Her grip on Lu Yanchen’s arm tightened abruptly.
Feeling as if even breathing had become difficult, Lu Yanchen noticed Mu Qing’s pale complexion and quickly patted her back. “It’s alright, let’s not go over there!”
Last time he had spoken back to that man, never expecting he was the formidable Bo Shiyue who commanded respect throughout the Imperial City. Then… the girl in his arms must be Mu Wantang?
Suddenly, Lu Yanchen found himself inexplicably wanting to confirm whether this was the same girl he had once refused to marry, now nestled in another man’s embrace. When he’d seen her with a man that day, he’d assumed she’d been kept by some disreputable character after running away from home. He’d even thought such a woman wasn’t worthy of him.
Now, discovering it was Bo Shiyue who treated her like a precious child, Lu Yanchen felt an uncomfortable knot form in his chest.
His footsteps grew heavy yet determined as he steadily approached their direction.
Mu Qing, who had been about to turn away, noticed his gaze fixed on the girl in Bo Shiyue’s arms. She understood exactly what he was thinking. Her eyes filled with venomous resentment as she gritted her teeth and whispered, “Mu Wantang, you’d already run away from home! Why did you have to come back!”
“Climbing your way up the social ladder—you should have died out there!”
Her hands clenched her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white, her vicious stare seeming ready to devour Mu Wantang whole. Yet she refused to believe a man like Bo Shiyue would devote himself exclusively to one woman. Perhaps Mu Wantang was just one of his many bed partners.
If Mu Wantang had truly managed to secure Bo Shiyue’s favor, why hadn’t there been any rumors over the years? She definitely would have returned to the Mu family to flaunt her success!
This thought immediately improved her mood.
Before Lu Yanchen could get close, the Special Assistant extended an arm to block his path. “Young Master Lu, you can’t come any closer!”
Lu Yanchen immediately recognized him as the driver from the rear-end collision incident. He retreated awkwardly, unable to get a clear view of who the girl in Bo Shiyue’s arms really was.
Seated in the man’s lap, Mu Wantang idly played with the buttons on his suit jacket, her fingers occasionally brushing against his chest, stirring waves of heat.
Bo Shiyue captured her wandering hand and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Be good, don’t move.”
While discussing business with seasoned executives, Bo Shiyue exuded the charm of a mature man—his experience, vision, and the authority of his position creating an aura no twenty-year-old could match.
Mu Wantang’s eyes gradually filled with admiration as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Using the broad brim of her hat for cover, she stealthily tugged at his collar and planted a kiss on his neck.
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “Uncle, you’re so amazing~”
Bo Shiyue felt his heart constrict instantly, his Adam’s apple bobbing restlessly. Did this little girl have any idea what such words meant to a man?
Mu Wantang naturally had no clue—otherwise she wouldn’t have teased Bo Shiyye so boldly in public. The more unconsciously seductive she behaved, the less control Bo Shiyue could maintain.
In the distance, Xi Ning watched the scene unfold, gripping her glass so hard her knuckles turned white. Gnashing her teeth, she hissed, “Mu Wantang, I’ll make you pay with your life!”
Perhaps drawn by some magnetic pull, Mu Wantang quietly peeked out from Bo Shiyue’s shoulder, observing the banquet hall.
Her eyes happened to meet Xi Ning’s across the room.
Deliberately, she stuck out her tongue at Xi Ning before turning slightly to plant a soft kiss on Bo Shiyue’s earlobe.
It was as if she were saying, “Look! The man you’ve tried so hard to approach treats me like his treasure!”
In the very beginning,
Mu Wantang had actually liked Xi Ning quite a bit. Being kept by Bo Shiyue in the Manor, her daily companions were either tutors or housemaids, so having Xi Ning—someone her own age—to talk with had been a rare pleasure.
But gradually, she realized Xi Ning didn’t like her at all.
Whenever Bo Shiyue wasn’t around, Xi Ning would even show disgust toward her, threatening her fiercely to get out and leave Bo Shiyue.
Thinking of this, Mu Wantang let out a soft, aggrieved sniffle, her small nose tinged with sorrow. She had always been so well-behaved, so obedient.
So why did they still dislike her?
Her father was like this, Mu Qing and her mother were like this, Xi Ning was like this, and even Madam Bo was like this.
She tightened her arms around Bo Shiyue’s, clinging to him as if only by holding him close could she feel a moment of warmth.
Bo Shiyue had given her all his affection, allowing her—a girl with no home—to grow up healthy and happy.
Sensing something was off with the girl in his arms,
Bo Shiyue looked down at her, his voice as gentle as ever.
“What’s wrong?”
Mu Wantang sniffled softly, a little embarrassed as she murmured, “I… I need to use the restroom.”
Bo Shiyue stood up immediately, carrying the girl as he strode out of the hall.
The crowd: “…………”
Many present had collaborated with the Bo family before, but who had ever seen Bo Shiyue act so tender?
A voice rose from the crowd, “President Bo’s cherished Songbird is truly… extraordinary!”
The Special Assistant quickly took a pair of hotel slippers from a waiter and hurried after them.
Otherwise, President Bo might really follow Miss Mu into the women’s restroom!
At the restroom entrance, Bo Shiyue helped her into the slippers before setting her down.
Still concerned, he added, “I’ll be right outside. Call me if you need anything!”
Special Assistant: …Sir, she’s soft and adorable, not stupid!
Isn’t this level of doting a bit… excessive?
Even Mu Wantang looked up at him, pouting slightly.
“Uncle, Tangtang isn’t a child anymore!”
Bo Shiyue knew that, but he still wanted to spoil her like one.
He reached out and ruffled her fluffy hair. “Hurry along now!”
As Mu Wantang skipped toward the restroom, Bo Shiyue called out anxiously, “Don’t run! Walk slowly!”
The Special Assistant, standing behind him, couldn’t hold back a quiet mutter.
“…Sir, are you raising a daughter here?”
Bo Shiyue glanced sideways as he lit a cigarette, giving him a disdainful look. “What would a single dog your age know?”
Special Assistant: …
He didn’t know. He knew nothing.
Whimper… Sir’s words were too sharp—mocking his age, his single status, and worst of all, that “what would you know” comment… even mocking his lifelong singlehood.
The Special Assistant turned away, ready to bang his head against the wall.
When Mu Wantang came out of the restroom, she saw this scene and curiously asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
Bo Shiyue extinguished the cigarette in his hand and tossed it into the trash bin.
As he turned to take the girl’s hand, he noticed her fingers were still slightly damp—probably from not drying them thoroughly under the hand dryer earlier.
Mu Wantang pouted, her entire face radiating playful pride.
She immediately reached out to wipe her hands on Bo Shiyue, but just as he lowered his gaze, she swiftly flicked her fingers instead.
Water droplets landed on his face.
Having successfully pulled off her sneak attack, the girl giggled with delight.