Mo Ran followed at a leisurely pace, his voice carrying an amused lilt. "Eat dinner first."
Lixue smirked. "So there is a reward huh."
He didn’t answer, but the small glance he gave her as he walked past, he had said enough.
She found herself smiling again.
The dining room was already set, the soft glow of the chandelier casting a warm light over the elegantly arranged dishes. The faint aroma of braised short ribs, stir-fried greens, and jasmine rice lingered in the air, a quiet reminder that this wasn’t so perfunctory al.
It was made with care.
Lixue slid into her usual seat, watching as Mo Ran took the one across from her. He moved with the sa composed efficiency he always did—pouring her a cup of tea before serving himself, his expression unreadable yet oddly familiar.
She lifted the cup to her lips, taking a slow sip before saying, "You didn’t have to wait for to eat."
Mo Ran glanced up, his tone even. "It’s just dinner, Lixue. Not so grand sacrifice."
She humd. "Still, it’s surprising. CEO Mo has ti to sit and wait?"
His chopsticks paused for a fraction of a second before he resud eating. "For my wife? Occasionally."
Lixue smirked. "What an honor."
Mo Ran didn’t rise to the bait, but there was a faint glint in his eyes—sothing amused, sothing patient.
They ate in a comfortable rhythm, the silence between them, did not make things awkward but settling.
Every so often, Lixue found her gaze lingering on him—the way he ticulously removed the bones from the fish before pushing the plate slightly toward her, the absentminded way he tapped his fingers against the table between bites, as if lost in thought.
She had never been the type to overanalyze silence, but with Mo Ran, it always felt like there was sothing unspoken beneath it.
Halfway through the al, he finally spoke.
"How was your day?"
Lixue raised a brow. "You’re suddenly interested?"
"You were out longer than usual." He leaned back slightly, studying her with that quiet, unreadable gaze. "So?"
She set down her chopsticks and rested her chin on one hand, as if considering. "Negotiations, fittings, getting my asurents taken down to the last milliter—"
Mo Ran’s brows lifted slightly. "asurents?"
"For the fashion brand I signed with," she clarified. "It was... thorough."
There was a beat of silence before he asked, "Did they treat you well?"
Lixue blinked.
That was unexpected.
She tilted her head, watching him. "If they didn’t, what would you do?"
Mo Ran t her gaze steadily. "You don’t need to know that answer. But you’d definitely be seeing so outcos."
She let out a soft chuckle. "Is that supposed to be comforting?"
"It’s a fact."
Sothing about the simplicity of his tone made warmth creep into her chest. She picked up her tea again, swirling it slightly before taking a sip.
"Don’t worry," she said lightly. "They treated like a prized jewel. If anything, they seed too excited."
Mo Ran nodded slightly, as if that was the only acceptable outco. "Good."
For a mont, neither of them spoke.
Then, in an almost casual tone, he added, "Make sure you don’t overwork yourself."
Lixue arched a brow. "Since when do you give health advice?"
Mo Ran’s lips quirked faintly. "Since my wife works more than I do."
She huffed a quiet laugh. "You really do keep track, don’t you?"
"I told you," he said smoothly, "occasionally."
Lixue rested her chin on her palm, watching Mo Ran with a slow, amused smile. "What was that about a reward again?"
Mo Ran t her gaze without hesitation. "It’s waiting for you upstairs."
Her fingers tapped lightly against the rim of her tea cup. "You make it sound mysterious. Should I be worried?"
He leaned back slightly, his posture as relaxed as ever. "If you don’t want it, I can always take it back."
Lixue chuckled. "Oh? That confident I won’t refuse?"
Mo Ran didn’t answer directly, but there was a faint smirk on his face. Instead, he pushed back his chair and stood up. "You’ll see for yourself."
Lixue exhaled, setting down her cup before rising as well. As she followed him up the stairs, she realized she was actually a little curious. Mo Ran wasn’t the type to make grand gestures or indulge in unnecessary theatrics. If he said sothing was a reward, then it was sothing he had deliberately prepared.
She reached the bedroom door and pushed it open, only to pause at the sight inside.
Lixue stared at the delicate silk and lace draped across the bed, her face heating up so fast she swore she could feel steam rising.
She blinked, once, twice, hoping she was imagining things. But no—the scandalous little thing was still there, looking more like an implication of clothing rather than actual clothing.
Her fingers twitched. "I..." She swallowed, then tried again. "Why would you choose sothing like this?"
Mo Ran, who had been leaning oh-so-casually against the doorfra, finally let out a low chuckle. "What do you an? It’s a reward."
Lixue whipped around, hands flying up to cover her face. "This—this isn’t a reward! This is—!" She couldn’t even finish the sentence. The words refused to leave her mouth.
Mo Ran stepped forward, voice laced with amusent. "Oh? I thought you’d like it. It’s soft, comfortable... breathable."
Lixue nearly choked. Breathable?
Her ears burned as she peeked at him between her fingers. His expression was far too pleased with himself, the slight smirk, the glint in his eyes—it all scread I knew you’d react like this.
"Don’t you think it suits you?" he continued, tilting his head slightly. "I made sure to pick sothing in your size."
Lixue felt cornered. She clenched her jaw, grasping for dignity. "I don’t wear things like this."
Mo Ran raised an eyebrow. "You do now."
Her breath hitched. "I—!"
He took another step forward, and she instinctively backed up, only to realize she had nowhere to run.
"You seem flustered," he mused.
"I am not," she shot back, but her voice was noticeably unsteady.
Mo Ran exhaled a laugh. "Then prove it."
Lixue froze. "What?"
He gestured lazily toward the lingerie. "Put it on."
Lixue’s face was burning. She couldn’t believe him. He was actually serious.
Mo Ran grinned, clearly enjoying every second of her flustered state. "Unless," he said, leaning in slightly, "my wife is too shy?"
Lixue let out a mortified squeak. "I—I’m not shy!"
"Oh?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)