Chapter 553: I don’t want to go anymore

The atmosphere in the small car became ambiguous and subtle.

Suddenly, Mo Xiuchen’s phone rang abruptly, breaking their intense gaze. With furrowed brows, he took his hand off Wen Ran’s shoulder, pulled out his phone, saw the caller ID, and said in a low voice, “Ranran, Ah Kai is urging us.”

Wen Ran pursed her lips, which were still warm from his touch, and mentally steadied herself before quietly saying, “I don’t want to go anymore.”

“Okay!”

Pain flickered in Mo Xiuchen’s eyes.

He knew she didn’t want her father and brother to see her tear-streaked face. Gu Kai and Wen Jin would notice she had been crying as soon as they saw her.

He pressed the answer key, his voice somewhat hoarse as he said, “Ah Kai, Ranran and I won’t be joining. You guys go ahead.”

“Why?”

Across multiple car spaces, Gu Kai sat in his own car. Hearing Mo Xiuchen’s words, he furrowed his brows, reached over to open the car door, and was ready to get out.

“Ah Kai, there’s no need to come over.”

Hearing the sound of the car door opening, Mo Xiuchen quickly stopped him.

“Was this your idea, or Ranran’s?”

Not hearing Wen Ran’s voice, Gu Kai became worried.

Normally, he wouldn’t question Mo Xiuchen’s choices, especially when it involved Wen Ran. But something felt off now. Ranran had been hesitant due to her health condition and although she agreed to consider Mo Xiuchen’s proposal, it did not mean she would be with him.

“Brother, I was the one who didn’t want to go.”

Sitting beside Mo Xiuchen, Wen Ran didn’t initially want to speak. However, sensing Gu Kai’s concern, she had to reply. Her soft voice hinted at her recently cried-out emotions, lacking steadiness.

“Ranran, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

The concerned Gu Kai’s eyebrows furrowed even deeper, his hand still on the car handle.

“I’m fine. I just want to go home and rest.”

“Okay then, go home and rest. If Mo Xiuchen dares bully you, call me. I’ll take up for you.”

Teasingly, Gu Kai said this and after briefly instructing Mo Xiuchen, he hung up the phone.

**

By the time Gu Kai and Gu Yan arrived at the hotel, Wen Jin had already arrived earlier. They had been waiting for Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran.

Seeing only them, Wen Jin was confused and concerned. “Ah Kai, where are Ranran and Mo Xiuchen? Haven’t they arrived yet?”

Gu Kai smiled faintly. “Ranran was a bit tired. I asked her to go home and rest.”

Hearing this, Wen Jin’s brows furrowed and worry filled his heart. Ranran wouldn’t have cancelled just because she was a little tired.

“Did something happen between Ranran and Mo Xiuchen?”

They had seemed fine at the police station earlier; nothing seemed amiss.

“No, there’s nothing wrong. Don’t worry. Now that Ranran isn’t here, why don’t we call Lu Zhiyan and come to grips with the current situation?”

“Good idea, I’ll call Zhixing now.”

Upon hearing Gu Kai, Wen Jin pulled out his phone and dialed Lu Zhiyan’s number.

Although he was worried about Wen Ran, he trusted that she was safe with Mo Xiuchen. At most, they would have an argument over whether she should stay or leave.

Under the night sky, in the peaceful and secluded European-style villa in the suburbs, blooms perfumed the air.

The luxurious Aston advanced slowly into the villa before parking in the spacious garage.

After parking the car, Mo Xiuchen leaned over, but instead of instantly unbuckling Wen Ran’s seatbelt, he looked at her with deep, tender eyes. Under the soft interior light, he admired Wen Ran’s exquisite face.

She had been quiet the entire trip, not saying a word to him.

Mo Xiuchen was unsure whether she was still adamant about leaving. The thought made his heart ache to the point of suffocation. His lips involuntarily tightened as he gently called out, “Ranran!”

Wen Ran’s gaze met his, then quickly shifted. She lowered her head to unbuckle her seatbelt. Unexpectedly, her hand was caught in his large one. He leaned slightly closer, his warm breath fanning her face.

“Let me help you.”

Mo Xiuchen spoke in resigned tones. Her silence was like a sharp needle pricking his heart.

His low voice unwittingly contained a thread of loneliness that added to the heartache. He unbuckled her seatbelt, only to turn around and step out of the car.

Wen Ran didn’t wait for Mo Xiuchen to open the car door for her. She got out of the car on her own.

The night air was cool as water; stepping out of the car, she was greeted by a cold breeze.

Mo Xiuchen strode over immediately, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. He asked softly, “Are you cold?”

The car’s interior was much warmer, and now that a breeze had come up, the outdoor temperature had dropped significantly. Fearing she might catch cold, he gently held her soft hand.

Wen Ran shook her head lightly and said somewhat unconvincingly, “I am not.”

“Your hand is a little cold!”

Speaking, Mo Xiuchen held her hand tighter as though to warm her. However, this was just an excuse for him to hold her hand.

Feeling her hand’s faint resistance, bitterness welled up in his heart. His lips instinctively tightened, his grip on her hand unwilling to let go.

**

Jiang Liu finished his shift at ten o’clock.

Walking out of his office, his mobile phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he smiled. Pressing the answer key, he said in a pleasant voice, “Hello, Yuting!”

“Ah Liu, you have worked late. I’ve prepared some midnight snacks. When will you be off work? Do you want me to bring them to you?”

The soft, gentle voice in his ear warmed Jiang Liu’s heart. A smile flickered in his dark eyes as he said, “Yuting, I have just finished my work and am ready to go home. Wait for me at home, don’t come here.”

Although it was spring, the night was still chilly.

Hearing he had finished work, Shen Yuting didn’t argue and gently reminded him through the phone, “You have been working hard. Don’t take the bus, hail a cab. I’ll wait for you at home.”

“Alright!”

Thinking of the woman waiting at home, Jiang Liu felt a sudden urge to rush back, see her face, and be warmed by her presence. Hanging up, he walked to a taxi beside the road, ready to get in. However, he saw several men dressed like thugs get out of a black van nearby, gripping iron rods. With a murderous aura, they shouted, “Jiang Liu!”