Chapter 209

"What about now? How do you feel about me?" Ziyu was very straightforward. He wanted to know Shuishui's innermost thoughts.

He reached out and pinched Shuishui's cheek. "Why aren't you speaking?"

"Ziyu, why are you so conflicted about all this? I was just a bit confused at that time." She felt that it would be better for her not to continue, in case Ziyu would feel uncomfortable about it.

Ziyu continued to pinch Shuishui's cheek. He did not force her to answer the question. They were fine and happy, so why bother?

Shuishui ate her curry. "Actually, it tastes pretty good."

"If you like it, eat more. I ordered a lot of desserts. Eat slowly." He knew that Shuishui would like the dishes he ordered, which was why he dared to order more than the usual.

Gradually, the number of people in the restaurant grew. After they ate, they paid the bill and left. Mu Ziyu held Shuishui and brought her to the lowest level of the supermarket to purchase a few imported items. Shuishui looked at the price of the goods. She knew that the imported items were several times more expensive than regular locally made items. She was speechless when she saw how expensive everything was. She didn't think it was necessary. "Let's shop at the regular supermarket. Products there are cheaper."

"What's wrong?" Mu Ziyu stopped and held Shuishui's face.

"There's no need to spend so much." Shuishui felt that the products were all the same. There were many locally made products that were better than imported products.

"Okay. I'll listen to you. However, there are some fruits and vegetables here that are not available anywhere else. Let's go see if there's anything you want to eat." He dragged Shuishui towards the rows of fruits. Shuishui glanced around and saw avocados. "Please buy some of these."

"Okay." He went to get a plastic bag and filled it with a few avocados. He continued to follow Shuishui.

"I want a few of these too," Shuishui said while Mu Ziyu grabbed more of the fruits she liked.

Some people were curious about the way they interacted. Were they a couple? Were they siblings? After walking around for a while, Shuishui said she did not want anything else and lined up at the cashier. As she paid the bill, she noticed the beautiful woman in front of her. When the woman saw Mu Ziyu, she was slightly stunned. "Ziyu?"

Mu Ziyu looked at the woman as he tried to make out who it was. His gaze became friendlier when he realized who it was. She was Yang Hui, the eldest daughter of the Yang family. "Hello, Miss Yang."

"Do you still remember me? Weren't you in City A? I heard from my mother that your family is returning to the capital, but I didn't believe it." She approached Mu Ziyu and pulled his arm, but Mu Ziyu dodged her.

Yang Hui was used to his treatment of her. She had a good impression of Mu Ziyu. Mu Ziyu was only one year younger than her. Mu Ziyu was her type, and she had been trying to catch his attention.

At that moment, she noticed that Mu Ziyu was with a girl. "And who is this?"

Yang Hui noticed that the girl looked a little young. Her skin was so good that it made people jealous. Mu Ziyu glanced at Shuishui, and Yang Hui tried to guess what kind of relationship they had.

Mu Ziyu held Shuishui's hand and said, "This is my girlfriend, but we're in a hurry, so we don't have much to say."

It was soon their turn to pay.

After they paid their bill, they left in a hurry. Mu Ziyu didn't want Shuishui to be treated that way. Shuishui was still young, and he knew it would be difficult for her to deal with such people.

Yang Hui was in a daze. She stomped her feet in anger as she watched them walking away. How could he have a girlfriend? She took her things and left. She decided she would not give up so easily. She took out her phone and called someone.

As soon as they got into the car, Shuishui asked curiously, "Where's your friend?"

"I'm not very familiar with her, but we're family friends," he explained simply. He didn't have anything to say about that woman because he hadn't really spent much time with her.

Shuishui propped her arm on one side and looked at Mu Ziyu. "I see. I don't like that she acts like that with you."

Ziyu could not help but laugh. "Are you jealous?"

"No. I just think it's amusing," Shuishui said as she saw Ziyu's expression.

He had looked forward to that day. "What's amusing about it? I'm your boyfriend, not theirs. I like it when you stand up and say that you're my woman."

Shuishui did not say anything more because she felt quite awkward about it.

She rested for a while as they headed towards the large supermarket. They only needed to buy a few items. Shuishui considered Mu Ziyu's daily needs and helped him pick them out. "Just simple daily necessities," Ziyu said.

"Aiyo." Shuishui almost tripped while they walked. Mu Ziyu grabbed Shuishui's waist. "Baby, be careful."

"Eh."

Ziyu did not let go of her. Shuishui wriggled and tried to escape and said, "Let go."

Mu Ziyu was bolder and not ashamed. "No. Hold on for a little longer."

Shuishui squeezed his arm forcefully. "Let go. It makes walking difficult."

Mu Ziyu reluctantly let go. "All right. I'll hold on to you when we get back."

"When did you become so glib?" she asked.

He moved towards her and brought his face closer to Shuishui. Shuishui felt his breath near her neck, and she quickly pushed him away. "Don't get so close. Just buy some drinks." Shuishui curled her lips and walked ahead.

Mu Ziyu smiled as he pushed the cart and watched as Shuishui walked ahead.

Shuishui picked up a few bottles of mineral water and put them into the cart. "After all, it's just the two of us. Let's not buy too much for now."

"Let's go to the alleyway tonight. There are many good old shops there. The dishes served there are simple, but they are all authentic," Ziyu said to Shuishui.

"Okay. I feel like there's still a lot of delicious food that I haven't eaten yet." She was even happier when she thought about the special dishes she could eat that night.

Mu Ziyu brought Shuishui to their house. The house was also part of a villa. Shuishui was unfamiliar with the place. As she got off the car, she noticed that the villa was large. There were also security guards patrolling the area.

As they walked inside, Shuishui noticed that the furniture items inside were covered with white cloths. Ziyu removed the cloths. The pieces were still intact and in very good condition.

Shuishui placed the groceries in the kitchen. She started to clean the refrigerator and then put in the fresh fruits and vegetables. After that, she helped Mu Ziyu tidy up his room. It was still afternoon, and Shuishui carried the blanket outside. The blanket was clean, but it had to be hung outside because it hadn't been used for a while. "Tidy up your luggage," Shuishui said as she dragged Mu Ziyu's suitcase.

"Shuishui, I'll do it," Mu Ziyu said as he went forward and took hold of the suitcase.

Shuishui shrugged her shoulders. Every time she wanted to do something, he would stop her and not let her do anything. Was she that weak?

When the sky turned dark, Shuishui carried the blanket in. "Here. You can use it tonight," she said as she handed him the blanket.

"Baby, take a break and rest. I'll do it." He quickly put the quilt on the bed. It was finally done. He could sleep in his room that night.

Shuishui looked around Mu Ziyu's large bedroom. There were many books on the bookshelf. She took one book and skimmed through it.

There were many financial books. As she tried to put the books back, Mu Ziyu hugged Qian Shuishui from behind. "I really don't want to send you home. If only you could stay here. How nice would that be?"

"No. Uncle Jiang won't allow me to stay here unless Zilin and Uncle and Auntie are here too." Uncle Jiang was very concerned about her safety. He had even called her a few times that day to ask how she was.

Mu Ziyu also knew that no one would allow it since Shuishui was still so young.

"I won't make things difficult for you. You must be hungry." He was still as considerate as before. The only people Ziyu treated with such affection were his own mother and Qian Shuishui.

He was unsure of who he had become, but the feeling he had with Shuishui was something he had never felt with anyone else. He cherished and loved Shuishui.

It was already getting late. After dinner, Mu Ziyu wanted to take Shuishui to Yuexing Lake, but Uncle Jiang was even more worried than Shuishui's father. He called Shuishui many times. He kept calling until she picked up.

"Uncle Jiang." Shuishui felt that he was really worried.

"Shuishui, it's already 8:30. It's time to go home. Auntie made you some sugar water," Jiang Yuan said in a gentle tone. He just wanted Shuishui to go home.

"Okay. I'll go home now." After she persuaded Jiang Yuan, she looked at Mu Ziyu with a troubled expression. "Uncle Jiang wants me to go home. Anyway, I'll be here for quite a while. We can go another time."

Mu Ziyu was a little disappointed, but he was comforted by the fact that Uncle Jiang and his family really cared about Shuishui. If they didn't care about her, they wouldn't even bother calling her. He should be glad that Shuishui had a responsible guardian. He brought Shuishui back to Jiang Yuan's house. He watched Shuishui go in before he left.

Shuishui entered the living room. She saw Auntie Jiang with her twins. "Shuishui, you're back. Come. Drink some sugar water."

Shuishui sat down, and the nanny brought her a bowl of sugar water. "For tonight, I cooked eight treasures porridge. It's different from the south. There are glutinous rice balls in it," she told Shuishui.

Shuishui took a bite. "This tastes pretty good too."

Jiang Li laughed a little and said, "Sister Qian, don't you think the lotus seeds are a little bitter?" Jiang Li didn't like eating lotus seeds. His mother would force him to eat them.

"It's all right. After all, the lotus seeds clear away the heat and decompose. As long as the core in the middle is removed, it shouldn't be too bitter." She quickly finished one bowl and filled another. She had eaten quite a lot that night. By the time she had finished the second bowl, she was already full.

Auntie Jiang held Shuishui's hand and said, "Come. Take a rest. Let's practice the erhu."

Shuishui recalled that Auntie Jiang wanted to teach her the erhu the previous night. She secretly wiped her sweat. She had forgotten about it. Shuishui was extremely cooperative. She saw the expectant and excited looks on their faces. She respected them, as they were warmhearted and friendly elders.

Jiang Yuan came down from the study and looked around. "Is Shuishui back?"

"Dad, Mom brought Sister Qian to the music room. She said that she was going to teach Sister Qian. Mom hasn't touched the erhu for so many years. Can she still teach? I hope she doesn't teach Sister Qian the wrong way. I feel a little worried." The siblings felt that their mom should just focus on being a housewife. She had so many things to do all day. They pitied Sister Qian because she couldn't directly refuse the invitation to play and practice the instrument.

Jiang Yuan went to the music room. He leaned against the door and listened.

Auntie Jiang praised Shuishui. "Ah, Shuishui, you can play the erhu pretty well." She didn't know what else she could teach Shuishui when she realized that Shuishui could play really well.