It wasn't that Wen Ran lacked confidence in herself—rather, she possessed a clear sense of self-awareness. While she could handle matters at the pharmaceutical company, when it came to Mo Xiuchen, she knew full well she could be of little assistance.
Mo Xiuchen held her hand as they entered the dining room, pulling out a chair for her. "I'm not expecting you to do anything for me," he said with a reassuring smile. "Relax. I've already assigned A Mu to your brother, and there's also A Feng. He'll be present today. Though he was only transferred to City H a year ago, he's as capable as A Mu in handling the Group's affairs."
Originally, Mo Xiuchen had planned to send Luo Haofeng with the two women to the Wen Corporation. But knowing that, while Luo managed the pharmaceutical company in City H, he lacked A Mu's insight into the Wen family's inner workings, he had made the switch—reassigning A Mu despite the cost.
A glimmer of surprise flashed through Wen Ran's eyes. So, Luo Haofeng had once worked in City G—that explained his uncanny familiarity with the place.
"You can eat in peace now, can't you?" Mo Xiuchen said as he took the seat beside her, his voice laced with warmth. "There's a long day ahead. You'll need your strength, or you won't last."
Though her delicate features still held a trace of displeasure, Mo Xiuchen chuckled softly and peeled an egg, saying lightly, "We'll head to Cheng Jia's place first—things must be quite lively over there by now."
Wen Ran gave a twitch of her lips but said nothing.
Thanks to Mo Xiuchen's deliberate efforts to lighten the mood, breakfast passed without incident. The day ahead was packed with critical events: Mo Xiuchen's official appointment as President, and her brother's unveiling of Zhou Mingfu's treachery. Wen Ran's mind had no room for distraction.
As it turns out, people do love a spectacle.
On the way to Cheng Jia's home, Wen Ran received a call from Bai Xiaoxiao. Her excited voice rang from the other end of the line, leaving Wen Ran momentarily baffled. "Ranran! You and Mo Xiuchen aren't there yet? You're missing the climax—I'm giving you a live report!"
Frowning, Wen Ran asked in confusion, "Where are you?"
She hadn't told Xiaoxiao about Cheng Jia and Xiao Liu—how did she find out?
"Ha! Are you dense? I said I'm giving you a live broadcast—obviously, I'm standing right outside Cheng Jia's building. You wouldn't believe it, Ranran, the place is swarming with reporters—packed tighter than sardines! Not even a fly could squeeze through. Oh wait—I just saw Xiao Wenqing!"
Bai Xiaoxiao, clearly energized as if on a sugar high, was practically shouting. Even through the phone, the background noise was deafening.
Had she whispered, Wen Ran would have heard nothing.
"How did you know about this?"
Wen Ran wasn't particularly concerned with Cheng Jia's public disgrace—it was all part of Mo Xiuchen's carefully laid plan, with Xiao Wenqing fanning the flames. Everything was unfolding just as they'd predicted. But in the aftermath of any scandal, some would laugh—and some would bleed.
"It was Luo Haofeng who told me. At first, I thought he was messing with me. I had no idea it'd be this juicy! Ranran, you're so unfair. How could you keep something this explosive from me? Oh—and I heard that bastard Zhou Mingfu tried to pull another stunt on you. Are you okay?"
Luo Haofeng had assured her Wen Ran was fine, but Bai Xiaoxiao never trusted anyone's word but Wen Ran's own.
So that's how she found out—Wen Ran chuckled to herself. Of course, Luo Haofeng.
"I'm fine," she replied with a faint smile. "So he tipped you off for the show—did you happen to see those two women who tried to kidnap me?"
"Pfft—don't bring that up, or I'll die laughing. Your Mo Xiuchen is so ruthlessly cunning—he actually sent those two hideous women to keep Luo Haofeng company all night. Honestly, I should thank him. Luo Haofeng said they disgusted him so much, he desperately needed a beauty like me to cleanse his senses."
Wen Ran burst into laughter, drawing a glance from Mo Xiuchen. She returned the look briefly, then continued chatting with Bai Xiaoxiao. "Don't let his sweet words fool you. I'm almost there—we'll talk later."
As the car rounded a bend, Wen Ran spotted the entrance to Cheng Jia's complex. The crowd had already vanished—likely gone upstairs.
Ending the call, she turned to Mo Xiuchen. "With that many reporters, can Xiao Liu handle the pressure? He might be traumatized."
Mo Xiuchen chuckled lightly, his tone relaxed. "You underestimate him. He may seem mild-mannered, but dealing with a few journalists is nothing for him."
He'd trained him well the night before. Xiao Liu had always obeyed him without question—whether it was sleeping with a woman or laying down his life.
"We'll have to park here and walk the rest of the way. Can you manage?"
Mo Xiuchen eased the car to a stop at the curb. Judging from the sea of parked vehicles, the entire media scene in City G had descended. He couldn't help but wonder—was Xiao Wenqing satisfied with today's performance?
Wen Ran nodded. She wasn't so pampered that she couldn't manage a short walk.
Mo Xiuchen smiled as he parked the car and undid her seatbelt. Stepping out, he circled around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. His tall figure stood poised and elegant, and he extended his hand with a gentle smile. "My lady wife, your chariot awaits."
Wen Ran shot him a mock glare. The morning sunlight bathed his striking features in gold, accentuating the sculpted lines of his face. Tall and noble, his presence was effortlessly captivating. Her heartbeat stuttered, thrown into chaos.
Her porcelain cheeks flushed with a delicate blush—whether from the sun or her own embarrassment, she could not tell.
Mo Xiuchen's gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat longer before he gently took her soft hand in his palm. Hand in hand, they stepped into the community together.
Just then, a group of people exited the building across from them.
In the lead were several reporters, cameras clicking nonstop. Behind them walked Xiao Liu and Cheng Jia.
Xiao Liu, like a knight shielding his lady, used his towering frame to shield the frail Cheng Jia. His brow was furrowed, his gaze sharp. Cheng Jia, however, looked pale and utterly worn, her spirit drained.
As they emerged into the open, Cheng Jia looked up—and her eyes landed on Mo Xiuchen, so tall and striking, exuding an air of unattainable nobility, his hand entwined with the radiant, rose-like Wen Ran.
Her pupils contracted. The last trace of color drained from her face.
Her weakened body swayed, nearly collapsing even in Xiao Liu's arms.
Something seemed to explode in her chest. For a long while, her mind went utterly blank, her dazed eyes locked in a silent, wistful gaze upon the man who seemed almost divine in her eyes.
Wen Ran, too, was momentarily taken aback by Cheng Jia's disheveled appearance. She had once loathed this woman, had even issued stern warnings that as long as she was around, she'd never allow anyone to take her husband.
But now, seeing her so broken—like a discarded porcelain doll—and watching her look at Mo Xiuchen with such lovesick longing that she forgot even her pain, Wen Ran found herself unable to feel pity… or satisfaction.
Mo Xiuchen seemed to sense her shift in emotion. His grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly. His gaze swept coolly over Cheng Jia before returning to the woman beside him, eyes soft, voice low as he leaned in to whisper by her ear:
"Don't waste your sympathy on her. The one she covets… is your husband."