Chapter 386: Chapter 348: Watching Cartoons
Qiu Lan returned to Jing Shan. Mu Qinian was lounging on the living room sofa, watching cartoons.
"Madam, you’re here." Yu Bo didn’t expect Qiu Lan to come over; it seemed like she had never been back to the country before.
Qiu Lan nodded, "Where’s Niannian?"
"Grandma." Upon seeing Qiu Lan, Mu Qinian immediately bounced off the sofa, hurling his chubby self at her, "Grandma, I missed you so much."
Qiu Lan picked up her plump grandson with a smile, "Did you really miss Grandma?"
Mu Qinian dug his nose: "Grandma, where’s the toy you said you’d bring me last time?"
"Here it is, when has Grandma ever lied to you." Qiu Lan took a package from the bodyguard’s hand, "Here."
Mu Qinian happily took it: "Thank you, Grandma."
"Is your dad not coming back today?" Qiu Lan sat on the sofa with the little guy.
"Probably not coming back. He’s at his girlfriend’s place," Mu Qinian said as he opened his toy, pouting his lips.
"Girlfriend?" Qiu Lan laughed, "Then how about Grandma keeps you company for the next few days?"
"Sure." Mu Qinian liked Qiu Lan very much because she always spoiled him. As soon as he asked for something, she’d satisfy him. Moreover, Grandma looked so impressive, always accompanied by a few fierce-looking uncles.
Qiu Lan settled in Jing Shan, and the next day was the weekend. Early in the morning, Mu Shuoqian came over with Gu Qili.
They bought groceries to cook at home, the family bustling and lively, which was very nice.
"Shuoqian, when are you two getting married?" Just as they were finishing their meal, Qiu Lan suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Gu Qili sneaked a glance at Mu Qinian sitting to her left, who was gnawing on a chicken leg and hummed without speaking.
If A Li marries Dad, will she stick to Dad all day, ignoring him, just like how Dad sticks to A Li like chewing gum all the time?
Having just set down his chopsticks, Mu Shuoqian held Gu Qili’s hand under the table, "Anytime."
"Let’s not wait for any time. Have Yu Bo check the calendar for an auspicious day. Nowadays people care about choosing an auspicious day, so let’s set the date soon and I can attend your wedding."
Mu Shuoqian turned to ask Gu Qili, "Okay?"
But Gu Qili asked Mu Qinian, "What do you think, Niannian?"
"What does a little kid know?" Mu Shuoqian was dissatisfied.
Gu Qili gave him a light glare, signaling him to keep quiet.
Mu Qinian removed the chicken leg from his mouth, "I don’t object to your marriage, but A Li is your wife on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and she’s mine on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays."
Mu Shuoqian: "...."
This kid is defying the heavens; he even started to set conditions for his own wife. When did it become his turn to fight over her?
But before he could speak, Gu Qili agreed with a smile, "Alright then, how about Tuesday to Saturday, she’s all yours."
"Deal..." A new chicken leg was stuffed into Mu Qinian’s little mouth. He glanced somewhat resentfully at the man with a stern face, snorted, and then started gnawing again, one in each hand.
After the meal, Gu Qili promised to stay and keep Mu Qinian company. The child was still young and didn’t fully understand the implications of marriage, but the moment he learned that once they were married, she could live at Jing Shan every day, the little tyke thought it was a great idea. Hence, from his initial reluctance, he now eagerly pursued them to hurry and get married.
That night, Qiu Lan stayed in a room with Mu Qinian. After Gu Qili gave the room to the two of them and went downstairs to take a shower.
As soon as she descended the stairs, a certain old fox dragged her away. She exclaimed in surprise, frowning at him discontentedly, "What are you doing, you scared me to death."
"What is it?"
"Take a look and you’ll know."
He took out the keys and opened the bedroom she had previously stayed in; turning on the lights, the familiar decor gave Gu Qili an illusion of time reversal.
The room was preserved just as she had left it, with everything regularly cleaned even though she hadn’t left many belongings behind, but they had been neatly placed back in their original spots.
Guilt mixed with a hint of jealousy, Gu Qili said, "You said you threw these things away, afraid that Zhou Xiaoyu would get jealous."
Mu Shuoqian snorted, "You sound really sour there."
"And you even hugged that Zhou Xiaoyu." Without bringing it up, it would have been fine, but now so many details came back crisp and clear. He is, after all, someone with an allergy to women.
"That was just for show, it wasn’t real."
"Who would believe that?" Gu Qili had believed him in her heart already, but didn’t want to forgive him too quickly. A hug was a hug, no matter the reasoning.
"I won’t dare next time." Mu Shuoqian raised his hands in surrender.
"What did you want to show me?"
As Gu Qili took it over and saw what it was, she screamed in excitement, "You actually kept it?"
This was the wedding dress reservation card he had given her. This top-tier bridal boutique only makes the most luxurious wedding dresses for 52 couples each year.
On the reservation card, the locations for the photo shoot were listed. Gu Qili discovered, to her surprise, that in addition to the places already listed, several more countries had been added with a signing pen. This handwriting was Mu Shuoqian’s. When had he added these places?
"Are we going to all these places?" she asked excitedly.
"If you think it’s not enough, we can add more," Mu Shuoqian said as he sat down beside her.
"This is enough, enough. Any more and it would turn into a round-the-world trip."
"Are you just placating me?"
Gu Qili was in a good mood.
"You two are really getting married?" Mickey’s hands trembled as she picked up her food, "You’re back together?"
"Yeah, it was all just a misunderstanding before. I really shouldn’t have distrusted him," Gu Qili said, cradling her cup and taking a sip of water as the waiter placed a plate of fried kale on the table.
"I also think we misunderstood Mu Shuoqian. He might seem cold, but he genuinely cares for you."
"Let’s eat quickly, and then accompany me to see the wedding dress for the shoot."
"Wow, is it that Wuai? The one that only takes wedding photos for 52 couples a year? So expensive, Mu Shuoqian is really willing to spend money on you." Mickey put down her chopsticks and picked up the menu again, "This is a happy occasion, I must add two more dishes. Add whatever is most expensive; after all, you’re about to become a rich lady."
"Add them, add them. If we can’t finish, I’ll stuff it up your nose."
"Mrs. Mu, don’t be so stingy."
"By the way, has Mu Shuoqian proposed to you?"
"Propose? He’s been very busy, just hurry up and order."
Mickey was just joking and didn’t actually place any more orders. After they finished eating, they went to the Wuai Wedding Dress Store. Mickey often passed by but this was her first time entering. Truly a world-class bridal salon, it felt like entering a palace with its glimmering golden splendor.
"Is it Miss Gu?" The store manager greeted them with a smile, "Please come in."
"I would like to see the wedding dresses first."
"Certainly, please follow me upstairs." The manager led the two to the second-floor bridal showroom which was simply paradise for any woman. Each crystal showcase contained a wedding dress from a top-tier world designer.
Gu Qili and Mickey were dazzled. They liked this one and adored that one, unable to decide which to choose.
"Can I try one on too?" Mickey’s eyes twinkled with stars.
"Of course, I brought you here to have you try as well, so when you get married, you can have the tycoon Mu book a wedding dress photo session for you too."
"Me? It’s too early for that, my fate lines haven’t even started yet."
As the two were selecting wedding dresses, Gu Qili heard a familiar voice.
"Hewen, is this one good?"
She turned around and saw Hu Jiaojiao. It had been four years, and she had matured, shedding her youthful naivety and gaining much charm. She was hooking her arm through Mu Hewen’s, pointing at a showcase in front of her.
Could they already be together?
"Isn’t that Hu Jiaojiao? She’s still involved with Mu Hewen? Quite faithful. If it turns out to be true, you’ll be sisters-in-law," Mickey grimaced.
Gu Qili didn’t mind much.
"Qiqi."
Before she could turn around, Hu Jiaojiao spotted her. She let go of Mu Hewen and hastily walked a few steps up to Gu Qili.
"You’re back?"
"Yeah," Gu Qili nodded lightly, "I’m back."
"Are you here to try on wedding dresses?"
"Yes, you too?" Gu Qili glanced at Mu Hewen not far away, who seemed indifferent, as though he didn’t recognize her.
"Yeah, Hewen was hardly able to make the reservation," said Hu Jiaojiao, joy painted all over her face, "I heard this salon isn’t just about having the money to make a reservation."
"So... you’re getting married?"
"Whether they can get married still needs my say," a shrill voice rang out. Hu Jiaojiao frowned in disgust.
Qi Meihui stormed up from downstairs, followed by a staff member from the wedding dress store: "Madam, do you have a reservation? If not, you can’t come up here."
Qi Meihui ignored her, walking straight up to Hu Jiaojiao: "You slut."
Hu Jiaojiao immediately hid behind Mu Hewen, and the hand that Qi Meihui was about to raise was caught by Mu Hewen. His face darkened; he didn’t want to lose face in public, and he warned in a low voice, "Let’s talk about this back home, don’t make a scene here."