Taking the Stage One After Another

According to Qingcheng’s request, Mu Qing dropped her off at a street corner near the racetrack.

Just before she got out of the car, Mu Qing looked at her back and suddenly spoke.

“Qingcheng.”

Mu Qingcheng turned at his voice, offering a faint smile. “Second Brother, is something the matter?”

She was always this polite—courteous yet distant. This manner felt oddly familiar to Mu Qing, and only now did he realize that it was remarkably similar to his own disposition.

Mu Qing neither knew nor wished to delve into the reasons behind it. But he understood that for a child who had been wandering for so long, coming “home” would inevitably take time.

As an artist, Mu Qing had always relied on intuition. At this moment, his instincts told him that Mu Qingcheng was an exceptionally fine young woman, worthy of trust and reliance. She just needed time, and in time, she would prove everything.

For now, he simply said, “It’s nothing. Be careful. If anything happens, call me.”

Mu Qing’s usually cool eyes held a trace of warmth. He smiled, his expression as light as a wisp of mist.

It was the first time Mu Qingcheng felt, at such close quarters, the intelligence and keenness of the Mu family. She marveled at Mu Qing’s clarity and perceptiveness, and was surprised by his calm composure.

“Thank you.”

She didn’t address him as Second Brother, but that simple thank you made Mu Qing pause, as if sensing something deep within his heart. He watched her walk away alone, backpack on her shoulders, and after a long moment, shook his head with a fond smile.

He couldn’t help but think to himself that this time, perhaps the Mu family had truly met their match.

...

After Mu Qingcheng left, Mu Qing drove out from the street corner, intending to head in the opposite direction. But just as he turned, he collided with a bicycle.

With a dull thud, the sound was not loud but it startled Mu Qing all the same.

“Are you alright?” Mu Qing quickly got out of the car. He saw a girl in a school uniform sitting on the ground. Hearing his approach, she looked up, revealing long, narrow eyes, cold as ice.

“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice equally cold and edged with impatience, entirely devoid of the vitality one would expect from someone her age.

Mu Qing was surprised and glanced at her again, only to notice, almost by accident, a streak of color at the back of her neck. It seemed to be a special kind of totem tattoo.

By now, the girl had already stood up. Seeing her knee was scraped, Mu Qing stepped forward and said, “Let me take you to the hospital.”

He reached out to help, but she frowned and brushed his hand away with a slap.

With a sharp smack, red finger marks appeared instantly on Mu Qing’s already pale hand. The girl hesitated before muttering an apology, “Sorry. Just go—I’m fine.”

Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away.

“She… is she also a student from that school?” Mu Qing muttered, watching her head toward the racetrack. After a few seconds, he got back in his car and left.

****

Meanwhile, at the racetrack,

After entering without incident, Mu Qingcheng planned to quietly take a look around. But she had only taken a few steps when she became aware that someone seemed to be following her.

At the same moment, the communicator in her ear vibrated. As she moved inconspicuously towards a corner, she tapped her ear twice without drawing attention.

Ye Zi’s voice came through the communicator, as excited as ever. “Boss, I found something!”