Mu Qi didn't know what Yun Shounian intended to do, and instinctively tightened his grip around her waist.
After Ling Xue's figure disappeared, Yun Shounian's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Ling Xue had left for a long time.
Seeing Yun Shounian staring at the door inexplicably, Mu Qi deepened the hold of his hands on her waist, pulled her closer into his embrace, and buried his face in Yun Shounian's neck, inhaling her unique fragrance.
Soon, Yun Shounian's body relaxed slightly. She skillfully placed her hands on the table, used it for leverage to lean into Mu Qi's arms, and then, while Mu Qi was not paying attention, she broke free from his embrace.
"Niannian." Before Yun Shounian could speak again, Mu Qi leaned in and attempted to pull her into his arms once more.
Yun Shounian placed her hands on Mu Qi's chest, her brow furrowed in resistance to his movement.
"Niannian." Mu Qi called out to Yun Shounian again, his voice deeper than before, his phoenix eyes more inscrutable.
Yun Shounian avoided Mu Qi's gaze and took a step back. "What were you talking about with Ling Xue?"
Yun Shounian questioned coldly.
Mu Qi's Adam's apple bobbed. He finally realized Yun Shounian was angry.
Mu Qi, lacking experience, lowered his voice considerably. "Nothing much."
Recalling how close Ling Xue had been to Mu Qi just moments ago, and considering the receptionist's earlier words, Yun Shounian's expression grew increasingly displeased.
She couldn't even be bothered to come up with an excuse?
"Nothing much?
Nothing much? She was subtly mocking me just now, and you're saying it was nothing, letting her into your office." Yun Shounian panted heavily, her index finger trembling with anger as she pointed at Mu Qi.
Mu Qi moved his lips, then pursed them tightly, reaching out to embrace Yun Shounian.
Yun Shounian, in her anger, continuously pushed Mu Qi away with her hands, even kicking him.
A slightly sharp pain shot up her calf. Mu Qi's brow twitched for a moment, then instantly relaxed. He persisted in trying to embrace Yun Shounian.
Thus, they were like two repelling spheres, yet Mu Qi insisted on going against his body's will, embracing Yun Shounian even though the pain was unbearable.
It seemed only then could Mu Qi feel a semblance of peace.
Soon, the anger in Yun Shounian's heart subsided.
Suddenly, Yun Shounian worried that if she resisted so fiercely, Mu Qi might actually give up. Instinctively, she relaxed the strength in her limbs.
Seizing this opportunity, Mu Qi pulled Yun Shounian into a tight embrace.
"Mu Qi, don't you have anything to explain?" Yun Shounian wrapped her arms around Mu Qi's waist, her hands gripping his sides.
Mu Qi's gaze was inscrutable as he pursed his lips and lowered his head, burying it in Yun Shounian's neck.
After a long moment of not receiving a response, Yun Shounian's hands and arms around Mu Qi's waist tightened.
Mu Qi's body stiffened, and he opened his eyes, looking at the fluffy head in his arms.
Yun Shounian remained silent. Mu Qi couldn't fathom what she was thinking, only staring at her blankly.
As time passed, the pain in Mu Qi's waist intensified. He reached up and stroked Yun Shounian's head, his phoenix eyes still filled with bewilderment.
Not long after, he heard sobbing from the person in his arms.
Mu Qi reacted, pulling Yun Shounian out of his embrace.
"What's wrong?"
Mu Qi took out a handkerchief and tried to wipe away Yun Shounian's tears, but the tears fell like an unbroken string, ceaselessly.
Recalling Yun Shounian's constant mention of Ling Xue earlier, Mu Qi tentatively spoke.
"If Niannian doesn't want Ling Xue to come up, I'll go out in the future."
Hearing this, Yun Shounian immediately raised her fist and punched Mu Qi's chest. "You bastard! You want to be with her, and you can't even bother to lie to me!"
"No, I don't want to be with her." Mu Qi quickly denied it, his large hand easily catching Yun Shounian's fist.
Yun Shounian's eyes widened in fury.
Liar!
A clumsy liar.
-------------------------------------
Ling Xue's expression was displeased as she walked out of the elevator. Her emotions gradually calmed down.
However, she had forgotten that there was someone else who didn't want her to have an easy time.
"Oh, I haven't even received news of my dismissal yet, and someone's already being kicked out." The receptionist, holding a makeup brush in one hand and a small mirror in the other, glanced at Ling Xue smugly.
As the receptionist spoke, Ling Xue paused her movements and gave the receptionist a look of disdain.
"Compared to someone who can't even get into the President's office, I think 'someone' has more pull, don't you think?" Ling Xue tilted her head and then walked towards the receptionist.
The receptionist, whose hand was still holding the makeup brush and gently dabbing her face, immediately froze. "What are you so smug about? With the young madam around, do you think you'll be allowed up there again?"
Stung by Ling Xue's arrogant demeanor, the receptionist's lips curled in disdain.
"Oh, excuse me. I'll still be coming up tomorrow, and you won't be able to stop me. You'd best be careful and prepare to be fired at any moment."
Ling Xue wagged her index finger back and forth at the receptionist and then, without giving the receptionist a chance to retort, quickly walked out of Mu Corporation.
"The people under that slut Yun Shounian are truly detestable. A mere receptionist dares to argue with me!"
Ling Xue replayed the receptionist's words in her mind, becoming increasingly angry with each thought, her words laced with gnashing teeth.
By now, the night was deepening, and the sky had become so dim that it was hard to see the path underfoot. Ling Xue, in her high heels, grew impatient after only a few steps.
Just then, car headlights suddenly illuminated in the distance. Ling Xue looked towards the light and saw a familiar figure walking towards her.
By the time the figure stopped in front of Ling Xue, Ling Xue was still somewhat dazed. She felt that Yu Sheng, at this moment, was both like Yu Sheng and unlike Yu Sheng.
Yu Sheng raised his hand. "Sister Ling, shall I give you a ride home?"
Ling Xue lowered her gaze to Yu Sheng's hand, not reacting for a moment. She placed her hand into Yu Sheng's.
Yu Sheng felt the softness in his hand and froze, wanting to hold it but not daring to.
After a moment of silence, Yu Sheng spoke. "Bag."
Bag?
Ling Xue gradually came to her senses. She cleared her throat, tossed the bag in her hand to Yu Sheng, and turned to walk ahead.
Yu Sheng followed Ling Xue's steps, gazing at her graceful figure. His lips curved upwards, and his eyes sparkled with a pure, bright light, as if filled with stars.
The journey was silent. Yu Sheng escorted Ling Xue to the entrance of her residential complex and watched until her figure gradually disappeared.
Ling Xue had invested in many projects over the years.
Her entire attire was custom-made, and her residential complex was naturally a high-end one, with no malfunctions reported over the years.
However, as Ling Xue leisurely stepped into the elevator, the lights inside began to flicker erratically, and a crackling sound accompanied her.