Duanmu Xue instantly acted bashfully and held the fruit platter out toward Ye Moxuan. “Shen, why don’t you have some?”
At that proximity, the smell of her perfume wafted over and lingered next to him. When he smelled the sweet fragrance, he was reminded of that other woman’s scent. That assistant of his… When he had held her in his arms the other day, he still smelled her light scent on him after he returned home and took off his knitted top. The smell did not come from perfume, but rather, a type of fragrant shower gel. It was light but nice; fragrant but not rich.
“Shen?” Duanmu Xue called out to him again. His eyes moved toward the side and saw that she was very close to him. Her thick makeup and blood-red lips were uncomfortable to look at.
As such, he frowned. Without a word, he retracted his gaze and stood up. “Next time, you don’t have to do these things for me,” he said plainly.
The smile on Duanmu Xue’s face stiffened. “Why not? Your body needs to replenish itself during this time. I’m just doing this for your benefit.”
At the side, George had caught on to Ye Moxuan’s rejection and coldness. The knot in his stomach from earlier started to ease up. He glanced at Ye Moxuan with a content look, then said on his behalf, “You’re the precious daughter of the impressive Duanmu Family. To sacrifice your status and do these things for a man just does not seem appropriate. Miss Duanmu, how about… you just let it go and let the housekeepers attend to these matters in the future?”
She was not satisfied. Looking at Ye Moxuan from the side, she said, “I know these things are what housekeepers do. But… I want to do it for you. It’s no inconvenience at all.”
George grinned. “But I feel aggrieved on behalf of the housekeepers. If you come to the Yuchi residence every day to do their work, what do they have left to do? You know that this is their livelihood yet you’re still fighting to do it. Isn’t that like stealing their rice bowls from them?”
She was speechless. While she bit her bottom lip and glared at him, he just shrugged his shoulders in return. She never liked him anyway and he was not the kind of person who sucked up to people so he thought he would just agitate her. Besides, he was firmly on Muzi’s side now.
“I have something to take care of. George, take over for me,” Ye Moxuan said then headed out the door.
Duanmu Xue panicked and wanted to go after him. “Shen!”
But George quickly reached out and pulled her back. “Don’t go after him. Didn’t you hear Yuchi say he had something to take care of? There’s no point in going after him now.” He did not know why but seeing her defeated look brought him so much satisfaction.
The woman turned back and fumed at him. “George, have I ever wronged you? Why do you have to oppose me like this?” Her voice was no longer gentle and the charming look on her face was gone. All that was left was a fierce expression as she glared at him.
When he saw that, George understood everything; since Ye Moxuan was not around anymore, she could finally stop her act. However, at least she did not intend on ripping him to pieces. After all, he was a kind and righteous young man. At the thought of that, he grinned broadly. “No, of course not. You’re such a beautiful young lady. Why would I oppose you?”
That compliment possibly eased her slightly as the intensity in her eyes toned down. “If you aren’t against me, then why did you say all those things earlier? About me stealing the housekeepers’ livelihoods and whatnot.”
“Isn’t that true? As the precious daughter of the almighty Duanmu Family, you are treasured and don’t deserve to be doing these kinds of things just for a guy. Moreover, I only spoke the truth. If you do a housekeeper’s job, then they won’t have anything left to do and they’ll be dismissed eventually. Taking away someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents. You’ll be cursed.”
His words pricked her and she looked at him doubtfully. “I’m not thinking of taking anyone’s livelihood away. I just want to look after Shen. George… you’re his best friend. Why don’t you… help me out?” Once again, she put on a gentle smile and walked toward him, planning to tug on his arm.
The expression on his face changed and he took many steps back as though she was the plague itself. “No, no, no. I can’t help you. I can’t control his feelings either.” What I mean is that it would be useless even if I helped you because Yuchi will never like you anyway.
She heard him clearly this time. She looked at him with a sour look on her face from where she was standing. Not wanting to give up, she gave him a pitiful look. “You’re really not willing to help me? But I’m really serious about him. Not to mention we’ll be engaged soon.”
Tsk. Looking at her now, if he had not heard about her domineering behavior from the housekeepers, coupled with her inconsistent attitude toward him, he might just have believed her words. All I can say is that your acting skills are too good. Sigh. He wanted to walk out. But, remembering Ye Moxuan’s request to attend to her on his behalf, he could only remain seated and accompany her.
…
On the other hand, Ye Moxuan had started the car and drove away from the Yuchi residence. He did not know where he was going. All he knew was that what George said to him earlier kept playing back in his head. Before he even realized it, his car had arrived at the front of her apartment.
Looking at the building in front of him, he reached up to pinch his temples and pursed his lips into a straight line. How did I get here?
While thinking, his hand had already moved to open the car door and he got down. He could not hold himself back and eventually walked up to the main entrance of the apartment.
It was the middle of the day. He stood there for a while but was unable to enter. The main entrance was locked. Non-residents who did not have the key were not able to go in. He could not help but laugh at himself on the inside. What am I doing?
It was just a woman. Yet, he had driven all the way there unknowingly. Forget it. I should just go back.
After he decided to act like it never happened and turned around to go back to his car, he saw Han Muzi standing there with a shopping bag in her hand and a look of disbelief on her face.
W-What is he doing here? The sight of Ye Moxuan standing at the main entrance of her apartment felt surreal to her. Looking from a distance, she already thought that the back of that person looked like his. But she did not think it was possible the more she thought about it. Why would he be standing at the entrance of my house? But now that he had turned around, she was certain that it was him. She was even more astonished.
“You…” Her pale lips moved but she was unable to say anything.
With a calm expression, he walked right up to her and said indifferently, “Good that you’ve arrived. Take me upstairs.”
