Cheng Jia wasn't stupid—she knew exactly how important tonight's dinner guests were.
But wasn't she Mo Shao's savior? Her ankle was twisted, for heaven's sake! If he left a little early to take her to the hospital, how could that possibly ruin everyone's mood?
She was still hesitating when the door to the private room opened, and Mo Shao's voice came from the doorway, "I'm terribly sorry, but Miss Cheng twisted her ankle. I need to take her to the hospital…"
Cheng Jia's heart soared with joy as she listened. The admiration and delight in her eyes when she looked at Mo Xiuchen were impossible to hide. But as the guests looked her way, she hurriedly masked her excitement, putting on a look of restrained pain.
Mo Xiuchen stood tall in the corridor, watching as Qin Mu accompanied the guests to the elevator. Only then did he turn and walk over to Cheng Jia and Xiao Liu.
"Mo Shao, I'm so sorry, it's my fault—I drank too much and twisted my ankle. I've caused you to miss out on entertaining Director Chen and the others…"
Her words sounded apologetic but were clearly laced with a desire for credit—after all, she'd been drinking for the sake of the project.
Mo Xiuchen offered a faint smile, his tone gentle. "It wasn't intentional, you can't be blamed. Cheng Jia can't walk—Xiao Liu, carry her."
"Mo Shao, there's no need! If you support me, I can walk."
Cheng Jia hurried to object, then hesitated, realizing she may have spoken out of turn.
Mo Xiuchen's face darkened slightly. His tone turned firm and rebuking. "You twisted your ankle—you want to injure it again? Let Xiao Liu carry you."
There was no room for argument in his voice. He shot Xiao Liu a deep look before turning to walk away.
"Miss Cheng, hop on," Xiao Liu grumbled inwardly, crouching reluctantly to let her on.
Cheng Jia bit her lip hard, glaring at Xiao Liu's broad back for a few seconds. When she saw Mo Xiuchen walk into the elevator without even looking back, she comforted herself: He's just avoiding gossip. He left the dinner to take her to the hospital—he must care.
F City, hotel.
After finishing her call with Mo Xiuchen, Wen Ran leaned against the headboard chatting with Bai Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao wanted her to take a day off after the pharmaceutical conference to shop and sightsee—try the local food and bring home some souvenirs.
Wen Ran laughed. "That's not something we can do in a single day. You'd need at least ten."
"Then let's stay ten days!" Xiaoxiao beamed. "Your brother's awake now, and he's handling things at the plant. You've done a great job at this conference—time to take a real break!"
Wen Ran was about to object, but Xiaoxiao cut her off. "Ranran, even if not ten, you have to give me one day. I've worked like a slave for you these past few days. Pretty please?"
"You were the one who insisted on coming," Wen Ran teased, swatting her away playfully. Normally she wouldn't mind spending a few extra days, but her brother was still in the hospital—she couldn't just throw everything on him and go gallivanting around.
"Ranran, my sweet Ranran, if you don't give me one day, I'll cry," Xiaoxiao pouted, expertly reading her mood and lowering her request to a single day.
"Alright, one day," Wen Ran finally relented.
Xiaoxiao cheered. Just then, Wen Ran's phone started to ring. Xiaoxiao picked it up from the side table. "Ranran, it's a call—from an unknown number."
"Unknown?" Wen Ran took the phone, a flicker of confusion crossing her eyes. She answered, "Hello, this is Wen Ran."
"Ranran, it's me!"
The familiar voice on the other end made Wen Ran's expression turn cold instantly. "Why is it you?"
"Ranran, I'm in your hometown… remember how I said we'd come here to take wedding photos once we got married? Ranran, I wish it were you in the dress…"
Mo Zixuan's voice was slurred with alcohol, tinged with pain—and a faint sound of sobbing.
Wen Ran frowned deeply and said coldly, "If you have nothing else to say, I'm hanging up."
"Ranran, I love you. I really, really love you. You don't know what it's like to lose you. I'd rather die…"
Whatever else he said, Wen Ran didn't hear—it was lost the moment she hung up.
She handed the phone to Xiaoxiao to put away, but not a minute passed before it vibrated again. Xiaoxiao, annoyed, said, "Ranran, I'll answer it for you this time—"
"What's wrong?" Wen Ran asked when she saw Xiaoxiao freeze with the phone in her hand.
"It's Mo Xiuchen. Didn't you two already talk tonight? Why's he calling again?" Xiaoxiao said, her tone teasing.
"Mo Xiuchen?" Wen Ran blinked in surprise. "Let me see."
"Should I leave the room?" Xiaoxiao laughed, handing over the phone and diving under the covers. "Don't mind me, I'll cover my ears while you whisper sweet nothings!"
"Idiot!" Wen Ran chuckled and took the call. Her voice softened. "Hello?"
"Hello, hi. I saw your number in this phone's recent calls. Are you the owner's wife? Your husband was in a car accident. He's unconscious now. The ambulance is on its way. You should head to the hospital."
Wen Ran's face went pale as soon as she heard the words car accident. Her hand trembled so much she nearly dropped the phone. "Where? Where is he? My husband—"
"The phone's about to die. Just head to the hospital quickly."
The call ended abruptly.
Xiaoxiao sat up, concerned. "Ranran, what's wrong?"
Wen Ran stared at her phone, stunned. "Mo Xiuchen… was in a car accident. He's unconscious."
"What? Who called? The hospital? Where is he now?"
Wen Ran frowned, her mind spinning with worry. "It was a stranger, using his phone. They said the ambulance was on the way and told me to get to the hospital. But I'm so far away. No—I need to call Zhang Ma. No, better call Gu Kai."