Ch. 271..280
Chapter 271: Am I Not Fit to be Seen? Why Have a Secret Marriage? Mo Family Estate, dining room.
Mo Tian was having breakfast with Mrs. Mo.
At that moment, the butler walked into the dining room, “Sir, Madam, Master Mo has returned.”
Mo Chen entered the dining room, and with a low voice, he started, “Dad, Mom.”
“Have you had breakfast?” Mrs. Mo asked.
He pulled out a chair and sat opposite at the long dining table.
Mo Tian was somewhat displeased, “Why are you sitting so far away? Come sit next to me.”
“…”
Thus, Mo Chen got up and moved a few seats to sit beside his father.
Mo Tian examined his son and nodded in approval, “Hmm, not bad. Your mom said you’ve been looking refreshed lately, and it seems to be true. When you’re in good spirits, your complexion will look better.”
His mouth curved into a faint arc, and suddenly, he said in a deep voice, “I’ve decided to get married.”
As these words were spoken, the dining room fell into silence.
This deathly silence made Mo Chen frown slightly as he looked at his father and mother, “Do you have any objections?”
Mo Tian laughed, “I have no objections. I didn’t expect you, kid, to finally come to your senses. When I was your age, you were already one year old!”
As his words ended, Mrs. Mo displeasedly slapped Mo Tian’s hand, then turned to look at her son.
“Mo Chen, are you sure you want to get married? Have you taken care of the matter with Qiao Ruoxin’s parents?”
A faint shadow instantly crossed Mo Chen’s handsome features, and his tone became somewhat irritable, “As long as Qiao Ruoxin agrees, it’s fine.”
Mrs. Mo smiled unhurriedly, “Son, getting married isn’t so simple.”
“How complicated can it be?”
“Do you plan to have a secret marriage with Qiao Ruoxin?”
Mo Chen’s face turned extremely sour, and he said coldly, “Am I not fit to be seen? Why would I need a secret marriage?”
Mrs. Mo, “Well then, let me ask you. Our Mo Family is considered a prominent and respectable household. When you hold your wedding, celebrities from all walks of life will attend; friends from both domestic and international circles will be many. If Qiao Family’s parents don’t attend, who will put Qiao Ruoxin’s hand in yours? Everyone will ask why the bride’s parents don’t appear. Even if you don’t care, what about Qiao Ruoxin? She’s still in the entertainment industry, and at that time, there won’t be a shortage of online public opinion. Entertainment headlines will dredge up her family background to no end, and by then, we won’t be able to control it. After all, your wedding is going to be world-focused, and news agencies from various countries will report on it.”
Mrs. Mo’s long speech caused Mo Chen to fall into deep thought.
His face was expressionless, his handsome visage tight, and he pursed his lips firmly.
Mrs. Mo then gently patted her son’s shoulder and sighed, “You can get married, just make sure everything is handled properly.”
Mo Chen, with a cold face, slowly stood up and turned to leave the dining room.
Mo Tian watched the indifferent back of his son and then turned to his wife, “What are you doing pressing him with such burdens, when our son has finally considered marriage?”
“What do you know? I’m making him face reality. He’s been spoiled by you since he was little, getting everything he ever asked for, almost believing the world revolves around him.”
Mrs. Mo glared at Mo Tian, highly dissatisfied with his attitude.
Mo Tian broke into a string of laughter, “Could I not spoil my son? He’s my only child.”
“You even have the nerve to say that? You’ve never been serious. Do you know the first word your son learned to say?”
“What?”
“‘Boss’! All thanks to your great example!” Mrs. Mo said, her face full of disdain.
Mo Tian burst into uncontrollable laughter, “There’s no need for a DNA test, he’s definitely my own.”
…
In the car.
Mo Chen was driving to the company when he suddenly felt a splitting headache.
Ever since that car accident two years ago, he would get headaches whenever he overused his brain.
He slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped, feeling somewhat irritable.
He lit a cigarette and held it between his thin lips, then took out his mobile phone and dialed Little Ghost’s number.
The call connected quickly, and Qiao Ruoxin’s soft, sweet voice came through, “Mo Chen, big brother!”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m shooting an advertisement for the LK series of products by Hengzhong Group.”
The man exhaled a puff of smoke, the cloud of smoke swirling around and blurring his handsome features.
“Little Ghost, my head hurts a bit,” his low, hoarse voice sounded as if he were seeking comfort from Qiao Ruoxin.
“Shall I give you a massage?”
He laughed involuntarily, “How can you massage me when you’re not here?”
“I can owe you one, and I’ll massage you when I come back tonight.”
On Mo Chen’s somewhat dispirited handsome face, a touch of tenderness finally appeared, “Okay, I’ll wait for you tonight.”
From the other end of the phone, Qiao Ruoxin’s light laughter was heard, “So, does it still hurt now?”
“It’s better.”
“Then I’ll see you tonight, Mo Chen, big brother, I have to get busy now.”
“Mmh…”
After hanging up the phone, he looked at the wallpaper on his mobile phone, a picture of Qiao Ruoxin’s serene sleeping face.
His slender fingers traced back and forth over the sleeping face of Little Ghost, her thick, curled eyelashes, her slightly furrowed brow, not knowing what dreams she was having.
…
An hour later.
Hengzhong Group, executive conference room.
It was a rare visit from Mo Tian, and inevitably there were various decisions he had to personally make, thus he was in meetings all day long.
Mo Chen took the documents and entered the conference room, taking a seat off to the side.
Mo Tian glanced at his son, “You left earlier than I did, how come you just arrived at the company now?”
The man looked up indifferently and said in a deep voice, “Oh, I had some private matters to handle.”
Taking advantage of the fact that not everyone had arrived in the conference room yet, Mo Tian lowered his voice and said to Mo Chen, “Son, it’s no big deal if you want to get married, dad will support you. The issues your mom talked about aren’t problems at all, at worst, I can get a few respected figures to temporarily replace the bride’s parents, no one would dare delve into it anyway.”
Even if Mo Chen were said to marry the daughter of a foreign president, no one would dare to question it, after all, the stature of the Mo Family was there.
Mo Chen looked deeply at his father, “Dad, do you like her?”
Mo Tian leaned back, his demeanor suddenly becoming serious, “To be honest, it doesn’t matter to dad who you marry, but I have just one requirement, your woman must not meddle in the company’s affairs, and she can’t continue in the entertainment industry either.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Dad only hopes you can stay in good shape, you still have a lot of things to do. I expect you to oversee the research institutes I plan to establish in the United States, don’t drop the ball at the critical moment. As for the matter of women, you pick whoever you think can make you happy.”
Mo Tian was mainly considering the long term; as the sole heir to the Mo Family, Mo Chen had to maintain a good state.
As for which woman to choose, that was a minor issue to Mo Tian, since the Mo Family didn’t need to form marital alliances to maintain its prosperity.
Finally, a slight relaxation appeared on Mo Chen’s shadowed handsome face, his lips curling into a hint of a smile.
Chapter 272: Little Ghost, I Want You to Stay with Me Forever Evening.
When Qiao Ruoxin returned, it was already around eleven o’clock, and the nanny had left.
Xiaowu followed behind her, “Miss Qiao, Master Mo didn’t eat anything again tonight, he said he had a terrible headache and didn’t have much of an appetite.”
“Got it, I’ll make him something, you go and rest.”
“Okay.”
Xiaowu turned and left.
After she changed into slippers, she glanced at the staircase, the villa was so quiet it seemed as if no one was there at all.
Qiao Ruoxin arrived in the kitchen, washed her hands, then opened the refrigerator, and took out some ingredients.
She decided to make Master Mo a bowl of Japanese-style tonkotsu ramen.
…
Half an hour later.
There was a knock on the door outside the study, and the man stared deeply at the computer screen, his thoughts suddenly interrupted.
He looked up, “Come in.”
Then, Qiao Ruoxin entered the study with a tray, placing it on the desk, “Tonkotsu char siu ramen and a fruit salad, eat it all up.”
Mo Chen laughed out loud, a slight helplessness on his handsome face, he said in a deep voice, “Drank quite a bit at the dinner party, don’t really have an appetite.”
“Then you should eat, otherwise your stomach will get worse.”
She pushed the tray towards him, “If you don’t eat, I won’t make you anything in the future.”
The man finally picked up his chopsticks and started eating the noodles.
Seeing him move the chopsticks, Ruoxin revealed a satisfied smile, sat on the chair opposite the desk, and watched him eat.
“Mo Chen, are you not happy today?”
“No.”
“I can tell, you’re in a bad mood.”
Because she knew him too well, she could feel there was something off with the man as soon as she entered the study; the atmosphere in the study was low, a bit oppressive.
The man looked up at her, “What else did you notice?”
“I can tell everything, so don’t lie to me.”
Mo Chen let out a disdainful snort, “I’m thinking about how we didn’t use protection last night, wondering if you might be pregnant, can you see that?”
“…”
Er…
How could she possibly tell that?
Instantly, Ruoxin’s face flushed red, “You really are… indecent!”
She abruptly stood up, “I’m going to take a bath!”
Having said that, she turned and left the study without looking back.
Watching her retreating figure, Mo Chen laughed out loud again, then he continued eating the noodles, after all, they were personally cooked by Little Ghost and should not go to waste.
…
After Ruoxin had taken her bath, she wrapped her long hair in a towel and went alone to the terrace to catch the breeze.
She picked up paper and a pen and continued writing something.
After an unknown amount of time, she heard footsteps from the bedroom.
Had Mo Chen returned from the study? He usually stayed until around 12 o’clock.
She removed the towel from her head, her hair half-dry, and returned to the bedroom. She saw that the bathroom door was closed, with the sound of running water inside.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened.
The man came out, dressed in a black robe, the collar open, revealing his sexy mermaid-line abs.
That night, he didn’t go to find Ruoxin, but lay alone on the bed, with a pensive look on his face.
Ruoxin walked out of the dressing room, changed into a camisole nightgown, and stood in front of the bed looking at him.
“What are you thinking about?”
The man looked up at her, stared at her for a few seconds, “Come here.”
Without much thought, she climbed into bed and threw herself into the man’s arms, lying on his chest, and instantly smelled a faint scent of mint.
Mo Chen wrapped his arms around Little Ghost in his embrace, chin resting on the top of her head, and his deep voice slowly began, “Little Ghost…”
“Hmm?”
“Would you regret not having your parents appear at our wedding?”
Qiao Ruoxin stiffened slightly, she truly hadn’t considered this question.
Now, trapped in a deadlock with her parents, how could they possibly attend her wedding?
Seeing her silent,
Mo Chen’s slender fingers lifted her chin, gazing directly into her beautiful eyes, “Tell me the truth, I want to hear it.”
“To be honest, there would be some regret, but it’s not that important anymore, is it?”
The man asked again, “Is it because of your father that you feel all men are unreliable?”
Qiao Ruoxin was startled, then nodded, “Maybe.”
“Do you dare to bet your life on me now?” His eyes were like an unfathomable abyss, bottomless, and even carried a hint of eerie terror.
“I dare not, but I still want to try.”
Because she believed Mo Chen would not disappoint her.
Mo Chen stared at her, pressing her, “Why?”
She frowned slightly, “Because just thinking about handing you over to another woman, that you might pamper another woman like you pamper me, makes me feel especially uncomfortable, and moreover, I feel more at ease with you.”
Of course, she felt more at ease by Mo Chen’s side. His pampering was like that of a father doting on his daughter, indulgent to a fault, practically spoiling her.
The man gazed at her for a long, long time, as if a century had passed.
In truth, he felt the same.
Just the thought of Little Ghost possibly belonging to another man in the future caused him a heart-gnawing pain, spreading to his limbs and bones.
For the past two years, on countless dark and lonely nights, he had wondered if Little Ghost was lying beside some other man at that moment?
That’s why his psychological barriers had become increasingly severe; the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t sleep, the more he thought about it, the more nauseous he felt.
Two years ago, in the first month after Qiao Ruoxin disappeared.
He just couldn’t understand why Little Ghost didn’t like him.
Wasn’t he excellent?
Not handsome enough?
Not enough money?
Not a high enough status?
Not treating her well enough?
Over and over, he thought, but ultimately there was no answer.
In the end, he even found himself laughable for becoming so vulgar and shallow.
Two years ago, when Qiao Ruoxin had caused the breakup, her actions had trampled down all the pride and dignity he had borne since childhood.
He had always thought no woman could reject him, but this Little Ghost shattered his perception.
Love isn’t something you can control at will.
It requires the right moment, the right place, the right people, and most importantly, the response of the other person to create fate.
“Mo Chen, brother?” Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but call out.
The man’s slender fingers steadied her face, then he leaned down and kissed her, tenderly brushing her lips, so gentle, filled with affection.
Qiao Ruoxin was indeed a little unaccustomed to this in an instant.
This man was so rarely so tender.
She couldn’t help but widen her eyes, observing Mo Chen’s closed eyelids, his lashes so thick.
The man’s kiss landed near her ear, his voice lowered, “Little Ghost, can you stay by my side forever?”
Qiao Ruoxin smiled softly, saying quietly, “I’m with you right now, aren’t I?”
Mo Chen’s lips curved with a cold, self-mocking smile.
She was with him now, but it still wasn’t enough.
His obsessive thoughts of wanting to completely imprison Qiao Ruoxin, not letting her contact anyone else, to live only in his world, persisted.
Of course, he knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t control himself.
Chapter 273: Is this not the first time you wear a wedding dress for me to see? Mo Chen’s large palm gently stroked her long hair behind her back and kissed her forehead, “Go to sleep.”
That’s it, go to sleep?
This really wasn’t Mo Chen’s style.
She clung to the man’s body like a koala and took the initiative to kiss his Adam’s apple, “I’m not sleepy, I don’t want to sleep.”
The man raised his eyebrows slightly, “So proactive tonight? Is there something you want from me?”
“…”
This damn man must have learned the Mind Reading Technique; how could he always guess so accurately?
Feeling somewhat guilty, she shook her head, “No, can’t it simply be that I want you?”
Mo Chen scoffed, “Weren’t you the one who called me vulgar? Didn’t you say that these are all I think about every day?”
“Did I say that? I don’t remember… Anyway, I won’t despise you tonight.” She looked all smiles, evidently with ulterior motives.
The man’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Out with it, what is it? You’ve already written your thoughts all over your face.”
“…” Qiao Ruoxin laughed awkwardly, “Mo Chen, you’re really smart, but I was prepared to sacrifice myself, and you didn’t want that… so don’t blame me.”
“Sacrifice?”
Mo Chen scoffed disdainfully, “You mean to say that every time you sleep with me, you feel like you’re making a sacrifice?”
She denied vehemently, “Not at all! It’s an honor! After all, so many women are lining up and can’t enjoy this treatment.”
“What is it, really?”
“It’s just… I managed to land a cameo role in a movie. It’s not a sex scene or a kissing scene, just playing the ex-girlfriend of the male lead, and I need to wear a wedding dress for a wedding scene. Is that okay?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s innocent little face gazed at him, blinking her eyes, sincerely waiting for his response.
Mo Chen’s expression turned colder, “Your first time wearing a wedding dress isn’t for me to see?”
And also, what the hell, ‘marrying’ someone else???
“It’s just acting, just a few minutes of footage. How about you come watch me film this scene tomorrow?” She knew it wouldn’t be so easy to convince Mo Chen.
The man’s arms encircled her slender waist, his voice deep, “What if I don’t agree?”
“Then I’ll just have to take measures and punish you!”
Mo Chen’s eyebrows raised, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he looked at her mockingly, “How are you going to punish me?”
This Little Ghost sure talked big, thinking she could punish him?
Qiao Ruoxin immediately turned cold, moved away from the man’s embrace, and lay on the bed beside him, “Just like this. You’re not allowed to touch me for a whole month, not allowed to hold me when we sleep, and maybe, I won’t even want to talk to you.”
“…”
The man was silent for a minute, then growled through clenched teeth, “You better not push it!”
“So, are you agreeing?”
Actually, she wanted to leave behind some classic works before she left the entertainment industry, otherwise in the future when she married into the Mo Family, when people mentioned her, they would only think of the term “vase,” without any significant accomplishments.
Mo Chen glanced at her, his tone angry and harsh, “Come here! Sit on top of me!”
She revealed a smile yet obediently crawled over to the man’s body, straddling his waist.
“Mo Chen, can you come to the set tomorrow? Besides, the wedding dresses at the production site will definitely be average… Not very amazing.”
The man took her hand and pulled her into his arms, holding her slim and soft body tightly, “Pick the ugliest wedding dress.”
This Little Ghost in the most beautiful wedding dress had to be reserved for his own wedding.
“Yes!” Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes brightened, and she breathed a sigh of relief, finally getting his approval,
Mo Chen looked down at her, “I’ve just gotten in the mood, really want to ravish you to death!”
“No way, you just rejected me, so you’ve lost your chance.” She smiled so sweetly, so coquettishly, so infuriatingly.
“…”
The man pinched her chin, his voice stern, “What’s the plot?”
She vaguely remembered something about an ex-girlfriend?
“It’s the ex-girlfriend of the male lead, and then the ex-girlfriend gets married, he attends, and then he cries out of heartbreak at the wedding,” she said.
After Qiao Ruoxin finished speaking, a layer of frost seemed to cover the handsome features of the man.
What is with this infuriating plot?
“I will visit the set tomorrow, so you better behave yourself,” he warned.
Qiao Ruoxin smiled lightly, “When have I not been good? I’m just making a cameo. Do you know how many lead roles I’ve turned down? I only dare to take roles as the evil supporting lady or cameos.”
The night was chilling, yet the atmosphere in the bedroom became somewhat ambiguous.
“Ruoxin, do you feel wronged?” the man’s hands began to wander.
She became panicked instantly, “Don’t mess around, I have to wear a wedding dress tomorrow, which reveals a lot of skin.”
“So you dare to seduce me just now? Looking for trouble?” he growled.
Qiao Ruoxin muttered under her breath, “Seeing you in a bad mood, I knew you would refuse me…”
Mo Chen gave her perky behind a slap, “All your little schemes are spent on me!”
Even though he was angry, Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but burst out laughing, unable to stop herself and forgetting the pain on her buttocks.
“Laugh again and see what happens!”
The next second, he flipped her beneath him, his presence threatening from every angle.
Qiao Ruoxin’s delightful laughter ended abruptly, her face in a panic, “No more laughing, no more. Let’s sleep, okay?”
Her attitude was quite proper, even asking for his approval.
She stirred his anger and now pleaded innocence, wanting to sleep?
He really wanted to finish off this Little Ghost!
Mo Chen stared at her for a while, then, with fury, fiercely kissed her for over ten minutes before turning off the light.
“Sleep!”
The man scooped her into his arms, holding her tightly to him.
Damn!
This guy’s kiss was nothing like the gentle ones before, it was clearly out of spite.
Qiao Ruoxin lightly pushed against the man’s body, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep.
Unexpectedly, his deep voice entered her ears, “Move again and I’ll devour you!”
Qiao Ruoxin glared at him angrily, then closed her eyes to sleep.
Gradually, the bedroom returned to silence, with only their regular breathing as they entered a deep sleep.
Even in his sleep, the man habitually pressed tightly against Qiao Ruoxin’s body, as if he was holding a pillow.
…
The next morning.
Qiao Ruoxin opened her eyes hazily, just in time.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, then noticed that the man beside her had already disappeared.
She got out of bed to wash up in the bathroom, and standing in front of the vanity, she inspected her reflection closely in the mirror and noticed a faint mark left on her collarbone.
Damn!
When had that appeared? While she was asleep?
This despicable man was being completely unreasonable, especially since she had mentioned wearing a wedding dress today!
Well, she’d have to get the makeup artist to cover it up with concealer when she arrived on set.
Actually, she was quite looking forward to today’s scene. However, the thought of Mo Ye visiting the set made her feel a bit awkward.
Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Lost All the Chest Weight, Would the Wedding Dress Still Look Good? Film set.
Qiao Ruoxin arrived at the filming location, and after her makeup and hair were done, she was ready to change into a wedding dress.
The crew had prepared several wedding dresses for her to choose from, each one very exquisite and beautiful.
She looked at these various wedding dresses, feeling troubled…
“Ruoxin, do you dislike all of these? I think they’re pretty,” her assistant said from the side.
She sighed softly, “You don’t understand, it’s because they’re too beautiful that I’m indecisive.”
“Why?”
“Tell me, which one of these wedding dresses is the ugliest?” she asked her assistant seriously.
The assistant was stunned, what kind of question was that?
After looking over them several times, the assistant pointed at one: “This one, I guess. It’s comparatively plain and the style is very conservative.”
Qiao Ruoxin nodded in satisfaction, “Then I’ll wear this one.”
“…”
The assistant felt completely confused by her line of thinking; shouldn’t she choose the most beautiful dress?
After Qiao Ruoxin changed into the not ‘very ordinary’ wedding dress, she still amazed the assistant and the makeup artist.
“Wow… Ruoxin, you look so beautiful in this wedding dress, it suits you so well.”
The dress, being the simplest design and quite inconspicuous on the hanger, instantly took on the aura of a bridal theme show when worn by Qiao Ruoxin.
The makeup artist nodded in agreement, “Mhm, beautiful, simple and elegant, it fits the male lead’s first love goddess role perfectly, let’s go with this one.”
Qiao Ruoxin walked to the mirror to see her reflection, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
So this was what she looked like in a wedding dress…
She wondered what she would look like in a wedding dress at her own wedding with Mo Chen; it must be beautiful…
…
When Qiao Ruoxin, holding the hem of her wedding dress, entered the filming scene, it caused an outcry; this was without a doubt a visual feast.
The filming location had been prepared in advance, just waiting for her arrival to start shooting.
In this scene, she played the male lead’s first love goddess, where the male lead appears at the wedding, silently watching her happy and sweet smile, then turns with reddened eyes and leaves.
Qiao Ruoxin had already taken her position, waiting for the director to call for action.
Unknowingly, from a distance behind the director’s monitor, Mo Chen had arrived.
Mo Chen, with his tall and handsome figure, stood behind the director, his dark eyes fixed on the distant figure of the woman, in her pure and noble wedding dress, holding a light blue bouquet in her hands.
The corner of the man’s mouth curled into an indulgent smile.
This Little Ghost had put on a touch of tenderness with the wedding dress, completely transformed into a dignified and elegant goddess, radiating a sexy charm in every gesture.
The director commanded with a microphone, “If everyone’s ready, let’s shoot one take, play the wedding march.”
…
A crew member stepped in front of the camera, starting the clapboard: “Wedding scene one, take one, 3, 2, 1, action!”
The wedding march began to play softly as Qiao Ruoxin walked towards the church. In that moment, she strangely felt a hint of nervousness.
As arranged in the plot, she turned back for a glance, spotting the figure of the movie’s male lead, and also catching a glimpse of Mo Chen in the distance.
In that moment, the thought struck her: what if one day she were to get married and Mo Chen was standing in a corner watching her like this?
Suddenly, her heart felt an ache, and mist gathered in her beautiful eyes.
After several takes, the director was finally satisfied, and her part came to an end.
…
Qiao Ruoxin returned to the dressing room to change her clothes and left the film set, just in time to see Mo Chen’s car parked there.
She walked towards the car and opened the door.
Inside, the man was resting his arm on the window, long fingers supporting his forehead, looking out of the window, seemingly lost in thought.
“Mo Chen, Brother?”
“Hmm…”
Qiao Ruoxin looked at his silent demeanor and couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking about?”
The man withdrew his gaze, turned back to look at her delicate little face, which still had her bridal makeup on.
“Nothing.”
“Really?” Her little hand touched the man’s chin, trying to cheer him up.
Mo Chen grabbed her mischievous slender fingers and said in a deep voice, “Little Ghost, if I were that male lead, I would have directly snatched the wedding.”
Qiao Ruoxin was stunned for a second, then burst out laughing.
That was right, this was Mo Chen’s style, simple and brutal without discussion, what’s his is his, and what’s not his, he would stop at nothing to make it his.
“Mo Chen, Brother, did I play my part so well that you got into character?”
A trace of loss flashed through Mo Chen’s dark eyes, yet he held her little hand tightly, his deep voice a bit hoarse, “For the past two years, I’ve always been fantasizing about the scene just now, and now I’ve finally seen it with my own eyes.”
In the past two years, he’d always been wondering if Little Ghost had secretly gotten married.
Watching that scene earlier, his heart ached faintly, as if an old illness had flared up again.
Perhaps it was because Little Ghost’s acting was too good, that happy smile too dazzling, making him feel very annoyed.
The smile at the corner of Qiao Ruoxin’s mouth gradually disappeared as she threw herself into the man’s embrace and hugged his body tightly, with her chin resting on his broad shoulders.
“Mo Chen, Brother, I only want to marry you. The wedding dress I chose today was the ugliest one there…” Her voice was tender and sweet.
Mo Chen lifted his arm to embrace her slender body, “Good…”
“Won’t you stop being angry, please?”
She could only patiently coax Mo Chen.
The man scoffed, and his large palm stroked her head, “I’m not angry.”
“Mo Chen, Brother, let’s make sky blue the theme of our wedding, it’s my lucky color.”
“Okay.”
Weddings are ultimately about making a woman’s dream come true. As for him, a grown man, he didn’t have any requirements for the wedding itself.
For him, the most important thing was registering the marriage.
A wedding was just a way for him to announce his marriage to the public.
She dreamt about her wedding with this man, her mouth curving up unconsciously.
“Then you have to dress me in the most beautiful wedding gown.”
Mo Chen released her from his embrace, “I’m already selecting wedding gown designers. I’ll give you the information tonight, and you can choose one yourself.”
Her eyes lit up, laughing happily, “Really? I get to pick the wedding gown designer myself?”
A wedding gown designer picked by Mo Chen would undoubtedly be among the world’s most renowned.
The man’s lips curved into a smile, nodding his head, “It’s you who will be wearing the wedding gown, so of course you should choose.”
Qiao Ruoxin hugged the man’s body again, kissing his chin, “Thank you, Mo Chen, Brother. I’m going to start dieting now. On the wedding day, I want to wear the wedding gown in the most beautiful way.”
“Your waist is already so slim, what else is there to lose?”
A hint of displeasure appeared between the man’s brows as he touched her slender waist.
“You don’t understand, a wedding gown looks best when worn very slim.”
“…”
He didn’t understand.
However, Mo Chen posed a very realistic question, “If you lose your bust too, will the wedding gown still look good?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s smile gradually faded.
This damn man really knew how to ruin the mood!
: Chapter 275: Actually, I remembered the car accident from two years ago. Qiao Ruoxin subconsciously looked down at her chest and frowned, wondering if dieting would affect this area.
“Dieting shouldn’t have anything to do with this…”
The man scoffed disdainfully, “Women always confidently think that dieting will only reduce the parts they want to.
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin pouted slightly, “Then I’ll just lose another three pounds, I’m not greedy, okay?”
“Losing three pounds will turn you into an airport,” the corner of the man’s mouth lifted with a roguish air as he deliberately teased Little Ghost.
“You’re so annoying, always scaring me…”
Mo Chen hugged her soft body and said in a deep voice, “Little Ghost, the way you feel now is great, no need to lose more, if you lose again, there will only be bones left, and there won’t be anything left to touch.”
“…”
What was this jerk saying?
Was this a threat?
Qiao Ruoxin had no choice but to compromise, “Fine, I won’t lose any more. If I don’t look good in my wedding dress, it will be your fault!”
He pinched Qiao Ruoxin’s cheek with a trace of amusement, “Alright, blame me.”
“Where to now?”
Mo Chen wrapped his arms around her slender waist and touched it a few more times, still feeling it was too thin.
“Taking you to lunch, then we’ll go home and rest, okay?” His voice was lazy and sexy, with a hint of seduction.
She nodded obediently, “Yeah, I’m really a bit sleepy.”
Just as Qiao Ruoxin was about to lay in the man’s arms for a nap, she suddenly remembered something, “Oh right!”
“What is it?”
Mo Chen’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
“I said yesterday I would give you a rub, didn’t you say you had a headache? I forgot all about it last night…”
“You’re just remembering now?”
Qiao Ruoxin laughed awkwardly, “Then I forgot, and you didn’t remind me, let’s do it now.”
He laughed out loud, “But I don’t have a headache now.”
“Then just consider it a massage.” Saying so, she sat directly on the man’s legs, her slender fingers pressing on his temples.
Qiao Ruoxin looked into his eyes, “Mo Chen, close your eyes.”
He closed his eyes and then felt the cool fingertips gently massaging his temples, it was very comfortable.
The car was so quiet that he almost fell asleep.
After a while, Qiao Ruoxin asked softly, “Does it feel good?”
Mo Chen’s mouth curved into a slight smile, he replied faintly, “Mhm…”
“Do you want to buy a card?” she joked.
The smile at the corner of the man’s mouth grew thicker, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting her sparkling ones, “Let’s get a lifetime card.”
“Dream on!”
“Little Ghost, in the future, you can only rub for me, understand?” His tone was gentle but carried a hint of possessiveness.
Qiao Ruoxin nodded helplessly, “I’ll serve only you, Master Mo.”
The man’s long fingers pinched her earlobe, “Good girl.”
Forty minutes later.
The driver stopped the car outside a Chinese restaurant, and they went in to have their meal.
Qiao Ruoxin ordered a lot of dishes, many of which were Mo Chen’s favorites.
An hour had passed by the time they finished eating, and Mo Chen instructed the driver to take her back to Jiangfu No.1.
Qiao Ruoxin sat in the car, waving at the man outside the window, “Goodbye, Brother Mo Chen…”
The car slowly drove away.
The man standing still returned to his usual indifference. After a minute, Xiaowu pulled up in his car in front of him.
Xiaowu got out of the car to help him open the door, “Mr. Mo, the hospital discharge procedures are complete. Miss Lin Xi can leave at any time.”
The man responded indifferently and sat in the car, but there was a trace of ruthlessness in his pitch-black eyes.
Everyone knew what he was going to do at the hospital today.
Xiaowu thought it was just a matter of picking Lin Xi up from the hospital, but a good show was about to begin.
…
Hospital.
Inside the high-end ward, Lin Xi’s injuries had almost completely healed, and she was completely ready for discharge.
These days she had been rather undisturbed, with no one bothering her.
But today, Mo Chen said he would come to pick her up for discharge, and she felt that something was off, but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Lin Xi stood in front of the window in the ward, looking at the azure sky outside. The weather was very good today.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door behind her.
Lin Xi’s heart skipped a beat, and she slowly turned around: “Come in.”
The moment the door was pushed open, Lin Xi prayed in her heart that it wouldn’t be Mo Chen, but it was precisely that man who walked in.
Mo Chen was dressed more casually today, in a snow-white shirt with two buttons undone, sleeves rolled up revealing a wristwatch, and black trousers, his figure tall and straight, with a strong presence.
“Mo… Mo Chen, you’re here.”
“Mhm.”
“Then let’s go, I’m all ready,” Lin Xi said, inexplicably nervous.
However, Mo Chen pulled out a chair and sat down with an indifferent face: “No rush, let’s talk first.”
Lin Xi stiffened completely, her complexion changing. Talk?
“Talk about what?”
Mo Chen looked up at Lin Xi expressionlessly: “Actually, about the car accident two years ago, I’ve remembered it.”
Boom!
Lin Xi felt as if she had been struck by thunder, standing there in shock.
“What have you remembered?” Lin Xi’s voice was trembling.
Mo Chen observed her nervous expression and the cold sweat that quickly appeared on her forehead, and chuckled softly: “That afraid?”
“…” Lin Xi couldn’t help but take a step back.
Impossible, he must be deceiving her; if Mo Chen had remembered the car accident from two years ago, he definitely would not be so calm. Given his temperament, he would surely have erupted like a volcano.
“Were you filmed in a video?”
Lin Xi’s face turned deathly pale, and she found herself unable to utter a word.
Mo Chen: “It seems the woman in that video is indeed you.”
Yet he couldn’t understand why he would remember that video. What did Lin Xi’s sleeping with someone have to do with him?
“It isn’t me! I…” Lin Xi wanted to argue but found herself at a loss for words, not knowing what to say.
The man slowly stood up, his voice cold: “I don’t care whether it’s you or not, I’m only concerned about why you were at the scene of the accident, and why you happened to save me. As far as I know, that area’s terrain is complex and not suitable for camping.”
“I was just camping and happened to pass by…”
Mo Chen was somewhat disappointed with her answer: “I’ve already recovered some of my memory; your lies won’t hold up much longer.”
After saying that, he left the ward with an air of indifference.
In the moment the door closed, Lin Xi felt as if her soul had been emptied out.
Her fingertips trembled. What was she to do if Mo Chen had regained his memory?
Would Simon directly make the video public?
If so, her whole life would be ruined.
Lin Xi picked up her phone and dialed Simon’s number, but it rang several times without an answer.
Finally, the call connected, and Simon’s voice came through: “Miss Lin, what do you want by calling me?”
Chapter 276: Pretending to be asleep? Lin Xi gripped her phone tightly, emotionally stirred, “Mo Chen came to the hospital today, he said he’s started to remember parts of the car accident from two years ago!”
The other end of the phone was silent for a long time, “Impossible, if he remembered, he wouldn’t have this kind of attitude.”
“But I can feel that he really has remembered some things! He said that the woman in the video in his head is me! He really remembered!”
“Huh… It seems Miss Lin really lives up to the title of uselessness. You’re completely worthless to me now. If you panic and give yourself away again, don’t blame me for exposing your scandal to the public.”
Lin Xi’s face turned deathly pale, “What on earth do you want!”
“Disappear from the capital immediately, and don’t come back without my permission.”
Beep… Beep…
Lin Xi looked at the disconnected call, her heartbeat quickened, as if about to leap out of her chest.
So many things seemed they could no longer be concealed.
…
At the same time.
In the office, Simon stood by the window and hung up the phone, raising his eyes to the endless sky.
He couldn’t help but murmur, “At least up until now, he should have remembered nothing.”
If he had really remembered everything, he couldn’t possibly be this calm.
This isn’t Mo Chen’s temperament.
But it could prove that Mo Chen has started to suspect something, perhaps already conducting a covert investigation of the car accident from two years ago.
Simon picked up the phone again, dialed Qiao Ruoxin’s number, which connected after a few rings.
He waited a long time for Qiao Ruoxin to speak.
Simon chuckled softly, “Why don’t you talk?”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Simon lifted his chin slightly, the corners of his mouth curling up, “Then why answer my call?”
“Because I’m waiting for your move.”
The man raised an eyebrow, “A move?”
“For the past two years, we’ve been matching wits and bravery. It’s no different now. I’ve already told you about my marriage plans, how could you possibly remain indifferent?”
On the other end of the phone, Qiao Ruoxin’s voice suddenly became calm.
This was rather surprising to Simon, but he still laughed, “Darling, I don’t want to match wits with you. Just be good, and we can talk about everything.”
“Since it’s all nonsense, then I’m hanging up.”
Simon suddenly spoke, “Darling, let me tell you a secret.”
“…”
“No matter what, you won’t be able to have this marriage. My father won’t agree to it; he has other plans for your life.”
“What right does a stepfather have to dictate my life?”
Simon laughed even more unrestrained, “Have you never wondered why your father surnamed Qiao is so cold towards you? It’s because you are not his biological child.”
“…”
On the other end, Qiao Ruoxin was silent for a long time, and then she hung up the phone directly.
–
In the garden of House No. 1 of the Jiang family’s estate,
Qiao Ruoxin clenched her phone tightly as she stood on the lawn, her brows furrowed and her expression complex.
At that moment, the nanny came over, “Miss Qiao, your father has come again. He says he wants to see you.”
“Let him in.”
“Okay.” The nanny turned and left.
Qiao Ruoxin bit her lower lip, if what Simon said was true…
She adjusted her emotions and turned towards the villa.
…
In the living room,
Qiao’s father sat on the sofa in the living room. As soon as he saw Qiao Ruoxin, his first words were, “Stop it, Dad is sorry for you. The elite legal team of the Mo Family has never lost, and now the public opinion has turned in your favor…”
Before Qiao’s father could finish speaking, she suddenly asked, “Am I your biological child?”
Mr. Qiao stood frozen in place.
“I’m serious. Do we have any blood relation?”
Mr. Qiao’s face turned ugly in an instant, “Who told you these things? Your mother?”
“If you tell me the truth, I might consider dropping the lawsuit.” She stared intently into her father’s eyes, desperate to know the answer.
At that moment, Mr. Qiao’s expression resembled that of someone who had swallowed a fly, finding it difficult to speak, but eventually, he said, “It was only during the divorce from your mother that I found out we had no blood relation, so I didn’t fight for your custody.”
Ruoxin’s pupils shrank suddenly, and after a few seconds, she let out a cold laugh.
She turned and headed for the staircase as Mr. Qiao stood up, “Ruoxin…”
“I got it. I’ll consider it.”
…
Inside the bedroom.
Ruoxin returned to her bedroom and then locked herself in the room alone.
At this moment, her mind was a tangled mess.
Could it be… that her father was Uncle Lawrence?
No wonder she had felt a special kindness from Uncle Lawrence that went beyond a step-father’s affection when she met him for the first time two years ago.
He had been exceedingly caring over the past two years and would even take her out to relax.
She had thought it was because of Uncle Lawrence’s deep feelings for her mother, so he loved everything associated with her, but it turned out…
If that was true, then her mother’s ruthlessness made sense.
Ruoxin stayed in her bedroom from the afternoon until the evening and didn’t come out, not even responding to the housekeeper when called for dinner.
It wasn’t until eight o’clock in the evening that Mo Chen came back.
“Sir Mo, Miss Qiao has been hiding in her bedroom all afternoon and hasn’t come out, nor has she eaten dinner. I called her, but there was no response,” the housekeeper reported.
The man glanced up at the upstairs and ordered, “Make it again and bring it up later.”
“Yes,” the housekeeper turned and left.
…
Mo Chen went upstairs and returned to the bedroom, pushing the door open to enter.
The only light in the bedroom came from the wall lamp, casting a dim light.
The man took off his suit jacket and threw it on the bench at the foot of the bed.
He saw Little Ghost lying on the bed, seemingly asleep, but as he got closer, he could still see her eyelashes quivering.
So, was she pretending to be asleep?
Mo Chen sat on the bed, his long fingers unfastening his tie beneath the collar, pulling off the tie, and looking down at her on the bed with downcast eyes.
“Little Ghost, want to try what it feels like to have your hands tied with a tie?”
The next second, Ruoxin suddenly opened her eyes, glaring at the man who was threatening her.
She sat up, “You wouldn’t dare!”
The man’s mouth curved into a smile, “What have you been doing hiding in your bedroom all afternoon? Not even eating dinner?”
“I’m not hungry, I don’t want to eat,” she said.
After speaking, she attempted to lie back down to sleep, but the man grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace.
He scooped her up around the waist and carried her toward the bathroom.
Ruoxin’s eyes widened, “What are you doing?”
“Take a bath with me, and then I’ll join you for dinner.”
“I didn’t ask you to join me for dinner, so I don’t have to join you for a bath. I’ve already bathed,” she struggled to get down.
Mo Chen held her even tighter, making it impossible for her to move.
“Mo Chen! I’ve already taken a bath!”
The man shamelessly smiled, “I’ve also had dinner, but I’ll still join you for it later.”
“…”
It was clear that reasoning with Sir Mo was pointless.
She could only obediently comply, following his lead.
Chapter 277: Of Course Brother Will Coax You An hour later, the bathroom door opened.
It was still the man holding Qiao Ruoxin as he came out, setting her down on the bench at the end of the bed before returning to the bathroom to fetch a hairdryer to dry her hair.
When she had entered, Qiao Ruoxin had still been capable of struggling with anger, but by the time she came out, she didn’t even have the strength to walk.
She sat obediently on the bench at the end of the bed, watching as Mo Chen approached with the hairdryer.
Recalling the scene in the bathroom over the past hour, her cheeks involuntarily heated up.
Mo Chen stood before her in a black robe, drying her hair for her.
The collar of his robe was open, and Ruoxin’s gaze fell directly on his sexy mermaid-line abs, and as she looked up, she saw the man’s chest muscles.
Looking at the bite mark she had left on Mo Chen’s shoulder, uh… it was truly embarrassing.
Mo Chen noticed her awkward look and chuckled lowly, “What are you looking at? Wasn’t it your own doing?”
Her voice was soft and weak, “You forced me, I already said I didn’t want to bathe with you.”
The man’s slender fingers wove through her long hair, carefully and attentively drying it before turning off the hairdryer.
At this time, there was a knock on the bedroom door.
“Mr. Mo, dinner has been made again, should I bring it in now?”
But Mo Chen didn’t respond and instead looked down at her, “Do you want to eat in the dining room or here?”
Qiao Ruoxin thought for a moment, and said, “I don’t want to eat.”
“Are you blaming me for not getting enough exercise just now? You’re still not hungry after all that?”
“…”
If only this jerk could keep his mouth shut! How pleasant on the eyes would he be!
“But really, I don’t want to eat – skipping one meal won’t do anything.”
“Little Ghost, I don’t want to hear that.” His tone sounded very calm, but it carried an irresistible forcefulness.
She had no choice but to concede.
“Then… let’s go to the dining room. Eating in the bedroom would leave a smell of grease, and we still have to sleep here at night.”
Mo Chen’s lips curled up; he bent down, picked up her limp body, and headed toward the bedroom door.
“Put me down, I can walk by myself.”
But the man arrogantly and shamelessly responded, “You don’t have the strength to walk any longer; you could hardly stand in the bathroom just now.”
“…” She was really speechless, pinching the man’s chin, “Whose fault is that? I told you, I didn’t want to shower with you!”
Mo Chen laughed softly, his laugh pleasurable and sexy, “Hmm, my fault.”
She sniffed disdainfully and turned her head away, not wanting to deal with this jerk.
…
They arrived at the downstairs dining room.
The nanny tactfully pulled out a chair; Mo Chen placed her in the chair and then glanced at the nanny, “You can leave work now.”
“Yes, Mr. Mo.”
The nanny laughed at the sweet scene before her, thinking youth’s world was indeed wonderful.
After the nanny had left.
Qiao Ruoxin glared at the man next to her, “Don’t hold me like that in front of the nanny again, making me look like I’m some little vixen who clings to you every day.”
The man sat calmly in the seat next to hers, his voice deep, “Aren’t you?”
“When have I ever…”
Before she could finish, Mo Chen shamelessly interjected with complete seriousness, “Not eating, fasting, isn’t it just so I would come and coax you?”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
Don’t be fooled by that man of few words; when it came to verbal sparring, she never stood a chance against him, with one flawed argument following another.
Mo Chen ate very little, having already had a meal outside; he was just there to supervise Little Ghost’s eating.
He served her a small bowl of soup and placed it in front of her and also helped her to a lot of dishes.
“That’s enough, I can’t finish all this.”
Half an hour later, Qiao Ruoxin, full beyond her capacity, only managed to finish the small bowl of soup before turning and leaving.
“I’ll take a walk in the garden.”
“Mm.”
Mo Chen didn’t stop her because he sensed that the Little Ghost seemed preoccupied with something.
…
Qiao Ruoxin walked alone in the garden, her mind still in a bit of chaos.
Constantly recalling her experiences from childhood to adulthood.
What exactly were her mother and Uncle Lawrence thinking?
If her biological father was indeed Uncle Lawrence, then marrying Simon would be incestuous, wouldn’t it? The mere thought disgusted her.
After some time, Mo Chen’s tall and majestic figure approached from behind her.
Lost in thought, Qiao Ruoxin was startled when she noticed an additional shadow on the ground.
She turned sharply and, upon seeing Mo Chen, let out a sigh of relief.
“You move so quietly, you scared me.” Her tone carried a slight complaint.
The man held a document in his hand and handed it to her, “Choose one.”
Qiao Ruoxin took the document with a puzzled face. Upon opening it, her eyes brightened, and her lips curved upwards involuntarily.
The document contained information about world-famous wedding dress designers and their award-winning bridal gown designs.
As she flipped through each master’s work, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “They’re all so beautiful…”
Mo Chen, seeing the spark of joy finally appear in her eyes, spoke in a deep voice, “No rush, take your time choosing.”
When Qiao Ruoxin reached the last page, she was amazed by the bridal gown design. It was a dreamy Disney princess style that made her feel as if she were in a fairytale world.
She couldn’t help but smile and looked up at Mo Chen’s handsome face, “This one, I like this one!”
The man looked down at the bridal gown design, a smile forming on his lips. As expected, she chose this one, just as he had anticipated.
“Fine.”
Then, Mo Chen took the document from her hands.
Qiao Ruoxin, still eager to look more, said, “Hey, I wanted to look at it again.”
“This document will stay here. You can look at it whenever you want, and you have a month to make a different choice if you want.”
“No need, I want that wedding dress, it’s beautiful.” Once she had her heart set on something, she would not choose again.
Mo Chen sat down on the nearby black rattan chair and asked in a deep voice, “Unhappy?”
A tremor went through Ruoxin, and after a second’s hesitation, she sat down on another rattan chair, “No, I just slept too much in the afternoon and felt a bit dizzy.”
The man’s large hand took hold of hers, his voice low and sensual, “You can talk to me if you’re not happy, hmm?”
“Mo Chen, are you going to comfort me?” she asked with a slight smile, her gaze falling on the watch on Mo Chen’s wrist, remembering the watch she had given him, which Mo Chen had been wearing lately.
It had to be said, that watch really suited Mo Chen’s temperament.
Worn on Mo Chen’s wrist, it exuded a priceless aura.
Mo Chen chuckled and pulled her up to sit on his lap, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.
Resting his chin on her shoulder, he inhaled the faint fragrance from her hair and spoke slowly, “Of course, your brother will comfort you.”
Chapter 278: Men Should Be Gentler, More Gentlemanly Qiao Ruoxin’s lips curved upward as she glanced side ways at the handsome face of the man, “Then how are you going to coax me?”
The man’s large hand cradled the back of her head, then he kissed her lips, answering her directly with action.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened in surprise, as she pushed him away instinctively, “What are you doing? Weren’t you done with your shenanigans in the bathroom? I don’t want this. I’m very tired.”
“Let’s go back to sleep.”
After speaking, the man scooped her up in a princess carry and stood up to leave, walking towards the villa.
“Could you be a bit gentler with that princess carry?” she wrapped her arms around the man’s neck, though she was already accustomed to being held.
Mo Chen raised his eyebrows slightly and looked down at her, “Gentle?”
“Yeah, men should be a bit more gentle, a bit more gentlemanly…”
“If I weren’t gentle, your bones would have fallen apart long ago.”
The romantic and beautiful atmosphere was thus destroyed. This damn man was truly adept at ruining the mood!
She held back her anger and closed her eyes, letting out a laugh.
Don’t get angry, don’t get angry.
She was already used to this damn man’s ways.
Back in the bedroom.
Mo Chen placed her on the bed, tucked her in, and spoke in a stern tone like an elder, “You sleep tight. I’m going to the study.”
“Have you fallen in love with the study lately? You always come back from the study in the middle of the night. Go sleep with the study!”
She didn’t know why she was upset, feeling as though Mo Chen was neglecting her.
The man looked at her as she turned her back to him and huffed to sleep, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud, a trace of helplessness on his handsome face.
Then he turned off the light and lay on the bed, embracing her from behind.
“I’ll keep you company in bed, okay?” His voice was sexy and lazy, as if bewitching Qiao Ruoxin.
Qiao Ruoxin struggled awkwardly, throwing a small tantrum. In fact, upon hearing that deep male voice, she felt her body tingle all over.
The damn man was really annoying, always breathing in her ear, making her feel ticklish.
No matter how much she struggled, the man behind her still held her firmly and lowered his voice, “Little Ghost, aren’t you tired? Do you want to ‘exercise’ a bit more?”
“…”
As expected, the effect was immediate, and Qiao Ruoxin became motionless, obediently going to sleep.
The man sighed softly and held her soft body, “Sleep now.”
In the darkness, however, came a proud snort from Qiao Ruoxin, and then she gradually slipped into deep sleep.
…
The next day, afternoon.
Luxury brand retail store.
She was attending Director Chen’s birthday party in the evening, so Qiao Ruoxin came to pick out a dress.
As a VIP customer and a popular actress, she used the special privilege given to VIPs to have the shop closed for an hour just to serve her alone.
“Miss Qiao, these are our summer new arrivals. This dress complements your aura quite well. Would you like to try it on?”
She glanced around and finally settled on a nude-colored maxi dress, “I’ll try this one.”
“Of course, I’ll get it for you.”
Qiao Ruoxin smiled and waited for the salesperson to bring out the dress.
Because she had a cameo in “Divine Capital Siege,” she also managed to network with Director Chen, and was invited to join the birthday banquet.
At this moment, a sharp and shrill female voice came from outside.
“I thought the store was closing service for someone special, but it turns out it’s for this Mo Chen’s ex-girlfriend, heh…”
At the sound, Qiao Ruoxin frowned and turned to look back, seeing a woman dressed in a red dress, her lips a fiery red, her whole person exuding sensuality and enchantment.
“You are…”
“Oh, such a young age and already so forgetful? Forgot how back in the day you used Mo Chen’s power to humiliate me?”
Then it dawned on her, she remembered.
The woman before her was one of Mo Chen’s unwelcome admirers, Tao Xue, a woman who mixed in the film industry circles.
After Mo Chen returned to the country, Tao Xue pursued him relentlessly, but Mo Chen never laid his eyes on her.
Latterly, after Mo Chen and Qiao Ruoxin got together, Tao Xue became resentful, crazily hyping up that Mo Chen was a womanizer and a heartbreaker, squandering her years of youth, with the internet overflowing with her PR articles.
In the end, Hengzhong Film Company blacklisted Tao Xue in the entertainment industry, and she quieted down, only just now getting back into the game with a movie, which brought a little improvement to her career.
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but give a light laugh, “Isn’t it you who humiliated yourself? How did it become me using Mo Chen’s power?”
“I really don’t know how Mo Chen could fancy a scheming little vixen like you! I pursued him for so many years, and he actually betrayed me!” Tao Xue grew more enraged as she spoke, the memories of the past vivid in her mind.
Immediately afterwards, Tao Xue laughed joyfully in schadenfreude, “Now it’s good, Mo Chen has finally seen through your hypocritical true face, and you’re just an ex-girlfriend. What are you being so arrogant about here?”
Qiao Ruoxin slightly raised her eyebrows, hmm? Ex-girlfriend?
Was Tao Xue using a 2G network or what? The trending search of her relationship with Mo Chen had hung for three days; did Tao Xue not see it?
Qiao Ruoxin gave a slight smile, “Miss Tao, have you been abroad recently? Or perhaps in some remote area?”
“You’re investigating me? Even knowing that I went to a remote area to film? What, do you want to blacklist me again? Let me tell you! I’m not afraid of you now. You’re no longer Mo Chen’s woman; where do you get the confidence to argue with me here?”
She nodded, no wonder Tao Xue wasn’t aware of her reconciliation with Mo Chen.
A sales assistant approached Qiao Ruoxin with a dress, “Miss Qiao, you can go to the fitting room now.”
Tao Xue mocked with a sneer, “Are you clinging onto that rich young master again? Spending money so extravagantly here?”
“What’s it to you?”
At this moment, the assistant walked in, “Ruoxin, Director Chen’s birthday party is at a resort in the suburbs, we need to hurry, we might not make it in time.”
Qiao Ruoxin nodded, “I’ll leave after I change.”
“You’re also going to attend Director Chen’s birthday party? Qiao Ruoxin, how thick-skinned can you be? Previously, you used Mo Chen’s status to hype yourself up as the nation’s sweetheart, now you want to cling onto Director Chen?”
She glanced at Tao Xue, “How come you find everyone displeasing? Are you misanthropic or what?”
With her arms crossed, Tao Xue lifted her chin proudly, “Let me tell you not to waste your effort. The female lead in Director Chen’s next movie has already been decided – it’s me. By the way, who’s your sugar daddy now? Watching you try to cozy up to Director Chen?”
Qiao Ruoxin laughed, all charm and grace, “You’ll find out tonight.”
Having said that, she entered the dressing room.
Tao Xue looked at her proudly retreating figure and scoffed, “The little vixen is off to seduce Director Chen, whose wife is famously ferocious. Let’s see if she doesn’t tear your face to shreds! I’ll just wait and see you warmly throwing yourself at someone who’ll give you the cold shoulder tonight!”
Tao Xue turned to the sales assistant, “Get me that black dress; hurry up, I have a banquet to attend.”
The assistant was a bit embarrassed, “But we are currently providing a closed-store service for Miss Qiao, as it is her right as a VIP customer.”
“I don’t care! Do you want me to complain? Do you believe I’ll make a fuss?”
Just then, Qiao Ruoxin’s voice came from the changing room, “Let Miss Tao choose. I don’t mind.”
Tao Xue looked visibly upset. Tonight, she would definitely have to mention some of the bad things Qiao Ruoxin had done in front of Director Chen!
: Chapter 279: You’re still on 2G, Mo Chen and I already got back together. Evening.
Vacation estate.
Director Jian had rented out the garden here tonight for his own birthday party, inviting quite a few friends from the entertainment industry.
Qiao Ruoxin, wearing a nude-colored long dress, entered the birthday banquet scene while still on the phone with Mo Chen.
Her voice was soft, sweet, and tinged with laughter, “I’m at Director Jian’s birthday party right now, I’ll come back later. You should also drink less at your dining event.”
“Little Ghost, I’ll come pick you up.”
“No need, I have a bodyguard and an assistant, it’s very safe.”
“Hmm, but you’re not allowed to touch his next film.”
Qiao Ruoxin was somewhat dissatisfied, “Why?”
“The content is too explicit. Even if it’s filmed, it won’t pass censorship, and if it somehow does pass, it will be cut beyond recognition.”
“Okay, I got it…” she hung up the phone somewhat unhappily.
Just as she was preparing to go offer best wishes to Director Jian with a gift, she saw Tao Xue chatting and laughing vivaciously with him.
Nonetheless, Ruoxin approached and said with a smile, “Director Jian, happy birthday. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it.”
Director Jian laughed, “Thank you, Ruoxin. I just wanted to invite you over for some fun, and here you are bringing a gift. You’re so thoughtful.”
She just smiled without saying a word.
With a champagne glass in hand, Tao Xue took a sip and said, “Director Jian, do you know? Ruoxin used to be the campus belle at the film academy, ranked first in both categories to get in, she’s really amazing. Those wealthy heirs who chased after her could have lined up an entire street from the school gate back in the day.”
“I know about that. When she got first place, the media made a big fuss about it. Her ID photo went viral all over the internet, and she was only 16 years old then, so young and talented.”
Gradually, more and more people gathered around, seemingly eager to learn more about this surprise superstar, Qiao Ruoxin, from the entertainment circle.
After all, in these past three months, Ruoxin had risen to fame out of the blue, becoming a first-tier star with a massive fanbase.
Qiao Ruoxin sipped her champagne and replied with a smile, “You flatter me, there are many others more impressive than me.”
Seeing the crowd grow, Tao Xue deliberately probed, “I heard that even that famous loser Jian Chen had pursued you back then. Did you have a relationship with him? How far did it go?”
This nosy and pointed tone really made Ruoxin want to throw a drink in her face.
The onlookers perked up their ears, ready to hear how she would explain.
Ruoxin maintained her elegant smile, “I never dated him. I was young then and didn’t consider those things.”
With an innocent tone, Tao Xue pressed, “Weren’t you with Mo Chen when you were seventeen or eighteen? I remember correctly, don’t I? Although you broke up later, it wasn’t your fault. People didn’t believe me many years ago and thought I was stirring up publicity, but in reality, Mo Chen is just a scumbag who knows only how to play with women’s feelings—he never sincerely commits to a woman…”
Ruoxin couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Tao Xue’s speech was interrupted by her laughter, and then she noticed everyone looking at her with strange glances.
“Ms. Tao, you must be using a 2G network. Mo Chen and I are already back together, didn’t you know?”
Tao Xue’s smug smile froze on her face, as she stood there, expressionless and stunned.
“Tao Xue, have you gotten dumb from filming in the mountains? The news about Qiao Ruoxin and Mo Chen getting back together has been trending on Weibo for three days and nights!”
“Right, you should have known by now, even if you’re a little behind on the news.”
“What is Tao Xue even doing, I’m cringing so hard my toes are curling.”
…
As she listened to the whispers of the people around, Tao Xue’s face turned extremely ugly with embarrassment, and she awkwardly began, “For that movie, we had to maintain secrecy, so all phones were confiscated to prevent leaking scenes and costumes…”
Qiao Ruoxin drained the remaining champagne from her glass and began to speak slowly, “Also, I want to clear something up for Mo Chen. Miss Tao had pursued Mo Chen for many years, but Mo Chen was never together with her, nor was there any ambiguity between them. Later, when Mo Chen and I got together, Miss Tao bribed the media and marketing accounts, fabricating stories that Mo Chen was a jerk and a heartbreaker. I really don’t understand.”
The room erupted into a buzz…
Tao Xue’s campaign back then was absolutely sensational, and she even got banned for two years. Everyone thought there had been something between her and Mo Chen.
“Tao Xue, that was a man you once loved, right? How could you be so ruthless as to slander him, to frame him? Painting him as a jerk and a heartbreaker, does that make you feel better?”
Once Qiao Ruoxin said this, everyone immediately cast scornful glances at Tao Xue.
“Holy crap, so Tao Xue and Mo Chen were never a thing? I thought Mo Chen treated her as a backup girl, and that’s why he didn’t hesitate to kick her to the curb after getting together with Qiao Ruoxin.”
“I knew it. Mo Chen had been studying abroad all those years, where would he find the time for a fling with Tao Xue? He hadn’t been back in the country long before he got together with Qiao Ruoxin, right?”
“Right, the timelines don’t match at all. The way those marketing accounts were writing, it sounded like Mo Chen deliberately played with her and then kicked her to the curb.”
“Banned for two years and she still hasn’t learned her lesson, huh? She’s courting disaster as soon as her ban is lifted.”
“So delusional as to portray herself as a victim, tsk tsk…”
Listening to their murmurs, Tao Xue felt her entire body shaking, her champagne glass nearly crushed in her grasp.
“Director Jian, I… I have something else to attend to, I need to leave first.” With that, Tao Xue beat a hasty retreat.
Director Jian didn’t try to keep her, just sighed.
Qiao Ruoxin spoke apologetically, “Director Jian, I’m sorry for disturbing your birthday mood.”
Director Jian waved his hand, “No, it’s that I’m quite disappointed in Tao Xue. How is it that as she gets older, her mind doesn’t seem to grow? No matter how good her acting is, I wouldn’t dare to employ her again, she’s too much trouble. I should actually thank you for giving me a heads-up.”
…
In the evening, at nine o’clock.
Qiao Ruoxin left early, waiting outside the resort for her bodyguard to drive over and pick her up.
After a while, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in front of her.
From the special license plate, she recognized it as Mo Chen’s car, and it was from the company.
Her lips curved up slightly, she pulled open the door and indeed saw Mo Chen leaning back in his seat with an emperor-like demeanor.
Qiao Ruoxin bent down and sat in the car, “Didn’t I tell you not to come pick me up?”
The man’s eyes were slightly drunken and hazy as he held her hand, playing with her delicate fingers.
A deep and lazy voice slowly filled the car, “I was a bit bored, so I thought I’d come pick you up.”
Qiao Ruoxin huffed lightly, “It’s just that you didn’t want to stay home alone.”
Mo Chen chuckled softly, “Mm…”
“Little Ghost.”
“Hmm?”
“I have a headache.”
Qiao Ruoxin glanced sideways at his handsome face, “I’ll make you some sobering tea when we get back.”
The man seemed dissatisfied with her response, frowning, “I have a headache, you should rub it.”
“…”
Why did she feel that this man became particularly clingy when he was drunk?
Fierce yet clingy.
Chapter 280: Arranged Childhood Marriage? Mo Chen was engaged in an arranged childhood marriage? Mo Chen pulled her soft body into his embrace, his voice lazy and sexy, “Little Ghost, hmm?”
She felt somewhat helpless yet found it amusing.
She had no choice but to sit sideways on the man’s lap and then pressed her fingers against his temples, gently and patiently massaging them.
The man’s brows, which had been slightly furrowed, gradually relaxed, and the corners of his lips curved into a smile.
“Feeling better? Happy now? Not throwing a temper tantrum anymore?”
“Hmm…”
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but chuckle, “Why do you act like a child when you’re drunk?”
Mo Chen slowly opened his eyes and stared at her earnest gaze, his arms tightening around her slender waist.
He just stared at her unblinkingly, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
The man let out a scoff, “Can’t I look at my own woman?”
“Does your head still hurt? My hand is getting tired.”
Mo Chen took her hand and looked at it, “That delicate?”
“Yes! Just that delicate!”
Then, she was embraced by the man, and she could still clearly smell the faint scent of red wine, as his deep voice resonated above her head, “Sleep for a while.”
Her petite chin rested on the man’s broad shoulder, and she deliberately blew towards the man’s earlobe.
The man’s smile was indulgent as he touched her slender waist, “Stop it, we are in the car.”
“Does your head still hurt?”
He closed his eyes, seemingly resting, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
After a while, Mo Chen spoke in a deep voice again, “Tomorrow someone will come to take your measurements, so clear your afternoon schedule.”
Qiao Ruoxin turned to look at the man’s handsome profile, “So soon?”
A bright light clearly appeared in her eyes, she was indeed looking forward to the wedding dress, it was truly beautiful.
“Hmm, if you want to change the designer now, it’s still possible.”
Qiao Ruoxin shook her head resolutely, “No need, I want this wedding dress, I really like it.”
The man opened his dark eyes, his large hand patting her head, “Okay.”
Then, she suddenly seemed to remember something, “I just cleared up an old rumor about you, don’t you think I deserve a reward?”
Mo Chen’s eyes showed a hint of confusion as he asked, “What old rumor?”
“It’s about Tao Xue who chased after you for years. After you and I got together, she turned her love into hatred and stirred up the media claiming you were a scumbag and a heartbreaker, remember?”
He searched his memory for this woman named Tao Xue, and there seemed to be a faint impression, but he couldn’t quite recall what she looked like.
“An irrelevant person, why would I remember what she does?”
This response made Qiao Ruoxin smile with satisfaction, “But when she was stirring up that story about you being a scumbag and a heartbreaker in the media, at first I actually believed it a little…”
After all, at that time she had just gotten together with Mo Chen, and she was young and truly afraid of being played.
Mo Chen let out a disdaining sneer, “It’s precisely because I was afraid you would believe those messy rumors that I had her blacklisted.”
He had no interest in such petty acts of revenge against women.
But that woman tested his patience time and time again.
Qiao Ruoxin laughed, wrapping her arms around the man’s neck proactively, “Mo Chen brother, you’re really good to me.”
“Really?”
“Mhm.”
“When you wanted to break up with me two years ago, you didn’t hesitate at all.”
“…”
Mo Chen really held a grudge.
She hemmed and hawed, “Who told you to be in such a bad mood back then, I just wanted to cure you.”
Mo Chen found it somewhat amusing as he lifted her chin, his tone full of sarcasm, “You think you can ‘cure’ me?”
She snorted haughtily, “What, you really think no one in this world can handle you?”
The man’s smile grew even stronger, his voice deep, “So how do you plan to ‘cure’ me?”
“That’s a secret, I can’t tell you.”
Suddenly, Mo Chen said sternly, “Little Ghost, it’s okay to throw a tantrum, but don’t disappear, don’t talk about breaking up, okay?”
The threatening tone made Qiao Ruoxin straighten up immediately.
She nodded obediently, “I know, and besides, I’ll be your wife in the future, so of course I won’t talk about breaking up. If anything, it’d be about divorce.”
Mo Chen scoffed disdainfully, his slender fingers pinching her chin, “You little rascal, even thinking about divorce? Dream on, get that idea out of your head right now!”
She laughed out loud, her laughter pleasant to hear.
…
The next day, in the late afternoon.
Qiao Ruoxin took some time out to wait for the wedding dress designer to come and take her measurements.
The designer she had chosen was the oldest of the bunch, yet had a remarkably youthful mindset and modern design concepts.
The housekeeper went upstairs to notify her, “Miss Qiao, a visitor is here, says she’s the wedding dress designer.”
“Alright, I’ll be right down.”
Unable to resist adding more, the housekeeper asked, “Miss Qiao, are you planning to design a wedding dress, going to marry Young Master Mo?”
She smiled, “Yes, that’s the plan.”
The housekeeper too broke into a smile, “That’s wonderful. I can tell Young Master Mo is especially fond of you. He’s so indifferent to other women, barely pays them any attention.”
The corners of her mouth lifted.
That’s love, apparently clear to everyone else.
Qiao Ruoxin came down to the living room and saw the elegant female designer sitting on the sofa, with her assistant sitting beside her.
“Teacher, hello, I’m Qiao Ruoxin,” she said, stepping forward to greet them.
The middle-aged woman with blond hair and blue eyes stood up and smiled, “Hello, I’m Linda.”
Linda glanced at her assistant, “Let’s start work.”
Qiao Ruoxin stood straight with her arms out as the assistant began to take her measurements.
Linda chatted with her from the side, “Qiao, I’m good friends with Mo Chen’s mother.”
“Really?” She was genuinely surprised; she hadn’t expected the woman to be a close friend of Mrs. Mo.
Linda nodded with a smile, “Yes, I didn’t expect Mo Chen to consider marriage so early. Are you the child bride arranged for him when he was little?”
All of a sudden, the atmosphere turned somewhat eerie.
The smile on Qiao Ruoxin’s face froze, her eyes filled with astonishment as she turned to Linda, “What did you say? A child bride? Mo Chen had an arranged child bride?”
It was then that Linda realized she might have spoken out of turn and laughed, “I’m not sure about the details. I heard it when chatting with his mother now and then. Perhaps Mo Chen himself doesn’t even know about it.”
At once, Qiao Ruoxin felt a wave of despondency.
Mo Chen had an arranged child bride?
In this day and age? How could there still be such a thing as a child bride?
Seeing her lost in thought, Linda patted her shoulder, “Qiao, don’t take it to heart, I apologize, I misspoke.”
“It’s nothing,” she forced a smile.
Qiao Ruoxin felt as if her heart was blocked, very stifled.
After taking the measurements, Linda and her assistant left, saying they were going to see Mrs. Mo, it being a rare trip to China.
Qiao Ruoxin went to the garden alone and sat on a swing, swaying slowly, her mind clearly elsewhere.