Chapter 16

Chapter 16 A Chance Encounter

Once Mu Xinyue left, Situ Hai's gaze darted over to Mu Xia. "Shan Shan. Tell me the truth, how did you meet Young Master Ye? Are you two close?"

Situ Hai wanted to ask this long ago. However, he worried that Mu Xia would think he was using her as a stepping stone. Hence, he refrained from asking up till now.

「At this rate, it seems like she's too naive to question my motives.

I may as well cut to the chase and ask whatever I want to know. This silly girl will tell me anyway.」

As expected, Mu Xia answered him without a sliver of hesitation. "I don't actually know him that well. I encountered him by chance when my ship sank at sea. He was injured at the time, so I treated his wounds with whatever herbs I could find. It was later when his subordinates came for him that I got rescued and brought back here."

What he didn't know was that Mu Xia had summarized the story. She omitted the details where they undressed and huddled up for warmth, as well as the truth that she saved Ye Sijue's life.

Hearing her story, Situ Hai felt both disappointed yet pleased.

He was disappointed because he had hoped for some emotional entanglement between Mu Xia and Ye Sijue, but there were none.

At the same time, he was buzzing with joy that Mu Xia had aided the Ye Sijue. Because it meant Ye Sijue owed Mu Xia's family a favor for her kindness.

「Imagine that. A favor from Ye family! That experience alone is worth its weight in gold!」

"Wonderful! That's great, Shan Shan! As expected of my daughter!" Situ Hai chortled.

He stared endearingly at her as if he was looking at the world's rarest gem.

Mu Xia put on an innocent and unknowing expression. She flashed a quick appreciative smile at this compliment, then resumed with her dinner.

The next day had arrived at the speed of light. All four of them departed Kyoto and headed towards Nanshi.

For the journey, Mu Xia and Situ Qingshan sat beside one another in the backseat.

Situ Qingshan wore the Crown Coffee Academy's yellow team uniform. A soft and glamorous makeup was applied on her face, befitting her aristocratic status.

In comparison, Mu Xinyue had prepared minimalistic clothing for Mu Xia. She also hadn't hired anyone to do Mu Xia's makeup. Thus, Mu Xia was completely bare–faced and had her hair up in a simple bun; she looked like an ordinary high school student.

Even without any form of embellishment, Mu Xia was irresistible to the eye. Her presence glowed with angelic purity, almost like a blooming orchid whose beauty was so rare that people could only appreciate from afar.

She was the definition of true beauty. Not the kind that was sought after by many men, but a true beauty that made men reflect on whether they were worthy of being by her side.

Situ Qingshan initially felt like the brightest star in the sky, knowing that her makeup was worth six figures. Yet, that confidence plummeted after seeing Mu Xia's simplistic beauty. Situ Qingshan now felt like a miserable side character while Mu Xia was the lead of the show.

Outshined, Situ Qingshan clenched her fists so hard that her claw–like nails nearly cut into her palms.

Ahem! Mu Xinyue cleared her throat from the front passenger seat.

At this, Situ Qingshan broke from her daze and refocused on the present.

「So what if Xia is pretty? She's nothing but a pretty face that men keep around like toys. I'm the real deal with both the body and looks, the kind of woman that men want to make their wives.」

Situ Qingshan suppressed her anger. She cracked a stiff smile and said, "Xia, I haven't had the chance to apologize. So now that we're both here, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thrown that childish tantrum and put you in jeopardy. Please forgive me."

Mu Xia knew that Mu Xinyue must have scripted this whole apology, and Situ Qingshan was merely acting accordingly.

「Childish tantrum?

Humph. What kind of child harbors murderous intentions during a tantrum?」

Regardless, Mu Xia cast a gentle gaze as she held Situ Qingshan's hand. Then she soothed in a honeyed voice, "It's alright, Qingshan. There's no need to dwell on the past or apologize anymore. We're family, after all."

Caught in Mu Xia's tight grip, Situ Qingshan bit down her repulse. She desperately wanted to fling Mu Xia's vermin–like hand away but couldn't.

Hence, she resisted and continued to smile stiffly.

Meanwhile, Situ Hai smiled contentedly at his daughters' reconciliation from the driver's seat.

They went on their merry way to the airport. When they arrived, Situ Hai led his family through the check–in process and to the departure halls. Mu Xia trailed behind them throughout this

According to the regulations, first–class passengers were given priority to board the plane before others.

So the Situ family had to wait in line as Situ Hai had bought economy–class tickets for the flight from Kyoto to Nanshi.

When it was finally their turn to board the flight, Situ Hai suddenly halted and looked in the other direction. He exclaimed, "Young Master Ye?"

Situ Qingshan hadn't expected to see Ye Sijue at the airport either. Now that it had happened, Situ Qingshan batted her lashes and cleared her throat shyly to attract Ye Sijue's attention.

Ye Sijue's secretary was reporting the progress of their recent project. Now that Situ Hai had rudely interrupted, Ye Sijue shot a glare in Situ Hai's direction.

Seeing how Situ Hai and Situ Qingshan threw themselves at him, Ye Sijue's glare turned murderously cold yet confused at the same time. He growled, "Do I know you?"

Situ Hai brushed his nose awkwardly at this. He was startled that Ye Sijue didn't recognize him.

Situ Qingshan, on the other hand, clenched her jaw in irritation.

「We've already met plenty of times. How can Young Master Ye not know who I am? Is he really that forgetful?」

In reality, Ye Sijue had an excellent memory. He was simply selective about whom and what he felt was worthy of remembering.

Thus, he wouldn't waste even a drop of his time or mental effort on people whom he deemed unimportant

As for Mu Xia, she had noticed Ye Sijue as well but didn't intend to greet him.

「We're just passing by. There's no need to engage in pointless conversation.」

Situ Hai frowned at how Mu Xia was letting this golden opportunity slip. Nevertheless, he quickly introduced himself, "I'm Situ Hai. Surely you remember me, Young Master Ye? You attended my daughter's birthday party a few days ago."

Ye Sijue tried to recall. However, he had attended four birthday parties this week, so he couldn't quite figure out who this man named Situ Hai was.

Sensing the confusion on Ye Sijue's face, Situ Hai briskly shoved Situ Qingshan aside while yanking Mu Xia forward. He then reminded, "Seems like you have forgotten about me, Young Master Ye. But perhaps you remember my daughter?"

Mu Xia was now visible to Ye Sijue. He hadn't seen her earlier, no thanks to Mu Xinyue, who questionably stood in front of Mu Xia and blocked her

Ye Sijue's eyes roamed over Mu Xia's appearance. Unlike the other three, who wore fancier clothing, Mu Xia seemed like a regular student. It was as if they were from different class groups.

Ye Sijue raised a brow, curious to see Mu Xia's reactions. He feigned confusion as he asked, "Apologies, I'm not very good with remembering faces. May I ask who you are, miss?"

Mu Xia blinked. 「Did he forget who I am?」

Despite her initial shock, Mu Xia wasn't at all sad that he didn't recall her.

She responded placidly, "That's normal. You must see too many faces every day to remember mine. We won't be in your way now. Dad, let's go."

Now that she had excused their family, Situ Hai couldn't prolong the conversation with Ye Sijue. Without a choice, Situ Hai begrudgingly complied with Mu Xia's request.

「What rubbish was that? How can my eldest daughter be so inept at seducing men? How stupid can she be?」

Situ Hai grew more frustrated at the thought of this. It was evident in the way he quickly stormed over to the boarding gate.

Mu Xinyue and Situ Qingshan were pleased with how things turned out. They stood straighter with delight as they watched Situ Hai leave.

「What perfect timing for Xia to ruin things. I doubt Hai will continue to spoil her rotten after this」

Thinking this, Mu Xinyue paced in Situ Hai's direction

Situ Qingshan and Mu Xia quickly followed suit. At that moment, Situ Qingshan's mood soared sky–high. It wasn't long before a mischievous thought flitted through her mind.

Walking alongside Mu Xia, Situ Qingshan mocked in a quiet voice, "Oh dear. I assumed that something special was going on between you and Young Master Ye, but I guess not. I can't believe that he didn't even recognize you. Well, don't be sad. It's normal for busy men like Young Master Ye to forget a countryside bumpkin like you."

Situ Qingshan made sure to emphasize the words: countryside bumpkin. She stared excitedly at Mu Xia, hoping to see her face blow up with anger.

Nothing would please her more than to see Mu Xia red–faced with helpless frustration.