“You think I’m fake?” Mu Qi looked at Yun Shunean doubtfully.
Yun Shunean looked at Mu Qi’s unreal face and nodded earnestly. She thought if Mu Qi were even a little less attractive, she wouldn’t have doubted his authenticity.
“Then, are you real or fake?” Mu Qi traced Yun Shunean’s eyebrows and asked the same question.
“I am…”
Yun Shunean was about to say she was real, but just as she was about to speak, she realized she couldn’t be sure if she herself was real or fake.
“Niannian, does it matter if it’s real or fake?”
For Mu Qi, everything after their wedding night felt unreal.
But he never cared about truth or falsehood. Because even if this was just a beautiful dream, Mu Qi was content. He only wished that if it were a dream, it would never end, and he would never wake up.
Doesn’t matter?
Yun Shunean murmured to herself, then slowly nodded.
“When the false becomes real, the real also becomes false. I shouldn't get caught up in such questions.”
With that, Yun Shunean stepped forward and hugged Mu Qi’s waist tightly, feeling his warmth.
“But I still have to blame you. Who told you to be so handsome that you look fake?”
Yun Shunean’s playfully chiding tone, though unreasonable, sounded somewhat logical.
“Then do you like it?” Mu Qi nuzzled the top of Yun Shunean’s head affectionately.
“I like it.” Yun Shunean was shy yet honest.
As long as she liked it.
Hearing Yun Shunean’s shy but clear voice, Mu Qi’s tense mood finally eased.
A quarter of an hour later, Mu Qi went to his study, while Yun Shunean leaned against the sofa, watching a movie absentmindedly.
The movie ended not long after, but Yun Shunean’s eyes remained vacant.
“Madam, do you have something on your mind?” Seeing Yun Shunean in such a state, Aunt Ning, who was guarding her, couldn't help but ask.
“Aunt Ning, do you feel that Mu Qi hasn't been very happy lately?”
Yun Shunean spoke while popping sunflower seeds into her mouth, appearing nonchalant.
However, the shell pieces that went into her stomach along with the seeds betrayed that Yun Shunean’s mood was not as carefree as she appeared.
“Young Master isn’t happy?” Aunt Ning murmured questioningly, recalling Mu Qi’s state in the past few days.
“Aunt Ning, do you think it’s because of me?” Yun Shunean couldn't help but lean closer and ask Aunt Ning.
Aunt Ning’s attention shifted from her memories back to Yun Shunean.
“Madam, you are the closest person to the Young Master. Your perception of him should be the most accurate. You should know best if it's because of you.”
Aunt Ning said this with a smile.
“Is that so?” Yun Shunean looked troubled.
Seeing her distress, Aunt Ning added a few more words.
“Madam, I think whatever issues there are between a husband and wife should be discussed openly. Instead of guessing here without knowing the reason, you might as well ask the Young Master directly. I believe he would be very happy if he felt your concern.”
Aunt Ning’s final remark dispelled Yun Shunean’s doubts.
“I understand. Thank you, Aunt Ning.” Yun Shunean said, then padded upstairs in her slippers.
“Madam, please be careful.” Aunt Ning glanced at Yun Shunean’s slippers and then at her, not paying attention to her footing as she hurried upstairs. She called out in concern.
Yun Shunean only gave a hurried “okay” but didn't slow down.
Aunt Ning breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Yun Shunean safely enter the study, a pleased smile on her lips.
…
“Hello, everyone. Due to a sudden emergency, the meeting is temporarily suspended.”
As soon as Yun Shunean rushed into Mu Qi’s study, she voluntarily nestled into his arms.
Seeing that Mu Qi was still in a meeting, she uttered the preceding statement with feigned seriousness, thus ending the meeting.
Meanwhile, Mu Shi’s executives, connected through the network across the capital, watched as the screen finally settled on Madam Mu sitting upright on Mr. Mu’s lap, and Mr. Mu behind her, his eyes full of doting affection. They couldn’t understand how the meeting, which had been as rigorous as purgatory just moments ago, had ended with such a public display of affection.
“Honey, are you tired?”
After ending the meeting, Yun Shunean’s expression immediately changed to a smile. She turned and placed her hands on Mu Qi’s shoulders, giving him a massage.
Mu Qi’s throat bobbed, but he remained silent. He worried that if he said he wasn't tired, the hands on his shoulders would be withdrawn.
Yun Shunean, not receiving a response from Mu Qi, subconsciously looked up, but as soon as her eyes met his, she lowered her head again. She was shy.
“Mu Qi, have you been unhappy lately?” Yun Shunean asked hesitantly.
“No.” Mu Qi frowned, thinking of Ning Chen.
Unfazed by Mu Qi’s denial, Yun Shunean wasn’t too surprised.
“Really?” Yun Shunean said, then pecked him hard on the cheek.
Mu Qi: “Mhm.”
Hearing the muffled sound from Mu Qi’s throat, Yun Shunean naturally didn't believe him. She moved closer to kiss him again.
“Mu Qi, I’m very worried about you. So, if anything is bothering you, you must tell me, okay?”
After kissing him, Yun Shunean, suppressing her shyness, met Mu Qi’s eyes.
“I will definitely stand by your side.” Yun Shunean added.
“Is that so?”
Mu Qi gazed into Yun Shunean’s sincere eyes, but this time, it didn’t last long. Mu Qi was the first to look away. He feared that if he truly spoke, and Yun Shunean couldn't accept it and left, it would be a dead end for him.
Yun Shunean nodded emphatically.
“I’m really fine.” Mu Qi’s voice was low, sounding anything but fine.
Hearing this, Yun Shunean irritably pinched Mu Qi’s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.
“Will you leave me?” Yun Shunean’s expression was somewhat fierce, very much like Mu Qi’s own anger earlier.
Mu Qi was stunned. He hadn't expected Yun Shunean to ask such a question. He thought only he would be the one to ask it.
Mu Qi pressed Yun Shunean’s waist firmly with his hands, pulling her closer into his embrace, then lifted his other hand to cup Yun Shunean’s neck.
“Of course not. And you?”