Looking at Old Madam Qiu's eager gaze, Xin Yu simply didn't know how to answer.
If she refused, she would be heartbroken; if she accepted, was she even cut out for it?
Giving up architecture to study medicine—she didn't even believe she had the courage to do so. At least in drawing and design, she had a strong foundation.
Besides, if her mentor knew that his closed-door disciple had slapped her like this, wouldn't he beat her senseless?
However, the strength in her hand was increasing…
"Grandma, she studied architecture; it has absolutely nothing to do with medicine!" Qiu Zhi immediately stepped in to stop her.
"Ninth Master, you've arrived?"
Xin Yu was already startled by Qiu Zhi's voice; when she heard that Mu Yichuan had also arrived, she panicked even more and quickly turned to glance at him.
After ordering tea, Old Mrs. Qiu continued her previous topic, "Who says you can't learn something you have no connection with? Isn't that right, girl?"
She gave Qiu Zhi a cold, sharp look. She'd helped him so much, and instead of being grateful, he'd ruined things the moment he walked in!
Qiu Zhi's lips twitched. Ever since meeting Xin Yu, his grandmother seemed to have found something to do, constantly calling him "girl" and talking about "getting married and having grandchildren."
He put his hands behind his head, leaning back lazily on the sofa, hoping she wouldn't bring it up again today.
Mu Yichuan was watching from the side…
"Can you learn it?"
Xin Yu stared at Qiu Zhi, her eyes wide. This man had actually thrown the ball back at her!
If it weren't for Mu Yichuan being there, she would have blocked the ball back!
"What can't you learn?" Old Mrs. Qiu spoke before Xin Yu could, "Don't you think so, Mr. Jiu?"
She actually asked Mu Yichuan! His sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over Xin Yu, his expression ambiguous, seemingly leaving the decision to her.
Xin Yu, who had been quite relaxed, became incredibly restless after the two men entered.
"Grandma, I've always been interested in health and wellness practices. Do you know anything about that?"
"See? My girl is so straightforward!" Grandma Qiu liked Xin Yu more and more. "Starting with traditional Chinese medicine is excellent. I'll teach you when you get back from military training!"
"Grandma!" Qiu Zhi called out helplessly, then glared angrily at Xin Yu. "Do you even have time?"
Xin Yu's lips twitched. This man was unbelievable! Who passed the buck to her? If she wanted to learn, of course she had time. It would also distract Grandma Qiu—why not?
"You brat!" Grandma Qiu pointed at Qiu Zhi. If it weren't for Xin Yu's sake, she would have definitely given him a good thrashing! Helpless, Qiu Zhi had no choice but to use Mu Yichuan as a shield. "Mr. Jiu, would you like to sit in the study upstairs?"
After receiving Mu Yichuan's agreement, Qiu Zhi pointed at Xin Yu and said, "You, bring up two cups of tea."
Who would be foolish enough to run upstairs to their death!
After the two went upstairs, Xin Yu quickly made an excuse to say goodbye to Old Madam Qiu while the maid was making tea. "Grandma, I'm so sorry, I have to go now. My tutor called and asked me to come over."
"Ah?" Old Madam Qiu looked reluctant. "Why are you so busy? I've already asked the housekeeper to prepare dinner. Let A-Zhi take you."
"No need, no need!" Xin Yu quickly waved her hand, made some more promises, and hurriedly retreated.
...
"Mr. Jiu, it seems you won't be getting your tea. The little girl has run away." Qiu Zhi, standing at the window, watched Xin Yu flee in panic, smiling wickedly.
Mu Yichuan raised an eyebrow, stood up briskly, and said coldly, "Go home and drink."
When Xin Yu was caught by Mu Yichuan and dragged into the car, she was fully prepared to "die."
"Run away as soon as you see me? Who taught you that?" He lifted her chin and questioned her coldly.
If she didn't run, was she supposed to obediently accept punishment?
"Something came up...that's all," Xin Yu murmured, knowing Mu Yichuan wouldn't believe her.
"And you still have time to study medicine?" he countered, "Hmm?"
Xin Yu's heart trembled slightly at the end of Mu Yichuan's voice. "I thought it would be good to help Grandma Qiu distract Grandpa Qiu...that's good..."
"So many things you want to learn, so many things you want to do?" He moved closer to her lips, slowly caressing them as he spoke, "Have you ever thought about me?"
Thought about him?
Thought about what?
Had he thought about her?
She could be so casual when she wanted something, but when she offended him, he turned on her without a second thought, so cold! "Looks like you hadn't thought about it." Mu Yichuan raised his other hand to stroke Xin Yu's dark eyes. How dare she stare back at him so stubbornly!
Xin Yu wanted to retort, but she didn't dare, nor did she want to. If she weren't being held captive by him, she wouldn't bother with him at all!
"First, learn your kung fu properly."
"..." Xin Yu looked at Mu Yichuan in shock, then remembered his inhuman training methods. "I... I don't want to trouble you."
Going to an outside class was like being a god to her; learning from him, would she get away with anything good?
"No trouble at all." Mu Yichuan said simply, then chuckled. "Last night, I spent the whole night developing new moves."
Developing new moves?
"And you, you could withstand it."
Damn!
Xin Yu was incredibly frustrated. She could imagine his "brutality," but she hadn't expected it to be this severe!
On Tuesday, when she went to school, Xin Yu's legs were still trembling; it felt like all the bones in her body had been taken apart and reassembled.
"Junior Sister Xin Yu."
She turned around and saw Cheng Che approaching with a box. His gentle blue eyes flashed with worry. "Are you alright?"
"No." Xin Yu smiled sheepishly. "I'm so sorry about what happened at Baimu Mountain on Saturday."
"Don't say that. I should be apologizing. I dragged you into this." Cheng Che looked helpless. "I didn't know Cheng Yao would react so strongly."
"Is the little guy alright?" Xin Yu didn't want to continue talking about Cheng Yao. He was practically a madman; he almost strangled her yesterday.
"It's alright, he didn't say anything, he just kept begging Cheng Yao and Mr. Jiu to forgive you." Cheng Che looked concerned. "By the way, how did you two end up on the back hillside?"
Sigh, Xin Yu sighed. She wanted to know too. Although she felt someone had framed her, she had no way of knowing. So she simply said, "I went to pick something up, then slipped and fell down a bit, got lost, and my phone had no signal."
"Alright, it's good that you and Qiu Ze are alright." Cheng Che patted Xin Yu's shoulder and handed her the box. "This is for you. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Mid-Autumn Festival?
Time flies. Xin Yu calculated that she had been in the capital for over a month.
She generously accepted the mooncakes and carried them to the classroom. Before she even entered, she was blocked by someone—Gao Min!
Xin Yu couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her connection with Gao Min was truly remarkable!
"What's that in your hand?" Gao Min leaned against the doorway, asking arrogantly. "What's it to you?"
"I'm just worried about you, okay? What if you stole this again? You'd get arrested by the police again!" Gao Min's voice was loud, deliberately trying to make sure the other students in the classroom could hear.
"Just explain it clearly, didn't you go to the police station too!" Xin Yu raised an eyebrow. "I was definitely misunderstood, but you got into a fight over a bag, and the police didn't pursue it further, right?"
"You..." Gao Min's face flushed with anger, and she rudely snatched the box from Xin Yu's hand.
"Give it back!" Xin Yu said coldly, her dark eyes fixed on Gao Min. This person was so ill-mannered!
"Your sister stepped on my bag and broke it, you pay for it!"
Damn it! What kind of logic is that?!
Just as she was about to speak again, Xin Yu heard someone call her from behind. It was... Xu Hui? Her other roommate?
"Can I talk to you alone for a couple of minutes?" Xu Hui asked timidly, her gaze towards Xin Yu also strange. Xin Yu paused, nodded, then turned to Gao Min and said, "You'd better think it over. Put your things on my seat, or I'll teach you kung fu, you know."
Following Xu Hui to the end of the corridor, Xin Yu spoke first, "What is it?"
"Xu Bo stole someone's things. Did you order him to do it?" Xu Hui asked, her voice trembling with anger.
Xin Yu frowned. "Who is Xu Bo?"
Xu Hui looked at Xin Yu incredulously, unsure if she was telling the truth or acting. Just as she was about to explain, she saw Xin Yu's eyes widen, staring straight ahead.
She turned and seemed to see someone going down the stairs…
The next second, Xin Yu was already sprinting out. What did she see!
Why did that person's face look so much like her mother's!
Xin Yu ran with all her might, but her aching legs wouldn't cooperate. When she finally stumbled out of the teaching building, she found that the person had already gotten into a car and left…
Who was that person?
Why was it a man! Xin Yu thought sadly, believing that heaven had taken pity on her and allowed her to see her mother on this festival of family reunion!
"What are you doing standing here?"
Xin Yu continued to look in the direction the car had left, without turning around. She knew the person behind her was Nan Yu.
"What's wrong?" Nan Yu stepped in front of Xin Yu, looking at her somewhat dazed expression. "Is it... Mu Yichuan?"
Xin Yu snapped out of her reverie, frowned slightly, and shook her head.
"I don't think so," Nan Yu said firmly. "Every Mid-Autumn Festival, he goes to Bai Mu River."
Her heart suddenly ached.
Xin Yu quickly lowered her eyes and furrowed her brows, not wanting Nan Yu to see her emotions. He said Mu Yichuan went to Bai Mu River every Mid-Autumn Festival to reunite with Qiu Feng?
"Perfect timing, I also made plans with my friends," Xin Yu said, feigning strength as she raised her head and smiled slightly.
"Really?" Nan Yu didn't expose her. "I was planning to invite you to a family dinner, but it seems that's out of the question."
After saying goodbye to Nan Yu, Xin Yu walked out of the school somewhat blankly, her mind wandering aimlessly.
She wasn't Qiu Feng's stand-in, was she?
Probably not, she reasoned, otherwise Qiu Zhi and Old Madam Qiu would have shown something.
Then why did Mu Yichuan look for her? Had he overcome the hurdle from back then?
If so, why did he go to Bai Mu River this year?
Ring ring ring, interrupting Xin Yu's thoughts.
"Hello..." Xin Yu saw the phone display, but she still didn't know how to address Liu Shuihan.
"Xin Yu, the contract you discussed with President Zhang last time is signed. Shall I send it to you?" His gentle voice was very pleasant to listen to.
Xin Yu didn't want to trouble him like that, and quickly said, "No need, I'll come to you to get it. Where are you?"
"Then come to Mu's Group?"