Chu Mu was used to such scenes, and even if he was too lazy to deal with it, he had to put on an act. He reached for the glass in front of him and stood up. "Director Wang, you're too kind. This glass should be mine to toast you." Under the lamplight, Chu Mu's posture of tilting his head back to drink was stunning. His tall and slender figure was upright, and even the fingers holding the glass were clean and strong. Two dark blue gemstone cufflinks were neatly fastened on the slightly exposed cuff of his shirt, all of which highlighted the man's refined taste.
Director Wang, sensing the opportune moment, prepared to continue, bringing up today's main topic. "Director Chu, there's something else. My niece used to be a translator in our protocol department, but she insists on going abroad for training. As her uncle, I should at least grant her request. Why don't you let her come back to Germany with you if you don't mind? I'll have to trouble you to take good care of her then."
Chu Mu's deep, reserved eyes remained calm, and a humble smile graced his handsome face. He spoke unhurriedly, "You're too kind. The person who can be the head of my translation team is no ordinary individual. There's no need for my assistance. Just take care of the formalities and have her come back with me."
Chu Mu's words were quite clear; anyone with a bit of experience could understand them. His implication was that since Old Wang had the ability to transfer people without consulting him, he naturally didn't need his favor. Acting first and reporting later was a major taboo in the circles of the powerful.
Director Wang's face indeed showed a momentary embarrassment, and he could only wave to ease the situation. "Yun Jia! Come and say hello to Deputy Director Chu." Upon hearing this, the seated woman gracefully stood up and walked towards Chu Mu with an air of elegance. Her eyes, as they darted around, clearly carried a hint of confidence and pride. "Chu Mu, it's been a long time."
Chu Mu met the woman's slightly upturned eyes, his expression indifferent. "Miss Tao, it's been a long time."
Director Wang looked at the two of them with some surprise and asked in confusion, "You... know each other?"
Chu Mu quickly turned his gaze away from Tao Yunjia, without the slightest fluctuation, even his voice was steady and low. "Just a classmate from the Foreign Affairs Academy."
Undeterred, Director Wang, still somewhat hopeful, led the woman beside him over. Half-jokingly, half-tentatively, he said, "Hello, classmate! My niece has admired you for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Chu Mu suddenly chuckled softly, his handsome face filled with barely concealed mockery. "Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Miss Tao. What a pity, I'm already married."
Upon hearing this, Tao Yunjia, who was standing next to Chu Mu, suddenly looked gloomy.
Chapter Two
It was almost midnight when Chu Mu got home. The driver could see the lights coming from the Lake Garden Villas from a distance as he turned into the residential area. Chu Mu glanced at his watch, thought for a moment, and then took out a set of keys from his pocket.
The door opened with a rustling sound. Only a few wall lamps were lit in the spacious living room, their warm tones creating a particularly soft ambiance that even brought a sense of relaxation to Chu Mu's tired brow. He glanced casually at the sofa as he entered, and immediately froze in place.
Shu Yi'an was curled up asleep on the sofa, her pale yellow loungewear making her look particularly slender. Her small nostrils flared as she breathed softly, seemingly asleep, her fair, palm-sized face partially obscured by a few wisps of hair. Perhaps a little cold, she unconsciously hunched her shoulders, her sleep not quite peaceful.
Chu Mu was surprised that she was still waiting for him so late, and a tender feeling suddenly welled up in his heart. He gently took off his coat and walked over, silently looking at her for a while, and finally couldn't help but lean down and kiss her forehead.
Shu Yi'an was a light sleeper. She opened her eyes groggily and looked at the handsome face so close to hers. Still half-asleep, she said, "Hmm...you're back..."
Chu Mu glanced at her languid appearance, then pretended to pick her up and carry her upstairs. "Why are you sleeping in the living room? Why don't you go upstairs?"
Shu Yi'an nestled in Chu Mu's arms, the familiar scent filling her nostrils, and couldn't help but snuggle her head closer to him. "I was waiting for you. I sent you a message but you didn't reply. Mom called tonight to say you were reporting to your second uncle, so I didn't dare disturb you."
Upon hearing this, Chu Mu hugged Shu Yi'an even tighter and calmly instructed her, "If I don't come back very late, don't wait for me, okay?"
Shu Yi'an looked at his shirt buttons, lowered her head, and pouted, looking somewhat aggrieved. "Okay..."
Once inside the bedroom, Chu Mu gently placed Shu Yi'an on the bed, patted her soft hair, and gestured for her to sleep. "I'm going to take a shower."
Shu Yi'an looked at the person who was taking off his shirt with his back to her, and suddenly stood up, calling out to him somewhat nervously. Chu Mu turned around at the sound of her voice, his deep, dark eyes filled with confusion. "What's wrong?" Chu Mu's shirt was only half off, and the open collar revealed his slender waist, making Shu Yi'an feel a little uncomfortable. She quietly took a deep breath, as if gathering her courage, before looking up at the person on the other end and calling out, "Happy birthday!"
Under the light, Shu Yi'an's eyes sparkled, and her gentle face and brows were filled with a warm smile.
At that very moment, the clock downstairs started to chime.
Chu Mu was momentarily stunned by those words. The clock striking midnight... May 7th... His throat moved almost imperceptibly, and after a long while, he finally spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you."
Chu Mu looked at the tired woman nestled in his arms, fast asleep, and his previously irritable mood suddenly improved. Her slender, rounded shoulders were turned away from him, and he could clearly see her prominent shoulder blades. Sexy, yet making one want to cherish her.
Midnight is the time when emotions are most easily stirred.
After Shu Yi'an wished him a happy birthday, Chu Mu almost violently dragged her into the bathroom. Through the steamy water, Shu Yi'an's pained expression nearly made Chu Mu succumb. That encounter was the most intense Shu Yi'an had experienced in the year since their marriage. She softly clung to his neck, moaning softly, her body trembling as he thrust into her. Chu Mu seemed oblivious to her pleas, his tender kisses like those of a precious jewel. Before she fainted, watching Chu Mu's earnest bite on her neck, Shu Yi'an suddenly realized that this marriage wasn't as difficult as she had imagined.
When Shu Yi'an woke up the next day, it was almost eleven o'clock. She endured the soreness in her legs, grabbed her clothes, and prepared to go downstairs. Chu Mu, hearing the slight noise, turned over in annoyance, his long arm pulling Shu Yi'an close. His thin lips gently brushed against her delicate ear, his voice still a little hoarse from just waking up. "Where are you going?"
Shu Yi'an carefully pried open Young Master Chu's fingers, trying to negotiate, "Mom called yesterday specifically to ask us to go back. I'll make you lunch first, and then we can get up in a bit, okay?"
Chu Mu buried his head under the pillow and rolled around for a long time before finally letting go of her with some groans.
Both had stayed up half the night, but their mental states were vastly different. When Chu Mu sat down in the living room looking refreshed, Shu Yi'an was frowning in the dressing room, pondering which clothes could cover the bruises on her neck. Chu Mu leaned casually against the doorway, hands in his pockets, his eyes full of mockery. "That blue one should work."
Shu Yi'an, holding the blue turtleneck sleeveless dress, pouted and looked at the culprit at the door. "Can I leave?"
Young Master Chu raised an eyebrow, looking arrogant. "We've already done it, so what's there to be afraid of seeing?"
"…………"
Through this series of awkward, intimate exchanges involving language and gestures, the two finally left the house.
Sunlight streamed through the two enormous plane trees, dappling the courtyard. Shu Yi'an looked at the brand-new, sapphire blue sports car parked at the entrance, somewhat unsurprised. Having been married to Chu Mu for a year, she was long since used to his occasional astonishing antics. Perhaps sensing Shu Yi'an's reaction, Chu Mu lazily squinted and handed her the keys, explaining, "I've had them ordered for a long time. Jiang San'er just brought it up yesterday; they were originally meant for you too."
Shu Yi'an looked at the flashy sports car and shook her head in refusal. "You know I don't drive."
Chu Mu wasn't angry at all, and just tossed the keys in his hand to play with them. "Suit yourself, I don't need them. Just leave them at home, you can take them whenever you want."
"That's not right." Chu Mu suddenly stopped pulling the car door handle and turned his head in confusion. "Last time Yuan Yuan had appendicitis, I heard from Mom that you sped all the way to the hospital for her."
Upon hearing this, Shu Yi'an recalled what happened two months ago. Her sister-in-law, Chu Weiyuan, came to her house to keep her company, but unexpectedly suffered from appendicitis and fainted on the ground from the pain. Shu Yi'an was so frightened that she didn't have time to think too much and took her to the hospital immediately.
“Isn’t that because we were in a hurry… Yuan Yuan was in danger…” Shu Yi’an said with a straight face, pretending to be serious. “Yes… that’s how it is.”
Chu Mu raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, and didn't ask any further questions.
The couple had been married for a year, but had spent no more than two months together in total. The first time was right after their marriage, when she went on vacation to Europe with Chu Mu, lasting half a month. The next few times were when Chu Mu would come back every few days to report on his work or attend foreign affairs activities. Therefore, Mrs. Chu was particularly excited when the couple could come home together, especially since today was Chu Mu's thirtieth birthday.
The Chu family is unlike other large and prosperous families. Old Master Chu only had two sons: Chu Mu's father and his second uncle. After marrying Chu Mu's father, Madam Chu had a son and a daughter. Now that Chu Mu is married and has his own family, and Chu Mu's younger sister, Chu Weiyuan, is always out having fun and rarely home, Madam Chu, Sui Qing, often nags that the two of them should have a child so she can take care of it and avoid feeling lonely.
As soon as the two entered the house, Ms. Sui beamed with joy. Shu Yi'an respectfully greeted the Chu family elders, "Dad, Mom."
Even Mr. Chu, who was usually stern and unsmiling, softened slightly upon seeing the two of them. He took off his glasses, which he had been using to read the newspaper, and asked gently, "You're back?"
Seeing Shu Yi'an happy, Sui Qing quickly pulled her upstairs, leaving the father and son to talk in the outer room. Mr. Chu slowly rinsed some water in a clay teapot and asked gently, "How long will you be staying this time?"
Chu Mu picked up the freshly brewed Longjing tea from the low table and leaned back against the stool behind him. "About a week, I'll go back next week."