063 The Little Kitten Fed Until It Got Angry

This man's attentiveness far exceeded Mu Qingcheng's expectations. In truth, even Si Qingchen himself seemed to be beyond what she could have anticipated. This man, spoken of in hushed tones, standing alone at the pyramid's peak like a rare and precious species—aloof, enigmatic—was now displaying a tenderness that seemed to come from his very bones.

His gentleness was so real, so tangible, that it was almost impossible to believe. Whether it was the stray bones in the fish or the stray ginger and scallion bits on the greens, he meticulously picked them all out, leaving nothing behind.

“Qingcheng, here, try this,”
“Qingcheng, have some more soup,”
“Qingcheng, be careful, it’s hot,”

Si Qingchen attended to Mu Qingcheng with a natural ease. Even though he never needed the servants’ assistance when he ate, even though the servants around him were so astonished their jaws had dropped, the man acted entirely at his own pace. Every gesture, every look he cast at the girl across from him, was brimming with overflowing gentleness.

Mu Qingcheng looked at the dishes piled up before her like a small mountain and couldn’t help but frown in distress. When she saw Si Qingchen picking up yet another piece of fish for her, she immediately pressed down on his wrist and shook her head in refusal.

“Si Qingchen, I really can’t eat anymore.”

“No, have a bit more. You’re far too thin.”

But the man ignored her protest. With his other hand, he forcefully removed the girl’s small hand and placed the piece of fish squarely onto her already overflowing plate.

“…I’m not eating anymore.”
Irritated, the girl simply put down her chopsticks and pressed her lips together stubbornly.

Si Qingchen was ladling soup for her just then. Seeing that the little one was truly upset, he paused and temporarily set the bowl aside. He took one of her small hands in his own, gently coaxing,

“Qingcheng, do you remember the last time, when I didn’t take care of you and your stomach hurt?”

“…Yes,”

“I don’t ever want to see you suffer again, not even a little, not at all.”

Listening to this sudden “confession” from Si Qingchen, Mu Qingcheng felt her whole body flush with heat. She had been able to meet his gaze with some composure, but now she was utterly flustered. She fidgeted helplessly, at a complete loss as to how to respond.

Even the servants at the side couldn’t help but exchange glances, their faces filled with unmitigated astonishment. When had their iron-blooded young master ever become so soft and gentle? This Miss Mu was truly extraordinary.

At this moment, everyone in the Si household could not help but look at Mu Qingcheng with newfound respect.

On her side, however, Mu Qingcheng was not nearly so at ease. One hand was clasped firmly in his, and she was forced to listen to his domineering “confession”—why did it make her whole body tingle as if an electric current had run through her?

For a long moment, as she stayed silent, Si Qingchen chuckled softly, lowering his voice deliberately as he continued,

“Qingcheng, be good, let’s eat, shall we? Only by eating will you be healthy. Only by eating will your stomach not hurt. All right?”

“I understand.”

For once, Mu Qingcheng was obedient, feeling her ears burn with embarrassment, finally surrendering her resistance. Under Si Qingchen’s intense gaze, she meekly picked up her bowl and continued eating.

****

Elsewhere, in a certain villa—

“Sis, according to reliable sources, Senior Qin went to your house to deliver materials to that girl!”

“What did you say?!”

Lying on a massage chair, enjoying a beauty treatment, Ran Siya abruptly sat up. She shoved aside the attendants clustered around her and strode angrily to the window. Staring at the distant Mu family estate, her brows knit together in a fierce, unbreakable knot.

“Sis? Siya, are you still listening?”

After a long silence, Ran Siya suddenly let out a cold laugh. Speaking into the receiver, her voice was chilling,

“Heh—think you’ll pass the exam so easily? It won’t be that simple!”