Wen Ran frowned slightly, secretly complaining in her heart: We're not even that familiar—what private conversation could we possibly have?
Mo Xiuchen's lips curved slightly as he spoke in an indifferent tone, "You and Ranran—one is my former lifesaver, and the other is my current wife. What could you possibly say that I can't hear? Let's go, we can talk while walking."
Cheng Jia's face showed a trace of embarrassment. Mo Xiuchen was clearly rejecting her.
Wen Ran's gaze lowered slightly, avoiding Cheng Jia's eyes.
Mo Jingteng noticed the situation and laughed heartily. "Xiuchen, since the ladies have something to discuss, you should give them some space. I happen to have something to talk to you about too."
A flicker of displeasure crossed Mo Xiuchen's deep eyes, but when he saw Mo Jingteng already walking away, he finally let go of Wen Ran and quickly followed.
Watching Mo Xiuchen catch up with Mo Jingteng and walk side by side with him, Wen Ran turned back to Cheng Jia. Seeing her gazing longingly in the direction Mo Xiuchen had left, Wen Ran's eyes flashed. Then she spoke calmly, "Miss Cheng, let's go."
Not only did Cheng Jia show no guilt for coveting another woman's husband, but she even blushed shyly out of love for him. When she saw Wen Ran looking at her steadily, she pursed her lips and got straight to the point: "Miss Wen, do you love Mo Shao?"
Wen Ran's eyes narrowed slightly, suddenly finding it amusing. She chuckled. "Miss Cheng, every time you talk to me, you ask the same question. Don't you find it boring?"
Cheng Jia's expression changed. She spoke seriously, "I don't find it boring. You married Mo Shao just to save your family's company. You don't love him. But I do. I truly, sincerely love him."
A flicker of astonishment crossed Wen Ran's face. She couldn't believe Cheng Jia could say such things so righteously, even using an accusatory tone.
Her lips curled in mockery. For some reason, she disliked this seemingly fragile woman in front of her—one who was constantly scheming to steal her husband. Just because she had once saved Mo Xiuchen, did she think she could own him for life?
"Miss Cheng, since you know I married Mo Xiuchen to save my family's company, you should also know that this marriage was his idea. In other words, he was willing to marry me."
"But you don't love him, and he doesn't love you. A marriage without love will never be happy."
Cheng Jia glared at Wen Ran in frustration. She couldn't understand what attracted Mo Xiuchen to Wen Ran. In terms of looks, she didn't think she was any less attractive. With a little effort, she could be charming, delicate, and seductive.
As for family background, Wen Ran was just a fallen socialite. Without Mo Xiuchen's help, her situation would be worse than Cheng Jia's.
Wen Ran blinked her clear, bright eyes in confusion. Whether she loved Mo Xiuchen or not—what business was it of an outsider?
She couldn't be bothered to explain and replied perfunctorily, "Let's go. It's not good to keep everyone waiting." With that, she turned and walked away.
"Wen Ran, wait! I'm not finished!"
Provoked by Wen Ran's indifferent attitude, Cheng Jia burned with anger. In her frustration, she reached out to grab Wen Ran's arm.
Wen Ran frowned, shook off her hand, and turned around. Her exquisite features took on a layer of icy coldness as her sharp gaze fixed on Cheng Jia. The noble aura that she had cultivated over the years radiated from her, something Cheng Jia could never match. Startled, Cheng Jia involuntarily took a step back.
"Even if Mo Xiuchen and I have no feelings for each other, he is still my legal husband—not someone other women can covet."
Throwing down that remark, Wen Ran turned and walked away with elegance.
Cheng Jia stood there pale-faced, watching Wen Ran's straight and slender back. Wen Ran's warning still echoed in her ears. She clenched her teeth, hatred filling her heart. Just wait. Once I become Mo Shao's woman tonight, let's see how arrogant you'll be.
"What did Cheng Jia say to you?"
Mo Xiuchen stood tall at the entrance of the hall. Seeing Wen Ran and Cheng Jia walking in one after the other, he stepped forward. His deep gaze swept across Wen Ran's delicate face as he asked warmly.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Wen Ran smiled at Mo Xiuchen and replied in a light tone, "Nothing."
Then she took the initiative to loop her arm through his. A dark gleam flashed in Mo Xiuchen's eyes, and a pleased smile appeared on his lips.
In the living room, Mo Zixuan sat alone on a sofa, playing with his phone. Opposite him, Xiao Wenqing and Zhou Lin were engaged in a conversation. When Mo Jingteng walked over and sat down, Mo Zixuan lazily put away his phone and straightened his posture.
Upon hearing that Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran were behind him, Mo Zixuan's eyes instinctively drifted toward the door.
Two minutes later, Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran entered, hand in hand. The intimate sight made Mo Zixuan's eyes twitch violently, and his face turned pale.
Across from him, Zhou Lin's expression also shifted—but not because of Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran. Instead, it was due to Mo Zixuan's unmasked feelings for Wen Ran. She clasped her hands together tightly, pressing her lips into a thin line.
Xiao Wenqing shot Mo Zixuan a warning look before stepping out from the sofa. She forced a smile and greeted them, "Xiuchen, Miss Wen, you're finally back."
When addressing Wen Ran, she hesitated briefly. Calling her by name felt too distant, but referring to her as "Ranran" would be too obviously insincere. So, she settled on "Miss Wen"—polite, formal, and subtly implying that Wen Ran was merely married to Mo Xiuchen on paper, without true acceptance from the Mo family.
Mo Xiuchen ignored her words entirely. Instead, his gaze landed on Mo Zixuan, who stood by the sofa, struggling to suppress his jealousy. With a calm smile, he spoke, "Ranran and I originally planned to visit my mother's grave today. But when we heard that tonight's discussion was about Zixuan and Miss Zhou's wedding, as the eldest brother and sister-in-law, we had to come."
Mo Zixuan's face turned a myriad of colors. Something surged in his chest, but before he could speak, Mo Xiuchen shifted his gaze to Mo Jingteng and asked blandly, "Today is my mother's death anniversary. Before dinner, I'd like to burn some paper offerings and pay my respects to her. You wouldn't oppose that, would you?"
This time, it was Xiao Wenqing's expression that changed.
Mo Jingteng stood up from the sofa without hesitation and agreed, "Of course. I'll have Aunt Liu prepare some of your mother's favorite dishes…"
"Jingteng, that's not appropriate!" Xiao Wenqing interrupted anxiously.
"What's inappropriate? All these years, Xiuchen has never been able to honor his mother at home. Now that he's married, it's only right for him to bring his wife to pay respects."
"But…"
"It's settled. Xiuchen, go tell Aunt Liu to prepare everything. Once the tribute is done, we'll have dinner."