Soon, Ai Mi followed Qi Mo upstairs into the study.
She looked at the person before her with complex eyes, "Brother Qi."
Qi Mo looked at her indifferently, "Speak, what is it?"
If it were any other time, he wouldn't have brought her upstairs with him. He did so today entirely because he didn't want Mu Yin Yin to notice anything, nor did he want Mu Yin Yin to hear anything excessive Ai Mi might say.
Ai Mi was doted on at home, with countless admirers, yet she only liked Qi Mo.
From childhood to adulthood, she had never faltered or changed her mind.
And Qi Mo?
He had always refused her.
He used to say he had a fiancée, but his fiancée had been missing for over 20 years.
And now?
Qi Mo was directly bringing a woman home! And such a woman at that!
Mu Yin Yin, having just woken up, her hair was casually disheveled, and without makeup, her eyes still had red streaks, her weariness evident.
Therefore, in Ai Mi's eyes, Mu Yin Yin in this state was unkempt!
Ai Mi couldn't comprehend it; she had lost to someone like this!
"Brother Qi, who is she?" Ai Mi's voice was tinged with deep disappointment. She gazed at the man before her, her affectionate eyes filled with profound sadness and hurt.
Qi Mo spoke calmly, "She's my friend. You don't know her, and there's no need for you to. Tell me, what business do you have with me?"
Ai Mi looked at him incredulously, "Brother Qi..."
His defense of that woman was so direct?
His demeanor clearly told her to finish speaking and leave, not to stay and disturb that woman any further.
How could he! How could Brother Qi treat her like this? They were childhood sweethearts!
Seeing her unconcealed resentment, and as she was about to say something, Qi Mo's gaze deepened, "Ai Mi."
Ai Mi's expression shifted. She knew this was already his warning.
If she dared to do anything further, she feared she would never be able to approach Qi Mo again.
Ai Mi took a breath, not daring to dwell on it further. She looked at Qi Mo and said, "I came today to pass on some information to you, Brother Qi. Please don't misunderstand me."
Qi Mo looked at her, remaining silent.
Ai Mi had no choice but to speak again, "The banquet tonight is actually a gamble."
Ai Mi truthfully relayed the information she had overheard to Qi Mo.
She loved Qi Mo. Even knowing he didn't like her, she wouldn't give up because of it, nor would she stand by and watch the Qi family be targeted by the other two major families.
Qi Mo's gaze was calm, "I understand. Thank you for coming to tell me this. Ai Mi, you have many things you can do yourself. There's no need for you to do anything for me."
Besides, some things, he didn't need Ai Mi to inform him about. If he had to rely entirely on Ai Mi, what else would he do? As Young Master Qi, managing companies?
Ai Mi immediately shook her head, "Brother Qi, I do this willingly, and I feel it's very meaningful. Please rest assured, I will absolutely not hold you back. Brother Qi, I truly have no other requests and don't hope for much. Aren't you willing to even grant me this little bit of fantasy? Brother Qi, this is unfair to me."
Qi Mo's gaze deepened. Finally, he pursed his lips and said, "You know, I have no feelings for you, and there's no possibility between us."
His words were like a dagger, piercing her heart.
Ai Mi's breathing became difficult from the pain, her eyes filled with tears, but ultimately, she endured it and nodded, "I know. But as I said, I do this willingly. Brother Qi, you cannot strip me of my thoughts and freedom."
Ai Mi looked stubbornly at the man before her, her voice unusually firm. Qi Mo frowned, watching her without speaking, but his expression was already one of displeasure.
Just as he was about to warn Ai Mi not to do anything to Mu Yin Yin, Ai Mi, as if sensing it, immediately said, "I have to attend the banquet tonight as well. I'll go home to get ready. See you when I have time."
After speaking, Ai Mi fled as if escaping.
Upon exiting the castle, she immediately noticed Mu Yin Yin's figure in the lawn.
The servants inside the castle adhered strictly to regulations and wore unified uniforms.
At this time of day, the servants wouldn't be leisurely strolling outside. Moreover, Mu Yin Yin was her love rival, so Ai Mi recognized her instantly.
At that moment, Ai Mi had thoughts, but she ultimately restrained herself. She took a deep breath and turned to leave.
Not long after, Qi Mo walked out of the castle.
Seeing Mu Yin Yin in the distance, he quickened his pace. Mu Yin Yin turned around and saw the man walking towards her with his long strides. Immediately, the man's magnetic and pleasant voice reached her ears, "I'm sorry, I have to step away for a moment."
Mu Yin Yin's eyes moved slightly, and the next moment she said, "I should be the one apologizing. If I hadn't appeared, that girl wouldn't have misunderstood. I'll go to the banquet alone tonight."
If she hadn't shown up, that girl might have been Qi Mo's dance partner.
Because Qi Mo had said that tonight's banquet was attended by high society, and the girl from just now would likely be attending as well.
Misunderstandings had already occurred; she couldn't allow deeper ones.
Qi Mo frowned slightly, "I brought you here. You are now a guest in my home. How can I abandon my guest?"
"Why don't you explain properly to her? I'll go stay at a hotel." Her three years as Fu Si Ye's wife ended because of Nan Shi Qing, leading to their divorce.
She was someone who had been through it, so she understood the pain of seeing her from that girl's perspective.
"Yes, I've already clarified things with her. You don't need to worry. She and I are friends. There's no misunderstanding," Qi Mo replied slowly, his tone sounding rather indifferent.
Whether Ai Mi misunderstood or not was irrelevant to him.
All that mattered was that Mu Yin Yin wasn't affected.
Mu Yin Yin's gaze flickered, and she looked up at him.
It seemed this was another one-sided tale of devotion?
Without further thought, Qi Mo's gentle voice reached her ears again, "I'll have my assistant send over some styles. You can take a look first, then send your measurements so they can tailor a dress on the spot. Afterward, they'll bring the dress and help you with your makeup." Mu Yin Yin was somewhat surprised, wondering if they could tailor a dress on the spot without knowing her measurements.
But she also grasped Qi Mo's intention, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, "I'm afraid I won't be able to be your dance partner."
Mu Yin Yin's voice was casual and natural, but it also contained a strong sense of refusal.
Qi Mo observed her, slightly raising an eyebrow, "Why not?"
Mu Yin Yin pursed her lips, thinking of the girl who had just appeared. She spoke with a half-smile, "If I'm not mistaken, the girl just now should be Ai Mi."