Chapter 101: Seeking Trouble

As they were about to pass through the garden, voices drifted from behind the parasol tree.

"Xu Ting, I'm telling you, if you dare to mess with Mu Qingxi, you're messing with me," came the warning.

"Hmph, Li Ruoying, so what if she sent you to the hospital? But do you really think that's possible? Both Xi Haifei and Bai Fanhao were there at the time—why not thank them? Instead, you went straight to thank Mu Qingxi!"

Those who heard the voices exchanged glances, all turning to the impassive Mu Qingxi. She looked at her companions, then cast a calm gaze toward the parasol tree. In a clear, loud voice, she declared, "Why are you all looking at me? It's not the first time someone’s tried to cause me trouble. But have I ever been afraid? In fact, I love it when people try to mess with me."

Her words were meant to remind Xu Ting, who was speaking ill of her, that if she wanted trouble, Mu Qingxi was waiting and unafraid—she only feared being ignored.

Behind the tree, Xu Ting was startled by Mu Qingxi’s voice, and Li Ruoying was taken aback as well.

Li Ruoying confronted Xu Ting, "I told you, if you mess with Mu Qingxi, you’re messing with me. Besides, with your attitude, you think you can cause trouble for her? You’d better sort out your own mess before you look for trouble with others!"

Xu Ting stared blankly at Li Ruoying, unable to utter a word, simply gazing at her in stupefied silence.

Li Ruoying shot Xu Ting a glare, snorted coldly, and strode away.

After she emerged, she barely greeted the group of five standing nearby, glancing at them and saying nothing before continuing on.

Mu Qingxi, unconcerned, pursed her lips and said, "Let’s go. I’m ready to deal with trouble." Suddenly, she looked toward the person still hiding behind the tree and feigned fear, saying, "You all must help me, otherwise I’ll be so scared!"

After she finished, Qin Yu covered her mouth and laughed, "Enough already, you’re disgusting!"

Guo Chen shivered dramatically, rubbed his arm, and exaggerated, "Exactly, I’ve got goosebumps all over!"

Mu Qingxi laughed, fixing her gaze on the two, her laughter sending chills down Guo Chen and Qin Yu’s spines. Guo Chen quickly said, "My mistake, my mistake."

Mu Qingxi shook her head, "No, not at all."

Guo Chen widened his eyes, watching Mu Qingxi’s growing, radiant smile, feeling more unsettled by the minute. With a wry face, he pleaded, "Mu Mu, just let it go, please. I won’t say another word."

Mu Qingxi looked at Guo Chen for a while before finally saying, "It’s really nothing. Honestly, I just meant you two haven’t even done anything yet, but you’re already like this. Who knows what you’ll be like in the future—maybe you’ll be flaunting your happiness everywhere!"

Guo Chen nearly fainted at Mu Qingxi’s words—what kind of nonsense was that?

Qin Yu stood there, her face flushed red.

Bai Fanhao and Xi Haifei stood by, smiling quietly.

Only Mu Qingxi seemed oblivious, laughing heartily, unaware that her words had nearly overwhelmed the pair.

The group lingered, chatting aimlessly, ignoring Xu Ting who was fuming behind the tree. In truth, Mu Qingxi and her friends shared a common goal: to force Xu Ting out of hiding. She still dared to think about causing trouble—did she have no self-respect?

Mu Qingxi couldn’t recall any deep grudge between them, especially between herself and Xu Ting. There was no real conflict—why was Xu Ting so fixated on her?

While the five enjoyed their banter, a figure stepped out, her face sullen and even her lips tinged purple.

Xu Ting emerged, truly a "frosty beauty," wearing only a single pair of trousers and, fearing she’d look fat, eschewing a warm coat.

Facing her adversaries, Xu Ting, brimming with anger, launched into a tirade.