Green Tea? She's Clearly a Hidden Gem!

In the afternoon, the doorbell rang.

In the living room.

The two were watching a movie.

Su Muzhi was lying sideways on the sofa. She glanced at the door, then poked Jiang Linyuan sitting nearby with her toe:

"Go answer the door."

"Xiao Su, we need to be hygienic."

Jiang Linyuan grabbed her foot and tickled her sole.

He wasn't some gourmet who would shove Xiao Su's foot into his mouth like it was an Alpine treat.

So he used his hands, not his mouth—if she had poked him with her hand, he could've used his mouth.

"Now you're talking about hygiene?"

Su Muzhi's small foot kicked around wildly, shaking off Jiang Linyuan's hand, laughing as she spoke.

"Xiao Su, some things are like underwear—people don't meet you and ask if you're wearing any. So we keep those things to ourselves."

Jiang Linyuan stood up and went to answer the door.

Guoguo had just messaged him—she'd already brought the Department Head to the door!

He opened the door, and there stood the full-sized Department Head and the mini-sized Guoguo.

"Give it back."

As soon as they met, Shen Wanyu spoke, with no intention of stepping inside.

"Give what back? Come in and tell me the details."

Jiang Linyuan played dumb, giving Shen Guoguo a signal.

Shen Guoguo caught on immediately and tugged Shen Wanyu's hand:

"Wanyu jie, let's talk inside. It's cold standing at the door."

Shen Wanyu glanced at her and didn't refuse.

Once inside, the two saw Su Muzhi lying lazily on the sofa.

Shen Wanyu's expression was calm, but Shen Guoguo froze for a long moment before glaring at Jiang Linyuan.

Why is this Bad Woman always here? I'm never helping you again!

Jiang Linyuan pretended not to understand and said:

"Guoguo, want some snacks?"

"No!"

Shen Guoguo huffed and turned her head away, refusing to look at him again.

Shen Wanyu looked at Jiang Linyuan and repeated:

"Give it back."

Isn't it strange? You'd already decided to give me this thing, so why chase after me now that I've taken it?

Ah, people are so contradictory.

"What? Give what back? This is my home, isn't it? How could anything of yours be here?"

Su Muzhi glanced at Shen Wanyu and spoke with a sweet smile.

Shen Wanyu looked at Su Muzhi and said:

"He took something of mine. I want him to return it. That's fair and reasonable."

"Hehe, if he took it, it means he wants it. If he wants it, do you really think you can get it back just by talking?"

Su Muzhi lifted her chin, grinning. Then she wrapped her arms around Jiang Linyuan's neck beside her:

"If you want to take it back, I'm not going to just sit by and do nothing."

Shen Wanyu stared at her, feeling like something about her had changed. Her whole demeanor radiated a sense of ease and relaxation.

But that innate wickedness of hers hadn't changed at all.

She shot a cold look at the two:

"You two are a perfect match—a pair of bandits."

"Not bad. That title—Bandit Couple. Yeah, I kind of like it."

Su Muzhi said cheerfully, then poked Jiang Linyuan with her finger:

"Husband-in-captivity, anything you want to say?"

"Boss lady, I think we're missing a wise strategist who's brilliant and knows the stars."

Jiang Linyuan said.

"I can recommend someone for you. This woman is beautiful and kind—three parts moonlight's chill, five parts frost's purity, and two parts water's lightness..."

Su Muzhi suddenly yanked Jiang Linyuan's neck and said viciously:

"I see you're only after her looks!"

You told me to speak, and now you're unhappy when I do.

Woman, your name is fickleness!

"Department Head, I've never been a shallow person. Quickly tell Xiao Su I'm not some lecher!"

Jiang Linyuan looked at Shen Wanyu, trying to beg for help.

"Wild monkey, give me back my stuff."

Shen Wanyu's reply was still icy.

Wild monkey? That's even worse than ape-man!

"I'll buy you a new one, Department Head. Yours is too old."

Jiang Linyuan said.

"I only want my own."

Shen Wanyu said firmly.

"Wanyu jie, you could actually replace it. You still have the star chart."

Shen Guoguo whispered quietly.

"Star chart?"

Su Muzhi heard the word and laughed, looking at Jiang Linyuan:

"You took her Starry Sky Projector?"

Huh? Xiao Su knows too.

Jiang Linyuan nodded.

Su Muzhi let go of his neck, looked at Shen Wanyu, and said carelessly:

"If you want to see stars, you can go traveling, go to a planetarium. There are so many choices, but you can't let go of this little starry sky lamp?"

"You should know that was from when I was little and my family went..."

"Yeah, but so what?"

"So what?"

Shen Wanyu repeated those words, her expression gradually darkening.

"If you want, you can go see the stars with your family again now, just like you did in the past."

Su Muzhi said lightly.

She knew about Shen Wanyu's family, just like she knew about her own childhood.

Even though Shen Wanyu's parents were divorced, it didn't seem to affect her at all.

Shen Pingyan's heart was all on Shen Wanyu and her mother.

Besides, if her mother had been a little more malicious, a little tougher, how could she be the ex-wife?

"Su Muzhi, you and I have never seen eye to eye."

Shen Wanyu shook her head, looked at Jiang Linyuan, and added:

"Are you really not giving it back?"

"Department Head, next time I'll take you to the northwest to see the stars. When we're done, I'll give it back to you. How about that?"

Jiang Linyuan said.

If he gave it back now, everything would be for nothing.

But if he firmly refused to give it back, the Department Head would definitely be unhappy.

All he could do now was stall and apply pressure.

Shen Wanyu looked at him and was silent for a long time, then said:

"You're a guy with a girlfriend, going to see the stars with me alone?"

At these words, Shen Guoguo was shocked:

"Girlfriend?"

She looked at Jiang Linyuan, tugging at his sleeve, stammering:

"When did you start dating?"

"Don't listen to the Department Head's nonsense. I don't have a girlfr—Gah!"

Gah! Xiao Su elbowed him!

"Hehe, it doesn't matter. I don't mind, Shen Wanyu."

Su Muzhi pulled back her elbow and smiled faintly.

Just a coward. She sees things so clearly that I don't even need to do anything. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

If Lin Yilin were sitting in front of her now, she'd definitely say the three of them could go see the stars together, then watch her turn red-faced.

If it were Yu Songsong, she'd refuse outright and mock her harshly.

If it were Jiang Zhiyao, she's just a sister-in-law, always will be.

But facing Shen Wanyu, who saw everything so clearly, she wouldn't accept. Definitely not.

"Su Muzhi, if your mindset were a bit more normal, we might have been good friends."

Shen Wanyu's eyes dropped as she said calmly.

"No, definitely not. I despise those who always stay in place."

Su Muzhi smiled.

If Jiang Linyuan could change her, haha, then she'd definitely mock her mercilessly.

And then? Then she'd torment him thoroughly.

Jiang Linyuan, if you don't change your own mindset, let me torture you to death.

Thinking this, she glanced at Jiang Linyuan beside her.

"What are you looking at, Xiao Su? Maybe we should go see the stars first sometime?"

He said.

"Sure."

Su Muzhi nodded.

Every first of his would be hers.

Shen Wanyu watched their interaction but didn't care.

There was nothing much between her and Jiang Linyuan—they were just friends, even if he did have some designs on her.

No, she wasn't even sure if he actually had designs on her.

Sighing, she said:

"Then let's wait until summer. In summer, we'll go take some photos of the stars and have someone make a star chart."

Just a trip between friends. She wouldn't give him any chance.

Huh? The timeline sped up?

Jiang Linyuan's heart began to tremble.

In the book's timeline, the Department Head's relationship with him gradually cooled. They only went to see the stars when she didn't even want to see him anymore.

After that, they had virtually no contact.

In other words, back then, the Department Head had gone with the intention of completely cutting ties with him.

Was it the same now?

Damn! The cooldown on [Heart Slave] was way too long!

"Department Head, can I ask you a question?"

Jiang Linyuan looked at Shen Wanyu.

"Go ahead."

Shen Wanyu looked back.

"Department Head, if I called you 'mom' right now, would you think about how to be a qualified mother?"

At these words, the air went silent for a few seconds.

The first to react was Shen Guoguo, who asked blankly:

"Is this... some kind of novel confession?"

"He's having a brain spasm."

Su Muzhi snorted coldly and started thinking about how to punish Jiang Linyuan.

Tonight... no, tomorrow... next week! Next week at night! Make him call me mom!

Shen Wanyu let out a long sigh:

"I don't know if I'd be a qualified mother, but you're definitely not a qualified father."

"Department Head, if someone called me 'dad,' I'd try my hardest to think about how to be a qualified father."

Jiang Linyuan said seriously.

"Who... who would call you 'dad'!"

Hearing the first part of his words, Shen Guoguo's mind involuntarily wandered to unhealthy places. She couldn't help but shout, blushing hard.

This Guoguo was also a little pervert! At such a young age, her mind was already dirty. What would she be like when she grew up?

Shen Wanyu looked at Shen Guoguo:

"Have you been looking at something unhealthy lately?"

Shen Guoguo's face turned red, and she whispered:

"I was just curious..."

"Let me check your browser history when we get back."

Shen Guoguo's face went pale in an instant. She wanted to pull out her phone and delete it but didn't dare.

"It's fine. At my age, I'm also going through sexual awakening."

Jiang Linyuan spoke up for Shen Guoguo.

Guoguo, I'm repaying a favor!

"Don't compare everyone to you."

Shen Wanyu said coldly.

"Even if you don't compare, you should at least leave some privacy for a kid."

"You said it yourself—it's exactly the age of sexual awakening. That's why you need to pay more attention to her education in this area."

"Can't you be gentler? Do you have to be so direct?"

"...Guoguo is my sister. What does that have to do with you?"

"How is it none of my business? She calls me Brother Jiang!"

The two went back and forth, making Shen Guoguo go from awkward to strange.

I'm a sister, not a daughter.

"Enough. How would someone like you know how to educate a child?"

In the end, Shen Wanyu chose to stop arguing with Jiang Linyuan.

So infuriating!

This Department Head! She just never admits she's wrong! And she dares to question my ability to educate a child?!

I'll prove it to you someday!

"Boring. Why can't you watch something like that with a child? If it's a daughter, let the mom accompany her; if it's a son, let the dad. Explain it to them one by one. No need for shame."

Su Muzhi listened to the two and spoke.

Wow, as expected of Xiao Su. She'd even have father and son watch it together for quality time?

"...I take it back. Compared to her, you're better at educating children."

Shen Wanyu glanced at Su Muzhi, then looked away.

Three people, not a single child among them, and here they were talking about raising children?

Shen Guoguo pouted. She'd already taken the chance to delete her browser history.

Shen Wanyu looked at Shen Guoguo and added:

"I'll talk to Shen Pingyan later and have him confiscate your phone after nine at night."

Wuu.

Shen Guoguo's face soured.

She didn't look at that stuff every day! How could Wanyu jie be like this?

Wanyu jie was too strict.

"It's fine, Guoguo. I'll secretly buy you one."

Jiang Linyuan waved his hand grandly.

Shoot the horse first—start with Guoguo to get to the Department Head.

Shen Guoguo's face lit up with a smile.

Brother Jiang was still the best.

"Just sign her up for more cram classes. Cultivate her hobbies too—piano, violin, dance, swimming... If she's tired enough, she won't have the energy to think about those things."

Su Muzhi said casually.

Demon! This person was not cut out to be a parent!

Shen Guoguo cursed in her heart.

She felt like Xiao Su's attitude toward children was strange, as if they were optional.

Maybe once she actually had a child, she'd change a bit.

"Guoguo, if the Department Head tries to harm you, just contact me. I'll come save you."

Jiang Linyuan said to Shen Guoguo again.

As long as he kept in touch with Guoguo, the Department Head couldn't completely cut ties with him even if she wanted to.

Haha, as long as he made sure Guoguo wasn't on the Department Head's side!

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."

Shen Guoguo nodded repeatedly.

Now she didn't have to be so afraid of Wanyu jie.

Shen Wanyu was helpless. Two livewires. She looked at Jiang Linyuan and asked:

"When are you planning to leave Yanjing?"

"Is the Department Head trying to kick me out?"

Jiang Linyuan said with a pitiful expression.

"Hehe, she wants me to take you on a romantic trip alone. She's afraid of getting in our way."

Su Muzhi pulled Jiang Linyuan over again, looking exactly like a bandit king.

"Lin Yilin somehow found out you were in Yanjing. Yesterday she asked me if I knew about it."

Shen Wanyu said calmly.

Why was one problem following another?

Who tipped off Xiao Yilin?!

"Department Head, what did you say?"

Jiang Linyuan asked.

"There was no need to lie."

Shen Wanyu said, then smiled:

"Even just from her texts, I could tell she was really upset."

"It's fine, Department Head. When the time comes, I'll bring you along to find Xiao Yilin and comfort her."

Jiang Linyuan said.

"No. You go comfort her yourself. Even if you bring someone, it shouldn't be me."

Shen Wanyu said, then looked at the beaming Su Muzhi.

"Hehe, I think it sounds interesting."

Su Muzhi looked at Jiang Linyuan and winked.

It clearly meant, "Take me to see Lin Yilin and have fun."