The dinner following the confirmation of their relationship was destined to be filled with pink bubbles. Anyone who secretly observed the pair was essentially treated to an extra dose of public affection.
“Are you going home?” Li Mo cocked her head in confusion. “Shouldn’t partners live together?”
Live together? Wen Runan couldn’t help but touch her face. She didn’t know how many times she had blushed today.
“The lease on my rented apartment hasn’t expired yet…” Wen Runan was hesitant yet tempted. “And I haven’t packed my luggage and clothes…”
Li Mo thought for a moment and quickly provided a solution. “Then I’ll take you back to tidy up your things, and then you can come stay at my house?”
With things laid out like this, could she really refuse?
“Okay, I’ll impose on you, then,” Wen Runan said shyly.
“There is no such thing as imposing between partners,” Li Mo smiled, reaching out with restraint to pinch Wen Runan’s flushed earlobe. “You are not allowed to say things like that again.”
Help! System! She’s so smooth! I’m genuinely going to fall for her!
Wen Runan was captivated by the beauty and tenderness. After confirming that the subsequent plot didn’t conflict with cohabitation, she ceased her superficial resistance, obediently returned to her rented apartment, packed her essentials, and happily followed Li Mo home.
The effect of the twenty million was obvious. For the next week, the unaware Wen Runan was like a hamster frolicking in a field of gossip.
First, she saw a long-time loving couple in the entertainment industry turn against each other, followed by a revelation of a certain young idol sleeping with fans, then a top star collapsing over insulting the country, eventually turning into a chaotic mess with all sorts of legitimate scandals flying everywhere.
“The entertainment industry is really messy. It’s either cheating or reckless behavior,” Wen Runan sighed, putting her phone down. “Those so-called celebrities aren’t much better than anyone else.”
Li Mo nodded thoughtfully. “Stars, at their core, are just ordinary people. It’s just that the platform magnifies their strengths and, with public opinion guidance, creates a persona that the public likes.”
There’s been so much entertainment gossip lately. It seems Li Beichen hasn’t given up his malicious intent. Do I need to counterattack now?
“True, but if Li Mo you entered the entertainment industry, you’d definitely be a top star,” Wen Runan genuinely exclaimed. Putting everything else aside, Li Mo’s face alone was enough to go viral.
Li Mo’s eyebrow slightly lifted. “You want me to enter the entertainment industry?”
“Of course not!” Wen Runan immediately retorted, blurting out her true feelings. “Li Mo, you’re so wonderful, I don’t want to share you with anyone else!”
“Oh, so you like me that much—” The upturned ending tone conveyed Li Mo’s present delight.
Wen Runan wasn’t so easily embarrassed anymore; at least she wouldn’t blush from this level of teasing.
“Yes, I like you very much!” Wen Runan admitted openly. “Liking is also a form of possession. My thoughts aren’t excessive!”
“They are certainly not excessive,” the smile on Li Mo’s face deepened. Not knowing what she thought of, she added, “I like you very much too.”
Wen Runan didn’t catch the deeper meaning in the words. Not only did her smile widen, but she also started excitedly showing off to the System.
The public opinion battle lasted for ten days, temporarily concluding amidst the collapse of various celebrities and the frenzy of gossip-loving netizens.
Strictly speaking, neither Li Mo nor Li Beichen truly won this clash of public opinion. The money the two of them poured into it was in the tens of millions, and the profits gained were essentially zero.
Seeing the incoming call displayed on her phone screen, Li Mo gave a cold laugh. Li Beichen’s patience was truly lacking. Had only a few days passed and he already couldn’t resist making a move?
“Hello,” Li Mo pressed the answer button just before the call automatically disconnected.
“Li Mo, we haven’t seen each other as a family in a long time. Let’s get together tomorrow night,” Li Father’s voice came through the earpiece.
“I have a work engagement tomorrow night, I can’t make it,” Li Mo casually provided an excuse.
Li Father paused on the other end, then spoke again after a moment. “When are you free recently?”
Li Mo leaned back, relaxing against the chair back, and said languidly, “I’m quite busy lately. I probably won’t be free for a long time.”
The silence on the other end was longer this time. Just as Li Mo was becoming impatient and preparing to hang up, Li Father’s voice came through. “The day before yesterday, your Auntie was tidying up and found some things your mother left behind. Come over for dinner and take the items back with you.”
Mom’s belongings? Li Mo frowned slightly. “I understand. Then let’s make it tomorrow night. I’ll be there at seven.”
After speaking, Li Mo didn’t give Li Father a chance to continue and immediately hung up.
Hearing the dial tone, Li Father’s expression was displeased. She had just said she had an engagement tomorrow night, only to immediately agree to meet tomorrow night. Wasn’t that clearly slapping his face? That rebellious daughter!
“Husband, did Li Mo agree to come for dinner?” Luo Lanya asked from the side.
Li Father put down his phone, nodding with displeasure. “Go and make arrangements. Prepare some dishes Li Mo likes. Our goal is to reconcile with her.”
“Alright, I understand,” Luo Lanya internally rolled her eyes. Li Mo hasn’t been back in so long, how would I know what she likes to eat?
Thinking about the upcoming plan, Li Father couldn’t resist lighting a cigarette, a haze of gloom refusing to leave his brow.
Li Mo may be unfilial, but she is my biological daughter after all. When she was born, I did take care of her for a while. Is it too cruel to ruin her with such a despicable method?
The next night, Li Mo arrived at the Li family’s old residence right on time.
“Momo’s here! Come in and sit down quickly,” Luo Lanya greeted her with great enthusiasm. “You must be tired after a day of work. You have to eat a lot today.”
Li Mo nodded as a response, took a couple of steps to the dining table, and took her seat.
“It’s rare for us as a family to get together. Let’s have a good drink and speak our hearts,” Li Father said, filling Li Mo’s wine glass.
Li Mo subconsciously frowned. Because of the car accident, she had been driving herself since her discharge from the hospital. If she drank, it would be inconvenient to return home today.
“I misunderstood things before. I hope Sister won’t hold my past mistakes against me,” Li Beichen had a proper smile on his face. Without giving Li Mo time to react, he quickly drank the wine in his glass in one go.
“We’re all family; of course, I won’t hold it against you,” Li Mo cooperated with the act, picking up the wine glass and taking a shallow sip as a response.
“That’s right. Family should support each other,” Li Father mediated. “With the siblings united, they can cut through anything.”
The four people at the dining table were all cooperating with the act, making the atmosphere seem very harmonious. If there had been an unaware observer nearby, they would certainly have thought this was a happy and loving family.
Li Mo’s tolerance for alcohol was very good. Even after being pressured to drink half a bottle of baijiu (white liquor), she only had a slight flush on her face, and her mind remained perfectly clear.
In contrast, Li Father and Li Beichen, in order to maintain the atmosphere at the table, had each consumed roughly a bottle of baijiu and were probably already struggling to distinguish one another.
“The hour is getting late now, Momo. You should go upstairs and rest, right?” Luo Lanya spoke up at the right time. “I had someone clean the room yesterday and prepare some fresh clothes.”
“Thank you for the thought, Auntie Luo, but I won’t be staying the night,” Li Mo politely refused, a hint of distance in her eyes. “If it’s convenient, please help me retrieve my mother’s belongings.”
Luo Lanya’s expression stiffened slightly. “You’ve been drinking. It must be inconvenient for you to drive, right?”
“It’s fine. Someone is coming to pick me up,” as if thinking of something, Li Mo’s lips curved into a smile. “She is probably here already. I won’t disturb your rest.”
Since Li Mo insisted on leaving, Luo Lanya couldn’t force her to stay. She could only hand over the collected belongings as requested, maintain a smile, and see her off.
“Li Mo—” Seeing her, Wen Runan happily waved, then jogged over.
“How much did you drink?” Walking closer, Wen Runan smelled the alcohol and wrinkled her nose with slight distaste.
Seeing the expression on Wen Runan’s face, Li Mo immediately reached out and hugged her, burying her nose into Wen Runan’s neck and saying somewhat indistinctly, “Mmm, I can’t remember. Anyway, together we drank more than two bottles, right?”
“That much? Are you drunk?” After hugging her, Wen Runan could smell the alcohol even stronger.
“Enn? Drunk? Who’s drunk?” Li Mo played dumb, incidentally shifting some of her weight onto Wen Runan, and said with slurred speech, “My alcohol tolerance is… is very good…”
Oh-ho, not only is she drunk, but she seems quite plastered!
Wen Runan instantly started making plans. If the great beauty was drunk, would anything special happen tonight?
Like, maybe she could help the great beauty take a shower?