Chapter 134 (Combined Chapters 1-4)

134:

Yang Yu's face immediately fell when he saw Mu Shaoting enter the room.

She had come all this way, getting herself covered in dust, only to receive no words of concern from Mu Shaoting. If it were any other girl, she would have been deeply moved and heartbroken.

Yang Yu then recalled what his roommate had told him: "Mu Shaoting, the eldest daughter of the Mu Group, has so many suitors that they could line up in the university town, but she doesn't like any of them and is still single."

"I heard that she has never been in a relationship before, she is truly innocent, but also truly hard to pursue."

Looking at the luxurious villa in front of him, a villa he couldn't afford even if he saved every penny of his life, Yang Yu refused to believe that there was anyone in this world he couldn't catch up with!

Just wait, he'll move into this villa sooner or later.

No, he should say that sooner or later he will have Mu Shaoting buy them a new villa.

Yang Yu rode his electric bike home.

As I opened my door, the door to room 501 next door opened as well.

He Han came out and put the trash in front of the door so she could take it with her when she went out tomorrow.

She was taken aback when she saw Yang Yu standing at the door of room 502. "Brother Yu, you've gone out?"

Yang Yu nodded.

He Han noticed that he was carrying a cake and was a little confused. It wasn't his birthday today, was it?

Yang Yu noticed her gaze and smiled. "Want some cake?"

"Huh?" He Han was surprised.

Someone gave me a dessert voucher, so I redeemed this. I can't finish it all by myself, so could you eat some for me?

“…Okay.” He Han was a little embarrassed.

Yang Yu smiled, opened the door, and invited her inside.

He Han had grown up with him since childhood, and they were childhood sweethearts. She also had a crush on him, so she didn't hesitate and followed him into the house.

The cake had some scratches, and the design didn't look very complete. Yang Yu pretended to be annoyed and said, "I fell on the way here, don't mind it."

He Han immediately asked with concern, "Brother Yu, where did you fall? Is it serious?"

Yang Yu thought to himself: That's more like it.

Someone like Mu Shaoting is simply illogical.

"fine."

He cut the cake and gave the piece with the most fruit to He Han.

He Han accepted it, feeling sweeter inside than with the cake in her hand.

As she was eating, she heard Yang Yu ask her, "Hanhan, are you busy lately? I won two movie tickets in a raffle, but none of my friends have time. Do you have time?"

He Han's grip on the fork tightened involuntarily.

"...Yes, there are."

The voice was very soft, but very tense.

"Then let's go see it together."

"Mmm." He Han finished speaking, lowered her head to eat the cake, her lips revealing undisguised joy.

Yang Yu sat opposite her, watching quietly.

His feelings were complicated; on one hand, he felt that this was the right way.

It's rare for him to be so attentive, so this kind of reaction is normal.

On the one hand, she couldn't help but feel that He Han was indeed inferior to Mu Shaoting.

A cake and a movie ticket are enough to make her like this; they're worthless.

Unlike Mu Shaoting, a lady from a prestigious family and a wealthy heiress, she seemed indifferent to everything he did.

She doesn't care, because she's seen it all before.

Because she stands tall, because her surname is Mu.

This is the kind of person he wants.

He didn't just want a girlfriend; he wanted a ladder that transcended social classes.

Therefore, he still prefers to be with Mu Shaoting.

Yang Yu ate his cake in silence, pondering his next move.

On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Mu Zheng went back to work, and Qin Cheng went home with his parents.

Ye Qingxi said goodbye to him with reluctance.

Cotton Candy also reluctantly said goodbye to her brother, Donut, meowing.

Two days after Mu Zheng left, Mu Shaoyan also started school.

Following that, Ye Qingxi and Mu Shaoting also started school one after another.

With the new year bringing new beginnings, Ye Qingxi was very happy to see her friends again.

The group chattered away and even compared their heights.

Kang Cong was still the tallest among them, and Ye Qingxi was still the shortest.

"It's okay, Xiaoxi, you're still young," Kang Cong comforted him.

Ye Qingxi nodded. He was the same way in his previous life; he was never tall until he was ten years old.

They only started growing rapidly around the age of fourteen or fifteen, and suddenly grew taller.

That's why he's said to be born to be in the entertainment industry. Growing too tall before the age of ten makes it difficult to play children and gets roles.

If one doesn't reach a certain level by the 14th or 15th year, it will be difficult to transition to a different career path and overcome the hurdle of being a child star.

Someone like him is simply a chosen one.

Each age group perfectly captures the hearts of directors and audiences; it's simply impossible to find another like it.

After wasting a winter break, Ye Qingxi went to Duan Yi's house with Mu Shaoyan again. Watching Mu Shaoyan ask Duan Yi questions, Ye Qingxi was horrified to discover that Mu Shaoyan's reputation as a ruthless problem-solving machine was well-deserved! His progress was now clearly far ahead of hers!

Even in math, he only needed Duan Yi to explain the last one or two big problems to him; he could complete the rest independently with few mistakes.

Ye Qingxi: ...

Ye Qingxi felt that he was indeed a good student.

Admittedly, Mu Shaoyan had been studying like crazy since last October, and he certainly had a good foundation and a solid base, but he still wasted a year. For some people, that year was truly a missed opportunity.

But towards Mu Shaoyan, it was more like he had been accumulating ruthlessness for a year, just waiting for this last year to unleash it all in one fell swoop.

He was burning with fervor, burning with intensity, burning with such fervor that Ye Qingxi felt it was utter nonsense that he couldn't even get into a top-tier university!

That's it!

You said he can't get into a top-tier university!

He can do it with his eyes closed now!

However, it's also possible that Duan Yi taught him well.

After all, in the original book, Mu Shaoyan didn't have Duan Yi's 24/7 availability, fixed-point quizzes, and targeted tutoring—he was practically a nanny-style tutor with all his advantages.

That's amazing!

Ye Qingxi thought, Duan Yi is amazing, his uncle who found her such a tutor is also amazing!

Of course, I'm also impressive for insisting on encouraging them to audit classes!

Ye Qingxi gave herself a small compliment and then buried herself in doing practice problems, determined to catch up with Mu Shaoyan.

While he was scrolling through his browser, Qiu Yue was already preparing to start his company.

Qin Yuan helped him invest in the company, and Ye Qingxi is now the second largest shareholder. Therefore, whenever Jin Yue makes any moves, Qin Yuan will tell him in a way that a child can understand, so that he can know where his future company is going.

So that when you grow up, you won't be completely clueless.

"At the very first day of work after the new year, his team went to resign, which almost made Qiu Yue's father furious."

Ye Qingxi almost burst out laughing when she heard his words.

"Will his father scold Uncle Qiu Yue?"

"Of course, but it doesn't matter. Cursing won't do any good. Given Rong Sheng's current state, even if his team members weren't originally on his side, they'd be eager to follow him now."

"I see," Ye Qingxi said.

Seeing that his answer was simple, Qin Yuan thought he didn't understand, so she didn't continue. She just said, "I just wanted to let you know. I'll take you there when it opens."

"Okay," Ye Qingxi replied.

He knew absolutely nothing about running a company, so naturally he wouldn't get involved. But since it was a company he owned shares in, Ye Qingxi was still very happy. He actually had a company now! Hehe~

Ye Qingxi was busy doing practice questions, listening to Qin Yuan talk about the company's progress, and attending school from Monday to Friday. She was incredibly busy.

So much so that by the time he realized something seemed off about Mu Shaoting, a month had already passed since the start of the semester.

At first, Ye Qingxi felt something was wrong because Mu Shaoting came back a little late.

Mu Shaoting has always gone home on time every Friday night.

Two weeks ago, Mu Shaoting suddenly called to say that it was her roommate's birthday and she would go back on Saturday.

Ye Qingxi didn't say anything when she heard it was her roommate's birthday.

As a result, Mu Shaoting finally returned on Saturday night.

Last week, Mu Shaoting returned on time on Friday, but after dinner on Saturday afternoon, she said her roommate had something to do and she had to rush back.

It's perfectly normal for sisters to help when friends are in trouble.

Ye Qingxi naturally didn't think anything of it.

But this week, Mu Shaoting finally came back on time on Friday, and didn't rush to leave on Saturday. However, he stayed in the bedroom the whole time, and didn't come out to play with him, didn't go downstairs to watch TV, and didn't even share cake with him!

Something's not right, it just doesn't feel right no matter how I think about it!

So Ye Qingxi ran upstairs and knocked on Mu Shaoting's door.

Mu Shaoting opened the door after a while. When he saw it was him, he smiled, revealing a hint of relief. "Baby, is there something you need?"

"Auntie, I want to watch that cartoon," Ye Qingxi said. "The one with lots of kittens. Will you watch it with me?"

Mu Shaoting: ...

Mu Shaoting thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."

She and Ye Qingxi went downstairs to the living room to turn on the projector for Ye Qingxi.

Two hours had finally passed, and the cartoon was over. Mu Shaoting was about to slip away when her little nephew excitedly said, "Auntie, Auntie, there's a second season!"

Mu Shaoting: ...How come there's a second part?!

Mu Shaoting could only continue to accompany her adorable little nephew to look after the cats.

Ye Qingxi leaned against her, looking at her and scrutinizing her.

Mu Shaoting was clearly distracted, and occasionally his lips would move slightly as if he were saying something.

What are you saying?

Ye Qingxi was curious.

Two more hours passed, and when Mu Shaoting saw the words "the end," he almost breathed a sigh of relief. It was finally over.

She was about to go back to her room when her little nephew grabbed her arm. "Auntie, I'm a little sleepy. Can you tell me a bedtime story so I can sleep for a while?"

Mu Shaoting: !!!

Mu Shaoting nodded quickly!

Sleeping is good! Once she's asleep, she can go back to her room!

Mu Shaoting pulled him back to Mu Shaowu's room and gently told him a bedtime story.

Unfortunately, after she finished telling her story, Ye Qingxi's eyes widened like saucers. "This ending is not good at all."

Mu Shaoting quickly comforted him, "It's okay, baby, Auntie will tell you another one."

The story ended well this time, and Ye Qingxi was very satisfied, so he said, "One more!"

Mu Shaoting: ...

Mu Shaoting looked at his cute little face.

No kid, weren't you sleepy?

Why aren't you asleep yet?!

Mu Shaoting was utterly desperate.

She could only tell the third story through tears, but before she could finish, Aunt Zhang came to call them for dinner.

Mu Shaoting: ...

Mu Shaoting had no choice but to take his little nephew to dinner.

Mu Shaowu has work today and has gone out for work. He won't be back for another two days.

Only Mu Feng, Mu Shaoyan, Mu Shaoting, and Ye Qingxi were present at the meal.

After finishing his meal, Mu Feng went to look at the documents.

Mu Shaoyan continued to be his ruthless problem-solving machine.

Ye Qingxi looked left and right, and finally looked at Mu Shaoting, looking helpless.

"Auntie, will you play games with me?"

Mu Shaoting: …………

Looking at his cute little face and expectant eyes, Mu Shaoting couldn't utter a single punctuation mark to refuse.

But……

But she hasn't practiced singing for a whole day!

Her singing competition is on a tight schedule!!!

Mu Shaoting's rationality told her that she should refuse her nephew and go back to practice singing properly.

but……

This is her beloved little nephew!

How could she bear to refuse?

Seeing the unconscious struggle on her face, Ye Qingxi asked innocently, "Auntie, don't you have time either?"

“How could that be! My aunt has time!” Mu Shaoting said without hesitation.

Ye Qingxi shook her head. "It's okay. Aunt, if you have something to do, go ahead and do it. I can play by myself."

"It's nothing, what could possibly be wrong with my aunt?"

"Really not?" Ye Qingxi looked at him. "Auntie, you can't lie to me."

"No, really."

"But when I was watching cartoons, I saw your mouth move, Auntie. Were you about to make a phone call?" Ye Qingxi feigned surprise. "Oh, Auntie, you're not in a relationship, are you?"

Mu Shaoting: !!!

Mu Shaoting shook his head.

But as it rocked, the amplitude gradually slowed down.

Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?

No, they really talked about it?!

Ye Qingxi asked anxiously, "Auntie, you really have a boyfriend?"

"No," Mu Shaoting quickly replied.

"Then what you just did..."

"Ugh." Mu Shaoting had a headache.

Well, how should I put it?

"Someone is chasing me."

"You agreed?" Ye Qingxi asked.

Mu Shaoting shook his head again.

She's not someone you can easily win over.

but……

Ye Qingxi tilted her head to look at him.

Mu Shaoting was a little embarrassed. "I've been seeing him more often lately than before."

Ye Qingxi: !!

You like him?!

"No," Mu Shaoting immediately denied.

"So you're saying you've been seeing him more often than before?"

Mu Shaoting: ...

Mu Shaoting looked at him, leaned close to his ear, and said, "I'll tell you quietly, but you can't tell your grandfather or anyone else in the family, including your father."

Ye Qingxi nodded, "Mm."

Mu Shaoting then said, somewhat embarrassed but also delighted, "I've signed up for a singing competition."

Ye Qingxi: !!

Wow, this talent show started really fast!

The second semester of my junior year has only just begun, and it's already started!

"Wow~" Ye Qingxi exclaimed enthusiastically, "Then Auntie, you'll definitely get first place!"

Mu Shaoting chuckled, "That's hard to say."

Seeing how supportive Ye Qingxi was, she couldn't help but share it with him.

"I just signed up for this talent show. The audition is next week. If I pass, the preliminary round will be the week after next. One hundred people will be selected, and then the next round will be divided into sixty, fifty, thirty, twenty, and ten. The top three will be decided, and the first place will be decided by public vote."

Ye Qingxi nodded. He knew that Mu Shaoting was eliminated in the round of 100 to 60, and the elimination was quite severe.

The judges berated her, accusing her of supporting plagiarism. Mu Shaoting said she didn't know the song was plagiarized, but the judges said that it meant she hadn't done her homework. They said that she dared to go on stage without doing her homework, which was disrespectful to the stage.

Mu Shaoting had never been insulted like this before, and he couldn't help but cry after leaving the stage.

Yang Yu stayed by her side, comforting her gently, becoming her strongest support at that time.

When Mu Shaoting mentioned the competition, Ye Qingxi understood what she meant by "meeting him more often."

In the book, Yang Yu is portrayed as a very good singer who previously won the runner-up title in the campus's top ten singers competition. Mu Shaoting probably met him more often because of this competition.

Sure enough, Mu Shaoting said, "I have a senior who sings very well. He has participated in some competitions before and has more experience than me. So recently he has been helping me choose songs and giving me advice on competition tips. We have been seeing each other more often than before."

“But I don’t like him,” Mu Shaoting said to his nephew. “I only have a tiny bit of affection for him, I wouldn’t say I like him.”

She finished speaking with a hint of helplessness.

Mu Feng did not support her singing.

So naturally she couldn't tell the rest of her family about this, otherwise if her father found out, he would think that they had also kept it from him, and then they would definitely be implicated.

It's only because Ye Qingxi is young and not subject to joint liability that Mu Shaoting would have told him about this.

The reason she was willing to accept Yang Yu's help was not only because Yang Yu could sing and had experience in competitions, but also because Yang Yu was very supportive of her in this matter.

He even told her about this talent show, saying she could definitely do it and asking her if she wanted to give it a try.

Mu Shaoting certainly wanted to try.

She not only wanted to try, but she also wanted some support and praise.

But while her family couldn't give her these things, Yang Yu was constantly providing them to her.

So much so that Mu Shaoting unconsciously developed a little bit of affection for him.

I wouldn't say I like him, but that's why I'm willing to interact with him.

Mu Shaoting first learned about Yang Yu because he won second place in their school's Top Ten Singers competition.

Mu Shaoting herself enjoys singing and is always more interested in people who sing well, which is why she wanted to meet him.

However, after meeting him, she felt that Yang Yu was too ordinary—he was neither as handsome as her second brother, nor as academically outstanding as her eldest brother, nor as young as Mu Shaoyan.

Although she sings well, it's just so-so, not as good as myself.

But now, Yang Yu encourages her, helps her, supports her, and pursues her musical dreams together.

When she looked at Yang Yu again, he seemed less ordinary and had gained a few merits.

“But I really didn’t consider him my boyfriend. Really,” Mu Shaoting emphasized.

She wouldn't go so far as to date Yang Yu and become his girlfriend just because of a tiny bit of affection for him.

Ye Qingxi nodded.

He knew that this was not the crucial point yet, and Mu Shaoting had not yet fallen for him.

but……

Ye Qingxi remembered that Yang Yu had just said that she would "help me choose songs and give me guidance." If Yang Yu would actually help her choose songs, could that obscure song that happened to copy the song of one of the judges also have been chosen by Yang Yu?

He knew that Mu Shaoting liked to sing and wanted to be a singer, so he deliberately told her about this talent show and encouraged her to participate. He then used his own experience in competitions as an excuse to get close to her, guide her, and accompany her. At the same time, he created difficulties for her and then gave her gentle care, thus achieving a different kind of hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress.

Ye Qingxi silently sneered in her heart.

That really took a lot of effort.

Do you really want to become a live-in son-in-law of the Mu family?

It's a pity that with him around, he was destined to never become a son-in-law.

Not only that, he also wants to smash his rat's head!

"So, Auntie, when you were watching the cartoon just now, were you trying to call him?"

"Of course not, I'm practicing my singing."

Ye Qingxi's eyes lit up, "Then Auntie, you sing and I'll listen."

"You want to hear it?" Mu Shaoting was somewhat surprised, and also felt a mix of joy and shyness.

Ye Qingxi nodded.

After thinking for a moment, Mu Shaoting couldn't resist and pulled him to her bedroom.

She found her guitar, sat down in a chair, coughed, and looked at Ye Qingxi, "Even if your aunt doesn't sing well, you're not allowed to laugh, okay?"

“No problem,” Ye Qingxi said.

Mu Shaoting then slowly began to sing while playing the guitar.

Surprisingly, Mu Shaoting didn't sing rock, but a ballad.

That's normal, Ye Qingxi thought. Not everyone can find their own niche and musical style right from the start.

And there are also some people who can sing any song very well—like him.

Ye Qingxi listened quietly, becoming more and more amazed that Mu Shaoting truly had a wonderful voice.

Her voice is ethereal, with a beautiful timbre and a wide vocal range. She can easily reach high notes and sink very low ones, giving the impression that she can sing with effortless ease.

He was completely different from his tone-deaf father.

It's hard to believe that these two people are actually siblings.

After Mu Shaoting finished singing, the guitar music disappeared.

Ye Qingxi raised her hand and gave her a big round of applause.

What kind of guidance do you need? Just go on stage and start singing.

Mu Shaoting was a little embarrassed by his applause, "I haven't practiced singing properly for a long time, so my condition is just so-so."

That's why she wanted to practice the song as much as possible, making the most of every minute.

Ye Qingxi: ? ? ?

You call this just average condition?

Ye Qingxi thought she was being too modest.

As a former breakout singer, Ye Qingxi is confident that with her voice, she can make a name for herself if given the opportunity.

"Auntie, you'll definitely get first place," Ye Qingxi said, sitting down next to her.

"That's not necessarily true." Mu Shaoting looked at him. "There are many contestants who sing very well in this competition."

"Then they don't sing as well as you."

Mu Shaoting chuckled, "That's because you have a biased view of me."

Ye Qingxi made a gesture of taking off her glasses, "Even if you take them off, you'll still be number one."

Mu Shaoting was charmed by his action and couldn't help but laugh out loud, rubbing his pretty little face.

She was very happy at that moment.

Ultimately, it was someone she liked and cared about. A hundred words of encouragement and support from Yang Yu couldn't make her as happy as just one sentence from Ye Qingxi.

"Auntie, I'll go with you to the competition next week," Ye Qingxi said, looking at her. "I'll cheer you on."

"Really?" Mu Shaoting asked in surprise.

Ye Qingxi nodded.

Since Mu Shaoting has already registered for this competition, she will definitely participate to the end. Unless she is eliminated, she will continue to go on.

Of course, he wouldn't let Yang Yu continue to stay by Mu Shaoting's side, but Mu Shaoting was naive after all. The methods Yang Yu used to pursue her were beyond Mu Shaoting's imagination, ability, and defense.

Therefore, he had to stay by Mu Shaoting's side to ensure that Yang Yu would never have the chance to hurt her again.

Of course, he had to do two things before that.

The first item.

"Auntie, won't signing up for this competition affect your studies?" Ye Qingxi asked her.

“We college students are different from you elementary school students, especially for pure humanities majors like mine. We don’t pay as much attention in class as you. As long as we cram before the exam, memorize all the key points, and don’t fail, that’s fine.” Mu Shaoting patted his little head.

Her little nephew is even worried about her!

Small in stature but big in mind~

Ye Qingxi nodded.

Although he had never attended university, he had met some university students, and it seemed that they indeed had the attitude that "high scores are not important, as long as they pass."

"Besides, we'll be doing internships in our senior year, so I can just have your uncle stamp it for me then."

Ye Qingxi: ...That really is quite convenient.

That leaves only the second thing.

"Auntie, I'd like to meet that senior you just mentioned~" Ye Qingxi laughed.

Mu Shaoting asked in confusion, "Why do you want to see him?"

"Look what my future uncle-in-law will be like!"

Mu Shaoting quickly shook his head, "What uncle? I've already said he's not my boyfriend, I don't like him."

"But he's so good to you, he must like you, right?"

Mu Shaoting: ...

“That’s not your uncle either,” she said. “We’re not even close to being together yet.”

“That’s precisely why we need to meet him, since things aren’t even close to being settled.” Ye Qingxi hugged her arm and analyzed, “Otherwise, if things really do fall into place and you like him, what will you do, Auntie, if I meet him and find out I don’t like him? If we’re not together, you’ll be miserable; if we stay together, I’ll be miserable.”

"But now, you don't like him, so I went to see him. If I didn't like him, Auntie, you could ignore him, and you wouldn't be upset."

Mu Shaoting: ...

Mu Shaoting found that what he said actually made a lot of sense!

If Ye Qingxi doesn't like him, she definitely won't want to be with him. Wouldn't it be awkward if feelings developed then?

but……

Mu Shaoting looked at her little nephew and asked, "Baby, where did you learn all this?"

Is their baby a little too precocious?

How do you even know these things?

Ye Qingxi calmly deflected the blame, saying, "It's shown on TV every day."

Mu Shaoting: ...She said television is the root of all evil!

Look how well they've raised their baby!

Everyone knows about breakups now!

"Baby, you can't be in a relationship!" Mu Shaoting lectured him. "That's puppy love, no, it's childish love! It's not allowed!"

Ye Qingxi: ...

No, he's only five years old!

Who has a five-year-old who's dating?!

Isn't it too early to crack down on puppy love, little aunt?

Ye Qingxi was both amused and exasperated.

"Then it's settled, Auntie, tomorrow you'll take me to meet your senior."

Mu Shaoting: ? ? ? Tomorrow?

How come it's already tomorrow?!

"Auntie~" Ye Qingxi shook her arm and acted coquettishly.

Startled by his sudden movement, Mu Shaoting had no choice but to agree, "Okay~"

After saying that, she patted Ye Qingxi's head.

This child, after worrying about Mu Shaoyan last year, is now worrying about her again this year.

He must be worrying too much, doesn't he get tired?

Mu Shaoting hugged him and kissed him.

What a clever little devil!