Ch. 311..320
Chapter 311: Have you ever had even a slight crush on me? Even for a second? Simon’s face turned ugly, “Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore, I’m very busy.”
He hung up the phone directly.
Then, he dialed another number, “Delete this video from all the APP websites, I don’t want to see anyone spreading this video anymore!”
…
Back in China.
In the dead of night, the bedroom was pitch black.
Qiao Ruoxin lay in bed, giving the man beside her a glance, “Brother Mo Chen…”
“Hmm?”
“When did you start planning this?”
The man turned over to hold her in his arms, his long fingers caressing her slender waist, his voice husky and lazy, “After I came back from the hospital.”
Qiao Ruoxin felt a tightness in her heart.
At that time, he still seemed to be in great discomfort, was he bearing the pain while deploying these plans?
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but hold the man’s body tighter.
Mo Chen frowned slightly, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, I just want to sleep holding you.”
She heard a low chuckle by her ear as he held her tightly, softly coaxing her, “Little Ghost, good night.”
Nothing much had changed.
It was just that Mr. Mo would no longer touch her inappropriately, merely sharing the same bed.
Qiao Ruoxin closed her eyes, and could not help but think about the replies from netizens on the forum APP today.
Mo Chen cheated? That’s hardly likely…
This despicable man, every day he is either busy with work or busy keeping her company, where would he have the time to cheat?
Moreover, she had just searched through the man’s phone, and there wasn’t a single suspicious member of the opposite sex.
Mo Chen’s WeChat avatar was still a picture of her at five years old—so freakish that which woman would dare to strike up a conversation with him?
Speaking of this avatar, there was actually a story behind it. Caught in the memory, she couldn’t help but smile.
Initially, the first time Mo Chen had an argument with her and made her cry, she snatched the despicable man’s phone in a fit of anger, changed all his phone wallpapers and lock screens to her pictures, and even changed his WeChat avatar to one of her at the age of five.
From then on, Mo Chen never changed it.
So when she first came back, seeing that Mo Chen’s phone wallpaper and lock screen password were still her pictures, her heart couldn’t help but tremble.
Gu Mocheng had said something very true, she owed her position today to Mr. Mo’s indulgence.
In the past, she might have been a little proud, but all those bad habits of hers had been spoiled by Mr. Mo, a bottomless indulgence.
Her thoughts were pulled back.
She opened her eyes, listening to the man’s steady breathing.
Qiao Ruoxin’s slender fingers stroked the man’s handsome face, then she slowly leaned in, and gently kissed the man’s chin.
“Brother Mo Chen, good night.”
Her voice was soft and tender.
…
The next day.
At Hengzhong Group, Chairman’s office.
Behind the office desk, Mo Chen was looking down at the acquisition plan in his hands.
Secretary Jiang and Assistant Liu stood there waiting for his orders.
“Buy all the gaming companies he’s preparing to acquire in China at double the price,” he ordered.
The man picked up a pen, signed his name in bold strokes, and handed the acquisition plan to Assistant Liu.
Assistant Liu was shocked inside, Mr. Mo was planning to profit from the chaos!
The Lawrence Family is currently preoccupied with the video scandal and has no time to consider the acquisition.
“Yes, I’ll go to the bank with the project team right away.”
Mo Chen leaned back in his swivel chair, his tone commanding, “Remember, I don’t care what methods you guys use, acquire all the promising gaming companies in the country, and then set up a new group. The name will be…”
The man narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering for a few seconds, “The name will be the Strawberry Plan.”
A hint of disdainful smile curled up at the corner of his mouth.
Secretary Jiang couldn’t help but ask, “Why the Strawberry Plan?”
“Because I hate strawberries.” The man appeared nonchalant, picking up his phone to open WeChat.
While the Lawrence Family isn’t paying attention, take over the entire gaming market in the country that Lawrence is preparing to monopolize.
At this moment, a secretary knocked and entered, “Director Mo, a Miss Lin Xi wishes to see you.”
Mo Chen scoffed, putting down his phone, “Let her in.”
…
After everyone had left, Lin Xi entered the office.
This was Lin Xi’s first time in Mo Chen’s office, much larger than she had imagined.
Lin Xi’s face was as pale as paper, for she had become a rat crossing the street, everyone shouting to hit her.
She hadn’t expected that in the end, everyone else had a way out, except for the sacrifice of her dignity and reputation as a woman.
Lin Xi stood there with legs wobbling, gazing at the man’s tall and stately figure, standing in front of the window, seemingly overlooking the entire imperial city.
“Mo Chen! Why do you have to do this… haven’t you considered my feelings at all?”
Lin Xi’s voice carried a crying tone, and was somewhat hoarse.
Mo Chen turned around, his handsome face tinged with indifference, as if he were unconcerned with the matter.
He walked over to the sofa in the reception area and sat down, elegantly crossing his legs and resting them on the coffee table.
“Finally willing to show up? Not hiding anymore?” His deep voice was filled with sarcasm.
Tears slowly streamed down Lin Xi’s face, “I saved you back then, don’t you have any gratitude for me?”
The man looked at Lin Xi calmly, with an expressionless face, and said in a deep voice, “But if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been driving while fatigued and had that car accident, nor would I have been trapped in the mountains for two days and a night.”
“I didn’t want it to be like this! It was Lawrence who forced me! He said if I didn’t do it, he would release those videos! I…”
Lin Xi was completely falling apart, not knowing what she should do.
Mo Chen: “Then you should go find that piece of trash to argue with, not come to me.”
Lin Xi closed her eyes, looking at the unfeeling man in front of her.
Two years ago, because she was softhearted, when Mo Chen’s life hung by a thread, she chose to call the police.
In the past two years, Lin Xi’s feelings for this man had been slowly growing, but…
“Mo Chen, I want to ask you, in these two years without Qiao Ruoxin, have you ever had even a slight crush on me? Even for a second?”
Lin Xi’s tear-filled eyes were filled with hope.
The man seated on the sofa, his handsome features cold, snorted with contempt, “Never.”
At that moment, Lin Xi’s heart completely gave up; she had, in fact, never been loved.
The emotional barriers of this man were truly like a wall of copper and steel, completely impenetrable, unless he chose to open his heart.
“Thank you for your mercilessness.”
Lin Xi wiped away her tears and turned to leave.
After the door closed behind her, Mo Chen stood up and walked to his desk, picking up the telephone handset, “Give Lin Xi a sum of money, tell her we’re even.”
“Yes.”
…
Lin Xi walked despondently to the elevator, and Secretary Jiang followed out, handing her a check, “Miss Lin, this is what Director Mo asked me to give you, and he also asked me to tell you, we’re even.”
Lin Xi looked at the check, her smile bitter, “I don’t want it.”
With a ding, the elevator doors opened, and Lin Xi stepped in.
Chapter 312: Gu Mocheng Loses His Temper Jiang Mansion No. 1.
Qiao Ruoxin sat on the swing in the garden, slowly swaying back and forth.
Watching the actual original video on her phone, it turned out to be Lin Xi and the previous president of Jiashi Airlines…
At once, the Lawrence Group issued a statement, had called the police, and reserved the right to take legal action.
She couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, murmuring to herself, “You reap what you sow…”
But, looking at it all, the most pitiful was still Lin Xi, reputation completely ruined, probably unable to find a job as a flight attendant in the country anymore, right?
Suddenly, a call came through on the phone, it was Simon.
Qiao Ruoxin hesitated for a second, then answered the phone, “The house is on fire, and you still have time to call me?”
Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.
“Baby, I was too soft-hearted towards you, yet you are so ruthless towards me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh: “What a joke, should I be grateful to you?”
“I am dealing with this matter and would have let you save face, but if father were to deal with it personally, it wouldn’t be so pleasant.”
“Bring it on! I won’t compromise!”
Having said that, she hung up the phone directly.
…
At noon, #JiashiAirlines# topped the trending list, explosive!
Online netizens were stunned once again.
[Holy crap! This plot twist is so intense, I need a moment, this is too thrilling, right? AI face swap? This is the original video? Did we wrong Simon?]
[Tsk tsk, the most miserable is this flight attendant, her face keeps getting swapped in the video, but it’s always her own, tsk tsk… her future is ruined.]
[Here, @Gu Mocheng! Young Master Gu! Your airline’s stocks have plummeted! Does it hurt? Hahaha…]
[I thought the man in the video was Gu Mocheng, boring .]
[Of course it can’t be Young Master Gu, ah, his physique is so good, and he’s so handsome, how can he be that middle-aged man in the video! Young Master Gu is on par with Mo Chen in terms of looks!]
[So it’s Gu Mocheng’s useless brother? Typical black sheep of the family, now he’s going to face family discipline, tsk tsk…]
[Speaking of which, who’s really stirring things up behind the scenes this time, making the scandal blow up? And who swapped Simon’s face into the video? Thinking about it, Mo Chen himself has the most motive, and he has the capabilities too, they were rivals in love after all!]
[Hey, don’t just say whatever you want up there! Be careful of a lawyer’s letter warning you! Why blabber about things without evidence? Mo Chen would never do such a thing!]
[Exactly, exactly! Our Mo Chen and Miss Qiao are doing well, when would he have the time to set up Little Lawrence?]
…
In the evening, Mansion No. 7.
Inside a private room.
Mo Chen leaned back on an armchair, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his handsome face cold and detached, staring at the glass of wine, seemingly waiting for something.
Bai Junyan: “Jiashi Airlines’ stocks have dropped three points, I bet Gu Mocheng feels like killing someone now.”
Ji Haochuan: “Let’s all sit further away then, avoiding getting splashed with blood when they start fighting later.”
Lu Siheng: “Out of humanitarian concern, we should still try to break up the fight, right?”
Bai Junyan: “Break up what? I just called Jiashi Airlines, they’ve been having meetings all day long, thinking of PR strategies. The meeting just ended, and Gu Mocheng is on his way here now.”
Suddenly!
The door to the private room was kicked open!
Everyone turned to look, all except Mo Chen.
Gu Mocheng, usually the epitome of a refined gentleman, now had a dark face thick with rage as he stormed up to Mo Chen, snatched the glass of wine from his hand, and downed it in one gulp.
“Mo Chen, you bastard! Stabbing me in the back?”
The other three automatically shifted their positions, sitting far away from them as if truly afraid they would start fighting and get splattered with blood.
Mo Chen picked up his phone, his long fingers tapped open WeChat, found his cousin Mo Zhizi’s avatar, and then pushed it to Gu Mocheng.
Gu Mocheng frowned, “What’s this supposed to mean?”
The man looked up, his voice deep, “Zhizi’s WeChat.”
Instantly, the air of tension and aggression in the private room began to dissipate.
The other three looked at Mo Chen with disdainful eyes, their gaze seeming to say: Trading your sister for glory!
Gu Mocheng slightly raised his eyebrows, surprise flickering in his eyes, he took out his own phone and opened WeChat.
The anger on Gu Mocheng’s handsome face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of a smile.
Bai Junyan said, “Not angry about the stocks dropping three points anymore? Look at you, all you need is a woman’s WeChat ID to calm down?”
Gu Mocheng, his gaze fixed on the phone screen, settled on the sofa next to him, quickly tapped to add to contact list, and said without looking up, “It’ll rise back eventually.”
His brothers: “…”
Mo Chen straightened up, looking towards Gu Mocheng’s carefree demeanor, and said in a deep voice, “If you dare to sleep with her, make her cry, I’ll break your third leg.”
Gu Mocheng lazily lifted his gaze, “That’s for other women, my sister gets special treatment.”
Mo Chen sniffed in contempt, slowly stood up, picked up the suit jacket next to him, “You guys have fun, I’m leaving.”
After speaking, he cast a final, disdainful snort towards Gu Mocheng, who was completely absorbed in his phone screen, and turned to leave.
Gu Mocheng pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it with a lighter.
He leaned back on the sofa, waiting patiently for the friend request to be accepted.
Ten minutes passed…
Twenty minutes passed…
Thirty minutes passed…
Gu Mocheng had finished two cigarettes and still no friend acceptance; he cursed softly, “Fuck… is the phone broken?”
Ji Haochuan couldn’t hold back and chuckled, “It’s your brain that’s broken.”
Gu Mocheng picked up a pillow from behind him and hurled it at Ji Haochuan, who dodged it with ease.
He poured himself a drink, downed it in one go, lay on the sofa, and stared at the WeChat friend request.
The note he wrote was: I’m Gu Mocheng.
So, he picked up his other standby phone and added Mo Zhizi’s WeChat again, with the note: Xiaogu from the property front desk.
The next second!
Friend request accepted!
Gu Mocheng let out a scoff, closed his eyes, and suppressed the anger in his heart while whispering to his phone screen, “Needs a lesson.”
Suddenly, Mo Zhizi sent a message: [Hello, what can I do for you?]
The man’s lips curved up, his fingertips tapping on the keyboard: [Tomorrow the exterior windows will be cleaned, please make sure to draw the curtains.]
Mo Zhizi: [Okay, thank you Xiaogu.]
“Xiaogu…” he repeated the name, scoffing.
No one had ever dared to address him like that.
People who knew him would respectfully call him Master Gu or President Gu.
Gu Mocheng clicked on Mo Zhizi’s avatar, it was a Sailor Moon profile picture.
Bai Junyan, seeing his serious expression, couldn’t help but remark, “Spring has come, it’s the mating season again.”
Ji Haochuan: “Isn’t it just after the Start of Autumn? What spring?”
Lu Siheng: “Heh…”
Chapter 313: Actively Pleasing Mr. Mo Jiang Mansion Number One.
After Mo Chen returned, he sat on the sofa in the living room. The nanny approached and said, “Mr. Mo, would you like some sobering tea? Should I go and prepare a bowl for you?”
The man leaned back on the sofa, his eyes closed, and he lazily responded, “Hmm…”
As the nanny was about to turn and leave, Mo Chen asked, “Where’s the Little Ghost?”
“Miss Qiao is up on the bedroom’s observation deck. She said she wanted to read the script and not to be disturbed unless you came back.”
Mo Chen chuckled softly, opened his eyes, then got up and walked upstairs, instructing, “Bring up the sobering tea later.”
“Okay.”
…
Inside the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin sat cross-legged on an outdoor sofa wearing a man’s white shirt, a picture of alluring beauty clearly prepared with care.
She was also wearing a faint perfume, which was extremely suggestive.
Next to her was the script, her hand clutching her phone tightly.
Qiao Ruoxin opened the social networking forum APP again, seeking the almighty netizens’ help once more: How can I reignite passion in my boyfriend?
And so, she had put on one of Mr. Mo’s white shirts.
Everything was ready.
She glanced at her phone screen again, where a comment read: “If all else fails, just force the issue! Don’t tell me he could remain indifferent after you’ve done all this, if he truly still loves you…”
Qiao Ruoxin quickly replied: “Of course he loves me!”
Suddenly!
The sound of the door opening came from the bedroom.
It startled her, and her phone fell onto the sofa.
Qiao Ruoxin hurriedly put on a calm exterior, picked up the script, and started reading it earnestly.
Mo Chen pushed open the bedroom door, looking around for the Little Ghost but couldn’t see her anywhere.
He took off his suit jacket and laid it on the bench at the foot of the bed, then walked toward the terrace.
The moment he reached the terrace, his dark pupils constricted slightly.
The night breeze was gentle, and Qiao Ruoxin, wearing only a man’s white shirt, sat cross-legged on the sofa, her long hair lifted by the wind.
The sleeves were rolled up, revealing her slender arms, one hand propping up her cheek, the other holding the script as she studied it intently.
Amid the night backdrop, the scene was quite beautiful.
Mo Chen, with his tall figure, walked over.
Only when his shadow loomed did Qiao Ruoxin pretend to be oblivious and looked up, “When did you come back? You’re so quiet when you walk.”
“Hmm, just got back.”
Mo Chen looked down at her current pose, her slender legs crossed, a soft seductiveness in her posture which was alluring him.
His voice hoarse, the man said, “Little Ghost, put your legs down.”
“Oh…”
Qiao Ruoxin obediently unfolded her legs and stepped into her slippers.
The man sat beside her, picking up the script she was holding and glanced at it, “Falling Star.”
“Did you pick this movie?”
“Yeah, I think the plot is interesting. As long as the special effects are done well, it’s definitely going to be good.”
Mo Chen placed the script on the nearby coffee table, frowning slightly. The air seemed to be filled with a trace of perfume, faint yet sweetly enticing.
He leaned close to her collarbone, took a whiff, and looked up at her, “Did you spray perfume?”
“Well, the brand I endorse gave it to me. They say it’s the latest model. How is it, does it smell good?”
Mo Chen nodded, “Not bad.”
He then turned his attention to the man’s shirt on the Little Ghost, and he couldn’t help but frown, “Why are you wearing my shirt?”
“…”
Such a dense man, can’t he feel even the slightest hint of flirtation? And he asks so directly!
Qiao Ruoxin could only show a smile, “My pajamas were being washed, so I casually took one of your shirts to wear. Why, do you object?”
Mo Chen chuckled softly, wrapping his long arms around her shoulders, eyeing her white shirt, “No, it looks pretty good. You can wear it often in the future.”
The corners of her mouth curled up into a smile.
As expected!
Men always like women wearing their clothes!
The netizens were right about that one!
So what comes next? It’s too late to check the phone for netizen comments now, she could only rely on her memory, thinking hard.
Right!
Next was to use little gestures, expressions, and ambiguous language to entice him, to incite him.
Qiao Ruoxin leaned on the man’s shoulder, her delicate fingers touching his Adam’s apple, “Brother Mo Chen, has Young Master Gu not troubled you?”
“He has.”
The man’s gaze remained on her slender legs, long and white, thin and straight.
“How did you deal with it?”
She deliberately got up and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Her mind was still thinking about what else the netizens had said on her phone. How come she couldn’t remember any of it at the crucial moment?
Mo Chen’s long arms captured her slender waist, his voice lazy, “Do you care about him that much?”
“…”
Was there a hint of sourness in his tone?
“Why are you being so sour? Could it be that I could fall for Gu Mocheng?”
The man slightly narrowed his eyes, his voice low and serious, “Apparently, you used to be his ideal type?”
Qiao Ruoxin froze for a moment, then continued to play dumb, “Really? I didn’t know that, but he is your good brother. It’s normal for him to have a similar taste in aesthetics as you.”
Mo Chen snorted coldly, “From now on, you’re not allowed to look at him, talk to him, or chat with him on WeChat.”
She couldn’t help but laugh lightly, only agreeing, “Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Her small hand kept playing with the man’s Adam’s apple, feeling its upward and downward motion, and the vibration when he spoke. It was amusing.
Mo Chen’s Adam’s apple tickled as she touched it, he grabbed her small hand, “Stop moving around.”
Ah!
She remembered!
Finally, she remembered the contents of the netizen replies to the post on her phone.
She embraced the man’s neck tightly, leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “Brother Mo Chen, I miss you.”
Would this move work? She’d find out after trying.
Mo Chen raised an eyebrow, “I’m right in front of you.”
“…”
As expected, just a typical straightforward man. All the subtle flirting, he just didn’t get it.
She lowered her voice again, whispering in the man’s ear, “I want…”
A look of surprise crossed the man’s handsome face as he looked at her small face, “What did you say?”
“You heard me, didn’t you?”
How embarrassing, did she really have to say it a second time? Not a chance!
Mo Chen was seeing Little Ghost take the initiative like this for the first time. From ‘knowing her, to being with her, to their numerous breakups and makeups, she had never been so forward before.
His long fingers gripped Qiao Ruoxin’s chin, kissing her down, tender and lingering.
“Alright, you can have whatever you want.”
His voice was husky to the extreme, blending with the enticing night.
The next second.
Mo Chen scooped her up around the waist and walked towards the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes sparkled. Did it actually work?
She was placed on the bed by the man, sinking deep into the mattress, and then the man tore off his tie and leaned over her.
However, after a short while, Mo Chen’s face darkened slightly, he pinned Qiao Ruoxin beneath him, motionless, unresponsive…
Chapter 314: Brothers, help me chase Mo Chen, a billion each after success This sudden silence was somewhat awkward…
Qiao Ruoxin was wearing a white men’s dress shirt, half of its buttons undone, her clothes in disarray.
She looked confused, staring at the motionless man on top of her. What was he thinking? What did it mean?
She carefully whispered, “Mo Chen Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
The man’s handsome face was strained, and without a word, he held her soft body, his breathing rapid and chaotic.
After what seemed like an eternity, he got up and buttoned up the shirt for Qiao Ruoxin, his brows furrowed, his handsome face showing signs of embarrassment, “Little Ghost, I just remembered I have some matters to handle. You go to sleep first, don’t wait up for me.”
With that, the man covered her with the thin quilt and then turned to walk out of the bedroom, his tall figure emanating annoyance.
Qiao Ruoxin was instantly amused to the point of laughter.
What the hell was this?
Was there such a thing as stopping halfway through something like this???
Qiao Ruoxin grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Mo Chen’s back, “Mo Chen! What’s so important?! More important than me! I want you to stay with me now!”
The man stopped in his tracks but did not turn around, his voice deep, “Behave, stop making a fuss.”
Then, she heard the sound of the door closing.
Qiao Ruoxin felt like she was about to explode with anger!
She buried her face in the pillow and screamed, “Ahhhh! Mo Chen! You’re driving me insane!”
The next second.
Qiao Ruoxin suddenly sat up, grabbed the pillow, and slammed it onto the carpet, yelling to vent her frustration, “Men are dogs! Dog men! Driving me insane!”
Standing on the plush carpet, she got up, her beautiful eyes ablaze with anger.
What exactly was the problem?
Lately, it seemed Mo Chen hardly touched her, even when their cuddling and caressing almost led to more, he would always stop just in time.
Qiao Ruoxin began to pace back and forth in the bedroom, deep in thought.
What was going on?
Maybe he was too busy with work recently? So he wasn’t interested?
She picked up her phone and opened that forum APP again, she had followed all the advice the netizens had given her…
All alone in the bedroom, her emotions grew more and more anxious, making it impossible to sleep.
So, Qiao Ruoxin also left the bedroom.
She glanced at the direction of the study and then went downstairs to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and poured herself a glass of ice water.
Coming back upstairs in front of the study door, she was about to knock when she heard Mo Chen and Xiaowu talking inside…
So Xiaowu was here?
Could it be there was actually important business to attend to? Was she overthinking?
Qiao Ruoxin gave a helpless smile, turned, and prepared to leave.
However, at that moment, her expression changed dramatically…
Inside the study.
“Master Mo, I think you should tell Miss Qiao the truth. Otherwise, she might overthink things,” Xiaowu said.
“…” A look of embarrassment swept across the man’s handsome face.
“Continuing to hide it from her isn’t a solution. Miss Qiao is understanding; she will get your difficulties,” Xiaowu continued.
Mo Chen looked up at Xiaowu, his voice grave, “Is it very selfish of me?”
“I just think it’s unfair to Miss Qiao. She deserves to know,” Xiaowu pressed.
Suddenly, the light in the man’s eyes dimmed, his voice husky, “If things continue this way, should I… let her go?”
Xiaowu: “…”
…
Outside.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened in an instant, her hand clenching the glass so tightly that the water splashed onto the back of her hand.
Her mind went blank. What had she just heard?
In her panic, her face turned slightly pale as she quickly returned to the bedroom.
Back against the door, her heart pounding furiously, she felt inexplicably anxious.
What did Mo Chen mean by what he’d just said? What did ‘let her go’ mean? Was he thinking of… breaking up???
Qiao Ruoxin was so nervous her fingertips were trembling. She drained the cup of ice water in her hands in one gulp, and her emotions gradually settled.
Having come this far, if she lost Mo Chen again, she might truly go insane.
Instantly, tears streamed down her face, her heart filled with grievance and unwillingness.
Qiao Ruoxin wiped away the tears, placed the glass on the side, then sat on the bed, picked up her phone, and suppressed her negative emotions.
No way!
She had to take action, she had to fight for her own happiness.
She opened WeChat, created a group chat, and then added Bai Junyan, Ji Haochuan, Gu Mocheng, and Lu Siheng—dragging them all into the group.
The brothers: [???]
Qiao Ruoxin: [Guys, help me chase Mo Chen. I’ll give each of you a hundred million after success, and it’s on him!]
The brothers: [?????]
Bai Junyan: [What the hell? Is there such a good thing?]
Ji Haochuan: [What are you two playing at now? So thrilling? Little Qiao, do you even grasp the concept of a hundred million each? But whatever, Rich-Mo has the money~]
Lu Siheng: [I’m not particularly interested, but for a hundred million… I suppose I could participate.]
Gu Mocheng: [You two really are paired heroes!]
Watching the conversation of these four guys in the WeChat group, Qiao Ruoxin pressed the voice input button impatiently and said directly, “Cut the crap, just tell me do you agree or not?”
Ji Haochuan: [A trap has fallen from the sky, only cowards are afraid to take a bite.]
Bai Junyan: [Not doing this would be idiotic, how much is my annual salary anyway?]
Lu Siheng: [Help a brother out and also make money, definitely worth the deal.]
Gu Mocheng: [I want two billion, otherwise forget it.]
Bai Junyan: [@Gu Mocheng, damn! You’ve got a big face? Why should you get two billion? I want that too! I’m about to become a great dad, need to save up for baby formula!]
Qiao Ruoxin: [You’re jacking up the price from the ground! You’re all rich kids, don’t you have any shame???]
Mo Chen: [You created a group chat behind my back?]
Everyone: […]
Bai Junyan has left the group chat…
Gu Mocheng has left the group chat…
Ji Haochuan has left the group chat…
Lu Siheng has left the group chat…
Qiao Ruoxin has dissolved the group…
Meanwhile—
In the study, Mo Chen was sitting in the chair behind the desk, his dark eyes staring at the notification on his phone screen ‘The group has been dissolved.’
What exactly is Little Ghost up to?
A hundred million each?
He was inexplicably added to that group and hadn’t even gotten a clear look at the chat history before the group was dissolved?
…
In the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
She took her phone out to the terrace, blew the cold wind, and let her tense emotions gradually relax.
That was really too thrilling a moment ago, which idiot added Mo Chen to the group chat too???
Qiao Ruoxin opened her phone again, made another group chat, and directly named it: ‘Groomsmen Group’.
Qiao Ruoxin: [Who was the idiot who added Mo Chen? ???]
The brothers: [???]
Gu Mocheng: [It was you.]
Qiao Ruoxin: [Impossible! Am I that stupid?]
Bai Junyan: [It was you, you, it was definitely you!]
Ji Haochuan: [Hahahaha… I’m going to die laughing here, little Qiao, with that IQ of yours, forget about any online secret organization and just meet in person.]
Lu Siheng: [This group name is not bad.]
Qiao Ruoxin: [Enough! No more discussing, meet up at Mansion No. 7 tomorrow night, we will talk in detail face-to-face! Remember! This is a secret! No leaking!]
Chapter 315: Mo Chen is Whipped Suddenly!
The sound of a door opening came from the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin immediately turned off her phone, then quickly ran back to the bedroom, lay on the bed, pulled up the quilt over her head, and pretended to be asleep.
The man pushed open the bedroom door, stepped on the carpet, walked to the bed, and looked at Qiao Ruoxin wrapped in the quilt.
He was silent for a few seconds, and then turned to walk towards the bathroom.
It was only after the sound of water flowing in the bathroom that Qiao Ruoxin removed the quilt from over her head and heaved a sigh of relief.
She might as well pretend to sleep; if Mo Chen asked about the group chat just now, how would she answer?
So, during the time Mo Chen was taking a shower, she was entangled in her thoughts.
Until the sound of water in the bathroom stopped and the bathroom door opened, the man wrapped in a bath towel walked towards the closet, glancing at Qiao Ruoxin who was pretending to be asleep on the bed.
The man went into the closet, casually picked out a robe to wear.
Then, he returned to the bed with a refreshing and pleasant scent and turned off all the lights in the bedroom.
Qiao Ruoxin closed her eyes nervously, her eyelashes trembling.
Suddenly!
Mo Chen’s solid arm embraced her slender waist, and his cold body approached her from behind.
“Little Ghost, are you asleep?”
“…”
She stayed silent, pretending to be asleep.
The man tightened his hold on her soft body and asked in a low voice by her ear, “Little Ghost, what was that group chat you created about? What about everyone getting a billion?”
“…”
As long as she didn’t speak, she could fall asleep quickly!
Inside, Qiao Ruoxin told herself she must ignore him.
“Stop pretending, I know you’re not asleep,” the man’s sexy and deep voice rang out slowly.
She wriggled her body a little, pretending to be drowsy, “Hmm… what are you talking about, I’m so sleepy…”
She adjusted to a comfortable position, ready to sleep.
Mo Chen, however, pinched her slender waist and tenderly bit her earlobe, “Cut it out!”
“Ah… it hurts! What are you doing!”
The man completely straightened her body and held her chin: “Tell me, what was the meaning of that group chat just now?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s gaze wavered, looking elsewhere, “It’s nothing, can’t I just get along with your brothers?”
“Just that?”
“If you don’t let me sleep now, I’ll really get angry!” She was indeed getting a little angry, wanting to bite this dog of a man to death, yet she still couldn’t bring herself to do it, still wanting to win back his heart.
“…”
Mo Chen released her chin, and she turned over, breathing a sigh of relief and closing her eyes.
As was usual, the man still held her from behind, kissed her fragrant shoulder, and whispered softly, “I’ve been quite busy lately, don’t overthink, go to sleep.”
However, Qiao Ruoxin slowly opened her eyes, her emotions in them complicated.
But she had heard everything in the office outside from Mo Chen’s conversation with Xiaowu.
Gradually, the man tightened his arm around her slender waist as if afraid of losing her again.
Qiao Ruoxin looked down at the man’s arm around her waist and couldn’t help touching it with her small hand, saying softly, “Be gentle, don’t hold me so tight, I almost can’t breathe.”
“Mhm…”
In the dark, the man’s voice was a muffled response, and then he quickly fell asleep, with even breathing sounds.
She thought… Mo Chen must still have her in his heart, right?
It was just a little shaken, maybe because he was tired? Disappointed in her?
The sudden disappearance two years ago was indeed her fault, she should pay the price, she admitted it.
…
The next day.
Evening.
After finishing her work, Qiao Ruoxin was taken to Mansion No. 7.
“What’s Mo Chen up to tonight?”
The bodyguard replied, “Mo Chen has a social engagement tonight, and he’ll probably be back very late.”
She responded, “Hmm.”
Perfect, she had time to have a proper chat with the ‘groomsman group’.
After entering the private room, the four sons of wealthy families were playing pool.
Ji Haochuan was the first to speak, “Yo~ Our rich daddy’s here, why aren’t you guys welcoming her?”
As he finished, Ji Haochuan started clapping his hands.
Bai Junyan: “What mischief are you two up to now?”
Gu Mocheng put down his pool cue, took out a cigarette and bit it between his lips, settling down on the nearby sofa: “Spit it out, I’m in a hurry.”
Lu Siheng: “Is Mo Chen planning to break up with you?”
Qiao Ruoxin looked at these guys and thought, why do they seem so unreliable? Seemingly spoiled and carefree, could they really be sincere in helping her?
“Anyway, there’s a bit of a problem, just make him change his mind and that’s enough!” She was becoming somewhat frustrated now.
Bai Junyan: “I feel like his heart has always been with you; how else do you want him to change?”
Ji Haochuan: “I heard Mo Chen’s childhood betrothed has returned to the country, is it because of that?”
Lu Siheng: “Mo Chen had a childhood betrothal?”
Gu Mocheng snorted disdainfully.
Qiao Ruoxin faced them, “Come up with something quick! For some reason, he’s been neglecting me lately… Tell me, under what circumstances would a man neglect his woman?”
Bai Junyan: “Fuck, he couldn’t possibly have someone else on the side, could he?”
Ji Haochuan: “No way in hell, if Mo Chen got with another woman, I’d be the first one to know!”
Lu Siheng: “Could it be that the passionate phase is over?”
Gu Mocheng stared at his phone screen, without lifting his head: “They’ve known each other for nine years and have been together for nearly three, including now; the honeymoon phase passed eight hundred years ago.”
Qiao Ruoxin: “…”
Bai Junyan: “Then what’s the reason? There’s only one reason a man would neglect a woman, right? He doesn’t love her anymore? Lost interest?”
Qiao Ruoxin instantly felt her heart grow cold; she picked up a cushion and threw it at Bai Junyan: “I asked for a solution and here you are sowing discord! Don’t be a jinx!”
Bai Junyan caught the cushion: “I was just analyzing it.”
Gu Mocheng set his phone aside, slender fingers holding the cigarette, flicked off the ash, and said gravely: “No need to analyze; Mo Chen has always been a bit psychologically abnormal. In a word, rekindle the passion.”
Ji Haochuan: “You think you know?”
Gu Mocheng: “Nonsense, if it weren’t for your lousy acting last time, ruining my reputation, I would’ve gotten Qiao Ruoxin to toe the line a long time ago.”
???
Qiao Ruoxin was full of question marks: “What? Make me toe the line? What are you guys talking about?”
Bai Junyan coughed twice: “It’s nothing, we’re getting off-topic. Back to the main point, how do we reignite Mo Chen’s passion?”
Suddenly, Gu Mocheng stood up and walked over to Qiao Ruoxin, his tall figure looming before her: “Have you really understood your own heart? Are you sure you love Mo Chen?”
Without hesitation, Qiao Ruoxin affirmed: “Of course!”
Gu Mocheng: “Then that’s settled.”
Earning these two hundred million was too easy because other than Qiao Ruoxin, Mo Chen had eyes for no one else.
Gu Mocheng tilted his head slightly, picked up his phone, turned, and left the private room, leaving behind a remark: “Leave it to me. Mo Chen’s just whipped, spoiling you rotten.”
“You’re just a pretentious delinquent!” Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but curse at Gu Mocheng’s retreating figure.
Chapter 316: Sister Qiao’s Online Face-Slapping (Part 1) At the party.
Mo Chen was standing in front of the champagne tower, taking a look around.
He checked his watch; it was time for him to make his exit, or else that Little Ghost at home would start overthinking again.
He downed the remaining champagne in his glass, placed it aside, and turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, the moment he turned, he caught sight of that annoying pest, Lu Xingxing.
Mo Chen’s face showed disgust as he spoke indifferently, “Why is it you again?”
“What do you mean ‘why is it you again’? I’ve been here for quite some time now, and you haven’t even noticed me once?”
Lu Xingxing’s face was full of defiance. How could she, such a dazzling presence, go unnoticed by this damn man???
The man simply walked past Lu Xingxing, heading towards the exit of the party.
Lu Xingxing purposely followed him all the way to the underground parking lot.
Adding to her scheme, she had deliberately ambushed a paparazzo there, ready to snap photos of their secret rendezvous at just the right moment.
Xiaowu, who was following behind Mo Chen, looked at Lu Xingxing and couldn’t help asking Mo Chen, “Mr. Mo, are you planning to give Miss Lu a ride back home?”
Mo Chen stopped in his tracks, turned to look, and discovered that Lu Xingxing had been following him all along. His anger spread instantly to his heart.
“What are you doing?” His tone seemed calm, but his anger had already shot through the roof.
Lu Xingxing slowly approached him, innocence written all over her face, “I was wondering if you could give me a lift home. Is that not okay? Can’t a grown man like you be a little generous? Is it that bad to catch a lift with you?”
Mo Chen turned and walked towards his parking spot expressionlessly, not wanting to deal with that woman at all.
Lu Xingxing seized the opportunity and purposely threw herself onto him, grabbing his arm.
“Ah… I’m sorry. My high heel twisted, you know how it is, women’s high heels are just so prone to causing twists…”
Then, the paparazzo hiding in the corner quickly snapped this scene, taking a dozen shots in succession which made it look as though they were having a secret meeting.
The next second.
The man unceremoniously pushed Lu Xingxing aside, shouting angrily, “Are you fucking crazy? If you’re half-paralyzed, go get a wheelchair!”
Frustrated, Mo Chen turned around, opened the car door, and got inside.
Xiaowu looked at Lu Xingxing with an expression that was hard to describe, saying, “Miss Lu, please have some self-respect.”
“What? Who do you think you are? You’re just a bodyguard, and you’re telling me to have self-respect??? Is this how the Mo Family teaches you to be a bodyguard?” Lu Xingxing couldn’t believe her ears. Did a lousy bodyguard dare to speak to her like that?
Xiaowu ignored Lu Xingxing and drove off.
But Lu Xingxing wasn’t angry, because she had achieved her goal.
She wanted to take revenge on Mo Chen!
This damn man, he’d seen her body openly, without any punishment? And that Qiao Ruoxin didn’t care at all?
Why should only she be wronged?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. If she couldn’t let this anger out, she would be restless all night.
“Qiao Ruoxin, oh Qiao Ruoxin, this time, let’s see how you’ll stay arrogant in front of me, hmph!”
Not long after, the paparazzo lurking in the corner came out, “Miss Lu, what do you think about these photos?”
After looking at the camera’s preview for a while, Lu Xingxing laughed, “They are well taken. Post them online; I want to hit the top of the trending list! Money isn’t an issue; keep it trending for a whole day and night.”
“As long as the money is there, everything is negotiable.”
…
Jiang Mansion No. 1.
By the time Qiao Ruoxin got home, the nanny said Mo Chen had not yet returned.
She went upstairs to take a bath, and forty minutes later, she emerged dressed in a nude pink silk robe.
She bowed her head, toying with the belt around her waist.
The bedroom door opened, she heard the noise and turned around, smiling as she said, “You’re back?”
Mo Chen’s face was gloomy, “Mhm, I need a shower.”
What had originally been a good mood was completely ruined by Lu Xingxing’s annoying manner.
Noticing that his mood seemed off, Qiao Ruoxin didn’t press further, only saying, “Then go take your shower, I’ll get your clothes.”
“Mhm.”
Mo Chen headed into the bathroom, while she went to the wardrobe to fetch a pair of black men’s underpants and a dark gray robe, then walked to the bathroom door.
“Brother Mo Chen, here you go.”
The bathroom door flung open, the man, shirtless, still looked very upset as he took the clothes and shut the door.
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but mutter softly to herself, “What’s gotten into him? Who upset him?”
Sitting on the bed alone, she picked up her phone to casually scroll through Weibo, then was stunned by the top trending topic.
Upon opening the top trending topic, it was filled with photos of Lu Xingxing and Mo Chen sent by marketing accounts. The photos were so intimate???
What was this madness?
The top trending topic, #MoChenLuXingxing# exploded!
The unified marketing copy read: [Shocking exclusive! Mo Chen caught cheating! And with his childhood betrothed no less! The heiress of a hundred billion fortune, a beauty with both looks and money, such a fitting match, Qiao Ruoxin is about to be dumped!]
[What the hell?! What’s with this sudden mention of a childhood betrothed? Heiress of a hundred billion fortune? Did my sister Qiao just get cuckolded?]
[No offense, but that heiress is way too ugly. She can’t hold a candle to Qiao Ruoxin! Mo Chen, what are you thinking!]
[Ah! Mo Chen, no, no! You and sister Qiao are the perfect match! This woman is not right for you at all! You’re not short of money, why would you lower yourself like this?]
[I refuse to believe that Mo Chen would fall for this kind of woman. She’s not in the same league as Qiao Ruoxin, not by a long shot! We must protect our Qiao sister!]
[Mo Chen! If you dare to wrong Qiao Ruoxin, I won’t buy from your family’s brand ever again! Humph!]
[Wait a second before you overreact, what if there’s a twist? This woman is clinging onto Mo Chen’s arm, but Mo Chen’s expression is very telling. It seems he’s quite repulsed, disgust is evident in his eyes!]
[Ladies! All men are dogs! Who can keep their first love forever! It’s always about loving the next person more, and men are no exception! Mo Chen included!]
…
Reading those comments, Qiao Ruoxin was close to exploding with rage.
Lu Xingxing was starting her low tricks again.
She couldn’t believe that Mo Chen would take a liking to Lu Xingxing. It must have been Lu Xingxing who deliberately fell into his arms!
Just then, the bathroom door opened.
Mo Chen walked out wearing a robe, the collar left open. He had taken an exceptionally long shower that evening, feeling dirty after Lu Xingxing had clung to his arm.
“What are you looking at?”
He noticed her puffed-up, angry demeanor.
Qiao Ruoxin held up her phone for him to see, “Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to Lu Xingxing.”
Mo Chen snatched the phone out of her hand, his dark pupils suddenly tightening before he quickly dialed a number on his own phone, “Take down that trending topic! Right now, immediately!”
After hanging up the phone, his eyebrows were furrowed as he walked up to Qiao Ruoxin and said in a deep voice, “I don’t fancy her.”
Qiao Ruoxin was pleased with his response, but she pretended to remain angry, huffing, “I’m angry.”
The man let out a deep sigh and embraced her, coaxing her in a low voice, “Then why don’t you scold me a little? Or, hit me?”
“No need, just join me in a live stream to clarify things.”
Qiao Ruoxin picked up her phone, logged into her Weibo account, and then directly started a live stream.
Chapter 317: Sister Qiao Online Face-Slapping (Part 2) Mo Chen’s brows furrowed slightly. Although he didn’t particularly enjoy entering the fray, he had to endure it now to appease Little Ghost.
The live stream on the cellphone had barely started when countless fans, onlookers, and haters flooded in.
The netizens all wanted to know how Qiao Ruoxin was reacting at the moment, not expecting that she would have the leisure to start a live stream in this situation.
When they saw Mo Chen’s face appear in the live stream, the comments on the barrage almost exploded!
[Holy shit! What did I just see? Is that Mo Chen? Are those two actually wearing robes??? What the hell is going on? Are they sleeping together at night?]
[Ahhh! Qiao Ruoxin is totally without makeup, her skin is so dewy, full of collagen!]
[Is this a declaration of war against that doll girlfriend? It looks like Mo Chen still loves Qiao Missy the most. Otherwise, would he do a live stream with her?]
[Qiao Ruoxin, you’re failing as an idol! Do you even remember that you’re part of the lucky girls group? Pshaw! You’re shameless to the extreme!]
[LOL, I’m just enjoying the sour grapes jumping around! Hahaha… Qiao Missy and Mo Chen, please feel free to flaunt your love! I’m willing to be fed dog food!]
Qiao Ruoxin watched as the number of viewers in the live stream room soared, reaching a hundred thousand. She greeted the netizens with a smile, “Hi~ Good evening, tonight’s live stream is to clarify the events trending on hot search.”
She looked at the comments in the live stream room, “You want to see Mo Chen? Sure.”
She deliberately shoved the cellphone in the man’s face, and the man immediately frowned in displeasure, pushing the cellphone away and said sternly, “Stop it.”
The number of people in the live stream had rapidly climbed to a million. Good, it was time to start clarifying.
Qiao Ruoxin turned around and pushed the man’s shoulder. Mo Chen frowned and sat on the bed.
Then she boldly and intimately sat on the man’s lap, smiling at the live stream, saying, “You all see, Mo Chen has not cheated, nor has he done anything to be sorry to me. Our relationship is very good, there are no issues.”
As she spoke, Mo Chen’s gaze was fixed on her profile, deep and focused, filled with intense indulgence.
The man’s arm had unconsciously wrapped around her slender waist, the action so intimate and natural.
Once again, the barrage in the live stream went wild.
[Ahhh! Look at Mo Chen’s eyes, they’re as deep as the ocean! How could he possibly cheat?!]
[Right! While Qiao Ruoxin was talking, Mo Chen only had eyes for her, his gaze was so doting! I want to fall in love too! Oh god, please bestow a Mo Chen on me!]
[Hehe, from beginning to end it’s only you talking, Qiao Ruoxin, I think Mo Chen doesn’t even want to bother with you.]
[Exactly, if you dare, let Mo Chen clarify himself, what’s really going on between him and that rich heiress with a trillion in assets, is he really betrothed from birth or not!]
[Do the haters have no shame?! The couple has done so much, and you still blindly hate?]
Qiao Ruoxin glanced at the rapidly scrolling barrage on the cellphone screen, then looked up with a smile at Mo Chen’s handsome face, “Mo Chen, big brother, they don’t believe what I said, you have to clarify it yourself.”
Mo Chen, looking at her feigned innocence, let a smile creep onto his lips.
He knew all too well what Little Ghost was like, she would automatically start to act sweet in front of the camera.
Mo Chen’s eyes finally shifted to the cellphone screen, looking at those fast-scrolling comments, he said in a deep voice, “My woman has always been only Qiao Ruoxin, as for the rumors, we will directly take legal action.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the barrage in the live stream room blew up.
[Ahhh! Mo Chen is so cool! He’s only ever had Qiao Ruoxin! What kind of fairy-tale love is this? I’m so in love!]
[Now I seriously suspect that it’s that rich girl who’s trying to smear Mo Chen! She’s so ugly, not at all Mo Chen’s type.]
[Sister Qiao’s nickname for Mo Chen is “Brother Mo Chen”!!! So sweet! I’m dying of sweetness, come on, shower us with your dog food love!]
[May Brother Mo Chen and Sister Qiao be together forever!]
[Brother Mo Chen, hahaha, it’s so sweet, I’m crying sweet tears, wuwu…]
[But I heard from people in the elite circles that Mo Chen really had a betrothal agreement! That heiress with hundreds of billions in assets is his intended fiancée, and she’s about to join the entertainment industry too!]
Qiao Ruoxin nodded satisfactorily and spoke to the phone screen, “Alright, now that everything’s cleared up, I’m off to get my beauty sleep, goodnight everyone~ Go to bed early, love you~”
After finishing, she immediately pressed to end the live stream.
The fake smile on her face instantly disappeared, and she let out a sigh of relief, even though she was still sitting on the man’s lap, with her slender arms wrapped around his neck.
The man’s strong arms tightened around her slim waist, “Have you calmed down?”
Qiao Ruoxin snorted proudly, turning her head away, “You think that’s enough to calm me down? Not by a long shot.”
She broke free from the man’s arms and left his embrace.
“Why did you let Lu Xingxing hold on to your arm? Are you sure there was nothing in your heart?”
Mo Chen retorted, “Which eye of yours saw me letting her hold onto my arm?”
“Both eyes saw it! The photos were taken just like that! The evidence is solid, do you still want to deny it?”
The man was infuriated to the point of laughter, scoffing, “She threw herself at me.”
“Then why didn’t you dodge?”
The more she thought about it, the more angry Qiao Ruoxin felt. She turned and walked to the other side of the bed, threw back the covers, and lay down on the bed, petulantly saying, “Tonight you’ve been held by Lu Xingxing, I don’t want you holding me in sleep, stay away from me.”
“…” The man’s expression darkened a few shades.
Mo Chen’s handsome face tensed, and he suddenly flipped over, forcibly grabbing her ankle, pulling her beneath him and pressing down hard, making her unable to move.
Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes widened, “What are you doing? I said I don’t want you to hold me tonight, get up!”
The man hugged her tightly, grinding his teeth, “Are you fucking trying to infuriate me to death, is that it?”
Who is infuriating whom?
She was the one feeling wronged and sulking, so why did this damn man seem angrier than her?
“Mo Chen, do you have any sense? You’re the one who made me angry, and you have the nerve to get mad?”
Mo Chen pressed down on her soft body, lowered his head, and gently bit her sexy collarbone, his voice hoarse, “When you needed me just now, you called me ‘brother’, and now you directly call me by my name, huh? You Little Ghost turn face faster than flipping a book!”
She snorted coldly, “Stop biting me, it’s annoying!”
“Annoying?” The man frowned, his voice stern, “Don’t say you’re annoyed with me! You can only like me or love me, those are your only options.”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin was speechless. Could he be any more domineering?
Even though he’d been neglecting her lately, he still demanded that she maintain a love for this damn man at all times. How can there be such an unreasonable person in the world?
Qiao Ruoxin turned her head away, too lazy to deal with him.
Chapter 318: Disgusting Medicinal Cuisine Mo Chen firmly grasped her chin and leaned down to kiss her.
“Mmm…”
She had wanted to struggle, but then she thought that it seemed they hadn’t… for a long time.
So, Qiao Ruoxin obediently complied, but surely enough, after the man fervently kissed her for a while, he still chose to let her go, covered her with the blanket, and turned off the bedroom light.
“Sleep.”
The man’s deep voice rose in the dark, and then he habitually hugged her body.
A sense of loss flashed in Qiao Ruoxin’s eyes.
She sighed softly, a sound only she could hear.
It seemed that Mo Chen no longer had much of a physical need nowadays, not like before when he always clung to her, keeping her awake all night. Now, he simply held her as they slept.
She felt she had completely become nothing more than a pillow.
In the darkness, her soft voice sounded: “Mo Chen?”
“Hmm…”
“Have you been troubled by work recently? Not feeling well?”
The man was silent for a few seconds: “No.”
“Then… do you still like me?” As she asked this question, her heartbeat accelerated, feeling somewhat panicked.
“I do.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s smile held a touch of helplessness. She knew this would be the answer, but she couldn’t help asking. After asking, her heart felt incredibly empty and lonely.
She turned around, hugged the man’s tall figure, rubbed her little face against his chest, and whispered, “I like you too.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Mo Chen’s dark eyes, followed by him embracing her and stroking her head: “Hmm, sleep.”
–
Meanwhile—
Lu Family Villa.
Lu Xingxing in her bedroom was watching the replay of the live broadcast on Weibo, furious to the point of smoking.
She gnashed her teeth and spat out each word: “Qiao Ruoxin! You’re really something! You managed to clear that up, I really underestimated you.”
Moreover, the top trending spot that Lu Xingxing paid for had been thoroughly removed. Now, she couldn’t even find those photos online anymore.
It was clearly Mo Chen’s way of handling things, cleaned up without a trace.
Suddenly, there came a series of knocks on the door.
Lu Xingxing composed herself and walked over to open the door. As soon as she did, she saw her father, Lu Ming, standing outside.
“What’s this about online? That intimate photo of you and Mo Chen, has he taken the bait? But how did that Qiao Ruoxin end up doing a live broadcast to clear things up, what exactly is going on?”
Lu Xingxing’s face was filled with anger: “What else could it be, Dad? That Qiao Ruoxin is too scheming. Every time I’m close to success, she ruins it, and Mo Chen seems to really trust her…”
Lu Ming sighed deeply, his tone mocking: “I’ve said it before, you can’t win Mo Chen over, you can only fool those who live off women.”
“Who says I can’t! If it weren’t for Qiao Ruoxin meddling, I would have won over Mo Chen long ago. Mo Chen is just a man, at most better looking than those who live off women, what’s so great about that.”
“Then keep it up, your father is waiting to see the moment you succeed,” Lu Ming said, patting his daughter’s shoulder with a smile before turning to leave.
Lu Xingxing watched her father’s retreating back, stomping her feet in frustration!
It was all Qiao Ruoxin’s fault!
Otherwise, Mo Chen would have never taken the initiative to clarify the rumor!
With her looks and family background, what could Mo Chen be dissatisfied with? Maybe he was already interested, just playing hard to get.
Lu Xingxing was convinced that no man could escape her charm.
With a ‘slam,’ she furiously shut her room door.
…
The next day, early morning.
When Qiao Ruoxin opened her eyes, it was already past seven in the morning, the man beside her was nowhere to be seen; he had probably gone jogging, right?
She picked up her phone and checked; it was Wednesday, yes, Mo Chen’s jogging time.
She sat up drowsily, leaning on the bed, her brain blank.
Suddenly, her phone rang, snapping her awake.
Qiao Ruoxin picked up her phone and saw an unfamiliar number.
She swiped the screen and held it to her ear, “Hello, who is this?”
“It’s me, Lu Xingxing.”
Lu Xingxing?
That name made Qiao Ruoxin frown in an instant, “Miss Lu, what’s the reason for your call?”
“Today at ten in the morning, at the Mo Family’s golf course, don’t be absent, I want to challenge you to a game.”
“You want to challenge me to a game of golf?”
“What, are you afraid? That’s fine, I can give you a bit of a head start; I just want to show you how unworthy you are of entering high society.”
Qiao Ruoxin sneered coldly, “I won’t miss it.”
After hanging up, a sly glint flashed in her eyes; there definitely was a catch, Lu Xingxing must have set some sort of trap for her, right?
…
Downstairs in the living room.
Mo Chen, dressed in a black sportswear, had returned from his run, and as he passed through the living room, Xiaowu stopped him.
“Mr. Mo! Mr. Mo! Please, this way.”
The man stopped, his handsome face still covered with alluring beads of sweat, frowning, “What is it?”
Xiaowu, struggling to speak, pulled him into the dining room.
Mo Chen’s dark eyes were filled with confusion, and upon entering the dining room, he saw a bowl of black concoction on the table, the smell strong enough to turn someone’s stomach.
Xiaowu turned away, picked up the bowl of medicinal meal, “Mr. Mo, this is a medicinal meal I got from a reputable traditional Chinese medicine practitioner; it’s said to soothe emotions and relieve mental stress… You should try it.”
Xiaowu felt he was about to choke on the smell alone.
Mo Chen abruptly turned his head, holding his breath to suppress the nauseating feeling, and demanded angrily, “What is this stuff? Are you sure it’s meant for human consumption?”
Such a disgusting smell was supposed to be medicinal food???
“Mr. Mo, this is a traditional Chinese medicinal meal, it’s supposed to taste like this; please go ahead and drink it, it might actually help,” Xiaowu himself could hardly stand it any longer, the smell was so revolting.
Mo Chen’s forehead was furrowed, with his forefinger below his nostrils, holding his breath, he looked back at the bowl of medicinal meal, suddenly feeling a wave of nausea.
The man’s eyes showed his disgust, and he spoke with a harsh tone, “Are you trying to kill me faster?”
“No, Mr. Mo, this is really a medicinal meal, I swear! I went through many traditional practitioners before deciding on this one, the most famous, the most reliable, they suggested you try it for a week…” Xiaowu was about to come clean.
Mo Chen suddenly exploded like a volcano, “A week?”
With that, he swiftly turned and left the dining room.
Just then, Qiao Ruoxin came downstairs to the living room, and she smelled an offensive herbal medicine scent, nauseating enough to make her want to vomit.
“What’s that smell, who’s boiling herbal medicine early in the morning?”
Following the odor, she arrived at the dining room, pinching her nose, she asked, “Xiaowu, what are you doing? What on earth is this? It’s so disgusting.”
“This is… prepared for Mr. Mo…” Xiaowu was on the verge of spilling the truth.
The next second!
Mo Chen’s tall figure suddenly returned to the dining room, grabbed the bowl of medicinal meal from Xiaowu’s hands, and drank it all in one go.
Then, he turned to look at Qiao Ruoxin with a calm tone explaining, “For health purposes.”
“Oh…” She was truly stunned—he’d gulped down the revolting concoction in one go!
Chapter 319: A lone wolf like you wouldn’t understand Qiao Ruoxin stared at the man’s handsome face and couldn’t help but ask, “Does it taste bad?”
Even the smell was so disgusting, let alone gulping it down all at once, who knows how much worse it would be.
With a taut face, the man suppressed the feeling of nausea and said in a deep voice, “It’s alright, where are you going?”
He observed Qiao Ruoxin’s well-dressed appearance, which clearly indicated she was planning to go out.
“Oh, I’m going out to play ball, I’ve got a date with a friend, the bodyguard will take me there.”
Qiao Ruoxin didn’t want to tell Mo Chen about it, making herself seem like a little schoolchild who liked to tattle.
Mo Chen nodded, “I’ve just finished running, going to take a shower.”
With that, he turned and left the dining room.
Qiao Ruoxin glanced at Xiaowu, then followed the man out of the dining room, constantly fanning the air with her hands, that smell was too pungent.
When they reached the living room, Mo Chen suddenly stopped.
She braked hard too, almost bumping into the man’s back, looking up with a baffled face.
The man turned around, “Got any candy?”
Qiao Ruoxin was slightly startled, then reached into her bag and pulled out a lollipop, unwrapped it, and handed it over.
Mo Chen looked down, and bit directly onto the lollipop, the sweet taste immediately spreading over his tongue, overpowering the disgusting flavor of the medicinal soup.
Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help saying, “Brother Mo Chen, you should drink less of that kind of medicinal tonic soup, it’s not necessarily that good.”
“Mm…”
“I’m off then, remember to eat breakfast after you shower.”
Mo Chen removed the lollipop, frowning, “Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?”
“I… I’ll eat outside.”
The man narrowed his eyes, “Don’t try to brush me off, I will have them keep an eye on you.”
“I know! I’ll definitely eat! But I have to go now, there’s not much time.”
Having said that, Qiao Ruoxin turned and left, her retreating figure clearly showing her urgency.
Mo Chen bit onto the lollipop again, recalling the Little Ghost’s words from a moment ago, going to play ball? In the early morning, what ball would she play?
In his memory, this Little Ghost never loved sports.
…
In the car.
Qiao Ruoxin looked towards the bodyguard in the front seat and said, “Just go straight to the court, I don’t want to eat breakfast, I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Miss Qiao, please don’t make it hard for us. Just now, Master Mo personally called and instructed us to make sure you have breakfast before going.”
“…”
She was really at this man’s mercy.
She could only agree, “Alright then, just buy me a serving of preserved egg and pork congee, I don’t have much of an appetite in the morning.”
“Got it, understood.”
Midway, the bodyguard got out to buy a serving of congee, then drove all the way to the Mo Family’s golf course.
She didn’t know why Lu Xingxing chose to play there.
In the rest area, she was eating that bowl of porridge while her bodyguard watched over her.
Her phone rang.
She pressed the speaker button and continued to drink her porridge.
“Qiao Ruoxin, are you a snail? Even if you were a snail, you should have crawled here by now, right? How long has it been?”
“I’ve been here for a while, in the rest area having porridge. I’ll come over once I’ve finished.”
On the other end of the line, Lu Xingxing got angry, “What did you say? You’ve been here and haven’t come out? Are you provoking me?”
Qiao Ruoxin slowly sipped her porridge, elegantly wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin, “My boyfriend had the bodyguard supervise my breakfast. What could I do? A single dog like you wouldn’t understand.”
“What are you showing off? Such pettiness, it’s just breakfast, is it that touching? Hmph…”
Qiao Ruoxin pressed the end call button, then stood up and looked at the bodyguard, “I’ve had half of the porridge, is that enough?”
The bodyguard could only nod.
…
Qiao Ruoxin went to the dressing room, changed her clothes, and then arrived at the golf course.
She saw Lu Xingxing from a distance, followed by four caddies—such a princess demeanor, reckless and ostentatious.
After walking closer, Lu Xingxing turned around, appraising her from head to toe, “You’re ten minutes late.”
Qiao Ruoxin smiled slowly, “Blame Mo Chen then, he insisted that I finish my breakfast first, or he would deal with me.”
“…” Lu Xingxing felt like she was about to explode with anger, holding back her fury, “Cut the crap! Let’s start. If you win, you can keep seeing Mo Chen; if you lose, step aside gracefully! It wasn’t your place to begin with!”
She couldn’t help but laugh, “Is Miss Lu really that foolish? Just by playing a game of golf, you want to decide the fate of my relationship with Mo Chen?”
Lu Xingxing: “You’re just afraid, aren’t you? You’ve hardly ever played golf since you were a child, right? The Qiao Family has only moved up in recent years. I assume you were just from an ordinary family, a country bumpkin, and yet you dare to dream of marrying into a rich family?”
Qiao Ruoxin looked down, toying with the golf club in her hands, smiling without a word.
“Look at how many female stars in the entertainment industry are breaking their necks trying to marry into a rich family. Do you think you’re special? Let me tell you, Mo Chen was just playing with you, that’s normal, after all, which man could resist a beauty?”
Qiao Ruoxin slowly raised her head, a face full of confident arrogance, “Thanks for the compliment, Miss Lu, saying I’m pretty. I also think I’m quite attractive.”
“You! You’re shameless! Who said you’re pretty! No wonder you’ve been able to cling to Mo Chen for so long, you really do have a thick face!” Lu Xingxing sneered disdainfully.
Qiao Ruoxin, however, had already positioned herself and was swinging her golf club, warming up.
She glanced at Lu Xingxing’s arrogant demeanor, “Miss Lu, is your skin thicker than mine? Last night, using some dirty trick to throw yourself into my boyfriend’s arms and then having someone take photos to post online, are you forcing him?”
Qiao Ruoxin’s smile was insincere, her expression calm as she looked at Lu Xingxing.
The sun was bright, and standing against the light, she seemed to emerge from the glow, her skin translucent and fair.
“Is that so? Do you really trust a man’s excuse that much? Maybe it was he who actively hugged me. Men have always been like this; they’re powerless in front of beauties.”
“But Miss Lu, you are not a beauty,” she said innocently, as if merely stating the facts.
Lu Xingxing pointed angrily at her, “You! Forget it, I won’t stoop to argue with you. A love rival naturally wouldn’t find another love rival beautiful. I could say that last night Mo Chen couldn’t control himself and hugged me forcibly!”
Qiao Ruoxin laughed lightly, “Did you know what Mo Chen said to me last night? He said, he simply isn’t interested in Lu Xingxing.”
“Shut up! What right do you have to say that! I’m the one who matches him best, we are equals in social status! You are just a nobody from a minor household, do you deserve to be the lady of the Mo Family? Can you even hold that position securely?”
Lu Xingxing sneered, looking down on Qiao Ruoxin, even thinking that Qiao Ruoxin was nothing but vain and delusional, dreaming of rising to the status of a phoenix. Dream on!
Qiao Ruoxin gripped the golf club, not angry or annoyed, “Are we playing or not? Did we come here to argue?”
“Hmph! I’ll show you what it means to be a true lady!”
Chapter 320: Are you trying to frame me with such an old-fashioned trick? She stood quietly to one side, watching.
It must be said, Lu Xingxing was indeed quite impressive at golf, clearly practiced from a young age, befitting of a rich heiress.
Lu Xingxing’s form was impeccable, sinking the ball with a single stroke, then turning back with a smile of triumph towards Qiao Ruoxin.
Qiao Ruoxin clapped lightly with grace, raising a pretentious smile, “Impressive, impressive.”
“Hmph!”
Lu Xingxing scoffed contemptuously, then continued to play, growing more and more spirited as she did.
Finally, it was Qiao Ruoxin’s turn.
Lu Xingxing stood by with a disdainful face, “Don’t go back on your word if you lose, this was your choice.”
“Miss Lu, what if you lose?”
Lu Xingxing’s eyes were brimming with confidence, “I keep my word. If I lose, you just keep being with Mo Chen.”
Qiao Ruoxin’s lips curled slightly, “Good, I’ll remember that.”
She stood sideways on the grass, lifted the golf club, aimed at the distant flag, and squinted her eyes slightly.
Could it be that if she won this game, Lu Xingxing would cease her mischief for good?
The answer was obviously impossible.
Perhaps, Lu Xingxing’s goal today wasn’t about playing golf with her at all.
Qiao Ruoxin raised the club and swung it forth, the ball tracing a perfect parabola through the air, then rolling into the hole upon landing.
Lu Xingxing’s face turned somewhat ugly.
Thus, the two of them went back and forth, playing golf for an hour.
Just as Qiao Ruoxin was about to win, Lu Xingxing suddenly spoke capriciously, “I need a break, I’m tired, the sun is too hot, I’m going to reapply sunscreen.”
Qiao Ruoxin looked back and shrugged, “It doesn’t matter to me.”
The sun was especially scorching today, and after an hour, she indeed felt a bit tired, it was a good time to go to the lounge and enjoy the air conditioning.
…
Inside the lounge.
After returning to the lounge, Qiao Ruoxin found Lu Xingxing was already seated inside.
Something felt off; would Lu Xingxing come just to play golf obediently?
She halted in her steps, gestured with her finger to the bodyguard at her side, and the bodyguard approached proactively.
She whispered something in the ear of the bodyguard, who nodded, “Understood.”
Then, Qiao Ruoxin walked into the lounge and sat opposite Lu Xingxing, picking up a glass of iced water and taking a couple of sips.
Lu Xingxing suddenly spoke, “Did you tell Mo Chen about coming here to play golf with me? It concerns the two of your relationship; he has the right to know.”
“You picked the Mo Family’s golf course on purpose; do you think Mo Chen wouldn’t know?”
She toyed with the glass water cup in her hands.
“Credit where credit is due, I’ve already called Mo Chen to come here, he should be arriving soon,” said Lu Xingxing at that moment, lifting a cup of iced coffee and suddenly pouring it over herself, instantly spoiling her clothes.
Qiao Ruoxin was slightly taken aback, then laughed out loud, “Are you trying to frame me? Such an antiquated trick?”
Such an outdated and vulgar tactic, after all, Lu Xingxing was a wealthy heiress; maybe she watched too many melodramatic idol dramas?
Lu Xingxing revealed a smile and stood up, walking towards her: “It’s not about whether a move is old or new, but whether it works.”
She watched Lu Xingxing walk over, handed her a water cup to her lips, and took two more sips of ice water. A cold light flashed through her clear eyes.
“Qiao Ruoxin, I’ve disliked you for a long time. What makes you think you deserve to stand by Mo Chen’s side?”
Qiao Ruoxin also shed her façade of gentleness, standing and saying coldly, “I’ve disliked you for just as long, continually pestering Mo Chen. Don’t you just have your eyes on Mo Chen? Why don’t you admit it?”
“What do you mean I am pestering him? He and I were already engaged! It’s you who’s been constantly entangled with him! For a jerk like Mo Chen who loves them and leaves them, I will not let him off so easily! Why should he be happy and sweet with you, you little temptress? I’m telling you! I won’t let the two of you be happy!” Lu Xingxing raised her arm, ready to slap.
But before Lu Xingxing’s slap landed, Qiao Ruoxin beat her to it with a slap across Lu Xingxing’s face.
Lu Xingxing was stunned for a moment, having never been slapped before, not even by her parents.
“Qiao Ruoxin, have you gone mad? Do you know who I am? You dare to hit me! Not even my parents have laid a hand on me!”
Lu Xingxing lunged at her, when suddenly a ringing phone sounded from nearby.
Lu Xingxing, as if receiving a signal, suddenly fell to the ground, covering her face, and put on a wronged expression: “Qiao Ruoxin, I never thought you’d have two faces! You act so obedient and gentle in front of Mo Chen, and now that he’s not here, you dare to slap me outright?”
“…”
Qiao Ruoxin’s gaze was like looking at an idiot.
Suddenly, the sound of deep footsteps came from outside the resting room.
Qiao Ruoxin looked back and saw Mo Chen with a gloomy expression walk into the resting room, then at Lu Xingxing lying on the floor.
Hmph… she was waiting for this exact moment, what an actress.
True to expectations, Mo Chen’s long strides took him few steps to Qiao Ruoxin’s side, grabbing her wrist with a look that inspected her for injuries.
The Lu Xingxing on the floor continued her act of miserableness: “Mo Chen, is this your girlfriend? Using your power, she even dares to bully me, who else wouldn’t she bully? Look at the mark on my face, this is what your woman did!”
Mo Chen’s attention remained on Qiao Ruoxin, and upon hearing Lu Xingxing’s allegations, a chill frosted over his handsome features.
“Do you like me?”
The man suddenly turned his head towards Lu Xingxing on the ground and asked in a deep voice.
Lu Xingxing was stunned, and so was Qiao Ruoxin. What was this man up to? What kind of question was that?
Qiao Ruoxin watched his tight, sexy jawline, his noble brows, her mood inexplicably tense.
Lu Xingxing’s gaze shifted guiltily: “Like you? You’re just a rogue and a lecher! Do you really think all the women in the world would like you? You’re too narcissistic!”
Though she vehemently denied, Lu Xingxing’s face flushed a little.
Mo Chen, with an indifferent expression, said, “That’s for the best then, and don’t get any ideas about me in the future.”
Having said that, the man took Qiao Ruoxin’s hand, glanced at her and asked, “Are you hungry?”
Qiao Ruoxin nodded: “A little, after playing basketball for an hour.”
Mo Chen led her away.
Seeing her plan fall through, Lu Xingxing stood up bewildered and called out, “Stop!”
She had intended for Mo Chen to witness a good show and see Qiao Ruoxin’s true colors, so how did it end up like this?
Had Mo Chen truly been indifferent after witnessing this scene? Just letting Qiao Ruoxin bully while wielding power?
Mo Chen’s face showed his irritation as he turned back with a cold gaze and said in a deep voice, “What else do you want to do?”
“How can you be so blind to right and wrong? You watched her throw coffee all over me and slap me, and you had no reaction? Or do you actually like this kind of brassy personality?”