Chapter 43: Is It Because of This? Part 2

Chen Aiming’s expression changed at the mention of “President Mu,” and when Tang Yuwen said “family,” she exclaimed joyfully, “Mu Group hasn’t announced President Mu’s marriage yet. So she’s President Mu’s wife—pleased to meet you! Hidden in the Morning and Evening has been polished for years; it was all thanks to President Mu that this project could finally launch!”

So the embarrassment didn’t disappear—it just shifted. But Miao Zhu had no time to clarify; what Chen Aiming said puzzled her.

Tang Yuwen curved her lips. “President Chen, you misunderstood—my fault for not being clear. ‘Family’ means relatives. She’s the fiancée of President Mu’s sister. I just attended their engagement ceremony a few days ago.”

Emma immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ah… I see, Miss Miao, sorry about that. My mistake.” Chen Aiming graciously apologized.

The coffee was ready, and Tang Yuwen and Chen Aiming had other plans. After chatting a bit, they left. Emma, thinking of how she’d lied right to the person’s face, groaned, “I want to disappear from this planet…”

Miao Zhu was still mulling over Chen Aiming’s words—how thanks to Mu Shanyi, Chen Aiming’s new project could launch.

Her heart raced. She picked up her shawl. “Emma, it’s about time. I have something else to do next.”

Emma replied listlessly, “Me too… Angel’s been super rebellious lately. I really need to enroll her in dog school.”

They parted ways at the café. Miao Zhu drove to Tower Shadow Sunny River. After parking in the underground garage, she didn’t head to the wedding house. Instead, she followed the wall signs to another building.

She had sorted out her thoughts on the way over.

She had thought Mo Wei’s issue was handled entirely by Tang Yuwen, but actually, the one who conceded benefits was Mu Shanyi.

Mu Shanyi had invested in Chuanming Film.

Mu Shanyi had resolved the matter but told her nothing.

Miao Zhu called the intercom, then took the elevator to the sub-penthouse. The doors slid open slowly, and Mu Shanyi leaned in the elevator hall, waiting for her.

Mu Shanyi wore a deep gray high-neck fitted thin sweater tucked into suit pants, her long hair tied back, glasses on, and ear studs—this look exuded both high intellect and relaxed vibe.

Paired with that noble face, Miao Zhu’s heart pounded wildly. Forgetting to change shoes, she threw herself straight into Mu Shanyi’s arms.

“Hm?” Mu Shanyi caught her, receiving her sudden enthusiasm.

Miao Zhu hung from Mu Shanyi’s neck, tiptoeing as she whined, “Kiss me~”

Mu Shanyi lifted Miao Zhu by the hips, carrying her inside.

Her gaze slid from Miao Zhu’s eyes over her dainty nose, landing on her flushed lips. Mu Shanyi smiled and asked, “Where?”

Dissatisfied, Miao Zhu removed Mu Shanyi’s glasses and proactively pressed her lips to hers.

Sunlight streamed onto the glass curtain walls but couldn’t penetrate indoors; the thin daylight was thoroughly blocked by the solid wooden blinds.

Miao Zhu gripped the sofa backrest, tilting her face up. The chandelier overhead cascaded like a magnificent waterfall, but she saw only a hazy glow.

Mist clouded her eyes, and her soul seemed to float midair.

An irrepressible tide of passion surged in her heart. How could she bear to part with Mu Shanyi? How could she resolve to end it all?

The phone on the carpet by her feet buzzed. On the second round, Miao Zhu barely regained her senses. “Phone…”

Her legs straddled Mu Shanyi’s, kneeling on the sofa facing away from the carpet, her view limited.

Mu Shanyi paused. Her lingering gaze left Miao Zhu’s flushed face and glanced at the phone.

“Xingran.” She said it, then continued sliding beneath the fabric, her entire palm covering it.

Miao Zhu vaguely remembered her appointment with Sheng Xingran and the designer at the wedding house. “…Too late.”

“Is it? What then? Your issue isn’t resolved yet.” Mu Shanyi was fully dressed—watch and rings still on—while Miao Zhu’s jeans button was undone, zipper down.

Her nose tip rubbed along Miao Zhu’s neck to her collarbone, her words laced with slight panting. “Baby, don’t you feel it?”

Of course Miao Zhu felt it—trickling from Mu Shanyi’s palm to her wrist, wetting Mu Shanyi’s rings and watchband.

The phone’s vibrations on the carpet became monotonous background noise. Mu Shanyi let Miao Zhu decide. “Stop? Or continue?”

Under the dual seduction of words and actions, Miao Zhu’s reason crumbled step by step. “…Continue, continue.”

Mu Shanyi gripped Miao Zhu’s shoulders, pulling her down hard onto herself. As they connected, her face buried into Miao Zhu’s chest.

They both gasped. Mu Shanyi’s wrist moved rhythmically.

The intense sensation crashed like towering waves. Miao Zhu tensed entirely, held on for tens of seconds, then collapsed fully onto Mu Shanyi’s hand.

“So sensitive today.” Mu Shanyi held the limp Miao Zhu, soothingly kissing her earlobe.

The inner heat couldn’t dissipate quickly. Standing in the wedding house later, Miao Zhu’s legs were still a bit weak.

“Xingran, I was late.” Miao Zhu spotted the chandelier in the foyer—it was identical to the one at Mu Shanyi’s.

“Not late, I just got here too. Did you run up? You’re in such a hurry, you’re sweating.” Sheng Xingran amusingly brushed Miao Zhu’s long hair behind her ear.

Miao Zhu steadied her breathing. “It’s a bit hot.”

They followed designer Miss Liang around the apartment. Miao Zhu noticed not just the chandelier—familiar decorations appeared here and there.

“This place and the one President Mu currently lives in were renovated at the same time. Same layout and size; the design scheme was tailored to President Mu’s requirements.” Miss Liang pulled out the design booklet. “Feel free to point out anything unsatisfactory, and I’ll revise it.”

“We need a piano room with added soundproofing.” Sheng Xingran had previously been prejudiced against Mu Shanyi. Though Mu Shanyi had given her this fully furnished place, she’d never visited once. Now, after touring it, she greatly approved of Mu Shanyi’s taste and was satisfied with the overall style.

Miss Liang said, “Rest assured, the whole unit has a soundproofing system installed. Miss Miao works at the Cloud City Symphony Orchestra, right? Tower Shadow Sunny River is convenient for getting to the orchestra or the theater.”

Sheng Xingran was a bit surprised. She took the design booklet. “My sister thought of everything.”

“Yes, President Mu places great emphasis on the living experience.” Miss Liang smiled.

Sheng Xingran flipped through the designs, her gaze shifting to the Glazed Cloud Tower beyond the glass curtain walls. She admired it for a moment, her mood even brighter. “We still need to discuss some things. Liang Gong, how about we compile the specific demolition and alteration needs and contact you later?”

“No problem.” Miss Liang agreed readily.