She liked Mu Shanyi.
Mu Shanyi felt the same way toward her.
…No, Mu Shanyi’s affection had spanned a long time, making it heavier and more substantial than hers.
On the way back to Beautiful Garden from Moon, Lu Zheng noticed that Miss Miao was off again. She had taken off her hat and was unconsciously fiddling with it in her hands, her body slightly turned toward the car window, her eyes staring blankly outside.
What had happened at Moon? Lu Zheng subtly shifted her gaze to Mu Shanyi.
“Out playing too long and tired?” Mu Shanyi had already noticed Miao Zhu’s mood at Moon, so after dividing the cake, she soon suggested they leave.
Mu Shanyi’s tone remained as gentle as ever—not overly warm, nor cold.
Miao Zhu had once thought Mu Shanyi’s attitude stemmed from wanting to draw a clear line after their breakup, but in reality, Mu Shanyi probably believed this was a way to interact without burdening her?
How poorly had she behaved during the half-year they were together for Mu Shanyi to be so disappointed that she never even considered “she likes me too,” assuming distance was what she wanted?
Miao Zhu turned toward Mu Shanyi. She didn’t dare look directly into Mu Shanyi’s eyes, letting her gaze linger only on Mu Shanyi’s shoulder. “Not tired.”
“Ankle uncomfortable?” Mu Shanyi considered another possibility.
Miao Zhu slowly shook her head. Unable to see Mu Shanyi’s face, Mu Shanyi’s voice alone made it hard for her to stay composed—she feared she might break down at any moment.
Miao Zhu didn’t want to speak, and Mu Shanyi fell silent too.
The night was thick, shadows of trees heavy on both sides of the street, the car filled with a heavy atmosphere. Lu Zheng drove dispiritedly into Beautiful Garden’s underground garage, watching as President Mu got out to escort Miss Miao upstairs.
Miao Zhu focused intently on the path under her feet, with Mu Shanyi following at an appropriate distance behind her.
Once out of the elevator, Miao Zhu opened the entry door. She didn’t invite Mu Shanyi inside, and Mu Shanyi had no intention of entering anyway.
Mu Shanyi stood outside the entry door, the motion-sensor lights in the hallway illuminating her flawless face.
Miao Zhu stood inside the room, which was unlit, allowing her to hide in the darkness.
“Sister A-Heng, I… I didn’t know tonight was your birthday gathering, and I didn’t prepare a gift for you.”
“It’s not about that. I just wanted you to come out and relax a bit.”
There was probably no one in the world more tolerant and considerate than Mu Shanyi, but the more magnanimous Mu Shanyi was, the more ashamed Miao Zhu felt.
Her tears teetered on the edge; she could only lower her eyes and say goodbye before her voice cracked. “I had a great time today. Thank you, Sister A-Heng, and happy birthday in advance.”
Mu Shanyi said, “Okay, good night.”
Two days after that night, Miao Zhu finally managed to compose herself somewhat. She called Emma and told her that Mu Shanyi might like her.
“Why didn’t you just tell her clearly that night?” Emma exclaimed “Oh my God” after hearing it all. “Do you want to open a search bar, type in Mu Shanyi’s name, and read her profile?”
“Mm.” Miao Zhu understood Emma’s point.
“You know you and Sheng Xingran have nothing going on, but Mu Shanyi is in the dark!” Emma kept shrieking. “You haven’t sent her any clear emotional signals, so she only thinks she’s your fling—especially since Sheng Xingran is her beloved little sister! A poised, noble woman who can command the winds and rains, enduring moral condemnation for you, willingly being your secret lover!… She doesn’t just like you; she loves you so, so much!”
“Mia, what on earth are you thinking? You love her so much too, you can’t forget her at all—why not seize the chance to tell her!?”
Miao Zhu had thought she could confide calmly in Emma, but after Emma’s piercing barrage of questions, her words caught in her throat, choked up. “I… I don’t dare.”
“You dared to be with her before, but now you don’t dare to bare your true heart? …The scandal you misunderstood involved her sister and her project partner—from start to finish, she’s only had you by her side. You love each other mutually, you’re each other’s one and only. I don’t understand what you’re worrying about?”
“Emma, before… before, it was because I knew I was just using her. I didn’t have to take responsibility, didn’t have to consider the consequences.” A scalding tear slid down her cheek, followed by a second, then countless more. “But now it’s different. She deserves the best treatment, yet in her relationship with me, she’s only gotten hurt. I don’t have the courage to even beg for her forgiveness—I can’t forgive myself! Emma, I… I don’t even dare imagine how much grievance she’s endured. I feel so heartbroken for her!”
For the first time, Emma saw Miao Zhu express such intense emotions. She said stunned, “Mia…”
“Am I really that oblivious? Over all that time, didn’t I ever feel Mu Shanyi’s cherishment?” Miao Zhu’s heart felt gripped by an invisible hand, her voice hoarse. “Emma, I did. I felt it.”
