Cheng Jia had said he married her because she was the woman Mo Zixuan loved. When she recounted the quarrel with Cheng Jia to Wen Jin, she deliberately left out that line.
Mo Xiuchen raised his hand and clasped her shoulder, his eyes blazing as he stared into hers. "You do. It's written all over your face—you're angry."
As his voice fell, his slender index finger gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. Wen Ran pursed her lips tightly, her voice muffled as she retorted, "I truly am not."
"Ranran, are you worried Cheng Jia will accuse you of provoking her and causing her to faint? Or that she'll pretend to be ill, feigning headaches? Or perhaps... you fear I'll blame you for making her pass out?"
Seeing her stubborn denial, lips bitten in frustration, Mo Xiuchen felt a pang in his chest, as though an invisible hand had squeezed his heart, stirring a dull ache.
Exposed by his words, Wen Ran merely pressed her lips together in silence.
Since he had already seen through her, she might as well listen to what he would say next.
Mo Xiuchen's response caught her off guard. When he said Cheng Jia wasn't genuinely shocked into unconsciousness, but had feigned it, Wen Ran's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you serious?"
She fixed her gaze on Mo Xiuchen. She had suspected it too, but since Cheng Jia was a patient, she hadn't dared to draw conclusions.
Mo Xiuchen nodded, his tone softening. "A'Kai told me—he said Cheng Jia faked it."
He paused slightly, then looked at her with deeper intensity and said solemnly, "Even if it were true that you made her faint, I still wouldn't blame you."
Wen Ran stared at him, half in disbelief. Though he had once said she must protect their marriage and never retreat before other women, Cheng Jia had saved his life—more than once.
"No matter what Cheng Jia says to you, don't take it to heart, understand?"
Mo Xiuchen added after a moment's thought. He gently brushed aside a stray lock of hair from her forehead, revealing her fair, delicate skin.
Wen Ran stiffened slightly, unsure if it was from his touch or from remembering Cheng Jia's words. Oddly enough, when she had married Mo Xiuchen for the company, Bai Xiaoxiao had warned her on the phone—
That Mo Xiuchen was Mo Zixuan's half-brother.
Back then, she hadn't cared what his reasons were. As long as he could help Wen Group through the crisis, that was enough.
But in just a month, she had started to care.
She pressed her lips together, forcing down her emotions, and lifted a radiant smile. "No. Whatever she said went in one ear and out the other—I've forgotten it all."
When Mo Zixuan appeared before Zhou Lin, she thought she was dreaming.
She stared blankly at him, forgetting to invite him in.
After a long pause, when she made no move, Mo Zixuan frowned coldly. "Why haven't you returned to G City? What are you doing here alone?"
At the sound of his voice, Zhou Lin realized it wasn't a dream. Her face lit up with joy as she clutched his arm. "Zixuan, did you come to get me? After you left that day, I didn't know where you'd gone. I didn't dare leave, afraid you wouldn't find me and get angry."
Mo Zixuan sneered, clearly not believing her lie. He shook her off and strode toward the luxury leather sofa, lounging down with lazy grace. "Don't tell me you didn't know I was back in G City. And spare me the 'waiting for me' story. You were just worried you wouldn't make it into the Mo family, so you set up camp here in advance."
Zhou Lin's face paled. She shook her head frantically. "Zixuan, that's not true. You've misunderstood me."
She tried to sit beside him, reaching for his arm, but his eyes flashed with disgust and he dodged her touch.
Her face turned even whiter, eyes reddening with grievance. "Zixuan, I swear, the only one I love is you. If I ever betrayed you, may lightning strike me down!"
Mo Zixuan cast her a sideways glance, unmoved by her oath. His finely sculpted features were sharp and cold. No wonder Zhou Lin was infatuated—he bore some resemblance to Mo Xiuchen, though his charm leaned more toward sunshine and handsomeness rather than the former's icy severity.
Unfortunately, since breaking up with Wen Ran, he had become someone else entirely.
Gone was the warmth—only desolation remained.
He eyed Zhou Lin's solemn vow and sneered coldly, "You dare swear you haven't done anything shameful behind my back these days?"
Zhou Lin's gaze flickered under his blade-like stare. She couldn't meet his eyes, guilt etched across her face.
Seeing this, Mo Zixuan narrowed his eyes. Suddenly he grasped her chin, forcing her to look up. His voice was a whip of fury. "Zhou Lin, if you dare lie to me tonight, don't even think about keeping the child in your belly!"
"No, don't!"
Zhou Lin looked at him in horror, struggling to free herself, but she was no match for his strength. Her jaw ached as if it might dislocate.
"Zixuan, if I tell you the truth, will you admit the child is yours and marry me, build a life together?"
Despite her panic, Zhou Lin still clung to reason, trying to bargain.
"That depends on what you say."
Mo Zixuan released her chin with a cold grunt, pouring himself a glass of water.
Zhou Lin bit her lip and blurted out, "It's about Wen Ran!"
His hand paused mid-motion. He turned slowly, his eyes glinting with cold light. So she stayed behind, not to wait for him—but to scheme against Ranran?
Zhou Lin met his gaze, unflinching.
After a while, Mo Zixuan schooled his expression into indifference. "What about her?"
Zhou Lin hesitated, then spilled the reason she remained. "That day, you asked that old woman, Granny Wang, whether she'd seen Wen Ran, remember?"
Seeing his silence, she continued, "I later spoke to Granny Wang. She wouldn't say anything at first, but after I offered some... incentives, she admitted the Wen Ran she remembers isn't the current one."
Mo Zixuan scoffed. "That old woman must be pushing eighty. Her memory is failing. You believe her? You stayed here because of that? What, you think Wen Ran's an imposter?"
Zhou Lin's face hardened. "It's not impossible. As far as I know, the Wen family moved to G City after Wen Ran got sick. She never returned to F City. There must be some buried secret in all this."
"And what did you find?"
Though shocked, Mo Zixuan masked it with a sardonic smile and cold eyes.
Zhou Lin's expression turned smug. She hadn't wasted her time. To crush Wen Ran, she had dug deep. "I suspect Wen Ran isn't Wen Hongrui's biological daughter."
"Do you have proof?"
"Not yet. That's why I extended my leave."
"Did your father put you up to this? Have you told him?"
Mo Zixuan wasn't blind. After Wen Ran's parents died, he'd heard about Zhou Mingfu's actions. He suspected the man was behind the kidnapping in F City that nearly destroyed her.
Who else would hate her that much?
"Not yet. I only called home a few days ago."
Her evasive tone made him narrow his eyes. "Really?"
"Of course."
She met his gaze again, trying to appear honest.
"These next few days, treat this like a vacation. Say nothing to your father. Don't dig any deeper. If you can't do that, don't blame me for what happens next."
His final words were laced with menace, a far cry from his usual elegance. Zhou Lin shivered. "If I keep the secret... will you marry me?"
"Hmph."
Mo Zixuan snorted and rose from the couch. "Get some rest. We're heading back to G City tomorrow."
He strode away.
Zhou Lin jumped to her feet and called after him, "Zixuan, it's late—can't you stay?"
"I'm next door. You're pregnant—don't overthink."
He turned back, crystal light sketching his handsome features. With his sharpness veiled, he seemed again the gentle man she'd fallen for. Even if his words were perfunctory, her heart warmed.
She nodded sweetly. "Okay. I'll go back with you tomorrow."
If keeping Wen Ran's secret would win her a place in his heart, then so be it.
Sunday afternoon.
When Wen Ran arrived at the hospital and saw Wen Jin napping, she didn't disturb him but went to find Gu Kai instead.
He was mid-consultation, with several patients still in line. Having nothing else to do, Wen Ran took a seat and waited.
As she scrolled on her phone, a soft voice interrupted, "Miss Wen, Dr. Gu will see you now."
Startled, she looked up to see a nurse smiling at her. She thanked her and entered.
Behind the desk, Gu Kai wore a pristine white coat. His presence was elegant and composed, a gentle smile resting on his lips. Any other woman would likely have been smitten at first sight.
"I could've waited until you finished with your patients," she said, sitting down.
He chuckled, lifting his teacup. "I just wanted an excuse to slack off."
She laughed too, but quickly sobered, her eyes serious. "Gu Kai, are the results out?"
He leaned back, long fingers wrapped around the cup. "Don't be so tense. You're making me nervous too."
She forced a smile, but the thought of the drugged shark fin soup left a shadow over her heart.
A soft knock. A nurse entered with a glass of milk and placed it before Wen Ran before retreating quietly.
"You must be thirsty after waiting so long. Drink this first," Gu Kai said gently.
After a few sips, he spoke again. "The soup was laced with musk and several highly toxic herbs. Though the dosage was small, the combination could have led to severe consequences."
Wen Ran's face paled.
If Gu Kai said it was serious, it must be.
She hesitated, voice barely above a whisper. "If I had drunk it… would I have lost the ability to bear children forever?"
Watching her furrowed brows and strained expression, Gu Kai's heart tightened. His features softened as he reassured her. "Ranran, don't be upset. You didn't drink it. The one who should be panicking is the person trying so hard to harm you."
She pressed her lips together. Remembering how she'd nearly been assaulted, then driven to jump off a cliff—all within days—and now drugged food, all failed plots, she couldn't help but feel she was blessed.
Maybe she was truly lucky. Her enemies must be fuming by now.
She laughed suddenly, her sadness lifting like mist under the sun. "You're right. I should be thankful I didn't fall for the trap."
Her smile lit up her whole face. Gu Kai chuckled too and finished his tea.
Returning with a fresh cup, he asked, "Ranran, are you really not going to tell Xiuchen and your brother about this?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes. If she didn't say anything, they'd be angry when they found out. But telling them would make them worry.
"I think you should," he said seriously. "Once something like this happens, it's hard to guarantee it won't happen again. Ever since your parents' accident, events have been unfolding one after another."
"…"
Her face paled. She opened her mouth to speak but said nothing.
Gu Kai paused before continuing carefully. "Though we don't yet have evidence, you must have some idea."
"The kidnapping—I believe it was Zhou Mingfu. The soup... I suspect Xiao Wenqing."
She finally voiced her suspicions, her tone quiet but firm.