His Beloved Treasure

Chapter 18: 18 Stay, at Mu Yichen’s place_1

That morning, Mu Yichen left the house huffily, while she quietly drew in the study.

She couldn’t comprehend what there was to be angry about such a good proposal.

——

”Mumu, I need to ask for your help,” Jing Qing said.

”Go ahead!” Mumu replied eagerly.

”Next month, I have a very important event, and I’d like you to design a dress for me with Chinese elements. Do you think you could do that?”

She was deeply engrossed in drawing that morning when she received Jing Qing’s call. After thinking it over, she agreed: Sure!

”That’s wonderful. Shall I send my measurements to you? Here’s the thing, I hope you could personally make the dress after designing it. Don’t worry about the cost; I’m willing to pay whatever it is,” Jing Qing explained, always so understanding.

”Where are you right now? I’ll come to you,” Mumu offered.

Jing Qing didn’t expect Mumu to agree so readily. She glanced at the woman sitting across from her, Mu Yichen’s mother, who was watching her solemnly without interruption.

After hanging up, Mumu picked out an outfit and left the house with her black bag. She could almost guess that Jing Qing knew about her situation in Rongcheng. Of course, she hadn’t intended to hide it from anyone this time.

Some things had to be faced; there was no need to avoid them.

After hanging up, Jing Qing felt a palpitation: It seems she has guessed that I know she has come to China.

”This only proves she’s a woman with deep thoughts. Although she’s younger than you by a few years, I don’t think her schemes are any lighter than yours. Be careful when dealing with her,” Mu Yichen’s mother, Feng Fanghua, advised.

”Mhm,” Jing Qing acknowledged.

In fact, Jing Qing was also considering that the twenty-three-year-old girl couldn’t possibly be as foolish as Qin Mingzhu. She must have returned for the matter concerning the Qin Family’s grave relocation, Jing Qing concluded, deciding to keep Mumu under her watch.

”I should get going then, to avoid arousing her suspicions,” she said.

”Alright, Auntie, please take care,” Jing Qing stood up to see her out.

After Feng Fanghua left, Jing Qing sat in the café, lost in her tumultuous thoughts. She even considered calling Qin Mingzhu to come, knowing that Mingzhu would bristle like a hedgehog at the sight of Mumu. It would indeed be quite a scene, but then she remembered her purpose for today and gave up the idea.

She entered like a gust of wind, dressed plainly with a simple bag and her hair cascading like a waterfall, gently pushing open the café door.

The men discussing work inside merely glanced up, immediately captivated by her presence.

The man in the light-colored suit turned to his secretary: Have you seen this woman before?

The secretary shook his head, and the man regretfully had to divert his attention back to his work after only a few seconds of looking at Mumu.

Mumu sat across from Jing Qing, the two women looking at each other. Jing Qing smiled warmly while Mumu merely offered a faint smile before getting down to business.

”You’re going overseas for the red carpet?” Mumu inquired.

”How did you know?” Jing Qing was taken aback.

”Chinese elements, I guessed!” Mumu replied with a light raise of her eyebrows and a smile.

”Yes, I heard that all the outfits for Aila’s concert were designed by you. Mingzhu and I were so dazzled at her performance that I truly wanted to invite you sincerely to design this dress for me,” Jing Qing spoke earnestly about her reasons.

Mumu knew the concert would help her, but she didn’t expect Jing Qing to be the first to seek her out.

”The dazzle isn’t necessarily from the dress itself, but also from the person wearing it. If you don’t have the right presence, the finest gown won’t shine on you,” Mumu pointed out.

”Do you believe I can pull it off?” Jing Qing asked with a patient smile.

”Certainly, whether it’s looks or presence, you’d be up to it,” Mumu assured her.

”Then I’m entrusting this to you!” Jing Qing expressed her gratitude.

After reaching an agreement, they began discussing the design concept and some details.

Mumu finished a cup of cappuccino in half an hour and then ordered an Americano.

Nearing the end of their chat, Jing Qing smiled: Now that you’re in Rongcheng, where are you staying?

”Stay, at Mu Yichen’s place!”

Qin Mu had intended to keep it a secret, but then she thought there was no need to do so.

If she didn’t tell the truth, Jing Qing would surely investigate her, so it might be better to confess on her own.

Jing Qing’s expression turned cold and hard for a moment, but she quickly smiled again.

Amazed by her quick change of expression, Qin Mu once again marveled at how deserving Jing Qing was of the title of best actress.

”Miss Jing!”

”President Liu!”

”Is it convenient to sit?”

Jing Qing invited the man who had just been scrutinizing Qin Mu to sit next to her, then smilingly introduced: Mumu, this is President Liu Jingyuan, our foremost real estate tycoon here.

Qin Mu watched him with a slight smile but did not speak.

”This is from the Qin Family... May I say? Mumu?” Jing Qing suddenly turned to Qin Mu, as if hesitating out of consideration for her.

”I am Qin Mu, from Paris!” Despite there being nothing inconvenient to mention, she thought she would prefer that this President Liu learn of it in her absence.

”Qin Mu, not bad.” He looked at Qin Mu’s keen starry eyes and his lips curled into a small smile.

”Of course, she’s not bad. Mumu is now a somewhat famous designer in Paris and her master is the renowned domestic and international master designer Jian Yan.”

”Oh? So Miss Qin was the one who planned the show a while ago.”

”If you’re referring to the show that took place at President Mu’s recently, it was my master who was the planner, I was simply learning.”

Qin Mu felt that this man in his thirties seemed rather complicated and thus was not keen on engaging in warm conversation.

After a few more words, Liu Jingyuan stood up to leave, and Qin Mu also got up to say goodbye. Jing Qing remained seated alone, lifting her coffee cup again to finish off the last bit of coffee, her eyes seemingly declaring: The real drama has just begun.

In the evening, she stood in the kitchen, staring at the carrot shreds she had arranged into the shape of a dress. When Mu Yichen came back and found her in the kitchen, looking at the cutting board, he couldn’t help but laugh: Looking for inspiration in the kitchen?

At the sound of his voice, Qin Mu turned to look at him, her voice clear and paired with that refreshing face was just perfection.

”Today, Jing Qing asked me to design a gown for her; I must do well on this order.”

She declared with certainty, and Mu Yichen nodded: Hmm, you’ll definitely do well.

However, the expression on his face as he turned away wasn’t entirely supportive of her.

Qin Mu washed two apples and brought them out. He was just on the phone by the window and took the beautiful apple she handed over with a delay.

His hands were also exceptionally attractive; Qin Mu subconsciously drew back her hand, as if the spot accidentally brushed by his fingertips had been zapped with electricity.

”What would you like to eat tonight? I’ll make it.”

”Hmm, whatever you eat, I’ll eat.”

”I have to step out tonight. How about I accompany you for dinner tomorrow night, hmm?”

”Uh, OK!”

In fact, she hadn’t insisted on eating with him, but it seemed she was just misunderstood that way. Qin Mu laughed awkwardly, yet he indulged her by cradling her face in his hands and leaning down to kiss her.

After he went to the kitchen, Qin Mu was still pinching her face forcefully, pursing her lips. Then, involuntarily, she gently licked them, as every time he kissed her, it seemed like he was about to hook out her heart.

By the time he arrived at the hotel, it was after 8 pm. Jing Feng, Qiao Yi, and a classmate named Jiang Zhiyuan had been waiting for him.

Jiang Zhiyuan joked with a smile: He wouldn’t happen to be hiding a beauty at home, hence his reluctance to come out, would he? Today is the big day for honoring me.

”His private life, who knows?” Qiao Yi sighed.

Although he worked close to Mu Yichen, he had to admit that Mu Yichen’s personal life was always very discreet; he could never get a hold of anything substantial.

”He should be with Qin Mu right now.”

Jing Feng spoke up, and Jiang Zhiyuan and Qiao Yi both looked at him curiously.

Qin Mu, the girl they only remembered after hearing from Mu Yichen himself.

”Qin Mu is back in the country? Are they living together now?” Jiang Zhiyuan asked in disbelief.

”Qin Mu herself told Jing Qing, so it shouldn’t be false.”