Seeing the gift in his hands and how Muzi intentionally created this moment for them, Yan could no longer ignore his existence. Therefore, she went up to him and greeted him.
When Yan called Xiao Su by his name, he faintly came to his senses. He came here today to deliver his gift. When he found out that the grand opening of Yan’s shop was today, he immediately asked to tag along with Young Master Ye, yet he noticed that the woman he had been missing day and night had lost considerable weight. Even though she did look better now, it still hurt Xiao Su’s heart to see her this way. He realized that he liked her face more when there was some baby fat. She looked way too skinny now.
“Congratulations on the grand opening. I only found out about this today, so I picked this gift in a rush. I hope you like it.” Xiao Su then gave the gift to her.
As Han Muzi was walking up the stairs, she heard what Xiao Su said. This brought a smile to her face, but she secretly disagreed with Xiao Su’s straightforward way of opening the conversation. Those words sounded too formal given their relationship—it was as if they did not know each other.
Han Muzi turned back and peeked at Xiao Su, only to be grabbed by her waist by Ye Moxuan. He commented in a cold voice, “Please pay attention. I don’t want you to trip.”
His words brought Han Muzi to her senses. She looked askance at Ye Moxuan and rebuked gently, “Didn’t you ask me not to interfere when I wanted to talk to Qing about Yan? You told me we don’t have enough time for ourselves, so what’s this? You don’t let me interfere, but now you’re helping Xiao Su. Isn’t this a double standard?”
The two reached the second floor as they took the last step. Then, Ye Moxuan loosened his arm around her, finally feeling safe to do so. He then lifted his eyes and quietly looked at her. He asked in a deep voice, “Who told you I brought Xiao Su along?”
“Who else was it?”
“If he asked you, would you say no?”
Han Muzi did not know how to respond.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere downstairs was somewhat awkward.
Hearing these words, Yan could only accept the gift and smile formally in response. “Thank you. I’ll definitely like it. Appreciate your thoughts.”
As Mr. Zhou and Luo Huimei listened to their conversation, it did not make them feel suspicious about anything. Besides, Mr. Zhou knew Xiao Su and that he was the right-hand man of Young Master Ye. He would be seen wherever Young Master Ye was. It then made sense for Xiao Su, Young Master Ye’s assistant, to be here at his daughter’s shop since Young Master Ye was here. Furthermore, since Xiao Su came, it would be sensible for him to bring a gift. Therefore, Mr. Zhou did not suspect anything.
After passing the gift to Yan, Mr. Zhou quickly found a seat for Xiao Su. Sitting in front of Yan’s parents, Xiao Su appeared to be awkward and restrained.
“Assistant Xiao, is Young Master Ye okay with little President Ye working here?” Mr. Zhou cautiously enquired in his deep voice the moment Xiao Su sat down. Since Mr. Zhou could never understand President Ye’s temperament and could never dare to ask him himself, he felt he would be able to get some information from Assistant Xiao instead.
He was right. After hearing his inquiry, Xiao Su explained earnestly, “Manager Zhou, please don’t worry. Little Bean’s been with Yan for so many years and they’re very close. Young Master Ye won’t have a problem with that.” Since Young Lady Ye’s here, how could he have a problem? Besides, he was already stopped by Young Lady Ye earlier when he asked that question. For once, he had to explain himself. That situation was a first for Xiao Su.
After hearing that, Mr. Zhou nodded, feeling at ease. He then continued with a smiley face, “That’s good to hear. I was fearing that it might have offended President Ye.”
“You guys continue. I’ll go in and help out first.” After seeing that Xiao Su was able to carry a conversation with her father, Yan headed toward the inside of the shop. Luo Huimei also followed suit. “Yan, let me help.”
Xiao Su stared blankly at Yan for a moment as she walked away. I’m not supposed to be here, especially after what she said to me. I should be staying away from her for some time. But… I couldn’t help it after hearing her name. I just had to be here with a gift. I don’t know what I’m doing, or if I’m doing it right… But I have to at least do something. Otherwise… it’d be over as far as I’m concerned.
Lifting his head, Mr. Zhou noticed that Xiao Su was staring blankly in a certain direction. So, he turned around and found out that it was the direction where his daughter went. He blinked as if he had just made a discovery.
“Miss Yan.” After Yan went in, the two helpers that she hired came up to greet her.
“Hello. Do carry on with your work.” After she said this, she started getting busy too. At this point, Luo Huimei came up to her and whispered, “That friend of yours is very lucky.”
“Huh?” These sudden words caught Yan off guard. She did not understand what her mother was saying. “Mom, what do you mean?”
“I’m talking about your friend, Muzi.”
“What about her?”
“Nothing. I’m just exclaiming. She married the right person.” Luo Huimei continued earnestly while standing next to Yan, “Your father always tells me how difficult President Ye is. He’s gorgeous and so well-off, yet your friend still has him wrapped around her finger. Tell me; isn’t she lucky?”
Yan was confused before she realized Luo Huimei was talking about Muzi. Even though Muzi looked happy right now, she used to go through so many hardships, and Yan knew all about them. But Yan did not plan on telling Luo Huimei about all that. Instead, she nodded, echoing her mother’s words. “Uh-huh. She’s lucky indeed.”
“For a woman, it’s exceedingly important who you marry. Marriage is like a woman’s second life; if she’s not married to the right one, it’s as if she’s thrown into a fire pit. Yan… if you were to find someone, please find someone like President Ye, who knows how to love and protect his wife.”
Yan did not pay too much attention to these words as they were fairly obvious. But… not everyone was equally lucky. She was not Han Muzi, and could never find her Ye Moxuan. After all, she had fallen for someone unattainable.
“Did you hear what I just said to you?”
“I did.”
“What are your thoughts?”
“What thoughts can I have? Mom, can’t you see what I am? I’m poor; I’m not pretty—I’ve got nothing…” At this point, Yan felt saddened, and her eyes instantly turned red.
Luo Huimei looked at her teary eyes and became startled. Realizing that she had somewhat lost control of herself, Yan quickly forced a smile on her face. “Alright. Mom, don’t worry about my marriage anymore. I’ll see what I can do.”
If she could let go of Han Qing one day, she would try to fall for someone else.
