Mo Hanzhou: “What are you doing?”
Lu Qiao looked back at him and, for once, didn’t immediately get up to hug him. He just blinked his big eyes, wearing a serious expression as he said:
“Sir, when you encounter someone really annoying and hateful, how do you usually handle it?”
So, did you attend a tea party and meet someone who made you want to watch legal education programs just to restrain yourself from going after them?
“Didn’t you say you were having a good time?”
“I was having a great time. The tea party was fun, but life isn’t just about tea parties.”
He must have been deeply affected, talking so cryptically.
Mo Hanzhou sighed. Life was truly not easy look at what it had done to a healthy, positive young man!
“When you meet someone like that, you overpower them with your presence. If that doesn’t work, you have to rely on authority. For example, you can say you’re Mo Hanzhou’s wife and tell them to speak up if they have something to say, or leave if they don’t. If they’re still dissatisfied, tell them to come find me directly at Mo Corporation’s headquarters.”
Lu Qiao’s round, big eyes sparkled as he clapped enthusiastically. “That’s amazing!”
He praised sincerely:
“As expected of me I married a husband who’s handsome, rich, and dotes on me!”
“Now that you know, will you try to please your good husband in the future?”
“Yes!” Lu Qiao said loudly:
“Then, husband, shall we also engage in baby-making activities tonight? I’ll take good care of you.”
He asked with an innocent expression.
The invitation was quite tempting, but:
Mo Hanzhou: “No, it’s too late today. Doing it would be harmful to your health, and you need to get ready for bed.”
Lu Qiao sighed.
“Alright.”
Being a pampered wife wasn’t easy either you had to be careful not to “consume” too much of your husband’s energy.
The pain from the “buttocks” injury brought Mo Yun Chong not only physical suffering but also intense humiliation, so much so that he didn’t appear before Lu Qiao for the next few days.
Lu Qiao spent a joyful time with several ladies at the welfare center. When it was time to leave, the children at the center held his hand, calling him “big brother.”
The lady looked at him gently. “The children really like you.”
Lu Qiao replied humbly, “It’s because the children sensed your kindness.”
Could he say it was because he told them stories from the past, and now they were hooked, wanting him to come back and tell more sequels?
After the weekend, Lu Qiao returned to work as usual, and Mo Yun Chong finally overcame his inner barriers, reappearing on Thursday.
On Monday afternoon, around two o’clock, Lu Qiao was dozing off in his office when someone knocked on the door.
Lu Qiao immediately straightened up.
“Come in.”
Xiao Zhang from the activities department walked in. “Boss, there’s a Mr. Mo outside looking for you.”
Lu Qiao followed the manager to the lounge and, unsurprisingly, saw Mo Yun Chong’s face, which he believed to be handsome and charming.
As the saying goes, a beauty becomes tiresome after three days, while an ugly person grows familiar. Now, facing this face, Lu Qiao felt completely indifferent.
Mo Yun Chong wore a smile as he walked toward Lu Qiao with an air of deep affection. “President Lu.”
He glanced meaningfully at the person behind Lu Qiao, lowering his voice as if to avoid suspicion, making his tone even more magnetic:
“Long time no see.”
Who are you batting your eyes at? Do you think your affected speech and ambiguous posture aren’t enough?
“Mr. Mo, long time no see.”
Lu Qiao sent Xiao Zhang away, his pupils dilated, a trace of worry visible between his brows as he looked at Mo Yunchong:
“Mr. Mo, is your injury healed? The one on your buttocks.”
Mo Yunchong’s handsome face stiffened abruptly.
Still unaware of his strange reaction, Lu Qiao continued with sincere concern, “You seemed to be in a lot of pain that day. There was such a loud crack, and you kept crying out. Is everything all right now?”
“It’s fine!” Mo Yunchong quickly cut off his concern, his expression rigid as he said stiffly, “I’m completely fine now. Let’s not talk about this anymore.”
“Oh.” Lu Qiao nodded, seeming to understand yet not quite, and added apologetically, “I’m really sorry about that day. You were hurt so badly. I shouldn’t have run away, but ”
As Lu Qiao repeatedly touched on his sore spot, Mo Yunchong could no longer contain himself and roared, “I said, stop talking about this!!”
He immediately regretted his outburst. Looking over, he saw that Lu Qiao was indeed startled.
“No, I didn’t mean to.”
Mo Yunchong inwardly cursed himself, but fortunately, Lu Qiao was considerate and had already found an excuse for him.
Lu Qiao bit his lip and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. You must have felt so ashamed and humiliated that day, and here I am bringing it up again and again. You must be angry.”
If you know it’s so embarrassing, why keep talking about it?!
Veins bulged on Mo Yunchong’s forehead, and his expression turned momentarily fierce. He took a few deep breaths before finally calming down, forcing a “smile” as he said to Lu Qiao, “It’s fine. You’re right, so let’s not mention that matter again.”
“Oh.” Lu Qiao nodded slowly.
He then changed the subject, “So, what brings you here today?”
What else could it be? Just some lowlife coming to harass his sister-in-law. However, after their earlier conversation, not only was there no atmosphere suitable for flirting, but Mo Yunchong himself couldn’t muster any flirtatious mood. His chest still seethed with irritation as he forced out dryly, “I came to see my sister-in-law.”
“Well, you’ve seen me now. I’m still at work and need to get back to it. You should focus on your work too, okay?”
He paused, then looked up at Mo Yunchong again, “By the way, do you even have a job?”
Mo Yunchong snapped angrily, “Of course I do!”
“Then do your work well.” Lu Qiao looked at him encouragingly, “No matter your background or status, you should always give your best at work. Keep it up!”
He made an extremely bright and cheerful cheering gesture before turning and walking away.
Mo Yunchong reached out, wanting to stop him but unsure what to say. He could only watch helplessly as Lu Qiao disappeared from his sight. Then, he turned and violently kicked a stool under the table, “Damn it!”
Mo Yunchong left Lu Qiao’s place seething with anger. Lu Qiao hadn’t done anything to actually harm him, but he had managed to infuriate him. The humiliation from that day and today’s frustration piled up, leaving Mo Yunchong agitated. He roughly ran a hand through his hair, got into his car, and drove to his usual bar.
Mo Yunchong frequented that bar, and the owner was someone he hung out with. Although it was only afternoon, there were already a few other idle people in the bar, equally bored and moldy.
He found his way to a spot at the bar and had just taken a couple of sips of his drink when a sexy beauty sat down beside him. Mo Yunchong, already in a foul mood and looking for a way to vent, glanced at the woman a few times before smiling and stepping up to strike up a conversation.
Under the influence of alcohol, the two quickly grew heated. After flirting at the bar for a while, they headed toward a nearby hotel.
Mo Yunchong went in to shower first. Although he would have loved to share a bath, his companion refused. Everyone has their own principles, and Mo Yunchong didn’t press her after all, they still had a whole wonderful night ahead of them.
As he showered, his restless heart finally found some comfort. This was his normal life. The unexpected encounters after meeting Lu Qiao were all just bullshit!
About ten minutes later, Mo Yunchong emerged with only a towel wrapped around his waist. The woman looked at him, whistled, and ran a flirtatious finger along his chin. Mo Yunchong smiled, watching her graceful figure, and felt his body heat up.
The woman took about ten minutes to shower, and Mo Yunchong was starting to feel a bit impatient when someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” he called out.
He walked over and opened the door, only for a group of men in police uniforms to rush into the room.
“Police inspection! We’ve received a report of illegal activities here!”
“What? Who said that?”
Several officers rushed in and restrained him. Mo Yunchong hurriedly covered his lower half, shouting, “I didn’t do anything! I’m just here with my girlfriend, normal hotel stay. Don’t wrongfully accuse me!”
Just then, his companion emerged from the bathroom, wearing only a bathrobe with her chest half-exposed. Seeing the scene outside, she immediately screamed.
“I’m sorry, I was wrong! He forced me!”
“What” Mo Yunchong was stunned. He yelled at the woman, “What the hell are you talking about, you bitch!”
“Officers, I really didn’t want to. I just made a mistake. He said he’d give me a lot of money.”
“Alright, alright, stop arguing. Take them both to the station.”
The police inspection caused quite a commotion, and many people gathered in the hotel lobby and near the elevators to watch. When the suspects were finally brought down, the crowd grew even more excited, pointing and whispering with great enthusiasm.
Mo Yunchong felt all the blood rush to his face. He desperately covered his head, suddenly grateful that no one could see his face clearly.
Yu Jiadong, blending into the crowd, called Lu Qiao.
“He’s been taken away.”
At the gallery, Lu Qiao was preparing to leave work. Bored, he picked up the keys on the table and said, “Prostitution charges can only keep him locked up for about ten days. He’ll be out soon.”
“Isn’t there a more permanent solution?”
He let his imagination run wild:
“For example, after drinking at night, he stumbles drunkenly onto the road and accidentally gets caught up in a gang fight, then accidentally gets stabbed.”
“Or, the woman he flirted with turns out to be the family member of some big shot, and the big shot doesn’t like him and decides to teach him a lesson.”
His tone was incredibly innocent as he spoke, but Yu Jiadong couldn’t help shivering. He felt Lu Qiao wasn’t just giving examples he was planning to carry them out.
After a long pause, Yu Jiadong could only reply dryly, “The Pingcheng government has been cracking down on illegal activities these past few years. There are no violent gangs on the streets anymore.”
Lu Qiao sighed. “I can see that.”
He couldn’t quite articulate whether his displeasure stemmed from Mo Yunchong’s insistence on clinging to him and causing trouble, or from the repeated insults Mo Yunchong had hurled at Mo Hanzhou in his presence.
But regardless of the reason, whenever he saw Mo Yunchong’s smug face, he couldn’t help but want to punch him.
Forget it. If Mo Yunchong truly didn’t know his place, he might as well break his legs first and see how things played out.
Lu Qiao quickly pushed Mo Yunchong to the back of his mind. After all, for him, the most important thing was to enjoy life, not to dwell on the pile of dog excrement along the way.
Under the dim glow of streetlights, with stars faint and the moonlight desolate, a man wrapped in a coat shivered as he walked out of the police station. When he reached a patch of illuminated ground, he lifted his face it was Mo Yunchong, who should have been detained for at least ten days or half a month.
Trembling, Mo Yunchong made his way to a black car parked at the intersection. As soon as he opened the door, the assistant inside said coldly:
“Mr. Yue sent you here to deal with Mo Hanzhou, not to embarrass him in public!”
Having endured a day of hardship, Mo Yunchong shrieked, “How was I supposed to know that woman was selling herself? And why would someone who sells herself admit it?”
“Enough! Do you think you haven’t embarrassed yourself enough?”
The assistant glanced at the man in the car, his eyes filled with disdain.
The only reason Mr. Yue was willing to associate with this lowly illegitimate child was because he could cause trouble for Mo Hanzhou. Yet, not only had he accomplished nothing, but he had also brought nothing but trouble to Mr. Yue.
“What are your plans next? If your performance doesn’t satisfy Mr. Yue, he will consider cutting off your financial support.”
Mo Yunchong’s eyes flickered with panic, but he quickly gritted his teeth and said:
“Don’t worry. I’ll make Mo Hanzhou taste the bitterness of betrayal.”
He had given Lu Qiao multiple chances. Since Lu Qiao refused to appreciate them, he shouldn’t blame him for being ruthless.
On a bright, sunny day, the glass roof kept the cold air outside at bay. Sunlight refracted into dazzling golden rays, and the warm indoor air, combined with the blooming flowers in the glass greenhouse, made it feel as though they were basking in the warmth of spring.
Lu Qiao lay sprawled across Mo Hanzhou’s lap, clinging to him affectionately.
“Here, I’ll draw Mr. Hanzhou’s head. This is Mr. Hanzhou’s car, and this is Assistant Fang…”
“And then, swish, swish ”
Lu Qiao scribbled and doodled, wielding a pen to freely splash colors across the white drawing paper while muttering to himself. Hearing him include many familiar faces in his drawing, Mo Hanzhou couldn’t resist his curiosity and glanced at the artwork pressed against the stool.
With that one glance, he let out a deep sigh.
Lu Qiao, sensitive to his sigh, suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with aggression:
“Is it not good?”
“No, I was just lamenting that Picasso died too early. If he had met you, he would have been comforted to know he had a successor.”
“He could have died in peace.”
“Really?”
Lu Qiao said delightedly, then rolled over, resting his head on Mo Hanzhou’s thigh and facing the sun. He picked up the barely recognizable drawing and began admiring it earnestly.
His adorable demeanor reminded Mo Hanzhou of a character from an animated film he had seen at a relative’s house during last year’s New Year celebration. He reached out and pinched Lu Qiao’s nose, calling out affectionately:
“Silly piggy.”
“What silly piggy?” Lu Qiao said sadly.
“Sir, have you mistaken me for someone else? Am I just a substitute for Zhuzhu?”
“What drama have you been watching lately?”
Mo Hanzhou was both amused and exasperated. He considered himself rational and steady, yet the little wife he married was both silly and naive. Could it be true what the elders say about spouses complementing each other? Was he destined to fall for a little fool?
He wrapped his arms around Lu Qiao’s waist and lifted him up, enjoying the leisurely afternoon sunshine of their holiday.
“You, before we got married, didn’t you seem quite clever? You even knew how to flatter me.” During their first meeting, he sat right beside him, serving him dishes, even startling Lu Guoan with his boldness.
“That’s because we weren’t married yet, so I had to work hard to deceive you, sir!” he declared with righteous confidence.
“Oh, so it was all a lie before marriage.”
“Not entirely,” Lu Qiao’s eyes darted around a few times before he turned and pressed his lips lightly against Mo Hanzhou’s, giving him a soft peck.
In a clear, sweet voice, he murmured, “At least, liking you is real. I liked you before marriage, and I still like you now.”
Mo Hanzhou sighed.
“Deceiving men again.”
Lu Qiao: “…”
Before, Mo Hanzhou’s weekends were never free from work. Being able to sit on the balcony, sipping bitter coffee while reading reports was already a rare luxury. But ever since Lu Qiao came into his home, his routine had been completely disrupted.
Others in the household either respected or feared Mo Hanzhou, treating his words as sacred commands. But Lu Qiao was different. Legally, they were equals, and in daily life, Lu Qiao appeared obedient but was actually a bit scatterbrained.
Not only did he often cling to Mo Hanzhou’s neck for no reason, but on weekends, he would also barge into his study wearing rabbit-shaped slippers, causing a ruckus here and there, filling the entire house with noise.
At first, the butler would remind him, but Lu Qiao would only stay quiet for a moment before growing restless again. Mo Hanzhou watched him barbecue, snack, and dig in the yard, having the time of his life, with the entire household revolving around him.
What could he do?
If you can’t beat them, join them.
After teasing his wife on the balcony and indulging in a leisurely lunch, the afternoon sun remained brilliant. The two of them cuddled up for a nap. When Mo Hanzhou woke up, he saw Lu Qiao lying on the other side of the bed, his head resting on the pillow, wearing headphones and watching a drama while propped up on his elbows.
His pajamas were a matching set, made of comfortable, snug-fitting cotton. The boy had a slender build with soft limbs. His small stomach sank deeply into the snow-white bedsheet, and the hem of his pajama top had ridden up from hugging his arms, revealing a stretch of fair, delicate waist that almost blended with the bedsheet beneath.
His long, smooth legs stretched out across the soft bedding, his feet slightly tensed, toes pressing into the mattress, the soles of his feet showing a faint pink hue.
Usually, when Mo Hanzhou looked at him, he only saw a childlike innocence. But at this moment, he suddenly realized—he had truly married a delicate little wife.
“What are you watching?”
His voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up. Lu Qiao turned around, his round face wearing an innocent smile. Perhaps because he had just woken up, he looked especially adorable.
He obediently replied, “Watching a TV drama. The male lead is a pianist who returned from abroad, and he’s super amazing at playing the piano.”
“How amazing?” Mo Hanzhou teased him on purpose. “More amazing than your husband?”
As expected, Lu Qiao blushed and whispered, “Of course, my husband is more amazing.”
Mo Hanzhou was satisfied.
“But the male lead is also amazing.”
“…”
Satisfaction -1.
Even after getting up, Lu Qiao hadn’t forgotten about it. Following his interest in painting, he had now developed a strong passion for playing the piano.
There was a piano at home. Mo Hanzhou used to play occasionally, but after the car accident, he lost interest in many things, and the piano was left untouched.
But now that his wife wanted it, it naturally had to be brought out.
Lu Qiao excitedly circled around the piano. “Sir, watch me play for you!”
Mo Hanzhou sat in the sunlight streaming through the high windows, a blanket draped over his legs, a faint smile on his lips as he watched his little wife’s excited expression.
“You know how to play the piano?”
“I’ve learned it, don’t worry.” Lu Qiao patted his chest, drawing on memories from two lifetimes. “I definitely know how… right?”
His expression faltered for a moment.
Mo Hanzhou: “…” Does he really know?
However, his doubts didn’t last long because soon, he experienced Lu Qiao’s piano skills firsthand.
At the first sound, the surrounding servants changed their expressions; at the second, their feet were already shifting outward.
When a series of ear-piercing, howling noises shattered the beautiful, affectionate sunlight from his fingertips, everyone quickly excused themselves under the pretense of work, their serious expressions even more earnest than the excuses Mo Hanzhou’s subordinates gave when they couldn’t deliver satisfactory results.
Yet, even so, Mo Hanzhou fulfilled his duty as a partner, keeping a straight face though in reality, he feared that if he moved a single muscle, he wouldn’t be able to maintain his composure.
He listened expressionlessly to something that could barely be called a melody and decisively stopped Lu Qiao when he paused briefly.
“That’s enough.”
“If you keep playing, the neighbors might think the long-dead psychological trauma in my legs has attacked me again. Who knows, they might get so excited they’d spread the news to the financial district.”
He tactfully added, “It could cause economic turmoil.”
Lu Qiao: “…”
Lu Qiao was downcast for the rest of the afternoon.
However, Mo Hanzhou couldn’t do much about it. Painting at most only hurt his own eyes, and he could just close them and praise it anyway. But everyone has ears, and he couldn’t bring himself to utter words of praise against his conscience.
Even during dinner, Lu Qiao looked listless. This was truly a big deal he was so upset he couldn’t even eat.
Mo Hanzhou placed both hands on either side of Lu Qiao’s face, turning his head to face him.
“Still upset?”
Transparent tears quickly gathered in the boy’s clear pupils, a mist spreading as a perfectly round teardrop spilled from the corner of his eye.
Mo Hanzhou’s chest tightened slightly.
“What’s wrong? Are you really upset.”
“The male and female leads clearly love each other. Why can’t they be together?” the boy choked out.
“Is it just because they’re siblings? What’s the big deal about being siblings? They’re just siblings, right? They don’t have to have children, so what’s the problem?”
Mo Hanzhou expressionlessly lowered his hands.
He had been overthinking it.
Mo Hanzhou had a fairly pleasant weekend. The following Monday, he went to the company. After the morning meeting, he called out to Fang Zhongbai, who was about to leave.
“I remember there was an invitation to a concert last week, wasn’t there?”
Fang Zhongbai quickly nodded. “Yes, it’s a performance by the internationally renowned master musician, Paul Visser.”
“Send me two invitations, and keep that day free.”
“Understood.”
Fang Zhongbai acted quickly, immediately sending the electronic invitation and related materials to Mo Hanzhou. Upon receiving them, Mo Hanzhou didn’t act right away but waited until his lunch break to forward them to Lu Qiao.
At that time, Lu Qiao was slumped over his desk, drowsy and half-asleep. He had set a special notification for Mo Hanzhou, so his phone lit up as soon as a message arrived.
Lu Qiao tapped open the message:
【Big_Husband: [Image][Image]】
【Big_Husband: A world-renowned musician, even more famous than your actor brother. Want to go to his concert?】
Lu Qiao’s eyes lit up:
【Lu Qiao: Yes, yes, of course I want to go!】
Seeing his reply, Mo Hanzhou smiled and set his phone aside.
The concert was on Wednesday evening. Lu Qiao had been looking forward to it since Monday, and on Wednesday, he dressed up like a little prince.
“Come here.”
Mo Hanzhou extended his hand, and Lu Qiao obediently stepped forward. Mo Hanzhou straightened his collar and said, “I’ll pick you up tonight, and we’ll have dinner first.”
“Mm.”
Night arrived as promised. After work, Lu Qiao and Mo Hanzhou first went to a restaurant near the concert venue for dinner. After the meal, they headed to the arts center together.
Fang Zhongbai had arranged VIP seats for them the best spot on the second floor. In recent years, due to health reasons, Mo Hanzhou had kept a very low profile when going out, but this didn’t hinder his status in Pingcheng’s upper-class circles. In fact, for certain unique reasons, he was particularly easy to recognize.
As soon as he went upstairs, someone recognized him and was about to step forward to exchange pleasantries. The assistant accompanying Mo Hanzhou that evening reached out to stop them. Mo Hanzhou wore a relaxed, cheerful smile but didn’t glance at the others, heading straight to their seats with Lu Qiao.
Only after sitting down did Lu Qiao notice that the seats around them were empty, soon occupied by several bodyguards Mo Hanzhou had brought along.
Mo Hanzhou had been indulgent with him from the start, so much so that Lu Qiao often forgot his identity. It was only now that he vaguely sensed Mo Hanzhou’s difference.
“…”
It wasn’t anything particularly special, aside from the fact that he was his husband.
The concert soon began.
Listening to music live was different from hearing compressed audio, and the music performed by a master differed from that of an ordinary composer. In both lifetimes, Lu Qiao had never experienced a moment like this, allowing him to so directly and openly feel the storm-like intensity of the music.
At times, it was as delightful as spring water; at others, it felt as earth-shaking and heart-pounding as a tremor. He soared with the wind one moment and trembled under its violent force the next.
The bright depth of the wind instruments, the elegant breadth of the strings, the gentle breeze stirred by the resonance of the instruments, and the vibrations of the floor all were sensations only those present could truly experience.
By the end of the concert, Lu Qiao felt as though he had journeyed through an entire season, from spring to winter, exhilarated and utterly satisfied.
Amid the curtain calls, thunderous applause filled the hall.
Lu Qiao clapped along, unable to contain his excitement. “Sir, let’s come to another concert next time.”
Mo Hanzhou smiled. “Of course.”
After the concert, there was a celebration party, accessible only to a select few with invitations. The organizers had learned in advance that Mo Hanzhou would be attending with his spouse. As soon as the two entered, Paul Visser’s Chinese agent, accompanied by Paul himself, immediately approached them.
Mo Hanzhou wore a gentle yet distant smile as he shook hands with Paul Visser, speaking in English:
“Your performance was truly moving. Both my beloved and I were deeply touched.”
Paul Visser, dressed in a black suit, stood tall with an elegant and confident demeanor, exuding the mature charm of a successful man. He replied graciously:
“Thank you for your and your beloved’s appreciation. I will continue to explore and advance on my musical journey.”
Mo Hanzhou turned to look at Lu Qiao beside him, switching back to Chinese: “Ah Qiao, do you have anything you’d like to say to the maestro?”
It was only then that Paul Visser noticed the man beside him.
Earlier, his agent had informed him that a prominent local tycoon and entrepreneur would attend the banquet with his spouse, specifically noting that the spouse was a man.
But the young man before him was exquisitely beautiful, radiating an aura of refined upbringing innocent and pure. Rather than a lover, he seemed more like a treasured possession hidden away by some wealthy and influential figure.
By now, many had noticed the exchange between the evening’s guest of honor and the legendary business figure of Pingcheng, their gazes involuntarily drifting toward them.
Lu Qiao’s nose twitched slightly as he turned to the man opposite him. A sweet smile still graced his face, his tone calm and seemingly casual:
“Mr. Visser, your performance stirred my soul. It was the most magnificent performance I have ever heard.”
“I look forward to your new works.”
He spoke in Dutch.
Paul was momentarily taken aback. He was Belgian, where the official languages were Dutch, French, and German, and he hailed from a region where Dutch was predominant. Most attendees at such events were well-bred elites, proficient in several foreign languages hardly surprising.
For instance, Mo Hanzhou had conversed with him in English without any communication barriers. Those more polished might use German or French to show respect, but encountering someone who spoke Dutch was rare. Compared to the other two languages, Dutch was relatively niche. This was the first person he had met in China who spoke Dutch with him.
While Paul was astonished, Lu Qiao remained unfazed. In the place he used to stay, talents from all over the world gathered, free from discrimination based on gender, race, or even species. The number of Belgians and Dutch he had dealt with could be counted by the dozen.
After the two exchanged polite pleasantries, Lu Qiao requested an autograph from Paul Visser. Once they parted ways, Mo Hanzhou looked at Lu Qiao with a meaningful gaze.
“Mrs. Mo, you’ve been hiding your talents.”
Mrs. Mo smiled without showing her teeth, responding with grace and propriety: “For the sake of Mr. Mo’s dignity.”
“Hmm, Mrs. Mo is thoughtful and considerate.”
The celebration had attracted many celebrities, but Mo Hanzhou remained the most prominent among them. Numerous people approached to exchange greetings with him. Mo Hanzhou engaged more with those who piqued his interest and dismissed others with a few words. None dared to offend him, politely stepping away.
After several such encounters, Mo Hanzhou grew bored. He glanced back and saw his Mrs. Mo hiding in a corner under the staircase, nibbling on a small cake.
He seemed quite at ease, like a little hamster tucked away in a corner.
Mo Hanzhou dismissed his assistant and approached with a smile.
“Mrs. Mo, what refined taste you have, enjoying cake alone here while abandoning your husband.”
Knowing he was at fault, Lu Qiao blinked and obediently offered the untouched chestnut cake in his hand.
“Husband, eat.”
Mo Hanzhou was somewhat appeased by the gesture. The two of them were enjoying a quiet moment in the corner, unaware that someone else had entered the venue until a voice abruptly interrupted.
“Brother, isn’t that my brother and sister-in-law?”
As the male voice drew closer, Mo Hanzhou’s expression visibly darkened.
Lu Qiao set down his plate and turned to see a man in a crisp suit. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly having power and influence really did make a difference.
He was out so soon.
As he spoke, Mo Yunchong had already approached the two of them.
“Big brother is in such high spirits, coming out to have fun late at night, and sister-in-law too.”
The man slowly revealed a malicious smile, staring meaningfully at Lu Qiao as he said:
“Long time no see, sister-in-law. Oh, it’s been a week, hasn’t it?”
Lu Qiao’s heart sank.
Mo Hanzhou’s gaze swept over the two standing face-to-face, the light in his eyes gradually dimming. When he spoke, his tone was icy:
“You’ve met?”
Mo Yunchong stepped forward first. “We’ve met, several times actually. We ran into each other at a teahouse before, and last week at an art gallery. But if we’re talking about our first meeting, that would be the day of your wedding, big brother and sister-in-law.”
“Come on, sister-in-law, tell big brother about the time we met in the upstairs room on your wedding day.” Words laced with venomous chill instantly fell among the three of them.
Mo Hanzhou’s assistant, seeing someone approach his boss and wife, was about to step in to handle the situation when he unexpectedly overheard the man’s words. He abruptly halted in his tracks.
The warmth in the air was instantly sucked away. The small corner beneath the staircase felt as if it had been cut out and thrown into a separate space, the air here carrying icy blades, each breath a near-suffocating pain.
Lu Qiao looked flustered, his face betraying helplessness and guilt, while Mo Hanzhou’s jaw was tightly clenched, his fingers gripping the wheelchair turning a faint shade of blue.
Mo Yunchong felt utterly exhilarated.
Lu Qiao suddenly lowered his head. “Sir, I’m sorry ”
Mo Yunchong’s lips curled into a smirk. Perfect. This was exactly the retribution he wanted Mo Hanzhou to suffer. Why should he look down on him from on high? Why should he enjoy all the beauty and luxury? Why…
Lu Qiao’s eyes were slightly red, his voice choked with emotion:
“Sir, I’m really sorry, but I was so afraid you’d abandon me to go save him. After all, he is your brother. Even though I couldn’t care less whether he lived or died, you’re so kind-hearted, sir. What if you couldn’t bear to see him getting beaten?”
Mo Yunchong, who had been reveling in his own fantasies, suddenly heard Lu Qiao’s words and glared at him angrily. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”
“What nonsense?” Lu Qiao wasn’t afraid of him. He glared back at Mo Yunchong with wide eyes, wearing an expression of someone who had nothing left to lose.
“That day, I saw you being dragged into a corner and beaten up. You looked really miserable. Although… although there was a tiny bit of pity, if I had gone to ask sir to save you, our wedding might have been affected.”
Lu Qiao’s eyes were slightly red as he spoke with a mix of grievance and self-reproach:
“I know I’m too malicious, petty, selfish, and unkind. But what could I do? After all, in my eyes, whether this person lived or died was completely unimportant compared to our wedding.”
“But sir definitely wouldn’t think that way, right? After all, sir is so kind-hearted.”