Mo Xiuchen, moved by her radiant smile, couldn't help but let his lips curl into a gentle, perfect arc. His voice tender, he replied, "Alright, I'll go get the car."
"No need to drive—it's just ahead. We can walk there. It won't take more than a few minutes."
The sunlight fell gently on Wen Ran's upturned face, illuminating her smiling eyes with flecks of gold—brilliant and mesmerizing. Mo Xiuchen's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her. Even if she'd asked him to walk for half an hour, he would have agreed without hesitation.
Still, he hadn't forgotten how she'd raised her hand earlier to shield her eyes from the sun. Though it was autumn, the string of sunny days had made the sunshine unbearably hot.
"There's an umbrella in the car. Let's take it—I don't want you getting tanned."
He took her hand as they walked to the parking lot, retrieved the umbrella, and naturally, given his height, held it aloft. Wen Ran was drawn close into his embrace, nestled under its shade, while he himself stood half-exposed to the sun.
"Good thing it's to block the sun. If it were raining, you'd be drenched like a drowned rat," she teased.
She glanced at his tall frame mostly outside the umbrella, then at herself—sheltered completely. An unexplainable warmth stirred in her chest, laced with a tender sweetness.
Mo Xiuchen merely chuckled, unbothered. "I'm a man. Getting tanned is nothing. But you're different—your delicate skin shouldn't be scorched by the sun. It'd be such a pity."
Perhaps it was the warmth of his breath so near her ear, or perhaps it was that gentle phrase—"such a pity"—but Wen Ran's heart missed a beat, and a blush crept up her cheeks.
She threw him a sideways glance. "You care that much?" she blurted out—and instantly wished she could bite her tongue. Mo Xiuchen might be reserved, but in their banter, he always seemed to hold the upper hand.
That thought alone turned her light blush into a deep crimson.
Mo Xiuchen simply smiled at her, then suddenly leaned down, his lips brushing past her ear as he murmured in a low, ambiguous tone, "What do you think?"
It was less a question than a flirtation—one delivered shamelessly in broad daylight. Especially with the subtle curve of his lips and the gleam in his eyes—charming, seductive, and a touch roguish.
Wen Ran's face turned scarlet, her embarrassment bubbling over. She stomped a foot, dashed out from beneath the umbrella, and hurried into the noodle shop, calling, "Boss, two bowls of beef noodles! Extra spicy!"
Behind her, Mo Xiuchen's subtle smile bloomed into laughter. Her flustered retort—"You care that much?"—echoed in his mind, stirring a tender ripple deep within him.
Wen Ran was not only a foodie, but the type who could eat anything. The nose-tingling bowl of extra spicy beef noodles made Mo Xiuchen furrow his brows in silent protest, while she was already swallowing mouthfuls with delight.
"I'm treating today. You must finish it all," she said, grinning.
Mo Xiuchen watched her beaming expression and felt a bit unsettled. He had never enjoyed spicy food—at most, a hint of heat. This fiery bowl was far beyond what he could stomach.
He knew she was getting back at him—for that impromptu kiss on the street. Mo Xiuchen couldn't help but smile wryly to himself. Perhaps he'd gone a bit too far.
Wen Ran took a bite, then looked up and saw him sitting motionless, untouched bowl in front of him. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she reached over with her chopsticks, dipped a piece of beef deep into the spicy broth, and held it up to his lips. "Mo Shao, why aren't you eating? Come on, try the beef—it's so good you'll want to drink the whole soup."
As he looked into her smiling eyes, which held a reflection of himself, a smile slowly surfaced in his own. His lips parted, and he accepted the bite she offered.
The moment the beef touched his tongue, his smile froze. The intense heat exploded across his taste buds, numbing and burning simultaneously. He hadn't even swallowed it before his throat began to itch, nearly making him cough.
"Is it good?" Wen Ran asked, eyes twinkling with glee, watching his every expression with keen amusement.
Mo Xiuchen dared not chew—he simply swallowed. The fiery sensation traced all the way down his throat.
Sweat beaded at the bridge of his nose. But not wanting to lose face in front of this cheeky girl, he smiled and nodded. "Mm, not bad. You enjoy your meal—don't worry about me."
Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Wen Ran narrowed her eyes. She'd seen the sweat on his brow after just one bite and had nearly offered to let him off the hook. But since he insisted on playing the hero, there was no need for her to be merciful.
As she slurped another mouthful, she asked curiously, "Why are you pulling out your phone during lunch?"
"I suddenly remembered something important I forgot to tell Xiao Liu. You eat first. I'll call him and come back when the noodles have cooled a little."
He had already dialed as he rose and walked outside.
Wen Ran didn't expose him. Smiling to herself, she turned back to her meal, drawn in by its rich aroma.
Outside, Mo Xiuchen stood tall, phone to his ear. On the other end, Xiao Liu's voice was laced with resignation. "Young master, what is it this time?"
"Come to Koning Hospital. Now."
"But I haven't finished watching the footage—"
Xiao Liu clearly resented the order. Last night, Mo Xiuchen had told him to review all the surveillance videos from Cheng Jia's hospital stay.
He disliked dealing with Cheng Jia. She was sweet and obedient in front of Mo Xiuchen, but condescending and rude to everyone else.
Even that morning when he delivered her breakfast, she'd bossed him around like a servant. Now, hearing he was being sent back to the hospital, he instinctively bristled.
But Mo Xiuchen, ever perceptive, knew exactly what Xiao Liu was thinking. His brows twitched as he clarified, "Not to see Cheng Jia. Wen Ran and I are at the noodle shop across from the hospital. Come and finish this bowl of beef noodles."
"Beef noodles? You got it—I'm on my way!" Xiao Liu's tone flipped from aggrieved to gleeful in seconds.
Mo Xiuchen smiled faintly. "Be quick. After that, take Wen Ran back to her company. My father's in the hospital—I can't leave."
"What? What happened to the chairman?"
Mo Jingting had collapsed earlier that day at the club and had been admitted to the hospital, but only a few people knew. Startled, Xiao Liu asked anxiously.
"It's nothing serious. Just come over," Mo Xiuchen replied, then hung up.
He didn't return to the shop immediately. Instead, he made another call—to Qin Mu.
Unbeknownst to him, he was single-handedly turning the humble noodle shop into a hotspot; in mere minutes, it was filled with female customers.
"Hello, Xiuchen?" Qin Mu's voice came after several rings, lazy as though roused from a nap.
"I need you to find that dismissed worker from the other day—quietly," Mo Xiuchen said, his voice low and clipped as he shifted slightly into the shade, his chiseled features cast in stark relief.
"Why now? Wasn't it just an accident?"
The laziness left Qin Mu's voice, replaced by wariness.
"I don't think it was. It might have been sabotage. Get that man back—fast."
"Got it."
Qin Mu didn't press further. Lately, strange events had been unfolding one after another. Ever since Mo Xiuchen's marriage, Xiao Wenqing seemed more and more agitated.
When Mo Xiuchen returned inside, Wen Ran had nearly finished the noodles and was sipping the soup, her expression brimming with simple, unadulterated joy—as if this bowl of noodles were a rare delicacy.
Catching sight of his long legs, she looked up.
Her lips still held a trace of broth. Her eyes sparkled, her smile contented. She asked lightly, "What took you so long?"
Mo Xiuchen's gaze fell on the broth at the corner of her lips. Without a word, he bent down, drew a tissue, and gently wiped her mouth. His voice deep and fond, "How did you end up wearing the whole bowl?"
From the moment he'd entered the shop, every woman inside had been discreetly watching him. Now, as he wiped Wen Ran's lips with practiced tenderness, a collective sigh rippled through the air.
Wen Ran hadn't noticed the other women earlier, but as she looked up at Mo Xiuchen's handsome face, she could feel the countless envious gazes upon her. Her previously unbothered face turned bright red in an instant.
"I'll wipe it myself."
She averted her eyes, reaching for the tissue.
But Mo Xiuchen merely smiled, took her hand in his, and sat down beside her. Leaning in close, his breath warm on her flushed cheeks, he murmured, "Don't move. Let me do it properly."
Wen Ran froze, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Mo Xiuchen's patience was infinite, his movements tender. After carefully wiping her clean, he tossed the tissue aside but didn't let go of her hand. His deep voice now carried a thread of apology:
"Ranran, I already called Xiao Liu. He'll be here soon and will take you back to work. I have to stay at the hospital until my father wakes up."
Wen Ran smiled softly. "That's alright. I could've gone by myself. But since we're already out, you should eat something before heading back. There are plenty of restaurants nearby. Tell me what you want—I'll go get it."
Whether swayed by his gentleness or simply too kind, she lowered her gaze to his untouched bowl and added, "We can pack this one up for Brother Gu. He likes it."
"How do you know he likes this?"
A flicker of curiosity flashed in Mo Xiuchen's warm eyes as he studied her. She and Gu Kai seemed close—too close. But he wasn't sure when that began.
She beamed. "The night we waited for you while eating barbecue. We talked about food, and he mentioned it."
Mo Xiuchen let out a soft "oh" and was about to say they didn't need to bring it to Gu Kai when the door opened and Xiao Liu walked in.
"Young master! Young madam!"
He greeted them cheerfully, eyes fixed on the bowl of noodles. "Is this bowl saved just for me?"
Wen Ran blinked, glancing between the two men, realization dawning in her eyes.
Mo Xiuchen smiled, stood up with her hand in his. "Xiao Liu, enjoy your meal. Ranran and I will go grab something else nearby. When you're done, take her back to the company."
With everyone watching in envy, Mo Xiuchen led Wen Ran out of the shop and toward another restaurant.
Let me know if you want the rest continued!