Ch. 571..580

Marry Me Quick Chapter 571-Ziyue blocked Enxue's number, thinking that she would call again.

If Enxue were to use another number to call, Ziyue wouldn't answer and would block her again.

But there were no calls from any unknown number after that.

Ziyue wanted to call Zixi but gave up after realizing it wasn't an appropriate time.

She sauntered into the living room and plopped onto the sofa.

She nodded off while thinking about her relationship with Muchen, her head propped in hand.

When she came around, Muchen was seated opposite her in a neatly pressed suit.

His well-proportioned figure meant that he looked good in anything. All eyes would be on him when he had a suit on. Although he was a patient discharged from the hospital not long ago, his complexion was vibrant and wasn't haggard at all.

Ziyue looked at him. She only noticed that she had been staring for a while when he furrowed his eyebrows.

Hurriedly, she averted her eyes. "When did you get here?"

"Come to the basement." He left with those words.

She tensed up when he mentioned the place.

"Why? What's there to do in the basement?!"

She had to quicken her pace to keep up with his long strides.

He ignored her just as she had expected him to.

She followed behind as they went down.

When they reached the entrance, she noticed that the door was ajar.

Someone is in there!

She had a strong sense of foreboding.

Muchen pushed the door open and entered the room.

Ziyue followed him. The man blocked her vision. She could only see that there were people but couldn't see the scene.

The subordinates stopped what they were doing when Muchen entered. "Mr. Qin, Mrs. Qin."

They brought in two chairs for the couple.

Ziyue finally got a good look at the room when Muchen sat in one of the chairs. The first thing she noticed was Shichu lying on the ground.

He was still wearing the same white shirt and black slacks he was in when they took him.

Dirt and crimson blood stained the white shirt.

The contrast in the colors was striking to the eye.

Ziyue knew that Muchen wouldn't hold back toward Shichu.

But now that she was at the scene, she felt hesitant.

Shichu lay on the ground, unmoving. She would have thought he was gone if it wasn't for the rise and fall of his chest.

She turned to Muchen suddenly. He calmly asked a subordinate standing to the side, "Has he come clean?"

The subordinate lowered his head. "No, sir."

"Looks like he has a death wish." He sneered while lighting a cigarette.

The subordinate saw that Ziyue was still standing and reminded her. "Mrs. Qin, please take a seat."

Ziyue ignored him as her eyes landed on the cigarette in Muchen's hand. "You shouldn't smoke."

She reached out to snatch it away.

Muchen dodged her slender fingers swiftly. The corners of his lip raised as a devilish smile formed. "Take a good look at your dear Shichu before you lose the chance to."

She noticed the real meaning behind his words and stared at him, wide-eyed with fear. "You cannot do that!"

"Hah!" He let out a scornful laugh as if he had heard a joke.

Ziyue clenched her fists and ran to Shichu.

Muchen's eyes darkened while observing her. The cigarette he just took a puff from was crushed in his hand. The burnt cigarette end fell to the ground. His fingers were singed, yet he didn't notice.

The subordinate behind Muchen watched Ziyue and leaned toward him, speaking hesitantly. "Mr. Qin…"

Muchen looked fixedly in Ziyue's direction without any movement.

The subordinate returned to his position without another word.

Ziyue could feel Muchen's glare piercing through her without even looking back.

She couldn't care less.

She couldn't just watch when Muchen had placed a death sentence over Shichu's head.

She kneeled close to Shichu and propped his head. "Shichu!"

Shichu was covered from head to toe in dirt and blood. He opened his eyes weakly. His life seemed to be hanging by a thread.

Ziyue widened her eyes as she fought the tears threatening to spill. "Can you hear me?"

It was the first time she had seen him in this state despite knowing each other for many years.

Shichu recognized the person before him. A look of delight lit up in his eyes before dying away quickly.

He moved his lips with much effort. "I'm… fine… Why are you here…"

Ziyue was alarmed and didn't want to move him. She said tremblingly, "I'll get him to let you go."

"I don't need… your pity…"

Before he could finish his words, Ziyue was pulled away from him.

She turned back to see Muchen's sullen face.

He gripped her wrist and held her tightly in his arms while giving Shichu a look of contempt as if he was garbage.

A second later, Ziyue heard him say coldly, "Dispose of him."

He tugged at her, bringing her away.

Memories of her time with Shichu flashed across her mind.

He was the first to come to her when her father was jailed. He comforted her, assuring her that he was with her. When she was bullied by the Su family and felt miserable, he brought her favorite food to cheer her up…

All her interactions with Shichu played in her head like a movie.

They were all small everyday interactions, small but frequent.

He was there in both her childhood and teenage years.

She couldn't watch him die even if he had done unforgivable things.

She just couldn't.

"No!"

'Thump!'

The door flew open with Ziyue's scream.

They looked back as a group of people stormed in.

Ziyue recognized the person leading the group.

Lin Enyang.

"Qin Muchen, release Dr. Lu!" Enyang's eyes landed on Shichu. His subordinates followed him closely.

Muchen shot a look at him. He looked down at Ziyue in his arms and said in a chilling voice, "My dear good wife…"

Ziyue didn't understand his words, but her heart jolted uneasily.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 572-Muchen's subordinates had their guns aimed at Enyang.

On the other side, Enyang's subordinates raised their guns, refusing to back down.

The tension in the room was palpable to the point that one could cut the air with a knife.

Ziyue's heart rate quickened as she stared at the rows of gun muzzles.

It was illegal for citizens to carry firearms in Country J.

But Muchen wasn't any typical person. It wasn't surprising that his subordinates would have firearms on them. Ziyue felt on edge to see such a scene happen in a flash.

It was the first time she had been in that situation. It was inevitable for her to feel anxious when someone could die at any moment.

There were several noticeable cuts on Enyang's face.

The cuts were fresh.

There were many guards around the villa. The injuries were most probably from fighting with the guards outside.

"How courageous of you, Mr. Lin. But you will have a harder time leaving than when you entered!"

Even as Muchen spoke to Enyang, his hold on Ziyue didn't loosen.

Ziyue felt warm air hit the top of her head as he spoke. Yet her body felt cold.

His words from before were still spinning in her head.

It was beyond doubt that there was a deeper meaning behind his words.

Enyang looked at Muchen calmly. "Mr. Qin, in any way, we were once friends in the business. There's no point in meeting like this. I think this can be more peaceful…"

He stopped and gave Ziyue a meaningful look. "I think your wife doesn't want you to do this too."

Ziyue was still held tightly in Muchen's arms. She couldn't help but frown at Enyang's words.

What is this man's plan? What did Muchen mean earlier?

She couldn't see Muchen's expression as her back was against him.

Yet, she clearly felt his hostility and rage as soon as Enyang stopped speaking.

She bit her lip. "Mu…"

She didn't know what she should say, but Muchen interrupted her before she could continue.

"My dear wife, you have been quite capable lately. You went through a lot of trouble to join forces with outsiders to save Lu Shichu." His words were frosty.

Ziyue shuddered and tried to recompose herself. "What nonsense are you spouting!"

When did I join forces with outsiders to save Shichu?

His imagination's running wild.

"Sad to say, you will be disappointed. None of them will have an easy time leaving today." Muchen said to Ziyue as if they were the only ones around. Enyang's expression changed.

"What do you mean?" She had trouble understanding Muchen ever since Enyang arrived.

Muchen scoffed as he released Ziyue. "Do not spare anyone."

He pulled Ziyue and began heading out.

Ziyue was reluctant to leave as she thought of Shichu.

Muchen stopped and turned back as if he had read her thoughts. He gave her a smile.

Ziyue was confused by his smile and looked on, bewildered. He pulled out a pistol, held it at full stretch over her shoulder, and pulled the trigger.

When she registered what had happened and turned back, she saw red spread across Shichu's white shirt as if it were a movie's special effects.

The gunshot sound echoed in her ear. "Shichu," she murmured in a trembling voice and tried to run back to him.

Muchen was holding onto her hand and pulled her back.

He spoke softly into her ear, "It doesn't matter if you brought Enyang in; Shichu would have still died. I told you, you would be disappointed."

"Let me go!" She struggled, trying to escape from Muchen's iron grip.

She couldn't help turning back toward Shichu but only saw his blood-stained shirt.

He lay on the ground, unmoving. Lifeless.

Tears spilled out of her eyes as her voice became shrill out of hysteria. "You bastard! You murderer! You killed him!"

Muchen turned stony as he observed her tear-stained face. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and left the place.

As they walked out, Ziyue heard a few more gunshots.

She struggled and scratched him as he carried her to the bedroom, almost as if she wholly abhorred him.

Yet he showed no reaction as if everything was fine. His walking pace was steady like he was on a leisurely stroll.

Only his arm that was clutching onto Ziyue showed the wrath that was on the verge of erupting.

He walked to their bedroom and kicked the door open. He took a few strides toward the bed and threw her onto it.

He tossed her so forcefully that Ziyue only realized what had happened a moment later.

He leaned toward her and tore her clothes off.

A bloodthirsty and cold smile stretched across his face. "You don't want to bear my child? You don't have a choice!"

Ziyue wanted to resist him, but she wasn't his match.

Besides, he was blind with rage at the moment. The more she struggled, the rougher he would be.

They didn't look like a couple in love but more like enemies, not holding back on hurting each other.

Ziyue's mind replayed the scene she saw as they left the basement earlier.

The blood spread across Shichu's shirt. His lifeless body.

The person who had accompanied her for years, the man who had given her countless warmth, was gone.

He died before her.

Muchen pulled the trigger on him.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

With her fists, she struck the man holding her down. Her voice was hoarse. "Get away from me!"

He was blind with rage and couldn't hear what she was saying.

He tore off the last fabric between them and forced himself in.

Both were burning with anger, and without foreplay, no pleasure was felt.

Ziyue felt her body being torn apart and trembled in pain.

She bit her lip and glared at him with hatred. She shoved him, but he didn't budge.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 573-Muchen was never gentle during intercourse, but at least he would care about Ziyue and would not deliberately hurt her.

At that moment, he had utterly lost his rationality, so he couldn't care less if Ziyue was in pain.

Ziyue struggled at first, but she lost her energy toward the end.

Muchen's rage gradually faded as she started to quieten down.

He knew he was too violent just now, so he lowered his head to kiss her. However, when he saw the traces of tears on her face, he became ferocious again.

Is she crying for Shichu at this moment?

At that thought, Muchen's expression turned ghastly. He stopped, sneering, "Are you feeling good now, so you stopped screaming?"

Ziyue turned her head aside to avoid his gaze when she heard the humiliation. Tears flowed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Muchen seized her chin in dissatisfaction and forced her to turn to face him. "Look at me!" He bellowed coldly.

Ziyue was forced to meet Edgar's eyes. Her watery eyes were filled with adamance and a tinge of hatred.

Muchen was stunned upon perceiving the emotions in her eyes. Does she hate me? Because I killed Shichu?

Shichu had always been eyeing Ziyue and had come after Muchen. He even controlled Gricy's K7 Team. Since he refused to expose who Gricy was, Muchen decided to get rid of him because he could be a potential threat.

The old him might be able to understand Ziyue's feelings, but now that his personality had changed, he would not treat Ziyue with care or empathize with her.

His egotism had become more prevailing.

He emphatically seized Ziyue's chin as if dying to crush her chin.

Ziyue glared at Muchen hatefully and gritted her teeth without struggling or saying anything.

Muchen was engulfed by his rage. He curled his lips in a bloodthirsty manner and whispered in Ziyue's ear. "I'm looking forward to seeing you always be this stubborn."

…

Ziyue did not know when Muchen left. When she woke up, there was no one else in the room.

She felt refreshed because someone had cleaned her body, but she felt a piercing pain when she attempted to move.

Muchen was extremely ruthless.

Ziyue stared blankly at the ceiling for quite some time before she let out a peal of rueful laughter.

She thought Muchen would torture her to death. Fortunately, he did not.

She endured the pain and walked toward the bathroom. Although she was clean, she still wanted to take a shower.

She was shocked at the sight of the marks on her body when she looked in the mirror in the bathroom.

She felt a dull pain in her chin that was swollen, and there were patches of bruises over her body.

She used to think Muchen was rough in the past. Obviously, he had been merciful back then.

Perhaps, this was his true color. Unlike Shichu, he was not a gentle person.

Shichu came from a harmonious family, and he only turned bad later.

In contrast, Ziyue could sense that Muchen was not gentle since childhood. After his mother passed away, Yuchuan sent him to Country J without giving him a chance to ask about the reason. He had been living in ruthlessness and schemes all his life.

Although he became gentle after meeting Ziyue, the antidote's side effects completely abolished his gentleness later on.

Indeed, Ziyue was part of the cause. She had the responsibility and was culpable too. However, that should not be a reason for Muchen to kill Shichu.

Pressing her lips, Ziyue dashed out of the bathroom and quickly put on a shirt. Then, she ran downstairs without bothering to wear her slippers.

Maybe Muchen's shot was not a critical hit. Maybe Shichu is still alive!

This thought urged Ziyue to run toward the basement.

However, the bodyguards at the entrance stopped her in the living room.

A bodyguard asked in unfluent English, "Mrs. Qin, where are you going?"

Ziyue looked like a mess because she had just woken up and run out hastily, but she emanated a compelling aura.

Her fierce glare sent chills down the bodyguards' spines.

"Get out of my way." Ziyue's voice was as cold as her face.

"Mrs. Qin, you cannot go out." A bodyguard blocked her way and blurted sternly.

"Who are you to control my freedom?!" Ziyue shot a glare at the bodyguard and yelled in a hoarse voice.

The bodyguards clammed up immediately but did not make way for Ziyue.

Ziyue glanced at the bodyguards and had a sudden realization. She walked up to one of them and grasped his collar. "Did Qin Muchen ask y'all to stop me from going out? He wants to confine me, doesn't he?!"

The bodyguards were ordered not to harm Ziyue. So, the man could only bend slightly following Ziyue's action and said, "Yes."

"You!" Ziyue glowered at the bodyguard and lifted her arm with an urge to slap him.

However, they guarded her under orders. Nothing would change even if Ziyue vented her frustration on them.

Perceiving that Ziyue would slap him, the servile bodyguard squeezed his eyes shut but did not dodge.

Little did he expect Ziyue to let go of him instead of hitting him.

After slowly removing her hand, she turned and walked a few steps with a numb look. Then, she suddenly turned around and dashed toward the outside.

The bodyguards were professionally trained, so Ziyue's trick was nothing to them. As such, they easily stopped Ziyue again.

Finally, Ziyue could not take it anymore and screamed like a lunatic. "Where is he?! Where the hell is Qin Muchen?!"

"Sorry, Mrs. Qin. We're unaware of Mr. Qin's whereabouts."

The bodyguards naturally would not know Muchen's schedule; neither would Muchen inform them.

"Mrs. Qin, we're under orders. Please don't put us in a difficult spot."

Because of this sentence, Ziyue went back to her room.

She searched through the room but did not find her phone.

Just then, a servant came to invite her downstairs for lunch.

"Where's my phone? Did you see my phone?"

I have to find Muchen. Wait, no, I should call Enxue. She was the one who saved Shichu before this – she would know whether Shichu was still alive!

Marry Me Quick Chapter 574-"Huh?" The servant was confused. She came to ask Ziyue for a meal; she wouldn't know where her phone was.

Seeing the servant standing dumbfounded at the door, Ziyue strode toward her and roared, "Are you deaf?! I'm asking if you've seen my phone!"

The servant was scared stiff with a helpless and fearful look.

Realizing that she should not intimidate the servant as such, Ziyue inhaled deeply and softened her tone. "Please leave first."

"Sure… Mrs. Qin, please remember to come downstairs for lunch." The servant muttered and trotted away quickly as if she was chased by a ghost.

She bumped into Ke, who was walking in from the outside when she reached downstairs.

Noticing the servant's panicked look, Ke lifted her brows and asked calmly, "What happened?"

"N-Nothing." The servant was relieved to see Ke return.

Currently, Ke was the person with the best temper in this household.

She would occasionally joke with the servants. She was normally busy, so she never put the servants in a difficult spot.

Since Muchen and Ziyue came, the servants' lives were no longer peaceful.

Initially, Ziyue was rather good-tempered. However, she was becoming more like Muchen recently, which made the servants suffer.

Ke did not continue probing the servant but waved her hand to dismiss the servant.

After the servant left, Ke lifted her head to look upstairs.

Hearing a commotion from Ziyue's room, Ke strode upstairs.

Ziyue rummaged through the room but still did not find her phone.

Just as she was about to search underneath the bed, Ke walked in.

When Ziyue heard the sound of footsteps, she thought it was the servant. Before Ke could approach her, she blurted, "I don't feel like eating. Leave me alone."

Ziyue was kneeling on the floor, groping for her phone under the bed. Her arms were tensed up as if she wanted to flip the bed over. Ke was startled for a second when she saw the scene. "Mrs. Qin." She called out to Ziyue.

Ziyue turned to look at Ke upon recognizing her voice. She looked vacant for a second before standing up quickly and tugging at Ke's arm. "Please help me find my phone. It went missing. I searched every corner of the room. The only place left is beneath the bed. Please help me…"

She led Ke to the bedside while babbling on.

Ke furrowed her brows. She had heard about the morning's incident. Although she was not present, she could imagine the scene.

She observed how Muchen's temperament changed lately. Nonetheless, she agreed with Muchen on Shichu's matter. She thought Shichu deserved death.

"Your phone can't possibly be under the bed…" Ke uttered.

Slightly stunned, Ziyue turned to look at her and mumbled, "I've searched everywhere except under the bed…"

Ke moved her lips but was at a loss for words when she saw Ziyue in this state.

"Let me check for you. Please wait for me in the dining room." Ke said and led Ziyue downstairs.

Ziyue calmed down when Ke offered to help her find her phone.

Upon arriving at the dining room, Ke settled Ziyue down and walked away.

When she came in earlier, she noticed dozens of bodyguards inside and outside the villa. The tense atmosphere was no different from when LK Group offended a notorious local gang not long after it was established.

At that time, they were too weak. Even though Muchen had Yuchuan, a powerful grandfather, he was arrogant and barely reached out to him.

It had been many years since the incident happened. Ke couldn't remember how the situation was resolved as she was young back then, and Muchen and Chuan handled the incident.

But now…

Muchen went this far just to prevent Ziyue from escaping.

Despite having undergone a dramatic change in temperament, his care toward Ziyue remained the same. But at the same time, the old him wouldn't have acted so differently.

Muchen had his own standpoint on this incident, but so did Ziyue. In Ke's opinion, both were not wrong but had different perspectives.

"Why do you guys have to guard Mrs. Qin here? Can't you stand guard at the main gate? It's unreasonable to lock Mrs. Qin in the house and not allow her to leave!" If it was Ke, she couldn't stand being confined in the house.

The bodyguards were in a quandary. "This is Mr. Qin's order."

Ke snorted coldly and shot a glare at the bodyguard with her blue eye. "Did he order you to stop Mrs. Qin from walking out of the door? Can't she even go to the yard? She can get depressed being cooped up in the house!"

The bodyguards stepped aside upon being questioned by Ke.

Ke felt more comfortable seeing them give in.

She walked to the yard to give Chuan a call. She could have called Muchen, but she didn't dare to.

Chuan only picked up the call after a while and spoke softly, as if he was afraid someone might overhear him. "Can we talk after I get off work? I'm about to knock off soon. Try to pacify Mrs. Qin for now."

Ke had a hunch that Chuan was about to hang up, so she blurted, "Don't you hang up."

"Hurry up and tell me what it is, then." Nan Chuan looked through the door gap and saw Muchen standing before his desk, hurling all the files in his hand.

Chuan felt his scalp tingling. Boss' temper is getting stranger… I wonder if I can survive until I get married and have children.

"What does Boss want to do? Not only did he kill Shichu, but he also confined Mrs. Qin in the villa and didn't even allow her to leave the main door. Does he want to drive Mrs. Qin crazy?"

Ke's tone was rough as she was annoyed.

Chuan was distressed, perceiving his younger sister venting her anger on him.

"If I could read Boss' mind, I wouldn't be talking to you now."

"You're with Boss every day. Don't you know his intention?!"

Chuan snorted inwardly and uttered, "Go and ask him yourself if you're so good!"

"You…"

Only then did Ke remember her initial intention of calling Chuan. "Do you know where Mrs. Qin's phone is?"

"Do you think Boss will leave Mrs. Qin's phone with her now that he has decided to lock her up? It's most probably confiscated or thrown away."

Ke was rendered speechless.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 575-Ke had no intention of talking to Chuan, so she hung up the call.

Meanwhile, Chuan kept his phone away and rubbed his tired face to look more spirited before entering the office.

"Get lost! Go and settle your salary with HR. I don't want to see you again tomorrow!"

Chuan heard Muchen scowling the moment he entered the room. Stunned, he stood servilely at the side and did not dare to make a sound.

The people in the office were key managers of LK Group's headquarters, but Muchen decided to fire them casually.

Little did the managers think Muchen would dismiss them over such small matters.

They were pioneers of LK Group and had at least worked in the company for eight years. LK Group was a leading enterprise in the financial industry and a significant market player in Country J.

Even though some were not in high-level management positions, they felt more valuable than managers from other companies.

Not only would they lose their job and face upon being dismissed, but it would cause others to doubt their abilities, hence impeding their future job opportunities.

Although given their outstanding abilities, they could be compensated well in other companies, nowhere compared to LK Group.

Perceiving that a manager still wanted to say something, Chuan quickly gestured for them to leave.

Although recruiting new employees was never an issue for LK Group, these managers had served in the company for many years, and Chuan knew them personally. It was inappropriate to dismiss them for such a small matter.

Those who could work under Muchen were all shrewd and capable. As such, the managers exchanged glances and left.

Chuan was afraid that Muchen would further pursue the matter, so he quickly spoke up to divert his attention – the best topic that could divert Muchen's attention was something about Ziyue.

"Boss, Ke just called and told me that Mrs. Qin went downstairs to eat." Sure enough, Muchen's expression changed, but he soon wore a cold face again and said, "What does it have to do with you whether she went downstairs to eat? Do you have to report such a trivial matter to me?"

Despite saying that, Muchen took his coat hanging on the back of his chair and strode out of the office.

"Where are you going, Boss?" Chuan asked a reckless question.

Muchen did not even spare a glance at him as he continued walking.

His strides were wide, so he had exited the office by the time Chuan regained his composure. The latter quickly followed up with Muchen and helped him open the car door when they arrived at the car park. Then, he got into the driver's seat and drove back to the villa.

Who said it's a 'trivial' matter just now? Nonetheless, Chuan could only complain inwardly and dared not speak his mind.

…

On the other hand, Ke did not manage to find Ziyue's phone.

Enxue had called Ziyue before, but Ziyue could not remember her phone number. So, Ziyue wanted to find her phone to retrieve Enxue's contact number through the call history.

However, there was nothing she could do now as she could not find her phone. At the same time, she realized Muchen would not possibly leave the phone for her now that she was confined.

She was well aware of how prudent Muchen was.

She had little appetite, so she went upstairs after eating a little.

Ke was hesitant as she watched Ziyue go upstairs. Given the current situation, anything she said would be redundant because Ziyue would not listen.

Suddenly, the sound of a car engine came forth.

Ke was startled. Did Boss come back?

She turned to look at the stairway, but Ziyue was nowhere to be seen because she had entered her room.

Ke wondered if she heard the sound of the car engine too.

Muchen's face turned sullen when he entered the living room to see Ke alone. "Where is she?"

"Mrs. Qin just went back to her room." Ke shrunk her neck subtly, but her voice remained normal.

Muchen darted an indifferent glance at Ke.

Ke gulped. I'm just telling the fact…

Two seconds later, Muchen walked toward the staircase. Halfway walking, he turned to ask Ke, "Has she eaten?"

"Yes." Ke nodded. But she only ate a little.

Muchen guessed what was going on, hearing Ke's hesitant tone.

This afternoon, they missed lunch after he dragged Ziyue back to the room and tortured her in bed. It was almost dinner time now, but Ziyue had barely eaten.

Ke couldn't help but shake her head. If Boss is so concerned about Mrs. Qin, why did he lock her in the villa? Although Mrs. Qin rarely went out on normal days, it's no different from a little pet to be cooped up like this…

Ke was frustrated at the thought.

Meanwhile, Ziyue sat down in front of the landline phone and picked up the receiver after entering the room. Just as she was about to dial a series of numbers, the door suddenly flung open.

She paused briefly but continued dialing the number after that.

Besides Muchen, who would dare to barge into her room?

She didn't turn around to look at him and continued making her call.

However, her indifferent response would not stop Muchen from messing with her.

He approached Ziyue and snatched the phone from her before throwing it aside. His voice was low and cold. "Who are you calling?"

Su Ziyue picked up the receiver without answering and continued dialing the number.

Muchen's expression turned ferocious as he ripped the phone line from the wall and bellowed, "I'm asking you, who are you calling?!"

Ziyue pressed her lips so tightly that her lips turned pale. She stared at Muchen with faint anger in her eyes and replied indifferently, "That's none of your business."

"Do you really think I don't know who you're calling? Trying to call Lu Shichu, huh?!" Muchen sneered.

Suddenly, he took out his phone and threw it at Ziyue. "Go ahead and call him! Let's see if a dead man will answer your call."

Ziyue's eyes widened as Muchen's words provoked her. Her eyes turned bloodshot, and she croaked, "Is he… really dead?"

"Of course. I started using a gun when I was fourteen years old. Do you doubt my shooting skill?"

Muchen's face was as dark as night. Ziyue clenched her fists and stared at him silently while he curled his lips.

Seeing that Ziyue refused to speak and only bit her lips indignantly, Muchen stepped forward with a ghastly expression. He looked down at her and blurted, "Do you have nothing else to say after accepting the fact that Lu Shichu is dead?"

They stood so close that they could feel the other person's breath.

However, despite the proximity, there was no intimacy between them. In fact, there seemed to be an invisible yet strong barrier distancing them from each other.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 576-Ziyue looked up slightly and kept under control her eyes that had misted.

It wasn't as if she had never considered it from Muchen's perspective.

To him, the advantages of killing Shichu outweighed the disadvantages.

But couldn't he have spared Shichu for her sake?

Although what Shichu did was despicable, she didn't have other requests. Muchen could have done anything to Shichu as long as he spared Shichu.

It wasn't a hard thing for Muchen to do.

Perhaps his temperament had been affected by the side effects of the K1LU73 antidote, but she couldn't accept it.

According to what Muchen had said, Shichu must have died. She hadn't believed it at first.

But she had no choice but to believe him after he said everything so firmly.

"Was it so hard to spare his life? How am I going to face you in the future? Tell me…" Ziyue started to choke up.

How was she going to face Muchen for the rest of her life?

She couldn't forget Shichu's death.

Besides marrying Muchen and being the wife of LK Group's president, she was just an ordinary person from the inside out.

She would take pity on stray cats she met in the park.

Let alone human life.

For an average person, life and death were significant life events.

But for Muchen, shooting and killing a man was ordinary.

Even if it wasn't Shichu, she would have been emotional if it was someone irrelevant instead.

Furthermore, his punishment of death didn't fit his crime.

"Why are you crying? Stop it!" Muchen couldn't stand seeing her tears. He thought she was crying over Shichu.

Ziyue suddenly laughed as she was crying.

She wasn't crying over Shichu. She had thought about her future where she couldn't handle herself in front of Muchen.

Muchen's face was dark, but his tone was patient. "I'm warning you. This is the last straw! If you go on, I'll dig up Shichu's body and tear it to pieces."

If anyone else had said it, Ziyue might have thought it was because of the heat of the moment.

But she couldn't help but believe it since it came from Muchen.

Ziyue forcefully stopped her tears from flowing.

Muchen got angrier when he saw her holding back her tears.

He reached out to hold her nape, and he kissed her fiercely.

His other hand wrapped around her waist.

Ziyue had been through much joy and pain today. He had tormented her, and she hadn't eaten much. She didn't have the energy to fight back.

As Muchen kissed her, he pressed against her, and the two fell on the bed together.

Ziyue realized what he wanted to do, and her body froze abruptly. The wounds that he had caused were faintly hurting.

Her eyes were open but unresponsive. When she looked closely at Muchen's handsome face that was infatuated with her, her heart softened in a split second.

At the end of the day, this man loved her.

But at times, love wasn't enough.

Love wasn't everything.

She wanted to compromise, but her conscience didn't let her.

Muchen noticed that her mind was wandering.

His hand around her waist tightened like he was punishing her.

Ziyue had been injured because of him, but she didn't know how serious her injuries were. When he squeezed her, it grazed a spot, and she gasped in pain.

Muchen was about to demand an explanation. When he saw her brows furrow, he frowned subconsciously as well.

He suddenly got up and reached out to lift the hem of her dress.

Ziyue felt what he was doing and pushed him away reflexively.

Muchen's face fell at her reaction. Ziyue bit her lips but didn't pull her hands away or use force. She stammered, "I'm not…"

She wasn't feeling well and didn't want to do it.

Her soft and supple hands covered his. She hadn't moved, but he felt a tingling itch.

It was so strong that he felt it in his heart.

He had an impulse to crush her into pieces.

His gaze shifted and fell on her pale yet cautious face. His expression changed slightly, and he started peeling off her clothes unquestionably.

She couldn't stop him in time. The big and small scars on her snow-white skin were a ghastly sight.

Muchen wrinkled his brows fiercely, and his hands eased subconsciously.

Although he had been the cause, Ziyue felt humiliated under his gaze.

Muchen took off her clothes without a care, but he seemed awfully sullen when he saw her body full of scars.

Ziyue couldn't fight back. She could only put a bold face and sit in her stupor, but her trembling hands betrayed her emotions.

Muchen held her waist in one hand and continued taking off her clothes with the other. His expression was hard to comprehend.

Ziyue didn't know what he was thinking about.

At that moment, he suddenly stood up, and Ziyue shivered violently. She pulled the covers over her.

Muchen didn't leap on her. He walked out instead.

Ziyue was a little astounded and couldn't help but ask, "Where… are you going?"

When the words came out of her mouth, she felt the question was unnecessary.

Why did I even ask him?

Muchen turned to look at her. His deep eyes were like an old well. Its surface had no ripples or movement, but it was frighteningly dark, mysterious, and hard to fathom.

Ziyue's grip tightened as she held on to the comforter. Muchen only looked at her for a moment before he walked out.

But when he left, he slammed the doors hard.

The room suddenly quietened, and Ziyue breathed a sigh of relief. She went limp and lay on the bed without moving.

Outside the room, Muchen stood with his back facing the door after he had slammed it. There was a hesitant expression on his face.

After a moment, he turned and put his hand on the doorknob before he stopped.

Their dispute in the room had lasted for quite some time, and the sky was slowly getting dark. It was almost dinner time. Doesn't Ziyue know to hold me back if I leave like that?

Perhaps she was preoccupied with her sadness for Shichu and ignored him.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt he shouldn't have let her go.

When he thought about the scene where she hugged the covers and looked at him, something in Muchen's body changed.

He couldn't help but swear angrily, "Sh*t!"

He didn't stay for a second longer. He flew down the stairs and drove off.

Chuan had been speaking to Ke in the courtyard. They were stunned when they saw Muchen drive off in a huff.

Ke frowned. "What's up with the boss?"

"His wife must have upset him." Chuan felt his head start to hurt again.

"Should we follow him?"

"We can't interfere in their affairs." Chuan dispelled the idea.

Muchen sped all the way to Xiyi's laboratory.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 577-Xiyi was momentarily startled when he saw Muchen.

He never thought Muchen would look for him.

He took off his gloves and turned to look at Muchen. "What are you doing here, Mr. Qin?"

He looked at the time carelessly and wrinkled his brows slightly.

What is Muchen doing here instead of eating dinner at home?

In any case, he didn't believe that Muchen dropped by for no reason.

Xiyi sat across from Muchen. He raised his brows slightly when he saw Muchen's cloudy expression.

Muchen thought of something, and his brows furrowed tightly. After a moment, he asked, "Did you tell Ziyue?"

"What do you mean?"

After that, Xiyi came to his senses and understood what Muchen meant.

Xiyi had known Muchen for years. Muchen didn't like to speak, and he never explained himself when he did. An average person wouldn't be able to understand him.

Xiyi nodded solemnly. "Yes. I told her."

Muchen was referring to the side effects of the K1LU73 antidote.

With Muchen's question, Xiyi knew why he came here.

"How are you feeling now?" Xiyi asked. He got up and fiddled with some apparatuses, wanting to examine Muchen.

The side effects of the K1LU73 antidote were unusual. It could affect the mental state.

Muchen was a proud man through and through. The antidote's side effects had affected his emotions. He didn't think it was anything to be proud of.

Therefore, when Muchen didn't say anything of his own accord, Xiyi didn't ask to examine Muchen.

How are you feeling?

Muchen said expressionlessly, "I killed Shichu."

Xiyi had never cared for gossip. He didn't know about their grudges, but 'Shichu' sounded familiar.

He furrowed his brows and thought about it momentarily before it came to him. Isn't he Mrs. Qin's childhood friend?

Shichu is supposedly a doctor as well.

Muchen used to pamper his wife. Now, he didn't care about her feelings and killed Shichu…

He was more heartless than he used to be.

"Mrs. Qin must be sad." Xiyi moved the apparatuses away before he turned to look at Muchen.

Muchen looked at him coldly. "She hates me now."

Although Xiyi never feared Muchen, he still shivered a little after being suddenly swept by Muchen's bone-chilling gaze.

He took a different approach. "Why did you kill him?"

"He was the leader of K7, and the K1LU73 virus started because of him. He hadn't given up on Ziyue either. What was wrong about me killing him?"

Muchen's last question sounded slightly inquisitive. It seemed like he was trying to get Xiyi to empathize with him.

Xiyi didn't say anything for a long time.

When he finally absorbed the surprising news, he nodded. "Nothing. You didn't do anything wrong."

He had been by Muchen's side and saw things like these happen, so he could accept it.

But…

"To you, he had to die. But he's important to Mrs. Qin." Xiyi wasn't afraid of angering Muchen. He said what came to mind.

Sure enough, Muchen narrowed his eyes dangerously at the next moment. He hurled a glass beside him fiercely. "Important person? I'm the most important person to her."

"Shichu and Mrs. Qin grew up together since they were young. Even if she had no more feelings for him, she wouldn't want to see him die."

"What feelings does she have for Shichu? She's my woman. It's enough for her to have feelings for me!" Muchen's expression grew darker, and his tone was serious.

"That's true." Xiyi adjusted his glasses. "So, why did you come and look for me today, Mr. Qin?"

Muchen paused. "Since I'm right, why does she hate me?"

"Because other than being your wife, she has other identities, friends, and people she cares for…"

"The only identity she needs is being my wife. How is anything else important?"

When Muchen thought of how Ziyue had cried for Shichu, he couldn't quite restrain the anger in his heart.

Xiyi didn't say anything.

It was as though he gained first-hand knowledge of the K1LU73 antidote's side effects.

It truly changed a person's temperament. Muchen was like a completely different person.

In the past, Muchen was thorough and cautious. He would never say such unreasonable and tyrannical words.

"Since you're here, let me examine you." Xiyi didn't want to argue with him.

"No need. Just give me a lotion for bruises." Muchen furrowed his brows. A reflective gaze flickered across his eyes. He thought of something else.

On the way here, he was doubtful and wondered if he had been affected by the side effects of the K1LU73 antidote. But Xiyi also said that he wasn't in the wrong.

Since that was the case, he didn't want to be examined.

Upon hearing it, Xiyi sighed ever so slightly before he grabbed some lotion for Muchen.

…

After Muchen left, Ke came to the room with food.

At the time, Ziyue had showered and changed into pajamas.

"Thank you."

When she saw Ke send food in for her, she didn't turn it down. She thanked Ke and started eating.

It was an issue between her and Muchen. She didn't want to trouble others.

Although it was hard for her to accept Shichu's death, Ke cared about her. There was no need to upset Ke.

When Ke saw Ziyue eat, her heart relaxed a little.

"You've lost weight. You should eat more." Ke sat at one side and beamed at Ziyue.

Ziyue pursed her lips. She wanted to say something and hesitated momentarily before she hung her head again.

Ke was a woman, and she was attentive. Even if Ziyue didn't say anything, she knew what Ziyue wanted to ask.

"I've asked Chuan. Everything had ended when he returned, and he only saw Shichu being carried away. Chuan asked some subordinates and discovered that the bullet had hit Shichu right in the chest, but Shichu was still breathing. Chuan couldn't confirm if Shichu really died."

She had also asked some of the subordinates who were at the scene. Although Shichu had still been breathing, he couldn't have survived.

But Ziyue and Muchen were in a deadlock. By saying such things to Ziyue, perhaps Ke could ease the tension in their relationship a little.

No matter what, they couldn't be in a deadlock about Shichu's death for the rest of their lives.

She could understand Ziyue, but in her heart, she was on Muchen's side.

After all, Muchen was her and her brother's savior. They had been working together for so many years and were basically family.

Muchen cared deeply for Ziyue, so Ke and Chuan had to help Muchen.

"Is everything you're saying true?" When Ziyue heard what Ke said, she couldn't be bothered to eat. She put down the cutlery in her hands and looked at Ke in astonishment.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 578-Faced with Ziyue's hopeful face, there was a brief moment where Ke hesitated before she answered, "Mm."

Upon hearing it, delight appeared on Ziyue's face.

If only Shichu is still alive.

Ziyue was in a better mood because of what Ke said.

Many things had happened today, and she thought she couldn't sleep. But she fell asleep as soon as she lay down.

She was awoken in the middle of the night by Muchen when he returned.

Ziyue left a bedside lamp on before she slept, so she saw Muchen's tall figure standing before the bed when she opened her eyes.

She woke up in surprise. She sat up and stared blankly at Muchen for a moment before she came to her senses.

Muchen was drenched, and his wet hair stuck to his forehead, but he seemed unbothered.

He stared straight at Ziyue. Under the dim halo of light, his expressions were slightly hazy.

Ziyue looked at him. In the end, she was the first to speak.

"Is it raining outside?" She asked softly.

Muchen looked up a little, and his voice was cold as he said, "Why didn't you call me if I hadn't returned?"

The air conditioning in the room was a little cold. Ziyue pulled the covers around her. Although she felt a little baffled, she answered indifferently, "I don't have my cell phone."

He took my cell phone. How can I call him?

Muchen continued, "There's a phone in the room."

"It doesn't work." She had wanted to call Zixi, but Muchen pulled apart the telephone wires violently because he thought she wanted to call Shichu.

"You could have asked the servants to call me."

For some reason, Muchen seemed to be obsessed with this topic.

His stubborn tone made him seem like an ignorant child.

Ziyue looked at the adamant expression on his face. Her emotions stirred slightly, and her expression softened a little. "Go and take a shower."

Muchen stared fixedly at her for a moment before he turned and went into the bathroom.

After he went into the bathroom, Ziyue leaned back against the headboard. She was lost in thought.

She only snapped out of it when the water in the bathroom stopped running.

Muchen came out with a towel wrapped around him and saw Ziyue leaning against the headboard. It looked like she was waiting for him.

The expression on his face softened a little.

Ziyue didn't think Muchen would come out so quickly. She came to her senses. Before she could lie down again, Muchen had peeled off his towel and changed into pajamas.

Ziyue's eyes widened slightly. Her face flushed, and she hid under the covers.

This shameless man.

Muchen heard the noise behind him. He turned and saw that the woman leaning against the headboard was now lying down. The corners of his mouth curved uncontrollably.

Ziyue could feel her cheeks burn up even when covered with a thin comforter.

After a long time, footsteps approached the bed.

Shortly after, she heard Muchen's voice. "Get up."

Ziyue didn't know what he wanted to do. She heard him, but she didn't want to move.

She pretended to be asleep.

But she forgot that Muchen was an impatient man.

He called her once, and there was no response, so he tore off the covers and started taking off her clothes.

Ziyue opened her eyes suddenly, and a wary expression appeared. "What are you doing?!"

Muchen saw the caution on her face, and his expression darkened. He was about to lose his temper.

Ziyue softly said, "It's late, and I'm tired. Let's go to sleep, alright?"

Muchen's expression improved slightly, but he said, "Take off your clothes."

Ziyue's expression paled.

Won't he let me go?

Muchen saw her stalling and not moving, so he didn't count on her to remove her clothes. He started to do it for her instead.

Ziyue knew she was no match for him, so she stopped struggling. She turned her head to the side, and tears flickered.

But after Muchen took off her clothes, she felt nothing from him. He seemed to be putting something on her and smearing it around instead.

She turned around in surprise and saw Muchen holding a tube of lotion in one hand expressionlessly. He applied the cream to her with his other hand.

He spread it on her injuries that he had caused. There were slight stings, but it also felt quite refreshing.

Ziyue stared at him blankly. She never thought that he would apply lotion to her.

She thought he was…

For the past few days, Muchen had been nasty to her. On top of Shichu's death, she subconsciously felt he would hurt her.

She had even forgotten that he cared for her.

Muchen saw Ziyue looking at him with tear-filled eyes when he looked up. His brows wrinkled, and he asked, "Does it hurt that much?"

He lifted his fingers slightly when he spoke as if afraid of touching her.

Ziyue knew that he had misunderstood. The corners of her mouth twitched, and she smiled at him. She wanted to say something but felt choked up as soon as she opened her mouth. She shook her head instead.

Upon seeing Ziyue's hesitant expression, Muchen's face grew cold, and he continued applying lotion.

Ziyue lifted her eyes slightly to look at him.

He was very gentle as he applied lotion on her.

But he had just killed Shichu today.

As she thought about it, Ziyue looked down and hid the sadness in her eyes.

Muchen applied the lotion meticulously.

Ziyue wanted to stop him from applying lotion on her sensitive areas, but she was no match for his strength.

She could only comply.

After Muchen applied lotion, he dressed her. He hugged her to sleep, and it seemed he wouldn't do anything to her.

Ziyue felt that it was unreal as she lay in his arms.

It made her feel like the old Muchen was back.

But she couldn't readily figure out the current Muchen.

What would their future look like?

…

Early the following day, Muchen was gone when Ziyue woke up.

She hadn't slept well. She kept waking up in a daze. She couldn't sleep, but she also couldn't stay awake.

She started to get sleepy after breakfast.

It had rained the previous night. The courtyard was wet.

Muchen and the Nan siblings weren't at home, only the servants and bodyguards.

She still couldn't go out, but the bodyguards had retreated to the main entrance to keep guard. She could stay in the compound of the villa.

Should I be thankful that I can walk around the courtyard?

With nothing to do, she called Zixi.

She used the phone in the lounge.

"Mommy." The child's baby voice rang on the telephone.

Ziyue almost cried.

She really missed Zixi.

But she couldn't go home yet.

"Have you been listening to Uncle Bai?"

"Yes. When are you coming home, Mommy?"

It hadn't been long since she and Muchen came to Country J, but it felt like she hadn't seen Zixi in years.

Marry Me Quick Chapter 579-Previously, Muchen had wanted her to get pregnant, so he could send her home.

But she didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay here and be with him.

With Muchen's current state, there was no way she could leave him and go home by herself, even if she missed Zixi badly.

Ziyue had just finished her call with Zixi when a servant walked in. "Mrs. Qin, Dr. Mo is here."

Is Xiyi here?

As soon as Ziyue stood up, Xiyi walked in.

He was in a crisp suit, and he didn't have a medical kit with him. He walked over and greeted her respectfully, "Mrs. Qin."

"Dr. Mo, why are you here? They're at the office," Ziyue said as she directed the servant to serve tea.

"I came to look for you, Mrs. Qin." He had deliberately avoided Muchen and was here to look for Ziyue.

Upon hearing it, Ziyue was slightly startled.

Xiyi must have come to look for her because of Muchen.

Her gaze dimmed a little.

She leaned back and smiled weakly. "Say what you came to say."

"Mr. Qin came to the laboratory to look for me last night," Xiyi said. He waited for Ziyue's reaction.

Ziyue was slightly astonished. He went out and returned in the middle of the night because he had looked for Xiyi.

"Mr. Qin has a certain understanding of his condition but isn't aware if his actions are right or wrong. He's doing things at will, and he's doing whatever he wants. His judgment is based on what he's feeling…"

Ziyue had experienced what Xiyi had said about Muchen.

His recent behavior had been like that. He felt that only he was right and ignored other opinions.

Ziyue nodded. She raised her head and asked, "What can I do?"

Xiyi must have something else to say since he made the trip.

"You…" It seemed like Xiyi found it hard to say something. He adjusted his glasses and said uneasily, "Try your best to play along with him and obey him. It will help him if he's feeling better."

Xiyi emphasized the word 'obey.' Ziyue was stunned and realized that there was a deeper meaning to what he said.

She smiled uncomfortably. "Am I not obedient enough? He doesn't allow me to leave, so I've been staying at home dutifully without making a fuss. How else should I obey him?"

She raised her voice a little, and there were traces of anger.

When Xiyi walked in, he realized more bodyguards were at the entrance.

It had been unsafe recently, so he hadn't paid much attention to them.

But after what Ziyue said, he suddenly understood something.

Muchen's actions were a little excessive.

Xiyi quietened. It was as though he didn't know what else to say. After a moment, he adjusted his glasses and seemed to be pondering.

"Thank you for making the trip, Dr.Mo. I understand everything you've said. I also want to apologize. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you." An apologetic expression appeared on Ziyue's face. She shouldn't have vented on Xiyi.

After seeing Xiyi off, Ziyue sat in the lounge momentarily before she suddenly got up and went to the kitchen.

"Mrs. Qin."

The servants stopped what they were doing when they saw Ziyue enter. They greeted her in unison.

Ziyue suddenly recalled when the two had just gotten to know each other. It was a time when they lived together in Yunzhou City.

It was only the two of them.

At the time, the two guessed each other's thoughts and secretly made an effort for each other…

When she thought about it now, those were simple yet happy days.

Ziyue looked down so no one could see the pain in her eyes.

"You may leave. I'm going to make lunch for Mr. Qin."

Xiyi said to obey Muchen so he would be happier. It would help his current condition when he was in a better mood.

It was one of the reasons for her to make lunch.

Another reason was that she couldn't find any better excuse. She wanted Muchen's permission to leave without getting into any conflict.

She wanted to know if Shichu was still alive.

If he were still alive, she would be relieved.

Once Ziyue was done cooking, she went to the living room to call Muchen.

As expected, Muchen answered the phone quickly.

"Is something wrong?" There was the soft sound of pages ruffling from the other end of the phone. Other than that, it was silent. There was no additional background noise.

His voice sounded the same as before.

Ziyue's hand around the receiver tightened, and she continued. "Can I deliver food to you at noon?"

"There's no need. At noon…"

Upon hearing Muchen turn her down, Ziyue immediately continued. "I made food for you. It's been a long time since I've cooked for you…"

The man on the other end of the phone was silent momentarily as if distinguishing the truth in what she said.

After a long time, he said, "Why did you suddenly cook for me?"

"You applied lotion for me last night… I… want to thank you." Ziyue wanted to bite her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth.

What nonsense am I saying?

It was an awkward excuse, and she was ashamed.

But she never thought that Muchen would believe her.

After a brief silence, he said, "I'll get the driver to pick you up."

When the call ended, Ziyue's heart beat furiously.

She had been very nervous.

It was like back then when she asked him for something. She would be afraid that he would disagree.

The feeling was slightly indescribable.

…

Once Ziyue packed the lunch she had made, she left.

Muchen instructed his driver to send Ziyue to the office after receiving her call.

The driver was already waiting at the door when she left the villa. However, two bodyguards followed.

Ziyue couldn't be bothered to consider whether the bodyguards were there to protect or stop her from escaping.

There was no need to make such guesses.

She felt it was useless and tiring to think about such things at such a stage.

The car quickly stopped at the entrance of LK Group.

The receptionist was a shrewd girl from Country J. She smiled warmly. "Mrs. Qin."

Ziyue nodded slightly in response before walking into the elevator.

"Mrs. Qin, please wait for a moment. Mr. Qin is meeting a client in the reception area."

Muchen wasn't in his office. His secretary was the one to greet her.

"I understand. Thank you." Ziyue nodded slightly, indicating that she could leave.

The secretary said, "Please let me know if you need anything."

Once the secretary left, Ziyue got up and walked to the full-length window.

She stood there for a long time, but Muchen didn't return, so she decided to walk around.

As she walked around, she came near to the reception area.

The doors were open, and a group of people walked out.

A man and woman were at the front.

The man was obviously Muchen. After all, no one dared to walk ahead of him.

As for the woman…

Marry Me Quick Chapter 580-The woman was from Country J, and her beauty matched Ke's.

But because of Ke's life experience, there was a maturity and unseen sorrow to Ke's beauty.

As for this woman, she evidently grew up in a well-to-do family from a young age. She was pretty and brimmed with confidence.

Also… when she looked at Muchen, her gaze was filled with admiration.

No matter Muchen's temper, he and his social status attracted countless women.

Ziyue glanced in that direction before she left silently.

But the eagle-eyed Ke noticed her.

Ziyue returned to the office and saw the secretary come out. He must have been looking for her.

"I was bored, so I walked around," Ziyue said with a smile as she stood at the door.

The secretary nodded understandingly and was about to leave when Ziyue suddenly thought of something. "I forgot to bring my cell phone when I left the house. Can you lend me yours?"

It was a request from the president's wife, and it wasn't outrageous. As a subordinate, the secretary naturally couldn't turn Ziyue down.

The secretary passed Ziyue his cell phone before he left.

Ziyue dialed a familiar number, and an automated voice was heard. "The number you have dialed is not in service."

The number she had dialed belonged to Shichu. She had known him for so many years and had been close to him. She could still remember his number.

She was unwilling to give up, so she dialed the number several times but received the same response.

Ziyue's heart sank.

At the time, there came a series of footsteps outside the office.

Ziyue's heart beat wildly, and she quickly put the cell phone into her pocket. When she turned around, she realized it was Ke, not Muchen.

When she thought about it, it was pretty funny. She had to make a call behind without Muchen's knowledge.

"Mrs. Qin." Ke saw Ziyue and walked to her beamingly.

Ziyue thought it was Muchen, so she was slightly frightened. She still had an unusual expression.

"Mm," she said dryly. She didn't say anything else.

Ke thought Ziyue had misjudged what had happened. Muchen didn't see Ziyue, but Ke did.

"Mr. Qin left the reception area with Marni's daughter, Bessalyn." It seemed like Ke was afraid Ziyue wouldn't understand, so she continued. "They're from the biggest clothing retail group in the world, with various world-renowned clothing brands. What I'm wearing is from…"

Ziyue knew about Marni.

After all, all the upper-class ladies were wearing outfits from his company. All her clothes were also from Marni's companies.

She had seen Marni in the media. He was a middle-aged man with a big belly and a tall figure unique to Country J's natives.

"I never imagined he would have such a beautiful young daughter," Ziyue sighed.

She usually never concerned herself with these matters, so she didn't know.

"Marni has worked with us in the past, and he used to come in person to discuss work with Mr. Qin. But this time, for some reason, his daughter Bessalyn came instead. At first, we all didn't know, and Mr. Qin was rude to Bessalyn in the reception area…," Ke said as she observed Ziyue's expression.

Ziyue couldn't help but laugh. "I understand. You don't have to do this."

Ke laughed uneasily after what Ziyue said. "That's great. I'll be leaving. Mr. Qin should be here soon. Let me remind him. He must not know you're here. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone for a short meeting."

After Ke left, Ziyue returned the secretary's cell phone. When she went back to the office, Muchen was already there.

He was waiting for her on the couch.

Ziyue's lunch boxes were on the coffee table in front of him. They were filled with her handmade dishes.

When he heard the door open, Muchen stood upright with a pale face and walked toward her. "Where did you go?"

Ziyue was feeling a little guilty, so she smiled. "You hadn't returned, so I went for a walk."

"You should have asked someone to inform me." Muchen reached out to grab her hand before he sat on the couch.

Ziyue sat near him, and her voice was gentle. "I'm fine with waiting for a while. After all, I have so much time."

Muchen couldn't help but look at her in astonishment.

Is she being so obedient just because I applied lotion to her last night?

Muchen couldn't be bothered to determine the cause.

He was put in a good mood when he saw Ziyue being submissive.

He felt hungry after working the whole morning. He extended his hand to open the lunch boxes.

When Ziyue saw it, she immediately reached out to stop him. "I can do it."

She leaned forward and opened the boxes.

She was about to pass a set of cutleries to Muchen when he grabbed her hands.

"What's wrong?" Ziyue turned to look at him, confused.

Muchen's deep eyes locked onto her.

Ziyue didn't know what he was thinking about. She couldn't help but feel slightly fearful when he stared at her with pitch-black eyes.

Did Muchen find out that I called Shichu?

He doesn't possess such powers, does he…

Just as Ziyue's imagination ran wild, Muchen's long arm exerted force and pulled her into his arms.

Ziyue was made to sit on his lap as he hugged her.

"You…" She raised her head to look at Muchen and realized he was staring at her with a burning gaze.

What on earth is happening?

Thankfully, Muchen didn't let her thoughts wander. He grabbed her hand and put it to his lips. He kissed her hand and said in a low voice, "Can you also deliver lunch tomorrow?"

His tone was gentle as he inquired.

Ziyue looked at him in astonishment. "Don't you want to eat outside food?"

Muchen's lips curved, and he revealed an indifferent smile. His clear eyes weren't angry, and he coaxed her. "I want to eat your food."

Ziyue stared at him.

She never thought Muchen would suddenly be… so gentle…

She raised her head and carefully glanced at Muchen. She realized that there was an inconspicuous smile in his eyes. He seemed elated.

Is he so happy just because I delivered lunch?

Ziyue felt a little guilty. She had an ulterior motive for delivering lunch today.

No matter what he did right now, he didn't mean it.

He was just delighted that she did something so simple for him.

Ziyue's heart softened, and she reached out. After a moment's hesitation, she stroked Muchen's head. Her voice was soft as she said, "Eat up. I'll deliver lunch tomorrow."

She couldn't help but want to pat his head when he wasn't losing his temper.

Muchen was compliant and let her stroke his head. He looked like an obedient yet enormous pet.