“The big shot has arrived.” Tang Yuwen seemed quite familiar with Zheng Simiao and teased as she went to greet her.
“I’m late, forgive me.” Zheng Simiao had a stunning face, and her voice carried a pleasant nasal tone.
Sheng Xingran also led Miao Zhu over. Zheng Simiao glanced at their joined hands and smiled. “Xingran, is this your fiancée?”
Zheng Simiao proactively called her “Xingran” and even knew about the fiancée… Had Zheng Simiao already met with both the Mu and Sheng families and gained their approval? It made sense—if they didn’t approve of her as Mu Shanyi’s future partner, why would the Sheng Family invite her to Sheng Xingran’s engagement ceremony?
“Yeah, this is Longlong.” Sheng Xingran naturally wrapped her arm around Miao Zhu’s waist.
“Sister Simiao.” Miao Zhu smiled sweetly, but when greeting Zheng Simiao, she only looked at her, not daring to shift her gaze.
She didn’t dare look at Mu Shanyi standing beside Zheng Simiao, afraid of revealing her emotions or seeing gentleness toward another person on Mu Shanyi’s face.
Everyone was there, and they were about to start eating. Li Zi called out to Emma, asking how much longer the porridge needed. Miao Zhu took the opportunity to step away and help Emma.
Bubbles gurgled in the sand pot, the rice grains blooming open from the boiling.
Emma took Miao Zhu’s hand and examined the scalded spot.
Miao Zhu had naturally fair skin, so the small patch covered in burn ointment stood out especially red. Emma’s tone was full of heartache. “You’re so distracted because of her.”
The “her” Emma referred to at that moment pulled out a dining chair and sat beside Zheng Simiao, even handing her a bottle of mineral water.
Miao Zhu didn’t say anything. It didn’t matter if she admitted it or not—things were already like this.
Emma sighed, picked up some crab and ginger slices from nearby, and added them to the cooked porridge. Miao Zhu grabbed a spoon to stir, but Emma stopped her. “Wait a bit longer until the crab roe sets.”
Miao Zhu paused. Emma turned her head to look.
No one else had come over yet. In this little space, it was just the two of them. Emma hesitated before saying, “Mia, I don’t know if encouraging you back then was right or wrong.”
Actually, ever since she’d learned that Mu Shanyi didn’t care about Mia’s engagement and that Mia had been utterly despondent because of it, Emma had regretted it. Mia and Mu Shanyi weren’t on the same wavelength at all—she couldn’t just enjoy it and move on.
Miao Zhu stared at the porridge. “Your ‘encouragement’ wouldn’t have affected my decision anyway, and it wasn’t that serious. With her, we’re just using each other.”
“Using each other? What do you want to get from her?” Emma didn’t understand.
“I’ll tell you later.” The surface of the porridge boiled again. Miao Zhu dipped the spoon to the bottom and gently stirred to prevent it from scorching. “Emma, don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”
Perhaps as Miao Zhu said, she really did know what she was doing. After that, Emma didn’t notice anything unusual about her.
At the dinner table, everyone chatted about many topics—business, life… After finishing the seafood porridge that everyone praised, they talked about cooking skills. Miao Zhu and Mu Shanyi sat almost at opposite corners, with no interaction throughout.
Night fell deeper. After the meal, Tang Yuwen wanted to play cards, but Zheng Simiao had to apologize. “Awen, next time I’ll play with you. I have an appointment tonight, so I need to head out first.”
Mu Shanyi seemed to know Zheng Simiao’s schedule in advance and stood up. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you to the parking lot.”
Everyone except Lu Zheng went to Tang Yuwen’s tent house.
The campsite’s tent houses were in a glamping style, with vibrant handmade rugs on solid wooden platforms and full amenities like air conditioning and showers. On a clear night, opening the roof skylight allowed one to fall asleep under the stars.
Miao Zhu wasn’t good at cards and automatically bowed out. Tang Yuwen paired with Emma, Sheng Xingran with Li Zi. The four played half a round, but Mu Shanyi still hadn’t returned.
Li Zi couldn’t hold back. “Sister Simiao didn’t really leave on purpose to go have some alone time with Sister A-Heng, did she!?”
The guess made perfect sense. Sheng Xingran chimed in. “Anyway, my sister isn’t much of a talker. Walking someone back for almost an hour? Unbelievable! Wen-jie, don’t you think so?”
Tang Yuwen was looking at her cards, a smile lingering on her lips. “Who am I to gossip about her?”
Li Zi dared to gossip. She detailed all sorts of interactions between Mu Shanyi and Zheng Simiao at dinner—the tacit understanding in their words aside, there were shared smiles, passing tissues, swapping sauce dishes, and so on…
Tang Yuwen propped her chin. “Observing that closely, huh? So, which one of them do you have a crush on?”
Li Zi drew in a sharp breath. “They’re such a perfect match—who’d be crazy enough to crush on them? That’s just asking for heartbreak!”
Tang Yuwen teased her. “Then who do you have a crush on?”
Li Zi’s face flushed red. “…What does that have to do with me? We’re gossiping about Sister A-Heng!”
Under the table, Emma gripped Miao Zhu’s hand. Miao Zhu’s hand was very cold. Emma’s eyelashes fluttered. “Mia, are you bored watching us play cards? There’s a screen in the dining area—want to go watch a movie?”
Emma was afraid Miao Zhu couldn’t handle the topic and was giving her an excuse to leave. Miao Zhu understood the kindness and appreciated it. “Li Zi, can we project a movie?”
Suddenly called out by Miao Zhu, Li Zi’s shoulders twitched up involuntarily. “…Oh, sure. I’ll get the camp staff to set it up for you.”
