Even if Wen Ran held no affection for Xiao Wenqing, she could not entirely disregard her connection with Mo Jingteng. Mo Xiuchen could treat Mo Jingteng with indifference, but she, at the very least, owed him respect.
Since Xiao Wenqing invoked Mo Jingteng's name, she had no choice but to remain, even if she didn't wish to.
When she softly agreed, Xiao Wenqing's face lit up with joy. He promptly ordered several signature dishes, ending with three bowls of shark fin soup. Once the waiter departed, his gaze flickered to the fading love marks on Wen Ran's neck, then landed gently on her delicate face, now healing with new skin. With concern in his voice, he asked, "Ranran, I heard from Zixuan that two nights ago in City F, you were abducted by some thugs. Is that how you got hurt?"
Wen Ran responded with a calm "Mm", her tone serene and composed. "Just a minor injury. It's already healed."
"Please don't mind me for prying," Xiao Wenqing added. "Actually, Xiuchen's father was also concerned about that night's incident. He didn't feel it appropriate to ask himself, so he asked me to inquire. If I'm not mistaken, the marks on your neck… are those kiss marks? Were they left that night during the abduction…?"
Though Xiao Wenqing spoke euphemistically, the implication was unmistakable.
All of G City knew Mo Xiuchen was rumored to be impotent. Though married to Wen Ran for some time, there had never been any visible trace of intimacy—until after her supposed abduction.
A young woman abducted, drugged with that kind of substance… The conclusion was self-evident.
Wen Ran's gaze darkened ever so slightly, but before she could speak, Bai Xiaoxiao interjected coldly, her displeasure clear. "Madam Mo, what exactly do you mean? Are you insinuating Ranran was violated? If you're curious about the marks on her neck, you'd best ask Mo Xiuchen himself. He would know better than anyone."
Xiao Wenqing's face flushed with embarrassment at Bai Xiaoxiao's rebuke. She forced a smile. "That's not what I meant. It's just that Xiuchen's condition has long been public knowledge in G City. Ranran, please don't misunderstand—I may not have expressed myself well. If those marks were left by Xiuchen, then that's wonderful news. It would mean his illness is cured!"
By the end, Xiao Wenqing looked genuinely overjoyed, as if truly relieved by Mo Xiuchen's recovery.
Wen Ran's brows furrowed faintly. She lifted a delicate hand to her neck, her voice turning cool. "Yes, the marks were left by Xiuchen. Though I was kidnapped that night, he found me in time."
"And the wound on your face?"
Xiao Wenqing's smile vanished, replaced by a look of gentle concern.
"Just a scrape," Wen Ran replied lightly, skimming over the perilous cliff-jump that caused it. "Nothing worth mentioning."
"As long as you're fine, that's all that matters. It seems you're truly Xiuchen's lucky star. He was never close to women before, but after marrying you, he's recovered completely. His father and I had worried so much, but now we can finally be at ease."
Despite her beaming smile, Xiao Wenqing's expression felt false to the core.
Wen Ran's face revealed nothing, but inwardly, she was skeptical. She didn't believe Xiao Wenqing would ever rejoice sincerely over Mo Xiuchen's recovery.
Mo Xiuchen had said little, but she could sense that he not only harbored hatred for Xiao Wenqing but also suspected her involvement in his own kidnapping years ago.
After a brief pause, Xiao Wenqing continued, "This weekend, why don't you and Xiuchen come home for dinner? Good news just came from Alin—looks like it'll be your turn soon. It's a perfect occasion to celebrate."
Wen Ran stiffened. She knew that the 'Alin' Xiao Wenqing spoke of was Zhou Lin. Had she really conceived Mo Zixuan's child?
Judging by the timing, it had been a month already.
As the waiter brought in more dishes, Xiao Wenqing's expression grew subtly troubled. Her voice lowered. "Strictly speaking, Alin's pregnancy should be a joyful occasion for the Mo family. But Zixuan has been drinking himself into a stupor every night, despondent and disheartened. Ranran, truth be told, I invited you here today to ask for your help—could you please speak to Zixuan?"
This time, her concern and affection appeared genuine. Though her love was not for Mo Jingteng, she was still Mo Zixuan's biological mother—and loved him dearly.
Of course, this wasn't the only reason she'd summoned Wen Ran.
Wen Ran's expression shifted slightly. Without much thought, she declined, "If Mo Zixuan is feeling low, you should speak to Zhou Lin. They're about to marry. It's not appropriate for me to intervene."
Xiao Wenqing's disappointment was immediate. She pleaded, "Ranran, I know it's not ideal to ask you, but Zixuan has always loved you and only you. As long as he can't let go, he'll never be happy. I forced him into this engagement with Zhou Lin."
Her voice quivered with sorrow, as though she might break into tears at any moment.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Seeing Wen Ran silent, lips pursed, Xiao Wenqing continued on her own, "Zixuan is stubborn to the core. Once he's set his mind on something, no one can change it. Now that you're his brother's wife, I would never let him cross that line. All I ask is that you talk to him, just once. Just tell him to stop drinking."
"For the sake of how deeply he's always loved you… consider it a favor to me."
"…Very well. I can't promise he'll listen."
Her final words had struck a chord. Recalling the past, Wen Ran couldn't help but feel a sliver of compassion. That night—his betrayal had been orchestrated. Sleeping with Zhou Lin had never been his intention.
"Ranran, thank you. You're a kind soul. Good fortune will surely follow you."
Xiao Wenqing beamed, brushing aside her earlier melancholy. She warmly encouraged both Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao to enjoy the dishes.
When the shark fin soup arrived, Xiao Wenqing grew even more enthusiastic. "Ranran, try this first. If you like it, I'll order another."
Saying this, she stood and moved to the seat beside Wen Ran, scooping up a spoonful of soup to feed her personally.
Just as Wen Ran was about to decline, her phone rang at the perfect moment. She forced a polite smile. "Excuse me, I need to take this call." With that, she stood and walked away with her phone.
Xiao Wenqing lowered her gaze, a trace of disappointment flickering in her eyes.
Two minutes later, Wen Ran returned but didn't sit. "Aunt Xiao, something urgent came up. I'll have to leave first. Xiaoxiao, let's go."
"Alright!"
Bai Xiaoxiao had already set down her chopsticks the moment Wen Ran stood up.
Xiao Wenqing's expression shifted. Without hesitation, she picked up the shark fin soup. "Ranran, at least drink this before you leave. It's very nourishing."
Wen Ran glanced at the bowl in her hand, appearing troubled. "Aunt Xiao, I truly have to go. How about I take it to go?"
Just then, a waiter passed by with food for another table. Wen Ran called out to him and asked him to pack the shark fin soup.
Xiao Wenqing looked momentarily surprised that she would want to take the soup. As the waiter brought over the box, she smiled, "That's fine too. Ranran, you're so thin, you really must take care of yourself. Be sure to drink the soup."
Wen Ran nodded. "I will."
She took the packaged soup, bid farewell to Xiao Wenqing, and left with Bai Xiaoxiao.
After a few steps, Bai Xiaoxiao turned back—and caught Xiao Wenqing watching them leave, her eyes filled with an unexpected coldness.
"Ranran, did you notice how fixated Xiao Wenqing was on that shark fin soup? When I looked back, the way she was watching us—it was chilling."
Outside the restaurant, Bai Xiaoxiao whispered her observation to Wen Ran.
Wen Ran's lips curved faintly, answering with an unrelated remark, "That call just now was from Chen, Sister Li's husband."
Bai Xiaoxiao blinked in confusion. "What does that have to do with Xiao Wenqing?"
A ghost of a smile played on Wen Ran's lips, but it carried a chill like autumn frost. Her voice was cool. "Chen told me that something was added to that soup."
"What? She tampered with the soup? Ranran, was Xiao Wenqing trying to hurt you? What did she put in it? Why would she do that?"
Wen Ran shook her head. "I'm not sure yet. And we can't prove anything right now."
Chen Bin, Li Qian's husband, was a chef—not at that restaurant, but happened to be visiting a friend there. In the restroom, he overheard a phone call mentioning Wen Ran's name.
Curious, he asked around and found out the soup was indeed meant for Wen Ran's table. The waiter recognized her as a regular.
He called her immediately.
Bai Xiaoxiao clenched her fists in anger. "No wonder she was so eager to feed you that soup. Ranran, this has her written all over it."
She looked at the container Wen Ran was holding. "What are you going to do with it? Send it for testing?"
Wen Ran nodded. There's an old saying: catch the adulterer with a partner, catch the thief with the stolen goods. Without evidence, she couldn't accuse anyone—no matter how sure she felt.
Besides, Chen hadn't seen who was on the phone.
"Ranran, if she hates you for making her son suffer, and now she's trying to hurt you—then don't bother talking to Mo Zixuan."
Wen Ran's voice was quiet. "I don't have time for his problems right now. Xiaoxiao, go on ahead. I need to get the test results first."
"Alright. Let me know what they say."
Xiaoxiao reminded her gently before heading off to report to her father about the client meeting.
Wen Ran's driver had been waiting outside. When he saw her, he pulled the car over.
She got in and told him, "To the hospital," while dialing her phone.
"Miss Wen, heading to the hospital now? Bringing something for President Wen?"
He glanced at the food container curiously.
"No."
Her answer was curt, her tone chilled. The driver said no more.
Just as she was about to call, Wen Ran hesitated, hung up, and instead sent a text.
A few minutes later, her phone rang.
She answered softly, "Hello, Brother Gu?"
"Ranran, I just came out of surgery. Are you calling about Cheng Jia?"
Gu Kai's warm, steady voice came through.
Wen Ran's gaze wavered, then she smiled faintly. "No, Brother Gu. I need your help with something else. Is Mo Xiuchen with you?"
"He's in my office. Cheng Jia's surgery isn't done yet. If you come to the hospital now, you'll run into him. Why don't you tell me where you are? I'll come find you."
Earlier, she had texted Gu Kai saying she needed to see him without Mo Xiuchen knowing.
He had assumed she was concerned about Cheng Jia—he hadn't expected another matter entirely.
"Alright, meet me at the café across from the hospital. I'll be there shortly."
After the call, Gu Kai returned to his office. Mo Xiuchen still sat on the couch, brow furrowed in silent contemplation. He hadn't moved since Cheng Jia was taken into surgery.
"Xiuchen, wait here. I need to step out for a bit."
Gu Kai put on his coat.
"You're leaving work?"
Gu Kai smiled. "No, I'll be back soon. Don't wear that face. I already told you—Cheng Jia will recover. She won't die or end up a vegetable. She just needs a few months of rest."
He deliberately lightened his tone, hoping to lift Mo Xiuchen's spirits.
"I'll wait outside the operating room," Mo Xiuchen replied, standing. His mood hadn't improved, his voice still tinged with gloom.
They left together—one up, one down.
Gu Kai waited at the café for about ten minutes before Wen Ran arrived.
Noticing the food container in her hand, he raised a brow with a smile. "Ranran, please—have a seat."
She returned his smile warmly, placed the container on the table, and sat opposite him. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Gu."
"It's no trouble." He called for a waiter and asked what she'd like.
She ordered a coffee and thanked the waiter. After they left, Gu Kai glanced at the container. "Did you come from Yi Pin Xuan?"
Wen Ran opened the box, releasing a rich aroma. Gu Kai frowned slightly. "Ranran, this shark fin soup…"
"Brother Gu, smell it."
She pushed the container toward him. Gu Kai raised it to his nose.
After a moment, his brow creased. In a low voice, he said, "This soup contains several medicinal herbs. I can identify musk among them. The others—I'm not sure yet."