Chapter 360 – Your family’s plum blossom is lost again (37)
It was unknown what had crossed Mu Ci’s mind, but a fleeting glimmer flashed through his eyes. By the time Yan Luo looked again, it had already disappeared. He spoke softly, his tone warm and indulgent.
“Are you hungry?”
It was rare to see him openly display such tenderness. Usually, he wore a careless, roguish smile, teasing her, watching her get flustered, relishing the changes in her usual demeanor.
And then, she would come over to him and cared for him—only to watch his blacking value jumps up, leaving her feeling utterly helpless.
He never seemed to tire of it. But lately, he appeared to have changed.
He used to keep his distance, but now he often leaned in, sticking close as if testing something. His handsome face carried an expression of quiet study, as if trying to confirm a suspicion.
And the colder she acted, the closer he wanted to get.
Like today, when he had lingered near her all the way into the night.
Yan Luo nodded slightly. Watching him leave, hands casually tucked in his pockets, a familiar, carefree smile on his lips, she touched her chin, eyes thoughtful.
Could it be that this kind of attention wasn’t just simple concern? That he needed… more stimulation?
Hmm… but wouldn’t pushing him too much only make his blackening value rise even higher?
She felt a bit uneasy, but dragging things out wasn’t a solution either.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she glanced toward the door.
Besides, her Xiao Gege seemed to be hiding quite a few things.
He concealed it well, but since they had practically grown up together, no one could maintain a perfect façade in daily life. There were always clues.
Given his reactions today and his recent changes, Yan Luo wasn’t foolish enough not to notice.
Before long, Mu Ci returned with a tray of light dishes. After dinner, he stayed and watched her until she fell asleep.
The next morning, the sky was overcast, looking as if it might rain.
Mu Ci was up early for once. When Yan Luo came downstairs, she saw him lounging lazily, biting into a steamed bun.
Upon seeing her, his eyes brightened slightly. He beckoned her over with a wave and approached her attentively.
“Feeling better?”
Yan Luo blinked, then nodded. “Mm, much better.”
Mu Ci responded with a soft hum, lips pressing together as if deep in thought. He took another bite of his bun, then watched as his fair, delicate little girl took a small bite of her own soft custard bun.
Lowering her gaze, her delicate features were tinged with contemplation. Suddenly, she turned to look at him, tilting her head.
“Xiao Gege, I’m turning seventeen next month. I’m having a birthday banquet.”
Mu Ci’s fingers tensed slightly as he looked at her. “Mm, and?”
Yan Luo lowered her eyes again, taking another bite of her bun. Her voice was a little muffled.
“There’ll be a lot of people.”
Mu Ci immediately recalled that she didn’t like being around strangers. Crowds made her uneasy, restless.
A lingering shadow from what had happened to her parents when she was young.
That was why she only felt comfortable around him and Yan Luzheng.
He had always taken it for granted, but after his conversation with Yan Luzheng—or perhaps after noticing the subtle shifts in his own emotions—he couldn’t ignore it anymore.