Chapter 55: Secrets in Time Part 2

Miao Zhu looked out the window again. In the nearby coffee shop, Mu Shanyi and Zheng Simiao’s conversation was wrapping up. They both stood by the table, Mu Shanyi’s dark overcoat draped over her arm. She elegantly dipped a slight bow to Zheng Simiao.

Zheng Simiao stayed to finish her coffee. Miao Zhu’s gaze followed Mu Shanyi.

Everything else in the coffee shop faded to background; she only saw Mu Shanyi.

Mu Shanyi strolled unhurriedly through the coffee shop lobby, paused briefly behind the glass door, slipped on her coat, and pushed the door open.

The night breeze instantly tousled Mu Shanyi’s long hair—and threw Miao Zhu’s heart into chaos.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Mu Shanyi got in the car. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the Snowflake Necklace at Miao Zhu’s chest. After a few seconds, it shifted to Miao Zhu’s injured foot. “Is the ankle still swollen?”

“A little.”

“Still a bit swollen.”

“Sister A-Heng.”

“Good evening.”

Miao Zhu hurriedly squeezed out a smile at Mu Shanyi, her short phrases delivered in fits and starts, whatever came to mind first.

“Good evening.” Mu Shanyi withdrew her gaze, bemused.

Lu Zheng lightly tapped the accelerator. Miss Miao was far more lively now; satisfied, she steered the car steadily onto the road.

In the quiet car interior, Miao Zhu clearly heard the erratic thumps in her chest.

Mu Shanyi sat right beside her. Even without speaking, her every breath carried such a strong presence that Miao Zhu felt a little dizzy.

Lu Zheng pulled up at Moon.

Mu Shanyi got out first. She circled around the back of the car to Miao Zhu’s side and helped her out.

“Sister A-Heng~ Early Happy Birthday!~ Happy to see me? Miss me?!” Mu Huiren had been waiting by Moon’s floor-to-ceiling windows. As soon as Mu Shanyi appeared, she dashed out excitedly, her petite frame leaping onto Mu Shanyi’s back for a big bear hug from behind.

Mu Shanyi nearly collided with Miao Zhu from the impact and instinctively braced her hand on the car door. “Xiao Hui, steady yourself.”

The familiar name swept over Miao Zhu’s heart like a gale. The drunken haze that had lingered the whole ride vanished in the wind.

Li Baozhu, following behind Mu Huiren, yanked Mu Huiren off Mu Shanyi’s back. “Almost caused trouble again. Didn’t you see there’s an injured person here?”

“Fine, everyone’s picking on me.” Mu Huiren stuck out her tongue and leaned in to inspect the person Mu Shanyi was shielding. Not recognizing her, she grinned sheepishly. “Sorry! Hi, I’m Mu Huiren. Nice to meet you.”

Not their first meeting—Miao Zhu had seen her drunk at Moon before, hugging Mu Shanyi, lipstick smudges all over Mu Shanyi’s collar. But… Mu Huiren?

Mu as in the Mu family?

Was she related to Mu Qiren and Mu Zhiren?

Could Xiao Hui be Mu Shanyi’s family, not a girlfriend candidate?

The thought had just surfaced when Mu Shanyi clarified Mu Huiren’s identity. “Xiao Hui is A-Qi’s little sister and Xiao Zhi’s big sister—the one I told you about, the old lady’s peacock who hides when she sees her.”

Mu Huiren let out a drawn-out, soft “Ooooh~~” at Mu Shanyi’s introduction.

She knows both A-Qi and Xiao Zhi, even my embarrassing stories. This pretty girl must be close to Sister A-Heng! Wait, why didn’t her own sister or little sister gossip to her about it? When did Sister A-Heng get someone like this around her?

Miao Zhu couldn’t quite describe her feelings. A big weight lifted from her chest? Yes, but more shock and confusion. If Xiao Hui was a sister, then why, when she’d asked Mu Shanyi if Xiao Hui was her girlfriend, had Mu Shanyi said “not yet,” leading her astray?

Her mind drifted back to that night—one she’d replayed immersed in its mood many times. It was from that night her feelings for Mu Shanyi had changed.

And the second time she’d asked the same question, Mu Shanyi’s reply of “Not sure what answer you want to hear”… Miao Zhu now understood her younger self’s question stemmed not just from curiosity, but from “If you already have an ongoing partner, why make me feel your care?” Mu Shanyi’s ambiguous answer had unleashed her desires—there could be a place for her by Mu Shanyi’s side; Mu Shanyi was deliberately tempting her!?

Thoughts flooded in: from Lu Zheng’s necklace revelation, to Mercy Grace Hospital, to Xiao Hui now. Miao Zhu had so many questions for Mu Shanyi, but clearly, this wasn’t the time.

“Hi.” She held back the boiling turmoil inside and introduced herself to Mu Huiren. “I’m Miao Zhu.”

Then she greeted Li Baozhu. “Good evening, Dean Li.”

Li Baozhu laughed. “Come on, let’s go inside and chat. What are we doing standing out here in the wind?”

Mu Huiren punched the air twice. Darn it! Sister Baozhu knows Miao Zhu too! Is she the only one in the world who doesn’t? What the heck happened in the world while she buried herself in studies these past six months?

Miao Zhu hobbled on her crutches, unable to go fast, so everyone slowed unconsciously. Mu Huiren tried to make amends, sidling up to Miao Zhu. “Miao Zhu, that foot’s fractured, right?”

Miao Zhu said, “Yeah, ankle fracture.”

“Just hearing it makes me dizzy with pain!” Mu Huiren said, inexplicably envious. “But your crutches and brace don’t look like medical gear—they’re like a fashion statement. So cool!”

Mu Huiren had a sudden idea and beat everyone to it. “Hey, let’s add WeChat! I love studying outfits too!”