The moment Mu Xinyue left, Situ Hai couldn't resist asking Mu Xia, "Shanshan, Dad has to ask, how did you and Young Master Ye meet? Are you two close?" Situ Hai had been dying to ask, but he'd held back, afraid Mu Xia might think he was trying to use her. But now, it seemed the girl was so hopelessly naive she would never suspect him of being a bad father. So he could ask whatever he wanted, directly. Just as he'd expected, Mu Xia answered without a trace of suspicion. "Young Master Ye and I don't really know each other. I was on my way back when I was caught in a shipwreck, and I happened to run into him. He was injured at the time, so I found some medicinal herbs to treat his wounds. Later, his men found him and just gave me a ride back." Mu Xia omitted the part about sharing body heat to stay warm, simplifying the story to just treating his wounds. She didn't mention that she had, in fact, saved Ye Sijue's life. Hearing this, Situ Hai's heart sank with disappointment, yet swelled with excitement. The disappointment stemmed from the fact that Mu Xia wasn't entangled with Ye Sijue romantically, as he had hoped. But the excitement came from a different realization: Mu Xia had helped Ye Sijue, which meant the Young Master now owed his family a favor! A favor from the Ye family! That was worth more than the rarest of jewels! "Good! Very good! Shanshan, you truly are my daughter!" Situ Hai’s gaze on Mu Xia was like that of someone gazing upon the most precious treasure on earth. Mu Xia, maintaining her facade of blissful ignorance, offered Situ Hai a simple smile before lowering her head to eat earnestly. The next day, the group of four departed from Kyoto for Nanshi. In the car, Mu Xia and Situ Qingshan shared the back seat. Situ Qingshan, dressed in her Royal Coffee Academy uniform, her makeup flawlessly applied, looked every bit the part of a noble young lady. In stark contrast, the clothes Mu Xinyue had prepared for Mu Xia were plain, and with no one to do her makeup, Mu Xia was completely bare-faced. Her hair was tied up in a simple bun, making her look like a high school student. But even so, her flawless features were still captivating. She looked as pure and clean as a blooming lily, a sight to be admired from afar, not plucked. True beauty doesn't make a man want to possess it; it makes him first question if he is worthy. Situ Qingshan had thought her six-figure makeup job for the day was perfect, but next to Mu Xia, she felt like nothing more than a green leaf meant to accentuate the flower. Fury surged through Situ Qingshan. She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. "*Ahem!*" Mu Xinyue coughed from the passenger seat. The sound snapped Situ Qingshan out of her anger. So what if Mu Xia was beautiful? She was just a decorative vase, something to look at. *She* was the one with both virtue and talent, the kind of woman a man would want to marry, not just play with. Situ Qingshan managed to calm herself and forced a smile. "Sister," she said to Mu Xia, "I never had the chance to apologize properly, but now I finally do... I'm sorry, sister. I shouldn't have thrown such a childish tantrum. I hope you can forgive me." Mu Xia guessed that Mu Xinyue must have coached her to say this. *Childish tantrum?* No child tries to kill someone over a tantrum. But Mu Xia put on a forgiving expression, gently taking Situ Qingshan's hand. "Dear sister, you don't have to say another word. It's all in the past. We're family; there's no need for apologies." With her hand held firmly in Mu Xia's grip, Situ Qingshan wanted to snatch it away but couldn't. The touch felt repulsive. She could only swallow her displeasure and manage a stiff, forced smile. The apparent reconciliation between his two daughters pleased Situ Hai greatly. The trip from Kyoto to Nanshi required a flight, and Situ Hai had bought economy class tickets. As per regulations, first-class passengers boarded first. Mu Xia trailed at the very back, following Situ Hai. As they were about to board, Situ Hai suddenly stopped. He looked in one direction and exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Young Master Ye?" Situ Qingshan hadn't expected to run into Ye Sijue at the airport either. A blush crept onto her cheeks, and she let out a delicate cough, hoping to draw his attention. Ye Sijue was listening to an assistant's project update. Interrupted so abruptly, he frowned in annoyance and looked toward the voice. When he saw Situ Hai and Situ Qingshan, who had pushed her way to the front, a flicker of irritation and confusion crossed his eyes. His expression clearly asked, *And who are you?* Situ Hai rubbed his nose in embarrassment, surprised that Ye Sijue didn't recognize him. Situ Qingshan was even more frustrated and annoyed. How many times had it been now? Ye Sijue still didn't recognize her! Was his memory that bad? In truth, Ye Sijue's memory was exceptional, but he only bothered to remember people and things he deemed important. He wouldn't waste a single shred of brainpower or a moment of his time on anyone insignificant. As for Mu Xia, she saw Ye Sijue too, but had no intention of greeting him. They were just fleeting acquaintances; there was no need to bother each other. Seeing that his foolish daughter wasn't seizing the opportunity to say hello, Situ Hai had no choice but to introduce himself. "I'm Situ Hai, Young Master Ye. You attended my daughter's birthday party just a few days ago." Ye Sijue searched his memory. He had attended four birthday parties that week and couldn't immediately place the man. Seeing that Ye Sijue still didn't remember, Situ Hai grew anxious. He pushed aside Situ Qingshan, who was still trying to get closer, and pulled Mu Xia from the back. "Young Master Ye, if you don't remember me, surely you remember my daughter?" Mu Xinyue had been subtly blocking the view of Mu Xia, so this was the first time Ye Sijue actually saw her. She was dressed like an ordinary student, a complete departure from the other three members of her family, as if she belonged to a different world. Ye Sijue raised an eyebrow slightly. Curious to test Mu Xia's reaction, he said, "My apologies, I have a poor memory. Miss, have we met?" Mu Xia was a little surprised. He didn't remember her either? But the surprise was fleeting, leaving no ripple in her heart. Her expression was calm as she replied, "It's understandable for someone as busy as you to be forgetful, Young Master Ye. We won't disturb you any longer. Dad, let's go." With Mu Xia saying that, Situ Hai couldn't linger. He stalked toward the boarding gate, his mood souring. What was the meaning of this! When it came to charming men, his eldest daughter was utterly clueless and useless! Idiot! The more Situ Hai thought about it, the angrier he became, and his pace quickened. Mu Xinyue and Situ Qingshan, watching him, were secretly gloating. Surely Situ Hai wouldn't continue to treat Mu Xia like a precious treasure now? Mu Xinyue hurried to catch up with him. But Situ Qingshan, buoyed by her good mood, grew cocky again. As she walked, she couldn't resist whispering to Mu Xia, "Oh, my dear sister, I really thought you and Young Master Ye had something special. Turns out he doesn't even remember you. You mustn't be too upset. Like you said, he's an important man, always forgetting things. It's only natural he wouldn't remember someone who just came from the countryside." Situ Qingshan deliberately stressed the words "from the countryside," eagerly watching for any sign of anger or humiliation on Mu Xia's face. Mu Xia's anger was her delight.