Mu Ci was somewhat surprised by Qin Yan’s drunken demeanor.
Who would have thought that the decisive and ruthless God of Wealth in the business world could be like this in private…
She couldn’t quite describe it, but hearing him speak in such a tone made her feel as if her heart had been gently nudged.
“Since I agreed to marry, I won’t mess around during the marriage.”
“……”
“The freedom I mentioned refers to normal social interactions, nothing else.”
Qin Yan stared at her for a long while, seemingly satisfied with her answer, before slowly closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.
_
Weekend, Ku Nan’s birthday.
Qin Qiqi had prepared a grand gift.
It was quite unexpected that she had managed to secure the project with Ku Nan, which truly impressed Qin’s parents.
They returned home beaming with smiles.
“Isn’t this gift a bit too… extravagant?”
Mu Ci looked at the stack of male model photos Qin Qiqi had sorted out, her expression complicated. “Looking at this, I feel like I’m helping you pimp them out.”
“What pimping?” Qin Qiqi flipped through the photos contentedly. “I’m just sending happiness to a friend as a gift.”
Happiness indeed, but with so many, was Ku Nan really going to handle it?
Just as Mu Ci was about to advise her to tone it down, Fan Yixing walked into the studio. Seeing the stack of photos, his eyes instantly lit up.
“Holy crap, holy crap, did the bar get new hires? I’ve been too busy lately to go…”
Qin Qiqi snatched the photos from his hands. “Get lost. These are for someone else.”
Fan Yixing wasn’t pleased. “Sis Qiqi, with our friendship, how come you didn’t think of me first when there’s such a good thing?”
“Just because you called me ‘sis,’ I’m being polite by not telling you to get lost.”
Qin Qiqi snorted coldly. “Stop yapping and help Xiao Ci pack up.”
Mu Ci stood to the side, watching as painting tools were placed into cardboard boxes one by one, and let out a faint sigh.
Hearing her sigh, Qin Qiqi started chattering again. “I told you not to keep the baby, not to keep the baby, but you just wouldn’t listen.”
“See, now you can’t drink, you can’t paint, and you’ve even gotten yourself tied down. You can’t even flirt with handsome guys. What’s the point?”
Fan Yixing, however, disagreed. “Sis Qiqi, you haven’t seen what Brother-in-law looks like. If you had, you wouldn’t say that.”
Qin Qiqi scoffed. “Even if a male god descended from heaven, he wouldn’t be worthy of my Xiao Ci.”
Best friends—their specialty is blind adoration.
Mu Ci tugged at her lips. “Since the baby chose me, it’s fate. I have to take responsibility for them.”
“As for painting, I can always do it later.”
The components of paint aren’t suitable for expectant mothers. Since Mu Ci had decided to keep the baby, she would be mindful of such things.
After packing up, Fan Yixing glanced at the stack of photos again, unwilling to give up. “There are so many handsome guys. Can’t you spare me one or two?”
Qin Qiqi refused. “Don’t even think about it. This is a birthday gift for someone else.”
“Someone else? Just one person?”
Fan Yixing was shocked. “You’re giving so many handsome guys to one person? Do you want his birthday to turn into a memorial day?”
Qin Qiqi spat twice. “Jinx! How many he wants is his business. How many I give is my courtesy.”
That meant there might be some leftovers to pick from. Fan Yixing perked up. “Whose birthday party is it? Take me along.”
Qin Qiqi gestured toward Mu Ci with her chin. “Your sister’s friend. Ask her.”
Fan Yixing’s laser-like gaze immediately shifted to her.
This little brother of hers…
Mu Ci sighed helplessly and took out her phone, intending to ask Ku Nan if she could bring one more person.
Halfway through typing the message, her phone vibrated with a new notification.
It was from Qin Yan.
Just two simple words: 【Where are you?】
Mu Ci typed out the words “art studio,” thought about it, and then deleted them.
She replied: 【Out with a friend.】
No need to be too specific about the address. If he really wanted to know, he could ask the driver.
Qin Yan: 【When are you coming home?】
Mu Ci checked the time. It was still early.
Qin Yan was usually very busy with work and came home quite late. Why would he suddenly ask her when she was coming home today?
Remembering what he said that night when he was drunk, she felt it was better to show mutual respect and give him a heads-up.
Little Ci’er: 【A friend’s birthday tonight. I’ll be home late.】
Qin Qiqi crouched on the floor, tearing tape with a shli-shli sound. Seeing Mu Ci looking down and texting, she couldn’t help but nudge Fan Yixing.
“Hey, what does your brother-in-law actually look like? Is he really that drop-dead gorgeous?”
She didn’t think Mu Ci was the type to tie herself down for the rest of her life just for an unborn child.
Fan Yixing turned around and said with a serious face, “Let me put it this way: if my brother-in-law would let me have a go, I could last all night.”
Qin Qiqi cut the tape with a pair of scissors: “Alright, it’s settled then! I’ll encourage your sister to get a divorce. May you get your wish soon and last all night!”
On the other side, Qin Yan frowned as he looked at the message from the contact labeled “Darling Little Ci’er.”
The little girl was going out to have fun again. It wasn’t true that he didn’t mind.
But if he showed too much possessiveness, Mu Ci would likely distance herself from this already fragile relationship, grow suspicious, or even abandon him.
So, even if he minded, he had to endure it.
He put down his phone, suppressing his displeasure, and continued looking at the data on his computer.
Tsk, he couldn’t stand it!
Three seconds later, he waved for his assistant. “Find out where Madam will be going tonight.”
_
Ku Nan was someone who loved a lively atmosphere, so when Mu Ci said she was bringing one more person, he happily agreed.
By the time the three of them arrived at the party, the atmosphere was already in full swing.
Ku Nan waved to Mu Ci, who was walking ahead. “Darling!”
Qin Qiqi and Fan Yixing followed behind, still discussing their plan to turn the tables, and didn’t notice Ku Nan approaching.
Ku Nan walked up to Mu Ci and naturally spread his arms. “Come on, give me a hug.”
“…”
Hiss, why did that voice sound a bit familiar?
Fan Yixing, who had been talking, paused and looked up.
At the same time, Ku Nan noticed him, his peach blossom eyes slightly raised. “It’s you?”
“…”
Fan Yixing’s handsome face fell. “What’s with that tone? I’m not exactly thrilled to see you either.”
Qin Qiqi’s sharp little radar instantly activated. “You two know each other?”
“No.”
“Not really.”
Two voices spoke at the same time.
The first was Fan Yixing, the second was Ku Nan.
Mu Ci’s gossipy little eyes darted back and forth between the two of them as she asked a soul-piercing question:
“Did you two used to hook up?”