After a quick shower, he dressed in a crisp black suit, his usual relaxed deanor replaced with sothing colder and sharper.
Before leaving, he casted one last glance at Lixue, who had now curled into the space he had left behind, her body seeking his warmth even in sleep.
His gaze softened briefly before he turned on his heel and left the room.
—
The Mo estate was as imposing as ever, its grand halls filled with an air of quiet authority.
The butler led Mo Ran to the drawing room, where Mo Zhengrong and Fei Baeya were already seated, their expressions unreadable. A pot of tea sat between them, though left untouched.
Mo Ran stepped inside without hesitation, his posture relaxed but his sharp gaze betraying his readiness for whatever they had summoned him for.
Fei Baeya was the first to speak, her tone cool and asured. "Sit."
Mo Ran took his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he rested an arm along the back of the chair. "I assu this isn’t a morning tea invitation?"
Zhengrong exhaled sharply, his fingers tapping against his cane. "Enough with the joke, Ran. Explain."
Mo Ran arched a brow. "Be more specific, Grandfather. I do many things worth questioning."
Fei Baeya’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Don’t test our patience." She reached for the remote beside her and turned on the television. The screen ca to life with last night’s broadcast—Lixue, standing on stage in that custom gown, her voice carrying through the arena as she perford under the dazzling lights.
The performance had been a masterpiece, but the mont it ended, the cara had zood in on her face—the bright eyes, the raw emotion, the sheer presence she commanded.
Fei Baeya turned off the television and faced Mo Ran once more. "This."
Mo Ran’s expression didn’t change. "What about it?"
Zhengrong’s grip on his cane tightened. "Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what we an."
Fei Baeya’s voice remained calm, but there was a clear edge to it. "We have tolerated a great deal, Mo Ran. But this... this is sothing we cannot overlook."
Mo Ran leaned forward slightly, his smirk gone. "And what exactly is ’this’? My wife pursuing her career?"
Zhengrong scoffed. "A career in an industry that nearly destroyed this family."
Mo Ran’s eyes darkened. He had grown up hearing the stories, how the Mo family had once had ties to the entertainnt industry—how it had all ended in betrayal, in disgrace. How his grandparents had severed all connections, vowing never to be entangled in that world again.
"I understand your concerns," Mo Ran said, his tone even. "But this isn’t the past. And Lixue is not the person who betrayed you."
Fei Baeya exhaled, her gaze steady. "Perhaps not. But the industry remains the sa. It is fickle, ruthless. People like her are built up only to be torn down. Do you truly believe she will be exempt?"
Mo Ran’s jaw tightened. He knew better than anyone how cutthroat the entertainnt world could be. But he also knew Lixue. She wasn’t soone who would crumble under pressure.
"I believe in her," he said simply.
Zhengrong shook his head. "Then you are a fool."
Mo Ran chuckled, but there was no amusent in his voice. "And you are still chained to the past."
Silence stretched between them and for a long ti.
Fei Baeya studied him for a long mont before setting her teacup down with a quiet clink. "Very well, Mo Ran. If you insist on supporting her, we will not stop you."
Mo Ran’s gaze remained locked with hers. "But?"
"But we will not extend our hand should things fall apart," she said smoothly. "Should she fail, should the industry turn on her, do not co seeking our assistance."
Mo Ran’s lips curled into a smirk, his confidence unwavering. "Noted."
Zhengrong sighed, shaking his head. "You always were stubborn."
Mo Ran stood, straightening his cuffs. "It’s a family trait, isn’t it?"
Without another word, he turned and left the room, his mind already focused on returning ho to Lixue.
Zhengrong exhaled deeply as the doors closed behind him. "This will not end well."
**************
Lixue slowly woke up, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She blinked a few tis, her mind still hazy from the events of the night before. She was alone in the bed now, the warmth of Mo Ran’s body gone, and the room felt oddly quiet. Her eyes darted to the empty side of the bed, the pillow slightly indented where he’d been.
She sat up, pulling the sheets around her, her body still sore from the intensity of the night.
She wondered where he could have gone, quickly taking a shower, she wore so hoy clothes, grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.
She had seen Aster who looked like she had sothing to say.
The dark skinned woman, had her hair pulled into styles that made Lixue admire her even more.
"Good morning madam, congratulations on your debut. I’m here to give you a response to your offer and my answer is...yes. I would love to know what it’s like working with madam Mo.."
Lixue smiled as she stretched her hand... "I hope to have blissful ti working with you Aster.."
Aster nodded she too reaching out, as their hands t she replied.
"Saying that, I found a good gem spot we can try out. Sowhere in b city there a gem black market there, we can test our hands before we go to the proper places.."
Lixue smiled, Aster had already began to prove herself to be a efficient subordinate and they haven’t even signed the contract yet.
"Thank you Aster, let’s continue this over breakfast..."
"..."
"The table is reserved for the master and his wife, young madam...we are not allowed to eat there.."
"....!!"
"Who told you that nonsense? Certainly not Mo Ran right? The table is ant for eating, nothing else..doesn’t matter who’s sitting on it.."
Aster shook her head, after working in many households...it was usually the case.
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