This afternoon, the rain began. The drizzling autumn rain continued steadily until nightfall. After dinner, Mu Wan opened all the windows in the house. She sat on the carpet beside the low table as the autumn breeze swept in, carrying a hint of coolness and the scent of rain.
Liu Qianxiu sat upright beside the low table. Under the dim lamp, the man in his linen shirt exuded an otherworldly detachment, like a hermit meditating atop a mountain peak. He seemed steeped in the misty rain, tinged with an ethereal aura.
Mu Wan found herself captivated by his aura and striking features at any moment. Unconsciously, she leaned on the low table, her gaze drifting off into a daze. When Liu Qianxiu met her eyes, they sparkled brightly, and her lips turned up in a small, contented smile.
He set down the book in his hands, looking at her and asking, “What is it?”
Mu Wan smiled, straightened up, and propped her chin on her hands. “I think whether I have a boy or a girl, as long as they look like you, they'll be absolutely gorgeous.”
The corners of his lips lifted slightly as his gaze lingered on her brow and eyes. “Looking like you would be gorgeous too.”
“That's true,” Mu Wan admitted with a giggle.
The night breeze still lingered in the living room, carrying a hint of damp, rainy air—cool and sweet. Liu Qianxiu raised his hand to brush her hair, then lowered his gaze to continue reading. Mu Wan reached out and captured his hand, pressing her cheek against his palm.
“Liu Qianxiu.” Her cheek rested against his dry, cool palm as she called his name.
“Mhm.” Liu Qianxiu responded softly.
“Do you prefer a boy or a girl?” Mu Wan asked him.
Though both genders were their own children, parents often had certain preferences—some favored daughters for their docility and understanding, others preferred sons for their mischievous charm. When Lin Wei had asked her, she realized she hadn’t discussed this with Liu Qianxiu yet.
The fingers resting on her cheek shifted slightly, pinching her cheek twice. Liu Qianxiu said softly, “Either is fine. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I can protect them and ensure they grow up safe and healthy.”
Safe and healthy—ultimately, that was all parents hoped for their children, and Liu Qianxiu absolutely could deliver.
Mu Wan’s cheek brushed against his palm twice as she asked with a smile, “What about me?”
The man lifted his gaze, his dark eyes meeting hers with warmth.
“You belong solely to me,” he said. “I will protect you for a lifetime, ensuring your happiness and safety.”
The engagement banquet was set at the Liu residence, a garden-style estate as large as a small park. Though the architecture leaned toward Chinese, the event itself followed Western traditions. Tables and champagne towers were arranged in the rear garden. The night air was cool, the pitch-black sky sprinkled with starlight, and the lawn bathed in warm illumination.
The guest list was intimate, consisting of close acquaintances, so Mu Wan and Liu Qianxiu didn’t need to greet everyone individually. The atmosphere remained lively nonetheless. Mu Wan relished this comfortable yet bustling setting. As well-wishers offered congratulations, she immersed herself in the moment, graciously accepting each gesture.
The back garden is connected to a pavilion with a raised platform. After toasting everyone outside, Mu Wan ascended to the second floor. The upper level wasn’t empty. Xu Xingkong sat there, accompanied by a tall, slender woman. The two seemed acquainted and were conversing.
“Mu Wan.” Xu Xingkong appeared somewhat weary, having been brought over by Huai Jing.
Seeing Mu Wan arrive, she smiled and called out.
“Xingkong.” Mu Wan smiled and gave a slight nod to the woman beside her.
Mu Wan could roughly guess that the woman beside Xu Xingkong was likely one of the Four Young Masters, He Yu’s wife, Su Qiuzhi. She was familiar with Liu Qianxiu and He Yu, but this was her first time meeting Su Qiuzhi. It seemed Su Qiuzhi rarely accompanied He Yu to such occasions.
Xu Xingkong was elegant and gentle, while Su Qiuzhi possessed a pure, jade-like grace. Her grace, however, didn’t feel cold. Rather, it carried a subtle, ethereal detachment.
“Hello, I'm Su Qiuzhi.” She smiled, her eyes and brows captivating, her voice sweet and clear.
“I'm Mu Wan.” Mu Wan greeted her with a smile as well. “Your voice is truly lovely.”
“Qiuzi is a news anchor,” Xu Xingkong, familiar with both women, offered a brief introduction. “Wanwan is an actress.”
After exchanging nods, they settled into conversation.
The three chatted casually, rarely touching on men. Each had her own career, so their talk centered on work and life—independent and thoughtful.
Later, the conversation drifted to pregnancy. Xu Xingkong shared her experiences, and Mu Wan listened attentively. Su Qiuzi, sitting nearby, wasn’t left out either. She occasionally asked a question or two.
Among the three, she and He Yu had married the earliest, yet they seemed to have no plans for children. The questions she asked were quite specific, suggesting she might not intend to have children with He Yu.
But whether to have children was a personal choice, and there was nothing to criticize about that.
As the three were talking, footsteps sounded from the staircase. Liu Qianxiu came up first, followed by Huai Jing and He Yu.
“Finished?” Mu Wan asked.
As the air grew cooler, Liu Qianxiu draped a handkerchief over her shoulders and replied, “Yes, Yao Zhi is seeing them off.”
“Then I should go downstairs,” Mu Wan said.
“No need.” Liu Qianxiu steadied her shoulders, gazing down at her softly. “Yao Zhi is attending to the guests. I'll take you to rest.”
Since she didn’t need to worry, she wouldn’t. She bid farewell to Xu Xingkong and the others. Xu Xingkong, being far along in her pregnancy, was inconvenienced by her large belly. Huai Jing supported her as they descended the stairs first.
Behind them, He Yu and Su Qiuzhi also made their way down.
The Four Young Masters of Xia City shared many similarities: all born into prestigious families as heirs, bearing noble status, and boasting physiques and features truly one in a million.
Yet their auras differed distinctly. Liu Qianxiu exuded an ethereal, detached coolness. Huai Jing radiated an aristocratic, aloof elegance with a strong air of elite sophistication. while He Yu was refined and gentle, like a polished jade stone—smooth, lustrous, and warm.
He walked ahead, cautioning Su Qiuzǐ, “Be careful.”
Despite his warning, Su Qiuzǐ missed a step. Her body lurched forward, only to be caught securely by the man.
Their bodies touched. Su Qiuzǐ flushed slightly, scrambling to her feet. She murmured, “I'm sorry.”
As they separated, Su Qiuzǐ lowered her head, carefully watching her step down the stairs. He Yu watched her, a hint of resignation flickering in his gentle eyes. Tall and long-legged, he caught up to her in two or three strides and took her hand. Su Qiuzǐ instinctively tried to pull away, but his palm was warm and firm. He guided her, reminding her, “Hold my hand.”
Her hand paused slightly before softly replying, “Okay.”
As the two walked ahead, Mu Wan caught glimpses of them from behind but quickly averted her gaze. She sensed something off—He Yu and Su Qiuzi didn’t quite seem like a married couple.
He Yu was the proactive one, while Su Qiuzi seemed somewhat withdrawn. Yet He Yu was gentle yet commanding, and Su Qiuzi quietly complied.
She didn’t probe further. Other couples had their own ways of handling matters. Outsiders shouldn’t interfere, much less gawk.
Liu Qianxiu and Mu Wan stayed at the Liu residence. The mansion’s decor carried a distinct antique flair. Judging by the antique artifacts and cultural relics scattered throughout Liu Qianxiu’s home, the mansion likely followed a similar theme.
After bathing, Mu Wan climbed into bed. With the engagement banquet over, she finally felt relief. As she drifted off to sleep, Liu Qianxiu, freshly bathed, climbed into bed behind her.
The moment he lay down, he naturally pulled her close.
Though the surroundings were unfamiliar, with Liu Qianxiu by her side, Mu Wan found the place strangely comforting. She turned, nestling into his embrace, and murmured,
“Finally done with all the work.”
She wasn’t actually tired. She just felt certain things needed to be completed before she could fully relax.
Liu Qianxiu held her close, gently brushing her hair aside to reveal a small, adorable ear. The ear was pale and delicate. He pinched it lightly, causing it to flush a faint pink.
“Not yet,” Liu Qianxiu replied.
“Hmm.” Her ear tickled from his touch. Mu Wan raised her hand to brush her earlobe, looking up at him and asking, “What else?”
He leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips. “Tomorrow, I'll take you to look at wedding dresses.”
With the engagement settled, it was time to focus on wedding preparations.
The wedding dress had been designed last week by a tailor based on Mu Wan’s preferences, as requested by Liu Qianxiu. The intricate design required extensive handcrafting, making the customization time-consuming. However, the Liu family had arranged for expedited completion. Liu Qianxiu planned to take Mu Wan to see it tomorrow. If she didn’t like it, they could have it remade.
Mu Wan returned his kiss, smiling as she asked, “Is the dress beautiful?”
“Yes,” Liu Qianxiu replied. “You'll look beautiful in it, of course.”
Mu Wan laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Tilting her head back, her dark eyes fixed on him, her voice sweet and husky.
“I'm prettier without it.”
The room lights remained on. Every movement of hers was reflected in the man’s eyes. After speaking, her tongue instinctively licked her lower lip, the corners of her eyes crinkling downward like a kitten wagging its tail.
Liu Qianxiu captured her lips with a kiss that was anything but refined, betraying no trace of his supposed self-restraint. Mu Wan returned the kiss with a smile, her breath gradually becoming ragged.
He kissed her, slowly unlocking her defenses, his dark eyes swirling with desire.
“Let me see you without it first.”
“Inch by inch, I won't let a single part of you escape.”
Mu Wan drew a deep breath, her fingers digging into his back.
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