Chapter 11: The Rival Always Wants to Taste Him Again [11]

Chapter 11: The Rival Can't Stop Wanting to Taste Him "11"

Yun Mujin's eyes lit up slightly at Auntie Shi's words. "Really?"

She wanted to keep pressing for more details, but Shi Mo set down his chopsticks and said with a faint smile:

"I'm full. Mom, Dad, Mujin, enjoy your meal. I'll head upstairs first."

With that, Shi Mo got up and left without waiting for anyone's reaction, heading up the stairs.

A little while later, Yun Mujin knocked on his door:

"Brother Shimo, Auntie asked me to bring you some fruit."

Shi Mo called out: "Come in."

Yun Mujin looked at Shi Mo, who was sitting cross-legged on a swing chair on the balcony, soaking up the sun.

She walked over quickly, set the fruit on the table in front of him, and sat down on the nearby couch before speaking directly:

"Brother Shimo, you've probably noticed what Uncle and Auntie are hinting at—they want to set us up, and they've already talked it over with my parents."

Her smile was gentle. "They want us to have a marriage of convenience. They even arranged for me to stay at your place this time—their intentions are clear as day."

Shi Mo nodded in agreement: "It is pretty obvious, but—"

"But I don't want to be with you, and I don't want a marriage of convenience either."

Yun Mujin cut him off.

Shi Mo froze mid-gesture as she continued:

"I don't want a marriage of convenience with anyone. But compared to the other people they've tried to set me up with, you're the best choice I have right now."

Shi Mo raised an eyebrow slightly. "Mujin, are you proposing we team up?"

Yun Mujin gave a small smile. "I thought I was being pretty clear. And since Uncle and Auntie are pressuring you too, us just playing along would benefit us both."

Shi Mo sighed. "If it were anything else, I might be able to help you. But this—I can't do."

Yun Mujin looked at him, puzzled. "Why? I did my research before I came back, and I even asked Uncle and Auntie—there's been no one else around you all these years... Unless there's already someone you like?"

An image of Ye Qi surfaced in Shi Mo's mind, and a small smile tugged at his lips:

"I like men."

"Liking men is no big deal, it's not as if—wait, you like men?"

Yun Mujin sat up straight, her gaze shifting as she looked at Shi Mo, her voice rising a notch.

Shi Mo confirmed: "...Yes."

For some reason, he felt like Yun Mujin was even more excited now that she knew he liked men.

Yun Mujin also realized she'd gotten a bit carried away. She coughed into her hand.

"Ahem... But I heard that among the people who've confessed their feelings to you, there were plenty of women—and quite a few men too. You..."

"I just didn't like any of them, that's all."

Shi Mo said offhandedly.

Yun Mujin was momentarily speechless. She took a sip from her cup, hesitated, then ventured:

"I see... But I'm back in the country this time for other matters too, and I won't be leaving anytime soon. Plus, they've already made all the arrangements, so I'll still need to stay at your place for now."

Shi Mo nodded. "Of course, do whatever you want. I don't usually stay here anyway."

They fell into another awkward silence before Yun Mujin finally broke it:

"So, um, can I ask what type of person you're into?"

Shi Mo: "Good-looking, doesn't talk much, and does what I say."

Yun Mujin nodded thoughtfully, muttering under her breath: "Dependable, devoted... It actually fits the description..."

Shi Mo was speechless: "..."

447: [Xiao Momo... Does she think she's whispering? And that 'dependable' she mentioned—am I reading that the way I think I am?]

Shi Mo: [I'm more curious about what she means by 'fits the description.' Xiao Qi, can you find out for me?]

447, still in a daze: [Ah! Okay, I'll try my best!]

Yun Mujin smiled at Shi Mo again. "Alright, I understand. So, have you thought about how you're going to tell Uncle and Auntie about this?"

Shi Mo thought for a moment. "I'll just tell them directly later. That way, they won't keep trying to set me up."

After all, if there's one, there'll be another—if he didn't make it clear, they'd probably keep arranging other people for him.

Yun Mujin: "Then I think they'll probably try to set you up with a guy who fits the bill."

Shi Mo didn't respond this time, because he honestly believed his parents might do exactly that.

Yun Mujin added: "So why not just play along with me instead? I'm not asking you to actually be with me—just treat me like a friend, like before."

"Since they want us to get to know each other right now, as long as we don't outright refuse, they won't push anyone else on us for now."

Shi Mo looked down as he thought about his earlier plans, then nodded. "Fine."

He didn't have the energy to deal with whatever arranged dates or marriage prospects his parents might spring on him right now.

Yun Mujin leaned back. "Well then, since we've got that sorted, let me hang out here a little longer."

Shi Mo didn't say anything and simply went back to playing his game.

Just as he finished a round, a message from Ye Qi came in:

"You're back at the Shi house?"

"I heard Uncle Shi is planning to arrange a marriage for you? Which family? A guy or a girl? How old?"

"Oh, and I happened to organize some materials recently—if you really have to go through with a marriage arrangement, no one's a better match than the Ye family."

"Why aren't you replying to my messages? Are you chatting with your arranged marriage partner?"

"You're not actually planning to go through with an arranged marriage, are you? Didn't you say there's no one in this circle you find appealing?"

"Forget it, give me ten minutes."

Shi Mo looked at these messages, his gaze lingering on the last line, and couldn't help but let out a low chuckle. He asked, curious:

"Xiao Qi, what is Ye Qi doing?"

447: "He's driving over right now."

"He found out about your arranged marriage and looked into everyone he thought might be a candidate, especially digging up dirt on all of them."

Shi Mo's eyes crinkled with a smile: "I see. Then we'll wait."

He said ten minutes, but Ye Qi showed up in five.

The frantic knocking caught the attention of both people in the room.

Shi Mo got up and opened the door, looking at Ye Qi, who stood outside appearing calm on the surface, but his breathing was already uneven.

He raised an eyebrow: "Tsk tsk... Why's Young Master Ye in such a rush?"

Ye Qi tried to play it cool, but he kept glancing sideways into the room.

God, when he heard downstairs that Shi Mo and the possible arranged marriage partner had already been alone in the same room for a while, he didn't know what to do with himself!

Shi Mo saw Ye Qi being stubborn but didn't call him out on it.

Yun Mujin noticed something was up and walked right over.

She glanced at Ye Qi, then at Shi Mo, a look of realization dawning on her face:

"Ohhh~"

Ye Qi clearly hadn't expected the potential arranged marriage partner to be Yun Mujin, who hadn't been back in years.

He thought about all the stuff he'd dug up, then looked at Yun Mujin in front of him and pressed his lips together. Every line he'd rehearsed on the drive over just died in his throat.

"Shimo, I just remembered I have some things to take care of. You two talk, I'll leave you alone."

Yun Mujin said with a smile, turning to leave, but not before giving Shi Mo a wink.

Once Yun Mujin was gone, Shi Mo turned back to Ye Qi:

"So, what are you doing at my place?"