn even in the dead of winter. They were already cold enough and naturally didn’t want to get rained on. After thanking him, they took the umbrella.

The assistant watched them get into the car before turning and walking back to the hospital room.

Inside the room, Kang Qi, whose forehead was wrapped in thick gauze but whose spirits had fully recovered, asked the assistant when he saw him, “Has the item been delivered?”

The assistant replied, “It has been delivered into the hands of those two.”

Kang Qi nodded and instructed, “Verify the information as soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

After leaving the hospital, Bai Yu’an and Mu Yanxi returned to Yuncheng.

With Mu Yanche having made a splash in front of Kang Qi, Mu Yanxi witnessed many things that had or had not happened in her previous life over the following period. Everything seemed to be repairing the chaotic plotline, gradually putting the story back on track around Mu Yanche.

The two drivers responsible for Kang Qi’s car accident had been caught. According to the police investigation, the car that rear-ended him was unlicensed because it had just been picked up. The driver had been following Kang Qi repeatedly because the car’s navigation system was broken, and as a novice driver, he wanted to ask Kang Qi for directions.

As for the other car that crashed into the Rolls-Royce, the driver got on the highway after the collision and eventually had a car accident while speeding during a police chase. According to the forensic examination, this person was driving under the influence.

After the results of the car accident investigation were announced, the police became stricter in their checks for drunk driving. Online, Mu Yanche’s act of saving someone was once again publicized, attracting a large number of casual fans.

Mu Yanche became popular again, receiving a flood of endorsement and variety show invitations. After a series of resources were thrown his way, the mishap at the New Year’s Eve concert seemed to have been forgotten by the internet.

He returned to the glorious days of frequently occupying the top spots on the hot search list, living there day after day. Even if there were some dissenting voices, they were quickly suppressed by other people’s comments, and he became a famous new star created by capital in the industry.

As Rongjia’s holographic movies became increasingly popular, when tickets for this year’s Spring Festival movie season went on sale in advance, sci-fi movie tickets at Huazhen Cinemas were almost impossible to get. They were snatched up as soon as they were released, while tickets at other cinemas were left hanging, with no one interested.

It wasn’t that Rongjia wanted to create a monopoly. The holographic movie technology had not yet completed its final testing. Although the relevant technical staff were working overtime, the 4D movie technology still needed approval documents from the relevant departments before it could be sold.

Therefore, it wasn’t that Rongjia wanted to eat the whole pie itself; it was simply that it only had time to apply for its own use, not for sale.

The movie came from the entertainment industry, and the explosion in popularity of this technology made netizens even more curious about who would ultimately become the spokesperson for the holographic products.

Now that Mu Yanche’s resources were skyrocketing like a rocket, many people online said that it was very likely he would be invited to be the spokesperson for the holographic products. A person propped up by capital should naturally be used to their full potential.

But as it happened, Rongjia Group never made any response.

On one occasion when Mu Yanche’s fans deliberately licked up to the endorsement to create a false impression for netizens, Rongjia even used its official Weibo account to personally debunk the rumor.

In fact, there were many artists in the entertainment industry who tried to ride on others’ coattails, but for Rongjia’s official Weibo to personally step in and debunk a rumor, Mu Yanche had the honor of being the first.

After netizens joked about the resource celebrity’s blunder, Mu Yanche announced several more endorsements, and the matter was put to rest.

Mu Yanxi continued her life of accompanying Yi Wulan to work as usual. As for Bai Yu’an, she heard that she was being forced by her parents to go on blind dates again.

Since the Bai family’s industrial focus had now shifted to Yuncheng, and Bai Yu’an’s mother preferred the living environment in Yuncheng, Bai Yu’an had to run to Feicheng several times a week.

She said it was to escape the blind dates and to save her eyes, which had been more or less polluted.

Of course, not all the news was unsatisfactory.

In early February, before the arrival of New Year’s Eve, Mu Yanxi accompanied Yi Wulan to Boston for a follow-up examination of her brain injury.

Originally, Doctor Xiusina had planned for Yi Wulan to undergo surgery in February. However, with New Year’s Eve approaching, this date was quite special for every Chinese person. Coupled with the fact that the surgery was rather risky, even just for a good omen, they wouldn’t choose to do it before New Year’s Eve.

After the New Year, a busy new year would begin. Projects that had been halted for the Spring Festival would all be restarted, and Yi Wulan would have even less time. So, the surgery was scheduled for after the financial summit in March.

A few hours after the examination was completed, Doctor Xiusina, along with the brain experts from all over the world specially assembled for Yi Wulan, analyzed Yi Wulan’s latest examination data. After Doctor Xiusina summarized the discussion results, she returned to her office to see Yi Wulan and Mu Yanxi.

Xiusina’s mood was clearly much more excited than when she had just entered the conference room:

“The spread of the blood clot in Miss Yi’s brain has completely stopped. Even the blood clot that was originally pressing on the nerves is gradually decreasing. The self-immune repair is excellent. By March, she will definitely be in the optimal state for surgery.”

Mu Yanxi’s tense heart finally relaxed a little. She turned to look at Yi Wulan but saw no smile on her face. After a moment’s thought, she understood. “Are you worried about the surgery then?”

Yi Wulan frowned and said nothing.

Beside them, Xiusina couldn’t understand Chinese, but after many years as a doctor, she roughly understood what patients would be concerned about. She said tentatively:

“Don’t be too nervous. A year ago when you came to me, the blood clot in your brain was in a state where it could spread at any time, press on your nerves, and endanger your life. To achieve such an effect in just one year through self-immunity and medication can be called a miracle. You should have more confidence in the surgery.”

Yi Wulan remained rational, not feeling that everything was ready just because of the doctor’s words. Since the doctor had seen through her thoughts, she might as well ask, “What are the possible side effects after the surgery?”

Doctor Xiusina looked at Yi Wulan with some disapproval. “That’s not something you should be concerned about right now. The patient just needs to take good care of her body and wait for the surgery.”

Yi Wulan didn’t speak, but her eyes were still fixed on Xiusina.

Seeing this, Mu Yanxi, who was beside her, took Yi Wulan’s hand and looked at Xiusina. “Doctor, please tell us the truth. Even if you don’t say it now, we’ll still have to ask later. We need to be prepared.”

Helpless, Xiusina had no choice but to speak. “Actually, the side effects are the same as if you don’t have the surgery. If you don’t have the surgery and the blood clot enlarges, it will cause damage to the brain nerves. In mild cases, you might lose a certain sense. In severe cases, it could cause mobility issues, intellectual impairment, or even paralysis into a vegetative state.”

“But during the surgery, we will do our utmost to treat you and try our best not to cause secondary damage. However, since the blood clot in your brain has been there for a long time, we can’t be sure if there will be any of the side effects I mentioned after it’s completely removed.”

Mu Yanxi could clearly feel Yi Wulan’s hand, which was intertwined with hers, tighten. She reassuringly tapped the back of her hand with her fingertips and smiled at Xiusina. “Although there are many symptoms of side effects, it’s also possible that there will be no side effects at all, right?”

The originally stagnant air in the office suddenly relaxed. Both Xiusina and Yi Wulan looked at Mu Yanxi.

Mu Yanxi smiled at Yi Wulan, then looked at Xiusina for confirmation. “There are also patients who have had brain surgery without any side effects and have fully recovered, right?”

Xiusina immediately understood Mu Yanxi’s meaning. In order to put Yi Wulan at ease before the surgery, she quickly nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Many patients, even if they have side effects after surgery, have fully recovered during subsequent recuperation. Miss Yi, you just need to maintain a good mentality and… prepare the money. You can leave the rest to us.”

Mu Yanxi also looked at Yi Wulan and teased, “Don’t overthink it. Even if something unexpected happens, we can slowly treat it. You’ve already spent so much money to hire so many brain experts. If you don’t get better after all this, are you going to smash all their reputations?”

Yi Wulan used her other hand to rub Mu Yanxi’s head. “Don’t mess around.”

“How am I messing around?” Mu Yanxi retorted righteously. “Anyway, if you can’t move, at worst, my hands will just be a little more sore and I’ll have to work a little harder for the rest of my life. We can get through it.”

At first, Yi Wulan didn’t react. It wasn’t until the unfiltered Mu Yanxi herself looked away first that she realized what Mu Yanxi meant. Her tone instantly became colder. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

But her voice was laced with a distinct tremor.

Xiusina couldn’t understand their Chinese, but that didn’t stop her from observing their expressions and guessing the content of their conversation. She couldn’t guess the topic as explicitly as what they were discussing, but she could tell they were saying some sweet nothings.

Out of a doctor’s habit, she took the opportunity to cough and brought up an old topic. “Miss Yi, there’s something I still need to emphasize to you. Besides maintaining a good work-rest schedule and reducing fatigue, please try to refrain from sexual activity before the surgery. An orgasm will cause…”

Mu Yanxi, who had just been speaking so shamelessly, was now so embarrassed she couldn’t even lift her head. Fortunately, Yi Wulan beside her promptly pulled her up. Without waiting for Xiusina to finish her sentence, she pulled Mu Yanxi and left directly without even saying goodbye.

Mu Yanxi was dragged away. She turned and waved at Xiusina, holding back her laughter as she left with Yi Wulan.

The days passed one by one. As New Year’s Eve approached, a thick festive atmosphere could be seen everywhere outside.

Yi Wulan accompanied Mu Yanxi and Mu Yanqing on a trip to the cemetery, after which they all went to visit Old Madam Yi. Old Madam Yi had four children, but on this day of family reunion, only her granddaughter Yi Wulan had returned home.

Even her granddaughter from her daughter’s side, who usually came to visit, was spending the New Year with her mother who had married far away. Mu Yanxi hadn’t felt it on her previous visits, but this time when she walked in, perhaps because half of the hired aunties had also gone home for the New Year, the huge villa felt exceptionally empty.

Old Madam Yi was very surprised to see the two Mu sisters. Her complexion was much better than the last time Mu Yanqing had seen her. It was clear that she had thought things through and come to terms with the matters concerning Yi Jingming and Yi Zizhuo.

When her mood improved, her health followed suit.

After wishing Old Madam Yi a happy new year, the group followed her inside. Mu Yanxi was still a bit restrained in front of elders, pretending to be a well-behaved and sensible girl, although everyone present deliberately didn’t expose her.

But Mu Yanxi was very satisfied with her acting skills, even secretly boasting to Yi Wulan about her award-winning, superb acting.

Next was the New Year’s Eve dinner, the extravagance of which made even the little peacock Mu Yanxi feel a bit inadequate. At the dinner table, Old Madam Yi didn’t ask about trivial life matters like other elders. Instead, she chatted along with the thoughts of the three young people.

Actually, it was just listening to Mu Yanxi bragging about her acting skills. As it happened, just before the Spring Festival Gala began, her show Peach Blossom Debt was actually playing on TV. The little peacock proudly spread its tail feathers on the spot.

By the time Mu Yanxi happily received three bank cards, the New Year’s Eve dinner was coming to an end.

An elderly person like Old Madam Yi wasn’t suited to staying up late, even on New Year’s Eve, and was soon persuaded to go upstairs.

It was still early when they left the Yi family home. Mu Yanxi excitedly wanted to pull Yi Wulan to see the Black Swan 707. Seeing this, Mu Yanqing, who was beside them, declined, “I have a transnational call to make later. I need to discuss the follow-up of a partnership, so I won’t go.”

Mu Yanxi was slightly stunned and blurted out, “I didn’t ask you to come along.”

Mu Yanqing’s hand, which was confirming the time with her assistant, paused. She looked at Mu Yanxi in disbelief. “Say that again?”

Mu Yanxi had taken her elder sister’s red envelope and was about to use the yacht her sister had given her. Her arrogance immediately deflated. She bounced in front of Mu Yanqing and hugged her like an octopus. “Elder Sister, I was wrong.”

Mu Yanqing took a step back and forcibly peeled Mu Yanxi off her, saying with a straight face, “Did you eat too much just now? You’re so fat, get down quickly.”

Before Mu Yanxi could bristle, it was Yi Wulan who spoke up first. “Don’t lie to her, or she’ll start a hunger strike tomorrow.”

“Don’t you slander me!” Mu Yanxi immediately retorted, but her gaze was on Mu Yanqing. “Where have I gotten fat? It’s just that my clothes have a little more fluff!”

After retorting, she insisted on pulling Yi Wulan over to be a judge. “Yi Wulan! Yi Wulan, quickly tell her, have I gotten fat?”

Yi Wulan was very cooperative. “No.”

Mu Yanxi immediately lifted her chin smugly at Mu Yanqing. Mu Yanqing reached out and casually ruffled Mu Yanxi’s hair a couple of times. “Alright, Elder Sister is going to get busy. Happy New Year, Xiao Xi.”

“Mm.” As Mu Yanqing turned around, Mu Yanxi grabbed her sleeve and said dryly, “Happy New Year to you too, Elder Sister. Don’t work too hard.”

Mu Yanqing raised an eyebrow, then turned and got into the car.

The Black Swan 707 was maintained and cleaned by dedicated staff every day. In addition, Mu Yanxi had given instructions in advance, so by the time they got out of the car, the yacht was already docked by the shore, fully equipped with everything they needed.

Mu Yanxi’s Weibo had been silent for over half a month. Even though her manager had shifted her focus to several newly signed artists, she hadn’t forgotten to remind Mu Yanxi to post on Weibo for business.

Mu Yanxi had intended to post a photo of the New Year’s Eve dinner on Weibo, but Yi Wulan, passing by her, paused her steps. “You…”

“You also think that table of food was a bit over the top, don’t you?” Mu Yanxi tilted her head and slowly walked up until her feet stopped on the deck. A sudden inspiration struck her. “Quick, quick, help me take a picture.”

Yi Wulan had only wanted to remind Mu Yanxi to be careful on the stairs, but she was inexplicably handed a phone and had no choice but to cooperate with Mu Yanxi in taking pictures.

This was not the first time Yi Wulan had acted as a photography tool. After Teacher Mu’s previous unreserved guidance on photography, this time Yi Wulan wasn’t tormented for long before she took a photo that satisfied Mu Yanxi.

The strict Teacher Mu then spent a few more minutes editing the picture before pairing it with the simplest and most direct ‘Happy New Year’s Eve’ to complete today’s business task.

In the comment section, that group of black fans who didn’t forget to browse Weibo even during the New Year immediately rushed to grab the front row:

【Can you put some effort into your New Year’s Eve caption? Are you just going to be this perfunctory? Are we not worthy?】

【Bad review, can you choose a place with better lighting to take pictures?】

【Let me recommend the Black Swan 707 behind the little flower vase [Link: The black… auctioned at the Guchuo Auction House]】

【Spread the word, Teacher Mu didn’t just pose for a photo, she bought the sparkling diamond brooch and the luxury yacht in full (doge)】

【Say no more, hurry up and transfer me ten thousand yuan. Before other fans arrive, I’ll clear the square for you.】

【I don’t know why, but seeing her wear fake goods and pose with a yacht, I actually feel a sense of motherly comfort: even though my baby is famous, she still hasn’t forgotten her original intentions, wuwuwu.】

【What the hell ‘hasn’t forgotten her original intentions,’ I’m about to be moved by the little flower vase… to laughter hahahahaha.】

Mu Yanxi was long used to this kind of situation, and what’s more, it was the New Year, so she didn’t want to take it to heart. She turned and pulled Yi Wulan inside.

Yi Wulan let her pull her. The harbor outside the yacht was quiet, with only the gentle sound of the rising and falling tide. But from the window on the other side, one could see the bustling night view of Yuncheng, a sea of twinkling lights stretching as far as the eye could see.

Mu Yanxi was listlessly admiring the night view when Yi Wulan suddenly spoke up. “Do you like it here?”

Mu Yanxi was slightly stunned. After all, according to Yi Wulan’s usual temperament, she would have sat quietly with her. If she didn’t speak, Yi Wulan could go a whole night without saying a word.

She didn’t think much of it and replied, “I like it, but I don’t usually come here often. Do you have the time?”

For some reason, Yi Wulan was really answering every question tonight. “I can.”

“Are you going to ignore all of Rongjia’s affairs?” Mu Yanxi smiled. “I’ve accompanied you to work for so long, which of Rongjia’s long-term and short-term plans have I not seen? Who are you trying to fool?”

Yi Wulan pursed her lips, acknowledged with a sound, and then, as if to emphasize something, said, “I mean… after I get better, I can accompany you wherever you want to go.”

Mu Yanxi’s heart stirred, and she looked at Yi Wulan.

In the two years she had been in the entertainment industry, she had participated in more than a dozen dramas of various sizes. Although Yuncheng had a film and television center, most of the dramas were not filmed in Yuncheng, so she had been running all over the country for those two years.

In addition, her family was not short of money, so she spent her spare time from filming traveling all over the world. Even Mu Yanqing didn’t see her more than a few times a year.

By this calculation, after she got married, in order to transfer her special ability to Yi Wulan, she had indeed settled down a lot. Not only did she rarely leave Yuncheng, but she also turned down most of the parties of the second-generation rich. It was just that Mu Yanxi had never thought that Yi Wulan would pay attention to this point.

It was quite a novelty.

The hand that wasn’t propping up her chin crept along the table, inch by inch, to tap lightly on Yi Wulan’s arm. “President Yi, why are you so attentive today? Could it be that you’ve done something to wrong me?”

Yi Wulan: …

Yi Wulan shot a cold glance at Mu Yanxi.

If Mu Yanxi had asked such a punchable, nonsensical question on a normal day, Yi Wulan would have been too lazy to bother with her, probably even too lazy to scold her. But this time, before retracting her gaze, she actually said, “No.”

Mu Yanxi was actually just being smug with her words. After saying it, she hadn’t expected an answer from Yi Wulan at all. Just as she was about to reach for the crayfish that the waiter had brought, she suddenly heard this answer and nearly missed, almost touching the grill pan next to it. She looked at Yi Wulan in astonishment.

“Yi Wulan!” Mu Yanxi retracted her claw, blew on her fingertips which were slightly scalded by the heat, and began to scrutinize Yi Wulan carefully. “You… what’s wrong with you? What kind of demon has possessed you? Demon! Give me back my Elder Sister!”

Yi Wulan: …

Yi Wulan didn’t speak, but put on disposable gloves and started peeling crayfish for Mu Yanxi.

Although Mu Yanxi verbally expressed her suspicion, when Yi Wulan brought the crayfish dipped in sauce to her mouth, she was very honest and took it in one bite.

Without hesitation.

“What’s wrong with you, really?” Even though she was comfortably being fed, Mu Yanxi still hooked a strand of Yi Wulan’s long hair and pressed on. “You’re acting really abnormal today. Don’t be like this, I’m scared.”

Yi Wulan was just a little more talkative and a little more proactive than usual, but in Mu Yanxi’s eyes, it was more shocking than her own rebirth.

“Do you want to move to a new place?” Yi Wulan glanced at the yacht and finally brought it up. “The place we’re living in now was for recuperation. It’s not particularly convenient for you to go out.”

Actually, Mu Yanxi didn’t have many thoughts on where to live. Anyway, Xinyu had invested in a bunch of properties. To her, wherever Yi Wulan lived, that was home.

The villa they were currently living in, although on the second ring road, was adjacent to a 5A-level natural scenic area. The air quality was good, very suitable for a patient’s recuperation.

“Anything is fine,” Mu Yanxi said truthfully. “Have you already thought of where to move?”

Yi Wulan nodded. “I have a house in Mansion No. 3. Although it’s located in the city center, it shouldn’t be too crowded. If you like it, I’ll have someone redecorate it.”

Mansion No. 3, located in the heart of Yuncheng where every inch of land is worth gold, was sold out before it even went on the market five years ago. The entire community has only ten villas, each with front and back gardens. The internal landscape is built against mountains and by water, ranking it as the top of Yuncheng’s ten great mansions.

Moreover, all the villas inside only have two floors, upper and lower. Why not build higher? Because the land area is too large, far exceeding the large flat apartments in other communities.

Mu Yanxi was naturally very satisfied. She sat back down, took small sips of her fruit juice, and then chewed on the crayfish meat, her eyes circling around Yi Wulan.

She always felt that President Yi’s attitude had become a bit subtle after boarding the yacht that Mu Yanqing had given her, but she didn’t expose it.

The bright light from the chandelier poured down on Yi Wulan. The white velvet dress she was wearing didn’t have many embellishments, but on Yi Wulan, it was inexplicably worn with a kind of cold, aloof, high-mountain flower feeling.

Mu Yanxi had already eaten a lot for dinner. At this moment, even with Yi Wulan’s beauty as an appetizer, she really couldn’t swallow much more after a short while.

Mu Yanxi scooted closer to Yi Wulan. The white plush coat she had worn when she arrived was hanging on the side. Her long black hair was spread over the red, modified cheongsam. She called out softly, “President Yi.”

Yi Wulan had just returned from washing her hands at the side and looked down at her.

When Mu Yanxi used this title, it was often with a bit of distance and a bit of passive-aggressiveness, but occasionally it had a different meaning. For example, at this moment, it seemed to be treated by her as a kind of flirtation. The drawn-out final syllable, paired with her face made gorgeous by the red dress, appeared very ambiguous.

Yi Wulan responded with a sound, “Hm?”

“Ta-da~” Mu Yanxi suddenly brought her hand out from behind her back, presenting a flower she had plucked from nearby. She didn’t forget to provide her own sound effect. Her beautiful eyes, under the light, seemed to be sparkling like gems. She squinted and smiled, “For you.”

Yi Wulan looked at the single flower, stunned for a long time, before reaching out to take it.

Seeing that Yi Wulan seemed to like it very much, Mu Yanxi immediately imagined a scene where the great President Yi, who had never experienced this kind of romance in her life, was moved to tears. She immediately worked hard to coax her. “Isn’t this flower beautiful? I observed for a long time before choosing this one. Oh right, I have another surprise for you. Come with me.”

Yi Wulan’s fingers gently caressed the delicate petals. She didn’t speak, just nodded, and followed her with the flower in hand.

The waiters on the yacht had long since retreated, leaving the space to the two of them. Of course, if they were there, they certainly wouldn’t have been able to see any difference in Yi Wulan from when she had just arrived—the same expressionless face, the same coldness.

But Mu Yanxi had been with her for so long, so she could immediately feel that the great President Yi, who could even get jealous of Mu Yanqing, had been coaxed into a good mood.

The eternal iceberg was beginning to melt because of her one gift. Mu Yanxi’s sense of accomplishment instantly exploded. She just wanted to take Yi Wulan to experience more things she had never experienced before, without ever thinking about having to bear any consequences.

“I also installed the holographic movie equipment in a room here. Here, right here, come in quickly. You missed the movie my elder sister recommended to you back then, so I’ll have to be the one to teach you.”

Check out the new translations I’m updating:

All four have 20 chapters out already, with a new chapter added every day. You can also find my other translations on The Fragrance of Lilies reading list.