Chapter Twenty-Three: The Toast

After Mu Junze finished speaking, the girl turned to look at him again, as if a fog had suddenly lifted, and called out, “Uncle Tingye!” Her voice was delicate and sweet, as if wrapped in candy, her brows and eyes curved in a smile, radiating a sweetness like ripples across a lake in March stirred by a gentle breeze.

Excited, the girl called out to the system in her mind, “Look, Tingye is really handsome. He’s exactly my type!”

The system, indifferent, glanced around and thought everyone looked more or less the same. “So you’ve fallen for him?”

...

When the system didn’t get a response, it assumed she wouldn’t answer again, but then—“Actually, compared to the others, isn’t Mu Tingye the best choice?”

The system pondered for a moment; Jiujou was probably right. In terms of status, character, appearance, and ability, Mu Tingye did have the edge. Most importantly, in their previous life, he had never harmed the girl—in fact, he had even spoken up for her.

Watching the girl smile radiantly at Mu Tingye, the system felt a subtle sensitivity—perhaps that was the very reason Mu Tingye held a slightly different place in her heart.

Those deep, shadowy eyes lifted, and their gazes met by chance. “Happy birthday.” His voice was cold, polite in its well-wishing.

Hearing the man’s blessing, the girl’s eyes shimmered with starlight. “Thank you, Uncle Tingye,” she replied shyly, smiling with a touch of bashfulness.

The man seemed to remember something else. His icy eyes swept back to the girl. “I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift. I’ll make it up to you later.”

Her long lashes fluttered. In a hurry? Why was he in a hurry?

Mu Junze quickly explained for her. He patted Mu Tingye’s shoulder. “It’s already great that you came personally to celebrate her birthday. No need for a gift.”

“How could Third Uncle have the time? He’s always so busy,” Mu Zichen interjected, his tone calm but faintly impolite.

Before Mu Tingye could respond, Mu Junze jumped in, “What are you saying? Your third uncle is here on business, and I just happened to ask him to look after Jiujou. I mentioned in passing that it was her birthday…”

“Mm,” Mu Tingye only uttered a brief acknowledgment, as if to say everything Mu Junze had said was true.

But was that really the case?

Mu Zichen was doubtful, but from that expressionless face, he could read nothing. Remembering how his third uncle always seemed so cold and indifferent, never interested in anything, how could he pay attention to a girl he’d barely met?

He shook his head, sighing that after so long in the entertainment industry, he had grown overly suspicious.

“Thank you, Uncle Tingye. I don’t need a gift. Your coming here already makes me very happy!” The girl’s smile was radiant, her eyes sincere and grateful, shining brilliantly.

Under her gaze, Mu Tingye felt a fleeting, inexplicable emotion flash through his heart. He looked away and sat down.

He didn’t respond, so—was there a gift, or wasn’t there?

“Let’s all sit,” Mu Junze said, knowing well his third brother’s character—aloof and taciturn, but always a man of his word. No one could change his mind. Looking at the bewildered Jiujou, Mu Junze found it amusing: one unwilling to explain, the other adorably clueless. How would they get along in the future?

But Mu Junze was overthinking it. The girl was already special in Mu Tingye’s heart, so in the days to come, all the tenderness, patience, and love he had in this life would be reserved for Wei Jiujou. But that is a story for later!

Hm? He just sat down without replying? The girl was momentarily stunned by Mu Tingye’s behavior, but then her eyes brightened as she understood—this was just like him.

Just then, the waiter arrived with the dishes, filling the table with exquisite cuisine, the air rich with enticing aromas.

As soon as the waiter left, Mu Zichen naturally began peeling shrimp, placing them into the girl’s bowl. She wasn’t shy about it, smiling at him and starting to eat, her gaze drifting toward the dishes in the center of the table.

Such a little glutton, thinking about what’s in the pot while eating what’s in the bowl!

He stood up and served her a few of her favorite dishes. Seeing her flash him that breathtaking smile, Mu Zichen felt that anything he did for her was worth it.

Across from the girl, Mu Tingye’s glance was casual, but the names of her favorite dishes surfaced in his mind. When he caught his nephew’s tender gaze toward the girl, a trace of coldness flickered in his eyes, though it vanished quickly as he continued to eat in his usual composed manner.

“Tingye, how have you been lately?”

“All right.” His voice was calm, steady.

Dingsheng Group was Mu Tingye’s own creation—he had built it from nothing, weathered its hardships, refined it, and then outpaced every company in the country, expanding internationally. Mu Junze had to admit, his third brother was truly extraordinary, sharp-witted beyond compare.

Though he was an illegitimate son, the Mu family couldn’t do without him.

Mu Junze called out to the girl, “Jiujou, in a few days, Uncle Tingye will be taking you to live with him. After that, you must listen to him, do you understand?”

He genuinely hoped Jiujou could get on well with his third brother. After all, that would help smooth things between himself and Tingye too. Years ago, because Tingye was illegitimate, he and their eldest brother had been less than welcoming. Yet Tingye had achieved so much on his own merit—it was impossible not to want to draw him closer.

“I understand, Uncle. Don’t worry.” The girl glanced at the man across from her and nodded obediently to Mu Junze.

“Go on, offer your uncle a toast.”

“Dad, Jiujou can’t drink,” Mu Zichen immediately objected, his face full of disapproval.

She’d never had alcohol before—how could she drink now, especially for his third uncle’s sake…

His words drew an inquisitive look from Mu Tingye, who glanced at the girl’s fair face in silence.

“It’s fine, just the gesture,” Mu Junze explained.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, the girl quickly stood up, her smile soft and gentle. “It’s all right, Brother Zichen. This is fruit wine—I can handle it.”

She picked up her glass and addressed the man across from her, “Uncle Tingye, I’d like to toast you. Thank you for taking care of me in the future. Sorry for the trouble.”

The man gave no reply, only raised his glass and lightly clinked it against hers.

A clear “ding”—the resonance shivered between them, a tingling sensation.

The girl was momentarily dazed, raising her eyes to look at the man, only to see that he did not hesitate, his face expressionless as he tipped back his glass and drained it.

His moving throat, the defined lines of his neck—he was both alluring and mesmerizing.

The wine disappeared swiftly from his glass. He set the cool goblet down, revealing his striking features, his eyes settling on the girl with an unreadable expression.

Not until Mu Tingye had drained his glass did the girl realize she hadn’t drunk hers yet. Just as she lifted her head to drink, she heard—

“If you can’t drink, don’t force yourself.”

His low voice was devoid of emotion, giving nothing away.

Was that… concern?

Mu Zichen shot a cool glance at his third uncle, displeasure in his eyes.

A warning after the fact. Why not say so earlier, before Jiujou was about to drink…