Gu Kai sensed the chill in his voice. After a brief pause, he offered a soothing tone. "I've had the video of Xiao Wenqing inviting Wenran to dinner sent to me, along with the lab results of the shark fin soup. Even if the evidence can't bring Xiao Wenqing to justice legally, it will still…"
"There's no need for that—at least for now."
Mo Xiuchen cut him off. A mere bowl of soup was not enough to bring down Xiao Wenqing. He had investigated for years, not for scraps of evidence, but to gather enough to ensure her downfall—utter and irrevocable.
"Then I'll forward the video and the test results to you shortly."
"I'll pick them up from the hospital tomorrow."
With that, Mo Xiuchen ended the call abruptly, not even offering a goodbye.
He had once thought the construction site accident to be nothing more than a mishap. The worker who dropped the brick insisted it had been a cramp—a momentary lapse.
But now, Mo Xiuchen doubted. What was deemed an accident may very well have been a meticulously orchestrated plot. Whether the brick was meant for him or for Cheng Jia, the outcome was the same—a disruption.
It was all a means to stall him, so Xiao Wenqing could move against Wenran unhindered.
One layer after another, each ploy interlocked with the next. The vicious persistence mirrored that of eighteen years ago—when Xiao Wenqing had tried to drive him to ruin.
The cold, pale light fell across his sharp features, and in his fathomless eyes there swirled a darkness impossible to measure. He was no longer the helpless child of the past—no longer the boy unable to shield himself. Xiao Wenqing would not win.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ring of his phone. He composed himself and answered, voice low and cool. "Hello."
"Xiuchen, I've found him. The man's name is Wu Tianyi…"
Luo Haofeng's voice filled his ear. After much effort, he had finally uncovered the orchestrator behind the last drug incident.
Upon hearing the name, a ruthless gleam flickered in Mo Xiuchen's eyes. His voice was icy. "Wu Tianyi is in G City. I'll handle the rest—you don't need to pursue it further."
"Alright," Luo Haofeng replied calmly.
After ending the call, Mo Xiuchen dialed another number, requesting Wu Tianyi's complete dossier.
He lit a cigarette and remained in the study for some time before finally stepping out.
The master bedroom was cloaked in gentle, dim lighting. A faint trace of intimacy lingered in the air. His eyes fell on the sleeping woman curled up on the spacious bed. The frost in his gaze slowly melted, replaced by a soft, tender warmth.
After so many years of solitude, he finally had someone who brought warmth into his life. And he would let no one harm her.
His lips pressed into a firm line. He stood before the study door for a moment, then walked over and lay beside her, pulling the sleeping Wenran into his arms. She had grown used to sleeping in his embrace. Instinctively, she nestled closer, lost in her dreams.
Wenran was surprised to run into Zhou Lin at the office.
Zhou Lin greeted her cheerfully. Wenran responded coolly, asking casually, "Weren't you on an extended break? Why are you back so soon?"
Zhou Lin smiled sweetly, eyes glowing with happiness. "Zixuan picked me up two nights ago, so I came back with him yesterday. Ranran, I have some wonderful news!"
She reached for Wenran's hand, her enthusiasm reminiscent of the days before everything fell apart—as if they were still close like sisters.
Wenran gave a faint smile, discreetly withdrawing her hand and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "What good news?"
Zhou Lin beamed. "Zixuan is letting me stay at the Mo residence to rest and nurture the baby."
Wenran's expression faltered briefly before she offered a light smile. "Is that so? Congratulations, then."
Seeing Wenran's complete lack of jealousy, Zhou Lin was sure she no longer had any feelings for Mo Zixuan. She pitied him slightly—but deep down, she was pleased.
Affection could not survive alone. If Wenran no longer cared, Zixuan would eventually give up and turn to her.
"Thank you, Ranran. Oh, I heard you were in an accident in F City—kidnapped and injured. Is that true? Are you alright?"
"It was nothing. I've recovered." Her tone was light, unconcerned. "How's Uncle Zhou? Can he still work? You're about to become a mother—he shouldn't need to work so hard anymore. He deserves a peaceful retirement."
Zhou Lin's eyes flickered with guilt at the mention of Zhou Mingfu. Then, surprisingly, she agreed, "You're right. I'll talk to my dad and see if he's willing to retire early."
Wenran raised a brow, a smile touching her flawless face. "You're carrying the Mo family's heir. It's best you rest well at home. The pharmaceutical plant is full of chemicals—if you accidentally inhale something harmful, it wouldn't be good for the baby."
Zhou Lin's face paled, clearly having never considered that. "Ah—thank you for the reminder, Ranran. You're right. Who knows, the baby might be the Mo family's future successor. I can't take any risks. I'll request a year off right away!"
Wenran teased gently, "Why bother with a leave? The Mo family can afford to support you. Just enjoy being the young madam—why cling to this job?"
"You're right! I'll go talk to Zixuan. Thank you!"
Zhou Lin left in a flurry, as if staying another minute in the factory would jeopardize her pregnancy.
Wenran watched her retreating figure, eyebrows slightly drawn, a thoughtful glint in her eyes.
Zhou Lin had been acting strangely today—so trusting, so easily swayed. Was it true that pregnant women become more gullible?
Back in her office, Li Qian followed her in with a file and asked curiously, "Ranran, I just saw Zhou Lin leave in a hurry. Isn't she back for work?"
Wenran settled into her chair, flipping through the file. "She'll soon be the Mo family's daughter-in-law. She doesn't need this job anymore. She's gone to ask Mo Zixuan to support her."
"Tch. Dream on. As if Mo Zixuan would actually support her."
Li Qian scoffed. She had seen Zhou Lin's affection for Mo Zixuan even back when he was dating Wenran. After Wenran's parents passed, Zhou Lin conveniently ended up with him. Li Qian always suspected some underhanded scheme.
Still, Mo Zixuan was tarnished. Even if his heart belonged to Wenran, he no longer deserved her—especially with such a venomous mother behind him.
The rest of the scene continues similarly—would you like me to keep going with the next portion?