Mu Chenyan held her breath and hid motionless in the space between the trees.

Zhao Ruoxin hung up the call and leaned against a tree as if all her energy had been drained from her. After some time, she regained her senses and noticed that Zhao Yanni was still watching her respectfully and with extreme caution. The way she acted as if she was threading on thin ice was pitiful.

She sighed at Zhao Yanni and said, “You’ll have to stay on the outside for the time being. Don’t approach the Yuan Family unnecessarily to avoid being found out, especially by Third Young Master. Whenever you see him, just dodge. After the festive period, I’ll suggest having you sent back as soon as possible.”

“Xiner, can’t you let me stay with you for a few more days?” Zhao Yanni pleaded softly.

Zhao Ruoxin cast Zhao Yanni a disdainful look, her face filled with disgust. “After the plan has succeeded, I’ll go and get you.”

She turned to leave after she said this, ignoring Zhao Yanni’s expression that seemed to be on the verge of tears.

After she left, Zhao Yanni slumped into a nearby chair and began to tear up.

Mu Chenyan saw how that woman miserable looked. It was rather unbearable to her, and she could not comprehend how Zhao Ruoxin could treat her own biological mother like this.

Moreover, after overhearing the conversation, Mu Chenyan got the increasing sense that Zhao Ruoxin was not as she appeared.

When Mu Chenyan returned to Hibiscus Garden, Yuan Xuan was already waiting in the living room. It seemed that he had been there for some time as the half-full teapot of Pu-er tea on the coffee table exuded a faint aroma.

The handsome man was resting his forehead on one hand, with the other hand holding the teacup as he leaned back against the sofa and rested with his eyes closed.

The cold and aloof aura he emanated carried lethal temptation. From Mu Chenyan’s angle, his angular jaw looked like it had been chiseled from marble.

“You’re back?” Hearing the light footsteps, Yuan Xuan opened his eyes and placed the teacup onto the coffee table. He then got up and walked toward Mu Chenyan.

The man wrapped his arms around her slim waist and said in a slightly reprimanding tone, “I told you not to stay out too long. Look at how cold your body is now. Tomorrow is Lunar New Year’s Eve, and there’s a nice performance for you to watch. If you fall sick, then all my effort will be wasted.”

Mu Chenyan did not know what performance he was talking about, but taking into account how serious he was about it, he must have carefully prepared it.

“I walked around the man-made lake for some time and lost my way. You have to blame the Yuan Family Mansion for being too huge.”

Lost her way? No wonder he could not find her after walking one round.

Mu Chenyan lay gently in his embrace. Earlier on, in the garden, she had felt a little cold. Now that she was in his arms, the sharp change from cold to warm caused her to sneeze a few times.

The fact that she was sneezing and her eyes were watery were signs of her catching a cold. Yuan Xuan’s expression changed. He hurriedly instructed Ah Fu to quickly boil a ginger drink, while he carried the shivering woman upstairs.

Yuan Xuan tucked her under the blanket whilst raising the air-cond temperature. He then held her small feet in his hands as he chided, “These are the consequences of you being disobedient. You’re probably going to catch a cold now because of the spring wind.”

The warmth from his palms gradually spread across the bottom of her feet. Mu Chenyan hid in the blanket, only revealing a pair of bright and watery eyes. A lump had formed in her throat as he massaged her. She could not express her feelings right now.

Soon, Ah Fu brought over a bowl of ginger soup for Mu Chenyan.

After seeing the bowl, Mu Chenyan’s pretty brows knotted together. She commented quietly, “I hate drinking this. It’s spicy, and the taste is strong. Can I not drink it? Even though I’ve caught a cold, I’ll usually be fine after a nap. “Hurry and take this away… Take it away… Even if you don’t take it away, I’ll still not drink it…”

Mu Chenyan had loathed the taste of ginger and garlic since young. Having caught a cold from eavesdropping and now having to suffer like this, Mu Chenyan quietly lamented to herself.