Envy

Over the years, Mo Xiuchen had become an indispensable leader of the MS Group. Though not its president, the profits he had generated far surpassed what anyone else could achieve.

He could say with conviction: apart from him, Mo Jingteng would find no more fitting heir.

But what pleased him the most was not the recognition of his accomplishments—it was Wen Ran's acknowledgment of him in her words. Her approval brought him more pride than any admiration or praise from others ever could.

"If that's how you put it, then accepting the position sounds like a losing deal for me," he said with a faint curve to his lips, a rare ease softening his features.

Wen Ran arched a brow and smiled, speaking with exaggerated solemnity: "Maybe you're taking a bit of a loss, but think of the countless employees in the group. It's a small sacrifice. Besides, if you become the president, then wouldn't that make me the president's wife? Imagine—wherever I go, people would look at me with envy. That's something to be proud of!"

Mo Xiuchen chuckled, amused by her playful demeanor. He knew well that Wen Ran was not a woman swayed by vanity.

Even after his father had done what he did to her, she still urged him to consider the greater good. How could his heart not be moved?

"Alright then. For the sake of making you the most envied president's wife, I'll take the title and make that small sacrifice."

Wen Ran giggled, picked up a piece of steak, and held it to his lips. "President Mo, come on, try this steak."

He opened his mouth, accepting the bite she offered. After chewing carefully, he nodded with mock seriousness, "Not bad."

"Then have another."

She fed him another piece, unaware of just how sweet and romantic their interaction appeared to those watching from afar.

Mo Xiuchen thoroughly enjoyed her attentiveness, showing no hesitation as he finished every last piece of steak on her plate. Swallowing the final bite, he smiled and asked, "Now that you've fed me an entire steak, is it my turn to return the favor?"

Wen Ran blinked, only then noticing the curious glances directed at them from other tables. When she saw the envy in those eyes, her cheeks flushed crimson. "No need, I'm not hungry anymore."

"If you're too shy now, then I'll feed you tonight," he said, voice low and magnetic, laced with playful intimacy.

After the meal, as they were leaving the restaurant, they ran into Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin at the entrance.

At some point, Mo Xiuchen had grown used to holding Wen Ran's hand. Though the autumn air wasn't cold, he liked the way her slender, cool fingers fit perfectly into his palm. Holding her hand, he felt her coolness seep into him, softening the corners of his heart.

Wen Ran had found it awkward at first, but after a few failed attempts to pull away, she simply let him be.

Walking hand in hand beside him gave her a quiet sense of peace and security. Even though they walked side by side, his tall frame, broad shoulders, and steady grip gave her the feeling that no matter the storm ahead, he would always stand before her and shield her from the wind and rain.

In stark contrast, Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin walked one ahead, one behind.

Mo Zixuan came to a halt when he saw Mo Xiuchen emerge from the restaurant. Caught off guard, Zhou Lin bumped into his back and let out a soft cry. Peering around him, she spotted Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran standing before them.

Her eyes landed on their joined hands, a flash of envy in her gaze that was quickly masked with a bright, artificial smile. "Young Master Mo, Ranran—what a coincidence! You're dining here too?"

She actually enjoyed witnessing such affectionate moments between Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran—only then would Mo Zixuan finally give up.

Mo Xiuchen's gaze swept past Mo Zixuan without even glancing at Zhou Lin. Her greeting went unacknowledged. Wen Ran merely responded with a cool, "Mm."

Still hand in hand, Mo Xiuchen led Wen Ran past Mo Zixuan without pause.

A sharp pain pierced Mo Zixuan's chest like a needle. His expression shifted several times before he finally turned and called out, "Ranran!"

They halted.

Wen Ran turned, her gaze indifferent and cold.

"That matter... I'm sorry."

His dark eyes carried sorrow and remorse. Because of what happened, his father had ended up in the hospital. After he awoke, no one knew what he had said to Mo Zixuan's mother, but Xiao Wenqing hadn't dared visit Mo Jingteng since.

Zhou Lin stared at him in confusion, unable to understand why he was apologizing to Wen Ran.

A trace of cold disdain flashed in Wen Ran's eyes. Without a word, she turned and walked away with Mo Xiuchen.

Zhou Lin was both displeased by Wen Ran's aloofness and secretly pleased that she treated Mo Zixuan with such cold indifference. The contradictory emotions tangled in her chest, leaving her silent for nearly a minute before she gently said, "Zixuan, let's go."

"I just remembered something at the office I haven't dealt with. You head back on your own."

Mo Zixuan pressed his lips into a firm line, swallowed down his emotions, and strode off without looking back.

"Zixuan!"

Zhou Lin stood frozen, her face paling, then flushing, then paling again as she watched him disappear. His cold, decisive retreat left not a shred of tenderness behind. Her hands clenched at her sides, hatred pounding through every nerve.

It was all Wen Ran's fault.

If not for her, Mo Zixuan wouldn't have abandoned her like this.

She vowed with gritted teeth—she would never let Wen Ran off easily.

That very afternoon, Mo Xiuchen called Luo Haofeng in H City and asked him to send the urgently needed herbs to Wen Pharmaceutical.

By noon the next day, the medicinal ingredients had arrived.

Wen Ran, ever gracious, invited Luo Haofeng and the two delivery workers to lunch. On her way back to the office, she received a call from Mo Jingteng.

She hesitated for a moment, then responded calmly, "Alright, I'll be there shortly."

After hanging up, she turned the steering wheel and headed toward Kangning Hospital.

She drove slowly, thoughts circling around what Mo Jingteng might want to say.

In the hospital room, only Mo Jingteng was present. Pushing aside her emotions, Wen Ran greeted him politely and stepped inside. "Chairman Mo."

"Wen Ran, have a seat. I have something to say to you."

Leaning against the headboard, a pillow behind his back, Mo Jingteng spoke in a gentler tone than the arrogant one he used the first time they met at Mo Xiuchen's home. Illness seemed to have softened his edges.

Wen Ran quietly pulled out a chair and sat down, her clear, serene eyes meeting his deep ones. "If there's something you'd like to say, Chairman Mo, please speak plainly."

He nodded, adjusted his posture slightly, and asked without preamble, "Do you love Xiuchen?"

The question caught her off guard.

Faced with his suddenly sharp gaze, she frowned slightly and countered, "Did you call me here just to ask that?"

Mo Jingteng's face darkened. He was used to commanding respect, and her refusal to answer felt like a challenge to his authority. On another day, he might have erupted in anger.

But remembering what he had done to her, he suppressed his displeasure and forced himself to remain approachable. "Xiuchen came to the hospital yesterday. I saw the look on his face while he spoke with you on the phone—one I've never seen him wear for anyone else. Wen Ran, I don't mean anything by this. I just... I owe him too much. I hope you can bring him happiness."

"Whether I can or not isn't for me to say."

Her voice was calm and distant. Happiness is something only those involved can feel. Even if she promised to give him happiness, if he didn't need it from her, it would be meaningless.

She had expected him to be angry again, but surprisingly, Mo Jingteng laughed.

She was puzzled but said nothing.

He chuckled, then murmured thoughtfully, "No wonder Xiuchen likes you. You're honest, Wen Ran. And you're right. Whether he finds happiness isn't up to you—but I hope you'll do everything in your power to make him smile. And even if you can't... at least don't let him feel alone."

Seeing her remain silent, he slowed his speech. "I also called you here to apologize. And to thank you."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"The incident with the shark fin soup... I bear half the blame. In G City, the Mo family is the most prominent. The heir must carry our blood. That night, when you were kidnapped, Xiuchen didn't tell me. I heard it from another source, and I misunderstood you."

Wen Ran's face turned pale. Her lips pressed into a thin line. She could understand—but never forgive.

"I was momentarily confused. But I never meant to make you unable to become a mother for life. What happened... I am truly sorry."

She wanted to laugh—and she did, bitterly. "So what you're apologizing for isn't what you did, but that the outcome was beyond your expectations?"

Mo Jingteng's eyes flickered with restrained fury, his face hardening as he defended himself, "I did it to preserve the legitimacy of the Mo family bloodline. Wen Ran, if you were in my position, you would have done the same."

"I would never."

Her voice was icy as she stood up. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"Wait—Wen Ran."

She paused and turned back, gaze cold and unflinching. Even as Mo Xiuchen's father, he had no right to dictate the lives of others.

"Yesterday, I suggested Xiuchen take over the group. At first, he refused. But this morning, he called and agreed. You persuaded him, didn't you?"

Her brows drew together slightly.

"Thank you for convincing him. For helping him say yes."

His tone was genuine, devoid of ulterior motives.

Wen Ran replied flatly, "Don't thank me. I didn't do it for you. I did it for myself and the countless employees of MS Group. Xiuchen can give them a better future."

Mo Jingteng's eyes reflected surprise, and then, a hint of admiration. After speaking with her for so long, he finally realized—Wen Ran was unlike any woman he had met.

No wonder both Xiuchen and Zixuan had fallen for her.

She might say it was for herself, but he could tell—it was really for Xiuchen.

The Wen family might have survived with Xiuchen's help, but now that Wen Jin had recovered, they no longer needed anyone's charity. If Xiuchen were to leave MS Group to join Wen Pharmaceutical, it would usher in a new era for them.

"Regardless, I still want to thank you. As long as you truly care for Xiuchen, I won't stand in your way anymore."

Wen Ran was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to accept her so easily.

The first time they met, he had warned her not to play both brothers. And now, he was openly approving of her and Xiuchen.

Had Xiuchen made some deal with him? Or had he simply changed?

She didn't want to dwell on it. "Chairman Mo, take care of yourself," she said softly, then turned and left the room.

As she waited for the elevator, Gu Kai stepped out.

"Ranran? What brings you here?"

With his hands in his white coat pockets, tall and handsome, he looked like a figure carved from jade.

His gaze drifted down the hallway. Without waiting for her reply, he guessed, "You came to see Uncle Mo? Or did he summon you?"

She smiled faintly. "He called. Said he had something to say, so I came. Are you on your way to check on patients?"

Gu Kai nodded, then asked, "He didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Though Xiuchen hadn't told him the whole story, Gu Kai had sensed tension between father and son—enough to keep Xiuchen away from the hospital and hesitant about the group.

"No. He just talked."

Seeing her honest expression, Gu Kai was reassured. "As long as he didn't trouble you."

His concern warmed her, and her smile brightened. Just as she was about to speak, his phone rang.

He smiled apologetically and answered.

Wen Ran waited quietly beside him.

After a few moments, his brow furrowed, expression changing slightly. "Understood. I'll be right there."

He hung up and explained, "That was the nurse—Cheng Jia's experiencing severe headaches. I need to check on her. Want to come along?"

Wen Ran hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."