Chapter 431: A Late Bloomer

Chapter 431: A Late Bloomer

After leaving the laboratory, Yun Mu went straight back to her cottage.

In the courtyard, Ji Shu was angrily wielding a long whip, taking out her anger on a row of shrubs, whipping them like crazy.

Yun Mu frowned. "If you're in such a bad mood, go back to your Ji family to vent. Why take it out on my trees?"

Ji Shu stopped her actions, turned around, and glared at Yun Mu. "Even you're giving me a hard time. Everyone in your Yun family is so annoying!"

"Don't you think someone with a princess attitude like yours is even more annoying?" Yun Mu looked at her with irritation. "Yunzhe would never like someone like you!"

This comment struck a nerve with Ji Shu.

"Are you saying he doesn't like someone like me, but prefers someone like you?"

Yun Mu was taken aback, paused for a few seconds, and then looked at Ji Shu. "What are you even saying? What's this 'like me' or 'like you' nonsense?"

"I'm not making this up. Yunzhe said it himself."

Yun Mu was stunned again. "That's impossible."

Ji Shu sneered. "He told me himself when he was drunk. I was trying to get him drunk to ask if he liked me, but instead, he said he likes you! It made me so angry! He even said he tried everything to separate Yi Jue from you, thinking he could keep you in the Yun family, and then he cursed Yi Jue... Anyway, I understood one thing—he's had a crush on you for over twenty years!"

Yun Mu's eyes widened in shock. "He really said he tried everything to separate Yi Jue and me?"

Ji Shu nodded. "I think so, but I can't remember clearly."

Yun Mu's eyes turned icy. She realized her earlier suspicions weren't off the mark.

What did Yunzhe do to try to separate Yi Jue and her?

Where did the mysterious hypnotic drug that Dr. Feng bought on the underground market come from?

What exactly did Yunzhe do to Yi Jue after she fell unconscious?

Yun Mu was tempted to storm over and confront Yunzhe, but in the end, she held back.

She knew Yunzhe too well. Even if she had solid evidence, there was no way he wouldn't lie through his teeth and deny it all!

Ji Shu waved her hand in front of Yun Mu's eyes. "What are you thinking about so deeply? Are you even listening to me?"

Yun Mu composed herself and looked at Ji Shu. "What exactly are you worried about? You've already slept with Yunzhe, what more do you need to worry about?"

"Who said I slept with him?" Ji Shu's face turned red, and she was both embarrassed and annoyed. "It didn't go that far! I had a fever last night, so he carried me to his bed, and the housekeeper changed my clothes!"

Yun Mu sighed. "Then keep at it. Why are you throwing a fit here?"

Ji Shu became even more furious. "I gave it a shot! I thought it wouldn't be easy to get into his bed, so I took the opportunity to put some drug in his water and had the door locked..."

Yun Mu gasped. "And then?"

Ji Shu gritted her teeth. "Then he kicked the door down and tossed me out! Literally tossed me out!"

"You're lucky he didn't toss you out the window. Drugging Yunzhe? Have you lost it?" Yun Mu gave her a disdainful look and walked past her into the house.

Ji Shu trailed after her, not giving up. "Yun Mu, just tell me, how can I crack Yunzhe?"

"Ask your brother. He's been around enough to know what works."

"Don't kid yourself. If he were really that capable, he wouldn't need to sleep with those women; he'd just..."

Ji Shu stopped mid-sentence, not daring to continue.

"Come on, just tell me. You must have some tricks up your sleeve to have Yi Jue so infatuated with you. Tell me!"

"You can ask me about that."

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the door.

Yi Jue walked in with one hand in his pocket, saying to Ji Shu, "I can tell you how Yun Mu captivated me."

Yun Mu pulled him back, "Why are you butting in?"

Yi Jue glanced at Yun Mu, "I just can't stand seeing Ji Shu pining away. Can't I be helpful?"

"This is meddling, not your usual style," Yun Mu rolled her eyes.

He’s just being helpful, but clearly, this guy has issues with Yun Zhe.

But whatever, let him do his thing. Yun Mu simply put down her phone and bag, leisurely lying on the sofa drinking tea and scrolling through her phone.

Ji Shu immediately stepped forward and grabbed Yi Jue, "Come on, Yi Jue, enlighten me."

Yi Jue sat down comfortably, straightening his collar, "Enlightenment is a bit much; just some advice."

"Go on."

"First, from what I know, Yun Zhe is secretive and twisted, with deep schemes and no scruples..."

"Hold on, why are you badmouthing him?" Ji Shu was displeased.

Yi Jue justified himself, "I’m analyzing him for you. Are you listening or not?"

"Listening, listening, go on," Ji Shu conceded.

Yi Jue coughed lightly and continued, "Not only that, Yun Zhe likes to play dumb, so your direct approach won’t work. The more you chase him, the more he’ll take you for granted. You need to play hard to get, keep him guessing about your intentions."

Ji Shu pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Makes sense. What else?"

"Also, let him know he’s not the only one for you. Show him how popular you are, that you’re just as sought after without him, with plenty of men around you. This contrast will instantly hook him."

Ji Shu nodded again, "I see. Yi Jue, is this how Yun Mu captivated you?"

Yi Jue touched his nose, not answering.

Yun Mu scoffed while scrolling through her phone, "That’s nonsense."

Ji Shu glared at her, "I think it makes a lot of sense. Yun Mu, you’re really cunning. This is how you got Yi Jue, and you've been hiding all this experience."

She turned back to Yi Jue, "Any more tips?"

Yi Jue looked her up and down, "The most important point is that no man likes a brainless idiot. Of course, looking at your brother, it’s clear the Ji family genes are like that. Nothing can be done. But you should at least show some depth in front of Yun Zhe, right?"

Ji Shu protested, "I have depth. I'm not some dumb beauty!"

Yi Jue, "Alright, I’ve said my piece. You can go now."

"Fine, I'll go back and think about how to implement the three suggestions you gave me. If it works out, I'll definitely have you at the VIP table at my wedding with Yun Zhe. I won't disturb your couple time anymore. Bye!"

Ji Shu, all pumped up, waved her hand and dashed out of the Yun family in high spirits.

Yun Mu put down her phone and looked at Yi Jue, "You just fed her a bunch of nonsense. Doesn't that make you feel guilty?"

"How do you know I was just making stuff up?"

"Anyway, I don't buy that you really wanted to help Ji Shu."

Yi Jue, however, smirked, "This time, I genuinely wanted to help her. In all these years, have you seen any other woman get close to Yunzhe besides you?"

Yun Mu paused for a moment, realizing she hadn't.

Yi Jue continued, "If a guy lets another woman get close to him, it at least means he doesn't mind her."

"So... Ji Shu actually has a shot?" Yun Mu narrowed her eyes, "That would be awesome."

Yunzhe, the old iron tree is finally going to bloom!