When Linda and her companion were about to leave, she turned back to cast a fierce glare at Bai Xiaoxiao and Wen Ran. Even though Luo Haofeng hadn't spoken a single word to them since his appearance, women, by nature, possess an instinctive sensitivity.
The two of them were convinced that Luo Haofeng was acquainted with Bai Xiaoxiao and Wen Ran.
Linda was unaware of Luo Haofeng's true identity, and since she had yet to earn the approval of Xiao Yuting's parents, she dared not act too arrogantly.
After they left, Luo Haofeng lazily turned his gaze to Bai Xiaoxiao and said, "Didn't you say you wanted this dress earlier? Go try it on."
A flicker of surprise flashed through Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes. She fixed her gaze on Luo Haofeng's bewitchingly handsome face for a moment, then replied coolly, "Thank you, but I no longer need it."
With that, she turned to Wen Ran and said, "Ranran, let's go."
Wen Ran smiled and responded with a soft "Alright," nodding politely to Luo Haofeng without questioning whether he was the owner of the boutique, and followed Bai Xiaoxiao out.
Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao had just gotten into the car and were about to head to their next destination—a spa—when Mo Xiuchen called.
One hand on the steering wheel, the other holding the phone to her ear, Wen Ran's voice drifted softly from her red lips, gentle and calm, "Hello?"
"Ranran, where are you now?"
Mo Xiuchen's warm, mellifluous voice flowed into her ear. Glancing out the car window, Wen Ran replied placidly, "Xiaoxiao and I just finished shopping. You don't need to pick me up tonight—we're going to grab dinner and catch a movie afterward."
"Alright. Be safe, both of you."
The words he had originally intended to say shifted mid-sentence. He added a few more words of concern before ending the call.
"No time for you, huh?"
In the office, Gu Kai looked at Mo Xiuchen, who had just hung up, and asked curiously.
On the sofa, Shen Yuting held her cup in both hands, quietly observing Mo Xiuchen's sharp, handsome profile. She was no longer surprised by the tenderness he reserved only for Wen Ran, but the sorrow in her heart had sunk deep into her very soul.
A contemplative glint flickered in Mo Xiuchen's eyes as he offered a casual explanation. "She's out shopping with Bai Xiaoxiao. They're planning to watch a movie later."
"Isn't Bai Xiaoxiao her best friend? I thought Ranran was meeting some guy, judging from your jealous expression," Gu Kai teased with a grin.
He had observed clearly the subtle changes in Mo Xiuchen's expression during the call.
Mo Xiuchen cast him a sidelong glance. "I just found it odd. A few days ago, Ranran said Bai Xiaoxiao was still traveling abroad. She never mentioned she had returned."
Still, given his sharp instincts, he guessed that Bai Xiaoxiao had returned today. Considering the recent scandal involving Xiao Yuting and his new model girlfriend, Bai Xiaoxiao was likely in a poor mood. It made sense that Wen Ran would spend the day keeping her company.
Wen Ran hadn't expected to run into Mo Xiuchen and the others that night.
After the movie, which ended around nine, Bai Xiaoxiao suggested dinner at Yi Pin Xuan.
The main floors were too noisy, so Bai Xiaoxiao requested a serene private room on the third floor and ordered all their favorite dishes. Midway through the meal, Wen Ran excused herself to use the restroom. Just as she exited the stall, she unexpectedly ran into Shen Yuting.
Their eyes met—Wen Ran's gaze held a flash of surprise. She had seen Shen Yuting that afternoon in the parking lot with Mo Xiuchen. They hadn't been far apart, and because of Mo Xiuchen, she had remembered Shen Yuting's face.
Shen Yuting had seen Wen Ran's photo before, so she recognized her instantly. Her expression also flickered with a hint of astonishment—they hadn't expected to meet here.
Wen Ran walked to the mirror. Shen Yuting didn't immediately enter a stall but instead stepped up beside her, glancing at her reflection before smiling politely. "Excuse me, are you Miss Wen Ran?"
Wen Ran turned to her, smiling gently at the elegant woman before her. "Yes, I am. And you are?"
Upon hearing her confirm, Shen Yuting's smile deepened as she extended her hand graciously. "I'm Shen Yuting, Gu Kai's cousin. I've known Xiuchen since childhood."
Gu Kai's cousin?
And someone who had grown up alongside Mo Xiuchen.
No wonder—at the airport this afternoon, she'd sensed that there was a familiarity between them. His demeanor toward her had lacked his usual aloofness.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Shen."
Wen Ran shook her hand politely. Shen Yuting added warmly, "I just returned from abroad today. Xiuchen and my cousin insisted on hosting a welcome dinner for me. Originally, he wanted to invite you as well, but then he said you already had plans tonight."
Wen Ran replied with a soft smile, "Yes, I had arranged to see a movie with a friend."
She paused briefly, then added courteously, "Though I didn't know you were the guest of honor tonight, since we've met here, it must be fate. If it's convenient, I'd be glad to come over and greet everyone."
Earlier, at the airport, she'd only seen Shen Yuting in passing, but her instincts told her that this woman harbored deep affection for Mo Xiuchen. The gentleness in her eyes and her smile didn't belong to someone regarding just a friend.
Having already experienced someone like Cheng Jia, she was no longer surprised that other women admired Mo Xiuchen. Despite the rumors of his ailment, his appearance and demeanor were more than enough to make any woman fall for him.
Shen Yuting's smile brightened. "Of course, I'd love that. Tonight's guests are just a few close friends of my cousin's. You must be here with your friend, right? Why not invite her along as well—it'll be livelier."
Although Shen Yuting had initially disliked Wen Ran upon seeing her photo—since she was the one Mo Xiuchen cared about—meeting her in person had disarmed her. Wen Ran's gaze was clear as water, her temperament serene and elegant. Despite being a rich heiress, she gave off the quiet grace of an orchid in bloom.
Upon returning to the room, Wen Ran told Bai Xiaoxiao about running into Shen Yuting and asked whether she'd like to join them. If she didn't, Wen Ran said she'd just stop by to say hello and return quickly.
"Why wouldn't I go? Since it's the same woman we saw at the airport earlier, of course I'm coming with you. But Ranran, your dear Mo Xiuchen really is a magnet for peach blossoms. If not for the fact that all of G City knows about his, ahem, condition, I'd say you wouldn't even have time to eat, let alone fend off all those love rivals."
Wen Ran shot her a mock glare and laughed. "The fact that women admire my husband should make me proud—it means I married an exceptional man. As for love rivals, I have little interest in them. As the saying goes, 'It takes two hands to clap.' If he has no intention of straying, no matter how persistent the others are, he won't falter. But if he does have the intent, even if I stayed glued to him, I couldn't stop him."
Bai Xiaoxiao frowned, momentarily at a loss for words.
After a pause, she asked, "Ranran, do you trust Mo Xiuchen that much, or do you simply not care about other women admiring him? I mean, you're right, but still—he's your husband. You should keep an eye on him, especially when he's such a catch. Don't give those women a chance."
Wen Ran smiled and chose not to continue the topic, instead saying, "Alright, since you're coming along, let's go."
Mo Xiuchen and the others were in a private room at the far end of the first floor. Shen Yuting had left the door open after returning.
After a short conversation, Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao stepped into the corridor, immediately spotting Mo Xiuchen waiting under the dim lights. The shadows cast by the overhead lamps etched his silhouette into sharp relief, his profile both firm and striking.
"Ranran, Mo Xiuchen's out here waiting for you," Bai Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
"Let's go," Wen Ran replied with a soft smile, her tone calm and composed.
"I think I'll pass," Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly said. "Ranran, you go ahead. Those people are his friends—you know them. To me, they're strangers. Besides, I'm tired after today. I just want to head home and sleep."
Her abrupt change of heart startled Wen Ran. She hesitated, wanting to say something, but Bai Xiaoxiao grinned and gently nudged her forward. "Go on—I've already monopolized you all afternoon and evening. If I cling to you any longer, your Xiuchen might get jealous."
"If you really don't feel comfortable dining with strangers, I'll just greet them quickly and come right back."
Wen Ran was torn. Bai Xiaoxiao had truly ended things with Xiao Yuting today. Though she put on a brave face, her heart must be aching. As a friend, Wen Ran wanted to stay by her side.
Bai Xiaoxiao gave her a playful glare. "Don't overthink it. I'm just tired. Go already—I'm handing you back to Mo Xiuchen. Let him treat you to dinner. Make sure he pays. I'm leaving."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Wen Ran opened her mouth to call after her but said nothing in the end, watching as Bai Xiaoxiao's steps receded into the night.
"Ranran."
A deep, magnetic voice drifted toward her. It carried Mo Xiuchen's familiar presence. She turned and met his warm gaze. He offered a brief explanation.
"Xiaoxiao said she was tired from a full afternoon out, so she went home early."
"When did Bai Xiaoxiao return?"
Mo Xiuchen's gaze was gentle as he looked at her. She was nearly a head shorter than him. Standing before him, she had to tilt her delicate face slightly to meet his eyes.
Their breath mingled in the still air, the atmosphere between them quietly softening.
"She came back this afternoon," Wen Ran said with a smile. "She wasn't in the best mood, so I spent the day with her. We even bumped into Luo Haofeng."
Mo Xiuchen had just heard from Luo Haofeng about that encounter. "Ah Feng mentioned it earlier. That shop belongs to his sister. He said two women gave you and Bai Xiaoxiao a hard time."
He wasn't concerned about Bai Xiaoxiao—his only worry was whether Wen Ran had been mistreated.
"It wasn't anything serious. They were just a bit petty—one of them is Xiao Yuting's new flame."
"This afternoon, Gu Kai called me out of the blue to pick up his cousin Yuting at the airport. I didn't see you there, so I had no idea you two met in the restroom."
Mo Xiuchen's tone was casual, but it was clearly a subtle explanation. Whether Wen Ran had seen him or not, he felt she deserved to know the truth.
Wen Ran blinked and said lightly, "What a coincidence. Miss Shen recognized me right away. She mentioned that you and Gu Kai were hosting a dinner for her. Since she's your childhood friend and Gu Kai's cousin, I figured it would be rude not to say hello."
Mo Xiuchen smiled, reached for her hand, and said gently, "Let's go."
In the private room were only Gu Kai, Luo Haofeng, and Qin Mu. They were used to seeing Mo Xiuchen with Wen Ran. Only Shen Yuting's expression briefly dimmed before she quickly put on a bright smile again.
"Xiuchen, I thought you and Miss Wen had already left. Where's her friend?"
Shen Yuting stood and greeted them with a warm smile, taking Wen Ran's free hand and saying cheerfully, "As soon as I mentioned meeting you, Xiuchen immediately went out to fetch you. Xiuchen, I brought Ranran to you—don't you owe me a thank you?"
She turned to Wen Ran with a light laugh. "I hope you don't mind if I call you Ranran. Calling you 'Miss Wen' just feels so awkward."
Wen Ran gently withdrew her hand from Mo Xiuchen's grasp. He didn't stop her, but his gaze lingered on her.
"Of course I don't mind. My friend had to leave early," she replied with a serene smile.
"Then it's settled. I'll call you Ranran. I'm a few years older than you. You can call me Sister Ting, or just Yuting like the others do."
"Alright, Sister Ting."
Just as Wen Ran finished speaking, Mo Xiuchen's phone began to ring.
"Ranran, let's sit down first and continue chatting," Shen Yuting said as she led Wen Ran to the large round table.
She asked Gu Kai to shift over and pulled over the chair she had saved for Wen Ran, seating her right beside herself—directly across from Mo Xiuchen.
To Wen Ran's left sat Gu Kai, and to her right, Shen Yuting. Luo Haofeng was to Gu Kai's left, while Qin Mu sat on Shen Yuting's right. Mo Xiuchen's seat was between Luo Haofeng and Qin Mu.
After Wen Ran sat down, she looked toward Mo Xiuchen. He was frowning slightly at his phone. Noticing her gaze, he looked up, softened his expression, and gave her a gentle smile.
He didn't answer the call—instead, he hung up.
Just as he sat down, the phone rang again.
From across the table, Luo Haofeng grinned mischievously. "Xiuchen, which beauty is so persistent? She's not giving up until you answer."
Mo Xiuchen shot him a cold glance and answered flatly, "Cheng Jia."
Then he handed the phone to Luo Haofeng. "If you like her that much, take the call yourself."
Luo Haofeng blinked in disbelief. Seeing Shen Yuting and Wen Ran struggling to hold back their laughter, while Qin Mu remained impassive and Gu Kai smirked like he was watching a play, Luo Haofeng let out a laugh. "Alright, I'll take care of this Cheng Jia problem for you."