Kidnapping the Female Teacher's Best Friend - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Mu Hanxi’s appropriate praise relieved much of her nervousness, but the shyness, joy, and wonderful feeling generated by meeting her gentle gaze surfaced at the tips of her heart, flowing wantonly through her blood vessels, irresistible.

Mo Zibei tried hard to suppress the urge to scratch her cheek, walked slowly to Mu Hanxi’s side, and sat down, her heart accelerating rapidly…

The person next to her had a faint fragrance, whether it was from shower gel or perfume, it smelled wonderful. Mo Zibei was sitting close to her, and the fragrance instantly wafted past her nostrils, calming the surging emotions in her heart…

Mo Zibei was struggling to initiate conversation, but unexpectedly, the person spoke first: “Let’s go, come and taste my cooking.” Seeing Lin Xiaoran come out of the kitchen with bowls of congee, Mu Hanxi turned her eyes, reached out and touched Mo Zibei’s wrist, and whispered gently to her.

The wrist touched by her fingertips suddenly became warm. Mo Zibei quietly looked down, pursed her lips, softly hummed, and stood up, walking behind Mu Hanxi.

Lin Xiaoran set out the bowls and chopsticks, and waved Mo Zibei to sit down: “Hanxi’s cooking is excellent, you’re in for a treat tonight, it’s been a long time since I last had her food…” As she spoke, she suddenly paused, her gaze landing on the T-shirt Mo Zibei was wearing, and her tone became slightly confused, “This shirt looks familiar, hmm… is it Hanxi’s pajama top?” When Mu Hanxi was in England, the two would video call, and Lin Xiaoran had seen Mu Hanxi wearing this shirt at night. At that time, Mu Hanxi was leaning on the bed… A neat and tidy person like her wouldn’t lounge in regular clothes on the bed, so it must be a pajama top…

Hanxi was already quite embarrassed to have Mo Zibei wear her pajama top, and then Lin Xiaoran had to state it so bluntly…

Mo Zibei was also startled upon hearing this. She involuntarily scrutinized the shirt she was wearing again, feeling both shy and delighted, and the heat rushed back to her face.

Presumably guessing that Mu Hanxi had given Mo Zibei her clothes out of concern for the cold, and realizing her own words might cause awkwardness, Lin Xiaoran looked at Mo Zibei and quickly covered up: “That T-shirt suits you, it looks quite good…”

Mu Hanxi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. She discreetly watched Mo Zibei, found her expression a bit blank, and thought it was slightly amusing.

Sensing Mu Hanxi’s gaze, Mo Zibei lowered her head and eyes, and her hands beneath the dining table unconsciously rubbed her knees.

Noticing Mo Zibei’s discomfort, Mu Hanxi suppressed her smile and pushed the seafood congee closer to her: “Drink it while it’s hot.”

“Mhm.” Mo Zibei quickly held the bowl and spoon, taking small sips of congee to hide her shy yet excited emotions.

Her head was lowered, and she showed little expression, but her brain was unusually active: It’s actually her pajama top!

This sudden discovery caused a slight burning sensation in Mo Zibei’s chest, accompanied by a tingling numbness. The joy erupting within her was almost impossible to contain…

Perhaps her attention was too focused on the recent discovery; she wasn’t paying close enough attention while drinking the congee and accidentally choked on a piece of shrimp. Her face instantly turned red, and she couldn’t stop coughing…

“Are you okay?” Mu Hanxi asked anxiously, gently patting her back while pulling out a tissue to hand her.

Mo Zibei truly hadn’t expected to have such an embarrassing moment, especially in front of Mu Hanxi…

She waved her hand to signal that she was alright, then quickly stood up and ran to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Mu Hanxi was worried, and followed her with a glass of water, waiting outside the door.

Mo Zibei leaned on the sink, bending over and coughing hard, struggling to catch her breath.

Mu Hanxi listened with concern. Lin Xiaoran also came over with tissues at this moment, nudged Mu Hanxi with her elbow, and asked about the situation inside. Mu Hanxi quietly shook her head.

Only when the coughing inside the bathroom stopped did Mu Hanxi speak appropriately: “Zibei, do you want to come out and drink some water?”

Mo Zibei’s face flushed again upon hearing this. She lingered inside for a while before finally coming out.

“Are you okay?” Lin Xiaoran asked when she saw her.

“Mhm.” The blush on Mo Zibei’s face was still visible… She took the glass of water Mu Hanxi offered, took a few small sips, and wiped her mouth with the tissue Lin Xiaoran had brought.

Relieved that she was fine, Lin Xiaoran then muttered a question: “What were you thinking about, to choke on congee?”

Mo Zibei paused, her expression awkward.

Mu Hanxi touched Lin Xiaoran’s arm with the back of her hand, signaling her to stop asking.

Lin Xiaoran tactfully didn’t ask further and turned and walked away first.

Mu Hanxi tugged on Mo Zibei’s sleeve: “Come over here.”

Mo Zibei followed her to the dining table.

The three of them started drinking congee again.

At the table, Mu Hanxi shared a few interesting anecdotes from her time in England, which helped ease Mo Zibei’s embarrassment considerably.

After finishing their meal and chatting for a while, it was already 9:30 PM. Mo Zibei had sent a text message to her father earlier, and although he hadn’t called to rush her, it was time to go home.

Mu Hanxi used a cloth bag to put away Mo Zibei’s short-sleeve shirt, which was left on the sofa. While Mo Zibei was in the bathroom, she leaned over and asked Lin Xiaoran beside her: “Do you have morning reading class tomorrow?”

“Mhm.”

“Then I’ll drive her home later.”

“That works.” The apartment where Mu Hanxi was currently staying was rented by Mu Xuanya. Mu Xuanya was the daughter of Mu Hanxi’s second paternal uncle, two years older than Mu Hanxi, and had remained in a local university as a counselor after graduating with a master’s degree. Mu Xuanya had a boyfriend, and had bought an apartment here, intending to settle down. The lease for the apartment in New City was due to expire in a few months, and since Mu Hanxi was coming here to work, she simply had her move in. Considering Mu Hanxi’s convenience in driving, and Mu Xuanya herself wanting a new car, Mu Xuanya had bought a Mercedes a few days ago and gave her previous SUV to Mu Hanxi to drive.

The Mu family had always been harmonious, and Mu Hanxi was the youngest in the family. Her elders, older cousins, and siblings always doted on her, so Lin Xiaoran was not at all surprised by Mu Xuanya’s kindness to Mu Hanxi, though she was somewhat envious.

Her best friend came from a true scholarly family. Her grandparents each had achievements in calligraphy and historical research, and both her parents were university professors. Her father, Mu Huaiyi, was a medical school professor, and her mother, Xu Lanxin, was a liberal arts professor. Her eldest uncle, Mu Huaiyuan, worked in a research institute, specializing in biology. Her second uncle, Mu Huaifeng, was originally a university lecturer before entering politics. Her paternal aunt, Mu Huailian, was the Party Secretary of the Education Department at N University.

The younger generation of the Mu family was equally outstanding. Mu Ziyan was the son of Mu Hanxi’s eldest uncle, the eldest of the younger generation, holding a Ph.D. from the UK, and now working at his uncle’s research institute, following the family legacy, also specializing in biology. He was 34 years old, married, and had a son, living a happy and fulfilling life.

Mu Yingxue was the daughter of Mu Hanxi’s eldest uncle, holding a Ph.D. from the UK, and now teaching at H University domestically. She was 32 years old, already an associate professor at a young age, and got married two years ago. She was currently preparing to conceive with her husband.

Mu Shaozhuo was the son of Mu Hanxi’s second uncle, currently pursuing a medical Ph.D., 29 years old, and had a girlfriend he planned to marry after graduation.

Mu Haochu was the child of Mu Hanxi’s paternal aunt. He took his mother’s surname, was 24 years old, two months older than Hanxi, and was a graduate student in his third year at a famous domestic university.

Lin Xiaoran had met Mu Haochu once when she visited Mu Hanxi’s house. He had been quite fond of Lin Xiaoran and had asked Hanxi about her a few times, but unfortunately, Lin Xiaoran had no romantic interest, and the matter eventually faded away.

When Mo Zibei returned from the bathroom, she was somewhat surprised to learn that Mu Hanxi would be driving her home.

Noticing her look of surprise, Mu Hanxi teased: “What, you don’t want me to drive you?”

“…” It was just too unexpected…

“Hanxi doesn’t have to wake up early tomorrow,” Lin Xiaoran, sensing Mo Zibei might be uncomfortable troubling Hanxi, interjected appropriately. “And she’s a better driver than I am, so you can go with her without worry.”

Mo Zibei hummed in acknowledgment.

It was still drizzling outside. When they left, Mu Hanxi gave the white umbrella to Mo Zibei and used the pink umbrella herself.

Seeing this, Mo Zibei’s face flushed again. When she left, Mo Zibei was wearing Mu Hanxi’s pajama T-shirt, and her own clothes were in her backpack.

“You two take your time, I’m heading back too.” After Mo Zibei got into Mu Hanxi’s car, Lin Xiaoran waved goodbye to them.

“Okay,” Mu Hanxi cautioned her. “Be careful on your way.” Mo Zibei also waved to Lin Xiaoran.

“Shall we go?” Mu Hanxi turned around and asked her sideways.

“Mhm.” Mo Zibei sat up straight.

“Where do you live?” Mu Hanxi asked, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Mo Zibei held her hands down by her sides, looking straight ahead, and gave her address very seriously.

“I’ve been there once before,” Mu Hanxi leaned over. “But I don’t quite remember the route now…”

The instant she leaned in, Mo Zibei felt like her heart had stopped. She completely forgot to breathe, and her body froze…

Mu Hanxi gently pulled the seatbelt over from Mo Zibei’s side and carefully buckled it for her.

Only when she fully retreated could Mo Zibei breathe again. Her right hand slowly relaxed its frantic grip on the car seat, and she silently turned her head to look out the window. It was dark in the car, and Mu Hanxi hadn’t noticed her abnormality.

Mu Hanxi’s driving skills were indeed excellent. Despite the continuous rain outside, the car was largely unaffected and drove smoothly and steadily.

Mu Hanxi stopped the car at the entrance of Mo Zibei’s residential area. She had intended to drive inside, but Mo Zibei, afraid of the hassle, asked her not to.

“Take the white umbrella with you.” There was a short distance from the residential entrance to her unit without any cover.

“Thank you,” Mo Zibei took the umbrella and pursed her lips. “I’ll have Teacher Lin bring the umbrella back to you tomorrow when I return to school.” She didn’t mention the shirt, thinking she would discuss it after washing it, and of course, she had her own little secret intention.

“Okay.”

It was time to get out of the car, but Mo Zibei remained seated. After a moment of calming herself, she gathered the courage to finally say the one sentence she had wanted to say all evening: “The seafood congee was very delicious… I really liked it.”

Mu Hanxi smiled sweetly: “Come and taste it again when you have time next.”

Mo Zibei’s compliment was genuine, with no intention of angling for another free meal, but she didn’t want to argue when Mu Hanxi said that; she truly would like to taste it again.

“I’m leaving,” Mo Zibei unbuckled her seatbelt. “Drive safely.”

“Mhm.”

Mo Zibei got out of the car, held the umbrella with her backpack on, waved to Mu Hanxi in the rain, and only turned to walk inside after watching Mu Hanxi drive away.

After entering the unit door, Mo Zibei closed the umbrella and continued climbing the stairs.

When she reached the eighth floor, just as Mo Zibei was about to reach into her pocket for her keys, the door suddenly opened, and her father stood in the doorway, looking at her.

Mo Zibei looked up at the sound: “Dad.”

“Mhm,” her father moved aside and glanced at the damp hem of her trousers. “Come in quickly.”

“Oh.”

Mo Zibei went inside, opened the umbrella to drip dry on the balcony, and then went back to her bedroom to place her backpack on the desk.

Her father knocked on her bedroom door from outside. After Mo Zibei answered, her father pushed the door open and instructed: “Go take a hot shower quickly, don’t accidentally catch a cold.”

“I know.”

Mo Zibei went to the bathroom, and her father went to the kitchen, preparing warm milk for Mo Zibei before bed, just as he always did when he was home.

After showering and drying her hair, Mo Zibei sat at her desk, drinking milk and scrolling through her phone to check the weather: overcast tomorrow.

Mo Zibei leaned on her elbow, resting her chin on her hand, and looked sideways at the white T-shirt on her bed, a smile on her lips: I won’t be able to wash the clothes tomorrow; I can delay it for one more day… Hmm, it would be even better if I didn’t have to return it at all…

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