The fifth day of the lunar new year.
Sheng Mumu and Qin Jiamu attended a wine reception.
It was a small celebration reception held by a financial magazine for companies on their annual rankings list.
The overall atmosphere of the reception was relaxed and casual. Though it was a celebratory event, there were no lengthy official procedures, leaving more time for the invited guests to mingle on their own.
Cooperation often arises from socializing.
As a company ranked high on the list, many headhunters had Mumu and Jiamu in their sights today, hoping to see if there were opportunities to cooperate with Yueji.
After chatting with a few investors, they unanimously felt there was no need to accept investment.
At this stage, compared to similar companies, Yueji's market share was continuously growing.
The better it develops, the more steady it should be.
They plan to first use the Shen City branch as a model to set up points in various cities, gradually gaining a foothold.
And so, Mumu and Jiamu were less enthusiastic during the second half of the reception, only occasionally exchanging a few words with others.
After a few glasses of white wine, they felt slightly tipsy.
At Jiamu's suggestion, they went to the balcony for some fresh air to sober up a bit.
There were some people on the balcony, leaning against the railing, toasting and drinking.
Mumu inadvertently glanced over and saw a familiar face.
She nudged Jiamu.
"Sister Jiamu, isn't that Song Yue over there?"
"Song Yue? Who?" Jiamu didn't react at first. She looked to the side before suddenly remembering, "You mean Su Tingran's scumbag ex-husband?"
"Yes." Mumu's gaze fell towards the outdoor tables, increasingly certain, "It's him."
At the outdoor tables were three men chatting, one of them Song Yue.
Jiamu said, "Song Yue's company specializes in foreign trade. He cooperates with many different companies so it's not surprising to see him on the guest list."
Mumu murmured in agreement and looked away.
What a coincidence.
Just then, her phone rang in her purse.
It was a video call from Su Tingran.
Yesterday, Su Tingran had left for a trip around Europe.
Firstly to unwind.
Secondly, she envied that Mumu and Jiamu had their own businesses, so she also felt eager to try.
Compared to them, Su Tingran had a gentler personality. She didn't have plans to start her own company.
She planned to pick up her college major in fashion design again. If she could open a small clothing shop to sell her own designs, she would be very content.
The main purpose of this Europe trip was to visit the small independent designer shops.
The video connected with Su Tingran's gentle smiling face appearing on the screen.
"Mumu, Sister Jiamu, guess where I am?"
Mumu and Jiamu exchanged glances, stunned for a moment.
They had no clue.
Jiamu said: "Madrid?"
Mumu said: "Florence?"
They were just randomly guessing.
"I'm in Milan!" Without keeping them in suspense, Su Tingran revealed the answer.
Su Tingran turned the camera around to show an old street behind her.
"There are many clothing shops on this street that have been open for over a hundred years. Some designer names I've seen on invite lists for Milan Fashion Week."
"Tingran, don't envy. Once you open your clothing store," Mumu raised her brow, encouraging her in a tone, "let's set a small goal first: participate in Milan Fashion Week."
Laughing sounds came from the phone.
"Mumu, are you sure that's a 'small' goal?"
Qin Jiamu leaned back casually on the couch, reached out with her long legs crossed: "Setting goals is all about daring to dream big right? Want to hear my even bolder idea?"
As her words trailed off, all three women laughed.
Not far away.
Song Yue's eyebrows twisted.
Ever since Mumu and Jiamu arrived at the balcony, he had seen them.
He wanted to pretend he didn't but couldn't remain composed when he heard that familiar voice float over, all his attention pulled away by Su Tingran's voice.
He heard Su Tingran say she was abroad.
Heard about her plans to open a fashion shop.
A fashion shop, huh.
Song Yue went into a daze for a moment.
It seemed she had mentioned something to him before.
At the time, he thought she was just bored staying at home chatting idly, and forgot all about it afterwards.
Now, hearing it again, it was like a blade stabbing his heart, squeezing it.
The tones from far away constantly reminded him
How he regretted it.
Every day after losing Tingran had felt fragmented.
Details built into his routine over time had slowly faded away.
He lost such an amazing woman.
The regret nearly drove him insane.
A gust of wind blew over.
Song Yue's thoughts were jolted awake again.
He raised his eyes towards the source of Su Tingran's voice.
But only saw two casual retreating backs.
Mumu returned home.
And chatted with Qi Mo about trivial things that happened at the reception.
Including running into Su Tingran's scumbag ex, Song Yue.
Qi Mo was sprawled lazily on the couch, long legs crossed.
His long arms stretched over the top of the couch behind Mumu.
Listening attentively to her speak.
"You know..." A mischievous smile formed on Mumu's face. "I deliberately put my phone on speaker, deliberately spoke loudly, deliberately laughed loudly."
Qi Mo's large palm rested on the back of her neck, fingers caressing, his intense gaze slightly widening to show his great interest in her topic.
Mumu relaxed against the man beside her, letting him massage her neck while she hugged her arms. Raising her brow she said:
"I just wanted that scum to know Tingran's life became so great after leaving him."
"And there's more, Sister Jiamu really lives up to her name. She immediately understood my intention."
The corners of her eyes crinkled.
"Sister Jiamu very loudly emphasized to Tingran to take the chance while exploring to find a male model to date."
"She said Tingran was tired of looking at ugly stuff before, time to give her eyes a wash."
"Heart piercing! That scum Song must have heard it."
Mumu laughed until tears formed at the corners of her eyes, her voice trembling.
Qi Mo just smiled without speaking, gazing down at her, a glow fluctuating in his deep dark pupils.
His hand never stopped, still kneading her in steady motions.
He found her puffy annoyed then loudly laughing expressions extremely cute.
He could never look enough.
After some time, Mumu finally stopped laughing. As if suddenly recalling something, she turned and said: "Oh right, something to tell you. I have a business trip coming up soon, to Shen City."
Qi Mo's movements slowed in his palm, "When?"
Mumu: "Leaving the day after Lantern Festival, the sixteenth day of the new year."
Qi Mo: "Alone?"
Mumu nodded: "Yeah, alone. Sister Jiamu and Cheng Zhuo are staying in Jing City to handle company matters."
"I'll go too," Qi Mo promptly responded.
Mumu blinked her eyes questioningly: "?"
Thinking he hadn't heard clearly, Qi Mo repeated: "I said I'll go too."
Mumu looked at him seriously: "I'm going for work, no family members allowed."
Qi Mo was stunned for a few seconds before his lips quirked up amusedly.
As if pleased by the word 'family member', his gaze steadily darkened.
Ignoring Mumu's words, he casually stated on his own: "Okay, I'll go to Shen City too."
Mumu: ???
Um...
What's with this man, doesn't he understand people's words?
Mumu: "I—"
Just as she was about to speak, the large palm on her neck increased in pressure, squeezing once.
The man's voice laced with faint amusement cut her off:
"There are some matters at the resort that I need to handle. I was already planning to go after New Year's anyway."
"......" Mumu fell silent.
Her gaze traveled over the man's casual unconcerned, even slightly delighted expression.
She narrowed her eyes, arched her neck back, suspicion in her tone:
"Why am I so distrustful?"
Qi Mo: "......"
"Really?"
"Really."
