“Lin Mo, what exactly are you trying to do?”
On the second floor of the villa, Su Qianqian pointed at Lin Mo, her face full of anger.
Lin Mo frowned slightly. By now, he had sobered up for the most part.
Ever since they left the restaurant, Su Qianqian’s expression had been grim. She had ignored Xiao Jibo no matter what he said. In the end, she even told Xiao Jibo to go back on his own, while she ordered the driver to bring Lin Mo home.
The moment they returned, Lin Mo had not even had time to change out of his clothes before she began questioning him.
He truly did not understand why she was so furious. Still, he asked patiently, “Qianqian, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. At the restaurant, weren’t you deliberately trying to provoke me? You knew exactly how Ye Qingqing feels about you, yet you still happily accepted her gifts. And then you went so far as to act so intimately with her in public. Did you ever consider me? We’re not divorced yet. If outsiders found out, what would they think of me? And what would they think of Jibo?”
Su Qianqian glared at him, her eyes burning with anger.
Lin Mo fell silent for a moment. He had to admit that today’s actions might indeed have embarrassed her.
If a video of their dinner were to leak, it would certainly affect both Su Qianqian and Xiao Jibo. As the CEO of the Su Corporation, watching her husband flirt with another woman in public would damage not only her reputation but also her company.
Thinking of this, Lin Mo looked at her apologetically. “I’m sorry, Qianqian. I wasn’t in a good mood today and didn’t consider your image. But don’t worry. Something like this won’t happen again—at least not within the next two months.”
“Oh? So after two months, you plan to continue this kind of relationship with them?” Su Qianqian sneered.
She quickly realized her words sounded wrong and added, “After two months, I won’t interfere. But as long as we’re not divorced, you must keep your distance from other women. Don’t cause trouble for me and Jibo.”
“Alright. I understand,” Lin Mo replied seriously.
Su Qianqian glanced at him impatiently. “Good. Tomorrow, return everything they gave you. I’ll buy you a new car. And I’ll get you a piano too. You can practice at home. Don’t make it look like you’ve suffered so much by staying here.”
“No need, Qianqian. I’ve already accepted their gifts. Returning them would be inappropriate. They meant well. When I earn money in the future, I’ll give them gifts in return. You’ve already helped me a lot. I don’t want to owe you even more.”
He spoke naturally, even with a faint smile.
Su Qianqian stared at him coldly. “What do you mean? You accepted their gifts but say you don’t want to owe me? Lin Mo, don’t tell me you still haven’t realized what they feel about you.”
“I know how Qingqing feels about me. But she’s helped me before. I can’t simply reject her kindness. Don’t worry—I’ve said I treat her like a younger sister, and I won’t cross any boundaries.”
“As for Sister Qingyue… she’s been very good to me, but that’s all. She couldn’t possibly like me.”
Lin Mo explained patiently.
That day at the restaurant, Ye Qingqing had openly said she liked him. They simply never mentioned it again afterward. Lin Mo was not foolish. Of course he knew she had feelings for him. Otherwise, she would not treat him so well.
But he had no romantic intentions toward her.
As for Jiang Qingyue, she had never expressed such feelings. He assumed she was only helping him out of sympathy.
“Hmph. How do you know Jiang Qingyue doesn’t feel that way about you?” Su Qianqian mocked.
Lin Mo suddenly smiled, a gentle smile. “Qianqian, don’t worry. Even if Sister Qingyue truly likes me, it wouldn’t matter.”
“Because I already have someone I like.”
“You… Don’t talk nonsense. If Jibo hears that, he’ll be unhappy,” Su Qianqian said sharply, frowning.
Of course she knew who Lin Mo liked. But Xiao Jibo could never know. If he did, he would surely become angry—perhaps even leave her again, as he once had.
She had waited for Xiao Jibo for so many years. She did not want to lose him again.
So she could only reject Lin Mo indirectly, hoping he would understand.
After a pause, she looked at him somewhat awkwardly. “I’ve said everything I need to say. What you choose to do is up to you. We’re only bound by contract. Don’t cling to unrealistic fantasies.”
“It’s late. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m going to rest.”
With that, she wheeled herself toward the bedroom.
Lin Mo was left confused but said nothing. After a long day, he was exhausted as well.
Once he settled Su Qianqian in comfortably, he returned to his own room and soon fell asleep.
But Su Qianqian could not sleep.
She lay in bed, tossing and turning, replaying the scene at the restaurant.
Every time she recalled Ye Qingqing almost kissing Lin Mo, anger surged inside her. And beneath that anger, there was a faint, aching pain in her chest.
That feeling… was familiar.
Years ago, when she learned that Xiao Jibo had been ambiguously involved with another woman overseas, she had felt the same anger and heartache.
Even though Xiao Jibo later explained it was a misunderstanding, the lingering fear remained.
A strange thought suddenly surfaced in her mind.
“Could it be… that I like Lin Mo?”
“No. That’s impossible.”
She immediately crushed the thought.
From beginning to end, she had only loved Xiao Jibo. Lin Mo was merely a contractual partner. How could she possibly like him?
And yet… if she did not like him, why did she feel such emotions today?
“That’s right. I just don’t want to see him fall like that.”
After thinking it through, this explanation felt more reasonable.
Lin Mo knew she did not love him, so he sought comfort from other women. She simply did not want to watch him drift further down the wrong path.
After all, he had taken care of her for years. She could not stand by and watch him ruin himself.
She had made her stance clear, but Lin Mo still persisted. Just now, he had even subtly confessed his feelings again.
Thankfully, Xiao Jibo had not been there. Otherwise, he would surely have been angry.
The more she thought about it, the more restless she felt.
It seemed she really needed to speed up the process of finding Lin Mo a girlfriend.
But who would be suitable?
“Right… Youchu. She’s been single all these years. Maybe… I could bring them together?”
She muttered to herself.
She had met Shen Youchu five years ago during a project bid. At the time, she was not yet the CEO of the Su Corporation. They both failed to secure the contract, but exchanged contact information by coincidence.
Their personalities matched well, and they gradually became close friends, eventually best friends.
Four years ago, Shen Youchu’s family expanded a project overseas. Due to a lack of personnel, she went abroad to help. She had not returned since, though they stayed in contact.
Recently, Su Qianqian learned the overseas project was nearing completion. Shen Youchu would be returning soon, though no exact date had been set.
With that thought, Su Qianqian picked up her phone and dialed Shen Youchu’s number.
“Hello? What’s up, Qianqian?” A soft, sweet voice answered.
“What are you busy with, Youchu?” Su Qianqian asked casually.
Hearing background noise, she guessed Shen Youchu was still working. The time difference meant it was daytime overseas.
“Of course I’m busy with company matters. Why are you calling so late? Is something wrong?”
“Nothing major. I just wanted to ask when you’ll be back.”
“Soon. The project is basically finished. We’re just wrapping things up. Probably about a week.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at the airport when you return.”
They chatted briefly before Shen Youchu hung up.
Su Qianqian smiled lightly.
Since Shen Youchu was returning soon, she would not need to worry about Lin Mo.
Once they met and got to know each other, perhaps something would develop. Lin Mo was handsome and gentle. Shen Youchu’s beauty was exceptional—no less than her own.
Standing together, they would look like a perfect match.
And once they were together, Lin Mo would no longer disturb her and Xiao Jibo.
Thinking this, a weight lifted from her heart.
Yet strangely, after that weight lifted, her heart felt a little empty.
She did not dwell on it. Putting down her phone, she finally drifted into sleep.