Mo Xiuchen pressed his thin lips together tightly, meeting Gu Kai's probing gaze with a detached expression. He said indifferently, "This afternoon, A Mu called back. He confirmed that Wen Ran is not Wen Hongrui's biological daughter. The real Wen Ran died from an illness sixteen years ago."
Gu Kai had already heard about this from him before, so he wasn't particularly surprised by the revelation. "Then where did this Wen Ran come from? Is she an orphan Wen Hongrui adopted?"
A cold, sharp smile curved at the corner of Mo Xiuchen's lips. "We don't know yet. For now, it's impossible to find out. Wen Hongrui seems to have deliberately hidden Wen Ran's origins."
"And yet, you still insist that she's your savior?"
Gu Kai pressed further. He knew Mo Xiuchen was an unbelievably stubborn person—once he made up his mind about something, no one could change it.
"I'll know for sure once I find out the truth."
Mo Xiuchen's deep gaze was filled with conviction. He had spent years searching for that little girl who saved him. He had encountered many women, but none had ever made him feel the way Wen Ran did.
"What if, in the end, she isn't the one?"
Gu Kai sighed. Back then, Mo Xiuchen had believed the girl who saved him was his long-lost sister. But now, Mo Xiuchen was convinced it was Wen Ran, and that left Gu Kai feeling unsure.
As they approached Wen Jin's hospital room, Mo Xiuchen's phone suddenly rang, the urgent ringtone breaking the silence.
He took out his phone and, upon seeing the caller ID, his well-defined brows furrowed. A trace of impatience flashed in his eyes.
Gu Kai, noticing the change in his expression, leaned over curiously to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Mo Shao, I think I have a fever. My head hurts so much. Can you come to my place?"
Inside the hospital room, Wen Ran overheard the conversation from outside. She glanced toward the door, but no one appeared. After waiting a moment, she turned to Wen Jin and said, "I'll go take a look," before getting up and walking to the door.
When she opened it, she saw Mo Xiuchen standing a few steps away, speaking coldly into his phone. Nearby, Gu Kai smiled at her and greeted her before walking into the hospital room.
"You stay at home. I'll send Xiao Liu over," Mo Xiuchen said, cutting the call abruptly without waiting for a response.
Looking up at Wen Ran, the coldness in his eyes softened slightly, replaced by a hint of warmth. As he dialed Xiao Liu's number, he explained to her, "It was Cheng Jia. She said she might have a fever, so I'm sending Xiao Liu to check on her."
Wen Ran blinked in mild surprise. Though she felt a bit sorry for Cheng Jia—who had worked so hard to get close to Mo Xiuchen, only to be met with his indifference—she couldn't deny that she was pleased.
The more heartless Mo Xiuchen was to other women, the less she had to worry about handling his admirers. Even if there was no love between them, at the very least, he was loyal to their marriage.
"Xiao Liu, go to Cheng Jia's house now. If she has a fever, take her to the hospital," Mo Xiuchen ordered as soon as the call connected.
On the other end of the line, Xiao Liu immediately pulled a face. "Boss, can't you send someone else instead?"
Mo Xiuchen's brows furrowed. "Do you think anyone else is more suitable?"
"Boss, Cheng Jia definitely doesn't want to see me. The person she wants is you..."
"Oh? Then maybe I should tell Aunt Zhang tonight that you're interested in Zhang Xiaohua and arrange for your marriage."
Mo Xiuchen smirked, his tone laced with amusement.
Xiao Liu broke into a cold sweat. "Boss, please don't! I'll go! I'll handle anything Cheng Jia asks for from now on."
"Good. Go now."
Satisfied, Mo Xiuchen ended the call, a smug smile on his lips. Dealing with Xiao Liu was a piece of cake.
—
At ten in the evening, the master bedroom, exquisitely decorated yet lacking warmth, was bathed in soft crystal light.
The sound of the bathroom door opening reached Wen Ran's ears. Leaning against the headboard, her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers instinctively tightened around the magazine she was holding.
Even after sleeping in the same bed with Mo Xiuchen for several nights, she still couldn't calm her nerves.
As he approached, her heartbeat grew erratic.
"Are you sleepy?"
Mo Xiuchen walked to the bed, took the magazine from her hands, lifted the covers, and slid in beside her. He naturally wrapped an arm around her, causing her body to stiffen slightly—just as it had every night before.
Her fair cheeks instantly turned pink.
The sight of her was like a tempting, ripe peach, making one want to take a bite.
"When will you get used to this?"
A sigh escaped Mo Xiuchen's lips. He pulled her slightly away and gazed deeply into her eyes.
The closeness made their breaths intertwine, making Wen Ran's heart race even faster. "Maybe I just have a slow adjustment period," she muttered, trying to justify her reaction.
His gaze was too intense. She didn't dare meet it, so her eyes landed on his thin, sculpted lips. But that only made her recall the sensation of their previous kisses.
Her heart quivered, and she subconsciously bit her lip.
"Ranran..."
Mo Xiuchen's eyes darkened as he took in her nervous expression. His heart softened, and even his voice carried a rare gentleness.
She looked up, her starry eyes reflecting his face clearly. Seeing his own image in her eyes, his mood inexplicably brightened, and he suddenly chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?"
Wen Ran asked in confusion.
"Do you remember what I told you this afternoon?"
Mo Xiuchen didn't answer directly. Instead, his slender fingers rested lightly on her shoulder, his lips curving into an alluring smile.
"What did you say?"
Wen Ran's eyes flickered slightly as she pretended not to know.
Mo Xiuchen gazed at her reddened face, his deep voice tinged with huskiness. "I told you—I won't let you remain a widow forever. And I meant it."
Wen Ran's heart pounded violently!
Looking into his passionate, burning gaze, she suddenly panicked. Was he planning to take that step tonight? But... her period hadn't completely ended yet!
Thinking of this, she quickly averted her gaze and stammered, "Um… my period isn't over yet. Tonight… it's not possible."
Mo Xiuchen narrowed his eyes. Watching her flustered expression, he suddenly wanted to tease her. "What day is it now? How many more days will it last?"
Wen Ran's eyes widened in shock. He actually asked her such a question?!
Her period usually lasted five days, and today, it was practically over. But how could she tell him that?
She wanted to help him recover, but she wasn't ready yet.
"...It's not over today, is it?"