Ch. 191..200
Chapter 191: No Need to be Afraid With Big Brother Around, Okay? Mo Chen held her as he returned to the car, casting a fleeting glance at the driver, who silently closed the door and waited outside.
“Little Ghost, you seem really scared of that trash.”
The man gripped her slender waist, embracing her in his arms, studying her gaze.
Qiao Ruoxin suddenly felt panicked, “I… not at all, I’m not scared…”
His long fingers clasped Qiao Ruoxin’s chin, “No? Have you done something guilty with him?”
“No! I just find him annoying, always pestering me endlessly and causing trouble for you.”
The man stared at her in silence for a few seconds, then soothed her in a low voice, “You don’t have to be afraid with brother here, hm?”
Feeling aggrieved, Qiao Ruoxin pouted and hugged the man’s neck, resting her chin on his broad shoulders, “Hm… I’m not scared of him, with you here.”
Simon was the shadow lurking in her heart, sending shivers down her spine at the mere thought of him.
She was just afraid that Simon would spout nonsense in front of Mo Chen whose temper was so explosive.
Mo Chen’s lips curled into a smile as he stroked her head, his voice lazy and sensual, “Good girl…”
…
So, the next few days were indeed peaceful; Lin Xi was recovering from her injuries in the hospital, and Simon stopped calling.
As if the world had settled into peace, yet there lingered a subtle unease in the air, as though it heralded something ominous.
At dusk, she arrived at Shuian Huating, Lan Ke’s home.
They sat in the rattan chairs on the balcony, gazing at the dark night sky dotted with only a few stars.
“Ake, congratulations on your pregnancy.”
Lan Ke smiled faintly, “You should hurry up too. I think Mr. Mo would probably really like a little baby. An irritable papa bear, imagining it is quite funny.”
She shook her head, “I have an agreement with Mrs. Mo. We’ll go public with our relationship with Mo Chen after a year, and only then can we consider marriage.”
“How could you agree to such a demand? Does Mo Chen know?”
“He doesn’t know.”
Lan Ke leaned back, “Ruoxin baby, you’ve grown up, able to withstand the pressure by yourself.”
“Was I really that silly before?”
“You were just too well-protected, a delicate little princess. And then, when you were 12, Mr. Mo took an interest in you. He protected you from the shadows too. Otherwise, do you think someone looking like you would only start dating at seventeen or eighteen?”
Qiao Ruoxin was taken aback, finally realizing, “No wonder my luck with the opposite sex has been so poor, he’s been pulling strings? Starting from when I was 12?”
Damn!
This explosive and scheming beast!
Lan Ke couldn’t help but chuckle, “So, Mr. Mo has coveted you for many years, he won’t give up easily.”
She chuckled along, finding the thought rather sweet.
“Ruoxin, I can understand your inner struggle, after all, nobody knows how painful the sting is until it’s on their own flesh.”
Qiao Ruoxin let out a soft sigh and extended her wrist, “Ake, do you see this?”
“What… When did this happen?” Lan Ke looked intently for a while before finally noticing the faint scar, filled with shock.
The gentle breeze wafted through her soft hair as she spoke, “About two years ago, my mom showed me news of Mo Chen’s scandal, then locked me in a room with my stepfather’s son…”
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
“Did something happen?” Lan Ke asked cautiously.
Chapter 192: I’ll go find him! Qiao Ruoxin spoke in a very faint tone, as if she were talking about someone else’s business.
“My mother wanted me to give up on Mo Chen, and that night, I was really disappointed in the whole world. I locked myself in the bathroom and then slit my wrists, but was found…”
It was that night when she wrote the name Mo Chen on the bathroom wall with blood, filled with hatred and despair.
Her mind was collapsing.
After being discovered, she was sent to the hospital, and from that time on, Simon dared not approach her for at least half a year.
Lan Ke: “…”
Mist was already forming in her beautiful eyes.
“At that time, I was especially desperate. My mom treated me this way, and so did Mo Chen. Am I really disposable?”
Lan Ke got up and sat beside her, embracing her: “Silly girl, how can you think like that!”
“Ake, do you know? I realized then how painful it is to share a room with a man you dislike, a million times more painful than I had imagined!”
“…” Lan Ke’s eyes were filled with pity.
Qiao Ruoxin leaned on Lan Ke’s shoulder and whispered softly: “I always said I was kidnapped, but none of you believed me, yet my daily range of activity was only that estate. This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to run away, but only this time was successful.”
“If your escape attempts failed before, would they punish you?”
“Yes, they would tie me to the bed, and that pervert would feed me personally, disgusting!”
Just thinking of those scenes, Qiao Ruoxin now felt a nauseating urge to vomit.
Lan Ke felt a sense of suffocation upon hearing this and tenderly stroked her head: “Poor little thing, you’ve suffered so much, so you have to hold on tight to Mr. Mo, only he can protect you.”
She slowly stood up and stood in front of the railing, allowing the cool night breeze to clear her mind.
She didn’t want to recall those two years anymore, each memory was a torment, a nightmare.
Lan Ke sighed as she looked at her lonely figure.
…
Inside the car.
The bodyguard drove her to the Mo Family Estate.
“Why go to the estate?”
Bodyguard: “When Mr. and Mrs. Mo are not home, they ask Mr. Mo to stay there.”
“Oh…”
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Qiao Ruoxin picked up the phone to see, it must be Simon calling.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She had thought Simon would never call again, but…
The sensation was like encountering a ghost in the middle of the Hungry Ghost Festival, eerie and horrifying.
She answered the call but remained silent, gazing outside the car window.
“Baby, why aren’t you talking? Your ex-boyfriend has caused me so much trouble, and you’re silent?”
“Men’s affairs, I don’t involve myself.”
“Oh? So what do you mean by letting Mo Chen abduct Jiang Ruolin?”
Her eyes widened incredulously.
Mo Chen said he was sending someone to the United States to take care of Simon, but he actually kidnapped Jiang Ruolin?
Could it be that he already knew about Jiang Ruolin and Simon’s relationship?
Qiao Ruoxin laughed lightly: “So it’s your longtime goddess who was kidnapped, and that’s why you’re so angry? Shouldn’t you hurry to save her?”
“Baby, wait until I get things sorted out here in the United States, and see how I’ll deal with you.”
“Heh…”
She scoffed disdainfully and hung up the phone.
Suddenly, she was in a very good mood!
The car slowly entered the Mo Family Estate, and her lips unconsciously curled up.
The butler opened the car door for her, and she asked cheerfully: “Where’s Mr. Mo? Is he here?”
“Mr. Mo just got back, he should be in the bedroom taking a shower.”
“I’m going to find him!”
Qiao Ruoxin turned and walked towards the villa, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
Chapter 193: Do You Think Brother is Very Perverted? Inside the bedroom.
As the bathroom door opened, Mo Chen, clad in a black robe, walked out, his collar open to reveal his sexy chest and abs.
His short hair in front was still dripping water, oozing a kind of indescribable sexiness.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open.
A slender figure threw herself at him, her voice sweet and tender, “Big brother Mo Chen!”
The tall man’s body was nudged by this soft body and took a step back, but his long arm still caught her slim waist.
He looked down at this Little Ghost and said in a deep voice, “This happy?”
Little Ghost was brimming with a jubilant aura all over.
Qiao Ruoxin looked up, smiling sweetly, “Of course I’m happy. How are you so amazing? You actually got Jiang Ruolin kidnapped? Did you find out about her relationship with Simon?”
Mo Chen scoffed disdainfully, a sneer in his deep voice, “Is that hard?”
He had long wondered why Qiao Ruoxin knew Jiang Ruolin and seemed to have known her for a long time.
She laughed innocently like a child, “Anyway, I just think big brother Mo Chen is so amazing!”
The man’s slender fingers pinched her chin, “If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve dealt with him long ago!”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin wrapped her slim arms tightly around the man’s body, resting her cheek against his chest, “Big brother Mo Chen, you’ve liked me for many years, haven’t you…”
The man’s body stiffened slightly, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his handsome face as he pushed her away.
“Who said that? No.”
A smile crept across her lips as she teasingly provoked the rogue, “Really? No? Didn’t you say you met me when I was twelve?”
Mo Chen took a sip of water and evaded with a deep voice, “I only saw you as a kid back then.”
How could he admit he’d liked Qiao Ruoxin since she was twelve?
Wouldn’t that make him a pervert?
“Oh… I see. Then why did you have someone secretly protect me? You’ve been waiting for me to come of age, haven’t you?”
She felt she was very close to the truth!
Damn man, just admit it!
Mo Chen choked on his water, “Cough cough…”
He put the glass aside and walked towards the terrace, “I’m going to smoke. Don’t follow me!”
His tall silhouette was etched with awkwardness.
Qiao Ruoxin shouted after his retreating back, “I’m going to follow you! I’m coming over! I’m really coming over!”
She intentionally followed the man out to the terrace, standing beside him at the railing.
“If you like me, just admit it. Why won’t you?”
Mo Chen lit a cigarette and placed it between his lips, exhaling smoke that obscured his handsome features.
He glanced at the pretentious Little Ghost beside him, his voice lazy and deep, “Do you think your brother is a pervert?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s smile froze for a moment, then she shook her head, “No, not at all.”
The man chuckled lowly, flicking ash from the cigarette between his fingers, “Back then, I wasn’t thinking that much.”
She waited for the rest of Master Mo’s words.
“I just thought you were fun.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, “Then having someone secretly protect me?”
If it wasn’t for Lan Ke spilling the beans, she might never have known.
Mo Chen: “…”
His eyebrows raised slightly, “How did you know? Who told you?”
“I won’t tell you~” She snorted arrogantly, turning her head away to gaze at the scenery within the estate.
The man laughed out loud, affectionately stroking her cheek, “Silly girl!”
Chapter 194: Because You Don’t Want to See Me Give My First Love to Someone Else “You still haven’t told me,” she insisted, her eyes brimming with anticipation. “Why did you have someone protect me in secret?”
His expression was serious as he said in a deep voice, “I don’t know.”
Indeed, even he didn’t know why he had done that at the time.
He was studying abroad, and would only return during the New Year, but he still had someone protect Little Ghost in secret.
Although the time he could see Qiao Ruoxin each year was only during the winter and summer holidays.
In the years when he was studying abroad, he would not return home for the summer, but after he met Qiao Ruoxin, he began to come back during the summers.
“Don’t know?”
“Hmm… I suppose it was just that I felt like doing it, so I followed my heart’s desire and did it.”
Qiao Ruoxin deliberately stepped closer to him and looked up. “Because you didn’t want to see me give my first love to someone else, right?”
The man looked down at her and was silent for a few seconds before responding softly, “Hmm…”
He gazed at the exquisite and beautiful little face before him, which was better looking than when she was in her teens, and more spirited, but her personality hadn’t changed at all.
Little Ghost actually had many shortcomings—she had strong self-esteem, was proud and tsundere, and also had some tendencies to seek death in various ways.
However, these were all traits he liked.
A woman who was too obedient was boring.
Little Ghost matched all his fantasies of a woman, which was why he fell each time he saw her.
Mo Chen watched himself fall every single time.
The stillness of the late night, a gentle breeze caressed the air.
“Little Ghost, come here and hug me,” the man’s voice was tender and lingering in the night.
Qiao Ruoxin stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the man’s tall body. She rose onto her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, “Mo Chen brother, let me tell you a secret…”
He frowned slightly, waiting for what Qiao Ruoxin would say next.
“I watched your growth record video, and I think if the 12-year-old me had met you back then, I might have fallen for you too.”
Then, the man’s smile grew broader.
Qiao Ruoxin thought her girlish romance had touched him, and she beamed with satisfaction.
The next second, the scoundrel slapped her pert buttocks without any hesitation, “Don’t give me that crap!”
“Ah! Why did you smack my butt!” She couldn’t help but cry out; it really hurt! He had slapped her hard!
Mo Chen grabbed her chin and his sudden rage burst forth, he gritted his teeth and said, “You just brushed past me back then, without even glancing in my direction! Are you kidding me?”
“…”
Uh…
“That… must have been because you weren’t dressed cool enough that day, not enough to catch my attention,” she retorted.
The man’s face darkened a shade, and he slapped her buttocks again, “I was decked out in limited edition gear from head to toe! What else did you want me to wear?”
“…”
She just wanted to be romantic for a bit, how did it turn into this?
Qiao Ruoxin laughed awkwardly, “Mo Chen brother, back then I probably… forget it, let’s just move on.”
Trying to be genuinely romantic with this dog of a man was hopeless!
Such a steel-hearted guy!
Mo Chen looked at her resigned little expression and let out a pleased chuckle, hugging her soft body.
“Little Ghost, let’s get married.”
At these words, Qiao Ruoxin’s whole body stiffened.
“…”
The prolonged silence made the man’s face turn extremely unpleasant, his voice grew icy, “You accepted my proposal, don’t you want to marry me?”
“Wasn’t it agreed that we would only make our relationship public after a year? You promised me…”
Mo Chen’s dark eyes momentarily widened in surprise, almost forgetting about this.
And that trash in the United States hadn’t been dealt with completely, just before taking a shower, he received a call that Jiang Ruolin’s hiding spot had been found.
Chapter 195: Coaxing Grandpa Mo to Eat Qiao Ruoxin stared at his seductive jawline and suddenly asked, “Mo Chen, have you gained weight?”
“Hmm, one pound.”
!!!
She worked so hard to make sure he ate well and slept well, and he only gained one pound?
“Just one pound? What’s the matter with you!” She felt inexplicably a bit angry.
Mo Chen looked at her puffed-up little face and laughed teasingly, “Who was it the night before last? You drained quite a bit of my energy.”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin’s cheeks quickly flushed a shade of crimson: “It was clearly you!”
This shameless man!
The man chuckled lowly, his laughter filled with indulgence and pleasure as his dark eyes seemed to reminisce about that night.
And she got angry just thinking about that night, “Were you determined to die on top of me? Why so rough?”
Relentless, to the point of being an extreme pervert.
Mo Chen: “…”
Did he? He couldn’t remember.
“Mo Chen, let’s go have some late-night snacks!”
No way! She absolutely had to get Mo Chen to put on more weight!
His current weight was still a bit too thin.
The man frowned slightly, “The chefs have already left for the day.”
“Then shall we go out to eat?”
“Are you sure?”
“…”
If they were to go out, they might get surrounded by her fans. Qiao Ruoxin is currently very popular, with a high number of casual fans as well.
Qiao Ruoxin still wouldn’t give up, “Then… how about ordering takeout?”
The man burst out laughing, his long fingers pinching her tender cheek, “Little Ghost, you sure takeout can get delivered here?”
Qiao Ruoxin then realized, this was the Mo Family Estate, far from the city.
The next second, Mo Chen picked her up and tossed her onto the soft, big bed, then leaned over her.
She couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.
“What are you doing!”
The man pinned her beneath him, his hands beginning to mischievously tug at her clothes, “Little Ghost, I’d rather eat you than have a meal.”
“…”
She had always known that Mr. Mo had strong desires, but this was too much!
“Get up, you’re not hungry, but I am!”
“Exercise helps with sleep, and if you sleep, you won’t feel hungry, right?”
Qiao Ruoxin was speechless, this shameless man was really good at arguing.
“I’m hungry! I want to eat! I don’t care!” she struggled, trying to sit up.
The man lay on the bed somewhat helplessly, a hint of disappointment on his handsome face, letting her sit up.
Qiao Ruoxin picked up the man’s phone and dialed Xiaowu’s number, then directly instructed, “Xiaowu, go buy me some late-night snacks. I’ll text you what I want to eat.”
After hanging up the phone, she turned and glanced at the man lying on the bed, looking unsatisfied.
She couldn’t help but chuckle and leaned on the man’s chest, “If you behave and finish your meal later, there’ll be a special reward.”
Mo Chen’s eyebrows rose slightly, his voice lazy and sexy, “Qiao Ruoxin, you’re seducing me.”
“Let’s say I am.”
He grasped her slender waist and lowered his voice, “Let’s see how I deal with you tonight!”
“…” She couldn’t help but retort, “Do you get a sense of achievement by ‘dealing with me’ or what?”
The man’s lips curled up, his long fingers playing with her hair, “Why don’t you call me daddy and see?”
Damn! Even more perverted!
Qiao Ruoxin pushed him away, “What’s with you guys and this weird liking for being called daddy? What kind of kink is that?”
As she was about to get up, Mo Chen grabbed her slender waist again, his voice cooling slightly, “What do you mean ‘you guys’? Who else have you called daddy?”
“…”
Chapter 196: It’s Really Sweet Mo Chen suddenly sat up, staring at her little face, and gritted his teeth, “Qiao Ruoxin, don’t tell me that piece of trash also made you call him ‘Daddy’!”
“No!” She vehemently denied it!
This man’s imagination was too rich.
Qiao Ruoxin added, “What are you thinking about? How could that be possible!”
The man slightly narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her facial expression for anything abnormal.
“Then how do you know about it?”
“Uh… just from going online, you know. Many girls share their dating experiences on the internet.”
Mo Chen’s brows revealed a trace of disgust: “Women these days share these things online? Do they share their experiences in bed too?”
“You think everyone is like you!” Her frustration made her laugh. This man’s train of thought was indeed unique.
“Little Ghost, have you ever shared your dating experiences online?”
Hehehehehe…
Qiao Ruoxin felt that if she ever shared her dating experiences online, she would probably receive thousands of blood-written petitions begging her to break up immediately!
With this man’s numerous misdeeds, he definitely did not meet the selection criteria of the majority of women.
Of course, that was assuming they didn’t know his identity, status, and appearance.
It couldn’t be denied, with Mo Chen’s looks, even if he were a scumbag, countless women would still throw themselves at him.
Mo Chen’s eyebrows knitted together as he pinched her slender waist: “What’s with that expression? Are you cursing me in your heart?”
She feigned innocence as she blinked her eyes, “Not at all, I was just thinking, my boyfriend is so outstanding, I’d better keep him all to myself to admire.”
A satisfied smile crept up the corners of the man’s mouth.
His long fingers steadied Qiao Ruoxin’s face, he leaned down to kiss her lips, and whispered, “Just as I thought, very sweet.”
“…”
To say Mo Chen was a straight man, well, sometimes he would say some flirtatious things.
But to say he was romantic, at the crucial moments he was a true straight man.
The kiss was hard to end, almost igniting a fire.
The phone began to vibrate.
Qiao Ruoxin instinctively dodged it, picked up the phone, and answered, “Hello?”
Xiaowu: “Miss Qiao, I’ve already bought the midnight snack, and it’s in the dining room.”
“Okay, thank you, that will be all, you can go rest now.”
After hanging up the phone, Qiao Ruoxin pulled his hand, “Come eat with me! I’m hungry!”
A faint shadow of discontent crossed the handsome man’s face—being interrupted while kissing was, of course, very annoying.
But he still slowly rose, his tall frame walking behind her, a scene that carried an indescribable sense of indulgence.
…
In the dining room.
Qiao Ruoxin looked at the takeaway boxes on the table. Xiaowu was indeed reliable; everything she wanted to eat was neatly purchased.
She opened each container and arranged them nicely.
“Here, you have to eat at least half of this before you can go to sleep.”
The man frowned displeasingly, “I’m not hungry, I don’t have an appetite.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes danced as she stood up, sat in his embrace, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his chin, “What if I feed you, would that be okay?”
“…”
Damn…
The little devil was employing her seductive tricks again.
Yet he still tepidly responded with a “Mm…”
Qiao Ruoxin smiled and helped him pick up a soup dumpling, blowing on it gently before bringing it to his lips, “It’s not too hot, eat up.”
The man chuckled at her earnest little gaze, opened his mouth, and ate the soup dumpling.
After that, he ate whatever she fed him.
Qiao Ruoxin was completely focused on peeling a crayfish and then brought it to his lips.
Mo Chen just mechanically opened his mouth and ate it while his restless fingers roamed her slender waistline.
“Stop it, I’m peeling the shrimp!” She frowned.
Chapter 197: Mo Chen’s Strawberries Allergy Strikes Again Suddenly!
The juice from the crayfish splattered onto her clothes, and she quickly stood up.
“I’ll go to the restroom to deal with this, you keep eating,” she said.
After speaking, she turned and left the restaurant.
Mo Chen was left sitting in the restaurant alone, suddenly feeling that the crayfish he had eaten were too spicy.
He frowned in displeasure and picked up a cup of cold drink from the table, one that Qiao Ruoxin had sipped from.
He took a couple of sips, the sweetness and the icy sensation easing the spicy numbness, which was much more comfortable.
After a while, Qiao Ruoxin came back from the restroom, regretfully saying, “Such a pity, I really liked this dress, and the oil stain won’t come out.”
Mo Chen glanced at the red oil on the hem of her dress and said in a deep voice, “Buy another one.”
“Yeah, that’s the only way,” she agreed.
Qiao Ruoxin glanced at the late-night snacks on the table, surprised to notice that Mo Chen had unwittingly eaten quite a bit.
Of course, it was all due to her persistent feeding.
“Little Ghost…”
“Hmm?” She picked up her ordered iced fruit tea and took a sip.
“It feels a bit itchy,” the man’s voice was a bit hoarse and carried a hint of discomfort.
She couldn’t help but lift her head to look at the man, and suddenly noticed some red spots appearing on his neck!
“Mo Chen, brother! You… you’re having an allergic reaction? What’s happening?”
Qiao Ruoxin said in shock, pulling open his robe to see that some light red spots had started appearing on his chest and abs.
Mo Chen: “…”
She had a sudden realization and looked at the fruit tea: “Did you drink this? It has strawberries in it!”
It was all over now…
Mo Chen was about to experience a strawberry allergy again.
Mo Chen’s complexion darkened a bit: “I had a sip.”
“Quick, quick, wash with cold water!” She pulled the man up toward the bedroom upstairs.
Back in the bedroom, Mo Chen’s dark eyes also held a bit of endurance; indeed, it was quite uncomfortable.
He entered the bathroom, and soon there were sounds of running water inside.
After about fifteen minutes, the bathroom door opened.
Mo Chen, wearing a robe, walked out from inside. She opened his robe somewhat worriedly to look, and while there were still many red dots, they weren’t as severe.
“I forgot to tell you that the cold drink had strawberries in it…”
He spoke indifferently, “It’s not so bad, I only had a sip.”
Qiao Ruoxin, however, was focused on the red spots on his body: “Luckily they’re not on your face, otherwise how would you go to the office tomorrow.”
The man lifted her chin: “You feel that guilty? How about you kiss them better?”
Qiao Ruoxin was startled for a moment, then unhesitatingly tiptoed to kiss his neck, and the spot turned even redder.
Mo Chen looked at her with an amused interest, teasing her on purpose: “There are many places with red spots, maybe you should…”
Damn!
Overstepping the mark!
“Dream on! I’m going to take a shower!” She didn’t bother with this jerk and walked into the bathroom, closing the door.
The man’s lips curved up in a smile, then he went out to the balcony and lit a cigarette, placing it between his lips.
Actually, he was still quite uncomfortable, and it was causing his mood to become somewhat uncontrollably irritable.
In his life up to now, he only had three strawberry allergy incidents.
The first time, he discovered he was allergic to strawberries.
The second time, was when he confessed to Qiao Ruoxin, after eating two whole boxes of strawberries, landing him in the hospital for a week.
The third time, was now.
He stood in front of the railing, exhaling a puff of smoke. The smoke swirled around, blurring his handsome features, his expression one of contemplation.
: Chapter 198: Aren’t You Afraid She Will Betray You Again? Midnight.
Because of an allergy, Mo Chen didn’t hold Qiao Ruoxin in his sleep tonight; instead, he was far from her.
There was a distance of one person between them.
Qiao Ruoxin was somewhat sleepless and picked up her phone, turning on the dim wall light.
Then she quietly crawled over, pulled open the man’s sleeping robe, and carefully examined those red spots.
She couldn’t help but sigh softly.
Fortunately, it was just a sip; it wasn’t too severe.
Truly a pampered young master, he needed to be carefully taken care of, yet his temper was still so volatile.
The next day, early morning.
Mo Chen was the first to open his eyes, then what caught his gaze was the woman’s peaceful sleeping face.
He watched for a while, then got out of bed to wash up in the bathroom.
After freshening up, he changed into a new set of clothes in the walk-in closet, and finally, casting one last glance at the still sleeping Qiao Ruoxin, he left the bedroom.
…
He drove directly to the hospital.
In the VIP ward, Lin Xi lay in bed, her complexion still rather pale from not only the scare but also the injury.
A series of knocks came from the door.
Lin Xi glanced at the door: “Come in.”
The door to the ward opened, and Mo Chen’s tall figure walked in.
“Mo Chen, you’re here…”
“Hmm.”
The man sat on the sofa, looking at Lin Xi on the bed, and said sternly, “There won’t be any danger recently, stay put.”
Lin Xi smiled faintly: “Hmm.”
His gaze fell once again on Lin Xi’s earlobe, where the Starfish Earring was, and his eyes narrowed involuntarily.
Lin Xi had been wearing those earrings on the day she was stabbed, and she hadn’t taken them off due to surgery during these past few days.
“Your earrings are quite nice.”
Lin Xi looked confused; why was he suddenly praising her earrings?
She smiled awkwardly: “Really? They were hand-made by a friend of mine who owns a studio, creating original pieces of jewelry.”
Mo Chen kept staring at Lin Xi’s earrings, when suddenly, a scene flashed through his mind.
It was the day of his car accident, he saw a woman wearing sunglasses driving, she seemed to be wearing these earrings too?
At that time, was he chasing this car?
He stood up and said coldly, “I have other matters, I’ll be going now.”
The moment Mo Chen stood up, Lin Xi noticed the red spots on his neck and thought… they were hickeys.
After all, the location was quite ambiguous.
“Mo Chen! Have you reconciled with Qiao Ruoxin?”
The man cast a cold glance at her with his handsome face: “Do you have a problem with that?”
Lin Xi: “Aren’t you afraid she’ll betray you again?”
Mo Chen let out a dismissive cold laugh: “That is my business.”
Then, leaving behind an indifferent silhouette, he left the ward.
Lin Xi leaned back on the hospital bed, feeling a sense of despair; the task Simon had given her, she was completely unable to fulfill.
…
Mo Chen stood in the deserted hospital corridor, closed his eyes, and began to recall the day of the car accident.
Many fragmented memories were unable to assemble into a complete picture.
What exactly had he forgotten?
It seemed like it was something very important.
He opened his dark eyes, deep and bottomless, hiding many secrets.
He took out his phone and dialed a number: “Bring over the file about my car accident from two years ago.”
After hanging up, his handsome face tensed as he looked towards the end of the corridor.
He vaguely remembered that the car accident wasn’t simply due to driver fatigue.
There were other reasons, and Lin Xi’s role didn’t seem to be as simple as just saving him.
At that time, he was trapped in the woods for two days and a night, his life hanging by a thread, and Lin Xi just happened to appear?
Could it really be such a coincidence?
Lin Xi said she was camping at the time, but that area didn’t seem suitable for camping.
Chapter 199: Don’t Forget Our Agreement Hengzhong Group, in the chairman’s office.
Behind the desk, Mo Chen examined the documents with a stoic expression.
All signs indicated that the car accident might not be as simple as he had thought.
Why had he been driving in circles on the mountain road?
The office was dead silent as he deepened into contemplation.
But every time he tried to focus on the residual video images in his mind, his temples would throb involuntarily.
He closed his eyes, his long fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, slightly exhausted.
Mo Chen threw the document he was holding onto the desk and took out a cigarette to light and place between his lips.
There was always a touch of ruffian about his handsome features when he smoked.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
He picked it up and glanced at it, the corners of his mouth curving into an indulgent smile.
As he held the phone to his ear, Qiao Ruoxin’s sweet and soft voice came through, “Brother Mo Chen?”
“Hmm…”
“You’re going to a big banquet tonight, aren’t you?”
The man flicked ash from the cigarette between his fingers, “What about it?”
“I’m going there to meet a director, don’t forget our agreement. Keep our distance in public, pretend we don’t know each other, okay?”
“…”
He felt a sudden urge to strangle this ‘Little Ghost’.
Did she call especially to remind him of that?
Mo Chen’s tone was unpleasant, “Wear that necklace!”
With that, he hung up the phone.
He began to wonder why he had ever agreed to Qiao Ruoxin’s terms in the first place.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Xiaowu entered the office, standing in front of the desk, “Boss Mo, Little Lawrence has found Miss Jiang Ruolin in the United States. She’s at the hospital having a check-up, and she’s clinging to him. He can’t get away.”
He leaned back in his swivel chair, scoffing, “Hmm… don’t let him idle away.”
“Yes, understood!”
…
In the evening.
The grand banquet tonight was held in a garden villa in the suburbs, with picturesque scenery.
Qiao Ruoxin had changed into a slate-grey strappy long dress with a flowing tulle hem.
Tonight, she had come with her girl group ‘Lucky Girls’.
Song Yingying looked at her evening gown for tonight and smiled, “Wow, a Disney runaway princess style?”
“Don’t know, the costume designer put it together.” Her gaze swept the room, not finding Mo Chen; perhaps he hadn’t arrived yet?
“What are you looking for? Looking for Boss Mo? I think I overheard someone say he was sitting by the pool.”
Qiao Ruoxin immediately breathed a sigh of relief; so he was by the pool.
Song Yingying said, “Hey, why aren’t you making your move? I’ve seen Kong Ling wandering around the venue; she seems to have already snagged a lead role.”
“To be the lead in a flop is worse than a minute-long cameo in a big director’s movie.”
“You’ve got ambitions, aiming straight for the film industry?”
“Is it so surprising? I’m a film academy graduate, and I don’t want to leave myself with a history of bad projects.”
If she ever wanted to become Mo Chen’s wife, even marry and have children, she’d need to take care of her reputation.
After all, although the Qiao Family was a minor wealthy family, compared to the Mo Family, she was indeed poor.
Qiao Ruoxin’s gaze swept across the venue until she finally saw the well-known director she wanted to meet.
She walked over with poised and light steps, her figure graceful.
“Director Chen, hello, I am Qiao Ruoxin.”
“Oh… the recent ‘Idol 101’ champion, right? My daughter has been following that show; she likes you very much.”
She chuckled, “Thank you for the love. I heard you’re looking for actors for a cameo role, do you think I could fit the bill?”
Director Chen smiled, “You are refreshingly straightforward and not coy. I heard that at 16, you were admitted by both the dance academy and film academy, that’s exactly what I’m looking for; I need someone who can do classical dance.”
Chapter 200: Which eye of yours saw me staring at her the whole time? “I just happened to have studied classical dance for eight years.” She smiled innocently, harmless to humans and animals alike, captivating to anyone who laid eyes on her.
Director Chen’s smile grew even wider, “What a coincidence? Come to the audition tomorrow, but I have to warn you, there’s not much screen time. After editing, it might be less than a minute.”
“As a newcomer seeking experience, I’m ready anytime.”
“Young and pretty with a clear head, you’ve got potential, haha….”
Qiao Ruoxin also smiled modestly in response.
…
In the distance, by the pool.
Mo Chen was dressed in a white suit with a black shirt underneath. Two buttons of his shirt were undone, emanating an indescribable handsomeness and a sense of restraint.
Such a volatile man in a white suit still looked utterly harmonious.
His long fingers held a champagne glass, and his dark eyes were firmly fixed on that slender figure.
That Little Ghost had been chatting with an old man for half an hour already.
Fuck…
She could chat with an old man for half an hour???
Sitting beside him, Gu Mocheng remarked with disgust, “Can’t you go one second without staring at Qiao Ruoxin? You’re like some kind of pervert.”
Mo Chen averted his gaze, scoffing disdainfully, “Which of your eyes saw me staring at her?”
Gu Mocheng: “Humans usually only have two eyes.”
Mo Chen: “…”
The handsome man’s face was tense as he downed the champagne in his glass, his whole body radiating irritation.
Somebody came up to make conversation and casually asked, “Mr. Mo, I thought I saw your ex-girlfriend just now. The online marketing accounts have been hyping a reconciliation between you two, is it true?”
Mo Chen replied with a cold face and a deep voice, “No.”
“Oh… I see, so the online marketing accounts are unreliable.”
…
After taking care of her business, Qiao Ruoxin finally relaxed completely.
Meeting Director Chen and securing an audition was her goal for the evening, nothing else mattered.
“Miss Qiao, hello.”
Suddenly, a man appeared and extended his hand to her.
Qiao Ruoxin felt a bit awkward as she lightly shook the man’s hand, “Hello.”
Then, she felt a burning gaze on her from behind.
Looking back over the water blue pool, her eyes met Mr. Mo’s, brimming with anger.
Qiao Ruoxin instinctively turned back: “I have to go to the restroom, excuse me, I’ll be back shortly.”
Better make a quick escape!
Turning around, she ran into Xiaowu and said, “Xiaowu, tell Mo Chen I’m heading back first and to stop staring at me!”
“Of course, Miss Qiao.”
With that, she left the villa, ready to head home.
If she stayed any longer, Mo Chen would see right through her.
She always felt like she was being ogled as if she were without clothes; this man’s possessiveness was terrifying.
Just casually speaking to another man would upset him.
Qiao Ruoxin left the villa, standing on the roadside waiting for her bodyguard to come pick her up.
A black Bentley stopped in front of her. Without thinking, she directly opened the rear car door and got in.
The moment she closed the door, Qiao Ruoxin felt something was wrong.
This driver wasn’t one of the Mo Family’s bodyguards!
Qiao Ruoxin frowned, demanding angrily, “Who are you!”
“Miss Qiao, we haven’t finished our conversation just now, why did you leave so suddenly?”
Her eyes widened in shock, “Stop the car! I want to get out!”
“Qiao Ruoxin, do you think that once you’re in my car, I will let you leave? Your girl group members are all busy sleeping around tonight, how can you go back alone? You’re the center member after all.”