"Okay. You can stay here," Pei Qianhao said after a brief pause, clearly compromising for her sake. "I'll join you shortly."
"Thank you," Mu Xiu replied softly.
She truly appreciated that he respected her wishes.
Pei Qianhao gave her one last meaningful look before leaving with Wu Ling.
The moment he walked away, the air around the table seemed slightly lighter—but Mu Xiu's heart wasn't.
She was certain her eldest brother had already seen her.
Should she go over?
Or pretend nothing happened and remain here?
Her thoughts were in chaos.
"Waiter. A glass of wine."
A familiar voice suddenly sounded beside her.
Mu Xiu stiffened.
She slowly turned her head—
And met Mu Ling's cold, sharp gaze.
He was already seated beside her.
Her heart skipped.
"Hey, Mu Ling. What wind blew you here?" Li Jingyan asked lazily, swirling the wine in his glass.
Mu Ling didn't even look at him.
"What? Am I not allowed to sit here?" he replied coolly, his tone carrying an obvious edge.
Qi Lian raised a brow. "Why do you sound like you swallowed gunpowder before coming here?"
The atmosphere immediately turned tense.
"Waiter," Mu Ling called calmly, though his eyes never left Mu Xiu. "Bring a glass of lemonade. The strongest and sourest you have."
The waiter stiffened under his gaze. "Y-Yes, Young Master Mu."
Mu Xiu swallowed nervously.
She wanted to speak, but every time she opened her mouth, no words came out.
The more silent she became—
The darker Mu Ling's expression grew.
Before she could finally say something, the waiter returned with a tall glass of freshly squeezed lemonade.
The scent alone was sharp.
Mu Ling took the glass and placed it in front of her.
"Drink."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
"I'm fine, I don't—"
She met his eyes.
Cold.
Warning.
Dangerous.
"…I'm suddenly thirsty," she corrected herself quickly. "I'll drink it."
She took a careful sip.
Her face instantly scrunched up from the sourness.
It was extremely strong.
Almost unbearably so.
She knew exactly what it meant.
The lemonade represented his mood.
Very sour.
Very displeased.
"I know I'm wrong," she muttered softly, tugging gently at his sleeve. "Don't be angry, okay?"
Mu Ling didn't respond.
His jaw was tight.
He wasn't angry because she attended the banquet.
He was angry because she stepped into this circle without informing the family.
Everyone here looked refined and respectable.
But beneath the suits and smiles?
They were wolves.
And standing beside the president?
That was even more dangerous.
Power struggles, political schemes, hidden enemies—
A single misstep could mean being caught in crossfire.
He would rather shield her from all of that.
Even if it meant being harsh.
Across the table, Qi Lian clicked his tongue.
"Mu Ling," he said casually, though his eyes were observant. "She's eldest brother's woman."
The words hung heavily in the air.
Mu Ling's gaze immediately turned sharp.
His voice dropped several degrees.
"My sister," he said slowly, emphasizing every word, "is not anyone's woman."
"It will only happen if he has the ability" Mu Ling added with a sneer.
Qi Lian and the others were stunned when they heard Mu Ling words, it was a strong opposition. But then again he called Mu Xiu is 'sister', shocking them.
The temperature around the table seemed to drop.
Even Huo Bingye, who had been silent all along, lifted his eyes with interest.
Mu Xiu froze
.
Before anyone could respond—
A calm, deep voice sounded from behind them.
"And what if she wants to be?"
Pei Qianhao had returned.
His expression was indifferent.
But his eyes were dark.
Possessive.
"I will tell you directly Pei Qianhao, my sister isn't one of those pawns you push around. Stay away from her" Mu Ling warned seriously.
"How can I stay away from her when she's my personal bodyguard?" Pei Qianhao asked with a smirk.
"Well we can correct that with a few phone calls can't we?" Mu Ling retorted back, Pei Qianhao face immediately turned grim.
"And as for you, when did you become the president's woman" Mu Ling asked Mu Xiu with a frown.
"I'm not the president's woman, I only accompanied the president" Mu Xiu quickly clarified leaving the others speechless. Her words greatly satisfied Mu Ling, he threw a provocative look at Pei Qianhao indicating that his sister didn't acknowledge him.