Luo Haofeng turned and shot the woman a warning glare. When he spoke again, his tone had completely shifted from the playful one before. "Over the next few days, you are to follow Miss Wen's instructions without question. Understood?"
"Yes, Director Luo!"
The four responded in unison.
Luo Haofeng cleared his throat, coughed into his fist, and shot another glare at the woman who'd laughed earlier. Then, he turned back to Wen Ran, a mischievous smile once again curling his lips. "Miss Wen, if you need anything, just let me know. Here's my number."
He handed her a business card.
Wen Ran accepted the card with a smile. "I didn't expect Director Luo to be this young and handsome. I thought you'd be more like Zhou Mingfu—older and heavier. Honestly, I almost mistook you for a movie star just now."
Luo Haofeng winked at her. "Miss Wen, you really are charming. But please, don't say things like that in front of Mo Shao. He's always jealous of my looks. If he hears you think I'm more handsome, I'm afraid he'll have me disfigured."
"Pfft!"
One of the assistants behind him couldn't help laughing.
—
With the help of four extra hands, Wen Ran's workload was much lighter. That night, back at the hotel, she remembered to call Mo Xiuchen to thank him.
He was at a business dinner, and she could hear the clinking of glasses in the background. He excused himself and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, asking how things were going on her end.
Wen Ran had just taken a shower and was lounging on the leather sofa in her pajamas, her tone light and cheerful. "Everything's going smoothly. I met Director Luo today. When you mentioned him last night, I thought he'd be an old man like Zhou Mingfu. I didn't expect him to be so young and handsome."
"He's very handsome, is he?"
Mo Xiuchen's voice came through, low and magnetic, with a subtle edge of displeasure. Wen Ran's eyes twitched, and she quickly made something up. "That's not what I said. That was Xiaoxiao and Li Jie."
On the other end of the line, Mo Xiuchen chuckled, clearly amused by her excuse. Then his tone shifted slightly. "Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin are in F City taking wedding photos. Once you're back from your business trip, let's take some as well."
"What?"
Wen Ran sat up straight, startled.
"Why so surprised?"
In the hallway of the hotel, Mo Xiuchen frowned slightly, his voice laced with doubt.
Wen Ran laughed awkwardly. "It was just unexpected, that's all. Did you say Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin are taking wedding photos in F City? I didn't even know Zhou Lin had taken leave."
"You're not in G City, so you're not up to date with the company matters. Your brother's been handling things in your absence," Mo Xiuchen explained. After a pause, he added, "Mo Zixuan took a week off. He might try to find you."
"What for?"
The question slipped out before she could think. But as soon as she said it, a distant memory returned—his voice from the past: 'F City is a beautiful place and your hometown. When we get married, let's take our wedding photos there, okay, Ranran?'
It was only a few months ago, yet it already felt like a lifetime had passed.
Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin choosing F City for their wedding shoot—it felt too coincidental. She frowned and forced the thought away.
"I just suspect he's not over you. Taking Zhou Lin to F City might just be an excuse to get close to you," Mo Xiuchen said.
"Don't worry. Even if he does come find me, I won't entertain him."
Wen Ran knew who she was and had never been one to be indecisive. She had once accepted Mo Zixuan's feelings out of being moved, but now that he had broken her heart, there was no going back.
"Good. If you need anything in F City, contact Haofeng."
Though Mo Xiuchen hadn't liked her complimenting Luo Haofeng, it didn't affect the arrangements he had made for her.
"I know."
Wen Ran nodded softly. Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Bai Xiaoxiao stepped out in her pajamas. Wen Ran glanced over and was about to say goodbye, when suddenly, a familiar woman's voice came faintly through the phone:
"Mo Shao…"
It was Cheng Jia's voice.
Just her calling out "Mo Shao" before she either noticed he was on the phone or Mo Xiuchen had stopped her.
He quickly said, "You should rest early. My dinner here isn't over yet."
"Alright. Don't drink too much. Go home early and get some rest," she said softly and hung up.
—
In G City, standing in the dimly lit hallway, Mo Xiuchen put away his phone, his gaze falling on Cheng Jia, who was standing two steps away. She'd clearly had quite a bit to drink—her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright and alluring. At dinner tonight, she had certainly played her part well.
Noticing him looking at her, Cheng Jia smiled flirtatiously. She instinctively pushed out her chest and stepped forward. "Mo Shao…"
"What did you want to say just now?" he asked, frowning slightly.
He didn't like the heavy scent of perfume on her. It felt overpowering. He much preferred Wen Ran's subtle fragrance—the clean scent of shampoo and body wash. Cheng Jia's aroma was dizzying and unpleasant by comparison.
Cheng Jia glanced back toward the private room, then said softly, "They're talking about heading to the next venue. I just came out to see if you were ready."
Mo Xiuchen nodded. "Go back inside."
"Okay."
Cheng Jia turned, but just as she took a step, her right ankle twisted. "Ah!" she cried out as her body tilted to the side.
Mo Xiuchen happened to be walking past her and instinctively reached out to catch her. "Be careful."
"Mo Shao, my ankle… I think I twisted it. It really hurts," she whimpered, her whole body leaning into his arms, her face scrunched up in pain. She looked up at him with tearful eyes, playing the part of the helpless damsel perfectly.
Mo Xiuchen frowned slightly, glancing down at her raised foot. His voice was calm. "Hold onto the railing and wait here."
"Okay…"
Cheng Jia hesitated but nodded. With his help, she hopped a few steps and held onto the railing. Watching him walk away toward the private room, joy flickered in her eyes.
She imagined him taking her to the hospital, then sending her home, tenderly caring for her. Just the thought of his gentleness made her heart race.
Time passed quickly in her daydream.
Then a cool voice pulled her back to reality: "Miss Cheng."
She looked up to see Xiao Liu walking toward her. Her heart sank, and a trace of displeasure appeared on her face.
Xiao Liu noticed her expression but remained impassive. He glanced at her ankle and said evenly, "The young master called and said you twisted your ankle. He asked me to take you to the hospital. Miss Cheng, can you walk, or would you like me to carry you?"
Anger bubbled up in Cheng Jia's chest. She pursed her lips and replied coldly, "No need. I'll wait for Mo Shao."
"He asked me to take you. But if you don't want my help, that's fine too. You can go call him yourself. Just keep in mind—tonight's dinner involves some very important people. There are more events afterward. If you ruin everyone's mood because of your little mishap, I'm afraid the young master will be the one upset."
Xiao Liu's voice was polite but firm, laying out the situation clearly.