Han Qing didn’t know he had become the topic of discussion among his subordinates. He dined with Yan before sending her home. He called Han Muzi while on his way home, and the siblings booked a private room in the restaurant.
Han Muzi came alone. While Ye Moxuan wanted to escort her, she didn’t agree to it, as she would be discussing something serious, and having him around wouldn’t be conducive to the conversation. Besides, Little Bean would tag along if Ye Moxuan were to come, thus she set out on her own, and Han Qing went to fetch her.
The siblings ordered a few dishes and chatted as they ate. It had been a while since they last had a meal together. Han Qing used to be a siscon who doted on Han Muzi and couldn’t wait to give her his all after they were reunited. However, her life revolved around Ye Moxuan after Han Muzi found her other half, so the siblings couldn’t get together as much.
Han Muzi was overcome by emotions when she recalled when Han Qing used to travel all over the world. She had just given birth to her baby, while Yan had just fallen for Han Qing. Han Muzi smiled at the recollection.
“What’s so funny?” The smile on her face soothed Han Qing’s mood, and his tone softened as he spoke to her.
Han Muzi replied softly, “It’s nothing, I’m just reminiscing old times.”
“What about it?”
“We were reunited back then, and you still had to work everyday. You had to travel overseas frequently, yet you never showed your exhaustion despite how much you had slimmed down.”
The mentioning of those times hit Han Qing in the feels, but he merely wore a faint smile. “What of it? You’re my only sister, so looking after you is my responsibility.”
“Yeah, I was so worried that you might opt to remain single for life, but I suppose there’s no cause for worry anymore.”
Han Qing pondered on the subject upon Han Muzi’s mentioning of it. He continued putting food into Han Muzi’s bowl as they ate in silence.
“So, what do you plan on doing with Xu Yanwan’s situation?” Han Muzi asked abruptly.
“What?” Han Qing seemed unfazed.
Han Muzi smiled before explaining herself, “I mean, her family is going through a rough patch. Our families used to be friends with each other, but are you sure you’re not going to lend her a helping hand?”
Han Qing pulled his lips into a thin line before explaining casually, “Yanwan has a similar temperament with Mr. Xu, so I will honor her decision to not accept my help. Me extending a helping hand would actually be a blow to her ego.”
The two of them had spent some time together back then, so Han Qing was rather clear about Xu Yanwan’s personality. However, his tone alarmed Han Muzi, and she narrowed her eyes in response. “Qing, do you claim to know Xu Yanwan well?”
“Why are you addressing her by name?” Han Qing looked at his sister in resignation before correcting her by saying, “She’s a few years older than you, and we were family friends, so you should address her as Miss Yanwan.”
Han Muzi shrugged as she replied, “I did address her accordingly while speaking to her, and I’m merely doing this for convenience’s sake while in front of you. Besides, it’s just a name that doesn’t hold much meaning to it, so why the hustle?”
Han Qing frowned upon listening to her excuses. “A name is significant! The Han Family and Xu Family used to be on so good terms that Mr. Xu—”
“Qing, are you engaged to Xu Yanwan?” Han Muzi interjected, and they fell into silence. Han Muzi stopped eating and instead stared at Han Qing solemnly. “Am I correct?”
Han Qing pursed his lips before putting more food into her bowl with a casual expression. “That was a long time ago when we were both children. It was never mentioned again throughout the years, so it’s nulled.”
“Nulled?” Han Muzi blinked in astonishment. “Was the engagement done through a verbal exchange, or was there an exchange of tokens?”
“No, there wasn’t.” Han Qing shook his head. “As far as I know, both parties never exchanged tokens, and it was merely a jest between the grown-ups. Although they mentioned it multiple times, it was never put into effect.”
“Does it mean you never thought much about it?” Han Muzi asked.
“Yeah, why should I be concerned over some bogus engagement?” Han Qing nodded with a nonchalant expression. However, Han Muzi recalled the expression and gaze that Xu Yanwan held while speaking to the registrar. It indicated how serious she was about the engagement, and she obviously held it dearly to her heart.
Besides, Xu Yanwan wasn’t looking for Han Qing for help, but was merely intending on meeting up with him. Han Muzi reached a conclusion after some thought. She looked to Han Qing before saying, “Although you didn’t think anything of it, what if Xu Yanwan had always thought that it was true, and held it close to her heart?”
Han Qing was shocked to hear that, and he arched his brow while speaking. “I don’t suppose that would be the case, as she never mentioned it. Besides, we hadn’t been in touch for many years.”
I have to say, even though he’s my brother, he’s too much of an idiot to understand the complicated feelings of women. Han Muzi couldn’t help but mock him internally. She soon realized that Ye Moxuan might just be the same, so perhaps it was a common trait among men. She sighed in exasperation before saying, “Qing, you don’t know her. The fact that she made no mention of it doesn’t mean she didn’t care about it.”
Han Qing finally understood why Han Muzi wanted to dine with him. “Is this why you’re here?”
“Why do you ask? Do you think it doesn’t concern you?”
“I thought my sister was merely intending to dine with her brother without any ulterior motives. Worry not; I will handle matters accordingly.” Han Qing stared at her in resignation.
“Pray tell, how are you planning to settle things?” Han Muzi probed curiously, to which Han Qing hadn’t come up with an answer. “You don’t even know what she thought of the engagement, so how do you expect to settle things with her?”
“Muzi, you’re making too big a deal out of this.”
“Is that so? Then explain why she would come to you under such circumstances if not seeking for your help?” Han Muzi smiled as her words caused Han Qing to pause in his movements. “Don’t you dare tell me that she would have the heart to reminisce old times with an old friend while faced with this much adversity. I could even ask if she paid a visit to anybody else in your stead.” Han Qing pursed his lips while looking toward his sister solemnly.
“Are you running out of excuses now? Why don’t I put things into perspective for you? Xu Yanwan was concerned about the engagement as well as you as a person, so she came to you first thing after she was out of her predicament.”
“Muzi…”
“Do you still stand by your previous opinion on the matter?”
