Chapter 34

Her phoenix-like eyes lifted with a smile, and the sparkling starlight within them revealed genuine sincerity. It seemed she truly regarded her as a friend.

"Are you and I the only ones?" Ye Chunxi asked her.

Gu Qiang enjoyed a prominent reputation at the university. Her appearance and talent were one thing, but the most important factor was her "influence."

Throughout Jincheng University, regardless of the year, her supporters were always numerous.

It was rumored that her family background was formidable, yet she herself hardly fit the stereotype of a wealthy heiress.

"That fellow Chu Wang is busy today," Gu Qiang said casually. "I'd feel embarrassed bringing anyone else."

Ye Chunxi's lips twitched slightly.

In a place like this, ordinary people passing by would at most take out their phones to take pictures, silently sighing at the vast gap between themselves and the wealthy.

If they were to step inside, they would undoubtedly look like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden.

"Who is Chu Wang?"

This was the second time Ye Chunxi had heard this name from her.

Gu Qiang replied indifferently, "Like me, he's from the Imperial Capital. We've met a few times before, both got accepted into Jincheng University, and ended up in the same major. We get along pretty well."

Pretty well?

Ye Chunxi raised an eyebrow.

With this kind of fate, their relationship was probably more than just "pretty well."

Before the dishes were served, Ye Chunxi was eager to indulge in a bit of gossip, but Gu Qiang, looking at her phone and smiling foolishly, attracted her even more.

Ye Chunxi couldn't help asking, "What are you looking at?"

"A manga. Do you read them?" Gu Qiang held up her phone.

Filled with curiosity, Ye Chunxi was caught off guard when she saw an aesthetically pleasing man and woman on the screen intertwined with one another. She hurriedly looked away, the tips of her ears flushing a pale red.

Seeing this reaction, Gu Qiang couldn't help asking, "Don't you read manga?"

Ye Chunxi shook her head. "No impression of it."

What she loved were animated cartoons.

"Well, but I still have to recommend this to you."

Gu Qiang enthusiastically introduced the manga to Ye Chunxi, repeatedly using words like "super pampered" and "super sweet" to entice Ye Chunxi to read it.

Yet Ye Chunxi's reaction remained lukewarm.

In the end, she yielded to Gu Qiang's insistent demand, downloaded the manga app under her supervision, and bookmarked it.

Under Gu Qiang's death stare, she helplessly read two chapters until the dishes were fully served.

While eating, Gu Qiang was still chattering away, "I'm telling you, that manga is insanely good! You absolutely must finish reading it!"

Ye Chunxi smiled, failing to understand this obsession of hers.

The meal was spent in a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

Aside from the manga, Gu Qiang also shared quite a bit of school gossip with Ye Chunxi.

Suddenly, she asked, "Where are you from? Judging by your accent, you don't sound like a local from Jincheng."

Ye Chunxi realized this as well, and for this reason, she had even gone out of her way to check her own records. The address of the orphanage was in a city near the Imperial Capital.

Gu Qiang smiled. "Then we really are destined."

"You're a freshman, so this must be your first time in Jincheng. Have you heard of Jin Yuchuan?"

Ye Chunxi's movements paused.

Gu Qiang didn't notice and continued on her own, "He's quite formidable. Originally a young master from an Imperial Capital family, he came all the way here to start his own business. Not only did he succeed, but he also established absolute influence. Everyone in all of Jincheng has to address him as 'Master'."

Accustomed to others calling her older brother Master Jin, Ye Chunxi only now learned the origin of this title, and also just discovered that he was from the Imperial Capital.

Still, it made sense.

After finishing the meal, Gu Qiang invited her to go shopping.

Just as they reached the entrance, she realized she had left her car keys in the private dining room.

"Xixi, wait here for a moment. I'll go get the car keys."

Ye Chunxi nodded. "Go ahead."

In the blink of an eye, she took out her phone and continued reading the manga from earlier.

Hearing this address, Su Nanzhi, who was the first to step down, couldn't help looking at the girl standing at the entrance.

Her slightly drooping, long eyelashes fluttered gently like a butterfly's thin wings.

Her skin was as white as porcelain, and her long hair was soft.

A few stray strands of hair fell, making her fair and delicate skin look like it was carved from jade.

Sunlight suddenly fluttered down, landing on her, hazy and ethereal, resembling a traced ancient painting, breathtakingly graceful and stunning.

Su Nanzhi was stunned.

Mu Mingshu walked over, and seeing her unusual state, asked, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"

Following Su Nanzhi's gaze, she unexpectedly bumped into a pair of fawn-like eyes.

The eyes were deep black, crystal-clear, and bright, like a carefully polished piece of fine jade, radiating a soft luster.

They were unexpectedly identical to Su Nanzhi's!

She turned her head, intending to confirm it with Mu Yicheng.

Yet she didn't expect the other party to move even faster than her; the moment he saw Ye Chunxi, he quickened his pace.

"Xi... are you here to eat too?" Mu Yicheng's demeanor was restrained.

Ye Chunxi raised her gaze to look at him.

Although she indicated she could accept the care of this stranger before her, deep down she still cared very much.

When it came to interpersonal interactions, she was never good at them.

Ye Chunxi nodded. "Mmm."

The atmosphere was slightly awkward, and Mu Yicheng mustered the courage to continue asking, "Did you accept the bracelet I sent you?"

"I heard from my older brother that your younger sister also went missing when she was little, which is why you treat me like a sister," Ye Chunxi took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

Her soft voice made Mu Yicheng tighten his grip.

Ye Chunxi continued, "However, please make it clear, Young Master Mu, I am not your sister. I hope you can face reality."

Mu Yicheng clenched both hands into fists, his voice desolate, "I know."

He knew who his biological sister was, but he couldn't acknowledge her.

The loss of a family member was a heavy blow to anyone.

Ye Chunxi pressed her lips together. "I accepted that bracelet. Thank you, Young Master Mu."

The title "Young Master Mu" severed their relationship completely, and also chilled Mu Yicheng's heart to the bone.

Watching from not far away, Su Nanzhi tightly grasped Mu Mingshu's hand, her eye sockets already brimming with tears.

Yet a voice suddenly ringing out from behind forced her to swallow those tears back.

"Grandson, what are you standing there for?"

Mu Yicheng turned sideways. "Grandfather, I'm coming right over."

Turning back to bid farewell to Ye Chunxi, Mu Bochuan saw a young girl standing in front of him. His eyes lit up, and he hurried over to give Mu Yicheng a shove, but failed to push him aside.

He appraised Ye Chunxi.

She was fair and clean-looking, appeared well-behaved, and was truly endearing.

"Young lady, do you know my eldest grandson here?"

The elderly man's sudden appearance caught Ye Chunxi off guard. She glanced at Mu Yicheng and nodded, inwardly surprised as to why Elder Mu would appear here.

Mu Bochuan continued asking, "Then what kind of relationship do you two have?"

Hearing this, Mu Yicheng hurriedly pulled him back.

"Grandfather, didn't you say you wanted to go out for a walk? I'll take you right now."

Mu Bochuan brushed him off. "Why weren't you this enthusiastic just now? Are you not allowing me to chat with the young lady?"

Mu Yicheng naturally thought it shouldn't be allowed, but with his words he said, "Don't misunderstand, we've only known each other for a short while."

"Oh, just met, eh?" Mu Bochuan grew even more enthusiastic.

His eldest grandson was good at everything, except that he was too busy; at twenty-five, he hadn't even been in a relationship.

People from other families worried about their young masters' scandals, but Mu Bochuan hadn't even seen a few females by his side—and those he did were secretaries.

Now, he had actually found such a vibrant, delicate young girl.

No wonder he had looked so idle these past two days.

He felt as though he instantly understood that rascal son's decision.

Mu Bochuan stared straight at Ye Chunxi and continued asking, "Young lady, what do you think of my Ah Heng?"

Ye Chunxi wore a troubled expression and looked at Mu Yicheng.

The latter wanted to speak up and explain, but Su Nanzhi suddenly walked up and took Mu Bochuan's arm.

"Dad, don't meddle in young people's affairs. Let's get in the car first."

With him, an old man, standing here, he truly felt superfluous.

Mu Bochuan readily agreed, "Alright then, let's get in the car first. Ah Heng, take your time, Grandfather isn't in a rush."

Su Nanzhi glanced at Ye Chunxi twice more before reluctantly leading Mu Bochuan away.

Her hand couldn't help but tighten, but fearing Mu Bochuan would sense anything unusual, she restrained herself and relaxed it.

Mu Yicheng offered an awkward smile. "Well... my grandfather is just like this, please don't mind it."

"It's fine," Ye Chunxi shook her head.

Looking up, she happened to see Gu Qiang coming down.

"I'm leaving first."

After exchanging a greeting with Mu Yicheng, Ye Chunxi stepped forward to meet Gu Qiang. But Gu Qiang suddenly stopped in her tracks, her tone incredulous, "Sister Mingshu! Why are you here?"

The intimate form of address caused Mu Mingshu to turn her head, and seeing the person approaching, she smiled and responded.

"So it's little Gu Qiang."

Gu Qiang stepped forward excitedly. "I heard you just returned from your tour, how did you end up in Jincheng?"

"I came here to handle some matters," Mu Mingshu said, her gaze glancing inadvertently at Ye Chunxi.

Knowing it wasn't convenient for her to speak of it, Gu Qiang didn't press further.

"If it weren't for having to mind my studies, I would never have missed this tour!"

Starlight flashed in Gu Qiang's eyes, resembling a fan suddenly encountering an idol, filled with surprise and exceptional excitement.

"I really want to hear Sister Mingshu's playing again," she sighed with regret.

Both of them were from the Imperial Capital, and their families had business interactions. Due to busy schedules, Mu Mingshu occasionally attended banquets.

Gu Qiang, who hated being constrained, never missed a single event, all just to get acquainted with Mu Mingshu.

Knowing that Gu Qiang had attended her concert in person under the dual pressure of studies and family, and had repeatedly watched every single one online without missing any, Mu Mingshu was deeply touched.

Moreover, Gu Qiang had a forthright personality, which forged a deep bond between them despite the generation gap.

Regarding the news of the concert, aside from her family, Gu Qiang was the first to know.

Mu Mingshu's eyes and brows were gentle. "I'll be in Jincheng for this period. If you want to listen, you can come find me."

"Can I?" Gu Qiang's eyes widened, her excitement overflowing.

Before she could confirm it again, Mu Mingshu sent her an address, her beautiful eyes curving with a faint smile.

"Remember to give a heads-up when you come."

Gu Qiang hurriedly took out her phone to check. That foolishly smiling appearance left Ye Chunxi frozen on the spot.

Didn't they all say Sister Qiang was cool and fierce? What was up with this little fangirl right before her eyes?

Fortunately, she hadn't reached the point of forgetting her friends because of an idol.

"Then I'll head over when I have time. I've arranged to go shopping with a friend, so I'll be leaving first."

Mu Mingshu smiled and nodded, suddenly seeing her walk straight toward Ye Chunxi, her expression stiffening slightly.

Ye Chunxi half-jokingly remarked, "So Sister Qiang has this side to her too."

"Are you kidding me? That's Sister Mingshu! Mu Mingshu!!" Gu Qiang repeated emphatically, looking precisely like when she had recommended the manga to her earlier. "The world's youngest piano master, and she has composed quite a few pieces, two of which are in the top ten worldwide for difficulty!"