Xiao Wenqing gritted her teeth in hatred, but she dared not show it too obviously.
Mo Xiuchen swept his cold gaze over her before turning around and heading into the kitchen to instruct the staff to prepare the dishes his mother used to love.
"Ranran, don't just stand there, come and sit."
Zhou Lin, noticing Mo Zixuan staring intently at Wen Ran, secretly took a deep breath to suppress her jealousy. Smiling, she stepped forward and warmly invited Wen Ran.
As she spoke, she even pretended to be affectionate by reaching for Wen Ran's hand. Unfortunately, Wen Ran subtly dodged her touch just in time. Zhou Lin's hand landed on empty air, and her heavily made-up face showed a moment of awkwardness. Even her smile became unnatural.
"I'll go check on things in the kitchen."
Wen Ran said lightly, then turned and walked toward the kitchen.
On the sofa, Mo Zixuan's gaze followed Wen Ran unwaveringly. Even with Mo Jingteng present, he made no effort to hide it. From the moment Wen Ran stepped into the living room, his self-control had completely unraveled.
A few minutes later, Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran emerged from the kitchen, with servants carrying trays behind them.
Cheng Jia immediately stepped forward, eagerly looking at Mo Xiuchen. "Mo Shao, I'd like to join you in paying respects to Auntie."
Mo Xiuchen caught sight of Xiao Wenqing's stiff expression out of the corner of his eye. He gave a slight nod and indifferently responded, "Alright."
Cheng Jia's eyes instantly brightened with delight. "Thank you, Mo Shao," she said gratefully.
Mo Xiuchen had never paid respects to his mother at the Mo residence, nor had he set up a memorial for her. Even the place where she had jumped to her death had been demolished and turned into a garden.
Today, he suggested holding the ceremony at home—not only to spite Xiao Wenqing but also with the intention of bringing his mother "back."
In the garden, the flowers were in full bloom. Mo Xiuchen instructed the servants to place the offerings on the grass before turning to the air as if speaking to someone unseen.
"Mom, I know you never wanted to come back here, but today, I've decided to burn paper money for you right here. Please come and take it. While you're here, meet your daughter-in-law—her name is Wen Ran."
Wen Ran silently watched Mo Xiuchen. Under the dim light, his eyes were as deep as ink, making it impossible to discern his emotions. Yet, from his words, she could feel his loneliness. A strange tightness gripped her heart, and instinctively, she reached out and grasped his broad palm.
Mo Xiuchen felt a warmth in his hand and looked down at her.
Their eyes met. Hers were soft and gentle like rippling water, and the light from the side illuminated them, making them sparkle like stars. His own reflection was clearly visible in her eyes, and for a moment, he felt dazed.
Then, her soft yet firm voice reached his ears, striking the deepest, most vulnerable part of his heart.
"Mom, I will take care of Xiuchen for you from now on."
A breeze swept through the garden, carrying the scent of flowers. It was as if the woman who had once leapt to her death had responded to Wen Ran's words.
Beside her, Mo Xiuchen turned his hand and wrapped her delicate fingers in his own. His gaze burned as he looked at her.
"You've made a promise, so you can't go back on your word to my mom."
Wen Ran gazed into his deep eyes and reached up with her other hand to smooth out the frown lines on his forehead. With a playful smile, she said, "I always keep my word. As long as you're my husband, I'll take responsibility for you."
Mo Xiuchen was infected by her lightheartedness. The sadness in his heart dissipated, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
"Then I'll trust you this once."
…
Throughout the ceremony, Cheng Jia was completely ignored, as if she were invisible. Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran paid her no attention at all.
Only occasionally, when the wind carried a scent toward him, Mo Xiuchen would glance at Cheng Jia—her perfume... why did it smell a little strange?
She stood to the side, watching Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran burn paper offerings to his mother. When Wen Ran finished by respectfully bowing three times, Cheng Jia thought for sure that Mo Xiuchen would introduce her next.
After all, she was his savior. How could Wen Ran—a woman who had married him for money—compare to her?
"Mo Shao, you haven't introduced me to Auntie yet," Cheng Jia said expectantly.
"Next time. I'll take you to the cemetery when there's an opportunity," Mo Xiuchen replied flatly after a brief pause, glancing at the burnt paper on the ground.
"Really? Can we go tonight?" Cheng Jia pressed on eagerly.
"Mm."
Mo Xiuchen looked at Wen Ran beside him. Seeing that she showed no sign of displeasure, he responded perfunctorily before taking her hand and leading her past Cheng Jia toward the main hall.
Earlier, Xiao Wenqing had been worried that Zhou Lin wouldn't be able to separate Wen Ran from Mo Xiuchen.
But when they learned that Wen Jin had woken up, all those worries vanished.
At dinner, Zhou Lin suggested going to the hospital with Wen Ran to visit her brother. Wen Ran politely declined, "You should hurry home and inform Uncle Zhou about the finalized wedding date so he can start preparing for the ceremony. My brother has specialized care watching over him 24/7. It's fine to visit him a bit later."
"Then are you going tonight? You're his sister—it's different for you," Zhou Lin insisted.
Perhaps it was Zhou Lin's excessive concern, but Wen Ran furrowed her brows in suspicion and replied indifferently, "Xiuchen will accompany me."
Across the table, Mo Zixuan's chopsticks suddenly slipped, dropping his food onto the table. The way Wen Ran naturally and affectionately called Mo Xiuchen "Xiuchen" felt like a blade slicing through his chest. He gripped his chopsticks so tightly his fingers turned stiff.
"Mo Shao, are we still going to the cemetery tonight?" Cheng Jia asked sweetly, placing a piece of sweet-and-sour pork into Mo Xiuchen's bowl.
Seeing this, Mo Zixuan immediately picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Wen Ran's bowl.
The once-awkward atmosphere suddenly became laced with an odd tension.
Mo Xiuchen glanced at the meat in Wen Ran's bowl, then shifted his gaze subtly toward Xiao Wenqing. Seeing the faint change in her expression, he put down his chopsticks and took a sip of soup before speaking in a low voice to Wen Ran.
"If you're going to the hospital, let the driver take you. I'll be heading to the cemetery tonight."
Wen Ran was momentarily stunned and looked at Mo Xiuchen in surprise. His sudden change of plans was unexpected. Was it because Mo Zixuan had given her that piece of meat?
She pursed her lips and simply said, "Okay." Then she picked up the piece of meat and placed it in Zhou Lin's bowl.
Across the table, Mo Zixuan's face paled slightly at her action.
"Mo Shao, here's a braised meatball for you," Cheng Jia said cheerfully, adding it to his bowl.
"Thank you," Mo Xiuchen responded indifferently.
Wen Ran set down her chopsticks and stood up. Smiling, she addressed the group. "I'm full. I'll head to the hospital to see my brother now. Enjoy your meal."
Mo Zixuan wanted to say something but hesitated, unable to find the words.
Mo Xiuchen merely uttered a neutral "Mm" and added, "Let the driver take you. After the cemetery, I'll pick you up from the hospital."