Yun Shuniàn:?
Meeting Yun Shuniàn's gaze, Mu Qí felt as if he had committed a heinous crime.
Mu Qí avoided Yun Shuniàn's crescent-shaped eyes and said, "These shoes are uncomfortable, I'll wear them later."
"When is 'later'?" Yun Shuniàn's gaze shifted to the shoes in Mu Qí's hand, her expression somewhat wistful.
"When we're almost there." Mu Qí placed the glittering shoes aside. Sudan Novel Network.
Yun Shuniàn: "Oh."
Knowing that Mu Qí had prepared the high heels, Yun Shuniàn's mood brightened considerably. Even the neat row of poplar trees by the roadside appeared incredibly charming in her eyes.
Finally, the car stopped outside the Imperial Mansion. Yun Shuniàn happily accepted the high heels handed to her by Mu Qí.
After alighting, Yun Shuniàn lifted one foot to show Mu Qí her beautiful shoes.
"Mu Qí, aren't they lovely."
Mu Qí lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on Yun Shuniàn's fair ankle, before nodding. "Mm, they are beautiful."
"Sister, you're here." After Shān Gōng handed over the invitation, Mu Qí and Yun Shuniàn entered the main venue of Ning Jìng's birthday banquet.
Ning Jìng seemed to have been waiting for them. The moment she saw Yun Shuniàn, she immediately broke into a smile and walked directly towards her.
"Do you want a birthday present?" Yun Shuniàn asked with a smile.
"Mhmm." As Ning Jìng moved, the crown on her head almost fell off. Seeing this, Yun Shuniàn immediately raised her hand to steady it.
At this moment, Ning Chén suddenly appeared behind Ning Jìng and took the crown off her head.
Ning Jìng: "Brother."
"Mm," Ning Chén nodded, acknowledging that he had heard.
Ning Chén: "This is too heavy."
Ning Chén said, rubbing Ning Jìng's head.
"Mm, then I won't wear it." Ning Jìng said, and then paid no further attention to the crown in Ning Chén's hand.
"Young Master Ning, we know we don't compare to your sister in your heart, but you should at least greet us, shouldn't you?"
Yun Shuniàn leaned lazily against Mu Qí, her gaze playfully directed at Ning Chén.
"President Mu, Mrs. Mu. My apologies, it was my oversight."
Only then did Ning Chén shift his gaze from Ning Jìng to Mu Qí and Yun Shuniàn.
"Sister, my brother didn't mean anything by it." Little Ning Jìng, afraid that Yun Shuniàn might misunderstand Ning Chén, quickly explained.
"Little sister, I was just joking with your brother. Why are you so nervous?"
Yun Shuniàn's tone was gentle and doting. She also reached out and stroked Ning Jìng's head.
Yun Shuniàn thought to herself, this child's head really was pleasant to touch.
"Sister, stop touching. I won't grow any taller." Ning Jìng covered her head with both hands, looking at Yun Shuniàn pitifully.
Yun Shuniàn had no choice but to lower her hand.
This wasn't right, Yun Shuniàn recalled Ning Chén's reaction when he touched Ning Jìng's head earlier.
Before Yun Shuniàn could think it through, Ning Chén gestured to Yun Shuniàn and Mu Qí, excusing himself, and then walked towards someone who looked like the Ning family's butler.
Ning Jìng's gaze followed Ning Chén's figure, her mind seemingly fixed on him as well.
Seeing this, Yun Shuniàn assumed Ning Jìng no longer wished to converse with her and was about to let her go.
"Alright, little one, today is your birthday. Hurry and get ready for a grand entrance."
Yun Shuniàn's words drew Ning Jìng's attention back.
Ning Jìng nodded, cast a reluctant glance at Yun Shuniàn, and then headed towards the lounge.
As soon as Ning Jìng left, a group of people who had been "coveting" Mu Qí with hawk-like eyes swarmed around him.
"President Mu, long time no see. Do you remember me?"
"Mu Qí, this must be Mrs. Mu. She truly has an extraordinary aura, a beauty that could topple nations."
"President Mu, I heard you bought shares in 'Xīnyáng'. Is this information correct?"
...
Yun Shuniàn smiled faintly and stepped back. She truly disliked such overtly opportunistic flattery.
Mu Qí didn't say much, simply clinking his wine glass with theirs.
Before long, Yun Shuniàn couldn't help but want to leave.
She looked at the dessert area not far away, then subtly began to back away, tugging at Mu Qí's hand.
Mu Qí didn't let go of Yun Shuniàn. Instead, he stopped talking to them and looked at her.
For a moment, everyone fell silent, their gazes following Mu Qí's towards Yun Shuniàn.
Yun Shuniàn retreated behind Mu Qí, finding it difficult to bear the probing stares of many elderly gentlemen with grey hair.
How to put it?
The feeling was rather strange.
"What's wrong?" Mu Qí's tone was different from the proper, serious demeanor he had when conversing with others. Facing Yun Shuniàn, his voice was remarkably gentle.
As if any stronger tone would frighten the delicate person before him.
"I'm going to rest over there for a bit."
Yun Shuniàn didn't specify where "there" was. She felt that if people knew she intended to eat desserts in such a setting, it would seem undignified.
"Over there?" Mu Qí asked, staring at Yun Shuniàn, his hand showing no intention of releasing hers.
Yun Shuniàn pursed her lips. Seeing Mu Qí's persistence, she reluctantly pointed towards the dessert area.
"Mm, I'll take you." Mu Qí followed Yun Shuniàn's gaze and then agreed.
"Excuse me, everyone. I need to take my wife to get something to eat. We'll talk another time."
As Mu Qí spoke, before they could react, he took Yun Shuniàn and walked towards the dessert area.
Mu Qí slowed his pace considerably as he held Yun Shuniàn's hand, walking very slowly.
Yun Shuniàn followed dazedly.
Completely unprepared for Mu Qí to accompany her, Yun Shuniàn felt extremely awkward.
Upon reaching the dessert area, Yun Shuniàn immediately grabbed an egg tart and popped it into her mouth, feeling as if she had come back to life.
She didn't know why, but when she felt nervous, she had an intense craving for sweets, and it was always effective.
After calming down, Yun Shuniàn saw Mu Qí standing beside her, watching her intently. She felt a pang of guilt and embarrassment.
"Mu Qí, I can manage by myself. Perhaps you should go back and talk to them."
Although this was Ning Jìng's birthday banquet, the Ning family itself was a prominent family in the capital. How many people here were merely here for food and entertainment?
Mu Qí: "You don't want me to be with you?"