Chapter 121

Seeing Shu Xia's brief silence, a wave of irritation rose in Qiao Muting's heart again.

"I'll just take this loss once; I'll consider those years of youth as having been fed to the dogs," Shu Xia said in a flat tone.

The gloom in Qiao Muting's heart dissipated instantly, and he curled his thin lips, seemingly in a good mood, "It's getting late, go get some rest."

"Okay, goodnight."

A few minutes later, Qiao Muting put down his book and prepared to go upstairs as well.

The WeChat notification sound on his phone suddenly popped up.

He tapped it open while walking.

Shen Anran: 【Qiao, goodnight.】

Qiao Muting did not reply and set his phone to silent.

Having waited for twenty minutes without receiving a reply, Shen Anran stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with a glass of red wine, gazing at Jing City under the night.

She lowered her head and glanced at Qiao Muting's WeChat profile picture on her phone.

Today, she had confirmed the alumni reunion in three days with him, hoping he could attend.

If he could attend, this alumni reunion would become meaningful.

He had only replied with three words in the afternoon: "See the time."

Now, facing her goodnight WeChat message, he was silent; perhaps he was already asleep and hadn't seen it, or perhaps he had seen it and didn't want to reply.

Thinking about him not wanting to reply, Shen Anran pursed her red lips.

She could clearly guess what many people were thinking, but she could not guess what Qiao Muting was thinking.

Was his heart that hard to approach?

——

When Shu Xia went downstairs to make breakfast in the morning, she discovered that breakfast had already been set on the table.

It was the steamed buns she liked to eat.

There were also several other side dishes.

Qiao Muting walked over carrying two cups of heated milk.

Looking at her, he said, "Breakfast sent over by Grandmother."

Shu Xia walked over and took a cup of milk from his hand; feeling the temperature of the cup, she said with a smile, "The temperature of the milk is just right, thank you."

Qiao Muting was stunned for a moment as he watched her smiling, crescent-shaped eyes, "You're welcome."

"The steamed buns are really delicious." After eating a bite of a steamed bun, Shu Xia looked satisfied.

The soup inside was truly delicious.

The ingredients were very substantial; one could tell at a glance that they were made by the chef at Laozhai, not bought outside.

"When you want to eat them, just call Housekeeper Qin and have her find someone to send them over," Qiao Muting said.

"No, no, Laozhai is too far from Xinghai Villa; it takes over an hour to go back and forth," Shu Xia didn't want to trouble others.

Some things don't need to be eaten every day; eating them every day would really get tiring.

However, she appreciated Qiao Muting's kind intentions.

Having not seen him for about a week, Shu Xia felt he seemed easier to get along with than before.

She suddenly thought of another possibility.

It is said that men in love tend to have very good tempers.

She blinked her eyelashes, "I'll rush to Laozhai after I get off work tonight."

"Where are you working now?"

"I went to apply for a position in Gu Lao's team yesterday, and I was hired; I'm officially starting work today. I'll probably have to familiarize myself with the environment on the first day, so I might get off work a bit late," Shu Xia replied while eating.

Hearing that Shu Xia had joined Gu Lao's team, Qiao Muting was a bit surprised, "Gu Lao's team?"

"Yes."

Qiao Muting only now realized that he didn't know enough about her; he had been very familiar with Grandpa Gu when he was young, and Grandpa Gu was strict about work matters—to enter his team, one had to pass through many hurdles and gain his approval.

And the fact that Shu Xia could enter Grandpa Gu's team showed that she was excellent enough.

"Congratulations," Qiao Muting looked at Shu Xia intently.

Shu Xia's eyes curved, and she raised her cup, "Thank you."

From now on, she would work hard to let herself shine in the industry she loved and walk a flowery path that belonged to her, Shu Xia.

"I'll pick you up tonight, then take you to a place first; after we're done, we'll go to Laozhai together," Qiao Muting said to her.