Chapter 35: Once, They Were Deeply in Love

Qin Mu nodded at Jiang Li’s words, his movements practiced as he retrieved ingredients from the refrigerator with the skill of a seasoned cook.

A man in a suit, sleeves rolled up, set to work.

With his perfect profile and slender fingers, Jiang Li refused to believe it. She waited for him to burn the food. She waited for him to cut his finger.

Yet, it was unexpected. She should have been able to calm her mind to study the proposal, but watching this man move about before her, Jiang Li could not find peace.

Memories flooded her mind: after he saved her mother, she had clung to him daily, pestering him at his company to let her be his secretary. Back then, he had merely seen her as a little girl, a younger sister. But a year, two years, three years passed, and upon her graduation, he had placed her directly by his side.

Jiang Li could not forget every day and night they shared; they were the intimate moments of two people deeply in love.

"Jiang Li, let’s get married when you’re a little older. After all, you little thing, there’s no escaping me."

"I have no intention of escaping! With such a handsome guy watching over me, if I tried to escape, would you take me for a fool? President Qin, please take good care of me from now on!"

Qin Mu would tease, "How would you like me to take care of you, Miss Jiang? In your work, or in your private life? I’m quite well-behaved when I sleep. Would you like a free human pillow?"

Back then, Jiang Li would always blush a deep crimson. She would chase him, playfully strike him, and pout with her clear, wide eyes, only for him to pull her into his arms and bestow a deep kiss upon her.

Qin Mu would gaze at her with animal desire, asking, "Jiang Li, when will you truly belong to me?" And she would tell him, "Then let's get married! Once we’re engaged, I’ll be yours!"

But Jiang Li never imagined that just before they finalized their engagement, they would end up in the wrong bed... each with their own joys and sorrows.

That night, they had attended a client’s subscription conference. Both had been drinking, and one was told they had slept with Jiang Xue due to being drugged, while the other was discovered to have lost her virginity when she woke up in the hotel the next day.

The more Jiang Li thought about it, the angrier she became. They had truly fallen apart back then. Jiang Li begged Qin Mu to uncover the truth, but a distraught and irrational Qin Mu chose to walk away. By the time he was sober enough to investigate, the hotel surveillance was broken, and the remaining traces became a source of mutual regret.

Jiang Li sighed. She recalled that morning when Jiang Xue, doing nothing but crying, had led Qin Mu straight to her room. If she hadn’t known in advance, how would she have known which room she was in? Jiang Li had been suspicious then, but she lacked evidence. Now, the thought was terrifying; she deeply suspected that everything she had suffered was linked to Jiang Xue.

***

Yet, Qin Mu shielded Jiang Xue, likely only because she had borne him a son.

Little Qin Jinchen was truly sensible. Yoyo—the image of that bloody heart suddenly flashed in her mind, and Jiang Li jumped up from the sofa in terror.

Looking at Qin Mu again, her eyes were filled with fury.

"Pour me a glass of water!"

Jiang Li demanded, and Qin Mu complied.

"It’s too hot!" The water was poured out.

"It’s too cold!" The water was poured out again.

"I don’t want it anymore!" It was poured out once more.

Qin Mu grew impatient. "Jiang Li, what exactly are you trying to do? If you have anger, you can vent it directly on me, but please, I ask that you look after Chenchen properly."

Jiang Li’s eyes were cold and disdainful. "Chenchen is fine. I am venting on you—if you have an opinion, keep it to yourself." Qin Mu was stunned; thinking of his son, he had no choice but to endure.

"Now, go make me a meal. If it’s too salty, I won’t eat it; if it’s too bland, I won’t eat it; if it’s cold, I won’t eat it; and if it’s burnt, I won’t eat it either. If you can’t handle this simple task, Qin Mu, you will never see your son again."

Qin Mu was on the verge of madness.

It was two hours later when he finally served the food; the clock struck eleven. Jiang Li sat at the dining table, her mind filled with the image of her daughter’s bloody heart, and she covered her mouth and vomited.

Qin Mu took a bite. There was nothing wrong with it. He didn't know what to do.

Yet Jiang Li picked at it again. "The food you made is truly inedible, and you wasted two hours. It seems, Qin Mu, that you have no sincerity at all."

Qin Mu rubbed his forehead, telling himself he must endure.

But... "Jiang Li, don’t go too far. I admit we were once very much in love, and I spoiled you, but don’t forget that you were the one who betrayed me first."

Jiang Li turned to look at Qin Mu. Could he not even endure this?

***

She smiled slightly. "And so what? You act as if you’re so noble. You didn't cheat? Then how did your son come to be?"

Qin Mu was nearing a breakdown. "Don’t tell me that. Just let me go back to cooking for you. I admit I only want to see my son, and I can endure your insults for his sake, but please, let me do something of value, won't you?"

Jiang Li was waiting for exactly these words.

She turned and threw a project proposal directly in front of him. "I said I want that plot of land on the commercial street. How should we draft it? How should we finalize the plan? Isn't that what you wanted? I want the proposal by 5:00 PM today."

With that, Jiang Li crossed her legs and waited to see his next move.

"Fine, I can do it," Qin Mu said, immediately starting to write, a flicker of excitement in his heart.

He cast his worries about his son aside; after all, the boy already called Jiang Li "Mom"—what could she possibly do to him? He only wanted a chance to be with this woman, and now, he was enjoying it. At the very least, he could look at her.

Four years. Four years of endless days and busy nights searching for her. Now that she had finally appeared, what reason did he have to let go?

Yes, he had investigated his father’s car accident. He had looked into it, and the evidence had pointed toward Jiang Xue and Jiang Li. Caught between them, he had chosen to give up. But even if he were to investigate now and find that Jiang Xue had been unintentional, what of it? She had, after all, given him a son.

Yet, even with his son in the picture, he did not want to accept Jiang Xue, for he truly felt not a shred of interest in her. So now, he only wanted to be with Jiang Li. But would she give him a chance?

Qin Mu secretly watched the woman before him. She was as beautiful as ever. He felt deeply guilty and saddened by the tragedy of Yoyo; he would do his best to search for the truth, hoping only that she could emerge from her grief. If he could help her with her work, she wouldn't be so tired. But that plot of land on the commercial street was not something just anyone could acquire.

Since Jiang Li worked at the Jiang Group, the company buying it was an imperative, and drafting this proposal was likely her core responsibility. Qin Mu decided to help her.

Thinking of yesterday’s profit-sharing, he didn't hesitate to follow her wishes. Even if it meant losing money, he wanted her to be happy. As long as he could see Jiang Li, Qin Mu felt he could never take another step away; he only wanted to protect her, to keep her by his side, forever and ever.