Mu Qiu’s expression also darkened, her face changed even faster than hers.

"What, have you proclaimed yourselves kings in this place? Speaking rudely and nonsensically—is that what makes you feel superior?

Also, if it’s a man problem, go talk to that man. Although I may not let you talk to him, it’s useless to bother me because—Cheng Zhirang likes me."

"Ha, Cheng Zhirang likes you?"

"Or does he like you? I’ve rummaged through his entire house and haven’t seen this name, Lin Huanyue, nor a photo of you.

Why do you insist on showing up only when he brings me back to meet the parents, just to snag a bit of insignificant presence with me?"

Lin Huanyue looked coldly at her for a while, then said shortly after, "Sharp tongue."

"That sort of comment is usually used by seniors to criticize the young. Miss Lin, don’t you read much news or books?"

"So, do you only find self-esteem in these odd places? You think you’re cultured and can find common topics with Cheng Zhirang? He just finds you novel."

"Ugh," Mu Qiu couldn’t even be bothered to roll her eyes, "If there were a mirror here, you’d see what a monstrous expression you have.

If you liked him, why haven’t you confessed all these years? Do you wait until he finds a girlfriend just to persuade her to leave him? Don’t you think you have quite a few issues?"

There’s a bit of an issue with your brain, and it’s not a small one.

Once she said that, Lin Huanyue’s expression finally showed some variety, furrowing her brows and glaring at her with fierce anger.

"Mu Qiu, don’t get cocky, you’re just a novelist, not even a celebrity. How could you catch the Cheng Family’s eye? None of the families here look up to someone with your status.

You think clinging to Cheng Zhirang works? Many think like you, but how many succeed? Many get abandoned, and you won’t be an exception."

"Even though I write novels, I never thought that someone would truly stick to hierarchies to judge people.

Do you feel noble because you bought a house here and everyone with a prestigious name should stand with you?

No wonder you haven’t snagged Cheng Zhirang for years. If he truly liked you, it would be like mountains crumbling and heavens merging. Alright, Miss Lin, I’m not interested in continuing this conversation, it’s a bit taxing."

She tossed the crushed daisy she was holding, with its juices spilling out, in front of Lin Huanyue, gave her a light glance, and turned to walk down the path Cheng Zhirang had taken.

"Goodbye, Miss Lin, hopefully, we won’t run into each other after meals."

Otherwise, she’s afraid she won’t be able to hold back from vomiting.

Behind her, Lin Huanyue was so enraged, her expression twisted.

Mu Qiu couldn’t care less about her expression. She sauntered elegantly in her high heels down the path through the flowers. Halfway through, Cheng Zhirang, returning with a pot, finally came out.

He paused, surprised to see Mu Qiu walking back, then looked past her at what was behind her.

"What happened?" he asked softly.

Mu Qiu took the light blue glazed ceramic flowerpot from his hand, saying, "That lady over there is a bit odd. I don’t want those daisies anymore; I want bellflowers."

Cheng Zhirang didn’t ask much else, nodded slightly to Lin Huanyue as a polite greeting, and then led Mu Qiu to turn around and walk back.

"Bellflowers are pretty, fleabanes are nice too. Shall we take some back?"

"Sure. Why did you take so long just now?"

"Wanted to pick a nice flowerpot for you, do you like this color?"

"I do. For blue, the flowers inside should be white," she pouted slightly, "but those daisies aren’t looking nice anymore."

How flowers suddenly don’t look nice is mainly because her mood is off.

Cheng Zhirang didn’t continue to urge her to take other flowers back but instead explained about Lin Huanyue while holding her hand.

"That’s the daughter of the neighboring Lin Family; we used to be classmates."

"She likes you," Mu Qiu stated with certainty, "but this Miss Lin is a bit strange, she hopes I’ll voluntarily leave you."

Actually, Lin Huanyue likely wants to maintain the privileged lady persona, acting as an elegant white lotus.

First, engage in friendly exchanges with her, then further provoke conflict between her and Cheng Zhirang, eventually utilizing women’s jealousy and suspicion to successfully break them apart.

It turns out Lin Huanyue didn’t anticipate failing at the first step of friendly exchange.

Alright, this is all her guesswork.

"I think she might have read too many of the novels we write," Mu Qiu continued, "I’m not being impolite, it’s just that I genuinely find her odd."

"She..."

"Cheng Zhirang."

Lin Huanyue actually called out to him.

Mu Qiu turned to face them, possessively holding Cheng Zhirang’s arm.

Lin Huanyue stepped a few steps closer, wearing a gentle and gracious smile.

"Long time no see, Brother Cheng. I’ve been back from abroad for several days and haven’t seen you once; Aunt Cheng even said..."

"Sorry, Miss Lin," Mu Qiu interrupted her, first offering an apology,

"Though it’s rather impolite, I think between making others happy and making oneself happy, making oneself happy is more important.

So, could you change how you address him? You can just call him Cheng Zhirang."

Lin Huanyue was taken aback, her smile faded a lot: "But everyone calls him that. Is Miss Mu really that domineering?"

"Yes, I am indeed quite domineering. Change it, and you can continue your conversation."

She held her gaze with Mu Qiu for a while, then resumed smiling and continued speaking with Cheng Zhirang:

"Looks like the girlfriend you found truly likes you, even unwilling for us to address him the same way. No wonder when we ran into Wei Ling earlier, she didn’t want to approach you.

Free sometime soon? We’ve arranged an outing with Jiang Kai, just waiting for you, the big star, to be available."

This time, Mu Qiu truly didn’t interrupt, staying quietly by Cheng Zhirang’s side, pulling down her hat brim, rubbing the edge of the little flowerpot, evidently not intending to partake in their conversation. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Cheng Zhirang led Mu Qiu two steps left, placing her in the shade, then answered Lin Huanyue’s question:

"Isn’t it normal for a girlfriend to like her boyfriend? Regarding the gathering, I don’t have much time lately. You go ahead, I’ll send some drinks over later, and put the bill on my tab."

Lin Huanyue frowned, maintaining a grudging smile: "Because of her? Reluctant to join our gathering? Have a girlfriend and forget friends?"

"That’s not the main reason."

Although Cheng Zhirang is gentle and gentlemanly, that’s his style. It doesn’t mean he’s a soft-headed man following others’ words.

He smiled lightly, implicitly refusing, "I truly don’t have time lately. Please go ahead, next time I’ll treat you with my girlfriend."

This time is to welcome her, next time is he introducing his girlfriend to everyone—the meanings differ greatly.

This is essentially a direct rejection.

Faced with someone clueless, this would typically spark the infamous ’second female lead incident.’

Fortunately, Lin Huanyue remembered her privileged lady persona, responded with a smile, and then briefly glanced at them, making up an excuse to leave.