Ch. 281..290
Chapter 281: Little Ghost, stop pretending, I know you’re not asleep Mo Family Estate.
Madam Mo was running on the treadmill in the gym when the maid approached, “Madam, Miss Linda is here.”
“Let her in quickly, I’ll go take a quick shower and change my clothes.”
“Alright.”
…
Madam Mo quickly took a shower and changed her clothes, then arrived at the reception room where she saw Linda sitting there, enjoying her afternoon tea.
A rare look of surprise showed on Madam Mo’s face, “Linda? What brings you to China without so much as a heads-up?”
Hearing this, Linda stood up and embraced Madam Mo.
“Your son called me here, he offered a high price for me to design a wedding dress, it’s quite funny, I actually thought the girl he was marrying was someone you arranged for him when he was little.”
Madam Mo was about to sit down when her smile froze, “He asked you to design a wedding dress?”
It seemed that what she said, Mo Chen chose to outright ignore.
Linda looked puzzled, “You didn’t know? Your son is getting married, and you had no idea?”
Madam Mo quickly recovered her poised smile, “Of course I knew, thank you for your trouble.”
It’s just a wedding dress, no big deal.
But…
This damn kid is so obstinately dominant, he doesn’t allow anyone to have an opinion about what he wants to do, otherwise, it means going against him.
…
Soon, night fell.
Tonight is the Mo Family’s monthly family dinner, held at the estate.
Mo Chen was driving into the estate gates when the screen of the phone placed aside showed an incoming call from Qiao Ruoxin.
He glanced at it and then drove the car into the estate, slowing to a halt.
He got out of the car, phone in hand, and answered the call. A servant automatically went to park the car in the garage.
“Little Ghost, what’s up?”
The man’s voice was indulgently lazy as he strolled toward the villas with his long, straight legs.
“Mo Chen, you…”
“Hmm?”
“I want to ask you a question. Will you answer honestly without deceiving me?”
“Ask.”
Mo Chen walked on the lawn, his shadow elongated by the lights behind him.
“Did… did you have an arranged marriage set up by someone?”
The smile on the man’s lips vanished instantly, he stopped in his tracks, slightly furrowed his brow, and counter-asked, “Arranged marriage? Who said that?”
How could he not know if he had been arranged a marriage?
What era did they think this was?
He thought that such a term was nearly extinct, so how could it still exist?
“You don’t know? You’re not aware that you’ve been arranged in a marriage?”
Mo Chen’s handsome face grew cold, his voice distant, “I’ll talk to you about it when I get back, I’m a bit busy right now. Go take a bath and head to bed after dinner.”
After hanging up the call, he walked toward the inside of the villa.
…
In the dining room.
The long dining table, filled with people on both sides, represented the prosperity of the Mo Family.
Of course, Mo Tian only had Mo Chen as his son.
Mo Chen walked into the dining room, heading straight for the seat next to his cousin Mo Zhizi.
“Brother, you’re back,” Mo Zhizi called out.
“Hmm.”
The man sat down, and the maid brought over a hot towel for him to clean his hands.
Mo Tian then looked at him, “Why are you back so late?”
He replied expressionlessly, “Traffic jam on the road.”
Around the long dining table, the people of the Mo Family were dining and chatting, only he had a somber expression on his face.
Mo Zhizi noticed his strangeness and couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, you don’t look very well, are you feeling uncomfortable?”
“No.”
Mo Chen replied indifferently with a single word, then picked up the knife and fork with his slender fingers and elegantly carved the steak on the plate.
During the meal, his gaze met with his mother’s several times.
Madame Mo, of course, also noticed something was off with him, since she gave birth to him. Even the slightest change in his expression did not escape her notice.
“Mo Chen, are you feeling unwell?”
Mo Chen simply put down his knife and fork, picked up the wine glass beside him, took a sip, and looked at his mother.
“Mom, did I ever have an arranged engagement when I was a child?” His tone was calm and detached, even somewhat cold.
Madame Mo was taken aback for a moment, then lifted her smile, “It seems there was such a matter.”
He scoffed, “What era are we living in? Such ridiculous things still exist? You’re educated, how can you have such outdated thinking?”
Suddenly, the atmosphere at the dining table turned somewhat awkward.
Members of the Mo Family all knew about Mo Chen’s temper, and none dared to provoke the future head of Hengzhong Group.
Madame Mo lifted her wine glass for a sip, her face composed, “It wasn’t me who decided on it, it was your dad.”
Mo Chen’s icy gaze instantly turned towards his father, Mo Tian.
Mo Tian almost choked, glanced at his wife beside him, and slowly began, “Back then, he was my sworn brother. It just so happened he had a daughter and I had a son, so why not arrange a match? Besides, they’ve been living abroad for so many years, never intending to return. What are you worried about? Chase your women, no one’s stopping you.”
“That’s how it better be. I’ll say it now, if they come knocking in the future, I won’t take responsibility.”
Having said that, Mo Chen wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, then slowly stood up, “Everyone enjoy your meal, I’m leaving first.”
Madame Mo also stood up and followed him out.
…
As Mo Chen passed through the living room, his mother’s voice came from behind, “Mo Chen, wait.”
He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and waited for what his mother would say next.
“I heard from Linda that you asked her to start designing a wedding dress. Have you set a wedding date? You’re skipping the engagement party and going straight for the wedding? Is everything settled with the Qiao Family?”
Madame Mo shot him so many questions in a row, each one making Mo Chen’s expression turn a shade colder.
Seeing him silent, she continued, “Even though you have a bad temper, you’ve always handled things steadily. Why are you being so impulsive this time?”
He snorted disdainfully, his voice cold, “Maybe it’s the fear of losing.”
That statement made Madame Mo’s eyes flicker and she said no more.
“Mom, I’m going back now.”
After speaking, he turned and left.
Madame Mo watched her tall and indifferent son’s retreating figure, and couldn’t help but wonder, what does fear of losing feel like?
…
Late at night.
Jiang Mansion Number One, bedroom.
After taking a shower, Qiao Ruoxin changed into her nightgown and lay on the bed playing with her phone.
She didn’t receive a call from Mo Chen and felt somewhat gloomy as she flopped down to sleep.
At that moment, she heard the sound of deep footsteps coming from the hallway outside the bedroom.
It was his footsteps, he was back.
Qiao Ruoxin instinctively closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
Then, she heard the sound of the bedroom door being pushed open.
She also heard the man’s footsteps slowly approaching the bed, and for quite a while, there was silence.
After some time had passed, the man turned and walked toward the bathroom.
Hearing the sound of running water, Qiao Ruoxin opened her eyes and saw that the bathroom door was closed with the light on inside.
Ten minutes later, the man returned to the bed with a cool aura and wrapped his arms around her soft body from behind.
“Little Ghost, stop pretending, I know you’re not asleep.”
She hmphed and did not speak.
Mo Chen straightened her body and laughed in spite of himself, “If you have something to say, just say it. What are you hmphing about? Need a kiss?”
The next second, he kissed her forcefully, no negotiating.
“Mmm… you jerk!”
Chapter 282: The softer your heart is towards her, the longer her pain will last After the kiss ended, Mo Chen pinched her chin, “Didn’t you have something to ask me?”
“I already asked over the phone, there’s nothing else to inquire about.” Her voice was somewhat hoarse as she breathed slightly heavily.
The man’s deep voice rose in the darkness, “I had no idea about any arranged childhood betrothal, and I won’t acknowledge it, understand?”
“Mmm…”
She did understand Mo Chen, this bastard would have admitted if he had truly known.
“Still angry?”
Qiao Ruoxin sighed softly, “Actually, I’m not angry, just inexplicably feeling a bit panicky.”
There was always an ominous premonition, feeling like the wedding might not proceed smoothly.
The Mo Family members seemed to not interfere with the wedding on the surface, but she was very clear that Mrs. Mo did not trust her.
Mo Chen pulled her into his arms, hugging her soft, boneless body, and cooed lowly, “Sleep, it’s late.”
“Mmm…”
She had been waiting for Simon to make a move, but so far, there had been no activity from Simon; what was he planning?
The more she thought about it, the more her head ached.
Gradually, she fell asleep.
…
Meanwhile.
Simon stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the villa, staring at the international long-distance call from the United States on his phone.
It was a call from his father.
He quietly remained silent for a few seconds, then answered the call, “Father.”
A middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end, “How is Ruoxin’s situation being handled?”
“It’s still being processed; her feelings for Mo Chen seem quite profound.”
“Simon, you must be decisive with these fleeting romances, or they will only become more troublesome. She’s young and doesn’t understand; don’t you either? If necessary, let her experience setbacks; it will be quicker for her to let go.”
“Father, don’t you feel sorry for her?”
The man laughed on the phone, “Growth is always accompanied by bouts of pain; she will thank me later. I have arranged a better life for her, after all, I am her biological father; no one is more concerned about her future than I am.”
“I understand,” Simon’s gaze became deeper.
“How is your Aunt Lan?”
“Treatment is going smoothly; I’ll bring her back in a couple of months.”
“Good, Simon, don’t forget the task I’ve given you. If you want to secure your position as the head of the Lawrence Family, you must win over Ruoxin; otherwise, when they find out you’re not my biological son, your fate will be very grim.”
“…”
Simon’s brows furrowed; he knew, of course he knew.
“Your marriage to Ruoxin, we can both get what we need. Remember, you have to act fast; a short pain is better than a long one, the more you are tenderhearted towards her, the longer the pain will linger for her.”
“Father, I understand.”
“Mhm, I have a meeting to attend. You should be late at night over there, go get some rest early.”
After hanging up the phone.
Simon fell into deep thought.
To the outside world, he was the sole heir to the Lawrence Family, but in truth, he was just an adopted son.
And Qiao Ruoxin was actually the biological daughter of the Lawrence Family, a descendant of this noble bloodline that had stood in the West for a century.
Simon actually didn’t want to be hard on Qiao Ruoxin.
Two years ago, after Qiao Ruoxin attempted suicide in the bathroom, many psychologists were sought to provide her with psychological counseling.
At that time, the psychologists diagnosed Qiao Ruoxin with mild depression.
This genuinely startled him; how could a sunny, energetic girl seemingly have mild depression?
This was something that probably even Qiao Ruoxin herself did not know.
But after Simon came to China, he found that Qiao Ruoxin seemed quite normal, and he too breathed a sigh of relief.
At the railing of the upstairs balcony.
Qiao’s mother stood there, looking at Simon’s lonely figure below, and sighed.
She still believed Simon was the most suitable for Qiao Ruoxin.
But it had been two years, and Qiao Ruoxin still hadn’t shown the slightest bit of affection.
…
The following day, in the morning.
Mo Chen entered the office, followed by Secretary Jiang: “Director Mo, there’s a lady who claims her last name is Jiang and her name is Jiang Peilan, she says she wants to see you.”
The man had just sat down in the swivel chair behind his desk when he heard the name and his brows furrowed tightly.
It was Qiao Ruoxin’s mother.
Had she come to speak more nonsense?
“Bring her in, and also, prepare two cups of tea to bring in.”
“Yes.”
After Secretary Jiang left, he stood up and walked over to sit down on the sofa in the reception area.
The office door was pushed open, and Secretary Jiang walked in with Qiao’s mother.
Throughout the process, Mo Chen did not look back, nor did he rise to politely greet her, treating her as though she were an unimportant client.
Qiao’s mother didn’t mind, and she sat down opposite the sofa, looking at the young and handsome man across from her.
And she watched him for quite a while.
Mo Chen suddenly let out a low chuckle, his tone carrying a hint of disdain, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m wondering why Ruoxin likes you so much, perhaps because you have a bit more of a youthful vibe than Simon, allowing a little girl like her to feel the thrill of romance,” said Qiao’s mother, discerning the forceful aura about Mo Chen. Though he appeared calm and indifferent, his dark eyes still betrayed the arrogant pride that was bursting forth.
He laughed coldly, “To like is to feel, and feeling is the hardest to come by.”
Qiao’s mother picked up her cup of tea, took a sip, and said with a smile, “I’ve always wondered, with all the choices you have, why are you so stubbornly clinging to my daughter? Do you fancy her because she’s pretty? But surely you can always find someone prettier. As for her temper, she’s been spoiled since she was little, willful and reckless. Is she really worth your persistence?”
“I’ve also never seen a mother critique her own daughter like this.”
The smile on Qiao’s mother’s face froze, but it quickly returned to normal: “This is the truth. Can young master Mo answer my question?”
Mo Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the woman sitting across from him, and he said in a slow, deep voice, “No reason. If I must say, it’s because I love her.”
His tone was casual, but it conveyed profound emotions.
Qiao’s mother was taken aback for a moment.
He continued, “I plan to marry her in two months. At the wedding, it would be best if you appeared, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t. No one can change the decision I’ve made.”
Qiao’s mother was thoroughly shocked, in two months?
So soon?
“Young master Mo, I came here today to tell you something, Ruoxin is not Qiao Zhiyong’s biological daughter.”
Upon this revelation, there was complete silence in the office.
A flicker of surprise quickly passed over Mo Chen’s cold and handsome face.
“What did you say?”
Qiao’s mother continued, “They have no blood relation; Ruoxin was born to me and my current husband.”
So, it seems… Ruoxin knew this Mr. Lawrence before getting married?
Mo Chen let out a cold laugh, “Ms. Jiang seems to have quite a colorful love life.”
How could Qiao’s mother not hear the sarcasm in that?
“So…”
Mo Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, “So?”
Chapter 283: Little Ghost, Brother Is Not Paranoid, Just Loves You Too Much Qiao’s mother blurted out directly, “So I hope you can let Ruoxin go, let us be a family again. Her biological father has been absent from her life for so many years…”
What Qiao’s mother didn’t expect was for Mo Chen to sneer and say coldly, “What the hell do I care!”
“Mr. Mo…”
“For a father to be absent from her life for so many years and only now remember to play the good dad, don’t you think it’s a bit too late?”
His tone was full of irony and mockery.
Qiao’s mother felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
Mo Chen’s voice was as chilling as a cold wind, with a bit that was hurtful, “Ms. Jiang, it’s best not to tell that little brat about those filthy and disgusting things you and your husband did. Not everyone has the shamelessness and strong heart that you do.”
That little brat had always longed for familial affection; if they knew the dirty truth, the last line of psychological defense would probably collapse.
Qiao’s mother’s face flushed with humiliation, her elegance completely gone.
“Mo Chen! How can you speak to an elder like that! Is this the kind of upbringing the Mo Family is proud of!”
He chuckled coldly, slowly stood up, and said in a deep voice, “Have you done what an elder should do? Were you cheating within marriage, or were you pregnant before marriage?”
Unable to bear it any longer, Qiao’s mother rose angrily, her whole body trembling, and without turning her head, she stormed out of the office.
Mo Chen’s expression grew colder, and he furiously smashed the teacup on the carpet in front of him.
So early in the morning and already he had to hear such filthy and vile affairs.
…
At the commercial shoot.
Qiao Ruoxin was having her hair done by the stylist.
Her mind was still occupied with thoughts of her biological father.
She truly didn’t want to believe that Uncle Lawrence was her biological father, it was too absurd, but all signs seemed to point in that direction.
Then, her phone rang, and she answered, “Hello?”
“Ruoxin, that song you recorded the other day has been processed. Is it being released today?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes instantly lit up, her lips curving up involuntarily. This song was of great significance; it was written for her Brother Mo Chen.
“Yes, release it tonight.”
“Okay, got it.”
After hanging up, she suddenly felt overjoyed; the gift for that bastard was finally ready.
She was somewhat looking forward to Mo Chen’s reaction to the song tonight.
Lost in thought, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Song Yingying, who was next to her, looked at her with an expression like she was watching an idiot, “What are you laughing about?”
“Nothing much, just remembered something funny.”
…
Soon, night fell.
After finishing a variety show, Qiao Ruoxin went straight back to Jiang Mansion No.1.
But to her disappointment, Mo Chen was not home.
After taking a bath, she changed into a camisole nightgown and went out onto the terrace alone, dialing that bastard’s number.
The phone rang for a long time without an answer and when it finally connected, it was Xiaowu who answered.
“Xiaowu, where’s Mo Chen?”
“Mr. Mo is still at dinner; probably will take another half hour to get back.”
“Alright, tell him to drink less.”
After hanging up the phone, she stood up bored, looking down at the garden scenery below.
Eight in the evening.
Hengzhong Film Company directly released Qiao Ruoxin’s new single “His Obsession”. It went viral as soon as it was online, topping the download charts immediately.
The fans had always thought this song was written for Mr. Mo.
[Tsk tsk… That pungent smell of romance, I’m crying with envy. I want to fall in love too! So sweet aaaah!]
[This lyric is tailor-made for Mr. Mo, it sounds so good. Qiao sister sings beautifully; it seems like Qiao sister’s love for Mr. Mo is all written in the song.]
[I have a feeling this song will be a hit. Who wouldn’t want an obsessive him like this! Crazy for it!]
[Mr. Mo, Qiao sister, you guys have to be together forever! I’ll pray for you! I want to see you get married and have babies!]
[Holy shit! Everyone listen up! I won’t allow anyone else to have not heard this song!]
[I’m totally addicted, I’ve been looping this single track. I didn’t expect both the lyrics and composition to be by Qiao Ruoxin. This girl is actually quite talented.]
[Book it for the year-end music awards ceremonies! Definitely the song of the year!]
[After reading the lyrics of this song, I think I understand Mo Chen’s character. He’s a hundred percent an obsessive!]
[If the lyrics are really about Mr. Mo, then that’s some scary level of obsession, but it feels just like the lyrics say: suffocating yet sweet.]
…
It was after ten at night when she, on the terrace scrolling through Weibo comments, heard a car enter the garage.
Qiao Ruoxin quickly stood up and returned to her bedroom, got everything ready, and even took out her earphones, just waiting for Mo Chen to come up.
But she waited… and waited…
After nearly half an hour, that damned man still hadn’t come upstairs.
Hmm?
What was he doing?
She took her phone and earphones and went downstairs, where it was pitch-dark, illuminated only by the dim moonlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
By the moonlight, she saw the man leaning on the sofa, apparently resting his eyes, exhaustion written all over his handsome face.
The man had the top two buttons of his shirt undone, his tie loose, and his brows furrowed.
Qiao Ruoxin’s lips curved upwards slightly as she tiptoed to the sofa and gently placed the earphones on the man’s head.
The next second.
Mo Chen suddenly opened his dark eyes, and the first thing that came into his sight was that delicate and pretty little face, and his vigilance dissipated.
His long fingers reached to remove the earphones, but Little Ghost lightly tapped on her phone.
The intro to a song started playing in the earphones, stopping his fingers in their tracks.
Using the moonlight to look at Qiao Ruoxin’s lovely face, he heard the sweet and soft singing in his ears.
Mo Chen frowned slightly because it was Little Ghost’s voice.
…
From the first glance, it could only ever be him
His possessiveness rages fiercely, making me feel suffocated yet sweet
Maybe I’ve already been immersed in it, I voluntarily surrender to him
…
These lines of the song had left the deepest impression on Mo Chen.
His eyes deep, he took off the earphones and pulled Qiao Ruoxin into his embrace.
With Qiao Ruoxin sitting on the man’s lap, she smiled at him, “Mo Chen brother, this is a gift for you. Do you like it?”
The man’s deep voice, tinged with post-drinking sensuality, “Written for me?”
“Mm, written for you.”
Mo Chen let out a low laugh, his long fingers caressing her cheek tenderly, tenderly pressing his forehead to hers, “Are you sure this is meant to surprise me? The lyrics made your brother out to be such a freak…”
“This is called artistic license…”
The man chuckled slowly, his laughter deep and joyful, “When did you start writing this song? How come I didn’t know?”
“It’s a gift, of course it has to be prepared without your knowledge, otherwise where’s the surprise?”
“What’s the song called?”
“‘His Obsession’
Mo Chen’s expression darkened slightly, and he kissed her lips hard, his voice hoarse, “Little Ghost, brother isn’t obsessed, just too in love with you…”
Her heart quivered.
Her gaze flickered, a sweet smile appearing on her lips.
“Mo Chen brother, that counts as sweet nothings.”
The man frowned slightly, “That counts as sweet nothings?”
“Mm.”
The man scoffed, “It seems it’s not that hard after all.”
Chapter 284: Little Ghost, you will marry me, right? Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Then say another one.”
“…”
Watching Mo Chen’s furrowed brow, her slender fingers caressed his sword-like eyebrows, “Don’t frown; it’ll give you a headache.”
He laughed unexpectedly, the exquisite little face reflected in his pitch-black eyes.
“Is it that difficult? Can’t squeeze out another sweet nothing?”
Although he didn’t want to admit it, he had to acknowledge that he really couldn’t come up with anything more.
“Little Ghost, that’s probably a talent I don’t possess.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s fingers climbed onto the man’s broad shoulders and whispered mysteriously, “It’s okay, I can handle it.”
Mo Chen’s handsome eyebrows lifted, “You can? Then you say one.”
“Timing, atmosphere, and chemistry are required for this, blurting it out all of sudden will just sound greasy.”
“Making excuses.”
She snorted arrogantly, “You’re just a straight man cancer; you don’t get it.”
The man stopped talking, simply curving his lips into a smile before embracing her soft body and leaning on her shoulder, slowly closing his eyes.
A layer of faint exhaustion shrouded his handsome features.
Qiao Ruoxin also noticed that something was off with him tonight.
Usually, he would search for her the moment he got home, yet tonight he had been sitting alone on the living room couch, looking deeply troubled.
“Mo Chen, brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Are you upset? Why are you sitting here alone, not going back to the bedroom?”
“No.”
The man, eyes closed, rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice cold.
She frowned and grabbed his jaw, “Don’t lie! I saw through you long ago!”
Only when grasping Mo Chen’s face did she realize how small this bad man’s face really was, his facial contour close to perfection.
Mo Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the Little Ghost in front of him with a languid voice, slowly opening his mouth, “You saw through me again?”
“Yeah!”
“Little Ghost, I am indeed thinking about a problem.”
Qiao Ruoxin became serious, “What’s the issue?”
“I was wondering if you would still wear a bra under your wedding dress?”
!!!
“That’s what you’re thinking about?”
She had thought he was bothered by some troublesome matter, but is this it???
Mo Chen’s lips curled up again before he buried his head in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled, “If you didn’t wear one, it would be much more convenient. Those things are a hassle to unhook.”
She pushed the man away forcefully, “Can you be serious for once! What’s going on in that head of yours every day!”
A hint of rogue charm appeared on Mo Chen’s elegant features. Leaning back on the sofa without pulling her back, he let her stand up.
Qiao Ruoxin glared at him angrily, “I’m going to brew you some sobering tea so you can sober up and see what a scoundrel you look like now!”
Having said that, she left the living room without looking back.
The man’s lips curved into a roguish smile as he watched her leave. The moment she was out of sight, that smile instantly vanished.
Rage sparked in his pitch-black eyes, his handsome face tensed, lips tightly pursed.
If this Little Ghost truly was a daughter of the Lawrence Family, then this wedding likely wouldn’t go so smoothly.
Now it remained to be seen what moves the Lawrences in the United States would make.
…
In the kitchen.
After Qiao Ruoxin had prepared the sobering tea, she found that the man was no longer on the couch.
He had probably returned to the bedroom.
Thus, she carried the sobering tea back to the bedroom. As soon as she entered, she heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.
She placed the sobering tea aside, sat on the armchair, and waited for Mo Chen to emerge from his bath.
After ten minutes, the bathroom door opened.
Mo Chen walked out bare-chested, with just a towel around his waist, his short hair still dripping wet, hinting at a raw sexuality as it obscured his forehead.
Qiao Ruoxin looked up and saw those sexy, well-defined abs, causing her cheeks to flush with red.
She coughed, picked up the cup of sobering tea and handed it to him, “Drink it.”
The man walked over to her, took the cup of sobering tea, and since it was just the right temperature, he drank it all in one gulp.
“Go to sleep, otherwise you’ll have a headache when you wake up tomorrow.”
As she stood up and walked to the bed, the man beside her suddenly asked, “Where are your earphones from just now?”
Qiao Ruoxin picked up the earphones and handed them to him, “What for?”
“Since the song is written for me, I need to listen to it a few more times.”
Having said that, Mo Chen put the earphones on his head, then leaned back on the bed, frowning and looking at her again.
She instantly realized what he meant and picked up her phone to open the music player and set it to repeat the single track.
Then, the man closed his eyes and a smile formed on his lips.
Qiao Ruoxin stood in front of the bed staring at him for a long time, speechless…
Then she also lay down on the bed and turned off all the lights.
Lying on her side, she gazed at Mo Chen’s profile and couldn’t help but smile.
And then she slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep.
…
The next day, early morning.
When Qiao Ruoxin lazily opened her eyes, she was surprised to find the man beside her still asleep.
And!
He still had those earphones on his head!
Has he gone mad? Could it be that he listened all night?
She immediately became somewhat clearer headed, sat up, and quickly removed the earphones from Mo Chen’s head.
The moment she removed the earphones, Mo Chen frowned unhappily and opened his dark eyes, his voice hoarse and deep, “My head hurts…”
“No kidding! You listened all night; how could it not hurt? It’s a miracle you can even hear me talking.”
The man looked at her moving lips, so chatty first thing in the morning.
The next second.
Qiao Ruoxin was forcefully pulled into his arms, and then he flipped over and pinned her beneath him.
“Little Ghost, don’t you know men have a good appetite in the morning? And I have little control,” he said, and purposefully pressed down on her again.
The implication was too obvious, even a fool would understand.
“You listened to the song all night, don’t your ears hurt? Shall I rub them for you?”
Mo Chen’s smirk deepened as he kissed her cheek, “Be a good girl and rub them.”
She extended her little hand and gently rubbed his ears, eliciting a muffled grunt of pain from the man.
“Does it hurt?”
“Hmm…”
“Serves you right! Who told you to keep the earphones on all night?” She glared at him, but somehow he saw it as coquetry.
Mo Chen’s long fingers touched her fair and soft cheek and whispered, “Little Ghost, you’ll marry me, right?”
She smiled and nodded, “Of course, I’ve slept with you countless times, who else would I marry if not you?”
“Is it just because of that?”
The man frowned unhappily.
Was this Little Ghost only willing to marry him just because he had slept with her???
Qiao Ruoxin rubbed his ears for him, feigning an innocent look, “What else could it be for?”
“…”
The man’s large hand gripped her slender waist tightly, as if threatening her.
“Little Ghost, you’d better speak properly!”
She couldn’t help but laugh, “Do your ears still hurt?”
“A little better.”
“Then get up, I need to get out of bed.” She pushed on his body.
But the audacious man exploited his advantage, pressing down on her and not letting her move, “Stay with me a bit longer; my head hurts.”
This irritable Divine Beast was being unreasonable again…
Chapter 285: Simon Deliberately Provokes Mo Chen Morning.
In the villa, simon changed into a deep grey suit and walked down from upstairs.
Upon entering the dining room, he found Qiao’s mother already sitting there having breakfast.
“Aunt Lan, good morning.”
simon pulled out a chair to sit down, picked up a glass of orange juice for a sip, and began eating a sandwich.
Qiao’s mother looked towards simon with a worried expression, “simon, what if Mo Chen and Ruoxin insist on getting married?”
simon paused in his chewing of the sandwich, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth, “Father disagrees.”
“But…”
“Aunt Lan, I will return to the country at the end of the month, and you and Xinxin will come back with me.”
Qiao’s mother looked surprised, “Do you have a way to convince Xinxin?”
Qiao’s mother felt that she had no means left, as Ruoxin simply wouldn’t listen to her now.
simon: “There is a way, but it’s too harsh. I just didn’t want to use it. Since she keeps being disobedient, I’ll have to use tough measures. It might hurt, but it works.”
Qiao’s mother couldn’t help but sigh, “This child is getting more and more disobedient. When she was young, she would at least pretend to listen to me, but now she completely ignores me.”
simon put down the sandwich in his hand and looked at Qiao’s mother, “Aunt Lan, I’m curious, why won’t you and father tell Ruoxin the truth? If she knew she bears the burden of the Lawrence Family, she might at least consider the bigger picture.”
“No! Absolutely not!” Qiao’s mother outright rejected the idea.
“Why?”
Qiao’s mother’s face showed distress, “You don’t know how strong her pride is. She hates mistresses the most. If she found out she’s the child of a mistress, she’d be terribly embarrassed!”
Originally, when Qiao’s mother got together with Lawrence, she didn’t know he had a fiancée, which led to their breakup. But only after parting did she discover she was pregnant.
simon appeared nonchalant, “Aunt Lan, you aren’t really what one would call a mistress in the truest sense. At that time, my father wasn’t married, he only had an engagement.”
“Still, it won’t do…”
“Alright, I respect your opinion. But father has already alerted me that I must bring Ruoxin back no matter what.”
…
Night fell.
Charity Gala.
This was a charity gala hosted by Hengzhong Group, founded by Mo Tian’s public welfare charity foundation.
Ruoxin arrived at the event with Mo Chen, one of the perks of going public with their relationship being they could attend events together without hiding.
She wore a puff-sleeved white tulle dress with her slender, straight legs in a pair of high heels encrusted with rhinestones, dazzling to behold.
She walked onto the red carpet arm in arm with Mo Chen, her lips curving into an elegant smile.
Since the red carpet show was broadcast live, the live screen was ablaze with barrages of comments.
[OMG! The perfect Chenxin couple has arrived! They match so well! Isn’t this their first event together since they went public with their relationship?]
[Ahhh! My OTP is indeed the sweetest! This pair, Chenxin, is locked in!]
[I’m so jealous, Lord Mo is looking so handsome tonight! Of course, the way he looks at Qiao Ruoxin is so doting…it kills me…]
[I heard simon’s going to be there tonight too! Oh man, rival in love incoming, Mo has to stay cool! If he can’t help it, they must fight! Fight! I just love to watch gods clash!]
[A friend at the scene told me that simon, Lord Mo, and Miss Qiao’s seating is all at the same table! My toes are curling up in awkwardness!]
[The Mo Family versus the Lawrence Family, geez, a battle of gods. But the most awkward one must be Qiao Ruoxin, right?]
[Mo Chen is so handsome, his physique could give international models a run for their money, and he’s such a match with Qiao Ruoxin! It just makes Miss Qiao look so delicate!]
[Mo Chen’s demeanor is truly exceptional, even ill-tempered, his aristocratic air remains outstanding.]
…
After crossing the red carpet, Qiao Ruoxin entered the venue on the man’s arm and took their pre-assigned seats.
In a low voice, she couldn’t help complaining, “These high heels are so uncomfortable, they rub my feet…”
Mo Chen glanced indifferently at her ankle and said in a deep voice, “I’ll massage them for you when we get back.”
A smile crept over the corners of her mouth, and she nodded, “Okay.”
Suddenly—
A dark figure took a seat opposite them, freezing the smile on Qiao Ruoxin’s face, her expression turning cool in an instant.
“Do you really have to sit with us?”
After Simon sat down, he shrugged his shoulders, “Isn’t this where the staff of Hengzhong Group arranged us? I didn’t have a choice as a guest.”
Then the rest of the guests gradually took their seats.
Mo Chen never gave that piece of trash across from them a direct look, his eyes instead fell on Qiao Ruoxin’s tightly clasped hand.
The man’s large palm stretched over, covering the back of her hand.
It was only then that Qiao Ruoxin came back to her senses, looking up to meet the man’s dark eyes.
“Xinxin, just look at me and you’ll be fine.”
“Mhm.”
The banquet began, and nothing out of the ordinary happened at the table.
She picked up the glass of lemon water from the table and took a sip, seeming a bit irritable, with an urge to get up and leave.
Finally, Simon spoke up, completely disregarding the other guests at the table.
“Xinxin, at the end of the month I’m going back to the States with Aunt Lan, and father wants you to come back with us.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised that Simon would talk about this in such a setting.
Luckily, others couldn’t hear much because there was a performance going on onstage.
She feigned indifference, “What’s that got to do with me? I’m not free, I won’t go.”
Mo Chen held the Little Ghost’s icy hand, his jaw clenched tight, with unlit fires hiding within his pitch-black eyes, ready to burst forth.
Simon was observing the emotions of the man across from him.
Simon said with a smile, “Xinxin, is it worth it? You’re ‘love disabled.’ You will never be able to give him the love he desires. Life is still long, and if someday another woman gives him that feeling, he will choose to abandon you.”
In that moment, Qiao Ruoxin felt as if her mind had exploded.
Love disabled? What the hell is that?
Mo Chen finally directed his gaze at Simon, his voice deep, “Are you trying to sow discord in front of me?”
Simon took a sip of his red wine, “I’m just telling the truth, we’re both men, and we understand men the best.”
“You are you, I am me, I don’t resonate with you,” his voice was like bitter cold, chilling to the bone.
Qiao Ruoxin: “I think you’re the one who’s love disabled if anyone is. Sicko!”
Simon continued with a laugh, “Then tell me, why were you indifferent to him before? As far as I know, you’ve known each other for a long time, but it wasn’t until you were seventeen or eighteen that you got together. Did you not see him before, or did you not like him?”
Mo Chen’s handsome face was tight, his stare unblinkingly fixed on Simon’s face.
His fist, hidden under the table, was clenched tight, his knuckles turning white and crackling, almost ready to throw a punch at any moment.
Qiao Ruoxin scoffed coldly, her gaze dripping with disdain, “Too young and wanted to play around, is that a problem? Do you think everyone matures as early as you? As far as I know, you’ve had a crush on Jiang Ruolin for many years, right? Now you say you’ve changed your heart, it’s people like you who are the most terrifying!”
Chapter 286: Why Did You Attempt Suicide by Slitting Your Wrists? The music at the venue stopped, and the performance on stage came to an end.
The other guests at the table, perhaps feeling the awkward atmosphere, silently stood up and walked away.
Only three of them were left.
Simon did not mind her attitude at all, smiling as he said, “I’ve already said it’s a thing of the past, why cling to it and not let go? Didn’t your Mo Chen also have a girlfriend in college? Why don’t you mention that?”
“Disappointed you, huh? That was my cousin.”
Mo Chen’s tone was icy cold, and the look he gave was like one viewing trash.
Simon laughed: “So that’s how it is. I was wondering why she didn’t care at all.”
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t be bothered to glance at him and side-eyed the host on stage instead.
However, Simon had no intention of keeping his mouth shut and continued to provoke them.
“Didn’t you tell him about how we shared a room all night long?”
As soon as these words were out!
Qiao Ruoxin immediately felt Mo Chen’s grip on her hand tighten as if he was about to crush it.
Turning her head, she only saw the man’s taut jawline and the towering rage brewing within him.
Mo Chen glared at Simon across from him, grinding his teeth as he said, “Say that one more time, you mother—”
Seeing his angry demeanor, Simon laughed, “The truth is—”
Before Simon could finish, Qiao Ruoxin coldly said, “If you utter another word, I’ll rip your mouth apart right here!”
“Showing your true hedgehog nature now? No longer playing the good girl in front of your Mo Chen?”
The sarcasm in his tone was too pronounced.
Qiao Ruoxin slowly stood up and turned to the already fiercely angry Mo Chen at her side, “Let’s step outside for a moment.”
Mo Chen had been unable to bear staying here any longer and feared that he might lose control and beat that trash to death.
He instantly got up and wrapped his arms around Qiao Ruoxin’s slender waist, turning to leave.
Unexpectedly, a gentle yet sarcastic voice came from behind, “Xinxin, you better explain to him why you tried to slit your wrists back then.”
Mo Chen’s silhouette froze, and he abruptly looked at the Little Ghost beside him!
Shock quickly took over the darkness of his eyes.
Pressing his lips together tightly and without uttering a word, Mo Chen hurried away from the banquet with her in his arms.
Wearing high heels, Qiao Ruoxin obviously struggled to keep up with the man’s long strides.
“Mo Chen, slower! I can’t keep up!”
She stumbled, her body swaying to the side.
The man steadied her, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, and unable to contain himself any longer, he directly asked her, “Why did you try to slit your wrists?”
The silent corridor was empty except for their two voices.
Qiao Ruoxin’s voice was calm as she said, “Because my mom locked me in a room with him, and I couldn’t handle it, so I just…”
Her casual tone made it seem as if she were talking about something insignificant!
Mo Chen’s arms tightened around her slender waist, and his other hand reached for Qiao Ruoxin’s wrist, searching for the marks of wrist-cutting.
After a thorough search, there were no signs of wrist-cutting on that hand.
He picked up Qiao Ruoxin’s other hand and instantly saw a fine scar, almost invisible if not looked at carefully.
The air seemed to have solidified.
He stared at the fine scar for a long time, so long that Qiao Ruoxin felt like a century had passed.
Qiao Ruoxin tried to pull back her hand, only then noticing that Mo Chen’s eyes had welled up with a thin layer of mist.
Her heart startled, she softly called out, “Mo Chen…”
The next second.
The man pulled her into his arms, holding her slender body tightly, as if to meld her into his blood and bones.
Qiao Ruoxin felt like she was having difficulty breathing.
“Can’t you hug less tightly? It’s uncomfortable…”
After a few seconds, Mo Chen loosened his grip slightly, holding her with the feeling of having regained something lost.
“Little Ghost, why did you try to slit your wrists?”
“Didn’t I just tell you?”
The man’s voice was deep, husky, and carried some dominance, “That wasn’t the final reason. I understand you.”
It was precisely because he knew Little Ghost too well that it wasn’t the ultimate reason.
Being trapped in a room, Little Ghost would come up with all sorts of ways to escape instead of falling into such despair to commit suicide.
“…”
She remained silent.
Mo Chen released her from his embrace and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him, and said angrily, “Speak up!”
“Maybe it was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. That day, I saw your scandalous gossip and felt that none of you were good to me, so I just couldn’t see a way out…”
Mo Chen’s dark eyes slightly widened in surprise, “You thought I didn’t want you anymore, so you were very sad?”
She nodded, “Yeah, I just thought you were a jerk, that all your previous doting and love were just toying with me. I left for only a few months, and you already had a new girlfriend, so I was very angry, very sad.”
The man let out a scoff and hugged her again.
Qiao Ruoxin looked puzzled, “Why are you laughing?”
“Silly girl, there were no scandals, no women, that was just to lure you out.”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin’s cheek rested against the man’s chest, and she was stunned for a long time.
“Little Ghost…”
“Huh?”
“I only love you.”
A tremor ran through her heart.
Mo Chen’s low voice was laced with an endless longing, even though she stood right before him.
She slowly lifted her slender arms and gently hugged the man’s tall frame, whispering, “Mo Chen Brother, from now on, no matter what anyone says, you shouldn’t believe them. Just trust me, okay? I didn’t do anything to wrong you, otherwise, I wouldn’t have the nerve to come back to you!”
“I really should apologize to those couples I’ve beaten up these past two years.”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin hit his back unceremoniously, “Xiaowu already told me about it, how could you be so excessive? Are you a hooligan, picking fights with couples just passing by for no reason?”
The man chuckled lowly, his chin resting on her shoulder, and spoke lazily, “I was heartbroken, okay? They kissed and hugged right in front of me, it was irritating and nauseating to watch.”
“That’s just jealousy, envy, and hatred! Getting violent just because you can’t stand it? Who indulged this bad temper of yours?”
He kissed Qiao Ruoxin’s earlobe and said softly, “I’ve paid them off, and not a small amount.”
“Your values are so twisted! Can you just beat someone up and make it okay with money? So, what are you planning to do, be a scatter-wealth kid? Go around beating people and then throwing money around?”
Well… there’re probably plenty of people who’d want to be beaten up by Mo Chen, since they could crazily demand compensation afterwards.
The man released Little Ghost from his hold and looked at her lecturing him, his lips curving into a smile, “I won’t do it again.”
Qiao Ruoxin was truly surprised.
The hot-tempered Master Mo was actually saying humbly to her that he wouldn’t do it again???
Since when had his temper become so good?
Mo Chen once again picked up her hand, his fingers stroking the shallow scar left from her attempt to slit her wrist.
“Stop looking, it’s over now.”
She tried to pull her hand away, but the man held on tightly and asked in a deep voice, “Does it hurt?”
Chapter 287: Mo Chen, You’re Such a Bastard! Qiao Ruoxin’s response was dismissive, “I don’t know, I forgot.”
“I haven’t seen someone as idiotic as you in many years,” the man said seriously and sternly.
???
What the hell?
She had thought that this bastard cared about her, but then he came out with such a remark!
“You’re calling me an idiot?”
There was a layer of disdain on Mo Chen’s handsome features as he looked up at her surprised expression, “Isn’t that the case? Nowadays, very few people indulge in self-harm.”
“…”
This infuriating tone! That irritating expression!
Qiao Ruoxin shoved off his hand and snapped, “Mo Chen, you are truly an asshole!”
Having said that, she turned and walked towards the elevator without looking back.
The man’s lips curved up, and he followed her at a leisurely pace; after all, his long legs made it easy to keep up with her.
Qiao Ruoxin wore high heels and couldn’t walk fast; in the next second, she was pressed against the wall by a powerful male force.
“Ah… Mmm!”
Just as she was about to curse, Mo Chen bent down and forced her into a kiss, plundering her sweetness and leaving her powerless to resist.
It might have been five minutes, or seven minutes…
Qiao Ruoxin leaned against the cold wall, her face flushed and breathing heavily, staring fixedly at the man before her.
The man’s long fingers wiped away the smeared lipstick from her lips, his voice pampering her, “Be good, go and touch up your makeup. Your lipstick is smeared.”
Although still angry, she found herself inexplicably starting to laugh, and couldn’t stop.
Mo Chen raised an eyebrow, “Is it funny?”
“The lipstick has smeared, probably all on your mouth now.” She looked at Mo Chen’s sensual lips, now stained with lipstick, and found it… quite charming.
Mo Chen touched his lips and a smile appeared on them, “Doesn’t matter, I’ll keep it.”
“…”
She was speechless, always feeling that Mo Chen had the potential to be a pervert.
…
When the two of them returned to the dinner party, the atmosphere was harmonious as if nothing had happened.
Simon, who was lifting his glass to drink, noticed the trace of lipstick on Mo Chen’s lips.
Simon’s grip on his wineglass tightened, and even a fool could understand what had transpired between the two.
Without any argument, they had even shared a hot kiss?
Simon couldn’t help but sneer, “Xinxin, you are impressive, clearing things up so quickly? I thought you would just start fighting right here.”
“That would be playing right into your hands, don’t you wish!” Qiao Ruoxin said indifferently.
This time Mo Chen was refreshed and leaned back, picking up his glass of red wine and swirled it slightly, “Mr. Lawrence, it’s time for you to go back. You don’t belong here, you seem very out of place.”
Simon, “Mr. Mo, the process doesn’t matter; what matters is who gets the last laugh.”
Mo Chen finished his red wine in one gulp and lifted his gaze to the man across from him, slowly smiling, “The last laugh will be mine.”
“Is that so…”
…
After the dinner party, she and Mo Chen returned to Shuian Huating.
Mo Chen told her to go back to the bedroom to shower and sleep, while he needed to deal with some matters in the study.
She brewed a cup of sobering tea, planning to bring it to the study, but as she approached the study door, she heard a man’s irate voice coming from within.
“What? Lin Xi is missing? Worthless! Go find her! She’s still useful to me!”
Qiao Ruoxin widened her eyes in surprise.
Lin Xi is missing?
Why would a perfectly fine person just disappear? Could she have been hidden away by someone as well?
She stood outside the study for a while but eventually decided not to bring in the sobering tea and instead carried it back to the bedroom.
An hour later.
Mo Chen returned to the bedroom and saw that Little Ghost had already fallen asleep on the bed.
He also immediately noticed the cup of sobering tea placed beside, so he picked it up and drank it in one gulp, then walked into the bathroom.
After about ten minutes, he came back to the bed with a coolness emanating from him, gently held Qiao Ruoxin in his arms, and entered deep sleep.
They slept dreamlessly until the bright morning light.
…
The next day.
When Qiao Ruoxin opened her eyes, it was already after ten in the morning, and Mo Chen had long since disappeared from her side.
Fortunately, she had the day off with no work, so she indulged in sleeping in.
After she got up, washed up, changed clothes, and had lunch, she prepared to visit Lan Ke, who she hadn’t had time to care for these past few days due to her pregnancy.
By the time Qiao Ruoxin arrived at Shuian Huating, it was already past two in the afternoon.
The door was opened by Lan Ke, dressed in loose clothing, looking like she had just woken up.
“Ruoxin baby, your sister here was still sleeping, and you suddenly come over.”
Lan Ke, her face full of sleepiness, turned around and walked back.
Qiao Ruoxin helplessly closed the door and followed Lan Ke to sit down on the living room sofa.
“You haven’t been sleeping from morning till now, have you?”
Lan Ke poured a glass of water for her, “I’m sleepy, lately I can’t get enough sleep, and I’m always vomiting, completely lacking energy.”
Seeing Lan Ke so drowsy, Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but exclaim, “Is pregnancy really that hard?”
“It depends on the person, my constitution is quite special.”
Qiao Ruoxin picked up the glass of water and took a few sips, smiling, “I see that Xiaobai is very obedient recently, it’s almost like he’s your 24-hour nanny.”
“What about you? How are the wedding preparations going?”
“The wedding dress is being made, it’s super beautiful!” Speaking of the wedding dress, her face lit up with irrepressible joy.
Lan Ke laughed, “Look at that proud little face of yours. I will have to see how beautiful the wedding dress Mo Chen had custom-made for you is.”
“I wanted to ask you to be the bridesmaid…” Seeing Lan Ke’s belly, she had to give up that thought.
“Ruoxin, will your mother come to your wedding?”
At this, Qiao Ruoxin’s smile gradually faded, “She probably won’t come, she just wants to keep me in the United States, by her side.”
Lan Ke leaned in and hugged her shoulders, “It doesn’t matter, you still have us.”
“Right, I have you guys, and then there’s their super luxurious groomsmen group.”
Lan Ke sighed and patted her head, “Ruoxin baby, you must be happy.”
“I will.”
She stayed at Lan Ke’s house for two hours before leaving.
As she was entering the elevator, she happened to see two tall men walking out, wearing sunglasses, looking rather strange.
But she didn’t think much of it and pressed the elevator button to go down.
…
That evening.
While Qiao Ruoxin and Mo Chen were having dinner, they received a call from Bai Junyan, saying Lan Ke had been taken away by the Lan Family.
After hanging up the phone, Mo Chen glanced at her, “You eat; I’m going to the Lan Family.”
“I’m coming with you! They must be planning to abort the child! We can’t delay the child’s life!”
“Mm.”
So, the man drove her directly to the Lan Family.
Outside the Lan Family’s house, they coincidentally met up with Bai Junyan, whose face was extremely unsightly at this point.
“Mo Chen, does the Lan Family have a death wish? If they dare to touch my child today, I will level the Lan Family!” Bai Junyan was seething with rage.
Mo Chen, “I guess they wouldn’t dare, they’re probably trying to lure you over to negotiate.”
Chapter 288: Want to Hear You Call Me Husband Mo Chen looked back at Qiao Ruoxin behind him and said in a deep voice, “Wait here, okay?”
“I…”
Actually, she wanted to go in; she was really worried about Lan Ke.
But the man just touched her head: “Be obedient.”
“Okay, fine.”
Qiao Ruoxin could only watch helplessly as the two tall figures of the men walked away.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
She was in no mood to answer calls now, glancing at the screen, it was Simon calling.
She hung up directly.
But the phone rang again.
Qiao Ruoxin picked up the phone with some impatience: “What do you want to say?”
“I want to say, don’t worry, your dear friend will be back soon.”
The annoyance on her little face instantly turned to shock!
Did this mean… Simon had taken Lan Ke away?
“You’ve hidden Lan Ke?!”
“How can you say that? I’m just assisting the Lan Family; it’s just that Mrs. Lan seems intent on making your good friend have an abortion. I’ve already had someone send her back, and it was I who saved the child.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s fingers, hanging by her side, curled into a tight fist.
“Simon, have you no shame! Are you using Lan Ke to threaten me?”
Simon’s shameless laughter came through the other end of the phone: “Not at all, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve already bought the plane tickets for the three of us. Whether you come back or not is up to you.”
She pursed her lips tightly, disgust filled her clear and bright eyes as she angrily hung up the phone.
She didn’t want to hear Simon’s annoying voice anymore!
As expected.
Less than ten minutes later, Mo Chen and Bai Junyan walked out from the Lan Family’s house.
Mo Chen’s face was dark; his handsome features were tense as if he was thoroughly angered.
Qiao Ruoxin’s gaze flickered; she didn’t want to hurt the innocent.
But Simon repeatedly dragged others into this, reaching the peak of despicableness and shamelessness.
…
In the car.
Qiao Ruoxin sat in the passenger seat, glancing sideways at the man driving next to her.
“Brother Mo Chen…”
She had just started to speak when Mo Chen interrupted her: “It’s okay, Lan Ke has gone back.”
“It was Simon behind this, wasn’t it?”
A hint of displeasure appeared in Mo Chen’s dark eyes as he coldly replied with a sound: “Mhm.”
She lowered her head with a feeling of guilt.
The car slowly pulled over to the side of the road and stopped.
Qiao Ruoxin looked up in confusion at the man next to her, gazing at his handsome profile.
She could feel that Mo Chen was irritable, although he appeared calm on the surface.
The car was silent.
Mo Chen wound down the window, lit a cigarette with his lighter, and put it to his lips. The smoke he exhaled blurred his handsome face’s displeasure.
After some time, he suddenly said in a deep voice, “Little Ghost.”
“I’m here.”
Her eyes had been fixed on Mo Chen’s profile, waiting for him to speak, her gaze sincere.
A third of the cigarette in Mo Chen’s lips had burned away.
The man’s long fingers stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, looking sideways into Qiao Ruoxin’s sparkling eyes: “Can we bring the wedding forward?”
Qiao Ruoxin widened her eyes, seemingly surprised that this was his question.
But the next second, a smile appeared on her lips, and she nodded: “We can!”
Mo Chen’s dark eyes finally softened a bit, the corners of his mouth hooking up with a hint of roguishness in his tone, “So obedient? Are you planning to listen to me from now on?”
“Because I think you’re smarter than me, I’ll leave the thinking to you.”
The man snorted, his long fingers gently tapping her forehead, “Considering your high school exam scores, it’s impressive you’ve come to that realization.”
Qiao Ruoxin furrowed her brows, “It’s just Simon, he…”
“He doesn’t have much influence domestically, and he won’t be able to cause any major upheaval, only these petty tricks.”
“Mmh…”
Deep down, she was still worried because she didn’t know what else Simon might do.
Then she remembered that video…
She had completely destroyed that video, and what surprised her was that Simon seemed to have no reaction. Could it be that he hadn’t noticed that the video was destroyed yet?
“Little Ghost…”
The man’s deep voice instantly pulled her back from her wandering thoughts.
Qiao Ruoxin: “What?”
“Come on, call out…”
Before Mo Chen could finish his sentence, Qiao Ruoxin looked at him somewhat amused, “You want me to call you Daddy again? I won’t! I absolutely refuse!”
Once or twice was fine, but is he getting addicted to this? She couldn’t indulge such a perverted habit!
He chuckled lowly, his voice lazy and sensual as it slowly began, “I wanted you to call me ‘husband’ and see how it sounds, hmm?”
Qiao Ruoxin felt her body stiffen.
Husband…
Why did she suddenly feel a little shy?
She had never before called out ‘husband’.
Mo Chen watched her space out for a long time before he slightly knitted his brows, his long fingers taking hold of her chin.
“Ah?” She finally snapped back to reality.
“Is it that hard to say ‘husband’? You need to think about it for so long?”
She stammered, avoiding his gaze, “I haven’t figured it out yet.”
This somehow ignited Mo Chen’s anger, and a layer of ice seemed to cover his handsome features, his voice going colder, “What do you mean you haven’t figured it out? You are already my fiancée.”
Qiao Ruoxin laughed awkwardly, “I mean I haven’t figured out how to call that… term of address…”
The man stared at her for a while but didn’t trouble her further, sighing deeply before starting up the car and leaving.
She carefully glanced at the man’s profile beside her, “Mo Chen, are you mad at me?”
“No.”
But the man’s tone was very indifferent, even tinged with disappointment.
“Oh…”
The entire drive back to Jiang Mansion Number One, Mo Chen didn’t speak another word.
After getting out of the car, walking behind the man’s tall, indifferent silhouette, she stepped forward and hugged his body.
Mo Chen stopped in his tracks, looking down at the slender arms around his waist, his voice deep as he instinctively held her cold little hands, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to hug you.”
His lips curved up, he turned and embraced her in his arms, sighing helplessly, his large hand cradling the back of her head, chin resting on the top of her hair, “I’m not mad, hmm?”
“Mo Chen, if you marry me, will you regret it?”
Qiao Ruoxin looked up into the man’s eyes.
Mo Chen stared at her for a few seconds, then thumped her on the forehead hard.
“Ow!”
She covered her forehead in pain, unable to hold back the tears, “Why are you so rough! It hurts!”
“I feel like smashing your skull in! What time is it, and you’re asking such a stupid question!”
“…”
It seemed that the question was indeed inappropriate for the time.
Qiao Ruoxin rubbed her forehead feeling wronged, “I just wanted to ask in advance, what if you fall in love with a mistress or two or three or four or five in the future?”
The man’s face darkened, he took away her hand that was covering her forehead, and then saw that the Little Ghost’s forehead had turned red.
Chapter 289: Brother Mo Chen, Can You Have Some Shame? Mo Chen’s large palm rubbed her forehead, his tone icy and displeased, “Don’t ask about it again!”
“But you haven’t answered me yet.”
Hope filled her eyes.
The man let out a disdainful snort of cold laughter, “Do I have to admit I love you so desperately before you can be at ease?”
“…”
She murmured softly, “I didn’t say…”
Mo Chen’s long arm encircled her slender waist, pressing her body tight against his.
He looked down into Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes, “Do you feel it now?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s face immediately turned red, how could this damn man suddenly start being a rogue again!
“Little Ghost, just because it reacts only to you, a single woman, are you reassured now?”
Ahem…
The air was filled with an awkward atmosphere.
“Want to die? Look up!”
She immediately looked up, gazing at Mo Chen’s handsome face, his features so strikingly beautiful…
Mo Chen frowned unhappily, his voice low as he scolded her, “Don’t stare at that part of a man! Keep looking and I’ll dig out your eyeballs!”
This childish threat made her burst into giggles.
“But I’ve already seen it before…”
The man released her from his embrace, “There’s a difference between having seen and staring.”
After saying that, he took Qiao Ruoxin’s hand and headed towards the villa, “Bath and sleep, I’m tired.”
Qiao Ruoxin looked sideways at the handsome profile of the man, “Mo Chen brother, can you save some face, being a rogue anytime and anywhere!”
The man simply scooped her up sideways in his arms and strode towards the upstairs, passing through the living room.
A roguish smile appeared on that beautiful face as he looked down at her in his arms, “What do you know? This is a man’s true nature.”
Qiao Ruoxin scoffed with disdain.
“What are you scoffing at? The day I talk to you about everything and yet avoid being a rogue, that’s when I truly don’t love you.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s small hand covered the man’s mouth, “Don’t say another word! You filthy rogue!”
Mo Chen’s mouth was covered, but his dark eyes betrayed an indulgent smile as he kissed the palm of her hand,
…
Mo Family Estate.
In the garden, Mrs. Mo sat on a black rattan chair, having afternoon tea with a few wealthy ladies.
“Mrs. Mo, I heard that your Mo family’s master has gone public with his relationship with that female celebrity? Let me tell you, you have to watch over master Mo closely, actresses are unreliable.”
Another chimed in, “Not just unreliable, actresses are jinx to wealthy families, everyone in the circle knows that, right? It’s fine to keep one for fun, but giving her status is out of the question.”
Mrs. Mo smiled without a word, lifting her teacup to take a sip.
One of the ladies patted her hand, “Mrs. Mo, let me tell you, the kids are too young and unaware, you should find a way to get rid of that woman, there are ways to do it without raising suspicion.”
Mrs. Mo finally spoke, “Who in the capital doesn’t know Mo Chen’s temper?”
She shrugged with a helpless smile.
“But you can’t just let master Mo do whatever he wants, he’s just infatuated with the beauty of a star for the moment. When it comes to marriage, he should marry someone presentable.”
Mrs. Mo, “His matters of the heart, I’d better not interfere, he’s already an adult, he should be able to handle his private matters.”
“You’re at the top of Asia’s wealth list, among the top three in the world, of course, you won’t worry about these things, an actress can’t shake the Mo family’s business empire.”
“Yes, we must be careful with every step we take, otherwise we might go bankrupt any day.”
After the wealthy ladies left, Mrs. Mo sat there in deep thought.
At that moment, the butler approached.
“Madam, I heard that Mo Chen is speeding up the wedding preparations. Should we intervene?”
Madam Mo slowly smiled, “I wanted to intervene, but after giving it a lot of thought, I realized that if I intervened, there would be a rift in the mother-son relationship between me and Mo Chen. For Qiao Ruoxin, it’s not worth it.”
The butler asked, “Then… should we let the wedding proceed smoothly?”
“Ruining Qiao Ruoxin’s reputation is easy, but if Mo Chen still insists on having her and no one else, then I would have to bear the brunt of the gossiping women’s mockery. It’s not worth it, especially since the Mo Family’s reputation would suffer as well.”
The butler didn’t speak, just looked at her.
Madam Mo thought for a moment, then finally picked up her cell phone and dialed Mo Chen’s number.
“Mo Chen, come home for dinner tonight. Mom will cook for you personally.”
Mo Chen’s voice came from the other end of the phone, “Okay.”
“Don’t forget the promise you made to me. Take care of your health; you must be the one to hold the reins of the Mo Family.”
“Hmm, I know.”
“Bring Miss Qiao along as well.”
After hanging up the phone, Madam Mo’s expression changed instantly, from gentle to composed.
She still needed to probe into Qiao Ruoxin. She wanted to know if this girl was truly settled in her heart.
The butler spoke up again, “There’s another thing I forgot to mention. The Lu Family, who arranged a betrothal with Mo Chen, also seems to be preparing to return to China. They’ve closed many of their factories abroad and are shifting their focus back to China.”
Madam Mo frowned, “What? The Lu Family is coming back to the country?”
“Yes, Madam. When the Lu Family returns, even if they don’t bring up the betrothal, what shall we do if they do?”
Madam Mo laughed softly, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. If the Lu Family brings up the matter of the betrothal, then let Mo Chen handle it personally.”
…
Dusk fell, with only a few stars twinkling, the moonlight bright and clear.
Inside the car.
Qiao Ruoxin and Mo Chen sat in the back seat as the driver headed towards the Mo Family Estate.
She was about to have dinner with Madam Mo again, and she started to feel nervous involuntarily.
After all, it was she who had unilaterally broken the one-year agreement with Madam Mo.
The man beside her had been staring at her for a long time, sensing her nervousness. He picked up her hand and played with it.
Mo Chen gently pinched her slender fingers, “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing much. Just thinking that I need to behave well later.”
As if recalling something, she looked up at Mo Chen, “By the way, has everything been okay with Lan Ke these past few days?”
“Bai Junyan took her to live in the villa. She’s guarded by bodyguards; it’s safe.”
Qiao Ruoxin exhaled in relief, “That’s good.”
She wondered if telling Madam Mo that she was actually the daughter of the Lawrence Family would improve her impression of her?
She lifted her gaze again to Mo Chen’s handsome face.
If she went public about being the Lawrence Family’s daughter, then her marrying Mo Chen wouldn’t be seen as marrying up…
At this thought, Qiao Ruoxin shook her head vigorously. What was she thinking!
She didn’t want to be the daughter of the Lawrence Family!
Moreover, she hadn’t seen any signs that Lawrence wanted to acknowledge her as his daughter.
Qiao Ruoxin was lost in thought when the car slowly entered the estate gates.
The car stopped on the lawn, and the butler came forward to open the door.
Mo Chen and Qiao Ruoxin stepped out of the car.
“Master Mo, Madam is waiting for you in the dining room. She personally cooked tonight and prepared many dishes you love.”
The man responded indifferently, “Hmm.”
Then, holding Qiao Ruoxin’s hand, he walked towards the villa area.
Chapter 290: How far along is the wedding preparation? In the restaurant.
Mrs. Mo had already been waiting.
Mo Chen and Qiao Ruoxin entered the restaurant and looked up, immediately showing smiles.
He sat down beside his mother and called out in a deep voice, “Mom.”
Qiao Ruoxin sat beside Mo Chen and politely called out, “Mrs. Mo.”
“Mm.”
Mrs. Mo responded, then served a small bowl of soup in front of Mo Chen, “Drink this, I added caterpillar fungus to it to fight fatigue. I heard from Xiaowu that you’ve been very tired recently.”
He smiled faintly, “It’s fine.”
Qiao Ruoxin looked at Mrs. Mo, who only had eyes for her own son.
She couldn’t help but sigh softly to herself; this is what a real mother is like…
Mo Chen glanced at her and frowned slightly, “Why, do you want to drink it too? Here, you have it.”
The man handed over the small bowl of soup to Qiao Ruoxin.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened instantly. If she dared to accept this bowl of soup, Mrs. Mo would probably hate her to death!
“No need, no need, I can get it myself.”
She signaled to Mo Chen with frantic gestures.
Mo Chen watched her pulling faces, laughed out loud, then continued drinking his soup on his own.
Mrs. Mo, eating elegantly, suddenly asked, “How far along are the wedding preparations? If you’re going to send out invitations, leave that to me; they need to be sent at least a month in advance. Many people are overseas and need to arrange travel.”
Qiao Ruoxin quietly lowered her head to eat, not wanting or daring to butt into this matter.
Mo Chen put down the porcelain bowl in his hand and said in a deep voice, “We haven’t reached that step.”
After finishing the meal, Qiao Ruoxin slowly stood up, “Mrs. Mo, I’m full, I would like to take a walk outside; please enjoy your meal.”
Mo Chen looked up at her, “Take your phone.”
“Okay.”
She smiled faintly and turned to leave.
In fact, she was giving the mother and son space to talk. Mrs. Mo must have something she wanted to say to Mo Chen.
After Qiao Ruoxin left.
Mrs. Mo picked up a bowl of soup and slowly sipped it, saying, “I’ve heard that the Lu Family is planning to return to develop in their home country.”
He raised his eyes, frowning, “Which Lu Family?”
Mrs. Mo spoke casually, “The Lu Family that had the arranged marriage with you.”
Instantly, Mo Chen’s handsome face turned cold, and a trace of hostility even emerged, “What does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing, just giving you a heads up. If the Lu Family returns to the country and forgets about the arranged marriage, that’s fine, but if the Lu Family brings it up, you should be mentally prepared.”
Mo Chen sneered disdainfully and let out a sound of contemptuous laughter, “I’ve said it long ago, I take no responsibility.”
Mrs. Mo laughed a little and said no more.
…
Qiao Ruoxin was walking alone in the Mo Family’s estate.
What should she do now?
Simon was bound to take some action before leaving.
What could she do to make Simon willingly take his mother back to the United States?
Suddenly!
The man’s large hand grasped her shoulder, startling her. She turned around sharply to meet Mo Chen’s deep, well-like eyes.
“Why do you always sneak up and scare me like this?”
Mo Chen sneered, walked to her side, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and said in a deep voice, “You’re the one who’s distracted.”
She huffed and turned her head away.
“Little Ghost, what are you thinking about?”
She turned her head, a sly glint passing through her eyes, then opened her arms and hugged the man’s tall frame, “I was just thinking… being Mrs. Mo must be pretty tough.”
The corners of the man’s mouth curled into a smile; he tightened his grip on her slender waist and deliberately lowered his voice, his tone so suggestive, “At most, it’ll just be a bit tiring in bed. Just bear with it, hmm?”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin put on an insincere, fake smile, then her little hand viciously pinched the man’s waist.
But those were rock-hard abs; there was nothing to pinch…
“Little Ghost, are you plotting to murder your own husband?”
She huffed softly and turned away, “Let’s go home, I’m tired, I want to go to sleep.”
Mo Chen’s long legs covered the distance in a few steps, and he scooped her up in his arms.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around the man’s neck, revealing a smile, “Mo Chen, brother, being held by you, I don’t even feel like walking anymore.”
The man simply chuckled, “Might as well break your legs, you won’t be needing them anymore.”
“Why are you always so harsh with me? If you break my legs, I won’t be able to help you in the kitchen anymore.”
“Good point.”
…
When they returned to the Jiang Mansion No. 1, it was already past eleven at night.
After taking a shower, Mo Chen was dressed in a black robe, sitting alone on the sofa on the terrace, wearing headphones.
Playing through the headphones was that song “His Obsession.”
The first time he’d heard it, he thought that Little Ghost had written the song to mock him. After listening to it a few more times, he realized the lyrics were actually infused with love.
A little while later, Qiao Ruoxin also finished showering and had put on a strappy nightgown.
She came out to the terrace, saw Mo Chen wearing headphones, eyes closed as if he were resting.
But there was clearly an expression of enjoyment on that handsome face, enjoyment???
Qiao Ruoxin walked over, snatched the headphones from the man’s head, and put them on herself to listen, and her lips couldn’t help but curve upward.
Mo Chen opened his dark eyes and turned his head to look at her small face, pulling her into his arms.
She took off the headphones and sat in the man’s embrace, “Mo Chen, brother, is this song nice to listen to?”
The man slightly raised an eyebrow, his tone sounding very reluctant, “It’s passable.”
“Passable? I almost exhausted all my brain cells, and you say it’s passable?”
Mo Chen let out a low chuckle, his long fingers lightly grazed her nose, and with an indulgent voice he scolded, “Fool.”
“You’re scolding me again! One of these days I’ll become as stupid as you say!”
The smile deepened at the corners of the man’s mouth, as he touched her chin, “That would be cuter.”
Cuter?
So in Mo Chen’s eyes, was she just a silly, cute dunce?
Qiao Ruoxin narrowed her beautiful eyes, proud and haughty like a ragdoll cat, “Mo Chen, brother, do you think I’m like a dunce?”
“What do you mean ‘like a dunce’?”
She revealed a happy smile, only for the man to bluntly say, “You are a dunce.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s smile froze on her face, as she quietly stared at the handsome face before her.
Mo Chen furrowed his brows slightly, beginning to reminisce about her childhood, and slowly spoke in a deep voice, “Since you were 12, I’ve seen every midterm and final exam score of yours, every year. Your math has never made the grade.”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin instantly exploded.
Shocked, her small face was written all over, her eyes widened, “You… you’re such a creep, spying on my test scores? And every year? What kind of hobby is that?”
The man smiled without a word.
A look of indulgence mixed into the smile on that handsome face.
So, to him, this Little Ghost was more like a project in progress.
Let someone else have Qiao Ruoxin? Impossible!
“When I first met you at 14, you already knew a lot about me, right?”