Chapter 415: Chapter 373: Had my eyes on you since you were in junior high
Mu Shuoqian embraced the trembling body in his arms, gently patting her shoulder as he whispered comforting words, "It’s okay, it was just a dream, don’t be afraid."
Gu Qili held him tightly, still unable to calm down from the nightmare she had just experienced, where everything seemed incredibly real. Cheng Menghong’s face was hauntingly clear in her dream, saying she would take her away to that world, and it felt like such a curse could soon become true.
"How did you come back?" After a while, Gu Qili gradually calmed down, smelling the scent of travel on Mu Shuoqian, she sat up straight from his embrace and switched on the overhead light.
The man in front of her was still stunningly handsome, though he looked unmistakably tired, but his eyes were filled with deep affection.
"Qini said you caught a cold, so I came back," Mu Shuoqian gently caressed her slightly gaunt cheeks, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere, do you want to go to the hospital to check?"
"No need." Gu Qili shook her head, "It’s nothing serious, just feeling weak all over."
"I’ll go take a shower, you wait for me," Mu Shuoqian slightly adjusted the blanket for her, "Do you want some water?"
"I’m not thirsty, go take your shower."
"Alright." Mu Shuoqian had been busy in the mountains all day and had driven for hours tonight; he urgently needed a shower.
Once he entered the bathroom, Gu Qili slowly lay down again, listening to the sound of water, her heart started to lose its rhythm.
Just because Niannian said she had a cold, he had dropped everything and rushed back; she couldn’t imagine how devastated he would be if he knew about the illness she had.
She really didn’t want to see him sad, but she couldn’t hide it forever as she wanted to keep living; thus, she had to tell him.
Gu Qili glanced at the clock, it was already past one in the morning.
Soon, Mu Shuoqian quickly took a shower and climbed onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her from behind, "Aren’t you sleeping?"
"Waiting to sleep with you," Gu Qili turned around, naturally embracing his waist, "You must be tired, right?"
"It’s okay," Mu Shuoqian kissed her forehead, "How did you catch a cold, did you get chilled last night?"
Gu Qili shook her head: "I don’t know why, it’s nothing serious, don’t worry."
He was so tired, she didn’t want to tell him right now and also, she was not fully mentally prepared yet.
"Then let’s sleep," he gently patted her shoulder, "Get well soon, we have the wedding banquet to attend."
Their wedding, though not extravagant, was filled with close friends and family, requiring proper attention, especially since with Mu Shuoqian’s current status, his marriage was bound to be big news in Aus City.
"Don’t worry, I’ll be beautiful on the wedding day," Gu Qili smiled and kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering softly, "Ah Qian, I will never leave you, I swear."
Even if one day she couldn’t hold on and died, her soul would stay with him, never leaving his side.
"I know, silly," Mu Shuoqian hugged her tightly, "Sleep."
In his warm embrace, she found a greedy sense of peace and security, closing her eyes and softly humming a sound.
Gu Qili slept until after nine in the morning. When she woke up, the room was filled with sunlight. Rubbing her eyes, she saw Mu Qinian sitting beside her reading a comic book. Upon seeing her awake, he reached out to touch her forehead, checking her temperature seriously before continuing to read.
Gu Qili chuckled, pulling the comic book away from him, "Don’t read in bed, it can harm your eyesight."
"I’ve finished it anyway," Mu Qinian stretched lazily.
"Where’s your dad?"
"He went to work, he told me to look after you," Mu Qinian turned towards her, "Are you still feeling unwell?"
"Not anymore," Gu Qili gently bumped his forehead, "Let’s go have breakfast."
Qiu Lan had made plans with her classmate from planning to go out today, leaving only the servants and Uncle Yu at home. Seeing her get up, the servants quickly brought breakfast over.
"Madam, it’s almost New Year, take a look at this listing of New Year’s goods I’ve prepared, do you think we need to add anything?" After breakfast, Uncle Yu handed her a list, "In past years, we didn’t prepare much for New Year’s at home, but this year it’s different, the old madam is here too, so I thought maybe we should make it more significant."
Gu Qili took the list, noting all items were thoroughly considered, obviously well-prepared by Uncle Yu.
Uncle Yu was right; it was a rare opportunity for their family to spend a reunion New Year together, so they should not be careless. Thinking of how Qiu Lan liked three-delight dumplings, she added some ingredients to the list.
"I want firecrackers," Mu Qinian’s little head peered over, "Lots and lots of firecrackers."
"Okay." Gu Qili wrote down fireworks.
As they were discussing the list, suddenly someone rang the doorbell outside. Mu Qinian, quick on his feet, ran to open the door and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle!"
Gu Qili had not seen Mu Fan for a long time. He had graduated from university and was now interning at Muguang Entertainment, where Mu Haotian was intentionally grooming him.
"Qili." Mu Fan had heard of her return, so he took the first chance he had to visit.
The youthful lad had matured into a handsome man, moving with a grace and poise that lacked any childishness, yet he continued to joke around playfully when with her.
Back in the Mu Family, everyone looked down on her, only Mu Fan saw her differently. They were aunt and nephew, but also friends.
"Don’t even mention it." Mu Fan took a sip of water, "I’ve been out exploring work for a month and only got to Aus City’s muddy ground yesterday, you haven’t noticed my tan?"
"Little uncle, where’s the thing you promised to give me?" Mu Qinian leaned on Mu Fan’s legs, her eyes black and glossy, "You can’t go back on your word."
Mu Fan had completely forgotten about it until the child brought it up, and he slapped his thigh, "Ah, it’s left at home, I’ll get it for you once I’m back home."
Mu Qinian looked at him and suddenly hopped down from his lap and ran upstairs.
"Niannian, you can’t just ask your uncle for things like this," Gu Qili called out from behind him, "It’s very impolite."
"Don’t blame her; it was me who promised her," Mu Fan scratched his head, "Look at my memory."
"Never mind, you don’t have to mind him." Gu Qili asked, "How have you been these days?"
"The same, with endless work every day. I can now truly understand how tired my second brother must be. Had I known it would be this exhausting, I’d have continued with my studies, pursued a master’s degree, maybe even a PhD..."
Mu Fan looked at her: "How about you, is managing the winery tiring?"
"Not really, the people around me are very supportive, I actually don’t do much."
While they were talking, Mu Qinian already came running down from upstairs with a big bag, ran to Mu Fan’s side, and pulled his hand: "Let’s go, little uncle, to your place to get it."
Mu Fan: "..."
He had just made an offhand remark, not expecting Mu Qinian to take it seriously. Seeing the hope in her face, he really couldn’t refuse.
"Niannian, you shouldn’t do this, how can you follow your little uncle home asking for things." Gu Qili frowned, "This is a bad habit."
Mu Qinian lowered her head, her hands tugging at her backpack straps without speaking, giving her a stubborn look from the back of her head.
While Gu Qili was still insisting, Mu Fan had already stood up and said: "Let’s go, little uncle will take you to get it."
"Mu Fan, you shouldn’t spoil him like this," Gu Qili disagreed, "It’s a bad habit, once established, it’ll be hard to change."
"You don’t know what Qinian wants," Mu Fan winked at her, bent down, and picked up Mu Qinian, "Let’s go to uncle’s place, oh wow, Qinian, how many chicken legs have you been gnawing lately? You’ve gotten heavier again."
Mu Qinian hastily glanced at Gu Qili, worried that she might not be allowed to eat meat in the future, but Gu Qili, still somewhat upset, quickly grabbed her bag and joined them in his car.
Mu Family old house, it had been many years since she last came here, everything still looked the same.
Mu Haotian wasn’t home, only the servant was there.
Mu Fan asked the mother and son to make themselves comfortable and went upstairs to get the things.
Gu Qili held Mu Qinian’s hand to keep him from running around and lectured him about the situation.
"Niannian, it’s because the little uncle likes you that he gives you things, but you can’t just ask for things, it’s very impolite. You’re not allowed to do this again, got it?"
Mu Qinian bit his lip, head lowered, and remained silent.
His unresponsive demeanor irritated Gu Qili, she restrained herself but still firmly and earnestly explained the rationale to him.
"Alright, you misunderstood Qinian." Mu Fan came downstairs with something resembling a pillow, "Qinian didn’t ask for himself, right?"
Mu Fan handed the object to Mu Qinian’s hands: "Here, did uncle keep his promise?"
Mu Qinian then happily smiled: "Thank you, little uncle."
"What is this?" Gu Qili asked puzzled.
"This is a Medicine Pillow, for curing insomnia. Qinian saw it and asked for it, saying it’s for second brother, he mentioned that second brother has been suffering from chronic insomnia."
Mu Fan didn’t mention that this pillow was supposed to be for Mu Haotian, brought on his last trip. He had originally planned to get another one for Mu Qinian but had completely forgotten, so he had no choice but to sneakishly take out the unused one intended for Mu Haotian.
Gu Qili didn’t expect that she had wronged Mu Qinian, feeling embarrassed, she squatted down to apologize to him.
Mu Qinian glanced at her and stuffed the pillow into his big backpack: "Ignorance is not a sin."
Gu Qili: "..."
The servant brought some tea, and Gu Qili wasn’t inclined to stay any longer, planning just to have a cup of tea and then leave.
"Mu Fan, do you have a girlfriend?"
Mu Fan spread his hands: "No, no girl is interested in me."
Gu Qili snorted, "With your credentials, girls should be lining up for you."
"You think I’m like my second brother, huh? He’s been eyeing you since you were in middle school," Mu Fan curled his lip.
"What?"