Jiang Nuan felt helpless. Nanzhou had helped her through her most difficult times, saved her when her life was in danger.
When she had no money, he supported her. When she couldn't take care of the children, he looked after three kids by himself without a single complaint.
"Nuan Nuan, speak," Nanzhou's voice was anxious. The moment he knew she was injured, he wished he could fly to her side immediately.
He knew she couldn't possibly fall in love with him.
She could have any feelings for him, just not love.
He understood, he knew, but still couldn't bring himself to be completely resolute. Hearing she was hurt, he couldn't sit still.
Jiang Nuan disliked a life of constraint; she could refuse all temptations.
She was aloof and beautiful. He could never forget their first meeting, her wearing an all-black leather jacket and pants, her perfect figure, stirring the heart.
His voice, when speaking to her, involuntarily became lingering and gentle.
Hadn't he experienced love at first sight?
Yes! He fell in love with her at first sight.
But now, Mu Jiuchen had appeared beside her, and he could no longer hide the affection in his heart.
Jiang Nuan, feeling helpless, gave the address and hung up.
Glancing to the side, she saw Mu Jiuchen's face was very grim.
"Are you... very worried about him?" Mu Jiuchen's voice was a little dry and hoarse.
Jiang Nuan nodded.
Mu Jiuchen looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Jiang Nuan found his demeanor somewhat amusing.
"Just say what you want to say."
Only then did Mu Jiuchen speak, "You and him..." Even without him saying it, Jiang Nuan understood.
Jiang Nuan rarely joked, "Do you want to know?"
Mu Jiuchen felt a little wronged. Wasn't his current state obvious enough?
"He..." Mu Jiuchen hesitated again, unsure how to ask.
It was rare for the Ninth Master, who commanded half of Asia, to be so hesitant.
Jiang Nuan said, "Beg me, and I'll tell you!"
Mu Jiuchen looked at the woman with a smile in her eyes. It was rare to see her smile like this, like the clouds parting to reveal the sun, making one feel warm all over.
In front of the woman he liked, Mu Jiuchen wouldn't put on airs. He said softly, "Nuan Nuan, I want to know."
Although it wasn't the phrase "I beg you."
His tone carried a hint of humility.
Jiang Nuan was in a good mood, a sense of triumphant pleasure filling her heart.
She slowly said, "He once saved my life, almost died. That person was Li He from last night. Back then, Nanzhou and I were on a mission when we encountered Li He. He didn't look like this back then. I recognized him from his moves last night, and he was also testing me."
Jiang Nuan then looked at Mu Jiuchen, her tone deepening, "Mu Jiuchen, when I was busy, unable to take care of the children, when I was in trouble, he single-handedly looked after three children. Do you know that?"
"I was very irresponsible in giving birth to three children, which resulted in them not having a father. I feel guilty and ashamed. When the children were three years old, Nanzhou often spent time with them. Do you understand what I mean?"
She could feel Mu Jiuchen's displeasure stemmed from Nanzhou.
Mu Jiuchen simply nodded, looking at her, his expression much improved, his voice smooth, "I am very grateful for his care of you and the children over the years. However, from today onwards, I will take care of you and the children."
Jiang Nuan looked at him deeply, remaining silent.
Mu Jiuchen, however, looked at her, his gaze unwavering. At this moment, thinking from her perspective, he didn't dislike Nanzhou as much anymore.
Meng Yuan and He Mingrun arrived at No. 88, Xinxing Village, Hongxin Town. They had already inquired about Shen Bing's residence. Unfortunately, by the time they reached the town, Shen Bing had gone to the city on business and wouldn't return until the next day.
The two stayed overnight in the town. After breakfast the next morning, they went to No. 88 again.
The town was sparsely populated with vast expanses of land. Shen Bing lived in a large courtyard with a one-and-a-half-story villa. In the front was a small yard, with flowers and plants on the left and a small vegetable patch on the right. Near the main gate, a piece of land was enclosed with wire mesh, where chickens, ducks, and geese were raised. It was the kind of rustic courtyard that city dwellers yearned for.
He Mingrun and Meng Yuan waited in the car. Everything inside could be seen from the gate.
Meng Yuan felt drowsy. He Mingrun was very forceful; he would only let her go when she cried and begged for mercy, taking pleasure in bullying her. Seeing her tearful pleas for mercy only made him more interested.
He could even see that wicked smile in his eyes.
The more Meng Yuan thought about it, the angrier she became. Lying there drowsily, she was instantly jolted awake by anger.
"Hmph!" She grunted at He Mingrun.
He Mingrun had been staring at the entrance of the main road. Hearing her soft hmph, he inexplicably felt guilty.
His needs seemed to be great; one time wasn't enough to satisfy him. Also, she was too captivating, her skin as smooth as a fish's, especially after bathing, that soft, slippery feeling could almost drown him.
Meng Yuan slightly shifted her numb legs and glared at He Mingrun, who was smiling foolishly at her.
"Hmph!"
Meng Yuan didn't know what to say.
"Yuan Yuan, my darling, I know you're tired. Can you rest for a while longer?" Their car was parked under a plane tree. The weather was hot, but it was still quite cool inside the car.
The air in the county town was better than in the city, and the breeze wasn't as hot.
"Can't you have some restraint? My legs are so sore, and my back is also sore." Meng Yuan was almost crying with anger.
The more He Mingrun heard, the more guilty he felt. "I'm sorry, Yuan Yuan."
He Mingrun thought for a moment, then mumbled, "It's all your fault for being too charming."
Meng Yuan: "..."
She glared at him, her small face flushing with anger. The more she did, the more righteous he became.
Meng Yuan completely lost her temper. "He Mingrun, when we see your mother later, will you go down?"
She changed the subject.
He Mingrun nodded, "Yes, we're here precisely to uncover the truth."
Meng Yuan suddenly took his hand and said, "He Mingrun, no matter the outcome, I will stay by your side. You must remember, you are not alone; you have me."
He Mingrun looked at her, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "Yuan Yuan, I only have you!"
Meng Yuan's eyes flickered. He was always good with words, and he always said what touched her heart.
"You big fool, can't you speak properly? You have a father, a mother, a grandmother who dotes on you, and your younger brother."
Meng Yuan felt sorry for him, looking at him with pursed lips.
He Mingrun smiled, a smile that was more bitter than eating a bitter gourd. "Yuan Yuan, I have a premonition that after we leave here, my family will be broken. I'm very reluctant, but I don't want my mother to be wronged here, to spend her life alone and lonely."
Meng Yuan understood his thoughts and his inner turmoil, so she said, "Your thinking is very right. A mother cannot be replaced."
After speaking, Meng Yuan saw a tall woman opening the main gate. Just looking at her back, she resembled Wu Yuan very much.
"He Mingrun, look quickly, Auntie is back."