The door to Qiyuan suddenly opened, and Yun Shunnian walked in, her eyes fixed on Mu Qi.
"Mu Qi, you're back," Yun Shunnian said, gazing at the face that made her heart flutter with both love and a hint of darkness.
Yun Shunnian hadn't expected Mu Qi to return so soon. She had tracked his location and found it to be Qiyuan.
"Mu Qi, were you looking for me?" Yun Shunnian slowly noticed the unusual, yet deeply familiar atmosphere.
Her lips curved into a happy smile.
Mu Qi was looking for her; this meant he still cared about her, didn't he?
Yun Shunnian walked step by step towards Mu Qi, a smile on her face.
Mu Qi's expression was unreadable, but Shan Gong saw his clenched fists.
"Mu Qi," Yun Shunnian suddenly quickened her pace and embraced him.
Pressed tightly against Mu Qi, Yun Shunnian could feel that instead of relaxing, his body grew stiffer.
Yun Shunnian pursed her lips, her warm heart turning cold.
How long had they been together? Was Mu Qi already starting to reject her?
Yun Shunnian felt a pang of pain, unable to accept this outcome.
Her hands tightened around Mu Qi, and tears welled up in her bright, moon-like eyes, moistening his shoulder.
It was only when Yun Shunnian felt Mu Qi's hand finally brush her back that she sensed a response to her sorrow. She cried even harder.
However, Yun Shunnian wondered if her crying had annoyed Mu Qi again. The hand he had placed on her back instantly retracted.
Yun Shunnian's feelings of sadness and grievance intensified, becoming uncontrollable. Her quiet sobs turned into a torrent of tears.
Yun Shunnian childishly grasped Mu Qi's hand, trying to coax him into holding her again.
But each time she let go, Mu Qi's hand would naturally fall back to his side.
After a few attempts, Yun Shunnian gave up.
But how could she simply accept that Mu Qi no longer loved her?
Yun Shunnian stood on tiptoe, reaching out to kiss Mu Qi.
However, Mu Qi kept dodging.
Just as Yun Shunnian was about to break down from her distress, Mu Qi suddenly turned and left.
Yun Shunnian's sobs gradually subsided. A voice in her mind began to sow seeds of resentment.
*Hide Mu Qi.*
*Hide him away, take him to a place where only she and he exist, so Mu Qi will belong only to her.*
Yun Shunnian's eyes grew more determined.
Then, a handkerchief gently wiped away her tears.
Yun Shunnian looked up at Mu Qi, who was standing before her, her heart filled with shock. The resentment vanished instantly.
Hadn't Mu Qi already left?
Why had he come back?
Mu Qi's gaze inadvertently met Yun Shunnian's, and he quickly lowered his head.
"Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you again." He took a step back.
After a moment, confirming Yun Shunnian had calmed down, Mu Qi turned to leave for his study.
"Mu Qi, don't go. What exactly do you mean? Can you tell me clearly?" Yun Shunnian stepped forward and hugged him again.
Mu Qi, fearing that Yun Shunnian might suddenly leave without a word again, dared not move rashly.
"Mu Qi, I know I was wrong. Don't ignore me. I will always love you. If I stop loving you, lock me up, or we can die together. But please, don't ignore me."
Yun Shunnian received no response from Mu Qi. Instead, he pulled her hands away.
Yun Shunnian's heart turned to ash.
*Mu Qi, must we come to this?*
As she thought this, Yun Shunnian had already made up her mind.
But in the next second, Mu Qi pulled her into his embrace.
Mu Qi placed one hand on Yun Shunnian's back and used the other to cup the back of her head, pulling her forcefully into his chest.
"Stop crying. It's all my fault.
I shouldn't have ignored you.
Baby, I'm sorry."
Mu Qi leaned down and kissed away Yun Shunnian's tears.
Yun Shunnian was stunned, completely unable to comprehend what was happening.
*Mu Qi, he was rejecting her just moments ago, why is he suddenly...*
"What's wrong?" Mu Qi saw Yun Shunnian's dazed expression and her lack of reaction. He waved his hand in front of her eyes, feeling anxious.
Yun Shunnian came back to her senses and grabbed Mu Qi's hand.
"You can't ignore me even when you're angry," Yun Shunnian demanded possessively.
"Mhm. I understand."
Yun Shunnian's mood lifted.
She hopped onto Mu Qi, seeking a kiss.
Mu Qi gazed at Yun Shunnian's lips, a dark intensity in his eyes. This time, he didn't dodge, letting Yun Shunnian kiss him.
But this time, it was Mu Qi, not Yun Shunnian, who was more passionate.
Mu Qi held Yun Shunnian's head tightly, his kisses resonating with sound.
Consequently, Shan Gong, Ning Yi, and the others, even with their backs turned, blushed furiously.
"Ning Yi, I'll go clean the kitchen again."
A newly hired young maid, her face flushed with embarrassment, spoke up.
Ning Yi glanced at her and, seeing she was still practically a child, immediately waved her off towards the kitchen.
Watching the young maid clean the kitchen, Ning Yi fell into thought.
It seemed that the kitchen of Qiyuan would only get cleaner from now on.
A few seconds later, the sounds that made people blush showed no signs of stopping.
Should I take this opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding for the young master and Yun Shunnian, who treat me as a third party?
As Shan Gong had this thought, he slowly turned his head.
His Adam's apple bobbed nervously as he prepared to speak and clear the air.
However, Ning Yi pulled him back.
Ning Yi frowned: "How can this child be so thoughtless? How dare he interrupt the young master at a time like this?"
"Ning Yi?" Shan Gong looked confused.
"Ning Yi, I have something to..."
What could be so important that it couldn't wait?
Shan Gong: ...
After Ning Yi interrupted him, Shan Gong's newfound courage vanished.
Shan Gong stealthily glanced back towards Yun Shunnian and Mu Qi, only to find that Mu Qi had already noticed him.
Then, seeing Mu Qi distracted, Yun Shunnian also looked in Shan Gong's direction.
Yun Shunnian: *He must think Shan Gong is seducing Mu Qi, which is why Mu Qi is distracted.*
Mu Qi: *He's coveting my baby!*