Chapter 31: Qin Cheng, Mu Zheng, Qin Luan (Xiao Xi not included)
Thirty-one:
Mu Shaowu was stunned. The last time he heard his brother's voice like that was when his mother passed away.
Back then, his brother was just like he is now, seemingly struggling to even utter a single sentence, as if he had used all his strength.
Mu Shaowu nodded, "Okay."
On his way there, Mu Zheng called the teacher and told him that he had something for Qin Cheng and asked him to come out during the break.
Qin Cheng was somewhat surprised to hear his teacher say that to him.
In his memory, Mu Zheng didn't actually come to school very often.
He's always very busy, so his mother is in charge of everything, from picking him up to attending parent-teacher meetings.
His father would only appear when his mother was unavailable.
Qin Cheng had seen his father working until the early hours of the morning before returning home, and he had also seen his father get up and go to the study while he was eating dinner, after receiving a phone call.
He is indeed very busy.
He had to take responsibility for many people's lives and many things, so Qin Cheng didn't blame him.
He just wanted to grow up quickly so that he could help his father as much as he could.
But why did his father suddenly appear today?
Qin Cheng was puzzled; what could be so important?
After class, he ran downstairs as fast as he could, ran out of the school, and met Mu Zheng waiting at the school gate.
Mu Zheng watched as he ran all the way to him.
He was so small that even his youngest brother was much taller than him.
Mu Zheng found it bizarre and unbelievable.
How did he end up having a child?
They've grown so big already.
I've been living with myself for so long now.
"Dad, what brings you here?" Qin Cheng asked him. "What do you have for me?"
Mu Zheng looked at him and gave him the car ornament in her hand.
This is a cute little cat figurine with its head tilted, which Mu Shaowu found in his car on short notice.
Qin Cheng was surprised; Mu Zheng had never given him such a gift before.
Most of the gifts he gives are expensive and exquisite; this is the first time I've given him such a small ornament.
"So cute, thank you Daddy," Qin Cheng said with a smile.
Mu Zheng looked at him quietly, silently, with longing, her eyes fixed on him.
He raised his hand and touched Qin Cheng's face.
Qin Cheng looked up in astonishment, seemingly in disbelief.
Looking into his eyes, Mu Zheng was instantly overwhelmed with guilt.
What has he done?
What exactly did he do?!
How could he let his child make such an expression?
How could he... be so utterly despicable!
Mu Zheng bent down and hugged the child in front of him.
Qin Cheng stood there, stunned, not daring to make a move.
It felt like a dream, Qin Cheng thought, his father had actually hugged him.
He hesitated, then cautiously and tentatively reached out his hand.
She gently embraced Mu Zheng.
Mu Zheng's tears fell in that instant.
He pulled Qin Cheng into his arms and held him tightly.
She couldn't help but pick him up.
Qin Cheng was startled. He looked down and saw Mu Zheng's slightly red eyes.
Qin Cheng blinked, reached out and touched his eyes, and asked softly, "Dad, are you crying?"
"No." Mu Zheng smiled. "Dad has been a bit busy with work these past few days, so he hasn't been sleeping well and his eyes hurt a little."
When will you be able to finish your work?
“It can be done today,” Mu Zheng said. “Dad will pick you up after school this afternoon.”
Qin Cheng was pleasantly surprised, but also worried, "Won't this disturb your work?"
"Won't."
Qin Cheng was finally relieved.
He looked at Mu Zheng and felt that his father was acting strangely today.
But he hugged him.
Not only did I hug him, I picked him up and I'm still holding him now.
Qin Cheng was very happy, so he also cautiously revealed his closeness to Mu Zheng, which was rare for him.
He said, "Dad, when I grow up, I can help you, and then you won't have to be so busy."
Mu Zheng almost burst into tears from his words.
He nodded, his voice choked with emotion, and said, "Okay."
He said, "Little Cheng is such a good boy."
He raised his hand and pressed it against the back of Qin Cheng's head, lowering it so that it touched his forehead to Qin Cheng's.
She raised her head again and kissed Qin Cheng's forehead.
Qin Cheng: !!! !!!
Qin Cheng stared at him in shock, his eyes wide open.
His father... actually kissed him.
Qin Cheng felt that he probably really had a wonderful dream.
Even this appears in my dreams.
He stared intently at Mu Zheng, afraid that if he blinked, his dream would shatter.
He just watched and watched, and finally, very gently, very gently, kissed Mu Zheng on the forehead.
Alright, Qin Cheng thought, now I'm not afraid even if it breaks.
He had already done what he wanted to do in his dream.
Mu Zheng looked at the mischievous, childlike smile that appeared on his face.
At that moment, he felt he could forgive everything.
Forgive everyone.
He already has Qin Cheng.
His life is already very good.
He held Qin Cheng tightly, unwilling to put him down for a long time.
Only when the school bell rang did she reluctantly put him down, pat his head, and say, "Go to class now, Dad will pick you up this afternoon."
Qin Cheng nodded.
Having experienced the previous hugs and kisses, he was no longer surprised when Mu Zheng touched him.
He just found it incredible.
So beautiful.
It was so beautiful that he was somewhat afraid.
Qin Cheng suddenly grabbed him and asked, "Dad, you're not going to disappear, are you?"
Will she leave him?
This couldn't be the last time they met, could it?
That's why he treated him that way.
Qin Cheng couldn't help but grab him tightly.
He didn't want to break up with Mu Zheng.
Before Mu Zheng came along, Qin Cheng didn't know what a father was.
I never thought about what my father was like or what he looked like.
But after Mu Zheng was born, Mu Zheng became the father he wanted.
He would give him a jade pendant that symbolizes health and safety, and he would tell his grandmother, "Xiao Cheng must be present at the wedding. I'm not discussing this with you, I'm just letting you know." He would also let him take wedding photos with his mother.
We would eat cake together, celebrate the New Year together, and set off fireworks together.
He really likes Mu Zheng.
He didn't want to leave Mu Zheng.
He just hoped that Mu Zheng could like him a little more.
I can hug him and kiss him.
But not hugging or kissing is fine, as long as Mu Zheng doesn't leave him.
Seeing the worry in his eyes, Mu Zheng bent down and patted his head.
"No, Daddy won't disappear. Daddy will be with you every day from now on, every single day."
"real?"
Mu Zheng nodded.
He said, "Xiao Cheng, I'm sorry."
Qin Cheng shook his head; he never felt that Mu Zheng had done anything to wrong him.
He had actually been very good to him.
He had a new idea and wanted more.
It wasn't his fault.
"Dad, you haven't done anything wrong to me."
“Dad has,” Mu Zheng said. “Xiao Cheng, Dad is so sorry, so sorry.”
Qin Cheng shook his head again.
He didn't understand why Mu Zheng would have such a thought.
But it's okay, he thought.
“I don’t blame you,” he said.
Because he likes Mu Zheng.
I like him being my dad.
Mu Zheng barely managed to leave Qin Cheng's side.
If it weren't for the things he and Qin Luan still had to deal with, he would have loved to spend the whole day by Qin Cheng's side, holding him, keeping him company, and making up for the time he had lost.
He got into the car, sat in the passenger seat, and his mind was filled with thoughts of Qin Cheng.
Mu Shaowu glanced at him, recalling the scene he had just witnessed through the window.
He had never seen his brother like this before.
Thankfully, his brother still has time, and Qin Cheng also has time.
They can be together and live a good life.
There will be no more barriers, no more strangers to each other, and no more missed opportunities.
Mu Shaowu didn't say a word until he drove the car back to Mu Zheng's house.
He only reminded Mu Zheng when he got out of the car, "Your sister-in-law has had a hard time too. She has raised the child alone for so many years. The fact that she was willing to give birth to Xiao Cheng and marry you shows that she loves you. Talk to her nicely, brother, don't be impulsive."
Mu Zheng nodded.
He felt quite calm now.
After the initial turmoil, he has now calmed down.
"Don't worry," he said. "Thank you for today, Xiaoxi. I'll treat you two to dinner another day."
Mu Shaowu chuckled, "That's going too far, saying this between brothers."
"But Xiaoxi, you should thank him. This child has worried a lot about you and Xiaocheng. Before the test, he urged me to get tested, and after the test, he urged me to tell you. He was more anxious than me. I don't know what's going on in his little head. He's so clever and mischievous."
Mu Zheng smiled and said, "Take good care of him. No matter what happens to Xiao Xi, you can tell me. You are my brother, and he is my nephew. To me, he is no different from my son."
Mu Shaowu feigned a look of disgust, "That's enough. You have your own son now, yet you still think about my son. Let me tell you, don't even try!"
Mu Zheng smiled and patted his shoulder. "Let's go."
He walked forward step by step, entered the elevator, and returned to his home.
Qin Luan didn't go to work today; she was on vacation. It's September, and the weather is getting cold, so Qin Luan wanted to take this opportunity to knit a sweater for Qin Cheng.
Most mothers in the world are like this: even though there are many styles and designs available in shopping malls, they always feel that the ones they knit are warmer.
She was knitting when she suddenly heard the door open.
Qin Luan turned around and saw Mu Zheng walk in.
She asked疑惑地问道, "Did you leave something at home? Why are you back at this time?"
Mu Zheng looked at her.
Looking at the person he had liked for so long, he slowly walked up to her.
He asked, "Qin Luan, do you like me?"
Qin Luan was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly asked this.
He never asked her that question.
They had never discussed whether they liked or loved each other before.
It was as if their union was solely for personal gain.
"Why...why are you asking this?"
“Because I don’t understand.” Mu Zheng looked at her. “If you don’t love me, why did you give birth to Qin Cheng? If you love me, why didn’t you tell me that I am his father?”
"Eight years ago, on that morning, I went to see you and asked you if it was you last night. You said no. Now, I'm asking you again: eight years ago, on that night, was it you? Who were you with? Your roommate or me?!"
Qin Luan felt a loud "boom," as if she had been struck by lightning.
He found out.
How could he have known?!
"Answer me," Mu Zheng said.
Qin Luan was speechless.
"Why did you lie back then? Why did you deceive me? Why, even after we were married, did you still refuse to tell me that Qin Cheng was my child? You just watched me and Xiao Cheng live under the same roof, yet we didn't recognize each other as father and son. Don't you think that's cruel?"
Qin Luan's tears immediately welled up.
She certainly felt it was cruel, but she was even more afraid. She was afraid that if she opened her mouth, if she told him, Qin Cheng wouldn't even have the right to stay by her side.
This family is about to fall apart in an instant.
"sorry."
"I don't need that," Mu Zheng said angrily. "I don't need you to apologize to me. I just want to know why! Qin Luan, tell me, why?!"
Why?
Qin Luan looked at him, wondering what else could it be?
Of course, it's because she likes him, and she wants herself and their child to be with him.
He wanted Qin Cheng to live with his biological father, and he also wanted to live with Mu Zheng.
So she could only keep it from him and say nothing.
But now...
Well then, Qin Luan thought. She had wanted to tell her several times before, but one thing or another always happened.
Now that Mu Zheng knows...
Okay, then I'll tell you.
Qin Luan felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart. She was filled with sorrow and despair, yet she also hoped that they could rebuild from the ashes and that he could give them, their family, a chance, considering their year-long relationship.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll tell you.”
Qin Luan met Mu Zheng when she was in her first year of high school.
At that time, she was below the podium, and Mu Zheng was on the podium. She listened to Mu Zheng's speech and heard her classmates say, "That's Mu Zheng. He's handsome, from a good family, and studies well. I heard that our school fought with several other schools for a long time to win him over."
Qin Luan looked at him and thought to herself that he was indeed good-looking, but that was all; she had no other thoughts.
Although she and Mu Zheng were in the same class at that time, they didn't have much interaction.
Mu Zheng is a prodigy, the school heartthrob, a top student, and a well-known wealthy young master, while Qin Luan is just an ordinary girl from a well-off family. She may be good-looking, but that advantage is almost negligible in Mu Zheng's eyes.
Qin Luan had no inappropriate fantasies, while Mu Zheng didn't even notice her.
One day after the midterm exams, Qin Luan was sitting in the classroom doing geography problems, but she couldn't figure out the last one.
She kept calculating until she was about to collapse, when suddenly she heard a voice say, "40."
Qin Luan was startled. She looked up and found that Mu Zheng was standing next to her at some point.
He said, "40 degrees."
Qin Luan nodded blankly, then looked back at the test paper. The next second, she looked up again, a little embarrassed, and asked, "How did you calculate it?"
Mu Zheng looked at the test paper, spoke calmly and concisely, and gave a brief explanation.
Qin Luan suddenly realized what was happening and thanked her repeatedly.
She picked up her pen and began to write, but Mu Zheng didn't move.
So Qin Luan looked up again and asked him softly, "Is there anything else?"
Mu Zheng: ...
Mu Zheng was speechless. "I'm going to lock the door."
Qin Luan then realized that it was Mu Zheng's turn to clean today. In their school, the students responsible for cleaning were responsible for locking the door after cleaning at night and opening it again the next morning.
However, cleaning is usually done in pairs, with students sitting at the same desk. I wonder where Mu Zheng's deskmate is.
She hurriedly packed her schoolbag, and couldn't help but think that Mu Zheng seemed aloof, but he was actually quite nice. He helped his deskmate clean and explained problems to her.
"I'm sorry," Qin Luan said sincerely as she packed her schoolbag and slung it over her shoulder.
"It's alright," Mu Zheng said calmly.
He picked up his schoolbag, turned off the lights, locked the door, and left Qin Luan's sight.
It was just a chance encounter, and Qin Luan didn't think much of it. She never spoke to Mu Zheng again afterward.
When winter vacation arrived, she saw Mu Zheng at the library near her home.
Qin Luan didn't come to read books; she came to do her homework.
She felt there was no atmosphere for doing homework at home, and she always wanted to play, so she came to the library to find that atmosphere.
But unexpectedly, she saw Mu Zheng.
Qin Luan walked over as if possessed and sat down opposite Mu Zheng.
Mu Zheng looked down at the book in her hand, completely absorbed, and didn't even look up when she sat down.
It wasn't until he stood up to go to the restroom that he realized Qin Luan was sitting opposite him.
When Qin Luan saw him looking over, she smiled politely, said nothing, and continued working on her problems.
Mu Zheng didn't say anything either.
It wasn't until Mu Zheng returned from the restroom, and another half hour had passed, that Qin Luan, unable to solve a particular problem, shyly wrote Mu Zheng a small note.
She wrote: 【Can I ask you a question?】
She quickly received a reply from Mu Zheng: [No noise allowed in the library.]
That means it won't work.
Qin Luan silently put the note away and started doing her homework for other subjects.
It wasn't until 5:30, when the library temporarily closed, that Qin Luan stood up and started packing her bag, when she heard Mu Zheng say, "Come with me."
Qin Luan: ?
Qin Luan said "Oh" and quickly followed.
Mu Zheng took him to a nearby restaurant.
He went straight to the private room, put down his bag, and asked her, "Which question?"
Qin Luan then realized that he had called her over to explain a problem to her.
She quickly took out the test paper and pointed it out to him.
Mu Zheng glanced at it only once before starting to explain the solution steps to her.
As Qin Luan listened, she gradually gained a clearer understanding.
She shamelessly pointed to the other side of the test paper, "I don't really know how to do this one either."
Mu Zheng: ...
Mu Zheng then began to tell her the story again.
As they were talking, the dishes were served one after another.
Qin Luan quickly said, "You should eat first."
Mu Zheng still finished explaining the remaining steps to her.
Qin Luan understood, thanked them, and prepared to take her leave.
Before parting, she said, "Thank you, I'll treat you to dinner another day."
"No need," Mu Zheng refused.
He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, without trying to stop Qin Luan.
Qin Luan felt too embarrassed to freeload and left happily.
After that, she went to the library much more often.
Each time, she would search for Mu Zheng's figure in the same building where she had met him before. If she found him, she would go over and sit near him.
She placed her imported candies and chocolates on Mu Zheng's book and mouthed to him, "Eat candy."
Mu Zheng: ...
Mu Zheng picked it up and put it back on her book.
Qin Luan wasn't angry; she was thinking of getting him a different brand next time.
She would still ask him questions, and Mu Zheng would still not explain them in the library, but would answer them for her in the private room where he ate later.
After meeting him many times, Qin Luan realized that he really loved reading. Sometimes he could spend an entire day in the library without saying a word.
She had been thinking about inviting Mu Zheng to dinner, and had mentioned it several times, but Mu Zheng had always pretended not to hear her.
Finally, one day, after the library closed, Qin Luan quickly packed her bag, turned around first, and said, "Come with me."
After she finished speaking, she walked quickly forward, and after walking a distance, she cautiously turned back, as if afraid that Mu Zheng would go in another direction.
Mu Zheng looked at the little expression on her face and walked towards her.
Qin Luan smiled happily and took him to a Cantonese restaurant.
After entering the restaurant's private room, she took out a question she didn't know how to answer and asked him to explain it to her.
During the discussion, small steamers were brought out one after another.
Qin Luan waited until he finished speaking, then put away the test paper and said to him, "I've already paid for these snacks. If you don't eat them, I definitely can't finish them all by myself, and they'll just go to waste."
Mu Zheng: ...
Qin Luan picked up the chopsticks, heated them, wiped them clean, and handed them to him.
Mu Zheng took it and slowly began to eat.
Having learned from this experience, Qin Luan felt she had found a method and followed the same approach several times, taking Mu Zheng to several restaurants.
Qin Luan was almost done eating at the good restaurants nearby, so she thought about expanding the map, but it was too far away, and she was afraid that Mu Zheng would not want to go. In addition, some of the restaurants were small and run-down, while others required queuing.
A young master like Mu Zheng would definitely not want to queue, and probably wouldn't want to squeeze into a small shop to eat.
Qin Luan pondered for a moment and finally decided to leave a little earlier each day before closing time so that she could buy the items and bring them to Mu Zheng.
She timed her departure and handed Mu Zheng a small note that read: "I'm leaving now. See you at the door later."
Mu Zheng didn't take it seriously until after the library closed and he walked out of the library, where he saw Qin Luan waving at him and running towards him from not far away.
“Come with me,” she said.
Qin Luan took him to a fast food restaurant.
She opened the bowl of hot and sour noodles she was carrying, and next to it were three plump, soft steamed buns.
"This hot and sour noodles are very famous, and their steamed buns are said to be especially delicious. You should try them."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and went to the front desk to order a hamburger meal for herself.
Mu Zheng didn't understand, "You left first just to buy this?"
Qin Luan smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
"Then why don't you buy one for yourself too?"
"Because this is a signboard, there's a purchase limit; each person can only buy one."
Mu Zheng: ...
Mu Zheng stood up and ordered a set meal for himself as well.
He pushed the hot and sour noodles toward her: "You eat it."
Qin Luan quickly pushed it back, saying, "I bought it especially for you."
Mu Zheng: ...
Qin Luan: "I told you, I'd treat you to dinner."
Mu Zheng: ...
Qin Luan stood up and, with audacity, brought the set meal he had just ordered to her.
Then he lowered his head and started eating his hamburger without saying a word.
Mu Zheng had no choice but to eat the bowl of hot and sour noodles.
He left the steamed buns for Qin Luan and ate his own hamburger meal.
Seeing that he had at least eaten the hot and sour noodles, Qin Luan didn't say anything.
The main problem was that I didn't have the guts, so I could only eat the steamed buns in silence.
And so, throughout the winter break, Qin Luan tried her best to provide Mu Zheng with different kinds of food.
From hot pot to snacks, every meal was designed to ensure Mu Zheng ate well and was satisfied.
She felt as if she and Mu Zheng were getting to know each other better day by day, but it was only as if they were getting to know each other better.
Once he left the library, Mu Zheng would have no further contact with her.
He won't contact her—he didn't even ask her for her contact information.
Qin Luan, feeling guilty, was even more embarrassed to ask him for it.
Winter break is over, and the second semester of the first year of high school has officially begun.
Qin Luan still goes to the library on Saturdays and Sundays, and still runs into Mu Feng, still asking him to help her with the questions she doesn't understand.
This continued for an afternoon.
That afternoon, she looked at the geography multiple-choice questions in front of her and kept thinking.
As Mu Zheng passed by, he said, "Choose B."
Qin Luan instinctively asked him, "Why?"
Mu Zheng then stood next to her seat and began to explain.
None of Qin Luan's classmates had ever seen such a scene. After the second period, her friend pulled her to the corridor outside the classroom and gossiped, "What's going on between you and Mu Zheng?"
"No," Qin Luan said innocently.
"Then why did he explain the problem to you?"
"Perhaps he is a kind person, friendly and helpful to his classmates."
"Come on, why doesn't he unite with me and help me?" his friend laughed. "Qin Luan, do you like him?"
"Of course not," Qin Luan said hastily.
Her hidden girlish feelings were exposed at this moment, and Qin Luan subconsciously wanted to hide them, so she stubbornly said, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I possibly like him? I don't like his personality at all."
She spoke very quickly, her eyes fixed on her friend.
Therefore, he did not see Mu Zheng, who had just come down the stairs not far behind him.
After that, she encountered Mu Zheng less and less often in the library, until eventually, she stopped seeing him altogether.
Qin Luan wanted to ask Mu Zheng, but she felt guilty and afraid that her thoughts would be exposed to Mu Zheng.
She thought and thought, and every week she went to the library to do her homework, never giving up.
Until that day, she returned from the library and ran into the older sister of her former neighbor.
The other party handed her a letter, hoping she could pass it on to her brother.
Qin Luan asked in confusion, "Why don't you give it to him yourself?"
The other person said, "That would only work if I could see him."
Qin Luan took the letter and handed it over to her. She asked her brother, "Have you been avoiding Sister Zhuzhu lately?"
"Um."
Why?
"Of course, it's because she likes me."
"She confessed her feelings to you?"
Her brother glanced at her and said helplessly, "She's being so obvious. I'm not blind, how could I not see it? If she confessed, I could just reject her directly, but since she hasn't said anything, I can't refuse her even if I want to. So I can only try to avoid her so that she doesn't waste her affections."
Qin Luan was struck dumb at that moment.
She felt she understood.
Indeed, she made it so obvious, and Mu Zheng is so smart, how could he not see it? But she didn't say anything, so Mu Zheng could only use this indirect way to express his attitude.
She held back her tears and returned to her room, where she quietly cried.
She stopped going to the library and stopped thinking about whether Mu Zheng would go or not. The previous winter vacation felt like a dream, and when she woke up, she returned to reality.
Afterwards, in the second year of high school, Qin Luan chose humanities and Mu Zheng chose science. One of them went to the science elite class and the other went to the humanities elite class. The two classes were the farthest apart in a straight line, and it was very difficult for them to meet.
Fortunately, they were all at school, and fortunately, Mu Zheng was still outstanding, so Qin Luan could still see him on the podium.
I can still secretly think about him.
Then comes high school graduation, university, and university graduation.
Qin Luan completely lost the opportunity to meet him.
She didn't have his contact information, nor did they have any overlapping social circles. And just like that, they completely lost touch.
The only exception was that Qin Luan knew about his school.
The next time I saw Mu Zheng was the summer she graduated from university.
She and her roommates had a party at a farmhouse restaurant, which lasted until late at night. Her roommates had been drinking and decided to spend the night at the farmhouse restaurant's hotel.
Qin Luan and her other roommates helped her to her room. After settling her in, she went out to call her brother to come pick her up, but she inadvertently saw a figure being helped up from behind.
He looks a lot like Mu Zheng.
Qin Luan followed almost uncontrollably.
The other party helped the person into the house.
Qin Luan heard a voice coming from inside, "Wait, where's my phone?"
"Did you leave it downstairs?"
"I'll go down and look for it."
"good."
"What are you standing there for? Come with me. I'm going to be using your phone to call my phone later."
Within two seconds, the two people who had just been supporting Mu Zheng hurriedly left the room.
They were probably in a hurry to find their phones, so they just pushed the door open casually. The door closed but wasn't locked, and they didn't notice.
After they left, Qin Luan came to the front of the room and found that the door was closed.
She opened the door and went inside. She walked to the bedside and saw the face that had always been sleeping in her heart.
Mu Zheng seemed to be in a lot of pain, as he frowned from time to time.
Qin Luan poured him some hot water, helped him up, and fed him the water.
As he was being helped up, Mu Zheng opened his eyes and saw her.
He asked, "Qin Luan?"
Qin Luan was surprised that he still remembered her. She nodded and fed him the water.
After he finished drinking the water, she put him back on the bed.
Mu Zheng rested his head on the pillow, tilted his head to the side, and closed his eyes.
It was quite cold at night, so Qin Luan pulled the blanket over him.
As Qin Luan bent down to cover his shoulders, her hair accidentally fell onto Mu Zheng's face.
Mu Zheng opened his eyes; the two were very close.
He raised his hand, and Qin Luan was shocked to feel her lips pressed against his lips by his force.
What happened next was completely unexpected by Qin Luan.
She hadn't expected it, but she didn't refuse.
Until Mu Zheng closed his eyes again and fell asleep beside her.
Qin Luan finally snapped out of her previous absurdity and began to ponder what this situation meant.
She turned to look at Mu Zheng beside her.
Mu Zheng was sleeping soundly, his lips slightly parted.
Qin Luan leaned closer and heard a name.
The voice was soft, but the pronunciation was clear: "Nuan Nuan."
Qin Luan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
It's a girl's name.
It wasn't her.
Mu Zheng wouldn't confuse NL, and he certainly wouldn't call her that. He called her "Qin Luan," politely, courteously, and distantly, just like when he recognized her earlier. He would only call her "Qin Luan."
So what were they just now?
Does he like that girl named "Nuan Nuan"?
Or is she already his girlfriend?
Qin Luan hurriedly got up, dressed, and made the bed, trying her best to leave no trace of herself.
She went home that night and didn't sleep a wink.
The next morning, Qin Luan heard a knock on the door. She opened it and found Mu Zheng standing there.
Qin Luan was so frightened that she almost froze on the spot.
"Was it you last night?" Mu Zheng asked her.
Qin Luan shook her head subconsciously, "What are you saying? I don't understand."
"Were you with me last night?" Mu Zheng pressed.
Qin Luan shook her head again.
She was the one who was sober last night, but it was Mu Zheng who took the initiative first.
Whether he admitted his mistake or something else, once she nodded, his life would inevitably be affected.
Qin Luan didn't want to affect Mu Zheng's life.
She didn't want her to affect Mu Zheng's relationship.
She hoped that Mu Zheng could live a good life, be happy forever, and have all his wishes fulfilled, including in matters of the heart.
So she said, "I'm with my roommates. They're leaving the day after tomorrow, so we had a get-together yesterday."
Mu Zheng remained silent.
Qin Luan took out her phone and called her roommate. She spoke first, "Weiwei, were we having a party last night?"
“Yeah,” my roommate laughed. “What, you’re all grown up now, and your family still checks up on you? Don’t worry, Uncle and Aunt, Qin Luan really was at a party with us last night, she stayed with us all night.”
Qin Luan hung up the phone and looked at Mu Zheng.
Mu Zheng was silent for two seconds before saying to her, "Sorry to bother you."
"How did you know my home address?" Qin Luan asked, puzzled.
Mu Zheng paused for a second before replying, "During the winter break of my first year of high school, one afternoon, you rode in my car."
Qin Luan remembered.
The rain came suddenly that day, and none of them had brought umbrellas. Mu Zheng's mother called him and said she had sent a car to pick him up, so Mu Zheng let her get in the car with him.
She gave him her home address in the car and complained to Mu Zheng that the neighbor across the street, apartment 1003, had a dog that would bark every time it heard footsteps, which was very annoying. But recently the dog had stopped barking, and she was a little worried that the dog might have died.
I didn't expect him to remember that, was it...?
"You actually remember?" Qin Luan heard her own heartbeat.
Then he heard Mu Zheng's calm and indifferent voice say, "I've always had a good memory."
Qin Luan's heart sank in an instant.
Mu Zheng left.
Qin Luan then asked around to find out about Mu Zheng's relationship status. A person like him is a celebrity wherever he goes and always attracts attention, so Qin Luan easily learned that Mu Zheng currently does not have a girlfriend.
So what is "Nuan Nuan"?
Could it be a secret crush?
Qin Luan was somewhat surprised. Could someone as talented as him really have a crush on someone?
She thought only ordinary people like them would have a crush.
Time just keeps moving forward.
Three months later, Qin Luan found that something was wrong with her body. She was drowsy, nauseous, vomiting, and her lower abdomen was slightly swollen. Qin Luan rushed to the hospital.
As she expected, she became pregnant.
She touched her belly, unable to bring herself to abort the baby.
This is her and Mu Zheng's child, their child.
She couldn't bear it, she was even more reluctant to part with it.
Qin Luan sat on the cold chair, thinking, "Once you've seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant; once you've seen the clouds of Wushan, other clouds seem pale in comparison." If it weren't for that winter break, she might have been able to date other boys, but since that winter break, she has never been able to fall in love with anyone else.
Compared to being alone, how happy she would be to have a child with Mu Zheng by her side.
Therefore, Qin Luan decided to give birth to this child.
Of course she knew that this was something she should discuss with the child's father.
But she didn't dare; she was afraid Mu Zheng would make her abort.
He feared that Mu Zheng would not allow her to conceive and give birth to his child.
Having sexual relations and giving birth to a child are two different concepts.
Their relationship was purely accidental. Under these circumstances, the child was not what Mu Zheng had hoped for; it was an accident. Qin Luan was afraid that Mu Zheng would choose to get rid of this accident.
She made an excuse to move out of her home and began living alone to prepare for her pregnancy.
However, when the child was six months old, her parents suddenly visited and discovered her secret.
Qin's parents were furious. They hadn't expected their daughter to be so bold. Their thinking was somewhat outdated, and they felt that Qin Luan was immoral and shameless. So they demanded that Qin Luan abort the child.
Qin Luan refused.
The two sides argued fiercely, but in the end, Qin Yuan rushed back from abroad to end the war between her sister and her parents.
Qin Yuan asked her who the child's father was, but Qin Luan remained silent.
Her parents scolded, "He's definitely not a good person! What kind of good family would let their daughter get pregnant out of wedlock? Why didn't they tell the family they were dating? Why didn't they get married even though she's pregnant? It's because he's not presentable! If he were really capable, would she hide him like this and not let him meet anyone?!"
Qin Luan remained silent.
Qin Yuan felt sorry for her younger sister, so she helped her keep the baby in her womb, hired a nanny for her, and told her to take good care of herself.
After Qin Cheng was born, Qin Luan hired a postpartum nanny. Her parents felt it was too expensive and asked her to bring the baby back to live with them, saying they would help take care of the baby.
Qin Luan was a girl, and girls are always soft-hearted, so she moved back with Qin Cheng.
She moved out again with Qin Cheng after arguing with her parents once more.
After that, life was very peaceful.
Occasionally, her parents would introduce her to a few potential partners, but Qin Luan refused them all.
She couldn't possibly let her and Mu Zheng's child call someone else "Dad".
If Qin Cheng were to have a father, it could only be Mu Zheng.
Qin Luan never expected that one day her brother would tell her, "Tomorrow afternoon, go to the Bo Yue Hotel to see Mu Zheng and talk to him about marriage."
Qin Luan was shocked. "What did you say?"
“I told him that I had discussed a collaboration with Mu Zheng, and that I wanted him to marry you so that our two families could be united through marriage.”
"Brother, are you kidding me?" Qin Luan couldn't believe it. "Mu Zheng, and me, are we going to be married?"
“Yes.” Her brother looked at her.
He said, "Mu Zheng has already agreed, so tomorrow afternoon, you should go and talk to him about the specifics of the marriage."
It looked like fireworks were exploding overhead.
Qin Luan had never dreamed of anything so big.
Qin Yuan said, "Xiao Luan, I think he might like you."
Qin Luan looked at him and thought to herself: How is that possible?
But if I don't like her, why should I marry her?
Is it really just for the purpose of a marriage alliance?
What do they have that would make Mu Zheng sacrifice himself to obtain through marriage?
Qin Luan hadn't slept well all night, and after seeing Mu Zheng, she couldn't help but ask him this question.
Why did you agree to marry my brother?
“Because your brother is very smart.” Mu Zheng’s tone was calm and indifferent, without a trace of personal emotion. “He is indeed outstanding in his field. The Mu family does not have related industries, but that does not mean that the Mu family does not want to get involved in related industries. With your brother as an assistant, it will be much easier for the Mu family to enter the technology field in the future.”
It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.
Qin Luan thought that this was reasonable.
Compared to Mu Zheng liking her, the fact that the Mu family could gain benefits is clearly more logical and realistic.
So she nodded and replied, "Then I wish us a pleasant collaboration."
Qin Luan wiped away the tears in her eyes and said, "Mu Zheng, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's that I'm afraid to tell you."
“One wrong step leads to another. I have no way to tell you. How can I say it? That I lied to you, that I was indeed with my roommate that night, but I was also with you. Or that I had your child without your permission, without informing you, and without letting you know?”
"Would you be happy? Would you be joyful? Would you be willing to accept Xiao Cheng, this child who was never in your expectations or plans?"
"I dare not gamble."
“I want Xiao Cheng to be with his father, and I also want to be with you. I want the three of us to live under one roof, even if it’s just a fake happiness. But at least, at least, Xiao Cheng will still be with his biological father, and I can still be with you.”
“If I told you before the marriage that you couldn’t accept it, that you hated me for having your child, and that you refused to marry me, then Xiao Cheng would lose even the only chance he had to live with his father.”
"So I was thinking that you two could live together first. As time goes by and you develop feelings for each other, I can tell you then. Perhaps you'll be able to accept it more easily. It's not that I don't want to tell you; I'm just afraid that if you hear it now and find out, you'll think that all of this is my scheme and that this kind of family isn't what you want."
“I’m afraid you’ll divorce me because of this. I’m afraid you won’t want Xiao Cheng anymore, and I’m also afraid you only want Xiao Cheng. I can’t lose Xiao Cheng, but I don’t want Xiao Cheng to lose her father either, so I dare not. I dare not gamble with the stable happiness we’ve finally achieved. Do you understand?”
"I just want your relationship to be deeper and more stable, so that I can confidently tell you everything."
Qin Luan lowered her head, tears falling.
It's been a year. They've been together for a year. This may seem like a long time to others, but it's not a long time to them.
Mu Zheng is the president of the Mu Group and the head of the Mu family. He has very little time and a lot of work. He is always busy, working overtime today, going on a business trip tomorrow, and flying abroad the day after tomorrow. There is not much time left for them to cultivate their relationship. So she always thinks, wait a little longer, wait a little longer. After all, they are already married and have a lifetime ahead of them. There is no need to rush this moment.
She has waited all these years, and now is the happiest time of her life. She wants things to be stable, she wants to be patient, and she wants to give Mu Zheng and Qin Cheng time, and give herself and Mu Zheng time.
The key to the saying "love grows over time" is the word "over time," isn't it?
If Qin Cheng tells Mu Zheng now and Mu Zheng doesn't accept it, what should he do?
He will become a child from a single-parent family again, without a father, or without a mother.
She already felt so sorry for her child; she didn't want her child to be without parents again.
Mu Zheng looked at her red, swollen eyes and reached out to wipe away her tears.
He never imagined that, from Qin Luan's perspective, they would be like this.
“You’ve always thought I don’t like you,” Mu Zheng said.
Qin Luan raised her head, her eyes sparkling. "Isn't that right?"
"Of course not," Mu Zheng said. "If I didn't like you, I would never have married you."
"Nothing is worth trading marriage for." This was what his father had once told him. He said, "Mu Zheng, you don't have to get married, but if you do, it must be because you love the other person. My son, Mu Feng's son, doesn't need to sacrifice himself for the family's interests. What you want, you can get yourself, instead of using marriage as a bargaining chip and exchanging yourself like an object. So tell me, is Qin Luan someone you absolutely have to marry?"
"Yes," he heard himself answer.
He loves Qin Luan, and he wants to marry her, simply because he loves her.
It was simply because, by chance, such an opportunity arose.
One chance to marry her.
That day, he overheard Qin Luan talking to her friend at the stairwell. She said she didn't like him, and didn't like his personality.
But that's just his personality; he can't change it, and he doesn't know how.
So after returning home, Mu Zheng thought about it for a long time and finally decided to respect her and himself.
I won't force her, nor will I make things difficult for myself.
He had already read all the books he needed in the library, and the reason he went there every day after that was simply because Qin Luan went there every day.
But now, it seems unnecessary.
Therefore, Mu Zheng stopped going to the library, stopped focusing his attention on Qin Luan, stopped paying attention to her, and stopped having any interaction with her.
He thought that since Qin Luan didn't like him, there was no need for him to appear in front of her again.
Later, in their second year of high school, they were separated into different classes and completely parted ways.
Occasionally, Mu Zheng would see Qin Luan at school, still smiling happily and doing well, as if all the feelings she had given him about liking him were just an illusion.
Sometimes, Mu Zheng would really want to ask her, if she didn't like him, why did she have to sit next to him in such a large library with so many seats?
If you didn't like him, why would you leave early just to buy him some hard-to-find food?
If you don't like him, why do you always give him the candies and chocolates from Pocket Power, even if he doesn't eat them, and then give him other flavors instead?
If she doesn't like him, why give him the illusion that she likes him?
But Mu Zheng is still Mu Zheng.
He had been proud since childhood, so in the end he didn't ask anything.
no need.
Because no matter the reason, it doesn't prevent the other person from disliking him.
Perhaps it was simply because she was grateful that he was willing to help her answer her questions, or because she herself was a warm and kind girl.
He misunderstood; there's no need to blame others.
So Mu Zheng said nothing and just drifted further and further away from Qin Luan.
His mother passed away the year he graduated from university.
This was the first time Mu Zheng had experienced the pain of losing a loved one. He was in unbearable agony and it took him three months to finally recover.
Mu Zheng's roommates, with whom he had spent four years, were about to part ways, and they had arranged to have a get-together at a farmhouse restaurant. Mu Zheng had never liked attending such gatherings, but this time, considering that it was probably the last time, he went anyway.
My roommates started crying as they drank, crying about parting and not knowing when they would see each other again.
Mu Zheng thought of his mother, of Qin Luan, and of how, after parting with them, he would never see them again.
He got drunk, which was rare for him.
He felt as if he had seen Qin Luan in a dream.
This was not the first time he had seen Qin Luan in his dreams.
He would dream about it frequently during the second semester of his first year of high school.
He got better later, but after his mother died, he dreamed about her again.
In Mu Zheng's entire life, only three women entered his heart.
His mother, his sister, Qin Luan.
His mother has passed away, and he will never see her again in this life.
His sister was right in front of him; he could see her anytime.
Only Qin Luan remained alive, but they were never seen again.
So, in a moment of impulse, Mu Zheng kissed her in his dream and possessed her.
Upon waking, he keenly realized that it might not have been a dream.
So he went to Qin Luan and asked her if it was him last night.
Qin Luan said, "No."
Qin Luan immediately called her roommate, who corroborated her statement.
They were together last night, they stayed together the whole time.
After leaving, Mu Zheng called his roommate.
The roommate said that they did help him to rest, and that they left after taking him inside, closing the door before leaving. It was just the two of them the whole time.
Mu Zheng returned to the farmhouse and wanted to check the surveillance footage, but the owner said that the surveillance cameras in the rooms had broken before and the new ones had not arrived yet, so they had not been monitoring the situation for the past two days. He asked him what was wrong.
Mu Zheng remained silent.
He figured that since Qin Luan denied it, and his roommate also said it was just the two of them, then it must have been a dream.
A beautiful dream, a fleeting spring dream.
If you're awake, you're awake. It's foolish to try to prove it's real.
So he left the agritainment business.
The days that followed were peaceful and uneventful.
It wasn't until Qin Yuan made a name for himself in the industry that people started talking about his sister.
They said his sister was very beautiful, but she was pregnant out of wedlock and had a child.
They say his sister has poor taste; the man she liked was incompetent and unwilling to take responsibility, and he disappeared after she became pregnant.
They said his sister was deeply in love with him, and although the family had introduced her to several potential partners, she refused to meet any of them, waiting patiently for his return.
They said his sister's name was Qin Luan, the Luan being the same as the phoenix in the Chinese idiom "鸾凤和鸣" (luan and phoenix sing in harmony).
Mu Zheng found it hard to believe.
He couldn't believe that this was the final fate of the girl in his heart.
She has someone she likes and a child, but the person she likes doesn't seem to like her that much.
What should she do?
What is she feeling right now?
After much deliberation, Mu Zheng finally decided to help her brother. She was Qin Yuan's sister, and the higher Qin Yuan flew, the better she would live.
So he introduced several companies to cooperate with Qin Yuan.
He didn't take action himself; he was still proud after all, and he didn't want others to see his true intentions.
He never expected that Qin Yuan would approach him and propose a marriage alliance.
Arranged marriage? How could he even think of that?
Marriages between people of similar social standing are arranged; marriages between people of unequal social standing are called poverty alleviation.
Qin Luan is pregnant out of wedlock and has a child. Does he really look like the kind of person who would take on such a burden? Especially since Qin Luan still loves that scumbag.
How dare he make such an absurd and ridiculous offer to him?
But when he opened his mouth, he said, "As you said, I do want to eat this cake, so the benefits you've offered are good, and I agree to this condition."
She's already fallen in love with the wrong person once; she can't afford to marry the wrong person again.
Otherwise, her life would truly be ruined.
This is not what Mu Zheng wanted to see.
He couldn't save his mother's life, but he could at least protect his sister and Qin Luan.
Once they are married, even if the person Qin Luan deeply loves comes back, he will still need to sign the divorce papers for Qin Luan to divorce him and be with him.
“Nuan Nuan is not just anyone,” Mu Zheng said in a low voice, “Nuan Nuan is you.”
In his youth, when he heard the teacher call out Qin Luan's name, he would sometimes call her Qin Nuan instead.
When the sound Nuan is pronounced in the second tone, there aren't many words that are suitable for girls. However, when pronounced in the third tone, the word "暖" (nuǎn) is quite suitable.
Mu Zheng still remembers that noon when he came out of the library and Qin Luan ran towards him, carrying the hot and sour noodles and steamed buns she had just bought for him.
Winters in the north are very cold, but she is very warm.
She placed the steamed bun in his hand and said to him, "Here, take this to warm your hands."
This was the first time in Mu Zheng's life that he had ever used a steamed bun to warm his hands.
He thought she was very cute back then.
It's very warm.
So he gave her a nickname, a pet name.
But he was by nature not talkative and couldn't bring himself to call out to anyone.
He would only call her name in his heart, and occasionally when he dreamed of her, he would call her name in his dreams as well.
He didn't expect that this would also become a misunderstanding between them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
