CH 33

Ye Qiqi sent Mu Qingyan the latest updates on Xing Hao, including some actions he took in Antarctica while hiding them from the Mu Corporation. This information was provided by a high-level executive that Ye Qiqi had planted in Xing Hao’s company at Mu Qingyan’s instruction.

After reading the information, Mu Qingyan replied, “Continue to monitor the situation.” As the sun set and the moon rose, Ji Liyun noticed that Mu Qingyan seemed preoccupied but didn’t ask why. Instead, he patted his shoulder and suggested they go to a popular western-style restaurant about 400 meters away on foot from the hotel where they parked their car.

During their meal, Mu Qingyan confided in Ji Liyun about Xing Hao’s shady actions in the “Polar Project.” When Ji Liyun asked what his plan was, Mu Qingyan responded, “Wait and see. I’ve thought about it and don’t want to startle the snake before it bites. I’ll wait until he takes concrete action, then take him down in one fell swoop.”

Ji Liyun agreed, “Not bad. They’re still in the planning stages, so even if we report him to the police, it won’t be enough to send him to hell.” Mu Qingyan was surprised that Ji Liyun felt the same way about Xing Hao.

After months of being around Ji Liyun, Mu Qingyan found himself gradually becoming more comfortable with him. This was what they called “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” While cutting into his Wellington steak, Ji Liyun suggested, “By the way, have you told Uncle Mu about joining the Northland Plan?”

Mu Qingyan responded with an affirmative “Hmm.”

Mu Qingyan had considered this before, but was afraid that doing so would attract Xing Hao’s attention, making it harder to find out his movements.

He asked, “Why?”

Ji Liyun explained, “After so many things, I don’t think Xing Hao can be considered a meticulous person. Your joining the Polar Plan would only stimulate his desire for revenge.”

Mu Qingyan suddenly realized, “You’re right. Xing Hao always relies on his money, not his brain, to use dirty tricks. His way of thinking is different from ordinary people. If I join the Polar Plan, maybe it will throw him off balance or make him act ahead of schedule.”

Ji Liyun smiled and nodded at him.

Under the dim yellow light, the two ate Western food, drank red wine, and talked about interesting things, completely unaware of the rapid passage of time.

Mu Qingyan was prone to getting drunk easily, and after two glasses of wine, his face was already flushed.

He had fair and smooth skin and was incredibly handsome. After drinking, his face turned red like a ruby, adding another level of attractiveness.

This kind of beauty, this kind of charm, made Ji Liyun unable to take his eyes off of him.

He felt a strong and palpable feeling in his heart, one that he had never experienced before. It was a feeling that emerged only after Mu Qingyan had undergone a personality change after his rebirth.

After three rounds of drinking, Mu Qingyan was already drunk, and although he didn’t wear glasses, his eyes were becoming hazy.

He still wanted to drink, but Ji Liyun stopped him, “You can’t drink anymore because you have a low alcohol tolerance.”

Mu Qingyan didn’t agree and immediately finished the red wine in his glass. Then, he squinted his eyes and said in a muddled voice, “Why can’t I drink? I’m not drunk yet!”

“Okay, okay, you’re not drunk.” Drunk people always say they’re not drunk.

“Hmph,” Mu Qingyan grunted in frustration, then pushed the wine glass towards Ji Liyun, pretending to give an order, “I want more. Bring me another glass.”

Ji Liyun was speechless and shook the empty wine bottle, “You see, this bottle is already empty.”

Mu Qingyan pouted and started acting like a child, “Then open another bottle. Let’s finish it and go back, okay?”

After the divorce, Mu Qingyan acted like a big bad wolf in front of others, fearless and in control, even in front of his good friends Ji Liyun and Shen Huai. He never acted cute or submissive.

Even during the times they went to EVOL bar to drink and have fun, he remained reserved, just watching others play around without participating. He seemed friendly with everyone, but not that close with anyone.

Acting out like this was a first for him.

Ji Liyun was surprised but also pleased. He felt that this meant he was different in Mu Qingyan’s heart compared to his other friends. Even if Mu Qingyan only considered him a friend, he was a special one.

However, he shook his head and had the server take away the two glasses of red wine on the table, comforting Mu Qingyan like a child and saying, “Let’s not drink red wine. How about trying something else? I know this place has a good custom-made drink. Want to try it?”

“Mm…” Mu Qingyan rested his cheek on his hand, thought for a moment, and finally agreed, “Sure.”

Ji Liyun ordered two custom-made drinks: one with a blue-green gradient and a fine layer of salt around the rim, and another with a red-orange gradient and a slice of lemon on the side.

Although Mu Qingyan was already drunk, he could still tell that Ji Liyun’s custom-made drinks were actually non-alcoholic cocktails that looked like cocktails.

“Ji Liyun, this is clearly a drink,” he grumbled.

Ji Liyun didn’t explain, he just asked, “Is it not good?”

Mu Qingyan chuckled, “Don’t say anything, it’s actually really good! Can we have another one?”

“We can.”

At ten o’clock in the late evening, this restaurant transforms into a bar, coincidentally with a band playing. The number of people coming in only increases, with no empty seats to be found.

The female lead singer is singing love songs, while Mu Qingyan rests his chin on his hand, listening quietly.

“I used to play in a band too. I was the lead singer and guitarist, and at that time, many girls liked me,” Mu Qingyan suddenly said.

Ji Liyun thought Mu Qingyan was just talking nonsense because, in his memory, Mu Qingyan didn’t have any particular interest in music, except for being forced to learn piano for a few years when he was a child.

But then he thought that Mu Qingyan had been abroad for so many years, and there were several years when they hardly had any contact. Mu Qingyan might have formed a band during that time, but he just didn’t know.

“What happened afterward?” Ji Liyun asked.

Mu Qingyan shrugged, “The drummer and bassist were dating, then they broke up, and the band disbanded.”

Perhaps it was a special holiday, the bar owner gave each customer a cocktail and a small dish for free.

The alcohol content of these cocktails was not low, and Ji Liyun wanted to stop Mu Qingyan from drinking. But no matter what, Mu Qingyan refused, as if he was afraid of having his snacks taken away, and drank half a glass in one gulp.

Then, as if declaring victory, he made a face at Ji Liyun.

But what he didn’t expect was that the alcohol had a strong after-effect. Now, Mu Qingyan finally realized that he was drunk.

Ji Liyun’s face began to blur in Mu Qingyan’s eyes, and his face became hotter than ever before.

Mu Qingyan wanted to remain calm, but his mouth was out of control, and he unconsciously blurted out a question that he had always wanted to ask but never did, “Why do you always want to help me and spend time with me?”

The spotlight slowly moved around the people, the band was still playing on stage, and the people around were either chatting or discussing business.

At this moment, Mu Qingyan regretted asking such a stupid question.

Ji Liyun did not smile as he had before, and there was no expression on his face.

But Mu Qingyan seemed to hear him say, “Because I like you.”