Ding Muyun paced back and forth in the hall, looking extremely nervous.
Hearing the screech of brakes outside, she immediately rushed out. By the time she stood at the door, her face had already donned a generous and dignified smile.
"Welcome back. You set off yesterday. Why did you only come back today? Did you find the person?"
The driver got out of the car first, followed by Mu Yuze.
At the sight of Mu Yuze's handsome face, Ding Muyun instinctively felt a flutter of joy.
However, when she saw the strange girl emerging from behind Mu Yuze, the smile on her lips froze a bit.
"So this must be Lu Xue. Come in quickly. Have some hot water. You must be tired from the journey."
She welcomed them in, gentle and polite, but her eyes kept darting towards Lu Xue.
Mu Ziyue, who had just finished painting her nails on the sofa, looked up.
"Damn it. Where did this hick come from?"
She gave Lu Xue's messy hair and shabby clothes a disdainful once - over. It was such an eyesore that she felt like she needed to wash her eyes.
Was this even a woman? What normal woman would make herself look like this?
Mu Ziyue immediately pulled her Burberry scarf closer, covering her nose, and bypassed Lu Xue to go upstairs.
Mu Yuze's voice was calm.
"Come down."
Mu Ziyue paused slightly and, like a tamed little animal, obediently backed down.
"…Is this how you show manners?"
Mu Yuze said lightly.
Mu Ziyue pouted.
No matter how domineering she was at home, this elder brother was always her kryptonite. She didn't dare to provoke him.
The short - haired girl, with an expression of "I admit defeat", forced a smile at Lu Xue and said, "I'm Mu Ziyue. Welcome."
Ding Muyun beside her immediately reached out her hand. "Hello, I'm Ding Muyun. I'm very glad you've come to our family."
Surname Ding.
Lu Xue casually asked, "Then you're not part of this family either. Why are you welcoming me?"
The smile on Ding Muyun's lips froze again. She looked at Mu Yuze awkwardly.
Mu Yuze didn't say a word. It was Mu Ziyue who immediately jumped out to defuse the situation. "Sister Ding and my brother have been childhood sweethearts since they were kids! She's practically family. Mind your own business!"
The butler silently lowered his head, thinking that the young miss was really too outspoken.
Sure enough, as soon as Mu Ziyue finished speaking, she felt a chill down her neck. Mu Yuze gave her a calm look with his pitch - black pupils, his expression unreadable.
"From now on, she's a part of our family. There's nothing here that's none of her business."
Mu Yuze's voice was deep and measured when he spoke, but it was clear that he was dead serious.
The short - haired girl pouted. It seemed like she was about to cry from the scolding. "…I got it."
Then she turned around and stomped upstairs.
Upstairs, there was an earth - shattering "bang" as the door was slammed shut!
Lu Xue understood.
Oh, it's just the rebellious phase of a teenager.
"…By the way, where's the hot water?"
Lu Xue turned around and asked the question that concerned her the most.
The butler was taken aback.
"Hot water? I'll take you there right away, miss."
For some reason, the butler had the impression that Lu Xue's eyes sparkled like a cute little creature when she mentioned hot water.
Lu Xue was led to a room on the second floor. The butler introduced the facilities and layout of the villa to her along the way. Lu Xue wasn't really interested and just responded casually. It wasn't until she stood in front of the water heater that she was finally touched.
"Miss, this is your room. The style was personally chosen by the madam, and all the furniture is brand new. It's a pity that the master and the madam are currently abroad and can't make it back in time. Since they don't know your personal habits, if you have any other requests regarding the room, we can…"
Mu Ziyue, who was passing by in the corridor, let out a cold snort.
"A hick like this. What requests could she possibly have? She probably hasn't seen such a nice place in her whole life."
The butler lowered his head and said nothing.
Lu Xue shifted her gaze away from the water heater and finally remembered to look around the room.
The room was in the retro Baroque style. In the middle stood a huge pumpkin - shaped bed that could sleep several people, with a Fendi mattress and a JAHVERY 20 - centimeter sleep pillow. There was a fairy - tale - like fake fireplace in one corner of the room, and on either side were lacquered red bookshelves. The floor was covered with a soft, fluffy carpet.
It was obvious that the madam had decorated the room as if Lu Xue were a little girl.
Lu Xue didn't really care and thought it was a bit of a hassle, but it was still the madam's kind gesture.
"Um, the madam has good taste," she said perfunctorily.
Mu Ziyue at the door was even more disdainful and let out a cold snort from her nose. "Flatterer."
Mu Yuze happened to walk into the corridor at that moment and gave Mu Ziyue a warning look.
Mu Ziyue pouted and obediently slipped away.
"Do you need anything?" Mu Yuze asked her.
Lu Xue had no choice but to repeat what she had said. "I don't need anything. The madam has good taste."
After saying that, she went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Mu Yuze was slightly taken aback. Listening to the sudden gushing sound of water, he suddenly felt that it might not be appropriate for him to be standing here.