Mu Yichuan was actually here!
He sat elegantly on the living room sofa, legs crossed, his dark eyes coldly sweeping over Xin Yu on the stairs, but without lingering. His slender fingers tapped lightly on his knees, as if he were suppressing something.
Xin Yu felt as if a biting winter wind had suddenly swept through her world, making her shiver uncontrollably. Why was he here? Was he following her?
She furrowed her delicate brows, about to speak, when Cheng Che's gentle voice rang out, "Junior Sister Xin Yu, what's wrong?"
Cheng Che stood up and walked towards the stairs, his eyes like a warm spring breeze, fixed on Xin Yu, wondering if she knew Mu Yichuan.
He hadn't expected her to know the famous Ninth Master!
"N-nothing," Xin Yu quickly regained her composure and hurried downstairs, her eyes constantly glancing at Mu Yichuan, completely baffled as to why he was here and his reaction to knowing she worked as a tutor.
"Come, let me introduce you." Despite his doubts, Cheng Che politely and gentlemanly led Xin Yu to the sofa, his eyes constantly observing her. "This is—"
"Uncle!" Cheng Qiuzhe's childish voice suddenly rang out. He ran down the stairs and snuggled into Mu Yichuan's arms.
Uncle?!
Xin Yu stared blankly at the two affectionate figures. The usually cold Mu Yichuan now showed an unusually doting expression, gently stroking Cheng Qiuzhe's little head.
He was Cheng Qiuzhe's uncle!
Xin Yu was shocked, yet also felt frustrated and guilty. She had really been at odds with Mu Yichuan lately, not only signing that ridiculous marriage agreement but also repeatedly running into his family!
Now she was even his nephew's traditional Chinese painting teacher! "Uncle, look, this is my traditional Chinese painting teacher, Xin Yu!" Cheng Qiuzhe's attitude was much more enthusiastic than during class. It was unclear whether it was because he saw Mu Yichuan or because Xin Yu had promised to take him to Baimu Mountain. "She's amazing!"
Amazing…
Xin Yu was immediately exasperated. She had only casually sketched a few lines in class, how could this little guy exaggerate it like this!
"Is that so?" Mu Yichuan spoke coldly, still not glancing at Xin Yu.
Cheng Qiuzhe nodded seriously, then jumped off the sofa and took Xin Yu's hand. "Sister Xin Yu, this is my uncle, he's really good too!"
Xin Yu really didn't know what to say. She couldn't fathom Mu Yichuan's emotions, so she just gave an incredibly awkward smile, "Hi."
Hi…
Mu Yichuan's little finger twitched unconsciously. This woman…! "Qiu Ze, how's your studies going?" Cheng Che spoke up at the right moment, easing the awkward and somber atmosphere. "Are you hungry? Dinner's ready, why don't you invite your teacher, Xin, to the restaurant?"
"Okay, Sister Xin Yu, Uncle, let's go together!"
Despite Cheng Qiu Ze's enthusiasm and Cheng Che's attempts to lighten the mood, Xin Yu still felt uneasy. Halfway through the meal, she became increasingly unable to predict what the silent Mu Yichuan would do next, making the meal utterly tasteless.
"Junior Sister Xin Yu, I see you don't have many courses in your first year of graduate school. Would you be interested in an internship at Cheng's Group?"
Cheng's Group…internship…
"Cough cough…" Xin Yu was so startled she couldn't even finish her meal. Could she say she already had a part-time job, and that Ya Culture was connected to Cheng's Group…?
She gulped down several mouthfuls of water to stop coughing, then subconsciously glanced at Mu Yichuan. The man's dark eyes shone with a brilliant and profound light! "No, no need!" Xin Yu quickly refused, eliciting a surprised look from Cheng Che. "I'm afraid the teacher… won't agree."
Although she had decisively refused because of Mu Yichuan's gaze, Xin Yu didn't feel she was lying. Her recent part-time job was out of necessity, but for a formal internship, she still needed her advisor's advice.
"If you're interested, I can talk to the teacher," Cheng Che seemed quite insistent, not backing down just because Xin Yu mentioned Donghua.
"Oh, no, really, no need." Xin Yu quickly waved her hand. "I already have a lot of plans. An internship would probably have to wait until next semester or my second year of graduate school."
"I see…" Cheng Che looked regretful, glancing at Mu Yichuan, who was drinking water with his eyes down. The latter raised his eyes, a sharp glint in his eye, and Cheng Che was momentarily stunned by the coldness.
He had made a mistake—inviting Xin Yu for an internship? They really did know each other…
"Mr. Jiu—" Before Cheng Che could explain, his phone rang. He looked apologetically at Mu Yichuan and Xin Yu, then got up and went outside the restaurant.
"Qiu Ze, go and bring me the painting you did today under Teacher Xin's guidance," Mu Yichuan said calmly, emphasizing the words "Teacher Xin."
Xin Yu's heart sank. She looked at Mu Yichuan with a sense of panic. Was he about to "punish" her?
What right did he have?
Could she run away?!
"Dare to do it but not admit it?" Mu Yichuan's voice was as cold as ice as he spoke the moment Cheng Qiu Ze left his seat.
"…" Xin Yu forced a smile, unsure how to respond. Had she done something wrong? Even if she had, it was just a coincidence that she tutored Mu Yichuan's nephew, indirectly earning money from Mu Yichuan...
Thinking this, she steeled herself and stubbornly said, "I didn't do anything wrong."
"Oh?" Mu Yichuan raised his voice again, a dangerous undertone that anyone could detect.
Xin Yu stiffened, biting her lip tightly, trying to convince herself that she hadn't done anything wrong!
"What's wrong with earning money with your own hands!" Xin Yu looked at Mu Yichuan defiantly, even though she feared his shamelessness, he couldn't distort the truth!
The two stared at each other, one cold and the other flustered, until Cheng Qiuzhe's footsteps echoed on the stairs. Mu Yichuan's dark eyes, fixed on Xin Yu, flickered, and he coldly said, "Money or me, you choose!"
Damn it!
Damn it!
Xin Yu clenched her fists tightly. In her 21 years of life, she had never seen anyone so shameless!
A megalomaniac, a narcissist! She would never choose him!
What kind of look was that woman giving her!
"Think it over before you speak." Mu Yichuan suppressed his anger, furrowed his brow, and accepted the painting Cheng Qiuzhe respectfully handed him.
Furious, Xin Yu pouted slightly, lowered her head, and refused to look at Mu Yichuan again.
Mu Yichuan carefully examined Cheng Qiuzhe's painting. It showed considerable improvement compared to before. "The brushwork is good, but too restrained. She should learn from Teacher Xin in the future. She seems to be someone who doesn't conform to worldly conventions."
Not conforming to worldly conventions? Who said that!
She loves money! Loves her career! Loves freedom!
She just doesn't love him!
Wait…
Learn from Teacher Xin in the future?
What does that mean? Xin Yu blinked, looking at Mu Yichuan with confusion. Even after leaving the Cheng family home after dinner, she still didn't understand. Had Mu Yichuan made the choice for her? "Junior Sister Xin Yu, this is for you." Cheng Che handed her an envelope. "Thank you for today! I'll have the driver take you back to school later."
Xin Yu knew it contained her payment for today's tutoring, but under Mu Yichuan's gaze, she felt a little uneasy.
"Senior Brother, you're too kind. I should be the one thanking you!" Xin Yu took the envelope and smiled sweetly at Cheng Che. "No need to trouble the driver, I can go back myself. Qiu Ze, see you another day!"
After saying that, she ignored Mu Yichuan and walked straight out of the villa. She walked quite a distance; she really wanted to go back to school. She didn't need to guess what Mu Yichuan had done tonight…
"Looks like someone really wants to go back to school?" The lingering voice carried a mocking and indifferent tone.
"Then what am I supposed to say? Tell Senior Brother Cheng Che I went back to Mr. Jiu's villa?" Xin Yu retorted sarcastically. Don't think she didn't know Mu Yichuan didn't want Cheng Che to know about their relationship; otherwise, with his thick skin…
"You wouldn't dare say that, I know."
"You…" Xin Yu turned to look at the man in the Land Rover. He really was twisting the truth.
"Senior Brother, calling me so affectionately, are you really willing to do that?"
"…" Xin Yu was genuinely speechless with anger, her beautiful eyes coldly scrutinizing Mu Yichuan. "Mr. Jiu, you've already made the choice for me. I suppose between us—"
"What about between us? You dare say it!" He was extremely cold and indifferent at this moment, surrounded by a dangerous aura. His dark eyes enveloped Xin Yu, as if with a little more force, his gaze could kill her.
Xin Yu shrank back at these words, the words stuck in her throat, unable to utter another syllable.
"Get in the car."
The simplest statement carried the most unquestionable command. Xin Yu had no choice but to move into the Land Rover. "It's you...you promised Qiu Ze you'd learn from me—"
Before she could finish, Mu Yichuan silenced her, his cold lips enveloping her warm, trembling lips, his kiss relentless, as if he wanted to devour Xin Yu whole.
"Mmm..." Xin Yu struggled, but couldn't push Mu Yichuan away an inch, only emboldening him to plunder her more forcefully.
Her head was spinning, every nerve in her body numb and powerless from his ministrations, unable even to stop his hand slipping inside her clothes.
"No..." Xin Yu's voice was soft and sweet as she quickly lowered her eyes and fell silent.
Mu Yichuan's low breaths filled her ear, his deep voice and burning breath making Xin Yu blush even more.
"You can earn money now, which means you're healthier."
"I..."
Mu Yichuan's hands were igniting a fire, but his voice was cold in comparison. "Have you thought it through? Wife, money or me, which do you choose?"
"..." Xin Yu clutched Mu Yichuan's shirt, her watery, dreamy black eyes fixed on him. Hadn't he just agreed to let her teach traditional Chinese painting in the future?
Could it be... he wants her to teach for free?
Cheng Qiuzhe is a good kid, but how will she live if she doesn't charge money?
Use his money? She wouldn't want that. She couldn't do that before she understood the bond between them, otherwise how would she pay it back later!
After thinking for a long time, Xin Yu released Mu Yichuan, her hands trembling as she took out an envelope. "This... is for you."
"What do you mean?" Mu Yichuan asked in a deep voice, his thick brows furrowed with displeasure.
"I earned six hundred today, it's all yours, isn't that enough?"
"..."
"If that's not enough, then I'll give you half of everything I earn from now on..." Xin Yu said helplessly, her heart bleeding. "Give him half of what you earn!"
Mu Yichuan stared intently at her...