Qin Hanchu knew the First Madam's intentions perfectly well.
She was trying to create an opportunity for the two of them to be alone.
After the First Madam left, Qin Hanchu said to Mu Jianling, "Don't forget, we're just acting. Don't take it seriously."
"I was about to tell you the same thing," Mu Jianling replied with a strange expression.
"Are you that bored?"
Mu Jianling frowned, "What? Do you have something fun to do?"
"I'm free, why don't you give me a shoulder rub?"
"Go to hell. Me, the dignified eldest daughter of the Mu family, giving you a shoulder rub? Think of something else!"
Mu Jianling hadn't expected Qin Hanchu to ask for this, and she grumbled in annoyance.
Qin Hanchu leaned back against the wooden tub, "You'll have to give me one sooner or later."
"Dream on!" Mu Jianling retorted.
Qin Hanchu stopped talking, his eyes half-closed as he enjoyed his bath.
"Aren't you in pain?"
Seeing Qin Hanchu enjoying himself so much, Mu Jianling was puzzled.
The body-tempering medicine was highly stimulating to the body. Although it wasn't to the point of unbearable agony, it was certainly not comfortable.
Qin Hanchu was an Immortal Saint expert, so the body-tempering medicine had no effect on him.
Hearing Mu Jianling's question, he then feigned discomfort and said, "Oh, my blood vessels are aching intensely..."
"That's normal!"
"You have to hold on and not come out."
Seeing Qin Hanchu's pained expression, Mu Jianling finally smiled.
Just then, a car pulled up outside the villa.
As the car door opened, Ye Yun Kui stepped out.
"Chairman, this is Mu Jianling's car," the driver said, glancing at the other car parked in front of the villa.
Ye Yun Kui nodded, then walked over and pressed the doorbell.
The villa door opened, and the First Madam appeared before Ye Yun Kui.
"You're quite diligent for the sake of the family," the First Madam said with a sarcastic tone.
Ye Yun Kui's face darkened, "Where is Jiangliu?"
"In the backyard, but he's busy talking to you right now."
"Wait if you want to talk."
With that said, the First Madam turned and walked towards the backyard.
Ye Yun Kui instructed the driver to wait there and then followed the First Madam.
As soon as they reached the backyard, they saw Mu Jianling massaging Qin Hanchu's shoulders, while the latter pretended to struggle.
"He's tempering his body?" Ye Yun Kui was surprised that "Ye Jiangliu," at his age, was still cultivating martial arts.
"What else would he be doing? Playing in the water with Jianling?" the First Madam scoffed.
Ye Yun Kui was rendered speechless by the First Madam's retort.
"Jiangliu, you have to endure it. Your first body tempering will be difficult, but it will be much easier later on." The First Madam approached Qin Hanchu and advised him.
Qin Hanchu pretended to grit his teeth, even making his face turn red.
Seeing Qin Hanchu's ability to bear the pain, Mu Jianling finally moved her hands away.
"Jianling, what's your situation with Jiangliu?"
"Since you like each other, why did you break off the engagement?"
Since Qin Hanchu didn't have time to deal with Ye Yun Kui at the moment, Ye Yun Kui spoke to Mu Jianling first.
"The engagement was arranged by you. Dating is our own choice."
"If we can get along, then it's a relationship after falling in love, and the nature is different."
Mu Jianling replied.
Ye Yun Kui continued, "How is it now? Do you get along?"
"We've only been dating for a few days, how can we know so quickly?"
"We'll give you an answer in three months."
"If we get along, we'll get engaged. If not, we'll break up."
Ye Yun Kui pondered as he received Mu Jianling's answer.
Three months wasn't too long and was acceptable.
An hour and a half passed quickly. As the medicinal effects wore off, Qin Hanchu no longer had to act so arduously.
As soon as the First Madam announced that the time was up, Qin Hanchu got out of the tub and returned to the villa.
After showering and changing, he returned to the backyard.
"If you have something to say, just say it," Qin Hanchu said, looking at Ye Yun Kui.
"You and your mother should return to the Ye family!" Ye Yun Kui said.
"If you have the Ye family in your heart, you are a Ye family member no matter where you live."
"If you don't have the Ye family in your heart, then no one will consider you a Ye family member even if you return to the Ye family."
"We are quite comfortable living here and have no need to return and face cold shoulders."
"You don't want to see me, right? This is exactly what you want, isn't it?"
Qin Hanchu said calmly.
"What? Do you expect me to beg you?" Ye Yun Kui frowned.
Qin Hanchu smiled, "If you want to beg, I won't stop you!"
"How dare you speak to me like that? Do you still have any respect for me as your father?" Ye Yun Kui's voice rose in anger.
"Honestly, no, so don't try to label yourself as my father." After saying this, Qin Hanchu looked at Mu Jianling, "Let's go out shopping and for a meal."
"Okay," Mu Jianling linked her arm with Qin Hanchu's and they walked out.
"Unfilial son!" Ye Yun Kui was so angry he wanted to lash out, but the First Madam's indifferent gaze stopped him.
Although Ye Yun Kui was the chairman of the Ye family, he was actually only at the peak of the ninth grade.
He was not qualified to make a move in front of the First Madam.
"Jiangliu is right. Since you haven't fulfilled your responsibilities as a father, don't use your fatherly status to make demands."
"If these two children can be together, it would still be a marriage alliance between the Ye and Mu families."
"But you are not to interfere in this matter anymore."
"It's getting late, you should go back and have dinner with your wife and children."
"As for this place, it is not your home."
With that, the First Madam turned and left.
...
In the car, Mu Jianling turned to look at Qin Hanchu in the passenger seat, "Amazing, you don't even care about Ye Yun Kui!"
"Let's not talk about this. Think about where you're treating me to a meal," Qin Hanchu said lazily from the passenger seat.
"Eating is fine, but you have to give me an explanation for what happened earlier."
"Don't think I've forgotten."
Mu Jianling was still thinking about the boasts Qin Hanchu had made.
She wanted to see if Qin Hanchu could really learn something with just a glance.
"There's a park ahead. I'll demonstrate it for you there."
"Is it that hard to admit that I'm more capable than you?"
Qin Hanchu teased.
"Don't embarrass yourself later."
With that, Mu Jianling turned the car into the park's parking lot.
After getting out of the car, they walked into the park together.
Finding a deserted, open space, Qin Hanchu said, "Watch carefully!"
As he spoke, Qin Hanchu began to practice his boxing.
He moved with fluid grace, executing the boxing routine that Mu Jianling had practiced.
At this moment, Mu Jianling stared at Qin Hanchu in disbelief.
She could never have imagined that Qin Hanchu had actually learned it, and that every movement was so precise.
This talent was too incredible!
If "Ye Jiangliu" had started learning from a young age, his achievements now would definitely surpass her own.
Seeing Mu Jianling's shocked expression, Qin Hanchu said with a hint of smugness, "Well? Are you convinced now?"
Mu Jianling gave him a thumbs-up in admiration, "Impressive, I'm truly convinced."
"Don't forget your promise, you owe me three favors," Qin Hanchu said with a triumphant smile. "Tomorrow, during the medicinal bath, give me a shoulder rub. Let this count as the first favor."