Chapter 35: Don’t Let Her Touch You Part 1

These words aligned perfectly with Miao Zhu’s consistent personality, so Sheng Xingran didn’t notice anything unusual. She simply placed her palm over the back of Miao Zhu’s hand and blinked at her, soothing her emotions. “No need to be so reserved.”

Miao Zhu looked back at her and nodded with a smile.

Mu Shanyi watched their intimate and natural interaction before stepping into the media room.

“That’s thoughtful of you.” She sat down on the single sofa next to Miao Zhu, crossed her legs, and tilted her head slightly. “Xingran’s right—no need to be reserved. We’re family.”

Upon hearing this, Miao Zhu looked straight at Mu Shanyi.

“Sis, you knew Longlong and I are getting engaged?” Sheng Xingran rarely showed Mu Shanyi a smile.

Mu Shanyi made an understanding expression. “Has the date been set?” she asked leisurely.

“End of the month, probably. We’ve booked a wedding planning studio, and the venue setup is mostly settled, but we still need to think about their recommended makeup artist and photographer. The custom-made rings haven’t arrived yet in a rush order, and our outfits are still being rushed too.” Sheng Xingran said whatever came to mind.

After listening, Mu Shanyi followed up. “Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors?”

Sheng Xingran replied, “Outdoors. Cloud City gets too cold by the end of the month, so Longlong picked a resort manor on a sea island. The climate there is nice, and the lawn is beautiful.”

Mu Shanyi nodded. “What about the guests?”

Sheng Xingran answered readily, “We’ve discussed it. For the engagement, we don’t plan to invite too many people—just our closest friends and family.”

…

Mu Shanyi put on the image of a caring and attentive older sister, inquiring into every little detail of her little sister’s engagement.

It felt as if someone had violently stuffed a damp clump of cotton into Miao Zhu’s airways—choking, sour, and suffocating.

She wasn’t unaware that Mu Shanyi couldn’t care less about her marriage with Xingran.

It was she who had strayed from her original intentions, developing an improper possessiveness toward Mu Shanyi. Mu Shanyi was just seeking some thrill, nothing more.

It was nothing. This was even better—at least there wouldn’t be too much attachment when it ended.

Li Zi, who had received the group photo, called with a video, temporarily interrupting the harmonious exchange between Sheng Xingran and Mu Shanyi. Sheng Xingran had Miao Zhu join the frame to greet Li Zi.

Li Zi congratulated them first, then complained about a certain tour group member who was pestering her relentlessly.

“She hasn’t even returned to Shenzhen, but she’s blocking me with flowers every day!” Li Zi’s distraught voice echoed through the room. “Aaaah, I’m really going crazy!”

Sheng Xingran, ever protective, joined Li Zi in venting. Mu Shanyi propped her cheek and watched Miao Zhu, but Miao Zhu pretended not to notice and gave her a cold shoulder view of her back.

“A-Heng, have you tried the mooncakes today? These are ones Aunt baked at home.” During a break in the mahjong game, Ni Xiaoying came over with a tray holding a plate of sliced mooncakes and a small pot of tea to cut the richness.

“Thanks for the hard work, Aunt Ni.” Mu Shanyi graciously accepted them.

Pleased by Mu Shanyi’s affirmation, Ni Xiaoying naturally felt satisfied. She then walked behind Miao Zhu and affectionately pinched her shoulder.

Li Zi in the video composed herself and politely greeted Ni Xiaoying.

Ni Xiaoying smiled at Li Zi and leaned down to ask Miao Zhu, “Longlong, we’re playing all night here, and your parents live right here. What do you say? Is tomorrow a rest day?”

“…It’s already this late.” Miao Zhu realized it was nearly ten o’clock. “Aunt Ni, I need to head back. Tomorrow I’ve got a music project to record, and I have to be at the studio early.”

Before Ni Xiaoying could respond, the late-arriving Miao Ling chimed in. “How about having Xu Shifu bring your qin over? Everyone’s here, so you won’t be home alone—it’d feel too lonely.”

Miao Ling knew this was Emma’s project. Her repeated suspicions had shifted some resentment toward Emma, and now Miao Zhu was leaving the Sheng Family again for Emma’s sake, which dissatisfied her even more. But in front of everyone, she couldn’t lash out.

“Mom, it’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Xu Shifu and Aunt Huang are both on holiday.” Miao Zhu reminded her helplessly.

“You child.” Miao Ling chided affectionately. “Then just wake up an hour earlier tomorrow. Besides, it’s so late—Mom won’t feel at ease if you go back alone.”

Sheng Xingran couldn’t stand listening anymore. She hated how Miao Ling disregarded Miao Zhu’s wishes and was about to offer to drive her home herself when Mu Shanyi beat her to it. “I’ll be leaving soon too. Miao Zhu can ride with me.”

The drive from here to Moon Reflection Villa was over an hour and a half round trip. Since Mu Shanyi had offered, Sheng Xingran didn’t say anything more.

“Is that convenient?” Miao Ling, oblivious to her own double standards, looked honored. “That would be troubling you, A-Heng.”

“It’s convenient. I’m heading back to Jinyuan—it’s on the way.” Mu Shanyi replied politely.

Ni Xiaoying said with concern, “Drive safely at night, A-Heng. Let Aunt know when you get home.”

Miao Zhu could have gone back by herself and didn’t want anyone to drive her, but rejecting Mu Shanyi’s “kindness” would require fabricating a reason to satisfy everyone—what excuse could she make?

In the end, she could only silently get into the passenger seat of Mu Shanyi’s car.

As they saw her off, Sheng Xingran leaned into the car window and brushed her cheek against Miao Zhu’s. “Longlong, call me before bed.”

“Okay.” Miao Zhu promised her.

Mu Shanyi gripped the steering wheel until Sheng Xingran stepped back. Only then did she press the accelerator and glance at the rearview mirror.

That gift jointly sent by Miao Zhu and Sheng Xingran—the painting—was now neatly packaged on her back seat. Meanwhile, Miao Zhu herself turned sideways to gaze out the car window, her body language revealing her reluctance to be alone with Mu Shanyi.

On Mid-Autumn night, a clear yellow full moon hung in the sky. The villa district was quiet and desolate all around. As they entered the bustling commercial streets, Mu Shanyi spoke up. “Home? Or home to pick up the qin?”

Home to pick up the qin, and then what? Follow her back to Tower Shadow Sunny River?

Miao Zhu didn’t understand what Mu Shanyi was doing. Hadn’t she just spent a few hours with her blind date? And now she was inviting her over?

Miao Zhu held back her anger and didn’t want to talk to Mu Shanyi. After struggling for a while, she said stiffly, “Home.”

Mu Shanyi chuckled lightly. “Didn’t you text me saying you wanted to see me? Why so cold now that we’re face-to-face?”

“Are you throwing a tantrum?”

“I’m not throwing a tantrum,” Miao Zhu stubbornly stared at the traffic outside the window, refusing to look at Mu Shanyi.

She couldn’t admit she was unhappy about Mu Shanyi going on a blind date, nor could she accept that the last time they’d met, Mu Shanyi had been in bed with her, and now she was acting like a caring big sister discussing her engagement with Xingran in such a detached way—”self-consistent,” ha, Mu Shanyi had achieved it perfectly.