Miss Mu and the Canary

Chapter 1

Just two days into March, Wenjiang City suddenly transformed from the gloomy and dark atmosphere of late winter into a vibrant and bright place.

The intense sunlight enveloped the entire city, forcing the dirty snow and frost hiding in the corners and alleys to have nowhere to hide. They could only curse reluctantly as they disappeared into the sunlight, leaving behind patches of disgusting filth.

Finally, the weather cleared up, and everyone, young and old, rich and poor, rushed out onto the street to get some fresh air after a long winter. The street was bustling with activity.

In contrast, the jewelry store located on the corner of the commercial street appeared very quiet.

This jewelry store was owned by foreigners, and the staff, to distinguish themselves from local shops, weren't particularly enthusiastic in their sales pitches. Customers browsed casually, a record player on the glass display case played light, lively piano music, occasionally punctuated by whispers, and the cool air emanating from the surrounding iceboxes created a remarkably tranquil and serene atmosphere.

“Miss Li, would you like to try these tassel earrings? This geometric design is original to our brand and is currently very popular in France. The geometric cherry blossoms on them are also an element of the Orient…”

At the counter, two female shop assistants were helping a young lady try on earrings. Before one pair was even on her ears, another pair was already being handed to her, making it dazzling and overwhelming, leaving her unsure which pair to choose.

Glancing at the people sitting idly drinking tea nearby, Li Yining said reproachfully, "Ah Xuan! You, a great scholar who has returned from studying in the West, why don't you come and appraise these fine Western and Eastern things for me? You're just standing there watching from the sidelines!"

"Why--"

When his female companion spoke, the young man who had been called out was not in a hurry. He lazily responded, put down the magazine in his hand, straightened his clothes, and then got up and came over.

Jewelry stores mostly cater to female customers. Even if men need cufflinks or tie clips, it's usually their female companions who buy them for them. Therefore, the sales staff aren't as enthusiastic towards male customers. The two female sales staff who were showing Li Yining the earrings finally looked at this young man properly, but after just one glance, they immediately exchanged a look, sensing each other's regret.

We missed out on a big deal!

This young man was impeccably dressed in a white suit, his hair neatly tucked into a fedora, and he exuded a dashing and handsome air that drew attention. But to the shop assistant, none of that mattered.

"Look at his brooch and cufflinks!" the shop assistant whispered.

"This emerald is of top quality, and the key-shaped gemstone design is something I've never seen before in Wenjiang..." A man with such taste is certainly not someone who casually decorates. It's just a pity they didn't notice earlier and almost missed a big fish!

Before the whisper was finished, the person had already walked to the counter, where two tellers busily and attentively greeted them.

Li Yining turned her head and gestured to the earrings on her ears: "Ah Xuan, which pair do you think looks better?"

Mu Xing obediently examined Li Yining's earrings.

Hmm, very good. This so-called "original" earring is clearly a copy of the design from French E&D Jewelry, and it's even a design from last year.

She tried hard to recall who she had given the earring to at the family memorial service a few days ago—it wouldn't be good if people misunderstood it as a common item.

Li Yining also looked back at Mu Xing.

In the six years that Ah Xuan has been abroad, although we've met intermittently, it's all been rushed and hurried, as if it's only been a blink of an eye. The restless little tyrant of yesteryear has grown into what she is now. Although she still likes to act like a tomboy, she's definitely different...

She tilts her head slightly when she's thinking, a habit she can never seem to break. Her narrow double eyelids make her eyes look like two sharp knives, slanting across her thick, clean eyebrows. When she lowers her eyelids, her cold and serious gaze falls upon you, and it's as if you're pinned to the spot by those two knives, making it impossible to look away.

Under Mu Xing's gaze, Li Yining blinked and turned her head slightly away, trying to make her blush less obvious.

Could it be that Ah Xuan also...?

“Oh, it’s Second Sister-in-law…” Mu Xing murmured.

Li Yining: "...What?"

Mu Xing naturally looked away: "I said this style is called 'Art Deco' abroad."

She pointed to another pair of earrings under the glass display case: "I think this one is better, it's more fashionable, and the long diamond shape suits your face shape. Don't you have a chiffon polka dot dress? This bright yellow would be a good match as an accent." And it wasn't a copy of the original design; at least, she hadn't seen it before.

Li Yining looked at them through the glass, without even trying them on, and said, "If you think they're good, then wrap them up."

After selecting a necklace for Li Yining, Mu Xing made her exit and followed Li Yining to the nearby fashion store.

“Why not wait for the foreign company to deliver such jewelry to the mansion and then choose at your leisure? The quality and style are guaranteed. Why bother going shopping?” Mu Xing said.

Li Yining snorted: "I think you've been playing the tomboy for too long, and you can't even appreciate the charm of shopping anymore. Didn't you read in 'Linglong' that a modern woman needs to have a sharp eye to pick out the best? That's something you can only learn through practice!"

"Of course." Mu Xing replied nonchalantly, then, as if remembering something, picked up the book in her hand and flipped through it: "'Linglong'? You mean this one?"

Li Yining nodded: "Yeah, hey, be careful, don't break it."

"Wow, I've never seen you treasure other books like this before." Mu Xing flipped through them.

"This isn't your average light reading book. This is only the first issue, and it was almost sold out when I went to buy it just now." Li Yining teased, "Hey, you've always looked down on these kinds of books, but I saw you reading several pages just now. How was it?"

Mu Xing gave a perfunctory smile.

She had just read a few pages. Although there were some insightful articles, such as "The Unmarried Doctrine," there were also some that were just using democratic slogans to practice double standards. They were not worth mentioning, yet they often had a huge impact.

But seeing that Li Yining liked it, she didn't criticize too harshly, even though she thought to herself: "It's alright. There are some... um, beauty and skincare content that I think is worth referring to. It even suggests getting vitamin injections to whiten the skin. The author is... what's his name, Xiao Heren?"

Li Yining laughed and said, "Even you appreciate this book. It seems it truly is a friend of progressive and democratic women."

After chatting for a few minutes, Li Yining's attention was drawn to a foreign firm on the way, and Mu Xing had no choice but to follow her inside.

…

In a dimly lit room in the Wah Wing Building, a woman leaned against the windowsill, her brows slightly furrowed, quietly gazing out the window.

Unlike the currently fashionable flat figure, the woman rested her elbows on the carved windowsill, her waist arched, creating a graceful curve that seemed to tremble and overflow. A wisp of curly hair hung down, trembling and rubbing slightly with her movements.

Wrapped in a crimson cheongsam, she resembled a flamboyant, fiery red dahlia, her entire being proclaiming loudly, "Look how beautiful I am!"

"Yan'er, what do you want me to do?" A male voice br

……