Mu Xing wasn't familiar with the others and hadn't come to talk, so he sat quietly, ate some side dishes, and only spoke to Bai Yan.
She was serving food to Bai Yan when she suddenly heard Zhang Derong say, "Speaking of which, Third Young Master and Miss Bai have known each other for quite some time now, haven't they?"
Mu Xing was taken aback, realizing that their conversation had veered into vulgarity, discussing women. Thinking that Zhang Derong was just saying it casually, she nodded: "It's been almost half a year, Mr. Zhang and Miss Lan have been together for quite some time."
She had intended to change the subject, but Zhang Derong seized the opportunity and said, "That's right, it's a pity I didn't know the Third Young Master when I hosted the banquet, otherwise I would have definitely invited you for a drink."
Mu Xing was taken aback. Although she didn't understand what "setting up a room" meant, she figured it was similar to "lighting large candles." Feeling a bit strange, she was about to brush it off when a merchant next to her chimed in with a laugh, "What's wrong with that? Although Third Young Master can't drink your wine and women, you can certainly have a bowl of his winter melon soup!"
Upon hearing this, everyone at the table burst into laughter.
Mu Xing didn't understand "setting up a room," but she knew "drinking winter melon soup" was a Southern dialect term for matchmaking. Zhang Derong clearly wanted to act as a matchmaker for her and Miss Bai!
Unexpectedly, Zhang Derong suddenly said something like that, and Mu Xing was immediately embarrassed. She tried to play dumb and said, "What winter melon soup..."
Tang Yu, who was standing to the side, already understood what was going on as everyone was talking back and forth. Since Mu Xing always brought Bai Yan to his banquets, he assumed that Mu Xing had the same idea. So he raised his wine cup to Mu Xing and said, "Third Young Master, I won't drink the winter melon soup. If there is a wedding banquet, please save a cup for me."
As soon as Tang Yu spoke, everyone raised their glasses, saying that they would definitely treat them to a drink sometime when they ordered some big candles.
In a few words, everyone had laid the matter out on the table, leaving Mu Xingtong unsure whether to raise her glass or not. She turned to look at Bai Yan, but Bai Yan just stared at her without saying a word, her face flushed, clearly waiting for her to give her an answer.
But this was something she absolutely could not agree to!
Mu Xing was racking his brains trying to figure out how to refuse the offer when Fei Lan, sitting next to Zhang Derong, suddenly spoke up: "Oh, my lord, this is such a pointless thing. As the saying goes, a dog is greedy and will lick the millstone, and a person is greedy and will arrange a marriage. If you support this marriage, Young Master Mu will think that we want more than just a bowl of winter melon soup. With that in mind, how can he possibly agree to it?"
Thinking that Fei Lan was giving him a way out, Mu Xing immediately nodded: "Yes—"
Unexpectedly, Fei Lan changed the subject and said, "Otherwise, Young Master Mu is so devoted to my sister that he can't even bear to part with her. But now that it's such a crucial moment, he won't agree. Those who know the situation will say that we're in the way and delaying them, but those who don't will probably say that he doesn't want to 'set up a room' for my sister and light candles! If this gets out, how will my sister and the Third Young Master face each other?"
These words completely blocked all her paths!
If she were to refuse to light the big candles for Miss Bai at this moment, not only would her relationship with Miss Bai be in jeopardy, but it would also be tantamount to making Miss Bai lose face in public, thus cutting off Miss Bai's future!
Mu Xing was dumbfounded, feeling fierce and anxious, but there was nothing he could do.
As time ticked by, everyone's hands, raised in toasts, froze, and Miss Bai's smile vanished. Amidst the deafening pounding of his heart, Mu Xing heard himself say, word by word, "I've long had this intention, but I've always wanted to bring it up formally. Since Mr. Zhang is willing to facilitate this today, I'll go with the flow. If Miss Bai is willing, please drink this cup."
With her usual smile, she tilted her head back and drank the wine in her glass in one gulp.
She gradually realized that this must have been a scheme orchestrated by Miss Bai and Zhang Derong to force her to light the big candle. Otherwise, given Zhang Derong's personality, he wouldn't have done something so risky unless he had guarantees.
But all she could offer Miss Bai was this fleeting, illusory celebration.
She really couldn't and wouldn't make any more mistakes.
A burst of cheers erupted around them, and people from other tables rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Hearing that it was another joyous occasion, they quickly raised their glasses in celebration. The sounds of blessings filled the air, as if it were already Mu Xing and Bai Yan's wedding day.
Mu Xing put down her wine glass. Bai Yan looked at her, turned her glass upside down, and smiled, "I didn't leave a drop." Her tone was solemn and satisfied.
Reaching out from under the table, Mu Xing took her hand and said, "After the banquet, I want to talk to you about something."
However, Mu Xing underestimated men's love for urging others to drink.
When Master Li hurriedly returned to the main hall, the joyous news of setting up large candles had already spread throughout the hall. A group of guests, who were already quite drunk, took the opportunity of offering their congratulations to Mu Xing and toasted him, resulting in a lively and boisterous atmosphere of clinking glasses and toasts.
"Which young master wants to order these large candles?" Master Li hurriedly inquired with Wang Mengwei and the others.
Wang Mengwei, who had remained seated without moving, shook her head: "I don't know, I heard it's someone from Young Master Tang's side."
Song Youcheng, who was standing to the side, asked in a low voice, "Second brother, was that Ning just now...?"
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Master Li's face as he replied perfunctorily, "I just came to take a look. I've already had someone send her back."
Song Youcheng and Wang Mengwei didn't want to stay long anyway, so upon hearing this, they both got up to say goodbye. Master Li knew he couldn't keep them, so he let them go as they pleased.
After seeing the two off, Second Master Li quickly led Fei Lian into the crowd and asked loudly, "What wonderful news is this now?"
The onlookers chattered about what had happened. Upon hearing the name of the Mu family, Second Master Li frowned. Just as he was about to ask which family's Third Young Master Mu was, Fei Lian beside him exclaimed, "Sister Bai! Second Master, we should offer a toast!"
Distracted from his thoughts, Second Master Li didn't have time to think further and immediately poured out wine to offer a toast.
Although Mu Xing had declined several times before, she couldn't resist the chatter of so many people, and after a few drinks, her face was flushed and she felt dizzy. Hearing that Second Master Li was coming, she didn't even think of hiding. She stood up straight, held her wine glass to Second Master Li's face, and said loudly, "Second Master! I wish you, I wish you a happy and fulfilling life! I'll definitely treat you then!"
Before Master Li could get a good look at her face, she turned and pointed at everyone present, saying, "And you, you, you—Young Master Tang! Come on over here!"
She swayed slightly, then tilted her head back and downed the entire glass of wine in one gulp, instantly exciting everyone: "Great drinking capacity! Come on, let's all have a drink together!"
Not knowing exactly how many cups she had drunk, Bai Yan should have advised her to drink less, but in the end she was so anxious that she wanted to drag her away as soon as possible. Just as she was getting anxious, Mu Xing suddenly dropped the cup and ran out of the hall.
"Young Master!" Bai Yan was so frightened that she hurriedly followed, and everyone at the dinner table burst into laughter.
After spitting into the spittoon brought by the waiter, Mu Xing leaned against the wall, feeling dizzy. Bai Yan busied herself having someone bring her hot towels and tea, complaining with concern as she cleaned and wiped her up.
After finally managing to resolve the situation, Bai Yan was about to leave when Mu Xing suddenly stood up unsteadily.
Bai Yan quickly helped her up: "How are you? Do you want to rest a bit more?"
Mu Xing waved his hand and started to walk away: "Go, go, I'm not sitting, it's noisy. I want to go home!"
She insisted on leaving, not bothering to go back to say goodbye, so Bai Yan had no choice but to help her out of the hotel.
"Don't stop me!" At the restaurant entrance, Li Yining glared at Li Erye's henchmen and cursed, "You guys are something else, doing all these shady things behind my second sister-in-law's back. What are you afraid of now!"
The attendant just smiled and urged her to get in the car, without saying a word.
After a while of cursing, and with his henchmen only offering gentle advice, Li Yining finally gave up.
Although the die was cast, she was still furious and decided to come to the banquet to see what was going on. However, she had barely slipped into the restaurant when that damned prostitute stopped her and immediately summoned her second brother.
She had said everything she needed to say to her second brother, but it was just another crying fit, which was completely pointless.
Just before getting into the car, Li Yining suddenly turned around and gritted her teeth, saying, "Tell Principal Li's mistress that even if you spare that bitch, I won't spare her!"
Knowing she was referring to Principal Li's lover, the follower casually agreed and was about to close the car door when Li Yining's gaze suddenly sharpened, and she abruptly blocked the car door.
"...Ah Xuan?"
Because Mu Xing said she felt dizzy, Bai Yan didn't call a car, but instead helped her walk slowly along the street.
"Hmm...? Is this a park?" Mu Xing squinted and pointed across the street.
Completely drunk, Mu Xing was limp and listless, a far cry from her usual dashing self. Her voice was distorted, and her behavior resembled that of a child.
Bai Yan then said as if coaxing a child, "Well, that's a park. Would you like to go in and rest for a bit?"
Mu Xing responded in a daze.
As evening approached, the park was almost deserted. Finding a stone bench to sit on, Bai Yan took out a handkerchief and wiped Mu Xing's sweat.
Behind the stone bench was a tree. Mu Xing leaned against the trunk, muttering incoherently, "...It's good to have a big tree to lean against... Ugh, my head is so dizzy..."
Bai Yan put away her handkerchief, glanced at her, and said, "Who told you to drink so much? I couldn't stop you."
Mu Xing laughed, her voice low and deep: "...It's delicious, so delicious! That bowl is so big... Hey, it smells so good, what kind of flower is this?" As she spoke, she turned around and hugged the tree behind her. "Let me see..."
Bai Yan couldn't help but laugh when she saw her silly expression.
She reached out and pulled Mu Xing down from under the tree, then sat closer and brushed the dust off Mu Xing's clothes: "You usually seem so reliable, how come you act like a child when you're drunk..."
The speaker suddenly stopped.
Mu Xing leaned against a tree, her eyes half-closed. Her narrow eyelids trembled slightly, two rosy blushes graced her face, and her sharp eyes, like pools of spring water, swept across the misty haze.
A gentle evening breeze stirred, the trees overhead rustling softly. An unnamed flower slowly spun down, landing on her cheek and also on Bai Yan's heart, stirring a shiver.
"Hmm...? What is this? It's so itchy..." Mu Xing reached out to brush away the petals, but couldn't find the right spot. Just as her hand was groping around, a cool hand suddenly pressed down on hers.
"I'll help you." It was Miss Bai's voice.
She lifted her heavy eyelids and vaguely saw Miss Bai leaning closer.
"Okay, okay... um."
Another fiery touch landed on her burning lips, the soft, snake-like sweetness slowly eroding her reason.
The leaves no longer rustled, and the magnolias hid behind their calyxes. All the drunken babbling, truths and lies, were gently silenced.
Heaven and earth fell silent at this moment, with only the evening breeze remaining, quietly intoxicated.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Their kiss deepened, their rapid breaths mingling. Bai Yan's hand landed on Mu Xing's shirt; the cool buttons were warmed by her body heat, his collarbone burning hot. Her hand gently brushed against the buttons, seemingly moving downwards.
In the midst of chaos, Mu Xing suddenly shuddered as if waking from a dream, and pressed his hand to his chest.
"No, no, no..." Her head was spinning, and she turned her head away, muttering incoherently.
"Don't you want to..." The breath in her ear was so alluring that it made her already heavy head feel like it was going to explode.
It was completely dark. Turning her head to see that no one was around, Bai Yan wanted to lean closer, but Mu Xing moved back and hugged his chest, as if he would rather die than submit.
With a soft chuckle, Bai Yan reached out and touched the tip of her nose, whispering, "Young Master Mu, are you really that innocent?"
His sluggish brain couldn't process it at all; Mu Xing just clung tightly to the tree behind him, muttering incoherently, "No, no... I'm not a man... I'm not a man..."
"Hmm?" Bai Yanyuan didn't hear clearly, so she leaned closer. After hearing what Mu Xing was muttering, she chuckled to herself, "Yeah, sometimes I can't help but wonder if you're even a man anymore. You're not lustful, and you're not greedy for money."
Seeing Mu Xing's furrowed brows, she reached out and gently smoothed out the knot.
"Do you feel like you lack responsibility?" she said softly. "It's okay, it's okay. Even if... in the end, you're not willing to give me a future, then... as long as I can be your bride for one night, I'll be content."
After saying that, she leaned towards Mu Xing again and gave him a light kiss.
"Click".
The sound of tree bark splitting was very abrupt, but the person immersed in their little world was completely unaware.
Biting her lip tightly, Li Yining, who was hiding behind a tree trunk, was almost about to rush over, but reason pulled her back as she raised her foot.
The dry, cracked bark pierced my split fingers, the stinging pain like a thunderclap, yet it didn't stir the slightest ripple in my heart.
Her chest heaved violently, countless thoughts swirling through her like a storm. She stared at the two people not far in front of her; every movement, every touch, felt like needles piercing her eyes.
After another kiss, she turned and walked out of the garden.
The fierce wind lashed at her face, but Li Yining walked forward without looking back. Her spine was straight, her high heels clicked crisply on the ground, and her newly permed curls bounced on her shoulders, exuding her usual pride.
The driver was still waiting for her at the restaurant entrance. She walked straight back, and when she was almost at the back door of the restaurant, she was suddenly pulled back by someone.
"Oh, Miss, what are you doing back here again? Don't cause any more trouble..." Fei Hua's teasing tone stopped abruptly after seeing Li Yining's face.
A pool of tears welled up, which she had been trying to hold back by staring wide-eyed, but they all fell as she turned her head.
Even the tip of its round, tiger-like nose turned red, with a tear clinging to it, making it look quite comical.