"Hehe," Xin Yu chuckled softly, her dark eyes curving deeply like beautiful crescent moons.
"Hurry up and eat, I brought it at 12:30." She pushed Mu Yichuan to the coffee table, considerately opening each insulated food container. "Try it, if you don't like it, don't eat it, your health is the most important."
"Wrong."
"Hmm?"
Xin Yu looked up, puzzled. What was wrong?
Suddenly, a pair of large hands appeared behind her, pulling her tightly into a hug. His chin rested on her head, the faint fragrance of her hair wafting into Mu Yichuan's nose. "Ayu is the most important."
Xin Yu blushed, grabbing his large hand with her small one, and said shyly, "Alright, hurry up and eat."
These past few days, Mu Yichuan seemed like a different person.
She watched him eat elegantly, and couldn't help but murmur, "What have you been eating lately? Your lips are as sweet as honey!"
Mu Yichuan raised his handsome eyebrows, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and slowly began, "Of course—"
Xin Yu quickly waved her hand to stop him, "I know what you're going to say!"
"Oh?"
"Are you trying to say you ate my food?" She was pleased with herself for guessing his thoughts. "Alright, I appreciate it."
"Wrong." He leaned back lazily on the sofa, his eyes sparkling.
Wrong?
Xin Yu puffed out her cheeks, raising a single eyebrow. "I think you're trying to change your mind now that you've been guessed, right?"
"Tch." Mu Yichuan chuckled, wrapping his arm around Xin Yu again. "Really not. Do you think I'm that kind of cliché person?"
Not cliché, right?
But definitely shameless.
"Then tell me," Xin Yu tilted her head, leaning against his chest. "Could it be... really because you drank the water from Country S?"
"No, it's because I ate... your longing."
...!
"Who longed for you?" Xin Yu felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but quickly retorted.
He's truly shameless!
He can even say such embarrassing things!
"Then I'll have Mu Feng pick you up every day from now on." The implication was that he had to come see her whether she wanted to or not, so she could feel his longing!
"Domineering!"
"Also," he said coldly, pinching Xin Yu's chin, "Ayu made a mistake."
Huh?
Xin Yu looked at him, puzzled. Was it because she took the drawing he had modified to the competition?
She was just about to tell him about it.
"But you promised me!" She grabbed his hand, unconsciously playing with her fingers one by one.
"I promised you?" Mu Yichuan straightened Xin Yu. "When did I promise you something like that!"
"But, but—" she said urgently, "The drawings have to be submitted once they're finished. If you feel you can't use your revised version for the competition—"
"Okay, I didn't say no." Mu Yichuan interrupted, pulling his hand away to cover her head. So that's what the little girl was thinking about!
Huh?
Xin Yu was confused again. It wasn't about that!
Then what did she do wrong?
She didn't go to the villa with him?
This…
"I…I'll go back to the villa with you tonight."
Suddenly, Mu Yichuan's dark eyes seemed to ignite.
He leaned down and planted a kiss on Xin Yu's cheek. This little girl was truly delightful.
"Ayu, you keep your word," he emphasized, then changed the subject, "But, that's not what I meant."
Ugh! "So what exactly did you say?!" Xin Yu asked, annoyed. She should have known better than to speak up earlier; she'd sold herself out and was still being punished!
"You're not allowed to cook anymore."
"..." How could something so warm and loving be wrong in his eyes?!
"Let me check your little hands." Mu Yichuan picked up her small hand. "Thank goodness, no burns."
"..." Though speechless, Xin Yu felt a warm glow in her heart.
Mu Yichuan pinched Xin Yu's little nose, his clear black eyes softening, looking at her gently. All the fatigue from the board meeting vanished.
"By the way, Mu Yichuan," Xin Yu pursed her lips, "I have something to tell you. Next Monday, which is the day after tomorrow, I'm going to Nanshi with my mentor to participate in the semi-finals, and if possible, there will be a final."
"Hmm." Sunlight shone on Mu Yichuan's face, clear and bright.
What does "hmm" mean? A hint of sadness flashed in Xin Yu's eyes. If he agreed, shouldn't he at least give her some instructions, just a token gesture? Seeing his silence, she had no choice but to find something to do, starting by tidying up the insulated food container and dishes. After finishing, she washed her hands and saw Mu Yichuan already sitting at his desk, head down, drawing something.
"How long will you be gone?" The sudden question caught Xin Yu off guard, and she paused, her steps faltering as she approached.
"Um… if I'm participating in the finals, at least a week." Xin Yu thought for a moment, and considering her other plans, perhaps two weeks wouldn't be an option.
"Too long." His cold tone made Xin Yu's heart leap into her throat. Why had his temper changed again!
Seeing him still drawing and writing, was he having some work-related troubles?
Then she'd better not bother him with her problems.
"Three days." After a moment's thought, Mu Yichuan spoke domineeringly.
"Huh? Three days isn't enough!" Xin Yu protested loudly.
"The preliminary rounds are on Monday, the results are on Tuesday, the finals are on Wednesday, and then we'll wait for the results." Mu Yichuan explained.
"You make it sound so easy! The organizers didn't schedule it like that!" Xin Yu said, reaching for her phone to show him the detailed schedule.
However, the man was faster, grabbing his phone and dialing Mu Feng's number.
"The architectural design competition between Nanjing University and Kyoto University. Have them change the schedule..."
Xin Yu stared wide-eyed at Mu Yichuan, who was coldly giving orders at his desk. He... he was too authoritarian!
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you at home for dinner in three days." Mu Yichuan said, tossing his phone onto the desk.
Xin Yu was speechless again.
Outside the door, Mu Feng's low voice came: "Mr. Jiu, the meeting... is about to start."
Damn it!
His eyes flashed with cold horror. Another meeting!
"Go on, I'll wait for you here." Xin Yu was afraid of affecting his work mood.
"Okay, if you're tired, go inside and rest." He turned and left casually. For half the afternoon, Xin Yu sat in Mu Yichuan's comfortable chair, working on her design concepts. She filled three whole pages, and Mu Yichuan entered just as she finished.
"I've got a lot going on today. You should go home now," he said calmly, his gaze slightly cold.
"Huh?" Xin Yu was a little confused, then shook her head. "It's okay, I can wait for you here."
Anyway, she was going back to the villa with him today, so going home alone wouldn't change anything.
"No need. I'm not going home tonight." His resolute words completely stunned Xin Yu, a pang of sadness rising in her heart.
Wasn't he just eager to see her?
Why isn't he going home after just one meeting?
"Is there... anything I can help with?"
"No." His answer was equally firm.
Xin Yu puffed out her cheeks slightly, saying dejectedly, "Okay, I'll go home then."
With that, she walked out of Mu Yichuan's office. Mu Feng followed behind Xin Yu as the elevator descended quickly, reaching the first floor. "Alright, Mu Feng, you can go back to your work. I can get back by myself."
"Madam, please wait here for a moment. I'll go get the car."
Xin Yu's eyes flickered; she felt Mu Feng's tone had been a little strange earlier.
They drove towards the villa, making two turns. Just as they saw the villa's silhouette in the distance, the car stopped.
"Madam, I'm sorry, the car broke down. Could you walk back?"
"Huh?" Xin Yu blinked her dark eyes. She felt the car was driving very smoothly. "Don't you need my help?"
"No, Madam. Please be careful on your way. I'll contact the repair team." Mu Feng's tone was relaxed.
Xin Yu gave him a suspicious look, then got out of the car and started walking.
Before she had taken thirty steps, suddenly, the whole world lit up, ablaze with light.
Red candles lined both sides of the road, casting a warm glow.
The path stretched all the way to the villa's entrance.
Xin Yu stared wide-eyed, utterly bewildered as to how this was done!
Walking along, she looked at the small candles lining the path, their flickering light seeming to smile…
Wait, Xin Yu crouched down, looking at the candles on the ground. Each one bore a message: "Ayu, I miss you."
…!
Mu Yichuan?!
Before she could recover from the shock and emotion, the crisp scent of mint filled her nostrils. She turned her head—it really was him!
"Weren't you busy?" Why are you back?
And you've created this beautiful candlelight path?!
"This way you'll remember this moment forever." Mu Yichuan put his arm around her shoulder from behind, leaned close to Xin Yu, and gave her a light kiss.
"It's really beautiful, Mu Yichuan," Xin Yu exclaimed sincerely. She truly would remember this night.
A beautiful, warm, touching, and unexpected night.
Mu Feng, seeing his mission accomplished, quickly drove off.
Mu Yichuan took Xin Yu's hand. "Ayu, come home with me."
"Pfft." Xin Yu laughed, reaching out to take Mu Yichuan's strong arm, resting her head slightly on it.
A kiss, without warning, landed on her warm lips, a fleeting, light peck.
"You're so annoying," Xin Yu muttered, annoyed by the interruption.
The two walked slowly down the street, as if all the trivialities of life had been cast aside, returning to the purest, most innocent days of their school days.
No one spoke; Xin Yu and Mu Yichuan were perfectly in sync, enjoying the tranquility they brought each other.
Finally, they reached the villa's entrance, and her eyes widened again.
In the courtyard, red candles were arranged in a large circle.
Inside, a heart shape was formed.
"Mu Yichuan!" Xin Yu didn't know what to say; her heart was overflowing with emotion, completely filled.
"Ayu, come with me." Mu Yichuan held Xin Yu's hand tightly.
"Of course." She wasn't coy at all.
Although her face was still flushed, flickering in the candlelight, it was undeniably radiant.
They gazed at each other for a long time, neither willing to look away.
"What are you thinking about?" Xin Yu spoke first, looking at Mu Yichuan's tightly pursed lips.
"Thinking about you."
"…"
"Where's A-Yu?"
Xin Yu blinked twice. "I… I'll tell you, but don't be angry."
Mu Yichuan raised an eyebrow. "Okay."
"I was thinking… did you take any precautions?"