His Beloved Treasure

Qin Mu felt a bit uneasy being stared at by him, but still managed a smile and said, ”He’s just worried I’ll come back too late, not that he’s monitoring me having dinner with friends.”

”Isn’t that basically the same thing?”

Wen Runuan asked.

”Agreed!”

Xiaomei immediately chimed in.

Li Yu smiled faintly as he poured tea for the three ladies.

Xiaomei flashed her starry-eyed expression again, ”Let me do it!”

”You’re a lady, so it’s the gentleman’s duty to serve you all.”

Li Yu didn’t look at her, but his words felt incredibly considerate and gentlemanly—especially to Xiaomei, who was a single, unmarried person.

”Actually, I used to have some misunderstandings about you, but now I think you’re genuinely amazing. You’re more outstanding than most men: you’re hardworking, adaptable, resilient, and most importantly, extremely handsome.”

”Please, can we just eat in peace?”

Qin Mu couldn’t stand listening any longer.

Li Yu nodded, ”I fully agree with your statement.”

Wen Runuan shot him a look of disdain, ”Can’t you be normal for once?”

”Am I abnormal?”

Li Yu turned to Xiaomei with a faint glance.

”Not at all! I think you’re completely normal, and especially fantastic.”

Xiaomei said in her infatuated tone, as if she’d go to any lengths—be a slave, or do some ridiculous, wild things—yes, even commit crimes, as long as Li Yu gave the order.

Li Yu chuckled. A waiter came to take their orders, and Li Yu acted gentlemanly, handing the menu to the ladies. He merely sat beside them, ordering a bottle of red wine he personally liked.

Qin Mu and Wen Runuan had intended to choose a milder red wine, but since Li Yu wouldn’t finish an entire bottle alone, they ended up drinking the same one he chose.

Xiaomei was even more eager to try the wine Li Yu preferred, curious about its flavor.

But once the red wine was poured, they could smell right away how strong it was.

It didn’t matter much, though—everyone planned to have just one glass each, except for Li Yu and Xiaomei, who wasn’t sure how much she’d end up drinking either.

Qin Mu and Wen Runuan reckoned that tonight, no matter how much Li Yu poured, Xiaomei would finish it.

As the dishes were served, the group started eating.

”I heard you’ve gathered twelve young and beautiful actresses from the entertainment industry to star with you in this palace drama, and you even got Lin Lang and Minghuang to do supporting roles?”

Wen Runuan asked before taking a bite.

”No! I’m not the leading role this time. Minghuang is the male lead.”

Li Yu replied.

”Minghuang is the male lead?”

Wen Runuan looked at him in disbelief. Qin Mu and Xiaomei were equally puzzled.

”Yes! That was Minghuang’s condition for joining, and honestly, in terms of overall qualifications, he’s indeed better suited for the emperor role.”

”Then what about you?”

”I’m playing the sixth prince.”

A knowledgeable, elegant scholar with a refined demeanor—the ’graceful prince.’

This character may appear ordinary, but anyone who knows the story understands that if performed well, this role can rival the popularity of Minghuang’s lead.

”Still, isn’t it such a pity? You’ve always played the male lead.”

Xiaomei said with a touch of heartbreak, her voice soft.

”Perhaps in a few more years I’ll retire behind the scenes. As long as I can develop the studio, playing supporting roles occasionally doesn’t matter.”

Li Yu said calmly and confidently, switching the placement of two dishes.

Qin Mu glanced at the plate of steamed fish set in front of her and felt a jolt in her heart. She raised her eyes to look at him.

He smiled and said, ”I heard you don’t like eating seaweed.”

Qin Mu didn’t respond, instead turning to look at Xiaomei. Xiaomei appeared just as baffled, and Qin Mu changed the subject, ”Thank you.”

Wen Runuan also found it strange but decided not to ask further.

While in the restroom, Qin Mu and Wen Runuan washed their hands together, and Wen Runuan couldn’t help but ask, ”How does Li Yu know you don’t like seaweed?”

”If I know, that’d surely be surprising!”

Qin Mu said, squeezing some soap into her palm and gently rubbing her hands together.

”That guy pays so much attention to you—it can’t be just a casual interest, right?”

Wen Runuan remarked.

Qin Mu washed her hands, smiling faintly, ”Other people can gossip all they want, but can’t you refrain from doing so?”

Qin Mu pleaded, her smile still lingering.

”If I think about it carefully, he might seem like the ultimate gentleman, and we’ve had meals together a few times, but I’ve never seen him care about me like this.”

”Sis, spare me, will you?”

Qin Mu finished washing her hands and, while drying them, turned to continue pleading.

If President Mu overheard this, what would happen then?