"Hmm?" Mu Qi's grip on Yun Shunnian's hand tightened, a mix of interrogation and nervousness.
Yun Shunnian realized this and tried to look at Xiao Song again, but the force on her chin was too strong, preventing her from turning her head.
"If you don't let go, how can I explain to him?" Yun Shunnian's tone was confused, her expression hesitant.
For a moment, Yun Shunnian thought Mu Qi wouldn't actually let her say that.
Fortunately, Mu Qi didn't have such intentions and finally released Yun Shunnian's chin.
"Xiao Song, I'll calculate your salary for three months."
"Okay..." As Yun Shunnian finished speaking, Xiao Song said no more. The hope that had been faintly visible in his eyes sank.
"Then Mrs. Mu, I'll take my leave now." Xiao Song forced a polite smile, then turned and left.
Yun Shunnian's gaze remained fixed on the doorway long after Xiao Song's figure disappeared.
"Niannian, do you regret it?" Mu Qi's phoenix eyes flickered, as if a beast slumbering within was growing increasingly restless.
"No, just a little guilty," Yun Shunnian frowned slightly.
Mu Qi's expression softened. "You gave him money, no more guilt."
Yun Shunnian: "No, I haven't given him the money yet."
Mu Qi froze as Yun Shunnian spoke, clearly not expecting her to say that.
"Mu Qi, where's your black card?" Yun Shunnian then held out her small hand towards Mu Qi.
Without waiting for his reply, Yun Shunnian quickly realized, "Oh, it seems to be with me."
After all, it was Mu Qi who was firing the person, so Yun Shunnian felt no guilt using the card.
As she spoke, Yun Shunnian moved away the hand Mu Qi had placed on her waist, got up, and opened the bedside cabinet to retrieve the black card.
"Wait a moment, I'll give him the money and be right back."
Yun Shunnian said this as she walked towards the door.
Halfway there, Yun Shunnian heard the sound of chains behind her. She stopped immediately and turned to see Mu Qi following her.
"Mu Qi, why are you up?"
"If I hadn't stopped you, would you have just charged towards me recklessly?"
"Mu Qi, can you please be more careful about it?" Yun Shunnian said, cupping Mu Qi's wrist with her hands, her tone tinged with a post-frightened reproach.
"And what about you? Niannian, I don't want you seeing other men, let alone meeting them alone."
Mu Qi firmly pressed his hands on Yun Shunnian's shoulders, oblivious to the fact that he might be aggravating his wound.
"Mmm, I understand." Yun Shunnian pursed her lips and put down Mu Qi's black card.
Seeing Yun Shunnian put down the black card and return, Mu Qi's expression softened considerably.
"Niannian, do you think I'm being too unreasonable?"
Mu Qi asked cautiously, as if the previously wild tiger had suddenly become fragile paper, ready to shatter at a touch.
"I think the food is getting cold." Yun Shunnian took Mu Qi's hand and led him towards the dining table.
Mu Qi's expression eased as he saw Yun Shunnian didn't press the issue further.
"Mu Qi, drink this first." Seeing Mu Qi pick up his chopsticks, Yun Shunnian immediately picked up the medicinal soup beside him.
"This is medicinal soup, it's good for your body." Yun Shunnian handed the bowl of medicinal soup to Mu Qi.
Mu Qi naturally took it and slowly drank it sip by sip.
Yun Shunnian: "Mu Qi, doesn't it taste bitter when you drink it like this?"
After all, it was medicinal soup. Although there weren't many herbs, the bitter and strange taste was unmistakable.
Yet, Mu Qi drank it sip by sip without any change in expression, making Yun Shunnian wonder if Aunt Yang had forgotten to put in the herbs.
"It's not bitter," Mu Qi replied, as expected.
"Let me try." Now Yun Shunnian was even more suspicious about whether any herbs had been added.
Mu Qi, not understanding, handed the small bowl of medicinal soup to Yun Shunnian.
"Gag..."
Before Yun Shunnian even took a sip, the smell alone made her want to vomit. Su Dan Novel Network.
Mu Qi reached out to take the bowl of medicinal soup, but Yun Shunnian, still reeling from the smell, immediately got up and dodged him.
Could it be that the medicinal soup was only unpleasant to smell, but not to taste?
Thinking this, Yun Shunnian pinched her nose with her other hand, lowered her head, and quickly took a small sip.
"Gag..."
Yun Shunnian quickly put the medicinal soup back on the table, took the water from Mu Qi's hand, and gulped down several large mouthfuls before slowly recovering.
"I'm sorry, Mu Qi, this is really too bitter. I'll ask Aunt Zhang to add some honey later."
"Mmm, okay."
Medicine should be taken while hot. After Yun Shunnian said this, she quickly handed the medicinal soup back to Mu Qi.
Perhaps the taste was truly unbearable for Yun Shunnian, as her hand trembled slightly as she held the bowl.
Yun Shunnian had a keen interest in traditional Chinese medicine and naturally liked herbs. However, she found concoctions made with medicinal ingredients utterly unacceptable.
Mu Qi noticed Yun Shunnian's aversion to the medicinal soup. After finishing it in one gulp, he placed the bowl far away from Yun Shunnian, no longer savoring each bite she offered him as before.
Night fell.
Yun Shunnian lay on the bed with her back pressed against Mu Qi's chest. Once Mu Qi's breathing gradually deepened, Yun Shunnian opened her eyes.
Yun Shunnian paused, then quietly reached for her phone on the bedside cabinet.
She found Zhang Yang and got Xiao Song's contact information from him. Then, Yun Shunnian began composing a message.
"Xiao Song, you were diligent and responsible at work, and you did a great job."
"Being dismissed is not your fault, but our loss."
...
After sending these two messages, Yun Shunnian pursed her lips, wondering if she should send more words of encouragement.
But before Yun Shunnian could make up her mind, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her neck.
"Mu Qi?" Yun Shunnian let out a soft groan. Due to the pain, a few tears welled up in her crescent-shaped eyes.
"Isn't talking to me enough every day, Niannian?"
Mu Qi grabbed Yun Shunnian's wrist, flipped over, and pinned her beneath him.
In the moonlight, Mu Qi's phoenix eyes seemed to hold rippling dark currents.
Before Yun Shunnian could say anything, Mu Qi leaned down and kissed her, pulling her entirely into his embrace.
"Mu Qi... you first... calm down first." Yun Shunnian placed her hands on Mu Qi's shoulders, but her elbows were pinned by Mu Qi, rendering her powerless.