Wen Ran pulled a tissue from the box on the dashboard and handed it to Bai Xiaoxiao, speaking softly, "I won't go back. Tell me what you want to eat—I'll take you out."
After crying, Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes were slightly red and swollen, but the sorrow from earlier had faded. Her tears had left her eyes looking especially clear. "I noticed the woman sitting diagonally across from you was looking at Mo Xiuchen with admiration. Ranran, even if Mo Xiuchen is… incapable, he is still your husband now. You can't let other women covet him. You should go back—I'm really fine now."
A flicker of surprise crossed Wen Ran's eyes. She had thought Bai Xiaoxiao only had eyes for Xiao Yuting, yet she had even noticed Cheng Jia.
But Bai Xiaoxiao was feeling down—how could Wen Ran abandon her for the sake of a man? She shook her head and said calmly, "Even if I go back, I can't stop other women from admiring him…"
"Alright, fine. I admit I'm not worried about you and Mo Xiuchen. I just want to be alone for a while."
Bai Xiaoxiao interrupted her, her clear eyes once again clouded with sorrow. She looked at Wen Ran pleadingly. Wen Ran was momentarily speechless, pausing for a moment before sighing softly. "Are you going home?" she asked, still worried.
"Yes, I'm going home."
Bai Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze, staring emptily at the steering wheel.
"Call me when you get home."
Wen Ran reminded her gently. Bai Xiaoxiao hummed in acknowledgment. As soon as Wen Ran got out of the car, Bai Xiaoxiao started the engine and drove away.
After Bai Xiaoxiao left, Wen Ran had no intention of returning to the restaurant. She planned to grab a quick bite and take a taxi back to the factory, but just as she was about to open the car door, Mo Xiuchen's call came in.
Her hand paused mid-air. She pulled out her phone and pressed the answer button. Before she could speak, Mo Xiuchen's deep voice came through. "Where are you going?"
Wen Ran was startled. Instinctively, she turned to look up at the second floor of the restaurant, scanning the area, but she didn't see Mo Xiuchen anywhere. Then, his voice sounded in her ear again.
"Come upstairs."
Before she could refuse, he ended the call abruptly.
Wen Ran frowned at her phone, apologized to the taxi driver, then turned around and walked toward Yipin Xuan.
When she returned to the second floor, it seemed Mo Xiuchen had just sat down. He was lifting a cup to his lips while Cheng Jia placed food onto his plate, speaking gently, "Young Master Mo, I can make this sweet and sour pork ribs too. I'll cook for you sometime so you can try my cooking…"
Mo Xiuchen frowned slightly, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Wen Ran entering from the doorway. He raised his hand, gesturing to a nearby waiter, who immediately approached with a polite smile.
As Wen Ran reached the table, she heard the waiter say, "Alright, please wait a moment," before turning away.
"This food has gone cold. I asked them to bring out fresh dishes—the ones you like."
As he spoke, Mo Xiuchen pulled out a chair for Wen Ran. It was the same seat she had occupied earlier. However, this time, after she sat down, his long arm naturally draped over the back of her chair. His upper body leaned in slightly, enclosing her within his crisp masculine scent.
Across from them, Cheng Jia's expression shifted slightly before quickly returning to normal. She asked with concern, "Miss Wen, is your friend alright?"
"She's fine."
As soon as Wen Ran finished speaking, she suddenly felt warmth near her ear. Mo Xiuchen's long fingers gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his slightly rough fingertips grazing her soft skin. His deep, lazy voice whispered at her ear,
"If I hadn't called you, were you planning to leave on your own?"