Chapter 87

There was a splash in the water.

Sheng Mumu and Feng Yaoqin looked at each other, their hearts skipping a beat. They hurried through a lakeside recreation area towards the sound.

To their surprise, they saw the strange, long-haired woman in black clothes fall into the lake.

She held her hands high over her head.

Looking closely, they realized she was cradling a tiny kitten about the size of her palm.

It seemed she had jumped into the water to rescue the drowning kitten.

On the lawn near where she fell in, there were several more little white kittens, mewling piteously.

There was no time to think further.

Sheng Mumu slapped Feng Yaoqin firmly on the back.

"Mom, just wait here for me. Don't go near the lake."

She quickly surveyed her surroundings, assessing the situation.

After just a few seconds of deliberation, she jumped into the lake.

Though the late summer air was sweltering, the lake water still held a trace of chill.

Luckily, the woman hadn't fallen far from the recreation area, so Sheng Mumu was able to swim over quickly and circle her chest, pulling her towards shore.

By the time the two were hauled ashore by the rapidly arriving bodyguards, a circle of onlookers had gathered.

"Please put it... cough... somewhere safe, cough cough... Thank you," the woman sputtered, having swallowed several mouthfuls of water.

Before she had fully caught her breath, she carefully handed the kitten to someone on shore.

Only now did Sheng Mumu get a good look at the woman's appearance.

Very fair, with dull eyes and round cheeks and nose.

Sensing Sheng Mumu's gaze, the woman turned and looked at her, forcing an awkward smile: "Thank you."

Sheng Mumu: "You're welcome."

Before Sheng Mumu could ask further, Feng Yaoqin hurried over, face etched with anxiety.

"You scared me to death! How could you do something so reckless?!" It had all happened in an instant, and thinking back now, Feng Yaoqin felt terrified.

What if something had happened to Sheng Mumu? How would she explain to her son, how would she explain to the old matriarch?

Feng Yaoqin was both anxious and angry. Seeing Sheng Mumu's state, she swallowed back the rebukes on the tip of her tongue.

The woman before her was drenched from head to toe, yet still smiled gently, soothing Feng Yaoqin instead.

"Mom, I'm fine. I worried you."

Feng Yaoqin's severe frown did not ease one bit. She turned Sheng Mumu's body back and forth, double checking for any bumps or injuries.

"You're too reckless! Just because you're capable, you have to show off?"

"The bodyguards were clearly nearby. Did you really need to rescue her yourself? Huh?"

"What if something had gone wrong, what if no one was around? Tell me, what would you have done then! A girl not even in her twenties, with no regard for her own safety whatsoever."

A gust of wind blew by and Sheng Mumu couldn't help but shiver.

Beside her ear was the matriarch's stern yet affectionate admonishment.

For a moment, she seemed to see her own mother's figure overlapping with Feng Yaoqin's.

All mothers in the world wore the same face.

Even scolding warmed one's heart to hear.

Suddenly Sheng Mumu's nose prickled.

In an instant, she understood her mother-in-law.

Arrogant, but kind at heart.

Liked to mock and lecture others, but not for her own gain.

That's right.

Someone who adopted Qi Mo from an orphanage and raised him so well could not be a wicked mother-in-law.

Sheng Mumu smiled lightly and looped her arm through Feng Yaoqin's.

"Mom, I wasn't being reckless. I analyzed the situation before jumping in."

One had to ensure their own safety first when attempting to help others. Sheng Mumu was very clear on this.

After giving her a long silent glare, Feng Yaoqin clicked her tongue. "Ah... You... reckless child..."

As they spoke, more people gathered at the shore.

Bodyguards, security patrol, residents drawn by the commotion.

Night had fully fallen.

The lakeside trail lights were set on timers.

It had just turned 6:30pm, and a row of lamps switched on in unison. Droplets of water clung to Sheng Mumu's lashes, blurring the lamplight into rings in her vision.

Through the haze, she made out a familiar tall, straight figure.

The refined, gentle man walked towards her through the crowd, face darkened and exuding an icy aura.

His strides were long.

Behind him, the driver Little Wang struggled to keep up while cradling a blanket.

Before Sheng Mumu could react, Qi Mo had draped the blanket around her.

The next second, a large hand wrapped around her waist and drew her into his embrace.

She let out a soft gasp, hands instinctively grasping the man's broad shoulders.

The warm yellow lamplight blurred her vision.

The man's profile was illuminated in a thin halo of light.

His scent enveloped her, and caught in his powerful aura, she found herself at a loss for words despite wanting to say something.

Her petite, exquisite face was pressed to the man's chest. She could clearly feel his heartbeat.

The surrounding noises seemed to fade away, the clamor dampening.

She vaguely heard the matriarch telling Little Wang to contact the family doctor quickly.

The security patrol seemed to be apologizing to Qi Mo.

It was all a chaotic jumble around her ears.

Sheng Mumu couldn't focus her thoughts.

All her attention was occupied by that steady, powerful heartbeat she couldn't ignore.

The intimate posture, the clean, crisp scent...

After long deliberation, Sheng Mumu decided she should say something.

She shifted uncomfortably and her rosy lips parted.

What came out was a line so foolish she couldn't believe she had uttered it.

"Qi Mo... you're off work?"

Qi Mo's expression was cold and devoid of warmth. At her words, his dark eyes glanced down.

Those obsidian orbs brimmed with light, his handsome visage right before her.

Sheng Mumu's breath hitched.

She heard him say in his low, magnetic voice,

"Hold on tight. Don't move."