If Gu Kai's words earlier had moved Wen Ran, then Mo Xiuchen's words now shook her to her core.
They had been married just over a month. Though they got along well, their bond was far from the deep, unwavering love that makes one willing to live and die for the other.
Had it been her, she wouldn't have dared to speak such words.
Yet Mo Xiuchen had, and with such conviction.
For a fleeting moment, the hospital room fell into utter silence, broken only by the sound of breathing.
Time seemed suspended in that stillness.
In Mo Xiuchen's eyes, as gentle and deep as a tranquil lake, there was only Wen Ran's delicate face. She gazed into his eyes, where astonishment and shock mingled with something that made his heart race. If they had been alone, he would not have been able to resist kissing her.
From the moment they met months ago, she had taken root in his heart, quietly blooming. Perhaps she was not the most perfect woman—but she was the one who had moved him at first glance.
No matter how excellent or flawless others may be, in his eyes, they could not compare to a single strand of her hair.
Her innocence, her strength, her stubbornness, her tenderness—even her flaws were, to him, endearing. He loved her for no reason, wanted to cherish her, to adore her.
Cheng Jia looked as though struck by lightning. For a long while, she remained stunned.
Mo Xiuchen's hand tightened slightly around Wen Ran's waist. He turned to Gu Kai and said, "Ah Kai, please handle the discharge procedures. I'll arrange for Cheng Jia to be transferred to another hospital shortly."
"…"
Only then did Cheng Jia snap out of her daze, her tearful eyes fixed on Mo Xiuchen. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"Don't worry. You won't suffer in vain. Once we find out who's behind this, they'll pay twice the price."
His voice was low, yet beneath the calm ran a ruthless undercurrent. Cheng Jia's eyes flickered with panic; her body trembled slightly, and under the blanket, her hands clenched tighter and tighter.
Though brief, her subtle movements did not escape Mo Xiuchen's sharp gaze.
After Gu Kai left, and seeing the drama was over, Luo Haofeng also made a tactful exit.
"I'm going back to the pharmaceutical company," Wen Ran said, lifting her gaze to Mo Xiuchen.
She'd already lost two hours here. If she didn't return soon, the workday would end.
Mo Xiuchen's lips curved slightly. "Wait for me outside for two minutes. I'll drive you back."
Wen Ran nodded, sparing no glance at Cheng Jia as she turned to leave the room.
Mo Xiuchen's gaze followed her out. Only when the door shut behind her did he look back at Cheng Jia, whose face had gone as pale as paper.
"Do you want to go home, or transfer hospitals?"
"Mo Shao, I…"
Cheng Jia started, then faltered, hesitating as if unsure how to speak.
Mo Xiuchen's expression was cold, the difference between his attitude toward her and Wen Ran as stark as winter and spring. His voice was ice: "Wen Ran is the woman I love. I don't want to hear such words a second time—from anyone. Even if you once saved me, it doesn't change anything."
It was as if lightning had struck her again. Her mind went blank.
"I'll have Xiao Liu take you home. Until we find a new caregiver, Zhang Ma will look after you. Though she's my family's maid, I respect her like a mother."
The implication was clear: don't go too far.
He knew well how Cheng Jia treated both Zhang Ma and Xiao Liu.
"I understand," Cheng Jia replied, forcing back tears.
Mo Xiuchen turned to leave but paused after a few steps. He looked back at her from across the room. "Within ten days, I'll uncover the one who ordered that worker to drop the brick."
With that, he cast her a deep, penetrating glance before striding out.
Alone in the ward, Cheng Jia stared blankly at the door, Mo Xiuchen's parting words echoing in her mind. His cold, sharp gaze lingered in her thoughts like a chill creeping through her veins.
When Mo Xiuchen exited the elevator, he immediately saw Wen Ran, Luo Haofeng, and Gu Kai standing outside the hospital. They were chatting, and Gu Kai wore a faint smile, his gaze toward Wen Ran soft and indulgent—perhaps even without realizing it himself.
Mo Xiuchen's eyes darkened slightly as he walked toward them.
Luo Haofeng noticed him first and called out, "Xiuchen's here!"
Gu Kai smiled and exchanged farewells with Wen Ran, then walked away, brushing past Mo Xiuchen with a nod.
Luo Haofeng, ever perceptive, excused himself as well. "I'll get going," he said, disappearing before he could become a third wheel.
Wen Ran looked up at Mo Xiuchen with a gentle smile. "That was quick."
Mo Xiuchen returned her smile, naturally taking her hand and leading her to the parking lot.
She followed him quietly. When they reached the car, he opened the passenger door for her. Only after she was seated did he shut it, then circled to the driver's seat.
The luxurious Aston Martin slid smoothly onto the road. Mo Xiuchen glanced at Wen Ran through the rearview mirror, her features calm and elegant.
Gently, he asked, "Ranran, do you think the person who instructed the worker… could have been Cheng Jia?"
His question caught Wen Ran mid-thought. Startled, she looked at him, surprised by his candor.
After a pause, she said, "If it really was Cheng Jia, then the price she paid for this ruse is far too steep."
Mo Xiuchen's lips curved into a cold smirk. "It's not about the price—it's that she's ruthless enough with herself. She must have known I was investigating her and her family. Afraid I wouldn't believe she's the girl from back then, she staged this whole act."
Wen Ran was stunned.
Did Cheng Jia not fear the brick might kill her?
If she truly orchestrated this, her injury deserved neither gratitude nor sympathy—it was her own doing.
For a second time, Wen Ran felt a deep relief that the brick had struck Cheng Jia instead of Mo Xiuchen. She lowered her gaze from his handsome face to his elegantly defined hand on the steering wheel.
This was the second time he'd hinted at his suspicions about Cheng Jia.
The first time, it hadn't been so direct. Wen Ran remained quiet for a moment before finally asking, "Are you saying Cheng Jia isn't the girl who saved you back then? Brother Gu always believed that the girl was his missing sister. But then you found Cheng Jia—and she wasn't."
Deep inside, Wen Ran felt an unspoken joy that Cheng Jia wasn't Gu Kai's sister. It might be selfish, but she couldn't help it—she simply disliked her. Now, with Mo Xiuchen's doubts, she found herself secretly hoping Cheng Jia wasn't the girl who had saved him either.
If she was an imposter, Mo Xiuchen would surely uncover the truth—and Cheng Jia would disappear from her world.
Mo Xiuchen's eyes darkened again. "Ah Kai told you this?"
Wen Ran smiled lightly. "Yes. He said if his sister were still alive, she'd be about my age. Maybe that's why he's always treated me so well."
"I think you treat him pretty well too," Mo Xiuchen replied, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
Wen Ran was kind to Wen Jin because he was her brother, but she was also warm toward Gu Kai.
Even knowing there were no romantic feelings between them, Mo Xiuchen couldn't help but feel a dull irritation.
He'd always thought himself indifferent, detached from emotional entanglements. Even when he longed to repay the girl who once saved him, it had always been about gratitude—until now. The more time he spent with Wen Ran, the deeper his possessiveness grew.
"I just think of Brother Gu as family. If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll try to distance myself from him."
Wen Ran, though innocent, was not naïve. She had picked up on the subtle edge in his voice and gave her reassurance.
Mo Xiuchen realized he'd let his jealousy seep through. Hearing her words, he chuckled softly. "No need. I won't control who you're friends with."
It was a long while after Mo Xiuchen left before Cheng Jia finally regained her composure.
Staring at the now-empty hospital room, she imagined Mo Xiuchen by Wen Ran's side. A wave of envy and hatred surged within her.
His words echoed in her mind—within ten days, he'd uncover the truth behind the brick incident. That sent panic racing through her veins.
She had once believed Mo Xiuchen was merely infatuated with Wen Ran's appearance. After all, they'd only been married a month. How deep could those feelings possibly run?
All it would take was for the worker to claim that Wen Ran had orchestrated it. Then Mo Xiuchen would surely doubt her.
But instead, he'd declared before everyone that while the world might turn against him, Wen Ran never would.
Hatred and jealousy gnawed at her. What was it about Wen Ran that bewitched him so completely?
Worse still, though he appeared to believe she was the girl who once saved him, he had been secretly investigating her and her family. Fortunately, she hadn't been randomly chosen. Otherwise, Mo Xiuchen might have already exposed her lies.
After a long, torturous silence, she couldn't help herself. She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
The Aston Martin slowed to a stop outside the Wen Pharmaceutical building. Wen Ran unfastened her seatbelt as Mo Xiuchen turned toward her, his gaze tender and deep.
Meeting his eyes, her heart skipped a beat. A smile bloomed on her lips. "I'm heading in. Drive safe."
Mo Xiuchen nodded. Just as he was about to speak, his phone vibrated. The soft chime rang out as he pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID.
"It's the engineer. I have to head to the construction site—might be working late."
"Be careful," Wen Ran replied softly, wasting no time as she opened the door and stepped out.
Mo Xiuchen answered the call and, through the car window, watched her walk across the courtyard until her slender silhouette vanished into the office building.
At the front desk, the receptionist informed Wen Ran that a Mr. Xiao had just called for her.
Just then, Sister Li approached, holding documents and some pharmaceuticals. She added, "Ranran, it was Xiao Yuting who called."
Wen Ran frowned slightly. What would Xiao Yuting want with her?
Their companies rarely worked together—certainly not in recent months. If it wasn't business, it must be personal.
"Sister Li, have you heard any gossip about Xiao Yuting lately?"
As they walked to her office, Wen Ran asked casually. She'd been too busy for entertainment news. But Sister Li, who moved between departments, was bound to have picked up something.
After thinking for a moment, Sister Li said, "Yesterday, in Purchasing, I heard he's been spotted with a hand model—very lovey-dovey in front of the paparazzi."
Wen Ran's brows furrowed as she pushed open the office door and went inside.
Her phone had died earlier at the hospital, so she quickly swapped in a spare battery. Meanwhile, Sister Li placed the documents on the desk and updated her on the latest: "Ranran, this afternoon, those herbal suppliers suddenly demanded a price increase…"
Wen Ran's expression darkened. She flipped open the file after the phone powered up. Her delicate features tightened. "A 20% hike? That's outrageous."
"What should we do? The herbs we borrowed from MS Group only cover a third of our needs."
"Does my brother know?"
"I haven't had time to tell him yet."
Wen Ran stared at the price list in silence for a while. Then, with a faintly sarcastic smile, she said, "If it were just one supplier, I'd understand. But several? At once? In different provinces? And none of them previous partners? That's far too convenient."
"You think someone's pulling strings behind the scenes?"
Wen Ran nodded, explaining, "When the warehouse was destroyed by that mudslide, I found it odd that only the three herbs we needed were lost. Just so happens a senior of mine lives nearby—I asked her to investigate."
"Has she found anything?"
"Not yet. I'll call her later."
Just then, her phone rang. It was Xiao Yuting.
"Sister Li, I'll take this alone."
Sister Li nodded and stepped out.
Wen Ran leaned back into her leather chair, staring at the name on the screen. After a moment, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Wen Ran, do you know where Bai Xiaoxiao is?" Xiao Yuting asked bluntly, skipping all pleasantries.
Wen Ran's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't."