Chapter 26
The twins’ birthday was on Christmas eve. Mu Tangxue had invited everyone to their home to join her birthday party.
As Mu Qiqi’s tablemate Qianqian watched as Mu Tangxue gave everyone heartwarming presents, she could not help but murmur in awe to Mu Qiqi, “Your sister really knows how to buy hearts.”
“She’s been like that since she was a child,” Mu Qiqi replied.
“But what about you? It is your birthday too. Could it be that your family is going to have a party only for one daughter?” Qianqian was simply puzzled. “For better or worse, you are their daughter. The Mu family is so ridiculous!”
“That’s not true. Why would Sister miss out on our birthday party?” Mu Tangxue said, having slipped behind them. “Our parents miss her, but she’s just being stubborn and didn’t want to go home. Really, do I have to invite my own sister home for that?”
“Aunt Qipei would help me celebrate.” Mu Qiqi answered.
“Why are you being so cold, Sis? Even Aunt Zipei had agreed to join our birthday party.”
Mu Qiqi stared at Mu Tangxue in confusion, only to have her twin hold her hand and say sincerely, “Stop taking out your anger at me, sis. Come home with Aunt Zipei on our birthday.”
Mu Qiqi took the chance and dragged Mu Tangxue out of the classroom. “What are you talking about?” She asked seriously.
“I just want you to come home for our birthday party,” Mu Tangxue said, shrugging off her hand. “We’ll become adults together on that night, and your very blood is proof you are one of us even if you won’t admit it. That’s why you have a duty to protect our family’s name, because what would people say if one of a pair of twins wasn’t there for their own birthday?”
Mu Qiqi smiled coldly at Mu Tangxue’s words. “I’m no longer a part of the Mu family,” she insisted. “You know that very well.”
“But everyone else doesn’t know that, sister. What’s more, whether others would think that we are treating you badly, no one would benefit from learning that you killed Grandma. I think for you, returning home is in everyone’s best interest.”
With those words, Mu Tangxue turned and left, taking two steps before saying, “We’ll be waiting for you on our birthday.”
Mu Qiqi said nothing. She returned to her seat inside the classroom.
“So? Are you going back for the party?” Qianqian quickly asked.
Mu Qiqi shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Going back wouldn’t matter! You are a daughter of the Mu family, and surely you can’t stay angry with your parents, right?”
From what Qianqian could tell, Mu Qiqi was simply in her rebellious age and her family was just disappointed in her, and that Qiqi would eventually have to return.
Only Mu Qiqi herself knew clearly how much she wanted to sever ties with the Mu family.
She never once thought about going back since the day she was chased out.
Therefore, once she returned to the little mansion in the afternoon, Mu Qiqi quickly asked Su Zipei, “Aunt Zipei, did you promise to join the birthday party? You did say that you don’t want to get involved with the Mu family.”
“They called to ask you to cooperate by joining,” Su Zipei quickly explained; she could see that Mu Qiqi was anxious. “Only to stop any negative news from leaking out.”
“And you agreed just because they said that?”
“Why would I, Qiqi? Of course I called Young Master Sheng before making a decision, since he did tell us from the very start to stay loyal to the Sheng family. I have made my choice, and I won’t regret it.”
“Xiaoxiao—no, I mean Brother Xiao agreed?” Mu Qiqi said, quickly correcting herself.
“Yes, Qiqi. Young Master Sheng was thinking for your sake, because the Mu family would spread word that you killed your grandmother if you don’t go. How would you remain in Jianchuan when that happens?”
Mu Qiqi stared at Su Zipei in disbelief before sneering. “Right, only the Mu family would never shy away from being so heavy-handed. Fine, I’ll go… but what if the Mu family threaten me with that again, Aunt Zipei?”
“We’ll slowly expose Mu Tangxue’s friendly image, but before that, you have to reach adulthood and graduate.” Su Zipei told Mu Qiqi. “And did anyone say that you’re going there to be bullied?
“You have changed so much now. You’re no longer the Qiqi who is always being bullied.
“I’m sure the Mu family wouldn’t benefit from you returning home either.”
Su Zipei had learned about Mu Qiqi’s retaliation against Mu Tangxue, rescuing herself from the desperate situation.
The Mu Qiqi from the past never could have done that, but she was really different now…
Indeed, she was completely reborn under Sheng Xiao’s training.
Mu Qiqi had no choice either since there were just two people in their grandmother’s room at the time, namely herself and Mu Tangxue. Unless everyone becomes aware of Mu Tangxue’s mask, whatever she said in her own defense would be meaningless.
That was why she had to live with it for the time being.
Still…
She definitely did not want to share her eighteenth birthday—the day she came of age beside Mu Tangxue. She would rather spend it with Sheng Xiao, but with things as they are now, she would not be seeing Sheng Xiao when she became an adult.
Mu Qiqi felt dejected over that.
She could not help whipping out her phone in her room and message Sheng Xiao, “Well, I’ll really be going to the Mu family. Relax, I won’t do anything that hurt you and the Sheng family.”
Sheng Xiao had himself finished his gym session when he saw the young lady’s message, and snorted without regarding his overflowing sweat. “She’s probably being sad.”
“Would our dear prince honor us with his presence over drinks tonight?”
“Look! Sheng Xiao is actually training here too!”
Having gotten used to the stares, Sheng Xiao never responded. Moreover, he was in a hurry to get to the little mansion to visit a certain little thing who was quite concerning.
Mu Qiqi was waiting for his message, and was ready to sleep because there was no sign of any response from him. However, she quickly got out of her bed when she heard the sound of a car from downstairs, got into her pajamas and dashed towards the front door.
Sheng Xiao has just parked his car when he saw Mu Qiqi. “Your ears are so sensitive,” he said, “could they be dog ears?”
“Why so late?”
Sheng Xiao sat on the front end of her sports car, hook his finger at Mu Qiqi and smiled demonically. “Of course I’m here for a look at you, little one.”
Mu Qiqi blushed furiously.