Falling for the Contract Bride

The manor owner had already laid out fruits and appetizers. They were just waiting for everyone to be

seated so that could serve up the first course.

The seat arrangement seemed a little awkward.

Liang Yunzhan was absent because his wife was close to giving birth to their second child. Sitting next

to where he was supposed to be seated was her son. And he was not alone.

The third in their gang was Xu Se. Typically, Xu Se would insist on sitting with his pack of girlfriends.

However, this time, he didn’t bring one with him.

At first everyone made fun of him and then they somehow maneuvered Jian Xiaoning into sitting next

to him.

Jian Xiaoning was against this. She led Mu Xiaomu over and sat her between her and Xu Se.

Wang Yilun, the fifth in their group, was overseas and could not make it.

Those who could were Lu Jinye, Mu Zhi, Xiao Qingqing and Shen Mobo.

Shen Mobo was single.

Lu Jinye, on the other hand, was preoccupied with two women.

Mu Zhi was his ex-wife after all, and Xiao Qingqing was his ‘current’ girlfriend.

Typically, in such occasions, the owner of the manor would have name cards allocated so that guests

could find their respective seats. However, this time, he seemed to have caught onto the complex

relationships his guests had and had the seat cards omitted.

Mu Zhi had a feeling that something like this might happen.

She steeled herself mentally. She had no feelings for Lu Jinye and Lu Jinye had no feelings for her.

She was only here for Mu Xiaomu. The good food was a bonus. She took the seat next to Jian

Xiaoning. It was one of the last seats.

Next to her was one last seat.

Shen Mobo took that seat.

It didn’t matter.

Whether he did it on purpose or not did not matter to her.

So far, dinner went smoothly. Everyone seemed to have rather high emotional intelligence.

Mu Xiaomu appeared to be enjoying herself.

However, when they were almost done with dinner, Xiao Qingqing accidentally spilled abalone sauce

on herself and followed the owner upstairs to clean up.

Not long after Xiao Qingqing left, the owner came back and whispered something into Lu Jinye’s ear.

Lu Jinye quickly stood up and went upstairs.

Mu Zhi didn’t care. The abalone was delicious.

After they finished eating, Mu Xiaomu and Liang Jieyi went off to play.

As it was Liang Jieyi’s birthday, Mu Zhi could not leave as she pleased. Moreover, Liang Yunzhan had

some programs planned, and Mu Zhi could only follow.

They headed to an empty field on the estate where a firework show had started. With the mountains as

a backdrop, the bright fireworks were spectacular.

Mu Zhi slowly forgot about how Xiao Qingqing and Lu Jinye had left to do lord knows what.

She watched as the fireworks explode into different shapes and colors. Mu Zhi turned around to see

Xiao Qingqing slowly walking towards her.

Lu Jinye was standing with Liang Yunzhan at the other side, watching them across the fire.

Xiao Qingqing walked over to where Mu Zhi was and stood next to her.

She deliberately moved closer and said, “Miss Mu, we’re the only two with long hair here. Do you

happen to have an extra scrunchie on you?”

As Xiao Qingqing was talking to her, Mu Zhi had no choice but to turn and look at her.

Xiao Qingqing intentionally pulled her wavy hair up into a ponytail.

As if due to the heat.

However, against the warm glow of the flames, Mu Zhi could clearly see that Xiao Qingqing’s neck was

covered in hickeys.

It spread from her neck and disappeared underneath her collar.

Today, Xiao Qingqing was wearing a cute dress with a round collar. The collar was low enough to

exhibit the arch of her neck but not enough to show anything else.

Mu Zhi didn’t particularly pay Xiao Qingqing any attention. However, the hickeys were so obvious that if

it was in daylight, she could not miss it.

She thought about how Lu Jinye and Xiao Qingqing had disappeared for quite a long time. She need

not guess what had happened between the two of them.

Mu Zhi was not happy about it.

“Sorry, I don’t usually carry any on me. You can try asking the owner, he might have some.”

Mu Zhi did not let what she was feeling show on her face. Instead, she spoke calmly.

“Okay. It’s too hot. I don’t usually have my hair up but… It’s too hot.”

She fanned herself with her hand as she spoke. Deliberately placing her hand near her hickeys,

attracting attention to them.

Mu Zhi paid Xiao Qingqing no mind and walked towards Jian Xiaoning and Xu Se.

She’d rather be a third wheel than spend another minute with Xiao Qingqing who was giving her

goosebumps.

Mu Zhi approached Jian Xiaoning and Xu Se, only to find them still bickering away.

They were both arguing over the topic, “Who has the higher IQ? Boys or girls?”

It was a boring topic to debate and they had each both spent an hour of their lives discussing this.

Jian Xiaoning noticed Mu Zhi’s approach and immediately moved to her side, saying, “Is it time to go

home? Hurry! I’ve had enough of this man!”

Mu Zhi glanced at Liang Yunzhan. He was busy chatting with Lu Jinye.

But Mu Zhi nodded at Jian Xiaoning and decidedly walked over to let them know that they were

leaving.