Chapter 166: As long as I’m here for a day,
Translator: 549690339
In the café, Wen Ran’s brows furrowed slightly, not immediately answering Cheng Jia’s question. No notable emotion was detectable across her face.
“Miss Wen, I mean no harm, I just want to know whether you genuinely like Young Master MO, or if you view marriage as a transaction. If it’s the former, I can tell you all I know without holding back. If it’s the latter, please forgive me for not being able to tell you.”
In Cheng Jia’s view, Wen Ran’s hesitation clearly indicated that she didn’t have feelings for MO Xiuchen. Her earlier hunch was correct—Wen Ran had only married MO Xiuchen to save her family’s company. How could she possibly have fallen in love with MO Xiuchen in such a short span of time?
“I don’t see how this question relates to what you want to tell me. When you phoned me, you didn’t mention this condition. I am MO Xiuchen’s wife, his matters are my matters. There’s no need for you to worry, I can handle it all.”
Wen Ran stared at Cheng Jia, silently speculating what she would say if Wen Ran claimed to love MO Xiuchen.
She found it rather amusing. Cheng Jia, an insignificant outsider, had the audacity to question whether she loved her husband or not. Regardless of whether she did or did not, it was none of her concern.
If she claimed to love him, all she would receive in return was a stronger wave of Cheng Jia’s jealousy. Even Wen Ran herself was uncertain of her feelings for MO Xiuchen, let alone needed to explain them to Cheng Jia.
Unbeknownst to Wen Ran, the person on the other end of the phone was feeling deflated due to her evasive response.
Usually, Cheng Jia would have erupted in a fit of anger, righteously blaming Wen Ran for taking advantage of MO Xiuchen. Yet instead, Cheng Jia seemed to maintain her earlier composure. If it weren’t for the traces of anger in her subsequent words, Wen Ran would have been utterly bewildered.
“Miss Wen, I know it’s impossible for you to have fallen for Young Master MO in such a short time. You’ve only been married to him for over a month, which is not even as long as the time you spent dating MO Zixuan.”
A hint of a smile graced Wen Ran’s lips as she leisurely leaned back in the chair, her gaze resting lightly on Cheng Jia, waiting for her to continue.
The more nonchalant Wen Ran was, the more peeved and envious Cheng Jia felt. She believed that Wen Ran was undeserving of MO Xiuchen’s love—she should have been the one by MO Xiuchen’s side, considering her eight-year-long devotion to him.
Ever since she saw MO Xiuchen from afar eight years ago, she became infatuated with him. If it weren’t for Xiao Wenqing claiming the timing was wrong, she would have already approached MO Xiuchen—there was no need for him to seek her out.
“If I’m not mistaken, you probably haven’t completely gotten over MO Zixuan yet.”
Cheng Jia fixed her gaze on Wen Ran, attempting to glean something from Wen Ran’s delicate face. But, disappointingly, Wen Ran remained unmoved, showing no sign of emotional fluctuation. In a fit of frustrated laughter, Cheng Jia said, “Miss Wen, when MO Zixuan and Zhou Lin had their affair, it wasn’t him betraying you, but him being framed.”
Wen Ran replied with a slight smile, “That’s none of my business.”
Irritated, Cheng Jia found Wen Ran extremely bothersome. Despite her provocations, Wen Ran remained steadfast. Cheng Jia bit her lip hard and asked, “Don’t you want to know who plotted against MO Zixuan, set him up with Zhou Lin, leading to the end of your relationship?”
“I don’t want to know!”
Wen Ran didn’t look at Cheng Jia, instead, she stared at the water in her cup.
“Miss Wen, are you scared that knowing the truth would make you feel guilty towards MO Zixuan, or are you afraid that I’ll find out about your lingering feelings for him? Don’t worry, I mean no harm, I just don’t want you to be forced to be with a man you don’t love while still liking another. If you still have feelings for MO Zixuan, I can help you get back together.”
Cheng Jia’s words were genuine. As long as Wen Ran and MO Zixuan got back together, she would have a shot at winning over MO Xiuchen.
“Miss Wen, the one who wanted to separate you and MO Zixuan was actually Xiao Wenqing.”
Cheng Jia persisted, not believing that Wen Ran could remain unfazed.
She had arranged this private meeting with Wen Ran with one goal: to shake her resolve. She couldn’t have predicted that every word she said was being overheard by MO Xiuchen.
“If you’ve only called me here to chat about these trivialities, then I need not waste my time. There are many things to handle at the pharmaceutical company, and I need to get back.”
Wen Ran had no patience for Cheng Jia’s useless chatter. She knew all too well Cheng Jia’s intentions. Having said that, she rose from her chair, ready to leave.
“Miss Wen, if I told you that the ones who orchestrated MO Zixuan and Zhou Lin sharing a bed were not only Xiao Wenqing but also Young Master MO, you surely wouldn’t believe me, right?”
Just as Wen Ran started to walk away, Cheng Jia’s words halted her steps.
Behind her, Cheng Jia’s voice, word-by-word, hit her like a sledgehammer: “I know you won’t believe me, but it’s the truth. MO Zixuan might not be as outstanding as Young Master MO, but his feelings for you were genuine. When your family was in trouble, Xiao Wenqing feared you’d bring MO Zixuan down with you. His original plan was to have Zhou Lin drug you, however, somehow Young Master MO found out and instead persuaded Zhou Lin to set up MO
Zixuan.”
“Young Master MO didn’t do it to help you, but to make you abandon MO Zixuan and marry him. He had resented Xiao Wenqing for causing his mother’s death and loathed MO Zixuan for stealing away his family and happiness. His marriage to you was simply because you were deeply loved by MO Zixuan, and his kindness towards you was only to make you fall in love with him, to see MO Zixuan suffer.”
Wen Ran turned around; her eyes cold as ice as she looked at Cheng Jia: “And you think I will believe what you say?”
Cheng Jia managed a bland smile. Seeing Wen Ran finally showing some emotional changes, Cheng Jia felt more at ease. In a cheerful tone, she said:
“Knowing that what I said is true, you are afraid to let yourself believe it. Miss Wen, you didn’t know Young Master MO before, so you couldn’t know that he had been secretly in love with you. However, the person he has been thinking about over the years is the little girl who saved him back then, and it’s not you!”
Wen Ran knew she shouldn’t believe Cheng Jia’s words.
She knew Cheng Jia was trying to create a rift between her and MO Xiuchen, yet she was still somewhat affected, much like the previous time at Kangning Hospital.
One thing that Cheng Jia said was true: MO Xiuchen had been pining for the young girl who had saved him years ago. When they married, he hadn’t been fond of her.
However, even though she felt uncomfortable, she refused to let it show, not wishing to give Cheng Jia the satisfaction. The more Cheng Jia wanted to see her upset, the more she had to keep a tranquil composure. She shrugged nonchalantly, “So, what if he doesn’t love me? He is still my, Wen Ran’s, husband. If you happen to be the little girl who saved him years ago, then perhaps you might have a sliver of hope. Unfortunately, you’re not.”
As she finished, a mocking smile appeared on Wen Ran’s lips. Seeing the color drain from Cheng Jia’s face, Wen Ran coldly warned: “Cheng Jia, don’t think that opening up about your identity would change the way MO Xiuchen views you. Don’t even think about trying anything funny. As long as I am here, I will not let you take my husband away..”