"Shengchen?" Ning Qianyu suddenly staggered up, knocking over the chair behind her. The glass in her hand clattered onto the table, and the bright red liquid splattered across the fabric of her dress. Even then, that still didn't attract Mu Shengchen's attention as he continued to be wheeled up the stairs.
However, that big commotion was enough to attract the attention of everyone else in the room. Whispers erupted as they all glanced at the woman in white and red. Their eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Mo Yan widened his eyes in alert. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Professor Mo Yan. It's just that...I saw someone I knew. I'll be back, just give me a few minutes." She bowed politely at her professor before racing after the crowd, pushing past the crowd of people.
He blinked in surprise as his eyes fell onto the bag that Ning Qianyu had left. "Qianyu," he called out, but she was already far gone. Not knowing what else to do, he grabbed the bag and followed her sprinting figure.
She had already caught up to the second floor when she saw Ye Xi pushing Mu Shengchen towards the corner up ahead.
"Shengchen!" she shouted.
Hearing the clear voice, a ripple appeared in Mu Shengchen's calm eyes.
Everyone stopped walking as they turned to look at the unfamiliar woman who had appeared in the midst. Her hair was ruffled, and her dress was already creased from the spilled drink. Who was she that she could call the Young Master so intimately?
Mu Zhengsheng turned around and looked past the crowd. When he saw her thin frame, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Ye Xi whispered in his boss's ear, "Young Master Chen, Young Mistress has arrived."
Immediately, his calm disposition had changed. His eyes became unfocused, and the line in his lips started to twitch infrequently. His fingers drummed against the side of his chair. Obviously the woman's presence had disrupted him.
"Hm," Mu Zhengsheng hummed to himself as he glanced at him then at her.
Interesting. Crossing his arms over his chest, a thought-provoking smile appeared on his lips.
Everyone dispersed, creating a pathway for the two of them. Ye Xi pushed Mu Shengchen over until they were at the end of the crowd, right in front of Ning Qianyu.
When she noticed Mu Zhengsheng standing behind them, she could feel her insides shriveling up inside of her. She bowed her head and placed her hands on top of one another. "Second Uncle," she said respectfully.
Hearing her address Mu Zhengsheng in this manner, they'd be a fool if they still didn't know who she was.
But when did Young Master Mu get married? Why didn't they receive the news? How were they not informed?
"Qianyu, Shengchen will be treating all of us today to celebrate his promotion." Mu Zhengsheng smiled kindly as he waved her over. "Why don't you come and eat with us together?"
"I...Of course." She slowly walked to his side, unable to move.
"Weren't you eating with someone? Why are you in such a mess?" His gaze fell over her stained dress, and the corner of his lips curled up into a sneer. She could see his clenched fists and knew enough of what he was feeling.
"I came here in such a hurry that I knocked over my drink." Her cheeks flushed red as she tried to cover up the stain on her skirt. Right, this wouldn't be the most appropriate time to show up.
The mocking smile on his face instantly disappeared. However, before he could say another word, Mo Yan stepped towards them. He waved up Ning Qianyu's bag as if he had caught a treasure. "Classmate Ning," he called out. "You forgot to take your bag."
His appearance instantly changed everything. The temperature across the corridor dropped by several degrees as everyone's eyes trained on him.
The other shareholders glanced at Mu Shengchen then at Ning Qianyu, trying to guess what had happened.
Seeing this whole ordeal, Mu Zhengsheng cocked up his eyebrow. "What are you all waiting for?" he demanded at the others. "Are you all still not going in? Don't you want to eat?" Impatience laced his voice.
No matter how curious everyone was, they immediately have to follow their Vice Director. Taking one last look at the couple, they finally disappeared into the room.
Now, only four people stood in the corridor.
"Thank you, Professor Mo Yan." She plastered a smile on her face as she awkwardly accepted the bag.
"It's no problem." Mo Yan glanced at the man in the wheelchair.
Although he was sitting in the wheelchair, his strong features and cold eyes showed that he wasn't the type of man to be taken advantage of. Glancing at him for a while was enough to intimate him. He instantly looked away.
Even then, annoyance pinched the edges of his heart. "Do you know him, Classmate Ning?"
"Shengchen, this is Professor Mo Yan. I told you about him," Ning Qianyu first introduced the professor to her husband.
"I am Mu Shengchen." He held up his hand as if he was a noble in the palace.
Mo Yan's smile was bright, and his eyes were even brighter. But, even then, they still weren't able to match the man's intimidating demeanor. Straightening his back, he reached out to shake his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The two of them stared at each other for a long time, assessing each other's appearance.
Originally, they would've already released their hands, but as each second had passed, the men only exerted their strength into their grip even more. It was obvious that none of them were willing to back down.
Noticing this, Ning Qianyu immediately broke through their fierce competition.
"Professor Mo Yan, I have to apologize. I originally planned to treat you to a meal, but I only made you eat half of it before running away." Not knowing what came up, she could only apologize on her behalf. As her face blossomed with guilt, she bowed her head.
"It's fine." Mo Yan smiled stiffly.
"Ye Xi, why don't you order something else for Professor Mo Yan? To make up for the huge ordeal." Mu Shengchen finally let go of the man's hand as if nothing had happened as he glanced at his assistant.
"Of course."
"There's no need." The corners of his lips twitched downwards as he immediately grasped his fallen hand.
Mo Shengchen's grip was so strong that his hand had turned red from the mere grasp. Fuck! What the hell was this man eating?
"Professor Mo Yan, I really am sorry," she apologized again.
What else could he say? With a smile, he waved his hand. "I've already finished my meal anyway. I'll take my leave after I foot the bill."
"What? No, I said it's my treat." Ning Qianyu was about to go downstairs to pay when Mu Shengchen had stopped her.
"Ye Xi, please pay Professor Mo Yan's bill." An elegant smile appeared on his lips as he ordered his assistant.
Although his voice was gentle, there was a violent undertone behind it that made the man shiver. "Understood, Young Master." His body trembled as he sprinted down the stairs as fast as he could to pay the bill.
"Then, I'll leave first." With one last wave, Mo Yan quickly walked away.
"I..." Before she could say anything, he was already gone. She blinked in confusion. "Why did he leave so quickly?"
Mu Shengchen turned his head to glance at her. Seeing her furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips, his face turned cold. Without another word, he controlled his wheelchair to turn around and walk into the room.
"Shengchen," she called out, running after him.
Seeing that he was already heading into the banquet hall, she quieted down as she pulled out a chair for him. She spread a towel on his lap before sitting down right beside him. Even then, he still didn't speak. The people present also didn't say a word as they shared looks and cast glances at the couple.
It didn't take long for the dishes to be served. As soon as they came out, Ning Qianyu immediately started to work. She sliced the pork ribs, deboned the fish, and even removed the peppers and garlic that he hated. Everything was so meticulously done.
The others couldn't help but gaze at his plate enviously. "I wish I have a wife like that," one of the shareholders whispered to his friend, only to get elbowed in the stomach. Mu Shengchen, however, continued to act unaffected by it all as he gazed at Ning Qianyu's clean plates.
Seeing the questioning look in his eyes, she smiled, scooping a spoonful of soup. "I've already eaten, but I still want to eat with you," she said sweetly.
The hardness on his face relaxed, and the corners of his lips raised.
No one really knew what Ning Qianyu had said exactly, but they could tell that Young Master Mu's mood had improved drastically.