Ch. 21..30
Chapter 21: When Can We Kiss? Mo Chen held her frail and boneless body with stiff arms.
Even though it felt like thousands of needles were pricking him at that moment, it was unbearable.
But he had to hold Qiao Ruoxin because letting go was simply impossible for him.
His body seemed to harbor a raging beast, charging and bashing about inside, trying to break free.
Qiao Ruoxin heard his rapid and distressed breathing and frowned slightly, “I am yours, I always have been.”
The man’s voice was low and husky, even with a trace of pain, “Little Ghost, don’t leave me!”
“I won’t, I’ll never leave you again.”
Mo Chen closed his eyes, his complexion pale, his handsome face taut, holding her tightly, as if to meld her into his bones and blood.
“Say breakup one more time! I’ll kill you!”
“Mhm.”
“Just one trash text message and you want to break up! Do you think I’m trash! You’re just a heartless brat!”
The man’s emotions were excited and irritable, his low voice trembling slightly.
The next second—
Mo Chen once again pushed her away and rushed into the bathroom with a deathly pale face.
Then, Qiao Ruoxin heard a series of agonizing retching sounds, as if he was trying to vomit out all the bitterness.
Her eyes welled up with tears, her heart clenching.
Why was it so serious?
Just because of a breakup?
Impossible, there must be other reasons.
What kind of stimulus had Mo Chen received to have such severe psychological trauma.
She bit her lower lip, determined to find out what was going on.
She needed to prescribe the right cure to quickly heal Mo Chen.
Suddenly, the bathroom door was violently pulled open.
Mo Chen’s sexy jawline was tight, his eyes full of hostility.
“Have a drink of water,” Qiao Ruoxin stood by with a glass of water in her hand.
The man snatched the glass with a disgruntled face, drained it in one gulp, and looked at her, “Are you mocking me?”
Seeing him in this wretched state now, even holding a woman was so difficult.
Qiao Ruoxin widened her eyes and shook her head, “No.”
“Then you’re pitying me?” he sneered, with a hint of self-mockery.
“No!”
Mo Chen suddenly lost his temper, shouting at her sharply, “Get out! I want to sleep!”
“Sleep? You won’t be able to sleep anyway,” she innocently stated the fact.
“…” He really wanted to kill this Little Ghost!
She smiled softly, “Mo Chen Brother, after so long just to get a hug, when can I get a kiss?”
Her voice was clear and innocent, soft and gentle.
Surprise flashed through the man’s dark eyes, then his handsome face darkened.
She’s a little demoness!
Mo Chen scoffed, his voice cold and ominous, “Trying to take advantage of me? What’s a kid like you thinking about all day at such a young age!”
She couldn’t help laughing out loud, “Thinking about you, thinking about you all day long.”
“…”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, restraining his anger, “I really want to kill you!”
Qiao Ruoxin: “On the bed?”
“Get out!”
“Let’s chat a bit more, you can’t sleep anyway, don’t be so irritable,” she wanted to get Mo Chen used to her return gradually.
Mo Chen looked at her beautiful and delicate face, his voice stern and unpleasant, “Speak properly!”
She smiled lightly, “You’re like a Tibetan Mastiff right now, so fierce…”
Tibetan… Mastiff???
Mo Chen was momentarily stunned, then furiously shouted, “Get out! Who the hell is like a Tibetan Mastiff!”
“The most handsome Tibetan Mastiff,” she looked at the man’s complex expression, feeling a surge of pleasure.
So in Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes, he was a irritable Tibetan Mastiff?
It seemed he was stimulated again.
Chapter 22: Why Must I Be Like a Dog? The man grated his teeth and said, “Say that again, I dare you!”
“Don’t like it? How about a Samoyed? A Shiba Inu? Pick one.”
Mo Chen laughed in fury, “Why must I be compared to a dog?”
She blinked those watery eyes, “Because dogs are the most loyal, and Mo Chen brother’s best quality is his loyalty.”
Suddenly, the air fell silent.
So silent it was eerie.
Mo Chen stared at her intently, his voice hoarse and lonely, “What about you?”
“When you confessed to me and I knew full well you were allergic to strawberries yet still made you eat two boxes, causing you to be hospitalized for a week, I belonged to you,” she said.
She was 17 when Mo Chen confessed to her.
She thought this man was not sincere, that he was just playing a game.
So, she deliberately made things difficult for him.
Knowing full well Mo Chen was allergic to strawberries, she told him that if he ate two boxes, she would agree to be his girlfriend.
And so, Mo Chen did it, and was hospitalized for a week due to the severe allergy.
His memory drifting to the past, Mo Chen laughed noiselessly, sarcasm lacing his voice, “Did you enjoy tormenting me?”
Qiao Ruoxin sighed softly, “It was just a test, after all, you are the son of Asia’s richest man. I was so young; how could I know if you were serious?”
“…”
She walked over to an armchair and sat down, “You go to sleep, I’ll watch until you do, and then I’ll leave.”
“Haven’t taken a bath.”
“Oh… then go take a bath, I’ll wait.”
“…”
Mo Chen stared at her for a while, then got up and headed towards the bathroom.
Not long after, the man emerged wearing a black robe, with the collar loose, exposing his sensual chest and abdominal muscles, the defined “Mermaid line” all entering Qiao Ruoxin’s field of view.
Cough cough…
Two years not seen, and this bastard’s physique had only gotten better.
Mo Chen lay on the bed, a lazy and rakish look in his eyes as he watched her, “Go out.”
“I said, I’ll go out when you fall asleep.” She was that stubborn.
The man watched her for a while and then actually obediently lay down to sleep.
Qiao Ruoxin sat for an hour and then left the bedroom.
In the moment she closed the door, the man on the bed abruptly opened his eyes.
Those dark pupils were like a beast lurking in the night, devoid of sleepiness, filled with a dangerous aura.
The cellphone on the bedside table vibrated.
Mo Chen picked up the phone with a frown and irritability, “Speak!”
“Master Mo, the lady asks that you return to the estate tomorrow for some psychological therapy…”
The person on the other end hadn’t finished speaking before the man had already thrown the phone away.
An uncontrollable rage.
…
That same night, #MoChenQiaoRuoxin# reached the top spot on Weibo’s hot search, explode!
All marketing accounts posted a unified message: [The only woman of Asia’s richest man’s son Mo Chen, the only ex-girlfriend, the only first love! Participating in the talent show “Idol 101”.]
The topic reached a readership of one hundred million, with the number of comments on the trending Weibo reaching a hundred thousand.
[Mo’s first love? The campus belle who entered the film academy with top scores at 16?]
[They’re broken up and yet she’s still riding on Mo’s coattails for attention, can’t she stand on her own?]
[When is this show airing??? I want to see just how beautiful Mo’s former woman is!]
[She’s really beautiful, we went to the same school; she’s stunning in person!]
[Isn’t the production company behind “Idol 101” Hengzhong Film Company? Perhaps Qiao Ruoxin wants to get back together?]
[It airs in four days; I got to see what this Qiao Ruoxin has that could captivate Master Mo!]
Late into the night, Bai Junyan wrapped his arms around his beauty Lan Ke, an evil smile on his face as he looked at his phone screen.
“With Little Sister Qiao here, we won’t lack topics or ratings.”
Lan Ke: “You’re using your boss and brother too?”
“Isn’t it all to make money to support you?”
“…”
Chapter 23: Mo Chen Psychologically Treats Coma The next day, early morning.
Qiao Ruoxin lazily got out of bed, freshened up, and went to make breakfast.
It was only when she got downstairs that she noticed everything was back to normal; all the furniture had been replaced.
After making breakfast, she went upstairs to knock on the master bedroom door, only to find it empty.
“Damn man! Leaves without saying a word! Made me cook two breakfasts for nothing!”
She grumbled softly to herself as she went down to the dining room to eat breakfast alone.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Qiao Ruoxin answered the phone with a carefree attitude, “Hello? Who is this?”
“Miss Qiao, could you please come to the estate? Master Mo, during his psychological therapy session…”
The fork in her hand dropped onto the plate, making a jarring sound.
“What happened to him?”
“Master Mo has fallen into a coma, he’s running a fever and vomiting incessantly.”
“I’ll be right there!”
After hanging up, Qiao Ruoxin turned and ran upstairs to change clothes and prepare to leave.
So he was undergoing psychological therapy?
…
An hour later.
Qiao Ruoxin drove into the Mo Family’s estate, the gates slowly opening.
Mo Chen’s bodyguard, Xiaowu, was waiting for her anxiously.
After she got out of the car, she headed straight for the villa.
Xiaowu followed close behind, “Madam would have Master Mo return from time to time for psychological therapy, but this time, for some reason, Master Mo seemed to have an intense reaction.”
“Take me to see him first.”
Xiaowu led her to the door of Mo Chen’s bedroom.
Outside stood an elegant and noblewoman with the butler and a middle-aged man who appeared to be a psychologist.
The woman was Mo Chen’s mother, Li Xueli.
The moment Madam Mo looked up, a hint of surprise flashed across her face: “Qiao Ruoxin?”
“Madam Mo, I’ll go check on him first.”
Qiao Ruoxin entered the bedroom directly and closed the door behind her.
Madam Mo’s gaze turned sharp as she looked at Xiaowu, “The person you said you were going to find is Qiao Ruoxin?”
Xiaowu lowered his head in silence.
“Don’t you know how she caused Mo Chen to end up like this two years ago?”
Just mentioning two years ago made Madam Mo seethe with anger.
Her son was so outstanding, so handsome, and he suddenly became like this.
All thanks to Qiao Ruoxin!
…
Inside the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin approached the bed and saw the man with pale face, now running a fever, seemingly trapped in a dream from which he couldn’t wake.
“Mo Chen! Wake up! Stop sleeping, come on, wake up!”
In the dream, Mo Chen saw scene after scene of men and women entwined, nauseating him to the point of suffocation.
Suddenly, Qiao Ruoxin’s voice broke into his world.
He followed the sound in search of an exit, eager to leave this nauseating and suffocating nightmare.
The next second—
Mo Chen abruptly opened his dark eyes, his handsome face tense, his expression grim.
The woman, carrying a faint scent, threw herself into his arms, bending down to hug him.
He lowered his gaze to the small face in his arms, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
For him, Qiao Ruoxin was like a tranquilizer.
“Brother Mo Chen, it’s okay now. If you don’t like the psychologist, we won’t see them anymore, okay?”
Her eyes held a complex look.
She had to figure out why Mo Chen’s psychological issues were so severe.
After a long while.
The bedroom door opened, and Qiao Ruoxin walked out, “He’s awake.”
Hearing this news, Madam Mo’s tense nerves relaxed slightly.
Qiao Ruoxin looked at the middle-aged man beside her, “If I’m not mistaken, you are Brother Mo Chen’s psychologist, right? Can we talk?”
The man looked towards Madam Mo, who gave a nod of consent.
Chapter 24: I felt a bit sad after you rejected me, I need a hug. Qiao Ruoxin and the man arrived at the reception area and sat on the sofa.
“How did Mo Chen become like this?”
The man answered, “Mr. Mo’s psychological disorder is extremely severe. I’ve hypnotized him several times and found that something he saw two years ago seems to have triggered his aversion to women, even to the extent of feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit.”
Saw what?
Qiao Ruoxin frowned slightly, “He never mentioned it?”
“Mr. Mo refuses to utter a word about the incident from two years ago, but his condition has been getting worse.”
“Then leave it to me, I don’t want to see him suffering like he did today.” She would heal Mo Chen.
“That’s fine. Mr. Mo’s current situation isn’t really suitable for psychotherapy either. By the way, during the hypnosis session just now, I occasionally heard him mention something about deleting a video, and then he started losing control of his emotions, going crazy.”
Qiao Ruoxin was stunned.
What kind of video was it?
Could it be that Mo Chen started to detest women because of this video?
…
After the psychologist left, she sat alone in the reception area for a long time, deep in thought.
The wife of the Mo Family came and sat opposite her on the sofa, radiating the presence of a wealthy and powerful matriarch.
“Qiao Ruoxin, I don’t care what your reasons were two years ago, but you are the reason Mo Chen has become like this.”
“Mrs. Mo, I will make him better.”
Mrs. Mo scoffed, showing dissent, “You? Even the psychologist couldn’t do anything.”
“The heart’s illness requires the heart’s medicine, so only I can do it.” She calmly faced the mistress of the Mo family.
Mrs. Mo stared at her for a while, “Fine, then let’s see if you can heal Mo Chen first.”
After all, Mo Chen was what mattered the most.
Having said that, Mrs. Mo stood up, ready to leave, and shot her a cold glance, “Go keep Mo Chen company and make sure he gets better soon, or you will not be spared.”
…
Inside the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin returned to the bedroom to find the man throwing a tantrum.
The maid trembled with fear at his side, seeing Qiao Ruoxin as a savior.
The irritability on Mo Chen’s handsome face eased a little when he saw her.
He asked her in a harsh tone, “Where have you been?”
The maid immediately left the bedroom, and as she closed the door, Qiao Ruoxin walked to the bed, smiling softly, “I had a chat with your psychologist. You don’t need to see a psychologist anymore.”
Mo Chen frowned deeply, his gaze profoundly fixed on her.
She sat on the edge of the bed, “Just look at me, from now on you’re in my care, and I will heal you.”
“…” The man watched her silently.
Qiao Ruoxin gazed at him with her bright, shining eyes, “Mo Chen Brother, will you agree to get back together with me?”
Mo Chen let out a cold laugh, “In your dreams!”
She smiled, “No problem, I’ll keep trying.”
Her face showed a touch of grievance as she pouted slightly, “I’m a bit sad after being rejected by you. I need a hug.”
Mo Chen said, “Come and hug me yourself!”
She lifted the corners of her mouth slightly, opened her slender arms, and leaned forward to hug the man’s body.
Although she felt Mo Chen’s stiffness the moment she hugged him.
“I know that embracing you now is making you uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Hmm…”
“Mo Chen Brother, ‘Idol 101’ starts next Thursday—you have to watch it; I sang a song just for you.”
The man’s expression turned unpleasant, and he looked down at her in his arms, “Is it the same song from that night’s hypnosis session?”
She laughed softly, “You’ll know when you watch it.”
She frowned involuntarily, thinking about the video the psychologist mentioned that Mo Chen talked about deleting while under hypnosis. What was it?
She felt that this video was probably Mo Chen’s inner demon.
Chapter 25: @Mo Chen Hurry and watch the video of your ex-girlfriend singing! Four days later.
Idol 101 debuted, and the hashtag #Qiao Ruoxin Singing# topped the Weibo hot search that very night, exploding!
At that moment, Qiao Ruoxin was recording the program.
Her individual performance talent was being wildly promoted by marketing accounts.
Because she performed a song, “You Better Not Think About Me,” in the first episode of the program, triggering a wave of hot comments across the net.
The number of comments reached a million, and the likes broke ten million.
[Wow! No wonder she’s the ex-girlfriend of Asia’s richest heir, a real tear-jerker! Mortal Princess!]
[She made me cry, such despair from a young girl! Her voice is so beautiful, fragile, gentle, despondent, struggling…]
[Taste this song title and lyrics, why do I feel she’s singing this for Master Mo???]
[I’m so jelly of her figure, I just looked her up on wiki, Qiao Ruoxin is 170 cm tall! Does this kind of body proportion really exist? Those legs are killer!]
[We went to the same elementary school, honestly, she was already 165 cm when she was 12, her skin in person is amazing.]
[From now on, the heroines in romance novels all have a face…]
[Her eyes are so beautiful, shiny and sparkling, how does she manage to be so thin and yet so curvy!]
[How did this suddenly turn into The Voice of China? She could totally compete in it.]
[Let me spill some tea, my cousin’s classmate is in the same circle as Master Mo, supposedly Mo Chen took a liking to Qiao Ruoxin when he was 18.]
[Am I the only one who thinks she’s singing this song for Mo Chen??? I see unwillingness in her eyes!]
[I’m gonna PICK her! Put her in the center position! When she comes on stage, it feels like everyone else is just a maid!]
[When she hit the high notes, I got goosebumps! Her voice has that first love vibe! I’m in love!]
…
Late at night, in the study.
Mo Chen was working, his phone rang beside him.
He opened his brothers’ group chat on his phone.
Bai Junyan: [@Mo Chen, go check out your ex-girlfriend’s singing video! Skip straight to 62 minutes and 45 seconds! You’re welcome!]
Ji Haochuan: [Just finished watching it, I almost cried listening to it. Qiao sis can sing that well?]
Gu Mocheng: [@Bai Junyan, send me an edited version to watch.]
Lu Siheng: [She’s occupying three of the top ten hot searches, her temperament is so suitable for being a star.]
Mo Chen: […]
Ji Haochuan: [“You Better Not Think About Me” makes me feel like this song was specifically sung for Mo Chen???]
He set his phone aside and opened a video website on his computer, clicking on the first episode of Idol 101.
He fast-forwarded to 62 minutes and 45 seconds.
Qiao Ruoxin was dressed in a light blue fairy-like dress, her wavy hair reaching her waist, her makeup delicate and pretty.
Especially those sparkling eyes, with an innocent look, her slim and fair fingers holding the microphone.
As the prelude played, she started singing in a clean and clear voice.
A ripple stirred in the pitch-black pond of Mo Chen’s pupils as he watched the face on the screen shining brightly on stage.
In that singing, he actually heard a bit of pity and despair, along with stubbornness and heartache.
…
You clearly loved me too
There’s no reason love should lack success
As long as you dare to not be weak
Why should we miss out
…
Those lyrics seemed to mock Mo Chen’s past two years.
He laughed sharply, and his laughter was full of scorn.
Qiao Ruoxin had said in the manor that day, this song was for him.
He picked up his phone as the song was coming to an end, nearly bending it.
On the screen, Qiao Ruoxin smiled faintly, bowed, ending her talent performance.
Mo Chen immediately dialed her number, but it was turned off.
His pupils suddenly tightened!
He got up and left the study, anxiety and irritability written all over his posture.
Chapter 26: Mr. Mo barges into the girls’ dormitory. Meanwhile.
Inside the dormitory.
Because Qiao Sisi snitched to Wen Wan, claiming that Qiao Ruoxin was hiding her mobile phone instead of turning it in.
Everyone was gathered.
Wen Wan, with a stern demeanor, began her lecture.
“I’m telling you, rules are rules; no one is allowed to break them! When you are told to hand over your phones, why don’t you?”
Qiao Ruoxin stood to the side, her face calm as if the public scolding had nothing to do with her.
Seeing her indifferent expression, Wen Wan raised her voice angrily, “Don’t think I can’t handle you just because you made the trending search, you’re just riding on your ex-boyfriend’s coattails!”
“I will say it again, you can take my phone if you want, but you will be responsible for the consequences,” she said.
In front of so many trainees, to speak to Wen Wan, the director, in such a manner, Wen Wan was losing face.
Wen Wan sneered, “Are you threatening me? This is a competition! Do you think this is child’s play?”
She smiled but said nothing.
She was afraid that Mo Chen might march right in if her phone was unreachable for several hours.
“Then go ahead and take it.”
“Of course, I will take it! And if I find out you’re keeping a phone again, you might as well drop out of the competition!”
After dropping her harsh words, Wen Wan stormed off.
All the trainees were whispering among themselves, eyeing her with various expressions.
Qiao Ruoxin stretched lazily, feeling sleepy, and headed back to her room to sleep.
She had only taken a few steps when Qiao Sisi’s voice, filled with schadenfreude, came from behind her, “Little slut, do you really think you are untouchable now?”
She couldn’t even be bothered to turn around, “Who’s the troll talking to?”
“Who are you calling a troll!” Qiao Sisi, with a fierce expression, approached her.
Qiao Ruoxin looked at Qiao Sisi, speaking slowly and deliberately, “The ugly one knows who they are.”
“You are the troll!” Qiao Sisi was furious, she had never won a verbal spat with this ‘little slut.’
“Oh really? Then why did Mo Chen fall for me instead of you? He’s the man of your dreams, aren’t you questioning his taste?”
“Pah! Isn’t Mo Ye ditching you now? What are you so proud of!”
Qiao Ruoxin smiled softly, “Then make him want you. If you can do that, I’ll kneel down and kowtow to you.”
Qiao Sisi glared furiously, “You said it! Just wait to kneel down and kowtow to me!”
“We shall see.”
She walked toward her room door with a tender smile.
…
Inside her room.
Qiao Ruoxin took a shower, stood on the balcony ready to dry her hair and go to sleep.
Suddenly, a harsh knocking sound came.
She frowned slightly, turned, and walked to the door. The moment she opened it, she was truly shocked.
For there, right then.
Mo Chen was standing outside the door, radiating anger.
Seeing the figure of a man, many of the trainees in the corridor were scared into hiding in their rooms.
After all, this was supposed to be a female dormitory arranged by the show’s crew; why would a man come in?
Mo Chen, with a grim expression, pushed her door open and walked in.
She instinctively closed the door.
She had thought Mo Chen might come looking for her, but she didn’t expect him to barge into the women’s dormitory like this.
The tall and imposing figure of the man stood in the small room, seemingly a bit cramped.
“Why did you turn off your phone?” he asked in a deep voice.
Qiao Ruoxin felt somewhat helpless, “I didn’t want to, Wen Wan confiscated it.”
The man narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous aura emanating from him, “Is that all? You weren’t deliberately playing hide and seek with me, were you?”
“It was really confiscated.”
Mo Chen was wearing a black shirt, the top two buttons undone, revealing his sexy skin.
His handsome face was taut as he stared at Qiao Ruoxin for a while, “Come here, hug me.”
???
That really was Mo Ye.
She reluctantly walked over, wrapped her arms around the man’s waist, and through the shirt felt his abdominal muscles.
Chapter 27: I let you hold me, not grope me. Mo Chen just stood there as she hugged him, his tone somewhat chilly, “I allowed you to hug but not to grope.”
Uh…
How embarrassing.
She obediently wrapped her arms around the man’s waist, her cheek pressed against his chest.
“Now being held by me, it doesn’t feel so bad, does it?”
The man’s handsome face was tense, his lips tightly sealed as though he was enduring something.
It was uncomfortable, but he still wanted Qiao Ruoxin to hold him.
He looked down at Qiao Ruoxin’s profile, her thick curled eyelashes, and said in a deep voice, “Was that song a threat to me?”
Qiao Ruoxin looked up in confusion, “Huh?”
Mo Chen gazed into her eyes, his voice low and hoarse, “If I don’t agree to get back together with you, I won’t even be allowed to think about you, hm?”
Only then did she realize what the man meant.
She was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face.
“You Better Not Think About Me,” she chose this song because it was challenging, so she could show her strength to the coaches.
Ruoxin batted her innocent eyes, “Yeah, in the future, you better not think about me.”
The next second, the man mercilessly pushed her away and suddenly turned as if he wanted to leave.
Ruoxin’s sweet voice sounded behind him, “Because I will keep pestering you.”
The man’s figure paused.
After five seconds, perhaps ten, he commanded, “Come and hug me.”
That line again!
But Ruoxin still obediently complied and went over to hug him from behind.
Her cheek pressed against his broad back.
Mo Chen frowned, looking down at the slender, pale hands that were around his waist, his Adam’s apple bobbed once.
“Mo Chen, you’ve lost weight, in the past when I hugged you…”
The words were left unfinished, as the door was suddenly pushed open.
It was Wen Wan!
Wen Wan was dumbfounded by the scene before her, having heard from many that a man had broken into Qiao Ruoxin’s room.
But Wen Wan would have never imagined that the scene she witnessed upon opening the door would be this.
It looked as though Mo Chen wanted to leave, and Qiao Ruoxin was forcibly holding him from behind.
“Qiao Ruoxin! Let go! Stop holding him!”
Wen Wan knew how severe Mo Chen’s psychological barriers were and felt her heart being wrenched. What if his condition flared up!
The small room was now even more crowded.
Ruoxin had no choice but to withdraw her arms from around the man’s waist.
“Wen Wan, give her the cellphone,” the man finally spoke.
Wen Wan’s eyes widened, unable to believe her ears, “Mo Chen! During the recording of the show, private use of cellphones is prohibited; it’s the rule of the production team!”
“Give it to her!” His voice was cold and resolute.
Wen Wan glanced at Ruoxin, who had a smile in her eyes, and stubbornly resisted, “I won’t! I am the chief director; I can’t break this rule!”
Mo Chen did not waste words with Wen Wan but tossed his own phone into Ruoxin’s arms.
Fortunately, she was quick to catch it.
“Keep your phone on 24 hours, dare to not answer again, and I’ll kill you myself.”
That commanding tone again.
After spoken, Mo Chen gave Ruoxin one more glance and then left the room.
Wen Wan witnessed the whole process, her heart nearly shattered.
“Qiao Ruoxin, you are something, aren’t you? Without a cellphone, you call upon Mo Chen to demand it for you?” Wen Wan nearly lost control and screamed.
She smiled faintly, hugging her arms, “How do you still not get it? Me not handing over my phone was actually to save your face, otherwise, he would embarrass you in person like he did just now.”
Wen Wan glared at her hatefully, then turned to follow in Mo Chen’s footsteps, intending to confront him.
Chapter 28: This annoying stepsister is courting death again “Mo Chen! You stop right there!”
Wen Wan chased after the man’s retreating figure, coming outside.
The pitch-blackness of deep night, the sound of cicadas in the summer, the man’s cold and decisive silhouette.
“Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for me? I’m the executive director of this production! Confiscating cell phones is my rule!”
The man let out a cold laugh, his tone full of disdain, “The funding for this program was approved by me.”
Wen Wan stood rooted to the spot.
Mo Chen turned around, his face expressionless as he looked at her, “Are you throwing a temper tantrum at your investor daddy?”
“When did you become so unprincipled…” Wen Wan was a bit hit.
“I’ve never been a noble gentleman; it was you who imposed that fantasy onto me.”
Mo Chen glanced at her and turned to leave.
Wen Wan suddenly stepped forward quickly, spreading her arms to block his path.
“I want to ask you something.”
Impatience flickered across the man’s features, “Speak.”
“You… did you really have a relationship with Qiao Ruoxin?”
Mo Chen looked at Wen Wan’s cautious manner and found it somewhat laughable.
“Yes.”
His answer was so straightforward.
Wen Wan felt as if she’d been struck by lightning; although she had known since that night, hearing him admit it in person still made it unbearably painful to breathe.
“How could you… You’re not this kind of person, was it her who initiated it?”
In Wen Wan’s eyes, Mo Chen was an educated, responsible man who knew how to control himself.
How could he…
Mo Chen snorted derisively with a sneer, “You still don’t understand men; that’s how all men are.”
“You’re different!” Wen Wan’s jealousy was insane at this point!
“I’m a normal man.”
Mo Chen couldn’t be bothered to waste words with her any longer, turned, and walked away toward his car.
…
Qiao Ruoxin was a bit thirsty and decided to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.
The production team’s shared dorm was basically a villa, mainly thanks to the powerful backing of the show’s financiers.
She went to the kitchen on the first floor, opened the fridge, and took out a bottle of water.
Just as she unscrewed the cap and took a sip, preparing to go upstairs, she heard voices speaking.
Qiao Ruoxin quietly hid to the side and saw her wretched stepsister approaching.
Qiao Sisi was pulling a girl along, who appeared timid and subservient, pitiful to the core.
“If you don’t do as I say, I’ll have you kicked out of the competition! Totally ruin you!”
“Please no! I… I’ll steal Qiao Ruoxin’s phone! I will!”
Kong Ling came from a poor family, an eighteen-line small-time actress; she just wanted to make a debut through this program, or else her dreams of stardom would be utterly dashed.
“That’s a good girl, I’m doing this for everyone’s sake, you see. With Qiao Ruoxin, that little slut, strutting around, we simply won’t get any attention.”
Qiao Sisi began to brainwash Kong Ling, dragging her upstairs.
…
Watching their departing figures, Qiao Ruoxin stepped out.
She couldn’t help laughing.
This wretched stepsister was courting death again.
A sly gleam flickered in Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes, then she went upstairs back to her room.
After returning to her room, she didn’t go to sleep but took out the cell phone Mo Chen had given her and started working on her laptop.
Then, she placed the phone on the bedside table and went to bed to sleep.
Sure enough, at two o’clock in the morning, the bedroom door was pushed open.
Qiao Ruoxin pretended to be asleep, her eyes slightly ajar, watching as Kong Ling entered the room trembling, searching everywhere for the phone.
As dumb as a pig!
It’s on the bedside table!
After an uncertain amount of time, Kong Ling finally spotted the phone on the bedside table.
But she hesitated, fearing to wake Qiao Ruoxin, standing there indecisive.
Qiao Ruoxin was nearly dying of impatience for her; just grab the phone and go, right?
What are you thinking!? With such little courage, you dare to commit wrongdoing?
She pretended to toss and turn in deep sleep.
Kong Ling’s eyes lit up, as though she’d seen an opportunity, and quietly moved forward to take the phone, then tiptoed out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes snapped open.
She chuckled softly, muttering to herself, “With your intelligence, why try to play schemes at all.”
Chapter 29: I want to hear your voice Qiao Ruoxin picked up her laptop and turned it on; immediately, the screen displayed a live feed of her mobile phone’s activities.
After all, her ex-boyfriend was a computer science major at Stanford University. During their relationship, she had managed to pick up some basics.
…
Meanwhile—
After stealing the phone, Kong Ling quickly made her way to Qiao Sisi’s room.
With the phone in hand, Qiao Sisi let out a boastful laugh, “This little bitch, I’ll see if I can’t make her life miserable!”
She unlocked the phone using Qiao Ruoxin’s birthday after tapping on the lock screen.
Qiao Sisi looked at it with disdain, “Tch, acting like a fairy. Her lock screen wallpaper is a picture of herself, and the password is her own birthday! Only someone with the brain of a pig like Qiao Ruoxin would come up with such idiotic passwords!”
Kong Ling shivered beside her, “Can you hurry up, please? I’m afraid she’ll notice!”
“Afraid of what? Stop rushing me!”
Engrossed in her sweet dream of revenge, Qiao Sisi opened the messaging app and began composing a text.
She didn’t forget to show off her perfect plan to Kong Ling in the process.
“Let me tell you, I’m going to play her to death this time. I’m going to give her a taste of what cyber bullying feels like.”
…
At this very moment, Qiao Ruoxin was watching in real-time as her wicked stepsister courted disaster.
She saw the flirtatious and shamelessly demeaning texts being composed, and then realized to whom they were being sent—Lu Xingyu!
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she laughed at the absurdity, “You moron, this is Mo Chen’s phone!”
Lu Xingyu, the mentor of “Idol 101”, a popular young celebrity with eighty million followers on Weibo. His fans were famously fierce.
Anyone rumored to have scandalous relations with their idol would be so thoroughly cursed they’d be forced out of the entertainment industry, and the more sensitive ones might even develop depression.
Qiao Ruoxin sighed, “Since you’re so eager to dig your own grave, then I’ll just play along, let’s make it thrilling.”
A sly sparkle flashed through her clear eyes.
After three consecutive messages were sent from the phone, the records were deleted, and then the screen locked itself.
Qiao Ruoxin quickly closed her laptop and lay down, pretending to be asleep.
True enough, within a minute, her room door was pushed open once more.
Kong Ling stepped in quietly with the phone in hand, placed it on Qiao Ruoxin’s bedside table, then left swiftly.
Once the door closed, she opened her eyes.
Picking up the phone and lighting the screen, she was greeted by her own goofy selfie as the wallpaper and couldn’t help but laugh.
She wondered what Mo Chen felt every time he turned on his phone and saw that photo, did he unconsciously smile like she did?
The next day, early in the morning.
Qiao Ruoxin stepped out of her room, preparing to have breakfast.
At the same time, Qiao Sisi also came out and walked towards her, “I heard a man went into your room last night, helped you get your phone back. Whose coattails are you clutching onto now?”
She chuckled lightly, elegantly responding, “None of your damn business.”
Then she turned and left with grace.
Watching her proud retreat, Qiao Sisi muttered under her breath, “Little bitch! Just wait for your downfall!”
…
As she turned around, her phone vibrated.
Qiao Ruoxin answered the call, and a man’s deep voice came through, “Speak!”
“Wasn’t it you who called me?”
“I want to hear your voice.”
“Oh… Mo Chen, I miss you so much.”
“Talk sense! Do you believe I’d bash your skull in?”
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but laugh, “Did you not sleep well last night?”
“Hmm.”
“No wonder you’re so irritable. Go eat something, then go to work. I’ll call you at nine o’clock.”
“I’m busy, I don’t have time.”
Leaning against the hallway wall, she said with a smile, “Then expect my call for sure!”
Dial tone… dial tone…
Qiao Ruoxin raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the hung-up call.
Such a tsundere, asshole of a man.
: Chapter 30: Mr. Mo, are you waiting for my call? Hengzhong Group, CEO’s office, 8:59 a.m.
Behind the desk, Mo Chen sat in the swivel chair, his handsome face grim, eyes lowered, staring at his phone.
His long fingers with distinct knuckles tapped on the desk intermittently.
Secretary Jiang and Assistant Liu stood to one side, carefully watching his expression.
The senior management staff in the meeting room were all present, just waiting for him to come over and start the meeting.
“President Mo, the meeting room is…”
Suddenly!
The phone vibrated!
A flash of light quickly passed through the man’s pitch-black eyes as his slender fingers picked up the phone, but he deliberately waited a while before finally answering.
From the other end of the phone came Qiao Ruoxin’s soft and sweet voice, “Mo Chen, are you waiting for my call?”
Mo Chen snorted derisively, his tone filled with disdain, “Speak quickly, I’m in a meeting.”
Secretary Jiang: “…”
Assistant Liu: “…”
The two exchanged glances, rendered speechless by their boss’s arrogance.
Laughter came from the phone, “Mm… How about I take you out for dinner tonight? Are you free?”
The corners of Mo Chen’s mouth curled up, yet his voice was as cold as a chilling wind, “Have them bring you over.”
“Okay~ Go to your meeting! I’m off to record the show!”
Beep… Beep…
After hanging up, the man’s irritability and aggression cooled down significantly.
He stood up, reverted to his usual indifference, and walked out of the office.
Secretary Jiang and Assistant Liu quickly followed, sighing in relief that they could finally go to the meeting.
…
After Qiao Ruoxin hung up, she prepared to go to the gathering.
The content of today’s recording was to learn to sing and dance to the theme song within one day.
Everyone changed into trainee-level clothes, and Qiao Ruoxin was rated A.
The instructor teaching them the theme song was Lu Xingyu, a top influencer and leader of an idol group.
Upon Lu Xingyu’s entrance, everyone let out fan-like screams, except for Qiao Ruoxin, who remained unresponsive.
Qiao Sisi watched Lu Xingyu and Qiao Ruoxin with schadenfreude, waiting to enjoy the drama.
Everyone quickly got into the groove, following Lu Xingyu to learn the dance to the theme song.
“Qiao Sisi! Your movements are too stiff,” Lu Xingyu pointed out Qiao Sisi’s issue without any sugarcoating.
With an embarrassed nod, Qiao Sisi acknowledged the criticism.
Why did she feel like Lu Xingyu was always targeting her?
Shouldn’t he be picking on Qiao Ruoxin instead?
Two hours later, class ended, and Qiao Sisi, disheartened, decided to step out for some air and happened to run into Lu Xingyu around the corner.
Qiao Sisi greeted him politely, “Hello, Teacher Lu.”
Lu Xingyu looked at Qiao Sisi with a complex expression and said, “Stop sending me those pointless, harassing text messages. I’m not interested in you, so don’t even think about taking shortcuts.”
After speaking, he left indifferently.
???
Qiao Sisi stood there, dumbfounded, her eyes wide in shock.
In the distance, Qiao Ruoxin crossed her arms and a smile spilled over her lips as she slowly approached, “My dear step-sister, how does it feel to be publicly humiliated by your own teacher?”
Hearing Qiao Ruoxin’s voice, Qiao Sisi suddenly looked up, realizing what had happened.
“It’s you, you little bitch, playing tricks!”
Qiao Ruoxin feigned innocence, “Isn’t it strange? Even though you were the one using my phone to send texts to Lu Xingyu, why would he think it was you who sent them?”
Feeling on the verge of madness, Qiao Sisi nearly screamed, “What did you do?!”
“Hmm… not much, just made the signature and phone number on those messages you sent turn into yours. After all, that was your handiwork,” Ruoxin replied nonchalantly.
Shaking with a mixture of emotions, Qiao Sisi couldn’t hold back her screams any longer, “Ah!!! Qiao Ruoxin, this isn’t over! You bitch!”
She brushed past her, saying indifferently, “Save your breath, with your level of intelligence, it’s touching, really. I almost feel bad retaliating.”
Qiao Sisi called out to her retreating figure, “How did you know? Did Kong Ling tell you?”
No one answered…