Chapter 41: Lucidly Sinking

A moment of helplessness flashed across Qin Yanzhou’s eyes before he retracted it, his sharp gaze sweeping over Shen Muyan’s cat.

“It’s quite helpless.”

“Meow~” As Shen Muyan turned to look, the cat instinctively burrowed into her arms.

The girl lowered her eyes, her feathery eyelashes blinking, her cascading hair falling down, concealing half of her exquisite face.

“Qin Xian, it seems quite afraid!”

“Yeah.” Qin Yanzhou had no other excuse, he gave a faint sneer, returning to the seat opposite her. He increasingly felt that this cat was a nuisance.

The fur was quite soft, meticulously cared for by the maids. Shen Muyan loved to release it.

It was super photogenic, obediently squatting at her feet, looking innocent and bewildered at the camera.

The girl was completely captivated by the cat. Qin Yanzhou rubbed the wall of his teacup, pondering, without disturbing her.

“You like cats?” he asked.

“I just happen to like this one.” Shen Muyan picked up the cat, facing it towards Qin Yanzhou. However, the cat suddenly puffed up like a blowfish and hissed.

“Qin Xian, have you been mean to it?”

“No.” Qin Yanzhou’s answer was decisive.

Time had not erased the memories of the old house. This cat used to love to rub against his trousers. At some point, he had gotten annoyed and put it in a cage.

Who would have thought that this cat would hold a grudge until now.

The clouds drifted by, time passing by in a flash, a cool breeze blew.

Qin Yanzhou poured himself a drink, but when his eyes fell on the girl’s slender arm, his gaze gradually softened.

Shanghai was like a port, the seasonal temperature changes were unpredictable. It was already early autumn, yet she was still wearing such a thin dress, he genuinely worried she would catch a cold.

Shen Muyan also noticed the change: “It seems to be getting cold.”

The sun was gradually obscured by a layer of dark clouds, and ripples spread out in circles on the pond.

Returning to the living room, the cat curled up obediently in Shen Muyan’s arms. Waiting until they were about to leave, she spoke.

“The cat likes it here, but it prefers the backyard.”

Finally.

Qin Yanzhou moved, raising his eyebrows.

“Changing seasons, the weather is easy to change, you should pay attention to your health.”

Shen Muyan only then lowered her eyes to look at her own dress. It was indeed reaching her ankles. Meeting Qin Yanzhou’s gaze, she finally realized she was wearing a sleeveless dress again.

“I wore a suit this morning, but it got a bit hot when I went sightseeing in the cemetery area.” She explained, feeling self-conscious.

“You personally went to the cemetery area?”

It was rare for him to be so personally involved. It was truly admirable, in this circle, to achieve this level.

He managed such a large company, yet he was willing to personally conduct research, not delegating it to other departments. It was truly impressive.

“I’ve never been involved in this before. Thankfully, Zheng Wen didn’t increase the rent too much, but some businesses in the cemetery area might find it harder to survive.” Shen Muyan felt a sense of urgency as she told Qin Yanzhou what she had seen and heard.

“It’s truly moving.”

However, Qin Yanzhou thought differently, perhaps from a different perspective.

“Soft-heartedness can’t achieve anything.”

“I’m not soft-hearted…” Shen Muyan’s voice was very soft, her clear, bottomless eyes spoke volumes. She knew she would be assimilated, she would unconsciously soften her voice.

“There’s no obligation to help those who are completely unrelated.” Qin Yanzhou was more concerned that this hesitation and softness would hinder Shen Muyan’s growth.

“It’s true you have the ability to help these vulnerable groups, but excessive kindness will eventually be backfired upon you.”

This viewpoint had already been proven by Henry Taylor.

At this moment, Shen Muyan had a clearer understanding of Qin Yanzhou’s character. He was indeed indifferent to the extreme, but his indifference wasn’t directed at individuals, but at society as a whole.

His attitude was resolute, full of bone-chilling coldness. In his deep, phoenix-like eyes, Shen Muyan’s reflection was reflected.

Her still innocent eyes should not be clouded by such mundane matters.

“Hmm.”

Shen Muyan was very receptive to advice. She would carefully consider his suggestions and be open to different perspectives.

“Perhaps you’re right now, but you’ll understand eventually.”

“…Why did you help the Shen family when there were so many scathing remarks from society? I saw how you suppressed them.”

Shen Muyan’s desire for answers was strong. She stared intently into Qin Yanzhou’s eyes, eagerly waiting for his response.

“We’re completely unrelated, are we?” Qin Yanzhou leaned closer, patiently explaining like he was coaxing a child.

“It’s purely for profit, and even more for my own selfish desires.”

“I’m very clear about everything, especially this time, I’m clear about my own trap.”

“No, I should say I’ve already fallen into the trap.”

Shen Muyan was unique. He hadn’t noticed her at first. The first time he saw her, she was so pure and beautiful, her speech was gentle, her personality was tenacious and stubborn, she was proactive, yet extremely prone to shyness.

He had tested her several times, probing her, but every time, he found himself entangled, lost in the fog with this fairy-like girl.

“Are you afraid of the No. 1 Leather Works?” The girl tilted her head, her long, curled eyelashes like butterfly wings, her amber-like clear eyes always so captivating.

He couldn’t help but focus, sinking into them.

“…Hmm.” Qin Yanzhou’s lips parted, unconsciously softening his voice.

“I’m still a little fierce, afraid of scaring you.”

“Hmm.” Those two words lingered in Shen Muyan’s mind, gradually occupying her thoughts. She didn’t know how to respond, nor how to continue the conversation.

Her heart fluttered with excitement, but ultimately she retracted her gaze, no longer daring to look at him so intensely.

The pillow she had been holding in her arms was now slightly wrinkled.

“Stay for dinner, Lu Lin will send you back.”

“Okay.”