CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 251: WANT TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH HER

Xiao Ran asked "Are you going to City A?", then realized he had asked something obvious.

Xiao Ran quickly looked up information on the computer: "In three days, the French Restaurant in City A will officially open to the public. There’s a ribbon-cutting event arranged for Vice President Lin and a few managers to attend."

"Tell Vice President Lin he doesn’t need to go."

Xiao Ran immediately understood: "I’ll make the arrangements, your flight ticket will be booked shortly."

"Book it for today."

"Okay."

Mu Shuoqian hung up the phone and then left the house.

Around noon, he estimated it was about time and called Gu Qili.

She seemed to be eating, continuously chewing in her mouth.

"Did the defense go well?"

"It went well." Gu Qili swallowed the stewed pork rice in her mouth, laughing, "I think the string of eighteen beads is magical, I performed exceptionally well today, passed on the spot, and it won’t be long before I can get my diploma."

He chuckled lightly, happy for her.

"What did you eat for lunch?"

"Stewed pork rice, I’m at the airport." Gu Qili put down her chopsticks, that bit of melancholy crawling back densely. She had thought that he was coming to see her off.

She was full of anticipation for this return trip to Aus City, but now sitting at the airport, she had forgotten the joy she felt upon arrival; it’s not that she was unhappy, but rather she felt quite dejected.

"You eat first then, I’ll call you back in a bit."

Gu Qili set aside the phone she was about to hang up, now the stewed pork rice tasted entirely like the airport – unappetizing.

After finishing the meal, she passed through security and sat in the departure lounge playing "Fighter Plane Battle," struggling with the newly updated levels that she couldn’t pass. Previously, Mu Shuoqian easily helped her resolve these, but now after finally meeting him, they had to go their separate ways.

Gu Qili seemed to be fiercely determined against the level’s BOSS, dying time and again, yet she refused to give up.

A person took the seat next to her empty one and placed their luggage by her feet. She subconsciously moved her legs aside, head down continuing to fight the BOSS.

After being instantly killed by the BOSS again, a deep magnetic voice suddenly came from beside her: "Miss, do you need help?"

Gu Qili, still frustrated, responded curtly, "No need."

After saying that, she paused for five seconds, then quickly turned her head, staring incredulously at the person who spoke.

The next second, she threw her arms around him, overwhelmed by excitement and emotion, her eyes involuntarily moistening.

Only at this moment did she admit to herself that she didn’t want to part ways with him like this. At the very least, she wanted to see him before leaving, no need for hugs, even if it’s just from across a crowd, or even just his shadow.

She wished to wave at him to say goodbye, rather than just SAY BYEBYE on the phone.

Gu Qili held him, her voice choked up and unable to speak, her face buried in his shoulder, as if aggrievedly sniffling.

Mu Shuoqian just let her be petulant in his arms, his face brightening with a radiant smile, filled with indulgence and affection for her.

"How did you get in here?" Gu Qili asked after her joyous moment, staring intently at him, "This is the departure lounge, how could you get in without a ticket?"

"Who says you can’t come in without a ticket?"

Then, the announcement came on, the gate opened, and the flight she was taking began checking in and boarding.

Gu Qili hurriedly pocketed her phone, pulled out her boarding pass from her bag, and although reluctant, still hugged him: "I’m boarding now, thank you for seeing me off, I’m very happy. I’ll call you when I arrive in City A."

He nodded, patting her shoulder as a sign to go.

Gu Qili joined the queue at one side while Mu Shuoqian stood there watching her. She looked back step by step until she entered the jet bridge, and she still waved vigorously at him through the window glass.

Gu Qili found her seat in the economy class, and as she just sat down, a flight attendant came over to politely inquire: "Is this Miss Gu Qili?"

"That’s me." Gu Qili blinked.

"Your seat has been upgraded to first class, please move to the first-class cabin." The flight attendant’s voice was very sweet, but Gu Qili was confused.

"Is there some mistake? I didn’t request an upgrade."

The flight attendant still maintained a charming smile: "Miss Gu, please follow me."

Gu Qili had no choice but to pick up her suitcase and follow the flight attendant to first class.

The flight attendant pointed to a window seat: "Miss Gu, your seat is over there."

Gu Qili nodded, the flight attendant helped her put the suitcase on the luggage rack, then smiled at her before leaving.

Gu Qili now understood, this was an upgrade arranged by Mu Shuoqian for her. Before she could even feel moved, a familiar scent from the empty seat next to her caught her attention. She turned her head and again, covered her mouth in surprise.

Mu Shuoqian sat there leisurely, holding a newspaper in his hand. Seeing her looking, he nodded politely and gentlemanly at her: "Miss, hello."

Gu Qili was amused by his earnest appearance but still tried to hold it in and also smiled politely at him: "Sir, hello."

Mu Shuoqian then unfolded his newspaper and started reading his favorite section.

Gu Qili thought to herself, he sure pretends well.

So, she also picked up a magazine from the bag next to her chair and started reading intently.

In the two seats across the aisle, two gentlemen were seated, looking well-dressed and clearly successful. One of them, with glasses, had taken notice of Gu Qili from the moment she arrived, surreptitiously observing her for quite some time.

This girl looked sweet and pretty, with only light makeup on, exuding a natural charm that felt like a cool breeze in the summer days.

Gu Qili kept reading the magazine but sensed someone staring at her. She turned her head, expecting it to be Mu Shuoqian, but Mu Shuoqian was immersed in a newspaper, while the gaze came from the man across the aisle.

Seeing that Gu Qili had noticed him, he didn’t withdraw his admiring gaze but openly smiled at her. Out of politeness, Gu Qili returned a smile and then continued with her magazine.

Soon, she heard the glasses-wearing man quietly proposing to Mu Shuoqian, "Brother, could you switch seats with me?"

Gu Qili didn’t think Mu Shuoqian would react, but unexpectedly he closed his newspaper and said coldly, "Trying to pursue her?"

The man with glasses immediately felt a sense of camaraderie, "I think we hit it off, just want to make friends," he said, smiling at Gu Qili again.

This time Gu Qili didn’t smile; her lips twitched.

Mu Shuoqian pressed his lips together: "Unfortunately, I also want to make friends with her."

Upon hearing this, the man frowned, "Brother, be a pal, I’ll treat you to dinner later. I own several restaurants in A City, you know JIN BI, right?"

Speaking, the man’s voice carried a touch of pride.

JIN BI is quite well-known in A City, a four-star chain hotel with plans to expand further.

The man finished speaking and seeing Mu Shuoqian deep in thought, thought he was considering switching seats due to his reputation, the smile on his lips deepening.

However, after waiting a long time without a response from Mu Shuoqian, the plane had already taken off and was now flying smoothly at thirty thousand feet.

"Brother..." the man with glasses reminded him again.

It was then that Mu Shuoqian finally looked at him lightly, "As far as charm is concerned, I seem to be slightly ahead, so, if this lady were to choose a friend, it should be me."

The man was taken aback by his confidence, but soon laughed it off, accepting that while Mu Shuoqian had superior looks, he himself was ahead in terms of wealth.

"How about this, let’s let the lady decide who is more qualified to sit beside her," Mu Shuoqian turned to Gu Qili, "What do you say, beauty?"

"Sure." Gu Qili cooperated with his mischievousness, although she found it quite boring.

The man, hearing this, immediately felt more confident, smiling proudly at Gu Qili.

But Gu Qili didn’t even look at him, instead naturally wrapping her arm around Mu Shuoqian’s, "I choose him."

The man with glasses looked as if he had swallowed a dead fly, were his earlier words not clear enough,

After his initial surprise, his mouth agape again because Gu Qili kissed Mu Shuoqian on the cheek, saying, "This is the style I like."

The man was completely taken aback, this beauty was too bold, kissing just like that?

The man clearly felt embarrassed, also disapproving of Gu Qili’s casual behavior, he shook his head a few times and settled back into his seat.

Modern girls, you can’t judge a book by its cover, seemingly innocent,

At this moment, a flight attendant came to ask what they would like to drink.

Gu Qili quickly said, "A cup of iced sour plum juice, please."

Although the air conditioning was on in the plane, she still felt stuffy.

"Ordinary sour plum juice is fine, no need for ice," Mu Shuoqian, sitting beside her, didn’t even lift his head from the newspaper.

The flight attendant looked at Mu Shuoqian and then at Gu Qili, unsure of whom to listen to.

Gu Qili insisted on her choice, smiling, "Iced, thank you."

"Not iced, thank you," Mu Shuoqian turned a page of his newspaper, his expression unchanged.

Flight attendant: "..."

"Mu Shuoqian, why do you care what I drink?" Gu Qili was a bit annoyed, glaring at him.

Mu Shuoqian slowly turned his gaze towards her, his voice low and carrying an undeniable warning, "Your period is coming up, don’t drink cold beverages."

Gu Qili was left speechless by his comment.

The flight attendant understood and left with a smile.

Soon, Gu Qili’s sour plum juice was brought to her; she sipped through the straw, boredly saying, "I might as well sit back in the economy class."

Sitting next to him, he always tends to manage her.

"Why?" Mu Shuoqian turned his head to ask.

"Because I can’t afford the upgrade fee you paid," she rolled her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Mu Shuoqian suddenly leaned in slyly,