Ch. 151..160
Chapter 151: Deliberately Cold-Shouldering Her Domestic.
The plane slowly landed, and after about half an hour spent retrieving their luggage, she and Xiaowu finally left the airport.
Qiao Ruoxin sat in the car, looking out the window, she was finally back.
Xiaowu, who was in the front passenger seat, made a phone call and then told her, “Miss Qiao, I will take you to Jiangfu Number One first. Master Mo is currently in a board meeting, his inauguration ceremony is tomorrow, and there will be a birthday banquet at the Mo Family Estate tomorrow night. He might be very busy.”
“Okay.”
Even though she had been sleeping on the plane the whole time, why was she still so tired?
Back at Jiangfu Number One, she took a shower and then changed into a nightgown.
Sitting on the sofa in the living room, she waited for Mo Chen until nine in the evening, the damn man had no intention of coming back at all.
He hadn’t even made a single phone call!
A trace of strange eeriness hung in the air.
Qiao Ruoxin always felt that something was not quite right. This feeling was very strange.
She picked up her phone and dialed Mo Chen’s number, which still connected after three rings.
“Brother Mo Chen, why aren’t you coming back?”
The man’s deep and indifferent voice came through from the other end of the line, “I have an engagement tonight, won’t be coming back, you sleep.”
Not coming back???
Qiao Ruoxin felt an inexplicable sense of panic.
“Oh… then drink less, see you tomorrow night.”
“Hmm.”
After hanging up the phone, she felt very uncomfortable.
It was as if a hand had reached into her chest and was tightly gripping her heart.
Maybe it was jet lag that hadn’t reversed yet?
Qiao Ruoxin shook her head and decided to go upstairs to get a good night’s sleep.
…
The next day, evening, Mo Family Estate.
Mo Tian, using Mo Chen’s entry into the board as a pretext, invited numerous celebrities from various circles to the birthday banquet.
Tonight, Mo Chen was dressed in a dark cyan suit, perfectly tailored, standing tall and handsome.
If not for his temperamental character, just by looks alone, he resembled a quintessential aristocratic gentleman, except those dark eyes carried a bit more ruthlessness.
Master Mo’s presence was overpowering, even when standing in front of the industry titans, he did not look the slightest bit inferior.
At that moment, the voice of Gu Mocheng came through his hidden earpiece, “Brothers, take your positions, Qiao Ruoxin will be here soon. Tonight it’s time to test your acting skills. Keep it heartfelt, no overacting!”
Mo Chen slightly furrowed his brows and downed a glass of champagne in one gulp.
Meanwhile, he glanced around carelessly.
And he suddenly caught sight of Qiao Ruoxin, his eyes darkened instantly.
Again, Gu Mocheng’s voice came through the hidden earpiece, “Mo Chen, you need to be cold to her, it’s best if you show a hint of annoyance in your expression.”
Qiao Ruoxin was wearing a black off-the-shoulder slit dress tonight, her skin white as snow, revealing a sexy collarbone and shoulders.
The slender and straight legs were enticingly visible, captivation personified.
Especially the ‘Mermaid’s Tears’ bracelet on her wrist, which added an extra layer of mystery to her.
The water-wave patterned long curly hair carried a hint of playful charm and allure, her makeup was exquisite, and her beautiful eyes were pure and vivid.
Like a noble and elegant black swan.
Qiao Ruoxin walked straight up to the man, wearing a pair of ten-centimeter heels to lessen the height difference between them slightly.
“Brother Mo Chen!” she called out in her soft and sweet voice.
The man glanced down from her collarbone and a hint of displeasure emerged in his brows.
What kind of damned dress is this??? Revealing so much???
He responded indifferently, “Hmm…” and then shifted his gaze away.
So cold?
Is this the same Mo Chen who would hug and kiss her as soon as he saw her?
Chapter 152: Turn Around, Leave, Don’t Mind Her Gu Mocheng’s voice came through the hidden earpiece. “Turn around, walk away, and don’t pay attention to her, no matter how she calls out to you, just ignore her.”
Mo Chen put down the champagne glass he was holding and glanced at her. “I have something to sort out.”
With those words, he turned and left.
???
Qiao Ruoxin was utterly bewildered.
“Mo Chen, big brother!”
She called out to his tall and indifferent figure again, but he ignored her.
…
Meanwhile——
Gu Mocheng, hiding in a villa in the estate, was holding a pair of binoculars. He looked over the party scene, orchestrating everything that happened tonight.
Gu Mocheng said, “Number One, it’s time for your family’s Lan Ke to enter the scene. Remember, make it convincing.”
Bai Junyan replied, “Roger that!”
Gu Mocheng continued, “Number Two, are you in position?”
Ji Haochuan confirmed, “In position!”
Gu Mocheng asked, “Number Three?”
Lu Siheng answered, “All set.”
…
Qiao Ruoxin, who had been ignored, took a champagne glass and sipped.
Her mind was full of thoughts about why Mr. Mo’s attitude seemed to have changed?
At this moment, Lan Ke and Bai Junyan approached her.
“Ruoxin baby, have you seen Mr. Mo since you got back yesterday?” Lan Ke asked earnestly.
She answered offhandedly, “He’s really busy, I just saw him a moment ago.”
“Busy? You believe that? Don’t you think he’s changed somewhat?”
Qiao Ruoxin was slightly startled, her fingers tightening around the champagne glass, “What do you mean?”
Lan Ke glanced at Bai Junyan beside her. “Xiaobai said that it seems like Mr. Mo… has had a change of heart, so don’t be too heartbroken, okay?”
She stiffened slightly.
“Change of heart? As in the way I’m thinking? Has he… fallen for someone else?”
Bai Junyan, who had been silent, suddenly let out a sigh.
“He fell in love with someone else in less than four days since I left?”
Lan Ke exclaimed, “Men are such scum! These past few days, I’ve seen Mo Chen always accompanying that woman, and tonight at his birthday party, he’s with that woman by the lake. They were practically glued to each other!”
Bai Junyan said, “Ake, don’t meddle in their affair.”
Lan Ke retorted, “Meddle? Men get to be scumbags and women don’t even get the right to know?”
By the lake?
Qiao Ruoxin put down her champagne glass and turned towards the lakeside.
Lan Ke and Bai Junyan exchanged glances and could not help but smirk secretly.
“Qiao sister, don’t go!”
“Yeah, Ruoxin baby, won’t it hurt to see that?”
They tried to stop her while watching Qiao Ruoxin walk away.
As expected!
From a distance, Qiao Ruoxin could see two figures by the man-made lake within the estate.
She recognized Mo Chen’s silhouette in an instant, but the woman standing beside him…
Her heart raced wildly as if it would leap out of her chest.
She was about to step forward when suddenly Lu Siheng appeared and stopped her. “Don’t go over there. Maybe it’s just a momentary novelty for him.”
…
At the same time.
By the lake, Mo Chen’s tall figure stood with his hands in his trouser pockets.
His handsome face showed disgust as he looked at Ji Haochuan beside him, who was disguised as a woman.
“Are you f*cking sick in the head?”
Ji Haochuan put on a shy demeanor, “Who told you that you can’t get close to women? It’s up to me to step in personally.”
Mo Chen looked at the ‘Barbie King Kong’ in front of him, struggling to suppress the nausea.
“Stay away from me!”
At that moment, a command came through the hidden earpiece from Gu Mocheng, “Brothers, enter Code Red! Qiao Ruoxin is approaching! Number Two, go and hug Mo Chen, now!”
Chapter 153: Where the Hell is Your Waist??? Ji Haochuan, wearing a big wavy wig and a dress, enthusiastically hugged Mo Chen’s body.
“Brother Mo Chen~ Is that how Qiao calls you?”
At that moment!
The man’s face turned ugly to the extreme, a strong urge to kick Ji Haochuan out overcame him!
Gu Mocheng’s voice came through the invisible earpiece: “Mo Chen! Control yourself! Do you want to watch Qiao Ruoxin disappear again? Endure! Hug his waist, hurry up!”
Mo Chen closed his eyes, forcibly suppressed the irritation within him, and hissed through clenched teeth, “You motherfucker, where’s the waist???”
Ji Haochuan: “What do you mean no waist? My waist is what I’m most proud of! Come on, hug me!”
Endure!
He endures!
He fucking endures!
Mo Chen stiffly raised his arms and hugged Ji Haochuan’s solid, thick waist!
Touching that wig, he really wanted to throw this guy into the Huangpu River as fish food!
“I warn you, move again and I’ll stomp you to death!”
Ji Haochuan: “Are you always this fierce with sister Qiao? No wonder she doesn’t like you, tsk tsk…”
Mo Chen: “Fuck… shut up!”
So disgusting!
How much longer must he endure???
…
Watching from a distance, Qiao Ruoxin nearly missed a beat of her heart at the sight of them embracing.
Has Mo Chen really fallen for another woman?
The man who would feel nauseous and vomit from being too close to women was now intimately holding another woman!!!
Qiao Ruoxin’s face turned a little pale, a sense of indescribable panic washing over her.
She shoved Lu Siheng away, wanting to rush over.
Lu Siheng blocked her way within seconds: “What are you going to do? Start a quarrel? It’s his birthday party tonight, with so many people around, don’t make a scene.”
Qiao Ruoxin had a sudden brainwave, shouting over Lu Siheng’s shoulder, “Uncle Mo! When did you get here?”
Hmm?
Lu Siheng subconsciously turned his head to look.
Then, she quickly ran toward the lake, struggling a bit in her high heels, but it didn’t matter anymore.
But the closer she got, the more she felt something odd about the ‘woman’ in Mo Chen’s arms.
So tall? An international supermodel?
That broad back, large frame…
Was this a King Kong Barbie?
“Mo Chen!”
Qiao Ruoxin rushed in front of them and yelled angrily, then was instantly stupefied, dumbfounded.
The person in his arms was… Ji Haochuan dressed as a woman???
Ji Haochuan was a cross-dressing master???
An awkward silence hung in the air for ten seconds, or maybe a minute, or perhaps even longer…
Suddenly, Mo Chen unceremoniously pushed Ji Haochuan away, his face looking extremely unwell.
This was probably the most awkward and embarrassing moment of his life.
“You… What the… you…” Qiao Ruoxin’s fingertips trembled as she pointed at them, unable to utter a complete sentence or even know what to say.
Ji Haochuan covered his face, thinking, they shouldn’t have recognized me, right?
“Aiya, you found out, I’m off, I’m off!” Ji Haochuan turned and fled, his running posture full of masculine energy.
Qiao Ruoxin looked at Mo Chen with an indescribable expression in her eyes.
The man caught her look and snapped irritably, “Qiao Ruoxin! What are you thinking!”
“Brother Mo Chen, do you like…”
“Not at all!!!”
“Have you ever…”
“Never!!!”
…
In the manor villa, Gu Mocheng, holding a pair of binoculars, had witnessed everything. The binoculars fell onto the carpet as he wore a face bereft of hope.
“How did I come to know such clowns? A tragedy turned into a comedy, it’s hopeless…”
Gu Mocheng rubbed his forehead, suddenly feeling a piercing headache at his temples.
Chapter 154: A Birthday Gift for You Late at night, at the Jiang residence No. 1.
Mo Chen had locked himself in the study for three hours already.
Qiao Ruoxin, holding the men’s watch she had customized, approached the study door and knocked, “Brother Mo Chen, may I come in?”
The door was locked from the inside, but she found the master key card and swiped it to let herself in.
The study was pitch-dark, Mo Chen was sitting in the chair behind the desk, clenching a cigarette between his lips, his handsome face gloomy.
She had no idea what he was thinking.
Qiao Ruoxin walked over and turned on a nearby floor lamp, its dim yet gentle light filling the room.
Then, she saw him enveloped in smoke, the cold and slightly sinister expression on his beautiful face becoming apparent.
“Brother Mo Chen… you haven’t started liking men, have you?”
In an instant, Mo Chen burst out in a furious roar, “How many times do I have to say it? No!!!”
Then she understood what was going on.
“You all teamed up to play a trick on me, right? Wanting to see if I would care?”
“…”
Mo Chen, with a cigarette in his mouth, stared at her little face through the smoke.
Complete defeat.
It seemed that no tactic worked on this Little Ghost.
Just thinking about Ji Haochuan’s imposing drag queen figure made her burst into laughter.
But Mo Chen took it as her mocking him.
He suddenly sat up straight, extinguishing the cigarette butt in the ashtray.
Pulling her into his embrace, he gripped her chin forcefully, “Do you find it funny to see me like this?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s chin was pinched painfully, she frowned, “It hurts, be gentle!”
His eyes were still filled with hostility, but the grip on her chin softened slightly.
She handed him the black velvet box in her hand, “Here, your birthday gift.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Mo Chen’s eyes, then disappeared instantly.
The man slightly arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile, “For me?”
He released Qiao Ruoxin’s chin and opened the black velvet box.
It was a customized Patek Philippe men’s watch, with a royal blue dial and a black alligator leather strap, exuding a business elite style that suited his status and position well.
The smile on the man’s face grew stronger, yet he still managed to say in a grudging tone, “Not bad.”
Such a tsundere dog of a man.
“There’s also a little heart engraved on it, representing my name.”
Mo Chen, looking at the tiny heart carved into the watch dial, laughed out loud, “Childish.”
She suddenly hugged his body, her chin resting on his broad shoulder, “Brother Mo Chen, I know you don’t trust me.”
“…”
“I won’t go back anymore, I don’t want to go back, I like being with you.”
Mo Chen’s arm clasped around her slender waist, his voice deep and stern, “Don’t disappoint me again.”
“Okay.” She stepped away from his embrace, looking at the watch, “I spent all my savings to customize this watch for you, and you just said ‘not bad’? How disappointing…”
The man frowned, “You spent all your savings?”
“I had it customized at the headquarters, it was already quite expensive, I’m not a heartless little brat,” she muttered quietly.
Mo Chen’s long fingers tickled her chin as though teasing a little kitten, “Little Ghost, you’ve grown up.”
“I grew up a long time ago, it’s you who always treated me like a child,” which was why she always felt incapable of being independent.
His gaze fell on her chest, he chuckled lowly, his tone indulgent, “Hmm, you’ve grown a bit more recently.”
Qiao Ruoxin glanced down following his gaze, her sparkling eyes glaring at him in anger, “Pervert!”
His low chuckle in response, he handed the watch to her, “Help Brother Mo Chen put it on.”
Chapter 155: Butterflies in the Stomach Qiao Ruoxin picked up the watch and, with great focus and care, fastened it around the man’s wrist.
All the while, Mo Chen was staring at her, as if he was trying to see right through her.
His dark eyes held depths like the ocean, the corners of his lips curling into a slight arc.
His memories drifted back to when Qiao Ruoxin was 12.
This little troublemaker had snatched a book from one of her male classmates in a mischievous act, her youthful voice taunting, “I’m not giving it back to you! What can you do about it? Meh meh meh…”
Watching this scene, he had let out a light chuckle at the time.
Such a pretty little devil…
He had felt a surge of the desire to take her in hand.
After Qiao Ruoxin finished helping the man with the watch, she noticed he was staring at her intently.
She couldn’t help but call out, “Mo Chen, what are you thinking about?”
Mo Chen gazed at her moist, parting lips, his eyes darkening further. It had been four days since he last kissed her.
The next second, his hand, now wearing the watch, caught Qiao Ruoxin’s head from behind, and he leaned down to kiss her.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened, her pupils reflecting the man’s handsome features. As she watched him absorbed in the kiss, there was a sense of sexiness emanating from him.
Her long eyelashes fluttered, then she closed her eyes, her slender fingers gripping the man’s suit jacket tightly.
Suddenly, the corners of her mouth lifted.
She remembered the first time Mo Chen kissed her, how he had stared at her for half an hour and then asked, “Little Ghost, can your brother kiss you?”
In that moment, her heart had skipped a beat, realizing that this feeling, combined with the summer night’s chirping of the cicadas, is what they call butterflies in the stomach.
When the kiss ended, she lay panting on the man’s shoulder.
Mo Chen’s deep raspy voice sounded in her ear, “Wash off the makeup, then take a bath and go to sleep.”
She frowned, “What about you? Aren’t you sleeping?”
“This watch isn’t water-resistant; I’m not going to bathe, so no sleep.”
“????”
What kind of logic is that?
Qiao Ruoxin felt like her brain was struggling to follow.
“You’re going to wear it all night?”
The man’s arms encircled her slender waist, his low voice full of indulgence, “Mm…”
“…”
He was, after all, the son of Asia’s wealthiest man. What grandeur hadn’t he seen? Was he really making such a fuss over a watch?
Moreover, this watch she presented was definitely the cheapest one among all the watches Mo Chen owned.
“Go to sleep; don’t disturb me.”
Mo Chen pushed the woman in his arms away with an indifferent expression.
Qiao Ruoxin’s mouth twitched. What kind of ultimate jerk was this?
She turned and left the study. She did need to go to bed early; she had girl group duties tomorrow, especially since she had debuted in the center position.
As the door of the study closed, Mo Chen’s gaze fell on the watch on his wrist.
This Little Ghost did have some aesthetic sense; he could wear it often.
The smile at the corner of his mouth grew more pronounced as his long fingers clasped the watch face, looking at the heart engraved on it. It was a cliché design, but stylishly done.
Just then, his phone chimed with a new message, a Weibo hot search notification.
Mo Chen glanced at it with a disinterested expression, which quickly turned to anger.
[#Lu Xingyu Qiao Ruoxin Collaborative Stage Performance# tops the hot search!]
Tonight was the last episode of “Idol 101,” the debut night performance.
The man picked up his phone, swiped the screen, and made a call, his voice cold, “Take down Qiao Ruoxin’s trending topic.”
After hanging up, he suddenly felt deflated.
Just thinking about the night he saw Qiao Ruoxin and Lu Xingyu’s intimate dance moves on stage, his eyes were nothing but disdainful.
Chapter 156: Lu Xingyu and Qiao Ruoxin’s Collaborative Performance Tops the Hot Search! #LuXingyuQiaoRuoxinCollabStage# tops the trending search!
The topic has reached 200 million views, with discussions hitting a million comments.
Their stage performance direct-cam video has reached 50 million views.
[Ahhh! What kind of celestial CP is this! They are so compatible! Just get married right there and then! Thank you!]
[Wait! I’ll move the Civil Affairs Bureau here for you to register your marriage! Don’t you dare move!]
[Bro and sis are way too perfect for each other! Bro’s gaze at Qiao sis is so charming!]
[Does anyone have their edited video? I must ship this CP! Raise the banner of ‘RuoxinXingyuStarWish’ CP!]
[Qiao sis is our Mo ge’s! Our ‘ChenxinWishful’ CP is the real deal! Stop shipping fake sugar!]
[To the person above, how about you stop shipping expired sweetness, huh! Mo ge and Qiao sis are history, did you think nobody saw the video where your Mo ge pushed Qiao sis away?]
[Seeing the sour grapes makes me laugh so hard! Fans of Qiao Ruoxin, stop dreaming, it’s just a professional relationship, okay! Don’t drag my bro into it! Can you afford his appearance fee?]
[Lu Xingyu’s look at Qiao sis is truly different, when will you fans face the fact that idols also want to date? You think your bro is a monk?]
[There’s definitely something fishy between these two! I’m laughing like a loon…the whole time…]
[Lu Xingyu fans, don’t go too far! You may look down on us, but we look down on you too! Our Qiao sis’s ex-boyfriend is Mo ge! She has high standards!]
[Mortal Princess Qiao Ruoxin, just loves to seduce men everywhere, yeah right! Every man in the world loves you! Sooner or later you’ll crash and burn.]
[The person above must be a Kong Ling fan! Everyone, just report them directly!]
[Fans of Mortal Princess, don’t drag my bro into this! He’s currently on a new variety show, no disturbing, please!]
[I heard some gossip, the girl group Qiao Ruoxin is in, is going to record the fifth episode of Lu Xingyu’s variety show! Seems like the production team plans to hype up their CP!]
[Xingyu baby, don’t look at her! Mommy doesn’t allow it! You’re still young, career first!]
…
The next day, early in the morning.
Qiao Ruoxin got out of bed, yawned, and stretched lazily.
She finished washing up in the bathroom and was about to go to the walk-in closet to change, but then she remembered Mo Chen said he wouldn’t sleep.
She turned and left the bedroom, heading towards the study.
Upon pushing the door open, she looked around the study but didn’t find that scumbag’s figure anywhere.
Huh?
Did he already go to work?
Leaving the study, Ruoxin heard the sound of a TV coming from downstairs.
She descended in her bathrobe to the living room and found Mo Ye leaning on the couch like an emperor, watching TV, but… with a stinking expression on his face.
The TV was replaying the last episode of “Idol 101” – the debut night!
Ruoxin stiffened, quietly turned around to head upstairs; the dance she performed with Lu Xingyu was as intimate as it could get.
Just as she turned, a lazy yet terrifying voice came from behind her, “Come here.”
She reluctantly walked over to the couch, where Mo Chen was staring at the TV screen and commanded, “Sit.”
“Mo Chen bro, why did you start watching this? It’s getting late, aren’t you going to the company?”
“I’ll go after I finish watching.”
“…”
Right now, Ruoxin felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, not knowing where to set her gaze.
Suddenly!
The familiar voice of the host came from the TV.
“Coming up next, the stage collaboration you’ve all been waiting for—Mentor Lu Xingyu and our Mortal Princess Qiao Ruoxin! What kind of chemistry will these two create? Stay tuned…already trending…”
Chapter 157: You’re the Sugar Daddy, You Call the Shots! It was finally her turn with Lu Xingyu!
Fine beads of sweat began to form on her sleek, fair forehead.
So awkward…
Qiao Ruoxin stood up, “Um, I need to change and leave, I have a magazine cover to shoot today, I’m in a hurry…”
As she turned to escape, she didn’t expect to be suddenly yanked back by the man’s powerful arm.
His tall, heavy body pinned her down on the couch, leaving her unable to move.
Mo Chen’s dark eyes stared at her as he said in a deep voice, “Are you that ashamed of watching your own performance?”
“You…”
Just then, her intimate dance movements with Lu Xingyu that night reappeared on the TV.
The man glanced over and tightened his grip on her waist.
“Little Ghost, you like that type?”
“Absolutely not! That was just a collaborative stage performance.” At this moment, her will to survive had to be strong!
The man’s voice was filled with danger, “You were even closer during rehearsals, weren’t you?”
“…”
Mo Chen’s eyebrows slightly raised, “Not speaking?”
The next second, he made a move to reach under her skirt.
“No! Don’t do that!” Qiao Ruoxin, frightened, grabbed his mischievous hand.
He scoffed disdainfully with a cold laugh, “If you don’t answer properly, I might as well take you right here and now, since the nanny will be here soon anyway.”
Damn! Man! Dog!
“Can you have some shame! I even gifted you a watch last night!”
Mo Chen: “Men are more prone to losing control in the morning, and besides, I’m running out of patience.”
“I…”
Her hesitancy irritated Mo Chen even more, and he prepared to rip off her nightgown.
Panic whitened her face, “I’ll talk talk talk! Rehearsals can go wrong, so… it was just a few hugs, that’s all.”
She definitely didn’t have the fetish to live stream in front of the nanny!
Finally, Mo Chen stopped his threatening movements and spoke in a deep voice, “Little Ghost, no bed scenes, no kissing scenes, no close scenes, you’re not allowed to take any.”
“Fine, fine, fine, you’re the sugar daddy, you make the rules!”
At that moment, the door opened.
The nanny walked in.
Mo Chen finally let her go and slowly stood up, glancing indifferently at her on the couch, “I’m going to take a shower, change clothes, and go to work.”
Watching his retreating figure, Qiao Ruoxin breathed a sigh of relief.
Such a bad, domineering man!
…
At the magazine photo shoot.
All the girl group members were waiting for Qiao Ruoxin’s arrival, she was the only one missing, said to be stuck in traffic.
Kong Ling was eyeing today’s magazine shoot wardrobe.
She fell in love with a dress, so beautiful she couldn’t let go, touching it over and over again.
A staff member reminded her, “This one is for Qiao Ruoxin, the brand specifically asked for her to wear it; yours is over there.”
Kong Ling’s fingertips halted instantly, it was Qiao Ruoxin’s again!
Then, she forced a bitter smile, that’s right, she was the center position, the best resources would always fall on her.
At that time, Qiao Ruoxin finally arrived.
“Sorry, so sorry, I was stuck in traffic for a long time, today I’ll buy coffee for everyone!” Qiao Ruoxin bowed slightly apologetically to the staff.
The staff were quite forgiving, smiling at her to show they didn’t mind.
Then, Qiao Ruoxin took her clothes and prepared to go and get dressed and styled.
Kong Ling could only watch as the dress was taken away by Qiao Ruoxin.
…
The magazine photo shoot lasted all morning, and at lunchtime, everyone gathered to eat.
Qiao Ruoxin received a phone call, “Hello, who’s this?”
“Ruoxin, it’s me, Xiaomi, don’t forget about the class reunion tonight, you’re a center now since you debuted, you won’t ignore us, will you?”
Xiaomi?
She couldn’t help but narrow her eyes slightly; two years ago, when she and Mo Chen broke up, Xiaomi had been quite instrumental.
While Mo Chen was busy at work, Xiaomi kept whispering in her ear that this was a man’s way of showing he wanted to break up, advising her to give up and so on.
Chapter 158: The Class Reunion Where They Set a Trap for Her Qiao Ruoxin chuckled lightly, “How could that be? I’ll definitely arrive on time in the evening, please send me the time and address.”
“Sure, no problem, we’re all waiting for you.”
After hanging up the phone.
Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to two years ago.
Mo Chen suddenly disappeared for a month, merely contacting her through phone and WeChat. She was quite young and it was her first time in love, with little experience.
So Xiaomi kept telling her: This is how men behave when they want to break up, giving you face so that you would take the initiative to give up.
And she brainwashed her every day, making her feel like she was being toyed with by a jerk.
In a fit of anger, she started to make a fuss about breaking up.
She would never, ever be the one who is dumped in a relationship! Never!
…
Evening.
Qiao Ruoxin changed into a black velvet camisole top, paired with light-colored denim shorts.
Her romantic, gently curled long hair made her delicate face even more charming and enticing.
She was led by the waiter to the luxurious private room, and just as she was about to enter, she overheard the conversation of her classmates inside.
It was sarcastic and filled with mockery.
“Do you think Qiao Ruoxin’s top ranking is real? It can’t be a behind-the-scenes manipulation, right?”
“Most likely it’s behind-the-scenes. Didn’t you see the video of her chasing after Mo Chen during ‘Idol 101,’ the third or fourth season? She was pushed away by Mo Chen twice, hahaha… If it were me, I couldn’t show my face.”
“How else would you explain her suitability for the entertainment industry? To make it there, you have to be shameless.”
“I told her back then, how could Mo Chen take her seriously? He was just toying with her, ready to throw her away when he’s had enough.”
“Now that Mo Chen pushed her away, he’s clearly not interested in her. So, who is she clinging to now to get the top spot?”
“Who knows? Some high-level executive at Hengzhong Film Company, maybe.”
“She used to strut around, the girlfriend of Asia’s richest son, tsk tsk, now she’s an ex-girlfriend who still has to ride on his coattails to debut, hahaha…”
“She’s had it too easy all along, it was about time she faced some setbacks. I mean, how could life be so unfair that everything good happens to Qiao Ruoxin?”
“Let’s tease her together tonight. She’ll definitely brag about getting back with Mo Chen, and we’ll make her call him on the spot. I want to see her embarrass herself, hahaha…”
“Haha, judging by Mo Chen’s annoyed look in the video, he probably avoids her like the plague now. He’d have to be a ghost to pick up her phone call!”
Huh…
These were her classmates.
A cold smirk appeared at the corner of Qiao Ruoxin’s mouth as she walked into the private room.
Upon seeing her, everyone instantly put on another face.
“Ruoxin, you’ve finally come, we’ve all been waiting for you, you’re so beautiful now, truly star quality!”
Xiaomi was the first to approach her, pulling her to sit down on a chair at the huge dining table.
Qiao Ruoxin gave a faint smile, “I’m sorry, I was a bit busy with work today. I’m not late, am I?”
“Not at all, it’s worth the wait for you. Out of our class of 17, you’re the only one who made it into the entertainment industry, and you’ve become quite a star. You are our pride!”
She too put on a falsely sweet smile, “You all flatter me too much, I’m really embarrassed.”
With all 17 classmates being women, it was truly a spectacle.
Seeing the dazzling aura of Qiao Ruoxin now, degrees of jealousy could be seen in everyone’s eyes.
Especially since she was currently in the limelight, her popularity could rival that of the top male celebrities.
While the others had long lost touch with the entertainment industry, working ordinary jobs and leading ordinary lives, feeling extremely unbalanced inside, although they had all started from the same point.
Chapter 159: Going to Pick Up My Treasure Late at night.
Inside the KTV private room.
“Haha, Ruoxin, you lost again, truth or dare?” Xiaomi said with schadenfreude, pointing at her and laughing.
How could she not lose when a whole group of people were ganging up on her in the game?
Qiao Ruoxin smiled calmly and lightly, “Dare.”
What truths were there to tell with this crowd?
As expected, Xiaomi couldn’t wait to make things difficult for her, “Call your ex-boyfriend and call him ‘brother’!”
“…”
Had they all decided that she and Mo Chen couldn’t get back together?
Everyone was barely holding back their laughter, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Qiao Ruoxin put on a troubled expression, “Let’s not do that, he’s quite busy, I don’t want to disturb him.”
Seeing her embarrassed and awkward, their vengeful hearts were greatly satisfied.
“No way, Ruoxin, you can’t cheat after losing a game.”
“But, knowing Mo Chen’s temper, wouldn’t he just blow up on the spot? He’s known for being hot-headed.”
“I don’t think so, he should still give face to an ex-girlfriend, right?”
A dozen pairs of eyes were staring at her, anticipating her humiliating herself.
Qiao Ruoxin reluctantly took out her phone, “Fine, I’ll call, but if he doesn’t pick up, it doesn’t count as me cheating, right?”
Xiaomi urged her, “Hurry up, hurry up! Put it on speaker!”
She dialed Mo Chen’s number, and after three rings, the call connected.
Her soft, clear voice called out, “Mo Chen brother…”
The entire room held its breath, waiting for Mo Chen to ‘snap’ and hang up, or to curse with foul language, but…
From the other end of the phone came a man’s deep and lazy voice, “Hmm?”
???
Everyone’s face was filled with confusion.
Why did he sound so gentle???
Qiao Ruoxin glanced at everyone’s shocked faces and let out a light chuckle, “Come and pick me up, I want to go home.”
“Text me the address.”
“Mhm, bring me a bottle of water when you come, I’m thirsty. Make it chilled.”
“Room temperature, your period is about to start.”
“…”
The smile froze on her lips.
Everyone in the room was stiff-faced, too—were they so close already, had they gotten back together???
Qiao Ruoxin hung up the phone.
Everyone had a variety of expressions, looking extremely uncomfortable, and a deathly silence fell over the room.
“Ruoxin, have you and… Mo Chen already gotten back together? What about that video that was circulating online, of Mo Chen pushing you away…”
“Just some playful banter, normal interaction between couples.”
After speaking, she slowly stood up, “You all keep playing, I’m leaving first.”
Then, without looking back, she left the room, leaving the group to ruminate on the meaning of ‘shooting oneself in the foot’.
…
Inside Mansion No. 7.
Bai Junyan held up a glass of orange juice and fed it to Lan Ke, cautioning gently, “Baby, drink slowly.”
“Thank you, darling~”
On the single-person sofa, Mo Chen had just ended the call when he caught sight of this sweet and affectionate scene.
Baby?
It was a term he had never used before.
Maybe women liked it?
The next second, he stood up, picking up his suit jacket that was lying beside him.
Bai Junyan couldn’t help but ask, “Where are you going?”
The man didn’t turn around, his voice lazy as he dropped a line, “To pick up my ‘baby’.”
The moment the door closed, Lan Ke spit out a mouthful of juice, her face the picture of disbelief, “What did he just say? ‘Baby’?”
It was fresh indeed—to hear those words come from Mo Chen’s mouth.
Bai Junyan muttered, “He’s gone mad, completely mad.”
Chapter 160: How did I end up falling for a woman like you who doesn’t understand romance! Qiao Ruoxin wore a black baseball cap, afraid of being recognized by fans, but it should be hard to tell in the evening.
She stood at the edge of the street, waiting for the arrival of the great Mo.
Suddenly, a black Rolls-Royce Ghost pulled up in front of her.
The man pushed open the car door, holding a bottle of water, walked over to her, and even twisted off the cap for her.
“Thank you, Brother Mo Chen.”
She smiled sweetly, took the water, and drank two gulps.
Mo Chen stared at her, the image of Bai Junyan and Lan Ke clinging to each other flashing through his mind.
With an extremely awkward and stiff tone, he called out in a deep voice, “Baby…”
“Pfft—”
Before she could finish speaking, Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t hold back and sprayed water all over Mo’s incredibly handsome face.
The man watched with wide eyes as she sprayed him, water droplets slowly falling down his jawline.
The scene was incredibly awkward for a moment.
Qiao Ruoxin instinctively took out a tissue, wiping the water off his face: “Sorry… I’m sorry, Brother Mo Chen, I didn’t mean to!”
She looked at the man’s tense and handsome face, his whole body seemed to be simmering with anger, his gaze fierce.
Mo Chen said through gritted teeth in a low voice, “I really want to kill you! It’s only because it’s you. If it had been someone else, I would have screwed their head off and used it as a ball today!”
This was the first time in his life he had been sprayed in the face.
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but chuckle, wiping his face while trying to suppress her laughter, “It wasn’t on purpose. Why did you suddenly… ”
“…”
What did he do?
Was it just calling her baby?
Was such a strong reaction necessary?
Mo Chen stared intently at her little face, his slender fingers suddenly grasping her chin, forcing her to look directly at him, “Don’t you like it? Don’t women like gentle men?”
“It’s not that, the words ‘gentle’ don’t suit you…”
She really wanted to laugh, feeling as if she was going to burst from holding it in.
Can you imagine the shock you’d feel if a hot-tempered Mo suddenly called you baby?
Goosebumps all over, it was terrifying.
“Then what would you like me to call you? Little heart? Sweetheart? Darling?”
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t hold back her laughter, “That’s disgusting, none of those! They’re utterly vulgar!”
The man’s face turned extremely ugly, and his grip on her chin tightened, “How did I come to fall for a woman like you who’s clueless about romance!”
After saying that, he rudely let go of her chin and shouted angrily, “Get in the car!”
Qiao Ruoxin suddenly felt much more comfortable; this was the Mo Chen she knew…
And who’s the one clueless about romance, anyway?
The more she thought about it, the funnier it became. She carefully opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.
As the car slowly drove away, she stole a glance at the man beside her, “Brother Mo Chen, are you still angry?”
“Hmm…”
Mo Chen was sitting with a stony face, seemingly not in the mood to pay her any attention.
“Why did you suddenly call me what… baby, who taught you that? Was it Bai Junyan?”
In her memory, it was Bai Junyan who liked to use that tacky nickname the most.
“…”
Mo Chen’s handsome face tensed up, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.
Perhaps, it wasn’t that Little Ghost detested the nickname, but the lack of affection she felt for him, which made her find it disgusting.
He had seen too many men calling their women ‘baby’, and those women seemed to enjoy it.
Only Qiao Ruoxin had sprayed his face with water and found it repulsive and tacky, didn’t she?
The darkness in his eyes deepened a few shades more.
Sweet nothings required mutual affection to be appreciated, otherwise… they only felt disgusting.
It was as if his heart had torn another millimeter.