"It's going to be cold," Mu Qi said, placing a piece of pork rib into Yun Shushou's bowl as she seemed lost in thought.
"Mhm," Yun Shushou came back to her senses, nodded, and buried her head in her meal.
After lunch, Mu Qi had someone deliver the invitation to Shan Gong, and then took Yun Shushou to change.
"Mu Qi, does this one look good?" Yun Shushou held up an orchid-colored bandeau dress and showed it to Mu Qi.
"It's fine."
Mu Qi had seen all sorts of formal wear since he was young. Now, all clothes looked the same to him.
To him, any dress worn by Yun Shushou was the prettiest.
Even if the dress wasn't on Yun Shushou, Mu Qi wouldn't spare it a second glance.
"What about this one then?" Yun Shushou picked up a red velvet retro fishtail dress.
Mu Qi: "It's fine."
"Mu Qi, don't you have any particular favorites? Or even dislikes?"
To be honest, Yun Shushou didn't particularly care what she wore. She just wanted to understand Mu Qi a little better.
Seeing Yun Shushou's curious expression, Mu Qi, for reasons unknown, scanned all the dresses on the rack.
There wasn't one he particularly liked, but there were many he particularly disliked.
"I dislike this one, and this one..."
Mu Qi pointed out over a dozen dresses.
Yun Shushou followed his gaze and noticed that these dresses seemed to have one thing in common.
They were all very revealing.
"What if I have to choose from these?"
Yun Shushou put down the red fishtail dress she was holding, walked to Mu Qi's side, tilted her head up, and asked mischievously.
As soon as Yun Shushou finished speaking, Mu Qi froze, then lowered his gaze and remained silent.
One second...
Two seconds...
Seeing Mu Qi looking so wronged, Yun Shushou relented. "Mu Qi, that's enough,"
"What?" Mu Qi looked at Yun Shushou in confusion.
Mu Qi truly hadn't expected his expression to be perceived as wronged by Yun Shushou.
However, if Yun Shushou insisted on choosing from those dresses, he would have no choice but to have the air conditioning at the banquet turned down and drape his coat over her.
"Okay, okay. I was just joking. I'll wear the orchid-colored one," Yun Shushou said, patting Mu Qi's head.
It seemed that having a husband who was too handsome wasn't all good; it always made her want to dote on him.
And she hadn't even done anything particularly outrageous.
"Good girl. I'll go change,"
"Mhm, I'll wait for you." The tingling sensation of being petted had not yet faded. Mu Qi's gaze on Yun Shushou was incredibly lingering and affectionate.
However, as soon as Yun Shushou disappeared into the fitting room, the warmth in Mu Qi's eyes instantly receded.
"Is this the 'gentle and affectionate CEO Mu' you were talking about?"
The person who usually helped Yun Shushou tidy her clothes asked the starry-eyed staff member beside her.
"Oh, you're late. Madam Mu just went in, and CEO Mu turned cold again."
The staff member who had called her friend looked at Mu Qi's cold expression a few more times after he had cooled down. Soon, intimidated by his icy aura, she dared not look any longer.
"I told you you must have been seeing things. That's CEO Mu! Cold and unapproachable. I've never seen him smile!
I think you were just scared and called me over to share the pressure."
The staff member looked at the other with an "I understand now" expression.
"Don't be so suspicious of others..." the other person hissed, but immediately fell silent as Mu Qi glanced over.
Fortunately, Yun Shushou had already changed and walked out of the fitting room. "Mu Qi, does it look good?"
Yun Shushou twirled in front of Mu Qi, drawing his attention.
"Beautiful." Mu Qi's gaze didn't linger on Yun Shushou's dress but rather on her lively expression.
"Then am I the most beautiful?" Yun Shushou tilted her head up, looking proud.
"You are the most beautiful." Mu Qi's hands landed on Yun Shushou's lower back and with a gentle pull, drew her close into his embrace.
The two staff members nearby, hearing the gentle yet firm response, were almost stunned speechless.
"Kill her quickly and give us something to celebrate!"
They had truly never imagined, nor dared to imagine, that one day the aloof CEO Mu, who seemed uninterested and impatient with everything, would answer such a trivial question.
And his tone was so gentle and firm, as if stating an undeniable fact.
"Then if you have the most beautiful wife, why don't you smile?" Yun Shushou's index and middle fingers parted and pressed against the corners of Mu Qi's mouth.
"Madam, please stop. You're too greedy."
The two staff members, hearing Yun Shushou's words, involuntarily tensed up, afraid that Yun Shushou would anger Mu Qi and he would throw her out.
Without causing them to worry for long, Mu Qi quickly complied and curved his lips upwards.
This time, the two staff members couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Yun Shushou immediately snapped back to attention, placing her hands on Mu Qi's shoulders, trying to pull away from his embrace.
Mu Qi was puzzled but instinctively tightened his grip on Yun Shushou's slender waist.
"Mu Qi, let go quickly." Yun Shushou suddenly felt her waist burning, a heat that seemed to be spreading throughout her body.
"Why?" Mu Qi's sensitivity to Yun Shushou had never diminished. He couldn't tolerate the slightest disturbance.
"There are people here!" Yun Shushou strained her head to turn away from the two staff members.
Mu Qi took a deep breath and, with a cold glance, signaled the two staff members to leave.
Meeting Mu Qi's gaze, the two staff members dared not linger and immediately turned, their feet flying out the door.
After seeing the door shut, Mu Qi cupped Yun Shushou's back with his hands, pulling her tightly into his embrace. "Now there's no one."
But Yun Shushou's shy and embarrassed feelings had not yet subsided. She wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in and calm down.
"Mu Qi, let me go first, let me calm down."
Yun Shushou was now completely pressed against Mu Qi, with no space between them. She could only push against Mu Qi's strong waist with her hands, trying to push him away.
However, Mu Qi didn't let go of Yun Shushou, and instead let out a soft hum due to Yun Shushou's movements.