Chapter Fifty-Two: Lacking Manners?

Luo Shui’s jade-like fingers traced along Qin Mu’s abdominal muscles, her delicate body pressing restlessly against his, her rosy lips parting with breath as fragrant as orchids, whispering soft, mewling sounds like a kitten scratching at one's heart. The desire to refuse and yet to yield—it was unbearably enticing.

“Brother Qin, won’t you take me?” Luo Shui teased mischievously, imitating Lin Peipei’s girlish tone, sweet and cloying.

A shiver ran across Qin Mu’s skin. Looking at the radiant beauty in his arms, he was momentarily at a loss. Even through the fabric of her clothes, he could feel Luo Shui’s smooth, porcelain-like skin, as delicate as a doll’s.

“Silly, hold me,” Luo Shui pouted when she saw that even her boldness failed to elicit a response from Qin Mu.

She had already taken the initiative—how could a grown man just stand there, doing nothing?

Qin Mu finally opened his arms and gently embraced Luo Shui, drawing her closer.

Luo Shui pressed her ear to Qin Mu’s chest, listening intently to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

With her temperament, even if she liked Qin Mu, she would never be so forward—at least there would be dates, the slow cultivation of affection. But after the incident with Lin Peipei, an inexplicable sense of urgency had crept into her heart.

Just as Luo Shui wrestled with her feelings, Qin Mu’s phone rang.

Considerately, Luo Shui released him and sat quietly to the side, waiting. The night was long—there was no need to rush.

Qin Mu glanced at the caller ID and, unconcerned, answered the phone.

“Godmother, it’s so late—what’s the matter?”

The call was from his godmother, Qiu Shouxia.

“Xiao Mu, have you found a girl you like?” Qiu Shouxia asked bluntly, catching Qin Mu off guard.

When he didn’t answer, she pressed on with a peculiar tone, “You’re not so young anymore. When are you bringing a wife home?”

“Soon, soon,” Qin Mu replied awkwardly, forcing a laugh.

This was exactly the topic he dreaded most.

Qin Mu was barely in his early twenties—still very young, with no sense of urgency. But the Jiang family came from a small village, where traditional customs dictated that a man should marry and settle down by twenty. The other young men in the village might already have children. For Qin Mu to still be single—it was no wonder Qiu Shouxia was anxious.

“Don’t think I don’t know what’s on your mind. You’re trying to stall, aren’t you? That won’t do. Tomorrow I’ve arranged for you to meet the daughter of the Zhang family, our old neighbors from the village. You’re to go and meet her. No excuses.”

Her words were final; she hung up after a few more sentences, giving Qin Mu no chance to refuse.

He could only set his phone down with a wry smile and return to the sofa.

Luo Shui, meanwhile, edged closer with a playful smile, settling beside him.

At first, she hadn’t paid it much heed, but the moment she heard the words “girlfriend,” she perked up, listening intently.

“Your mom’s urging you to get married?” Luo Shui grinned, a hint of schadenfreude in her voice.

Qin Mu shot her a glare.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Luo Shui prompted, propping herself up and pointing to herself.

“My godmother is shrewd, not easily fooled—she can see at a glance whether someone’s my girlfriend or not,” Qin Mu replied, shaking his head.

Though their relationship was ambiguous, strictly speaking, they were more than friends but not yet lovers—just waiting for someone to take that step.

“I’m a top actress! Are you saying I’m not good enough?” Luo Shui huffed. “With me around, your mom wouldn’t keep setting you up with other girls.”

She whispered sweet persuasions in his ear, encouraging him.

As Qin Mu mulled it over, Luo Shui clapped her hands in decision and leapt up.

“It’s settled, then. I’ll go home for my beauty sleep, and tomorrow I’ll accompany you to meet your family.”

Qin Mu asked, “Weren’t you going to make me repay your favor?”

“In no rush now. When I need it, I’ll let you know.”

Qin Mu’s face darkened with exasperation. This was exactly why he hated owing favors—who knew when the debt would be called in? And why did he feel as though he’d missed out on something good?

Luo Shui smiled inwardly and walked to the door. “Well then, good night.”

Qin Mu quickly caught up, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“Thank you for your help.”

Luo Shui stood stunned for a moment; her heart raced, her cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away, shy.

“At last, you’re starting to understand,” she murmured, turning swiftly and fumbling out her keys before heading into her own apartment—while from behind the wall, Qin Mu could still hear her girlish laughter, sweet and bashful.

...

The next morning.

Qin Mu rose early, made breakfast for Luo Shui, and after they’d eaten, drove her to work.

Qiu Shouxia had arranged the meeting for morning tea, which clashed with Luo Shui’s work schedule—so she couldn’t accompany him to meet his family.

Qin Mu didn’t mind; he shrugged, picked up his godparents, and drove to the venue.

The meeting was arranged at a newly opened English-style hotel.

The hotel had twelve floors, a splendid and imposing facade. A long crimson carpet stretched out from the entrance, where two doormen stood at attention. Even from the threshold, the interior’s British aristocratic style was evident—luxurious in every detail.

“Good morning, sir. Welcome to the Royal Britannia Hotel,” greeted one of the staff.

“We’d like a table for morning tea,” Jiang Haishan said.

“Certainly, may I see your membership card, please?”

“Membership card? What membership card?” Jiang Haishan asked in confusion.

The doorman explained patiently, “We operate on a members-only basis. Only members may enter.”

“How much is a membership?” Qiu Shouxia inquired, reaching for her purse.