Qin Mubai was lost in thought for a moment, then lowered his eyelids to conceal the turbulent emotions in his eyes.
Bai Ruanruan was still there, babbling on and on, trying to persuade him.
Qin Mubai suppressed his complicated emotions and spoke calmly.
"What do you want to do by telling me all this?"
Even if you were once very close, now that you've broken up, your ex has the right to pursue anyone they like.
But he doesn't like Nan Qing!
Bai Ruanruan looked serious, then sighed as if she were expressing regret.
"When we first got together, he told me many times that his life had been very difficult. The youngest son of the family he was sponsoring always bullied him. He couldn't eat or sleep well, and he lived in constant pain, feeling like he had no dignity."
How could he have fallen for Nan Qing so quickly?
"He doesn't actually want to be with Nan Qing; he's just using this opportunity to provoke me."
Bai Ruanruan sighed, and tears fell from her eyes.
"Our breakup was very unpleasant; I was the one who wronged him."
Qin Mubai remained silent.
His deep eyes were half-closed, gazing at the small fish that occasionally swam out of the pond and blew bubbles.
What Bai Ruanruan said may be true, or it may be half true and half false.
Regardless of his status, he disapproved of Qingqing's relationship with Huo Yuzhou.
That child was spoiled from a young age, simple-minded, innocent and lively, which was not a good match for Huo Yuzhou, a ruthless and cunning dictator.
Even if...
Even if he really wants to date a man, he should choose someone of similar age who is sunny, cheerful, gentle, and generous to be tolerant of him.
Ideally, they should be doctors, lawyers, researchers, or gentle and refined university professors.
As long as you have ambition and are hardworking, you can succeed.
It doesn't matter if he doesn't earn much, he still has his older brother.
As long as I live, I will never let him suffer materially.
He will always keep those unspoken thoughts to himself and always stand behind him to protect him.
If all else fails, I, as the older brother, can support them both.
Qin Mubai withdrew his gaze and looked at Bai Ruanruan.
"I have no advice to offer regarding your romantic relationships, nor do I care. It's up to you."
"I want to Yuzhou!"
Bai Ruanruan's eyes lit up, and she hesitated for a moment.
"But he's angry with me, and today he deliberately did these things to provoke me. I want to have a proper talk with him, but those people at the door are condescending and won't even let me in."
"Could you take me in, bro?"
"I promise I won't disgrace the Bai Family, and I won't say anything I shouldn't. I just want to win back my love. Can you take me in?"
"This is just a small favor for my brother; it won't have any impact whatsoever!"
Qin Mubai's sharp gaze fell on his face.
"I don't care what you're going to do, just don't let me find out you're trying to make a move on Nan Qing."
"Otherwise, I'll kick you out of the Bai Family."
-
Bai Ruanruan finally stepped back into the main hall of the reception.
It's already past 10 p. m., and the hall is filled with elegantly dressed people, soft music, and the banquet is in full swing.
This time, Bai Ruanruan didn't directly confront him.
He had originally planned to follow Qin Mubai and ask someone to add a chair for him, but Qin Mubai showed no intention of taking him along, so he could only reluctantly find a secluded spot and ask someone to add a chair.
From his direction, one had to crane their neck to see Huo Yuzhou over there.
He was somewhat unwilling, but given the circumstances, there was nothing he could do but accept it.
A waiter in uniform brought over confit and beef brisket. Bai Ruanruan glanced at it, then looked in Huo Yuzhou's direction.
He glanced at the menu; there was another wine coming up. His chances were numbered.
Bai Ruanruan was so anxious she was restless, when someone walked up to Gu Xingchen and whispered something in her ear.
Gu Xingchen smiled gently and looked at Huo Yuzhou.
The man seated at the head of the table received his signal and his gaze drifted in a certain direction in the room.
"Are the actors in place?"
Gu Xingchen smiled as well, "He really works hard."
"Useless at everything, but number one at courting death."
Nan Qing, who had just been prying aside the green vegetables, vaguely heard a few words and turned to look at him with her pretty little face.
"What first place?"
Huo Yuzhou, with a serious expression, pinched his cheek.
"You're number one at not liking to eat."
Nan Qing scoffed and ignored him, intending to enjoy a slightly tipsy and romantic late-night snack with a bite of beef and a sip of wine.
The moment he raised his eyes, he saw half of Bai Ruanruan's face peeking out from behind a European-style one-armed statue.
How is he still here?!
I'm speechless! What is he trying to do now?!
The meat in her mouth no longer tasted good. Nan Qing pretended to drink while secretly glancing at him.
This time, Bai Ruanruan behaved herself. After saying something to a passing waiter, she sat down to eat again.
However, his seat was too secluded; once he sat down, Nan Qing couldn't see him at all.
wrong!
What did he say to the waiter?!
Nan Qing put down the metal fork in her hand, her gaze following the waiter in the same uniform. She watched him walk towards her, then smile politely at her before passing by and placing the Wagyu beef tartare crab meat in front of Huo Yuzhou.
Nan Qing: "!!!!"
This is a more clichéd and common trope than "Young Master hasn't laughed like this in a long time!!!"
Could there be something drugged in the meal in front of Huo Yuzhou?!
Almost simultaneously, all three of them lowered their heads.
Nan Qing's pupils dilated in shock as she stared at the crab meat coated in sauce on top.
Gu Xingchen also gave a half-smile as she looked at the dish in front of Huo Yuzhou.
Huo Yuzhou remained calm and picked up the silver knife and fork.
The knife and fork, gleaming with a cold, silvery light, traced a curve in the air, Huo Yuzhou's slender fingers also rotated in a certain arc, following the movement of his wrist.
Nan Qing: "!!!"
no!
He really ate it?!
How did this guy get to where he is today? He's so naive!!!
The moment the gleaming fork touched the crab meat, Nan Qing sat bolt upright, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Huo Yuzhou--
Huo Yuzhou looked over in the direction of his voice, a flawless smile on his face, even his voice was exceptionally pleasant.
"What's wrong?"
Nan Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, "Don't eat that. Let's have something else."
Huo Yuzhou eyes shimmered as he looked at him and smiled.
" Baby, I'm hungry."
After a moment's thought, Nan Qing swiftly switched the position of the table in front of her with Huo Yuzhou's.
"Eat!"
Huo Yuzhou looked at the plate that had been pushed towards him, then turned to look at the plate in front of Nan Qing that had been spiked with something, and remained silent for a moment.
" Baby, do you want some too?"