"Let me go!" Xin Yu shouted, but to no avail, so she struggled with all her might.
"Mu Yichuan, you bastard, you devil! Let me go!"
But he had talked too much, his voice was hoarse, he had moved too much, and he was exhausted, yet Mu Yichuan still held Xin Yu tightly.
It seemed that nothing in the world could shake his resolve.
"Come home with me!" he said coldly, dragging Xin Yu towards the villa, going straight to the second-floor bathroom, and ruthlessly throwing her into the bathtub.
The warm water washed away her anxiety and exhaustion, and her heart, following her body's honesty, gradually calmed down.
After getting ready, Xin Yu wanted to go downstairs and leave. She never wanted to maintain that kind of relationship with Mu Yichuan again!
He admitted everything! How could he admit to everything? It's such a cruel act…
"Open the door!" Xin Yu pounded on the door, trying the password repeatedly, but it was wrong. She knew it must be Mu Yichuan's doing.
Did he intend to imprison her?!
What right did he have to do this?!
"Mu Yichuan, you bad guy!" she shouted at the door.
But a clear, melodious voice came from behind her, "Such blatant insults against your husband, tell me how I should punish you!"
Xin Yu was startled. She turned around and saw Mu Yichuan sitting leisurely on the sofa by the window. He dared to stay in the room, so relaxed!
Angry, she rushed towards him, but stopped in front of him because…
She couldn't beat him in a fight, nor could she win an argument!
"Open the door! I'm leaving!" Xin Yu said coldly, her dark eyes clear and innocent, filled only with anger and indifference.
"Where are you going?" Mu Yichuan asked calmly, unperturbed by Xin Yu's tone, looking at her with remarkable good temper.
"It's none of your business, I have nothing to do with you anymore!" She puffed out her cheeks, then suddenly seemed to remember something, raising her hand to remove the ring.
Mu Yichuan's pupils contracted, and he pulled Xin Yu down onto the sofa, pinning her beneath him.
His firm chest held her small hand captive, his dark eyes deep and displeased.
"What were you trying to do just now?"
"You know perfectly well!" Xin Yu was angry, even more so, unable to move, she could only turn her head away from him.
Mu Yichuan's cool lips brushed against Xin Yu's porcelain-white skin, the feather-like touch instantly raising goosebumps.
"Mu Yichuan..." she turned her head, her lips tightly pressed together, "I'm warning you, you'd better not act like a scoundrel, I have nothing to do with you now... Ah!"
Xin Yu screamed, he had bitten her! Furious, her head was practically steaming. Just as she was about to resist, she heard Mu Yichuan say, "Fine." He stopped moving, but still pinned her down. Fortunately, he knew better than to resist and shifted most of her weight onto his arms.
His eyes shone brightly.
Xin Yu initially glared at him defiantly, but her face only flushed redder.
She couldn't bear his gaze, so tender and doting it was suffocating.
So she simply closed her eyes; she hadn't slept a wink all night anyway.
"Are you hungry? Want something to eat before you sleep?" Mu Yichuan's soft murmur reached her ear.
Xin Yu gave a muffled moan and turned her head to sleep.
"Ayu..." Mu Yichuan carried the little girl to the large bed, gently stroking her black hair. His icy white fingertips traced her skin again. After a while, he lay down and held her tightly in his arms. "Don't be angry."
...
Gurgle, gurgle.
Xin Yu was awakened by the rumbling of her stomach.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, wanting to get up, but the strong arm around her waist felt like a copper ring holding her in place.
"Hungry?" Mu Yichuan's voice was hoarse, still heavy with sleep.
"Let go..." Never mind, let's not be angry for now, eating is the priority. "Mmm."
Mu Yichuan got up briskly, took Xin Yu's hand, and led her out, heading straight to the kitchen.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked, turning back.
Xin Yu peeked into the refrigerator; it was indeed full. But cooking at five in the morning would probably wake the housekeeper.
"I'll have a glass of milk." She reached for it, but Mu Yichuan wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Want to eat? I'll make you something."
"..." Xin Yu was slightly taken aback, her lips twitching a few times. Mu Yichuan said he'd cook?
Was he sleepwalking?
"I'll make you some spaghetti," he said confidently, then pushed Xin Yu to sit at the table.
She stared at his busy figure, feeling somewhat awkward.
She reached up and pinched her arm hard. She... really wasn't dreaming!
Mu Yichuan was really cooking for her!
Oh my god!
After the initial shock, she felt a pang of melancholy. She understood he was trying to please her.
But should she forgive him?
A person so heartless as to drug her so easily—if she stayed by his side, would he hurt her again?
This frightened Xin Yu.
She slumped onto the table, her dark eyes staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.
After an unknown amount of time, a gentle tap landed on her head. "Little glutton, time to eat."
"I'm not a little glutton!" Xin Yu sat up straight, looking at the… uh, noodles in front of her.
Her lips twitched uncontrollably. Was this red and black blob really noodles?
Seeing Xin Yu's expression, Mu Yichuan's hand, hanging at his side, trembled. He knew he'd failed at making noodles!
He'd intended to cheer her up, but it seemed he'd backfired.
"If—" Mu Yichuan began, but Xin Yu had already picked up a fork and put a bite of noodles in her mouth.
A hint of anticipation appeared in his cool, dark eyes.
So this is what it feels like to cook for the one you love?
It's both salty and sour.
She really didn't know how Mu Yichuan had made it.
But Xin Yu still ate earnestly.
"Is it okay?"
"You try it." Xin Yu picked up another fork and handed it to Mu Yichuan.
He chewed only one bite before spitting it out.
Frowning at Xin Yu, he asked, "Why did you eat this?"
"There's nothing else to eat." She swallowed the last bite, wiped her mouth, and got up to leave.
Mu Yichuan didn't intend to eat anything either, continuing to follow Xin Yu.
Sigh…
"I have class today, I have to go to school."
"Okay." Mu Yichuan was straightforward, not objecting, but he didn't leave Xin Yu's side.
"What exactly do you want!" Xin Yu was furious; she hadn't been clear enough!
Mu Yichuan reached out and touched her outstretched hand, causing her to take two steps back warily. "The clothes are too thin, wait a moment."
With that, he turned and went upstairs.
Xin Yu seized the opportunity and quickly ran to the door, trying to open it to leave.
But…
The door still wouldn't open.
"You bastard!" she vented her anger at the door twice, then stood awkwardly at the entrance.
Seeing the little cat about to explode with anger, Mu Yichuan silently curled his lips into a smile, walked over to her side, and considerately helped her put on a small blazer.
They walked in silence, arriving at Dongdu University quite early.
The campus was quiet in the early morning, with only a few students occasionally passing by, creating a unique tranquility.
Crossing the sports field, Xin Yu stopped.
This was probably the liveliest corner of the campus at this time, with many people practicing diligently.
"It's so nice," she murmured. During her university years, she had only lived on campus for one year because of work, and even then, she hadn't truly enjoyed campus life.
"You like it?" Mu Yichuan's voice was practically haunting.
Xin Yu shuddered, then started walking towards the teaching building.
She smoothly finished two professional classes, both taught by her advisor, Donghua.
"Professor, I'm sorry about the other day. Something came up at home, so I came back right after submitting my drawings."
"It's alright," Donghua said amiably. "The results of the finals will be out next week, but don't worry too much. There are many competitions like this; our school is also organizing one."
Xin Yu nodded without speaking.
"You should study hard under Mr. Jiu this time. This might be a very good opportunity for you to join the Mu Group before you even graduate!"
"Why should I study under him?" Xin Yu retorted without thinking, then quickly corrected herself, "No, I meant he's organizing a design competition?"
Oh…right.
She remembered; he had mentioned something about site selection before.
Donghua didn't think much of it and took out a file folder. "Xin Yu, please deliver this to the Construction Department in the East District. The department is having a meeting later."
Xin Yu nodded vigorously. She was happy to do more work; at least it would distract her. Just as they arrived at the school gate, Mu Yichuan's Land Rover pulled up. "Get in, I'll take you!"
How did he know?!
"You're still spying on me?!" Xin Yu's voice was sharp, her dark eyes blazing.
"No, I just overheard you." He explained, opening the car door. "If we don't go now, the Ministry of Construction will close. They're very punctual."
Xin Yu glanced at the time, gritted her teeth, and got into the Land Rover.
"Mu Yichuan."
"Call me husband."
"Mr. Jiu." Xin Yu changed her address, leaning against the car door, her dark eyes darting around. "Aren't you busy?"
"Serving my wife is my honor."
"..." Xin Yu sighed. "You've done all this, is it just to marry me?"
"Yes."
"And then get what you want?"
"Yes." Mu Yichuan didn't hide anything.
"What do you want?" Xin Yu stretched out her small hand, her gaze casually sweeping over the rings on her two ring fingers. How ironic. "A secret." He'd said that yesterday, but she didn't believe him.
"…" Xin Yu turned to look outside, no longer speaking. After delivering her mentor's things to the designated destination, she didn't plan to get back into Mu Yichuan's car.
"Ayu." He called in a deep voice, a hint of suppressed emotion in it.
"Don't call me that!" Xin Yu gritted her teeth, afraid of being captivated by him again. "I have nothing to do with you, and I don't want anything to do with you. You can have whatever you want, but you have to use your abilities, not rely on an irresponsible marriage!"
Mu Yichuan reached out to grab her.
Xin Yu shook him off forcefully, kicking him angrily. Did he think she was a pushover?
Even if she couldn't win, she would fight!
The two exchanged blows, dozens of rounds, but Xin Yu hadn't even managed to touch Mu Yichuan once!
Instead, she was panting heavily…
"Bastard." Xin Yu said, turning to leave.
"Honey, don't be angry. The questions you asked and the answers I gave were just my thoughts from the past."