"Then allow me to help you then, Mr. Qin." It was clear that this reclusive author was fond of her best friend, Tang Moyu, and perhaps, might be even in love with her without realizing it.

  However, Li Meili had known for a long time now that Tang Moyu seemed to have closed off her heart to any man, not only to protect herself but also her children. Li Meili wished for her friend to let go of the pain and hatred that was stopping her to be truly happy, but Tang Moyu did not seem to want that.

  Well, even before the empress had her little buns, Li Meili knew that if it wasn't for Tang Moyu's betrothal to Feng Tianhua before, she had no intention to marry anyone. Tang Moyu might not agree with her best friend, but Li Meili's only wish was for her to forget everything that had happened in the past and just live on happily.

  In fact, she was against the idea of the empress coming here to help the Tang family with their troubles in their company. After all the things they had done with Tang Moyu, where did they get the audacity to seek her help?

  "Then Miss Li, I would be grateful if I could have your help."

  Li Meili's lips curled up. Looking at Qin Jiran's expression and the way he spoke, it was as if he was begging her to convince Tang Moyu with a distressed expression written all over his face.

  'Oh, my dear Moyu. What have you done to our poor Mr. Qin,' she thought.

  "So what kind of help does Mr. Qin want from me? Do you want me to ask Moyu why she's avoiding you?" she asked.

  "I'm not that shameless to ask for such a ridiculous request, Miss Li. I am merely curious about what Miss Tang likes."

  "What do you mean, Mr. Qin?" Li Meili struggled to stop herself from laughing out loud and was forced to bite her inner cheek. She had never met any man in the past that was interested in her best friend and asked her help.

  "I don't know much about Miss Tang and I certainly didn't want us to continue acting this way," Qin Jiran admitted. Tang Moyu used to join him and the twins for dinner whenever she arrived home, but she suddenly stopped coming altogether without saying any reason.

  'Right. Right. If only Moyu thinks like you, we won't have a problem here,' Li Meili muttered to herself.

  "I understand that Miss Tang might not be comfortable with my presence invading her home. I do not want her to be unhappy, so I'd like to know more about her."

  "Mr. Qin is such a nice man," Li Meili teased him.

  Qin Jiran chuckled at that.

  "I assure you, Miss Li. People who know me would laugh if they heard you say that."

  "What exactly do you want to know about Moyu?" she asked curiously.

  "What Miss Tang likes, as well as what she dislikes, so I can avoid it in the future," Qin Jiran replied with a low voice, as if he was a little embarrassed asking her for this information. "If I ask her myself, I doubt that she would give me an answer."

  Qin Jiran was wise and Li Meili agreed with his assessment. She thought that Tang Moyu would probably stare at him and ignore his question altogether.

  "Moyu, she likes strawberries and sweet desserts." Li Meili knew that Qin Jiran would be ignored by her best friend if he decided to give her expensive gifts. However, if she was to tell him the empress's weakness, maybe Qin Jiran might have a chance with Tang Moyu.

  "Wait," Qin Jiran said and pulled out his small notebook and pen from his wheelchair which almost made Li Meili burst into laughter after seeing what he was holding. But the sincerity she'd seen in his face made her stop from doing it.

  'Ah, Moyu, look at what kind of a man you have here.'

  "Is there something sweet in particular that she likes to eat?" Qin Jiran asked.

  He knew how to make pastries and cakes, so he wouldn't have a hard time making one, unless Tang Moyu had a particular taste she liked.

  Li Meili told her several sweets she remembered Tang Moyu enjoyed eating over the years. Qin Jiran listed down all the sweets she mentioned, making sure he wouldn't miss a single one.

  "There isn't much that Moyu dislikes in food. She would only deny food and drinks that were given to her by strangers, so Mr. Qin, please don't get offended if Moyu doesn't touch whatever you decide to give her."

  "But why?" Qin Jiren furrowed his brows in confusion.

  Li Meili cleared her throat and coughed behind her hand.

  "Well, you do know someone spiked her drink that night that led to her pregnancy with the twins," she explained.

  Qin Jiran regretted asking her that. He should have known better. His half-brother and Xing Yiyue had left enough damage to the empress, forbidding her to believe in any man so easily.

  "Don't worry too much, Mr. Qin. The thing that Moyu hated the most is someone lying to her. The most important thing you should show her is your sincerity. Mr. Qin, Moyu is someone who wouldn't ignore you if she'd seen sincerity in your words and actions."

  "I see." Qin Jiran's face fell and remained silent. Li Meili could swear she'd seen a hint of guilt in his eyes, but she couldn't understand why he would feel guilty at that moment.

  "Thank you, Miss Li. I appreciate your help," he said, expressing his gratitude towards her.

  Li Meili hummed in contentment. If Qin Jiran was willing to get close with Tang Moyu, then maybe the empress would consider allowing herself to be happy.