The boy beside her was dressed in a blue suit and politely greeted Jing Qing, also presenting a small purple box that appeared quite valuable. Jing Qing thanked him happily, then instructed Qin Mingzhu to take care of him as she casually handed the gift to a staff member nearby.
Soon, the staff rolled in an eight-tiered cake, and the lights on the rooftop dimmed to their faintest glow as the birthday music began to play smoothly.
With over a hundred people present, Jing Qing maintained a smile throughout, but when it came time, she couldn’t help but seek out Mu Yichen. Seeing him approaching with Qin Mu, she couldn’t contain herself any longer and went forward, "Yichen, it’s time to blow out the candles."
She gently called his name and pulled him to the front. Jing Feng and Helian Hao, watching from the side, were utterly exasperated, with Helian Hao instinctively pushing away Jing Feng’s hand from her shoulder.
Jing Feng looked down at her and then firmly wrapped his arms around her again. Qin Mu, standing on Helian Hao’s other side, leaned in and whispered to her, "It’s okay."
Everyone quickly encouraged Mu Yichen to lead the singing of the birthday song, and Mu Yichen’s gaze shifted involuntarily to the woman at a distance. Qin Mu raised her eyes to offer him a reassuring smile, signaling that he needn’t worry about her.
"Happy Birthday to you..."
But it wasn’t Mu Yichen who sang; it was another boy. In the darkness, it was not clear who it was, nor did anyone think it was someone else—they all thought it was Mu Yichen.
However, those who knew him well could tell that wasn’t his voice; it was far too gentle to be Mu Yichen’s.
"Miss Qin, may I buy you a drink?"
Before the lights came back on, someone carried two glasses of wine over to her and whispered in her ear.
Qin Mu turned instinctively and only when she saw a familiar face did she accept the wine glass. The man in the dark raised his glass to toast with hers and took a drink first, prompting Qin Mu to also take a small sip.
As the lights gradually brightened and raucous music filled the air, Jing Qing and Jing Feng held the knife together to cut the cake amidst applause and cheers, while Mu Yichen returned to her side.
"Mu Yichen, even as just a friend, it wouldn’t be too much to ask you to dance with me, the birthday girl, at my party, would it?"
Before he’d had the chance to say a word to Qin Mu, he heard Jing Qing speak, and she was already standing in front of him with her hand extended, inviting him.
Mu Yichen involuntarily furrowed his brow.
"Miss Qin, may I have the honor of this dance?"
It was Liu Jingyuan. Qin Mu was taken aback, having just shared a drink with him moments ago, and looking at Mu Yichen with Jing Qing, she stretched her hand into Liu Jingyuan’s palm: "Sure."
"Can I have this dance now?"
Jing Qing asked, seeing Qin Mu walking away with Liu Jingyuan.
Mu Yichen had no choice but to think it was just one dance.
"Mu Yichen, two minutes! Give me just two minutes of your time to accompany the birthday girl, and then come find me."
Qin Mu suddenly shouted across the crowd at him.
Liu Jingyuan asked her with a laugh, "You’re keeping that tight a leash on him?"
"Of course, how could I not keep a close eye on my man?"
Perhaps because she sensed Liu Jingyuan’s different attitude toward her, she no longer shied away from talking about Mu Yichen with him as she once had.
Still, her words stung.
Although Liu Jingyuan still smiled, he lowered his head: "I’ve always thought you didn’t really like him that much."
"Sometimes feelings can be wrong," Qin Mu suddenly said.
Liu Jingyuan began to feel uneasy, his voice involuntarily growing husky: "Really?"
Qin Mu noticed something was off with him as he leaned in closer, seemingly trying to kiss her.
She could even feel his breath and reflexively pushed him away.
But his hands were gripping her arms tightly.
The music suddenly stopped, the lights flared on, and someone announced: "Sorry everyone, we’re having some trouble with the sound system, please bear with us."
Jing Qing instinctively looked over and muttered: "Huh, isn’t that General Manager Liu with Qin Mu?"
Finally, Mu Yichen found her in the crowd, with Liu Jingyuan holding her tightly.
"I like you, I’ve liked you for a long time."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Let go of me."
Qin Mu struggled with all her might, but she couldn’t break free.
"That time I ran into you at the coffee shop, Qin Mu, it was just like the song says, one glance at you in the crowd and I couldn’t get your image out of my mind."
He murmured, leaning in to kiss her lips, while Qin Mu leaned her neck further back in resistance: "Liu Jingyuan, snap out of it."
Qin Mu was finally released as another man grabbed her hand and yanked her behind him, then furiously stared down at the man he’d knocked to the ground: "Liu Jingyuan, I’m warning you, this is the last time."