A flicker of surprise crossed Mo Xiuchen's eyes as he frowned at Mo Zixuan. "When did he say that?"
Standing nearby, Wen Ran held her phone, waiting for the call to connect. Her eyes, filled with curiosity, shifted toward the two men. Mo Zixuan pressed his lips into a tight line and replied, "Just now—while you and Wen Ran were being interviewed by the reporters."
"Ranran, finish your call and wait for me in the office. I'll be right there."
Mo Xiuchen gave a brief instruction before striding away. Mo Zixuan cast a quick glance at Wen Ran, then followed closely behind him.
Earlier, after the board meeting in which Mo Jingteng announced his full retirement and handed over all corporate affairs to Mo Xiuchen, he appeared visibly drained, with a sheen of sweat on his forehead. The subsequent press conference was left to Mo Xiuchen and Wen Ran to attend.
"Did he mention where he's traveling to?"
Mo Xiuchen's voice was calm, devoid of any warmth. Even though Mo Jingteng had entrusted him with the company, it could never absolve the past—he would never forgive him for the harm he once brought upon Wen Ran.
He didn't ask with whom Mo Jingteng was traveling, only where.
That Mo Zixuan had rushed to find him meant only one thing—Mo Jingteng had no intention of bringing Xiao Wenqing along. In the short two-minute walk to the lounge, countless speculations flitted through Mo Xiuchen's mind.
His greatest doubt was that the old man had indeed been acting unusually of late.
Not only had he hastily relinquished control of the company, but his attitude toward Xiao Wenqing had become increasingly difficult to decipher. Considering his previous obsession with her, even if she had no say in corporate matters, surely he would still consult her on personal decisions.
He wouldn't leave her behind for a trip.
Suddenly, a name flashed in his mind—Wu Tianyi.
A glint of insight flickered in the depths of his eyes. Could it be that Xiao Wenqing's so-called Wu Tianyi was indeed hiding some unspeakable secrets?
And Mo Jingteng had just discovered them?
"Xiuchen? Why are you just standing there?"
Mo Xiuchen, lost in thought, had unconsciously arrived at the lounge door without knocking. Just then, Mo Jingteng emerged from within, a trace of surprise flashing across his face.
Behind him stood Xiao Wenqing, pale-faced, her expression unreadable—whatever conversation they had shared moments ago clearly hadn't been pleasant.
Mo Xiuchen quickly composed himself, the cold indifference returning to his expression. He spoke icily, "Someone came to tell me you were planning to travel despite your health. Is it true?"
Behind him, Mo Zixuan frowned at being called someone, but refrained from speaking out with Mo Jingteng present.
Inside, Xiao Wenqing's face subtly shifted. A flicker of resentment flashed through her eyes before she quickly masked it.
Mo Jingteng glanced at Mo Zixuan and, knowing full well who Mo Xiuchen was referring to, nodded.
"Yes. I plan to travel."
His tone was measured, slow, and bore a hint of exhaustion between his brows. "Now that the company is in your hands, I am at ease. No matter what has transpired, Zixuan is still your brother. You must work together to protect the company."
"Alone?"
Mo Xiuchen detested hearing such words, especially the way Mo Jingteng kept tethering him to Mo Zixuan. He was himself—Mo Zixuan was Mo Zixuan. Even if they bore the same surname, he would never acknowledge that man as his brother.
The word brother was far too ironic.
If not for that brother, how else would his mother have died, leaping to her death under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs?
Seeing the coldness etched into Mo Xiuchen's features, a pang of guilt flashed through Mo Jingteng's heart. Knowing nothing he said could change the past, he dropped the subject. "Yes, I'll go alone."
"Dad, you're not well. Traveling alone worries us. If you truly want a break, let Mom accompany you."
Mo Jingteng snorted coldly. "Her? She's far too busy."
"Mom?"
Mo Zixuan's face changed, his eyes filled with confusion and concern as he looked toward Xiao Wenqing. Had she quarreled with their father again—over Mo Xiuchen?
Xiao Wenqing ignored his gaze, stepped forward, and gently stood beside Mo Jingteng. She pressed her lips together and said softly, "Jingteng, why don't you delay your trip a few days—just until after we hold the wedding for Zixuan and Zhou Lin?"
"Mom, what wedding?"
Mo Zixuan was stunned, his voice rising in disbelief.
Mo Xiuchen narrowed his eyes to a sharp slit. Xiao Wenqing was actually planning to hold the wedding now—for Mo Zixuan and Zhou Lin?
How amusing.
He didn't believe for a second that Xiao Wenqing was unaware of Zhou Mingfu's arrest. Judging by her usual temperament, if she hadn't already forced Zhou Lin to abort and cast her out of the Mo household, that would be mercy enough—how could she possibly be planning a wedding?
Clearly, the filth between her and Zhou Mingfu ran deeper than anyone imagined.
Xiao Wenqing avoided Mo Zixuan's eyes, lowering her head to keep her expression hidden from Mo Xiuchen. Her voice was calm as she explained, "Zhou Lin told me a few days ago she wanted to move the wedding up. She was afraid that by the end of the year, her belly would show and she wouldn't be able to wear a proper gown. Holding the ceremony then might also exhaust the child."
"I don't agree!"
Mo Zixuan refused flatly.
He had only agreed to marry Zhou Lin under immense pressure from both parents. Later, in a bid to stop her from probing into Wen Ran's past, he had conceded again.
But just minutes ago, he had seen the news—Zhou Mingfu had nearly kidnapped Wen Ran the night before. Rage still boiled in his chest. He wanted nothing more than to beat Zhou Mingfu to a pulp.
And now they wanted him to marry his daughter?
"This time, I agree with Zixuan."
For once, Mo Jingteng supported his son instead of siding with Xiao Wenqing in forcing the marriage.
Mo Zixuan's eyes widened in surprise, emotion surging in his chest. "Dad, thank you for supporting me. I agreed to marry Zhou Lin because she was pregnant with my child. Even though it was all a setup, I accepted it. But now that Zhou Mingfu's crimes have come to light—he's a man of no character. How can his daughter be any better?"
"I'm beginning to suspect that Zhou Lin may have had a hand in that setup too."
"Zixuan, what nonsense are you spouting? Zhou Lin is a victim—how could she have planned that? She only did all this because she loves you too much!"
Xiao Wenqing's hurried defense only deepened Mo Zixuan's suspicion. "Mom, I only suspected her. Why are you so agitated?"
"I—I'm just afraid you'll remain fixated on Wen Ran and won't let go. Even if your relationship with Zhou Lin began with a setup, you should give her a chance, try to see the good in her. Look at your brother and Wen Ran—they didn't start off in love either, and yet now, aren't they living happily together?"