Pretending to be familiar

Mu Qingcheng had intended to refuse both Qin Beichu and Si Qingchen at the same time. One was childish, the other cunning and scheming, and together they made her already hectic life even more chaotic.

But...

"Miss Mu, the Si family residence is in the southern part of the city, and we still have some distance to go. You can rest for a while if you like. There's a blanket on the seat next to you, and water under the armrest. If you need anything else, just let me know through the intercom," Si Bei said, glancing at Mu Qingcheng in the back seat through the rearview mirror. Once he'd finished, he thoughtfully raised the partition in the middle.

Mu Qingcheng was still in a daze. She hadn't figured out how, almost as if possessed, she had let herself be coaxed by that uncle Si Qingchen and gotten into the Si family's car.

Just a dozen minutes earlier—

After taking the phone from Si Bei, Mu Qingcheng heard a man's low chuckle on the other end.

She cleared her throat, which was a little dry, and asked awkwardly, "Why are you calling me?"

At that moment, Mu Qingcheng had no idea how different her attitude was when she faced Si Qingchen. On the other hand, Qin Beichu, standing nearby, felt a strange discomfort coil slowly around his heart.

Meanwhile, upon hearing her slightly annoyed tone, Si Qingchen's mood inexplicably brightened. He stepped out from his dimly lit room and stood by the only window, speaking in a gentle voice, "Qingcheng, are you angry with me?"

"No," she replied quickly, but her answer betrayed her discontent.

A faint smile played on Si Qingchen's lips as he tilted his face to the sunlight. The nearing midday sun streamed through the narrow window, dazzling and brilliant.

He narrowed his eyes, as if he could see Mu Qingcheng's ever-calm, delicate face. Like today's sun, even half-veiled by clouds, she still managed to shine with a dazzling radiance.

"I've had some matters to deal with these past few days, that's why I haven't contacted you. It wasn't intentional," he explained proactively, making the girl's heart beat faster.

Mu Qingcheng blinked and walked to the side with her phone. Seeing this, Qin Beichu's face went cold. He instinctively wanted to follow, but Si Bei stepped in front and blocked his path.

"You—"

Just then, footsteps sounded behind them, and an aged voice called out in surprise, "Beichu, is that you? What brings you here?"

Qin Beichu turned to see Old Master Mu appear in the hall. He immediately curbed his anger, strode forward, and greeted him respectfully, "Grandpa Mu, it's me."

"And you are here to...?" The old man glanced at Si Bei not far away, then at his obedient granddaughter on the phone, a look of puzzlement on his face.

"I came to see Qingcheng," Qin Beichu replied.

"...Qingcheng?" Old Master Mu's eyes widened in surprise at the way he addressed her. He remembered clearly that his precious granddaughter had never been fond of excessive socializing. Yet this young man called her so intimately...

"Are you two close?" he asked.

Qin Beichu's heart skipped a beat. He nodded and said, "Yes, we've met a few times. We're fairly familiar."

"Good, good," the old man said.

Not far away, overhearing their conversation, Si Bei frowned unconsciously. He had underestimated him. A cold snort echoed in his heart as his gaze toward Qin Beichu darkened.

At that moment, Mu Qingcheng returned. After handing the phone back to Si Bei, she looked at her grandfather and said softly, "Grandpa, I'm going to the stables."

"The stables?" Both Qin Beichu and Si Bei were stunned.

Old Master Mu hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and said, "Alright, go and come back soon. Be careful."

"Mm, I know," she replied. With that, Mu Qingcheng turned and walked out the door.

But both Si Bei and Housekeeper Ji clearly saw the tips of the girl's ears—blushing an unmistakable shade of red!