CHAPTER 1111: 316 SPECIAL WARMTH_5

Qin Mu...

She dared not complain about her mother-in-law, but thought to herself: When will you be more tactful?

Huanhuan quickly finished brushing her hair and eagerly ran downstairs. Mu Zihao and Chengcheng were already in the living room drinking water. Huanhuan watched her brother holding a bottle, drinking water, then ran to the coffee table to grab a cup and drink in big gulps. Her gaze towards her brother seemed to say, see, you still need a bottle to drink, but I’m using a cup just like an adult!

Huanhuan drank her water as fast as possible, then sprinted outside, knowing the old man and the butler were practicing Tai Chi and wanted to join in the fun.

Chengcheng watched his sister’s departing figure with his big eyes, hurriedly took a couple more sips, then shoved the bottle into Grandpa’s arms and followed his sister without looking back.

Despite his young age, he was already familiar with the house, easily finding mom, dad, and grandparents’ rooms, and could effortlessly find his way to the door.

Just as Qin Mu was about to go downstairs, Mu Yichen emerged, and they walked down together.

"Mom just praised you!"

Qin Mu chatted casually, but this reminder sounded rather serious.

Mu Yichen thought he misheard and glanced at her.

"Praised your foresight."

Mu Yichen frowned as Qin Mu smiled mischievously and walked ahead.

Mu Yichen felt a bit played, but didn’t get angry, and slowly followed her.

——

The competition finally ended, and Bian Jingwen squeezed into the top three, becoming the third-place winner, while the champion was unsurprisingly Qiu Xiang from JY, with the runner-up being a handsome young man. He uniquely demonstrated his views on women’s independence and was unanimously praised by the judges.

After the competition, Qiu Xiang celebrated backstage with Qin Mu and Xiaomei, while Bian Jingwen was with Luo Li and Rui Sen. Luo Li and Rui Sen came over to greet them, so Bian Jingwen reluctantly followed.

"Congratulations!"

Rui Sen congratulated Qiu Xiang in their native language.

"Thank you!"

Qiu Xiang shook hands with him lightly, feeling excited to have a handsome guy congratulating her.

"Congratulations!"

Luo Li also generously expressed her congratulations.

"If I also sought AD’s help, the outcome of this competition might be a different story, right?"

Bian Jingwen lightly smiled, speaking softly in good Chinese to Qin Mu.

"AD was exactly who you brought from the United States, along with Rui Sen!—I’ve always said, the designers in our studio have been through many shows, so don’t underestimate them!"

Qin Mu saw Bian Jingwen’s poor complexion, finally smiled faintly, and seriously reminded her.

Bian Jingwen looked up at her, most annoyed when she brought up past matters at such times.

"Hmph! Whether she designed it herself, you know better than I do! This is just the beginning, we’ll see!"

Bian Jingwen smiled slightly, saw Jian Yan and AD approaching, nodded politely to them, then turned and walked ahead.

"I’ll leave first!"

Rui Sen greeted Qin Mu, and Qin Mu nodded slightly.

"Bye!"

Rui Sen saw her nod, then turned to chase after Bian Jingwen.

Luo Li stood at the side watching their departing figures: "Are these two together? They’re inseparable every day."

"Sister Luo, haven’t seen you lately, your fashion sense improved a lot!"

Qin Mu didn’t care about Rui Sen and Bian Jingwen, she was just glad the competition was over and didn’t want to mention Bian Jingwen anymore.

"Of course, I have to constantly improve my fashion sense, otherwise, if someone points out flaws someday and kicks me out, I’ll have nowhere to cry."

Luo Li smiled lightly.

Qin Mu knew she was talking about her husband, but as an outsider, there was nothing to say, so she just smiled politely.

A woman always vigilant to please a man must be very tired, but the life she chose seems truly walked on while kneeling.

"Let’s have dinner together tonight, after dinner AD and I will fly out!"

Jian Yan, after watching their greetings, finally spoke.

Xiaomei, Qin Mu, and Qiu Xiang all curiously looked at him: "Leaving tonight?"

"There’s a lot going on in Paris, and for AD too, there’s much awaiting her in the company."

"Then let’s go over, dinner is already arranged!"

Although Qin Mu was somewhat hesitant, she nodded without delay.

Before leaving, Jian Yan told Qin Mu: "Tell Huanhuan, I’ll send the gift I promised her over immediately."

"Hmm! Take good care of yourself in Paris, and call me if anything comes up."

Qin Mu nodded, obediently bidding him farewell.

AD was leaving a bit later and was waiting in the VIP lounge until Qin Mu went over to find her.

AD raised her head slightly, turned when she saw her coming in, indicating for her to sit beside her.

Qin Mu walked over and sat beside her, placing her bag aside.

Since AD and her mentor were friends, Qin Mu treated AD with respect as someone of her mentor’s seniority, but didn’t expect AD to say such things to her.

"If I were you, I’d let your mentor go!"

"He’s been single for years for your sake, don’t you as a disciple feel guilty?"

"If I were you, I’d sever the mentor-disciple relationship, letting him pursue the life he should have."

On the way back, Qin Mu kept thinking about what life Jian Yan wanted to pursue.

Sever the mentor-disciple relationship?

AD, upon leaving, told her to think it over carefully. AD was pragmatic, so perhaps she saw things more clearly?

Qin Mu looked at the roadside scenery, in the north during winter, it was hard to find a leaf on trees, but those leaves clinging stubbornly to branches were very tenacious.

Just like the weed in her heart, year after year, every time pulled out without removing the roots.

Year after year, she finally stopped bothering with the weed, letting it grow.

But one day someone suddenly emerged to tell her, what she was doing was wrong.

In the dark night, not a star to be seen, she slowly drove down that familiar road, how many years since she returned? She still remembered how alienated she felt when she first came back.

She asked her heart, what is the right thing to do?

When Qin Mu returned home, Mu Yichen was leaning against the door smoking, waiting for her. The wind outside was quite strong, blowing the silver mist from the cigarette between his fingers higher until it vanished.

Qin Mu parked the car, opened the door, got out, and walked toward the door with her bag.

He still leaned there, somewhat lazily.

Qin Mu looked at his tall figure, even such a casual action was endearing.

Mu Yichen listened to the sound of the car entering the gate, the sound of her opening the car door, the sound of her high heels gradually approaching.

Finally, he turned his eyes to her direction.

Qin Mu smiled softly, warmly courteous.

Seeing her, one couldn’t help but feel as if drunk, seeing such a gentle little sweetheart.

"In such cold weather, having Mr. Mu wait at the door for a lady, the lady is truly flattered!"

She stood before him, turned, and smiled at him ingratiatingly, those clear eyes filled with gentle light, making him involuntarily lift his cigarette hand to take a deep puff.

The silver smoke emerged from his lips and nostrils, his dark eyes gazing through the smoke at the woman clinging to his chest.

Back then, she was still a stubborn little girl, humiliated as mere friends with benefits when he took her to register.

The cigarette-clasping fingers carried a special warmth in the dark night, lightly caressing Qin Mu’s face, deep-set eyes seemed to slowly consume the woman before him.