He Mingrun, uneasy about Meng Yuan, followed her out.
Seeing this, Li Qingshuo took a deep breath to calm his emotions, and he smiled enviously, "Look at He Mingrun, how clingy he is. He can't bear to leave for a minute."
Mu Jiuchen's gaze dimmed. He envied Mingrun for having a lover to cling to.
Mu Jiuchen closed his eyes slightly. The smiling yet indifferent eyes made him miss her to the bone; every cell yearned for her.
Wang Yong was unaware of Mu Jiuchen's situation. The video from the cliff that day only showed Jiang Nuan jumping off, and it lasted only a few seconds. Those who knew Jiang Nuan understood the truth of the matter.
He had arranged to meet Mu Jiuchen because this cooperation needed to be discussed in detail.
"Ninth Master, please take a look at this cooperation proposal. It's for business in Jinshi, which has always been managed by Ninth Master. We have unanimously decided on a 30-70 split."
For the sake of long-term cooperation, it was necessary to concede what needed to be conceded. Mu Jiuchen had always preferred business partners who knew how to read the situation.
Mu Jiuchen nodded slightly and picked up the cooperation proposal. Every movement exuded an innate nobility.
He lowered his head and read it very carefully. After a few minutes, he put down the proposal. There were no problems; Wang Yong had always been a good business partner.
"No problem, Qingshuo, bring the contract," he said in a calm voice without any fluctuation. He looked like nothing was wrong, but his haggard complexion, from not resting well for days, was heartbreaking.
"Okay!" Li Qingshuo handed over the contract and glanced at him silently. It had only been a few days, but he seemed like a different person.
After both parties reviewed the contract and found no issues, they signed it readily.
Once the contract formalities were completed, He Mingrun and Meng Yuan returned.
Wang Yong and his companion were also observant. As soon as the contract was finalized, they found an excuse to leave, leaving the rest to chat.
Tang Keke, beside Li Qingshuo, was very quiet, only occasionally glancing at the cold Mu Jiuchen opposite them.
Li Qingshuo looked at Mu Jiuchen and He Mingrun and asked, "When are you two going back?"
Mu Jiuchen replied, "I still have time."
He Mingrun looked at Meng Yuan beside him and smiled gently, saying, "I plan to propose to Yuan Yuan's family."
"Heh heh..." Li Qingshuo couldn't help but laugh. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you!" He Mingrun accepted his congratulations with peace of mind.
However, Meng Yuan looked at He Mingrun and said, "He Mingrun, we're going back tomorrow. The engagement will be postponed. I need to go back to accompany Xia Xia. I've already lost Nuannuan, and I can't let Xia Xia have any more trouble. Her emotions are very unstable."
Mu Jiuchen looked at Meng Yuan with some confusion. His two little ones were also worried about Yun Xia. Yun Xia was an adult; she couldn't even take care of herself?
He Mingrun blinked at Meng Yuan, somewhat incredulously, "Yuan Yuan, Miss Yun can take care of herself. What are you so worried about?"
Meng Yuan had a bitter expression. She knew he was very fair, but their love was already set in stone. Marriage was just a formality, and they had already picked a date to get their marriage certificate.
Xia Xia was pregnant and had also learned about Nuannuan's accident. Her emotions were very unsettled. Nuannuan had always been worried about Xia Xia developing depression, and it was very difficult for her to be pregnant alone.
"We'll come back next month to see my parents. We have to go back tomorrow." Meng Yuan looked at He Mingrun, her tone very firm.
He Mingrun pursed his lips and quietly looked at the determined and worried young woman in front of him. He finally nodded, "Alright!"
Only then did a slight smile appear on Meng Yuan's face.
He Mingrun also smiled dotingly, gently stroking her hair, his warm and jade-like eyes filled with affection.
Li Qingshuo felt his teeth ache.
Only Mu Jiuchen sat aside, uninvolved.
Li Qingshuo suggested, "How about this? Let's have lunch together tomorrow. I'll formally introduce Keke to you."
Upon hearing this, Tang Keke smiled shyly. Li Qingshuo's friends were all powerful people, and she had to hold on to him to help her family's business reach new heights.
He Mingrun and Meng Yuan agreed.
"Okay!" He Mingrun nodded slightly.
Mu Jiuchen, however, was lost in his own world.
"Little Jiu, what about you?" Li Qingshuo asked Mu Jiuchen, who hadn't reacted.
Mu Jiuchen heard his name being called and slowly looked up at Li Qingshuo, his face full of confusion.
"What?"
Li Qingshuo's gaze flickered, and he repeated his previous question, "Mingrun and the others are going back tomorrow. Can we have lunch together tomorrow?"
Mu Jiuchen nodded, "Yes."
"Then it's settled. Let's go back. The rain should have stopped."
Li Qingshuo stood up and draped his outer jacket over Tang Keke.
Tang Keke had a tender expression and said, "Qingshuo, wait for me for a moment. I'm going to the restroom and will be right out."
Li Qingshuo replied, "Okay!"
After Tang Keke left, He Mingrun asked, "What's going on? You have a girlfriend after not seeing you for a few days?"
Li Qingshuo sat down elegantly and looked up at him, "My mother introduced me. Her daughter is from a friend she plays cards with. I felt good about her at first sight. She happened to be in Mo Du for business this time, so I asked her out."
He Mingrun didn't say anything.
Meng Yuan, unaware that Yun Xia's child was Li Qingshuo's, said nothing.
Mu Jiuchen had no mood for small talk. He slowly stood up, tidied his suit jacket, and said to them, "I'm going back now."
He Mingrun looked at him and asked with concern, "Little Jiu, if you're feeling down, we can accompany you to relax, or go to a KTV."
His dejected appearance made He Mingrun feel uncomfortable.
Mu Jiuchen slowly looked up at him and curved his lips slightly, "What's there to be upset about? Nuannuan is alive and well and will be back in a while. I'm leaving."
Mu Jiuchen left without looking back, his lonely figure betraying him.
He Mingrun sighed slightly and said to Li Qingshuo, "Qingshuo, you wait for Miss Tang. I'll take Yuan Yuan and leave first."
Li Qingshuo nodded slightly, looking meaningfully at the somewhat impatient He Mingrun. After getting a girlfriend, he had completely changed, like a doting husband. He had never seen He Mingrun separate from Meng Yuan; he took her wherever he went.
He waved at them, "Hurry up and go. You two are making me sick with your sweetness."
He Mingrun happily embraced the blushing Meng Yuan and left.
The private room instantly became quiet with only Li Qingshuo in it. Strangely, his heart felt uneasy. His last meeting with Yun Xia was by the roadside; she seemed very anxious and unwell. He had taken advantage of her, and she had said she forgave him that day, but why did he still feel that something was not right?
Li Qingshuo frowned slightly, the restlessness in his heart making him very uncomfortable.
"Qingshuo, let's go," Tang Keke said gently from the doorway, calling him.
Li Qingshuo's expression returned to its usual state, and he nodded at her.
When they reached the roadside, Tang Keke proactively linked her arm through Li Qingshuo's, smiling shyly, "Qingshuo, shall we go to the hotel? The hotel I'm staying at isn't far from here."