Chapter 43: Is It Because of This? Part 3

After wrapping up the initial meeting with the designer, Sheng Xingran picked up the suitcase by the wall, took Miao Zhu’s hand, and entered the elevator, pressing the first floor.

“Do you like it here?” she asked Miao Zhu.

Miao Zhu had a smile on her face. “I like it.”

“So, what are your thoughts on the renovations?”

“Just go with your ideas. I’m fine with anything.” As she spoke, the elevator reached the first floor. Miao Zhu thought they were heading back. “Xingran, I parked the car in the underground garage.”

Sheng Xingran lifted the aviation case in her hand. “Not yet. Let’s make a quick stop at my sister’s place first. My mom got a pair of blue-and-white porcelain plates, and Old Madam Mu likes these kinds of things.”

“Oh…” The two exited the elevator, and Miao Zhu suddenly asked, “Xingran, have you started seeing Sister A-Heng in a better light lately?”

Sheng Xingran used to dislike dealing with Mu Shanyi. She would never be this enthusiastic about running errands like this.

In the past, she absolutely wouldn’t have asked Mu Shanyi to pass along Li Zi’s message about her feelings.

Since when had Sheng Xingran changed her view of Mu Shanyi?

After the thing with Emma?

“She’s a good person. I was just immature before.”

A cold wind whistled by, and Miao Zhu pulled her coat tighter. Sheng Xingran had finally accepted Mu Shanyi. But once everyone found out about her relationship with Mu Shanyi, would Sheng Xingran still think Mu Shanyi was a good person?

Mu Shanyi knew why Sheng Xingran was there and naturally took the aviation case, setting it aside.

“Sis, did you just take a shower?” Mu Shanyi wore a crisp shirt and long pants, but Sheng Xingran could sense the damp vapor lingering around her.

“Yeah, I did.” Mu Shanyi didn’t explain further. “Change your shoes here.”

It was Sheng Xingran’s first time there. She saw two pairs of slippers by the shoe-changing bench and, without thinking, slipped on the treasure-blue one. The size was perfect—it was clearly prepared just for her. Mu Shanyi was so thoughtful; even the slippers were in her favorite color.

“Longlong, you change too.” She gestured for Miao Zhu to put on the white leather slippers next to it.

“Okay.” Miao Zhu bowed her head and changed into them.

“Don’t be nervous. Once we move in, we’ll probably come over here often to visit.” Sheng Xingran draped an arm over Miao Zhu’s shoulder, her palm lightly patting to encourage her.

She was afraid Miao Zhu felt tense. She knew her own attitude toward Mu Shanyi growing up had influenced Miao Zhu, so it would probably take Miao Zhu a while to adjust.

Miao Zhu didn’t say anything. Mu Shanyi picked up the conversation. “How did it go chatting with Liang Gong?”

“There are a few changes I want to make. Let me sort them out first.” Sheng Xingran walked into the side hall. A black-and-white cow cat was sprawled on the sofa. She immediately went over, full of excitement. “Sis, you have a cat?”

“Its name is ‘Princess.'” Mu Shanyi said.

“Grace isn’t home?”

“Ye Yi took her to Agricultural University for class.” Mu Shanyi slowly followed their footsteps. “What would you like to drink?”

“I don’t need any. Ask Longlong.” Sheng Xingran didn’t turn her head. The cat wasn’t shy; Sheng Xingran reached out to pet it, and it didn’t budge.

It was lying on a chestnut-colored shawl.

Sheng Xingran spotted the logo on the shawl. “Huh, Longlong has this exact shawl too. What a coincidence—Sis, you and Longlong have the same style and color.”

Miao Zhu subconsciously touched her neck and realized she’d left the shawl behind in her haste.

“Is that so?” Mu Shanyi stopped beside Miao Zhu. She looked at Miao Zhu and patiently asked again, “What would you like to drink?”

“But this brand’s shawl is their classic anyway.” As Sheng Xingran spoke, her peripheral vision caught the slippers on Mu Shanyi and Miao Zhu’s feet—one black, one white, same style, different colors.

If she opened Mu Shanyi’s shoe cabinet, were all the spare slippers this style? Sheng Xingran just imagining the scene made her chuckle at her own wild thoughts.

“I don’t want any either.”

Princess let out a meow at Miao Zhu in a coquettish tone. Miao Zhu went over and tapped its nose. Princess purred contentedly, got up, and rubbed its head against Miao Zhu’s hand. Sheng Xingran laughed. “Cute, right? Longlong, do you like it? How about we get one too later?”

At that moment, a phone ringtone sounded. Mu Shanyi went to the side cabinet and picked up her phone.

“Awen.” She answered the call.

Miao Zhu’s hand paused mid-pet for a moment.

“You and Miao Zhu—do you have something going on?” Tang Yuwen didn’t beat around the bush.

Mu Shanyi’s gaze shifted to the two figures squatting in front of the sofa playing with the cat. Her emotions remained steady. “Why do you say that?”

“I ran into Chen Aiming today and saw Miao Zhu and her best friend. That bestie of hers was something else—practically had subtitles scrolling across her face.” Tang Yuwen was sharp. “I suspected it back at Sea Island, but now it makes sense. The reason you took on that mess with Chuanming Film was purely because Mo Wei offended Miao Zhu, right?”

Tang Yuwen laid it out logically. Mu Shanyi didn’t bother denying it.

The silence was as good as admission. Tang Yuwen sucked in a breath. “She and Xingran have always been fine—they even got engaged a couple days ago. Is she playing you? …No, wait—are you okay with being played by her like—”

“Sis, where’s the bathroom?” Sheng Xingran stood up.

Tang Yuwen instantly fell silent.

Mu Shanyi pointed in a direction. Sheng Xingran headed to the bathroom. Mu Shanyi spoke into the phone, knowing full well yet asking anyway, “Why’d you stop talking?”

“I’m done.” Tang Yuwen hung up.

Sheng Xingran entered the bathroom. Miao Zhu looked toward Mu Shanyi.

“You know?” Mu Shanyi set down her phone.

Her question was vague, but Miao Zhu understood what she meant—did she know about Emma’s situation and that Mu Shanyi had helped from behind the scenes.

“Yeah.” Miao Zhu’s gaze flickered.

The space between them spanned half the side hall. Mu Shanyi leaned against the side cabinet, her voice neither light nor heavy. “Is it because of this?”

Miao Zhu wouldn’t admit that she’d fallen so hard because of Mu Shanyi’s charitable pity.

That would be too pathetic.

She pretended not to understand. “Because of what?”

“Is she playing you?”

“Are you okay with being played by her—”

Okay with being played by her?

Mu Shanyi helplessly quirked her lips, overturning her earlier conclusion.

Miao Zhu accepting her at first, drawing close to her behind everyone’s backs on the engagement island, and today’s sensitivity—all pointed to one answer.

“Thrilling. Seeing Xingran so soon made it feel thrilling.”