Mu Jiu Chen’s expression instantly soured; he couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer.
He Ming Run saw this and smiled, teasing, “It seems we are both unfortunate souls!”
Upon hearing this, Mu Jiu Chen looked at He Ming Run. He noticed He Ming Run’s cool demeanor and a subtle emotion in his eyes that he couldn't decipher.
Ah! So he too could have such emotions.
“Run Run, a woman’s heart is like a needle in the sea!” he said glumly.
He Ming Run looked at him, “What’s wrong? Did Jiang Nuan reject your confession?”
Mu Jiu Chen shook his head slightly and sat on a nearby sofa, his long legs crossed, hands clasped on his lap, an elegant posture. He raised his eyes and looked at He Ming Run, “Something happened today; I was set up…”
Mu Jiu Chen recounted the events to He Ming Run. He hadn't pursued Nuan Nuan because he wanted to give her some time to process.
After listening, He Ming Run was at a loss. He thought he had plenty of good ideas and that pursuing women would be a breeze, but now he felt helpless. He had overestimated himself; the most terrifying thing for a person is the pathetic self-esteem that follows overestimating oneself.
Unwavering devotion lasts forever, only to part ways the next moment!
This was what bothered him the most.
“Little Jiu, when it comes to chasing women, I’m beginning to doubt myself. I feel that once a woman has stirred a man’s heart, she should quickly come to his side and warm his bed,” He Ming Run rarely spoke like this. He was deeply worried that Meng Yuan would never want to see him again.
Hearing this rare jest, Mu Jiu Chen’s lips curved upwards involuntarily. “Run Run, I think you’re absolutely right. If there’s a next life, I want to be a woman and marry a man as good as me. I will absolutely, absolutely not betray love.”
Mu Jiu Chen felt moved by his own words, but why couldn’t he move Nuan Nuan?
“Heh heh…” He Ming Run chuckled, glancing at the man who was also suffering from matters of the heart, and said with a smile, “Let’s worry about next life in the next life. Let’s solve this life’s problems first. When you came in earlier, you saw that my mother has been desperately introducing me to potential partners these days. Is marriage really that difficult?”
“What I want is a love where we grow old together, a love where our hearts are intertwined.”
“My parents have always been very strict with me since I was young. I listen to them about everything, but when it comes to choosing a wife, I want to find a girl I like and grow old with her. It doesn't have to be as romantic as in the dramas, nor does it need three lifetimes; I just want this one.”
Mu Jiu Chen: “…Congratulations, you’ve already found her. Just keep pursuing her. As for Madam He, an arm can’t twist a thigh; she won’t be arrogant for much longer.”
He Ming Run glanced at him and asked, “Did you come to see me just for this?”
Then, he also shared his own troubles with Mu Jiu Chen. He had been rejected.
Mu Jiu Chen looked at him, “Last time, I sought you out because you had a unique perspective on love. Now it seems Meng Yuan isn’t falling for your act either. I’m afraid I won’t be able to marry into the Jing family, and my Nuan Nuan, she falls for my approach. I’ve always believed in fate.”
“Although someone is now marketing our love story, I will definitely find that person.” When he returned, he checked the surveillance footage. Indeed, a delivery person had brought a package. The man was wearing a helmet, mask, and sunglasses, covering himself up thoroughly. Even the license plate of his electric scooter was fake.
So, someone had intentionally done this.
But who could it be?!
He Ming Run stood up, bathed in the sunlight, instantly resembling a melancholic prince stepped out of a comic book.
Mu Jiu Chen picked up the photo and secretly took a picture. He looked closely.
Damn!!!
He Ming Run was actually this handsome?!
Fine, he would help He Ming Run.
Mu Jiu Chen had Meng Yuan’s WeChat. He sent the photo to Meng Yuan.
[I don’t know what’s wrong with He Ming Run today, but he seems to be in a very bad mood? He was apparently rejected. Old Li, go comfort him.]
After sending the message, Mu Jiu Chen put his phone back in his pocket.
For He Ming Run’s happiness, he would also sacrifice some of his own time and maintain a good relationship with Meng Yuan. That way, he could always know Nuan Nuan’s whereabouts.
Meng Yuan was looking at documents. Tan Wen Bin’s death had also severed the clues.
Jiang Xing Yu’s daily efforts to find clues were also strenuous. The people near the tea house had been investigated, and everyone was a suspect. She had been investigating for days but still had no results.
Suddenly, a photo was sent to her. She tapped it open and looked at the man in the sunlight. His profile was incredibly beautiful.
A faint melancholy shrouded his brows, adding to his handsome, dejected charm.
[I don’t know what’s wrong with He Ming Run today, but he seems to be in a very bad mood? He was apparently rejected. Old Li, go comfort him.]
This message was from Mu Jiu Chen.
Old Li referred to Li Qing Shuo, so Mu Jiu Chen had sent the message to the wrong person.
Meng Yuan’s hand, holding the phone, tightened slightly. Was He Ming Run unhappy because of her rejection?
No, they had never explicitly discussed their feelings, so she couldn’t be so presumptuous.
But the man was truly handsome.
Not only was the man good-looking, but he was also excellent in all aspects, a leader among young people. This was the man she wanted to pursue.
Looking at the man’s troubled brow, Meng Yuan felt a sliver of pain, a pain that gradually spread throughout her body. She remembered how he had invited her to dinner after the banquet, and how her distant and indifferent attitude had made his demeanor become cautious, even his speech becoming much more careful than usual.
It was then that she realized He Ming Run was serious.
She slightly extended her hand, her slender index finger gently caressing the man’s brow, wanting to smooth away the melancholy, yet feeling it was wishful thinking.
Meng Yuan bit her lower lip for a long time before replying: [Ninth Master, you sent the wrong message.]
After sending it, she wondered if the busy Ninth Master would even see her message.
Anyway, she was also very busy!
Mu Jiu Chen had already seen the message. His dark eyes were like a deep, still pond. That’s it…?
He had indeed sent it to the wrong person. Couldn’t she see something special?
Then again, regarding the events at the banquet, any woman with a bit of intelligence would have seen that Madam He was a very difficult mother-in-law to deal with.
It was understandable that Meng Yuan would back down.
Mu Jiu Chen suddenly looked at the melancholic prince before him and asked, “Run Run, did you confess to Miss Meng Yuan?”
Only then did He Ming Run shift his feet slightly and sit opposite him. He looked at him, his expression troubled, his melancholy deepening. “I scared her away before I could even confess, do you think I’d dare?”
Mu Jiu Chen fell silent. What he had said today was similar to a confession. He thought he was too unrestrained. Women heard these words too often and got used to them; once accustomed, they wouldn't take them seriously.
Jiang Nuan slept for a while after returning to her room. When she woke up, it was already afternoon. Suddenly, her phone, buried under the covers, rang, startling her.