“Um, can I explain?” Wen Runan shrunk her head back, speaking with a guilty conscience.
“You may. Go ahead and explain,” Li Mo glanced around. After spotting a few details, a part of the anger in her heart dissipated.
“Uh…” Wen Runan scratched her face. Having successfully gained the chance to explain, she found herself in a dilemma.
The mission requires Li Beichen to believe everything happened. If I explain the truth to Li Mo, will Li Beichen also somehow learn the truth?
“Can’t you speak?” Li Mo’s gaze turned dangerous. The gentle facade she usually wore was almost gone, replaced by barely suppressed rage and possessiveness.
“Didn’t you say you would always stand by me?” Li Mo’s voice became much deeper as she walked step by step toward Wen Runan. “Why did you leave with Li Beichen?”
“I…” Wen Runan instinctively retreated, desperately trying to think of a countermeasure. Only when her back was against the wall and she could retreat no further did she offer a flimsy excuse.
“It was Li Beichen. He said he had very important news concerning your safety, and he would only tell me if I followed him,” Wen Runan knew her excuse was weak, but she was rushed, and that was the best she could come up with.
“So you just followed him?” Li Mo narrowed her eyes. She would believe half of that explanation at most.
“I was worried about your safety too…” Wen Runan’s voice grew more hesitant, and her palms started to sweat.
Li Mo didn’t speak. Instead, she placed her hands on the wall, blocking all of Wen Runan’s avenues of retreat.
Remembering their previously harmonious relationship, Li Mo slowly exhaled. She decided to make an exception and give Wen Runan one more chance.
“I hate being lied to the most. I’ll ask you one last time: why are you here? And why with Li Beichen?”
Wen Runan remained silent. If she wasn’t allowed to lie, she probably couldn’t explain anything at all.
This attitude displeased Li Mo, but she still suppressed her anger. “Speak.”
Li Mo searched her heart. Aside from her initial intent to kill, she had essentially pampered and indulged Wen Runan. She had reined in her destructive urges and slowly cultivated feelings with Wen Runan according to the guide 033 compiled.
The only time she was less restrained was during intense intimacy, but even then, Li Mo believed she had never done anything to harm Wen Runan.
So, the current Li Mo was perplexed. Why, under these circumstances, would Wen Runan choose to lie to her, and for the sake of that good-for-nothing Li Beichen at that?
“You don’t like being lied to, and I don’t like lying to you either.” After a pause, Wen Runan thought of a better excuse, but facing Li Mo’s dark eyes, she suddenly didn’t want to say it anymore and simply decided to give up the struggle.
“I can’t explain why I’m here, and I can’t explain why the scene looks like it does. All I know is that I’ve been on your side from the beginning until now. I never chose Li Beichen.”
After saying this, Wen Runan realized this argument sounded familiar. Li Beichen had used similar logic to explain his engagement to Liu Lu.
Holy crap! Doesn’t that make me just as bad as Li Beichen? I’m not a jerk—bah! A jerkette!
Li Mo frowned in displeasure. Do I have no deterrent effect at all now? Wen Runan even dares to zone out in a situation like this!
“No reason, but you want me to trust you?” Li Mo used her right hand to pinch Wen Runan’s chin, giving a displeased harrumph.
Wen Runan was forced to look up, a layer of mist hiding in her eyes, looking pitifully at Li Mo.
Meeting Wen Runan’s gaze, Li Mo subconsciously eased the pressure on her hand, slightly paused, then released her chin, instead placing her finger pad against Wen Runan’s neck, her index finger gently rubbing the area where there was no protruding Adam’s apple.
“You don’t like me lying to you—” Sharply sensing Li Mo’s retreat, Wen Runan grew bold. Ignoring the fact that her neck was being touched, she directly wrapped her arms around Li Mo.
“I was wrong this time. I promise it won’t happen again—” Wen Runan whined softly. Since she couldn’t move her neck, she raised her leg and rubbed it against Li Mo.
Li Mo’s breathing hitched. She immediately leaned down, pressing Wen Runan, legs and all, against the wall. “Stop fooling around.”
“Is this fooling around?” Wen Runan’s fingertips traced patterns on Li Mo’s back, her tone utterly innocent. “I am apologizing with great sincerity.”
Li Mo held her against the wall, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the person on the bed. Killing intent spread in her eyes.
When it came down to it, the culprit behind all this was Li Beichen. As long as he disappeared, Wen Runan wouldn’t have to make a choice. She would always stand by her.
“Li Mo, I’m hungry. I want to eat something,” Wen Runan seemed to sense something. Taking advantage of Li Mo’s distraction, she removed the hand from her neck and pressed her entire body against her. “I want hot pot.”
Li Mo remained silent, seemingly pondering something. Her peripheral vision still hadn’t moved away from Li Beichen.
What a pity. I was too rushed when I arrived today. Many people know I came looking for Li Beichen. If he really died here, clearing my own name would be difficult.
“From now on, you’re not allowed to see him without my permission,” Li Mo’s low voice emerged. She then bit Wen Runan’s neck in a warning gesture, only releasing her after leaving a dark red mark.
Wen Runan couldn’t help but shiver. Her body entered a state of self-defense for a split second. However, because the moment was so brief, even she didn’t notice it, assuming she was just overly sensitive.
Going to eat hot pot is impossible. Li Mo silently draped her coat over Wen Runan, ignored her protests, and simply picked her up horizontally and left.
“I don’t have shoes on!” Wen Runan wrapped her arms around Li Mo’s neck in protest, inwardly sighing with relief. She had finally managed to muddle her way through this situation.
Wen Runan was unaware at the moment that Li Mo’s retreat was not the end of the matter, but the beginning of her overt possessiveness.
The assistant had been waiting at the door and was visibly shocked when her boss emerged carrying Wen Runan. Although she wasn’t completely surprised, seeing it in person still caused a visible reaction!
The next day, Li Mo specially stopped by the Administrative Department before going to work, publicly requesting a three-day sick leave for Wen Runan in front of numerous employees.
The manager didn’t dare say a word and quickly processed the leave application for Wen Runan, then bowed to usher the imposing Li Mo out.
“What did you say? Li Mo didn’t drink the hangover soup? The car was directly towed away by the repair shop?” Li Beichen’s head pounded after waking up. The real and illusory memories tangled in his mind, making him unable to distinguish what was true and what was false.
“Where is Li Mo? Where is she now?” Li Beichen looked around. Seeing the traces on the bed and floor, the corresponding images immediately surfaced in his mind.
He definitely brought Wen Runan back last night. From the looks of it, everything that should have happened did.
Luo Yalan: “Li Mo went to the company. She looks no different than usual.”
Li Beichen: “What about Wen Runan? Did she go to the company too?”
Luo Yalan recalled, “She seems to have taken leave. Li Mo requested a three-day sick leave for her.”
“I understand. Please continue to keep an eye on Li Mo for me, Stepmother.” After hanging up the phone, Li Beichen got out of bed and stood up. He hadn’t taken two steps when he froze, his eyes wide.
What’s going on? What happened to my bedroom door? Was there a robbery!