Volume One, Chapter 16: What Is Your Relationship with Mu Shaozhou?

Yu Mo stiffened all over. She couldn’t tell if it was his breath warming her skin or the weight of his words that unsettled her. She fell silent for a few seconds, her long lashes quivering. When she finally spoke, her tone carried a gentle, teasing smile.

“Sweetheart, what are you saying? Isn’t this just fine, the way we are?”

The man’s breath caught, and his arm tightened around her waist. After a long while, he spoke, his voice tinged with defeat.

“Why? Is there something wrong with me?”

In his words, Yu Mo heard a note of grievance, and she could almost picture him blinking at her with those pitiful eyes. He was nothing like the man who had so fiercely taken control in bed; now, calm and quiet, he was more like a pampered puppy, eager to nuzzle in her arms.

Mu Shaozhou wished he could look into her eyes and hear her repeat those words in earnest. Just moments ago, she had been so ardent in declaring her feelings for him, yet now she could turn her back so easily.

Yu Mo pondered for a moment. She no longer wished to invest so much of her heart in love. The deeper she fell, the more pain she would ultimately suffer. Keeping her distance, just like this, seemed for the best.

Suddenly, her phone rang. Yu Mo glanced at the screen, alarm bells going off in her head. She turned to the man behind her.

“Don’t make a sound. I need to take this call.”

The moment she answered, her mother’s voice came through.

“Mo Mo, you haven’t been home in so long. Your grandfather talks about you every day. Come home soon, will you?”

“Mom, I’ll come by today,” Yu Mo replied. She needed to pick up some things anyway.

She tried to slip out of the pretty boy’s embrace, but he pulled her back with a determined arm.

“Ah!” Yu Mo let out a startled cry.

On the other end, her mother made a surprised sound.

“Mo Mo, is there someone with you?”

“N-no, of course not,” Yu Mo stammered, clearly flustered. “Mom, I’ll head home now. Talk to you later.”

She quickly hung up, then grabbed the little duck-shaped pouch from her bedside table and took out a packet of herbal medicine.

“Sweetheart, I’ll go home and get you a fresh one. This one’s lost its effect.”

Mu Shaozhou lounged on the bed, shifting lazily to a more comfortable position.

His features were strikingly deep, his long, narrow eyes shimmering with the light of stars and oceans, rippling with emotion. He gazed at Yu Mo with unwavering attention, his bare torso displaying sinewy, alluring muscles. His tone was soft, almost plaintive, as if pleading for affection.

“Yu Mo, how long will you be gone? What am I supposed to do if I miss you? Can I come find you?”

“No way!” Yu Mo refused without a moment’s hesitation.

Mu Shaozhou’s face fell, his mood visibly darkening. Yu Mo’s heart softened; she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. Only then did his expression brighten a little, though he watched her hurried departure with clear reluctance.

The Yu Family Residence.

Upon returning home, Yu Mo went straight to visit her grandfather. The old man was seventy now, his hair snowy white, a long beard trailing down his chest. His body was still hale and strong, and at that moment, he was in the courtyard, pruning the branches of the flowering crabapple trees. The blooms clustered in vibrant red, like little lanterns burning bright.

Seeing his granddaughter return, the old man’s eyes lit up with joy. Yu Mo took his arm and led him inside. After chatting for a while, she produced the herbal sachet.

“Grandpa, could you take a look at this?”

The old man took the packet and held it beneath his nose for a sniff.

“Child, this is a calming sachet I made myself. How did you come by it?”

The Yu family had practiced medicine for generations, but since her brother and father had disappeared fifteen years ago, her grandfather had rarely treated anyone or prepared medicine. The bag was clearly quite old, yet it had been well preserved.

Yu Mo wanted to know as well.

“I saw it at a friend’s place and wanted to get him a new one.”

Her grandfather nodded. “There’s sour jujube seed and arborvitae seed in here, and…” He pressed a wrinkled hand to his temple, thinking.

Yu Mo continued for him, “And polygala root, albizia bark.”

“Yes, yes. Age is getting the better of my memory,” he sighed.

Yu Mo patted his hand gently. “You’re not old, Grandpa. You’ll live a long life, and you’ll see Dad and my little brother return home. We’ll all be together again.”

Hearing their voices, her mother, Xiao Lin, came out from the kitchen.

“Mo Mo, you’re finally back. I made all your favorite dishes.”

Yu Mo got up to help in the kitchen.

At the dining table, Yu Mo served her mother some food.

“Mom, I’ll be busy for a while. When things settle down, I’ll come home and spend more time with you and Grandpa.”

Xiao Lin smiled warmly. “Mo Mo, you have to take care of yourself living on your own. Look how thin you’ve gotten since I last saw you. You must be back to fetch Yan Ting’s herbs, right? I’ve already prepared them for you.”

Yu Mo paused, her long lashes lowering. Her voice was calm.

“Mom, the engagement with Fu Yan Ting has been called off.”

“Called off?” Xiao Lin set down her chopsticks at once, fixing her daughter with a serious gaze. After a long while, she sighed deeply.

“It’s for the best. That young master of the Fu family never seemed to care much for you anyway. Mo Mo, whatever you decide, your mother supports you. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters. If you don’t want to get married, I’ll take care of you.”

Yu Mo’s eyes grew moist, her voice choked.

“Mom—”

Xiao Lin put a large piece of meat on her plate. “My daughter is so outstanding. You’ll certainly meet someone better and more suitable. But remember, never compromise yourself for a man, no matter what.”

“Mm.” Yu Mo finished her meal at home and then hurried off, having received a message from Manager Yao—Lin Xing had come to the pharmaceutical factory.

Fu Pharmaceuticals.

No sooner had Yu Mo entered the company than Manager Yao approached her.

“Miss Yu, President Lin specifically asked for you to receive him. I had no other choice but to call you.”

“I understand,” Yu Mo replied, straightening her clothes and following Manager Yao to the reception room.

As soon as the door opened, she saw Lin Xing in a tailored suit. His eyes, dark and dangerous, were fixed on her.

Yu Mo sat across from him, her tone composed and self-assured.

“President Lin, welcome to Fu Pharmaceuticals.”

Lin Xing signaled with a glance for Manager Yao to leave. Once the door closed, Yu Mo spoke.

“President Lin, are you here to discuss the production authorization?”

Lin Xing shook his head, propped his long legs on the desk, and folded his arms. He looked at Yu Mo, his expression unusually earnest.

“I came to apologize. I was too reckless last time.”

“I should apologize to you, President Lin. I shouldn’t have hit you.” Yu Mo lowered her gaze, but there was no trace of remorse in her words. She was certain—if Lin Xing ever behaved rudely again, she would not hesitate to slap him once more.

“What’s your relationship with Mu Shaozhou?” Lin Xing abruptly changed the subject, his long, beguiling black eyes locked onto Yu Mo’s, as if trying to see straight through her.