His house?
He said it so matter-of-factly!
His house? He can just hide in a corner and listen to her talk?
Why should he?
Did he tell Mu Yichuan too?!
"My house, it doesn't count as eavesdropping."
Xin Yu couldn't hold back any longer. She raised her other hand and slapped Nan Yu, eventually even using her legs.
But reality was cruel. She was pressed down on the table, her flushed face pressed against the smooth surface, even more humiliating than when she lost to Mu Yi'ai!
"You, you let me go! Qiu Zhi, I won't let you get away with this!" Xin Yu cried out, "I'm the elder!"
Elder?
Qiu Zhi pressed down harder. Even in this state, the little girl still dared to take advantage of him!
"You bad guy! If my arm is broken, if I get hurt again, I—" Xin Yu didn't dare to finish her sentence; his strength was simply too great.
"What? Tell Ninth Brother?" Qiu Zhi snorted twice, then his tone softened as he leaned down slightly. "Tell me, if I tell Ninth Brother what I heard that night, will he..."
Yes!
Without guessing, Xin Yu knew Mu Yichuan would be furious.
And then punish her in a way she couldn't imagine!
But...!
"I have absolutely no relationship with Nan Juechen!" Xin Yu tried to explain. "I... I've only met him twice. The first time was during military training, and the second time was last night, with Mu Yi'ai."
"So you left early last night to see Nan Juechen?!"
"Qiu Zhi, you bastard! You're twisting the facts!" She clearly said she was with Mu Yi'ai, didn't he hear that?!
"And, and, last night was—"
"You brat! What are you doing?!"
Before Xin Yu could finish speaking, Grandma Qiu came in and slapped Qiu Zhi hard on the back. "You brat, let that girl go right now!" Grandma Qiu said angrily, quickly helping Xin Yu up while gently patting her back and glaring at her grandson. "Tell me, is this how you interrogate someone?!"
Qiu Zhi's lips twitched; his back burned with pain. His grandmother was definitely siding with his family.
And, his grandmother really was…
Interrogating!
Explaining how long she'd been outside!
Have she heard everything? Hopefully, she wouldn't hear about her conversation with Mu Yichuan!
"Who interrogated her? I was just teasing her," Qiu Zhi lied without batting an eye.
This earned him a glare from Xin Yu.
He raised an eyebrow, his peach blossom eyes flashing with a burning light. "Tell me, isn't that right?"
"What is it?" Xin Yu was furious. She wouldn't go along with him!
Her arm still hurt! "What? What? Did you ask me for help earlier?"
Damn it!
Xin Yu stared speechlessly at this scoundrel. He dared to threaten her?!
"Help with what? You've made a mess of things!" Grandma Qiu looked at her grandson with disbelief, reaching out to pull Xin Yu along. "Girl, don't be afraid, Grandma will stand up for you."
Xin Yu lowered her eyes, her dark pupils darting around, then looked up at Qiu Zhi. "So... are you going to help or not?"
"Of course I'll help!" Qiu Zhi's face changed so quickly!
"Then... you can't tell Mu Yichuan!"
"What can't you tell Mr. Jiu? Are you close to Mr. Jiu?" Grandma Qiu looked at Xin Yu suspiciously, recalling the way Mu Yichuan had looked at her that night.
She was about to nod when Qiu Zhi grabbed her head.
"What are you doing?" Xin Yu couldn't move her head, completely bewildered by his action.
Grandma Qiu grew increasingly puzzled, looking up at Qiu Zhi, "A-Zhi!"
"Grandma, don't listen to her nonsense. She doesn't know Mr. Jiu at all." Qiu Zhi massaged his grandmother's shoulders in a conciliatory manner. "She's just spouting nonsense to scare me!"
As he spoke, he gave Xin Yu a sinister look, his lips moving as if to threaten her.
She was shocked, not understanding why Qiu Zhi said this.
However, since she had asked for his help, she had to show some respect.
"Yes, Grandma, I...I don't know Mr. Mu...Mr. Jiu." Xin Yu forced a smile.
"That's good. Stay away from him." Grandma Qiu patted Xin Yu's hand, then turned to Qiu Zhi and said, "You're not allowed to bully the girl anymore. If I see you doing it again, I'll punish you according to family rules."
Finally, Grandma Qiu came downstairs to see Grandpa Qiu, and Xin Yu grabbed Qiu Zhi, "What do you mean?"
Why couldn't she admit her relationship with Mu Yichuan?
Why was Grandma Qiu telling her to stay away from Mu Yichuan? "Could it be because of Qiu—" Feng's name was still on her lips when Qiu Zhi interrupted her.
"Didn't you say you wanted to help? I can treat Nan Yu's scar."
Only if he could treat it!
This little girl is really worried!
She'll be punished by Ninth Brother sooner or later, but that's not his concern!
"You…" This jerk, he really has her wrapped around his little finger.
Xin Yu looked up at Qiu Zhi, completely unaware of his thoughts. Everything she was doing was because of Mu Yi'ai last night.
"Alright, you can go now."
"Qiu Zhi?!" What happened to helping?!
"Please call me Dr. Qiu." He slumped back into his chair. "I can treat it, but I don't offer home visits."
He gestured for her to leave.
Xin Yu pouted slightly and left his office.
Meanwhile, Qiu Zhi's captivating eyes remained fixed on the doorway…
Xin Yu left the hospital, walked to the nearby plaza, took out her phone, and saw a message from Mu Yichuan.
"Come here, keep me company."
Oh my god!
Xin Yu looked at the time on the screen; it had been sent almost an hour ago.
Did she receive it when she arrived at the hospital?!
Helplessly, she walked towards Mu Yichuan's office, calling Nan Yu as she went.
"Hello, Nan Yu, this is Xin Yu. I have something I'd like to ask you. I'll treat you to lunch tomorrow. What would you like to eat?" Xin Yu rattled off the words as soon as the call connected.
Firstly, she felt awkward; secondly, she was afraid of being rejected.
"Xin Yu, Nan Yu is busy right now."
...!
The voice on the other end of the line was a typical deep, pleasant, and calm middle-aged man's voice.
Even if she didn't know Nan Juechen, she could guess he was a soldier.
"Um... I'm so sorry, I—" Xin Yu stammered, her tongue practically tied in knots, "I didn't know you answered the phone."
"What? Are you afraid of me?"
"..." Xin Yu was indeed startled by these words. This commander spoke with such force and directness!
"Is your back injury any better?" Nan Juechen couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the little girl on the other end of the phone refusing to let a male doctor examine her.
"Okay, okay." Xin Yu imagined his face, so similar to her mother's, and couldn't help but ask, "Commander Nan, what's your birth order in the Nan family?"
"Hmm?" Nan Juechen paused, surprised by Xin Yu's question. Based on his years of military experience, he immediately became alert. "Why do you ask?"
"Ah... well..." Xin Yu didn't know how to explain herself, "I just think you look a bit like someone I've met before, so I wanted to figure out your relationship?"
"Oh? Is that so?" Nan Juechen was surprised. "Where did you see that? I'll go see if we look alike sometime!"
"I saw it a long time ago." Xin Yu scratched her head; she now didn't know how to mention her mother.
"I see!" Nan Juechen hesitated for a moment on the other end of the phone. "I only have one older brother, Nan Yu's father. Have you met him before?"
Xin Yu quickly denied it. She wanted to press further, but Nan Yu's clear voice came from the other end of the phone. "Xin Yu?" Nan Yu answered the phone unexpectedly, looking directly at his uncle, Nan Juechen. He had been unusually amiable on the phone earlier.
And it was with his classmate—Xin Yu!
Xin Yu quickly repeated the dinner invitation, her tone sincere. "Nan Yu, is that alright? You pick a place."
"Oh," Nan Yu replied, his tone lukewarm.
But for Xin Yu, it was at least an opportunity.
She hung up easily, but the thought of seeing Mu Yichuan made her nervous again.
Last night, although she felt he hadn't let her off the hook, he might not feel the same way!
Now, her mind was still filled with Mu Yichuan's intense, yearning black eyes and his burning body…
"Ah!" Xin Yu covered her face. Good heavens, what was she thinking!
How could she be thinking about Mu Yichuan like that!
How embarrassing!
Even after entering Mu Yichuan's office, Xin Yu's face was still flushed.
"It's hot outside?" He raised an eyebrow, staring intently at her.
Xin Yu quickly shook her head and waved her hands.
"Come here." Mu Yichuan patted his leg, gesturing for Xin Yu to sit down.
She walked over shyly, her face flushing even more.
"Missed me?" He smiled almost imperceptibly; this little look was truly alluring.
"No!" Xin Yu quickly denied, but then realized she might offend Mu Yichuan. "I didn't mean that—"
"So, did you miss me or not?"
Why keep harping on such a question?
Is the famous Mu Yichuan so free?
"Mmm." Xin Yu couldn't withstand his deep black eyes and mumbled something.
"I can't hear you."
"What do you want to eat tonight? I'm a little hungry." Xin Yu quickly changed the subject. Had this day been easy?
Mu Yichuan's cool fingers gripped her chin, drawing closer.
They paused, just centimeters apart.
Their breaths could be heard, yet he wasn't as aggressive as usual.
He seemed to be waiting.
Xin Yu's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her eyelids drooped as she looked at his handsome lips, almost perfect in shape, a pale cherry pink, just like his captivating face.
"Ahem..." Xin Yu tried to move her head, but her chin was held. "I...want."
This time, her words carried a clear shyness, reaching Mu Yichuan's ears precisely.
He said nothing, brimming with the one-centimeter distance between them.
They were pressed together seamlessly.
He only released her when Xin Yu was almost limp in his arms.
"What do you want to eat tonight?" he asked, gently stroking her back.
"You decide," Xin Yu replied, her eyes closed, leaning on his shoulder, panting. It was her treat after all.
"I said?" A hint of amusement flashed in Mu Yichuan's dark eyes. "I'll eat you."
"Mu Yichuan, you!" Xin Yu raised her hand and slapped him. He was still bullying her!
Mu Yichuan grabbed Xin Yu's wrist and slammed her onto the desk.
"No, Mu Yichuan, I'm dizzy." For some reason, Xin Yu suddenly felt dizzy.
Then, a warm, wet sensation flowed from below...