She Seems to Struggle with Having a Wife - Chapter 13

Wei Qing’an, how should I face you?

Can you give me an answer?

Since she still needed to discuss the upcoming collaboration with Ling Xi, Qin Mu went to the restroom to touch up her makeup. By the time she came out, her emotions had settled considerably.

“Senior,” Qin Mu said, her smile unwavering as she sat down. She got straight to the point this time. “The details of the collaboration have already been sent to you via email. Our boss greatly admires you, so would you consider coming to our company tomorrow to discuss it further?”

Ling Xi swirled her glass of red wine, her tone casual and indifferent. “I read the email. The content is mediocre and doesn’t match my worth. Besides, I don’t have time lately. Even if I did, I’d rather rest this line of work is exhausting.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Qin Mu.

A faint, almost imperceptible hint of mockery flickered in her eyes.

At that moment, the shimmering lights overhead cast a glow between them, and Qin Mu failed to notice it.

However, ever since she had observed Ling Xi’s attitude at the pottery shop that morning, Qin Mu had known there was no intention of collaboration. So, being rejected now came as no surprise.

“Alright,” Qin Mu feigned a hint of disappointment.

She picked up her unfinished drink and downed it in one go.

Watching her drink, Ling Xi asked with a mix of curiosity and probing, “Qin Mu, you were the department beauty in college, weren’t you? The aloof, elegant type so refined and lovely in every way. How is it that I’ve never heard of you being in a relationship?”

Qin Mu was taken aback by the personal question. She remembered that Senior Ling Xi had no habit of prying into others’ private lives.

Back in college, Xiao Xi, in her pursuit of Wei Qing’an, had immersed herself in Wei Qing’an’s world, becoming familiar with everyone around her. Occasionally, she even shared meals with Wei Qing’an and Ling Xi.

As for Qin Mu, she didn’t want to get caught between Xiao Xi and Wei Qing’an, so she kept her distance from them. Whenever they crossed paths on campus, Qin Mu would deliberately avoid them.

Once, Xiao Xi had insisted on dragging Qin Mu along to see Wei Qing’an, claiming that having Qin Mu by her side would give her more courage to confess her feelings.

Qin Mu had no desire to get involved, especially since it was Xiao Xi confessing to Wei Qing’an. She firmly refused, but to no avail in the end, she reluctantly accompanied Xiao Xi to the academic building.

However, when they reached the office door, Qin Mu didn’t go in, saying she’d wait outside and wish Xiao Xi success.

So only Xiao Xi entered.

Nervous, Xiao Xi didn’t close the door completely.

Leaning against the wall beside the door, Qin Mu stared down at her shoes, her emotions in turmoil. Her best friend was about to confess to the person she herself liked. It was a scene Qin Mu had no desire to witness.

But if they did end up together, Qin Mu would smile and offer her blessings, burying her own feelings deep in her heart forever.

After all, love only holds meaning when it’s mutual.

Her one-sided affection was something she alone needed to know.

Just as she stood there, lost in her melancholy while waiting for Xiao Xi, a sudden crashing sound erupted from inside the office. Startled, Qin Mu heard voices follow.

“Who do you think you are? Do you really think a music box bought from a street stall and a love letter are enough to confess to Wei Qing’an? Let me tell you, Wei Qing’an has met plenty of ordinary girls like you she wouldn’t even glance your way.”

Xiao Xi had her back to Qin Mu, who couldn’t see her expression through the crack in the door, but from the sound of it, Xiao Xi was crying.

“That music box wasn’t bought from a street stall. I had it specially customized, engraved with her name.”

“Oh?” Lingxi stepped on it without a care, sneering, “So what if it’s custom-made? Wei Qing’an doesn’t like you, and that’s that. Get lost.”

Qin Mu’s expression darkened upon hearing this. She pushed the door open to enter, but Xiaoxi suddenly rushed out, bumping into Qin Mu. Covering her nose and mouth with the back of her hand, Xiaoxi glanced at Qin Mu with tear-filled eyes before turning and running away, disappearing down the stairwell.

Qin Mu instinctively called out “Xiaoxi” and anxiously prepared to chase after her, fearing she might do something reckless. But before leaving, she glanced back at the person in the office, it was Lingxi.

And she was smirking.

A smirk that sent chills down Qin Mu’s spine.

Afterward, Qin Mu chased after Xiaoxi.

From that day on, Qin Mu didn’t see Lingxi for a long time. On the rare occasions they did cross paths, Lingxi was always arm in arm with Wei Qing’an, laughing and chatting. Qin Mu’s heart would inexplicably ache at the sight.

Even now, Qin Mu couldn’t tell whether it was jealousy or the lingering unease from Xiaoxi’s incident that made her feel this woman was best kept at a distance, a conditioned reflex of sorts.

Whatever the reason, Lingxi held no goodwill toward her.

Naturally, Qin Mu didn’t expect any sudden concern from her either.

Qin Mu let out a light laugh and said, “I was too busy with studies during school and too busy with work afterward, so I never got around to dating.”

Lingxi nodded, her tone ambiguous, “Ah, what a pity. You’re so beautiful.”

“Thank you, Senior,” Qin Mu replied, still polite.

Lingxi suddenly let out a cold laugh, set down her glass, and stood up. “Well, I have plans, so I’ll be going now.”

Qin Mu stood as well. “Alright, goodbye, Senior.”

Lingxi walked away without looking back, disappearing into the chaotic, dancing crowd, her striking red dress gradually fading from view.

After Lingxi left, Qin Mu lowered her gaze and sat back down.

She wanted to be alone for a while.

“Waiter, another drink.”

“Right away.”

Qin Mu had intended to drink quietly, but one person after another came over to ask for her number or if she was single, making it impossible for her to enjoy her drink in peace. Eventually, she paid the bill and left, calling a designated driver so she could drink in the car.

The roads were still crowded at this hour.

In the city, traffic lights brought a stop-and-go rhythm.

Qin Mu sat by the car window, and when the car halted at another red light, she picked up the wine bottle, tilted her head back, and drank directly from it.

Unconsciously, she had finished more than half the bottle.

She had been trying to quit drinking, but now she was drowning her sorrows in alcohol.

Lingxi. Wei Qing’an.

Qin Mu silently repeated their names in her heart.

Maybe it would be better if the two of them were really together then there wouldn’t be so much messy drama.

Beep, beep, beep, the car horns on the road blared one after another.

The car in front slowly started moving.

By the time she got home, Qin Mu had finished the entire bottle, but she had a good tolerance for alcohol and was still sober enough to find her door.

Qin Mu stepped out of the elevator, walked to her door, fished the key from the inner pocket of her bag, and let herself in. The moment she stepped inside, her legs gave way, and she slumped onto the chair in the entryway. Her face flushed from the alcohol, she bent down to retrieve her slippers and put them on.

After that, she remained seated, unmoving.

Her head dropped onto her knees as if she had fallen asleep.

Wei Qing’an, hearing the noise, came out of the study. She glanced around the living room but saw no one, thinking she had misheard. Just as she turned to go back, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the entryway.

There sat a small figure, dressed entirely in black.

Her disheveled, raven-black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her coat covered most of her body. Her fair ankles, visible beneath the black suit pants, looked delicate and slender.

Wei Qing’an walked toward Qin Mu. As she approached, a strong scent of alcohol filled the air.

Wei Qing’an bent down and crouched beside her, speaking softly, “Feeling unwell from drinking too much? Do you need to go to the bathroom to throw up?”

After she spoke, the person in front of her showed no reaction.

Her head remained buried.

Wei Qing’an grew a little worried that she had fallen asleep. Just as she was about to call out again, Qin Mu suddenly straightened her back, lifted a hand to sweep her long hair aside, and said with discomfort, “It’s fine. I just indulged a bit too much.”

“Let me help you back to your room,” Wei Qing’an extended her hand.

Qin Mu deliberately straightened her upper body to avoid the gesture, supporting herself on the shoe cabinet as she slowly stood up. Trying her best to stay clear-headed, she said, “No need. Your hand is injured, I can manage on my own. Get the first aid kit. I’ll freshen up a bit and then change your bandages.”

She took a step forward, but her legs felt weak, and she nearly stumbled. Wei Qing’an reacted swiftly, reaching out to steady her.

The warmth of another person in her arms, carrying a mix of fragrance and the scent of alcohol, wasn’t unpleasant at all instead, it felt strangely intoxicating.

Wei Qing’an looked down at the woman leaning against her arm, her hands braced for support. A peculiar emotion surged in her chest, tightening her heart. She wondered if the person who had been drinking with Qin Mu had also caught a whiff of her fragrance or seen her in this drunken state.

The thought made Wei Qing’an frown with displeasure. She withdrew her right hand and wrapped it around Qin Mu’s slender back, half-carrying her to the sofa without giving her a chance to refuse.

Once Qin Mu was seated on the sofa, Wei Qing’an turned to make her a cup of honey water. But just then, the woman on the sofa reached out and grabbed her wrist, lowering her head as she murmured, “Don’t trouble yourself. I’m not that drunk. I’ll be fine after resting for a bit.”

“It’s just a glass of water,” Wei Qing’an said, gently removing her hand.

Qin Mu glanced up at her retreating figure heading to the kitchen. Suddenly, she regretted drinking so much the aftereffects were hitting hard.

Quitting alcohol really was better for the body.

So much so that now she was starting to feel disoriented.

Wei Qing’an prepared a warm cup of honey water. Perhaps because even fetching water had been met with resistance earlier, she walked over and stood directly beside Qin Mu. She reached out and tucked Qin Mu’s long hair behind her ear, revealing a sharply defined jawline that looked strikingly beautiful.

Then, she brought the white straw to Qin Mu’s lips.

Qin Mu instinctively leaned back to avoid it, reaching for the cup instead. “I can do it myself.”

“I’ll feed you,” Wei Qing’an dodged her outstretched hand, her tone firm as her left hand rested against the side of Qin Mu’s neck.

Qin Mu looked up at her in confusion.

Tilting her head back, her rosy lips parted slightly, tempting…

Wei Qing’an forced herself to look away and brought the cup back to Qin Mu’s lips, her voice softening. “You’re drunk. Let me feed you.”

Not wanting to argue over a cup of water, Qin Mu lowered her head, took the straw into her mouth, and sipped slowly.

When she was being obedient like this, she was still quite endearing.

Wei Qing’an couldn’t resist reaching out and ruffling Qin Mu’s hair.

After drinking about half the cup, Qin Mu stopped.

Wei Qing’an set the cup down on the coffee table.

“Let me change your bandages,” Qin Mu insisted, still mindful of the task.

This time, Wei Qing’an didn’t refuse. “I’ll get the first aid kit.”

Wei Qing’an returned with the kit, laying out the bandages, antiseptic, and cotton swabs. The rest was up to Qin Mu.

Qin Mu saw she had all the preparations ready and picked up the cotton swab box, saying, “I think you can change the dressing yourself.”

“You said you’d help me,” Wei Qing’an retorted.

Qin Mu paused and glanced up at her.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this person seemed determined to oppose her tonight, no matter what she said or did, there was always a rebuttal.

Yet, she was the one who should be angry.

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