Mo Zixuan pulled a polite smile and said in a composed tone, "I'd like to take a few days off."
"Time off? What about the case you're working on?"
Mo Jingteng's face darkened instantly as he frowned at Mo Zixuan.
Just then, Xiao Wenqing walked into the dining room with breakfast in hand. Hearing their conversation, she was startled too. "Zixuan, why are you suddenly asking for leave? Are you alright?"
Mo Zixuan's expression shifted slightly as he suppressed his annoyance. He replied gently, "Didn't you both want me to marry Zhou Lin? I need to spend some time with her to build a relationship. I thought I'd take her on a short trip this weekend. It's also a good time to see if she's pregnant."
Xiao Wenqing's mind worked quickly. What he said did make sense. Mo Jingteng never liked Zhou Lin. The only reason he agreed to the marriage was because the scandal between Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin was all over the news—and because Zixuan kept clinging to Wen Ran.
"If it's just a weekend trip, why are you taking time off? Your brother's working overtime on Saturday and Sunday for that big construction project."
In Mo Jingteng's eyes, Mo Xiuchen was undoubtedly the more outstanding son. Zixuan lacked his calm and strategy and wasn't fit to inherit the company.
At the mention of Mo Xiuchen, Xiao Wenqing's expression changed. Mo Zixuan snorted in dissatisfaction and said mockingly, "He's managing massive projects like the commercial tower and is about to become the president of MS Group. How could I possibly compare? If you don't approve, just forget I said anything."
With that, Mo Zixuan stood up and walked away.
"Zixuan, you haven't had breakfast yet," Xiao Wenqing called out, casting a reproachful look at Mo Jingteng. Worried, she rushed after him, but Zixuan slammed the door and left without a backward glance.
"Look at his attitude now," Mo Jingteng growled, equally furious. Before Xiao Wenqing could scold him, he threw out a cold remark and also turned to leave.
"You're not eating either, Jingteng?" Xiao Wenqing grabbed his arm in a panic.
Mo Jingteng looked back at her, his voice hard and cold. "No. I'm heading to the construction site."
"You can't skip breakfast! Zixuan's been in a foul mood lately, yes—but you should try to understand him. The woman he loved was suddenly taken by his brother, and yet you keep praising Xiuchen in front of him. Doesn't that hurt his pride?"
"How can you say Xiuchen 'took' the woman he loved? It was Zixuan who wronged Wen Ran first. If he hadn't done such disgraceful things with Zhou Lin, how would Wen Ran have ended up with Xiuchen?"
Mo Jingteng had warned Wen Ran not to waver between his two sons, but he wasn't blind. He knew full well that this entire mess was Zixuan's fault.
Xiao Wenqing was momentarily speechless. She softened her tone, picked up the glass of milk on the table, and said, "Even if Zixuan was wrong, that doesn't mean you should neglect your own health. You're not young anymore—you need to eat, even if they can skip meals. At the very least, drink this milk."
Last night, Mo Xiuchen had clearly said he wouldn't be taking Wen Ran to the airport. But this morning, he changed his mind.
The two walked out of the villa together. Xiao Liu had already pulled the car up to the gate. Seeing Wen Ran, he quickly got out and opened the back door.
"I'll head off first. Be careful at the construction site," Wen Ran said to Mo Xiuchen, turning to leave.
But as soon as she took a step, a strong hand grasped her wrist, pulling her gently but firmly back.
"I'll take you to the airport," Mo Xiuchen said, glancing over at Xiao Liu a few steps away.
"Oh—no need. You should go to the site. Xiao Liu can take me," Wen Ran said quickly, waving her hands, not wanting to delay his work. It was just a business trip; there was no need for him to go out of his way.
"It's fine. I've already asked A Mu to go ahead for me. I'll take you to the airport, and then I'll head straight over. Won't delay anything."
Mo Xiuchen didn't loosen his grip, not giving her a chance to resist. He wasn't even sure why he suddenly changed his mind. Maybe it was the fleeting sense of reluctance he'd felt watching her turn away just now.
He was starting to get used to her presence.
His hand slid down and gently took hers, wrapping her small soft hand in his palm. Something inside him softened too.
Wen Ran was stunned—and a little moved. Letting him lead her toward the garage, she bit her lip gently and looked at his tall, composed figure. A strange warmth rose quietly in her heart.
At the gate, Xiao Liu stood dumbfounded, watching his young master pull the young madam to the car and settle her into the black Aston Martin. Then he got into the driver's seat himself.
"…"
Xiao Liu wanted to ask what was going on—but he was too far away.
As Mo Xiuchen's car rolled out of the villa, he finally lowered the window and said to Xiao Liu, who was still staring blankly, "I'll take Wen Ran to the airport. You don't need to go. Bring the suitcase here."
"…Got it!"
Xiao Liu scrambled to open the trunk and carried Wen Ran's suitcase over to the Aston Martin.
When they arrived at the airport, Bai Xiaoxiao was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Wen Ran step out of the luxurious car, she blinked in surprise.
Mo Xiuchen carried the suitcase out and said a few words to Wen Ran. Then, raising his hand, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Bai Xiaoxiao grinned and ran down the steps. She weaved through the crowd and reached Wen Ran just as the Aston drove off.
"Ranran! Mo Xiuchen brought you to the airport himself? What were you two whispering about so affectionately just now?"
Wen Ran had just turned away and bent to pick up her suitcase when Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly clapped her on the shoulder from behind. Wen Ran jumped in surprise and turned around to glare at her. "You nearly scared me to death! When did you sneak up behind me?"
Bai Xiaoxiao gave a dramatic cough, straightened her back, and mimicked Mo Xiuchen's earlier gesture—reaching toward Wen Ran's face and saying playfully, "I came up just as Mo Xiuchen was touching your face. I mean, seriously? You two were having a PDA moment in public! Can you be a little more considerate of a heartbroken single girl like me?"
Then, she clutched her chest in mock agony, as if her heart had shattered.
Wen Ran laughed and punched her lightly. "You should go into acting. I swear you'd be famous worldwide."
"Pfft. Famous worldwide? Please."
Bai Xiaoxiao continued her mock performance, touching her cheek and saying, "I could totally rely on my looks as a goddess, but no—I insist on making it on my own strength!"
"Ugh… Please, stop. If you keep going, I'll throw up my breakfast."
Bai Xiaoxiao grinned and suddenly leaned in with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Ranran, are you pregnant? When exactly did Mo Xiuchen 'devour' you, huh? Come on, spill it. How many times a night? Is he really one of those legendary 'seven times a night' types?"