Volume One, Chapter 28: Love at First Sight

Mu Shaozhou lifted his perfectly sculpted chin ever so slightly, his voice cutting sharper in person than it had over the phone. Beneath the mask, his long, narrow eyes held a faint indifference and detachment. His tone was steady, neither hurried nor slow.

“Yu Mo.”

Yu Mo lowered her eyelids for a moment, glancing once more at Lin Xing, who had been trailing behind her. She lied with an air of calm composure.

“Mu Shaozhou, may I ride home with you? My car broke down.”

Mu Shaozhou’s expression remained composed, his features utterly unperturbed, betraying not the slightest doubt as to whether she spoke the truth. His thin lips parted slightly.

“All right. Dai Ming.”

At his command, Dai Ming immediately stepped out and opened the door for Yu Mo. She climbed into the car.

Lin Xing approached the vehicle as well. He locked eyes with the man inside for a few seconds, then spread his hands in a gesture that was half a smile, though the mirth never reached his eyes. In those sharp, discerning eyes, a trace of disdain and arrogance flickered.

“So, the prince really does like to take what isn’t his.”

Mu Shaozhou’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a shadow of detachment passing beneath his long lashes. His voice was cool, utterly devoid of warmth, each word heavy with meaning.

“If it isn’t yours, don’t covet it. Otherwise, you’ll only end up battered and bruised.”

A soft, derisive laugh escaped Lin Xing. Hands in his pockets, he walked away.

“Let’s wait and see.”

He left those words for Mu Shaozhou before departing.

Yu Mo couldn’t fathom why Lin Xing harbored such hostility toward Mu Shaozhou. Clearly, it wasn’t anything she herself had done.

“Address.”

Mu Shaozhou’s voice broke her reverie. Yu Mo gathered her thoughts and recited her home address.

The entire ride, she tried calling Pretty Boy, but each attempt failed to connect. A faint worry crept into her heart, though she quickly suppressed it.

The car’s interior was warm—the heater was on—but Yu Mo could still sense the chill emanating from Mu Shaozhou beside her.

She broke the silence.

“Mu Shaozhou, thank you for today. Let me treat you to dinner.”

He had helped her so many times; it was only right that she invite him for a meal.

“How about Jade Residence?”

Jade Residence was an upscale Chinese restaurant in the city, and Yu Mo was a frequent guest there.

As the car entered the restaurant’s gates, attendants in traditional attire welcomed them, guiding their vehicle to a parking spot. One attendant opened the door for Yu Mo as she stepped out. She glanced around—the place remained just as she remembered. The only difference was that the attendants had grown more handsome; she couldn’t help but steal a few more glances.

A fleeting, inscrutable emotion flashed through Mu Shaozhou’s eyes beneath his mask, only to be replaced by his usual cool composure.

They entered a private dining room.

Holding the menu, Yu Mo asked, “Mu Shaozhou, do you have any dietary restrictions or things you don’t eat?”

“No.”

She ordered a few dishes. Soon, the attendant brought out two light appetizers and perfectly brewed tea.

Yu Mo took a sip—it was fresh daisy tea, newly picked. Beneath the faint bitterness lingered a rich, clean fragrance.

There were so many questions she wanted to ask Mu Shaozhou. Without further ado, she got straight to the point.

“Mu Shaozhou, why do you help me every time? Do you like me?”

She genuinely couldn’t think of another reason for his repeated assistance. It couldn’t be that she’d saved him as a child and he’d come to repay the debt, could it? She shook her head. Impossible.

Mu Shaozhou’s pale, slender fingers held the small teacup, though he didn’t bring it to his lips. The ancient elegance of the room only accentuated his distant, restrained aura. His grip on the cup tightened until his fingertips turned white.

A long silence.

At last, he spoke, his tone light.

“Yes.”

Yu Mo rubbed her ears, almost convinced she’d misheard or was hallucinating. Why on earth would Mu Shaozhou like her? It made no sense.

“But we’ve only met three times. Don’t tell me you believe in love at first sight.”

She no longer believed in love at first sight. In her eyes, it was always a matter of physical attraction.

“Yes.”

Yu Mo was stunned again. She frowned.

Surely not! The illustrious young master was actually shallow enough to be smitten with her at first sight.

“Don’t tell me you want me to be your girlfriend. Do you even want to marry me?”

“Yes.”

Yu Mo poured herself more tea and took a small sip. The conversation had stalled completely. How was she supposed to keep going?

Mu Shaozhou lifted his gaze, fixing her with an unblinking stare. Every word fell with deliberate weight.

“Yu Mo, my feelings for you are sincere. Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Cough!”

Yu Mo was so startled she nearly choked on her tea. After a fit of coughing, her bright, almond-shaped eyes widened.

“Are you serious?”

“Mm.”

Mu Shaozhou’s expression didn’t change, but he was clutching the teacup so tightly it nearly shattered. His deep gaze remained locked on Yu Mo, as if waiting for her answer.

She looked down, her voice growing cold.

“The young prince does love to joke.”

The dishes arrived, and the two ate in silence.

Not another word passed between them for the rest of the meal.

Afterwards, Yu Mo got into the Cullinan, and Mu Shaozhou drove her home. She stepped out of the car in some disarray, the atmosphere inside having stifled her all the way. She hurriedly walked away.

Behind her, Mu Shaozhou called out, “Yu Mo, I’ll wait for your answer.”

Yu Mo’s steps faltered for a moment, then quickened. She did not look back.

What a joke. She’d never considered marrying into a wealthy family. Becoming a society matron was far from an easy life.

On Monday, Yu Mo stayed home from the pharmaceutical company due to her period. On Tuesday, the moment she set foot through the company doors, she overheard the receptionists discussing her.

“Do you think Yu Mo still stands a chance? I heard this time the vote will involve the entire board—twenty-three directors.”

“Since Young Master Fu proposed the method, he must be confident he can get Lin Hua to take over the company. Most of the board has probably already been won over by him.”

“Exactly…”

Just then, the receptionist caught sight of Yu Mo and nearly jumped out of her skin. She hastily bowed.

“Good morning, Miss Yu.”

Yu Mo pretended not to have heard their conversation and headed straight for the boardroom. As expected, before she reached it, Manager Yao informed her of the board’s upcoming vote to decide whether she or Lin Hua would take charge of the pharmaceutical company.

Yu Mo let out a cold laugh and followed Manager Yao into the boardroom.

All twenty-three directors were present and raised their hands to vote—first for Lin Hua, who received eleven votes, and then for Yu Mo, who also received eleven.

Manager Yao dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief, his gaze settling on Fu Yanting.

He had yet to cast his vote.

“Young Master Fu, to whom does your vote go?”