Chapter 51 : Picking up Qianqian from get off work

Mu Qianqian released her grip on the pavilion post and gave a couple of awkward smiles.

“Sorry, I thought you were with her.”

Ye Xuanlin wasn’t upset by the misunderstanding.

He spoke slowly, “May I ask if Miss Mu’s surname is Mu?”

“Yes, my name is Mu Qianqian. I’m here waiting for a friend.”

Fearing further misunderstanding, Mu Qianqian quickly added, “I’m not here to find you.”

She was a married woman!!! She had absolutely no interest in other men.

Ye Xuanlin’s smile deepened, and he exuded an aura of refined elegance, like a gentleman in the breeze.

“Miss Mu, you might as well sit in the pavilion and rest for a moment.”

“Alright.”

Mu Qianqian sat nervously in the seat opposite Ye Xuanlin.

The assistant had already stepped outside the pavilion, leaving only the two of them inside.

A cool night breeze brushed by her ears, and the tea on the clay stove was bubbling away.

After waiting for a while, Ye Wanqing still hadn’t appeared.

“I’ll go out and give her a call.”

“Have a cup of tea before you go.”

Mu Qianqian thought for a moment; a little delay wouldn’t matter, so she agreed, “Okay.”

Ye Xuanlin moved gracefully and effortlessly through the process of making tea boiling, awakening, and brewing it all in a smooth and pleasing manner.

Unfortunately, the person sitting opposite him couldn’t see.

“Miss Mu, please.”

A cup of clear, hot tea was placed in front of Mu Qianqian.

She held the cup and its saucer, blew on the hot tea, and took a sip.

Mu Qianqian wrinkled her face. “It’s so bitter.”

She wasn’t adept at tasting tea, and it tasted only bitter to her at first sip.

“Miss Mu can savor it slowly and appreciate the tea’s lingering aftertaste.”

Following his guidance, Mu Qianqian relaxed her mind and savored the lingering taste in her mouth.

“The bitterness seems to be gone… it’s so fragrant, with a subtle floral scent and a hint of orchid.”

What she didn’t know was that this was top-grade Mingqian Longjing tea, which could fetch a high price per ounce.

Mu Qianqian gradually began to appreciate the nuances of tea tasting.

After a while, Ye Xuanlin asked, “Miss Mu, would you like another cup?”

“No, no, I’ll go call Wanqing. I’m a bit worried since she hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Alright.”

Mu Qianqian hurriedly stood up, walked out of the pavilion, and with the help of her voice assistant, called Ye Wanqing.

“Wanqing, I’ve been waiting for you at the pavilion for a while. Why haven’t you come?”

Ye Wanqing was lounging on a soft bed, munching on potato chips.

“Even though I didn’t come, you should have received the gift I sent?”

“What gift?”

“The tea my brother brewed! How is it? Is it good?”

Mu Qianqian was taken aback. “The Young Master Ye in the pavilion is your brother?”

“Yes, we both have the surname Ye. Did you forget? Qianqian, you’re really a bit slow on the uptake.”

Mu Qianqian tapped her head in frustration.

“I didn’t forget, I was just focused on our appointment and didn’t think about it.”

She had been preoccupied with waiting and hadn’t had time to think about these details.

“So, how is it? My brother’s tea-making skills aren’t bad, right?”

“It’s quite good, but since I don’t know much about tea, I can only appreciate it a little and can’t grasp the higher levels of flavor.”

Mu Qianqian felt that drinking such good tea was like using a fine jade to make a simple ornament.

Such a waste.

“Ha ha, that’s alright. The more you drink it, the better you’ll understand it. I believe in you!”

“Since you’re fine, I’m relieved. I’m done with work for today, so I’ll head back now. See you another day.”

After ending the call with Ye Wanqing, Mu Qianqian returned to the hotel lobby.

Sister Li asked everyone, “Where’s Yanru? Has anyone seen her?”

“Not sure, she’s probably still out with Young Master Ye.”

“She came late today and hasn’t clocked in enough hours. Watch me deduct her bonus!”

Mu Qianqian wasn’t interested in Wang Yanru’s issues, so she told the person in charge and prepared to go home.

Just as she was about to leave the hotel, she was about to instruct her voice assistant to call a cab.

At that moment, a limited-edition luxury car stopped in front of her.

“Miss Mu, please get in.”

That voice… it was Assistant Wang’s voice.

So, the Mr. had come to pick her up after work?

Mu Qianqian’s heart skipped a beat.

But since the Mr. was so busy, he probably wouldn’t come personally; it was likely just the assistant coming to pick her up.

Mu Qianqian relaxed a bit, opened the door to the back seat, and got in.

As soon as she sat down, she noticed a familiar presence and oppressive feeling.

Oh no, the Mr. was also here.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Fu Sichan’s deep, cold voice came:

“Why are you getting off work so late today?”

Mu Qianqian sat stiffly beside him, nervously clutching the seatbelt, afraid to breathe too loudly.

“Today… there were more customers, so I got off work late.”

Fu Sichan put down the magazine he was holding, removed his gold-rimmed glasses, and placed them aside.

“Why do you smell like tea?”

Mu Qianqian wrinkled her nose and sniffed around herself.

“Do I?”

She couldn’t smell anything herself.

Fu Sichan, who was knowledgeable about fine teas, had immediately detected the subtle fragrance of Mingqian Longjing tea the moment she got into the car. It was premium Longjing tea, a type not everyone could afford.

“I met a new friend named Ye Wanqing. Her brother made a cup of tea for me.”

Ye Xuanlin?

As a prominent figure in the business world, Fu Sichan was naturally aware of the Ye family’s eldest son.

This Ye family eldest son was known for his refined demeanor and deep, inscrutable nature, making him hard to read.

Instinctively, Fu Sichan didn’t want Mu Qianqian to get too involved with such people.

After all, she was as naive as a little rabbit, not suited to be among wolves.

Since Fu Sichan couldn’t always be by Mu Qianqian’s side to protect her, the best way to keep her safe was to keep her away from such conflicts, as far away as possible.

“Stay away from him.”

“I know.”

On the way home, Mu Qianqian was so drowsy that her head bobbed up and down, but she didn’t lean on Fu Sichan to sleep.

She huddled in the corner of the car, keeping as far away from him as possible, afraid of touching him.

Fu Sichan, feeling helpless, said, “If you’re tired, just lean over and sleep.”

Mu Qianqian jolted and quickly shook her head, “I’m not tired, I’m not tired.”

Just moments ago, her head was bobbing like a chick pecking at grains, and now she was saying she wasn’t tired.

Fu Sichan couldn’t help but smile in exasperation.

With a long reach, he pulled her into his embrace. “Sleep.”

Mr.’s broad and solid shoulder had a reassuring charm.

Mu Qianqian, already exhausted, couldn’t resist and soon fell asleep leaning on him.

When the car reached the building.

Fu Sichan looked at her serene and peaceful sleeping face, and gently unfastened her seatbelt.

He lifted her horizontally and carried her from the car up to the apartment.

Fu Sichan intended to place Mu Qianqian on the bed in the guest room, but the little girl, seemingly lost in a dream, clung to him and wouldn’t let go.

Her eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow, and her rosy lips slightly puckered.

Deeply immersed in sleep, Mu Qianqian murmured unconsciously.

“Don’t, don’t go…”