Chapter 4: I Like You, So I Like Looking at You
1317 Words
The grip on her wrist suddenly tightened, and Chi Huan nearly cried out in pain.
Mo Xigu’s voice was cold as he asked, “Chi Huan, what are you trying to say?”
She closed her eyes briefly, holding back the pain. When she opened them again, her face still bore a smile, her wide almond eyes filled with innocence and a hint of grievance. "I was just reminding Miss Su that if her husband hits her again, she should call the police. Or should she let him keep treating her that way?"
Mo Xigu frowned, his gaze complex as he looked at her.
Su Ya Bing twisted her hands together, lowering her gaze. Softly, she said, “Miss Chi is right. It’s my fault... He once paid for my father’s medical treatment, so I’ve never had the heart to call the police and have him arrested.”
Chi Huan’s eyes bore into her. “So what’s your plan? Are you going to let him keep hitting you? You’ve never thought about divorce?”
“I...” Su Ya Bing hesitated, glancing briefly at Mo Xigu before giving a bitter smile. “I’ve been considering divorce recently, especially now that I’m back in the country.”
Chi Huan dragged out an exaggerated “Oh.”
Why did it feel like she was subtly implying that she was only considering divorce and moving back because of Mo Xigu?
Chi Huan didn’t let her expression reveal anything, instead offering a faint smile. “If Miss Su needs a lawyer for the divorce, I know quite a few talented ones in Lancheng who could help you get the best outcome.”
Su Ya Bing gave her a soft smile. “Thank you, Miss Chi.”
With that, Chi Huan and Mo Xigu walked away side by side.
Su Ya Bing remained where she stood, watching their well-matched figures disappear into the distance, her face filled with sorrow. Unnoticed, tears began to stream down her cheeks.
…
Mo Xigu took Chi Huan to a quiet, secluded Western restaurant, knowing her celebrity status would draw unwanted attention.
After ordering her meal and handing the menu to the server, Chi Huan rested her chin in her hands and stared unblinkingly at the man sitting across from her.
Mo Xigu was slower to order. After placing his order, he looked up to find her still staring at him, amusement flickering across his face. “Why are you staring at me like that? Something on your mind?”
Chi Huan, just twenty years old, still had that youthful glow of collagen in her cheeks. Her rosy lips and bright eyes never wavered as she beamed at him. “I like you, so I like looking at you.”
Her smile was pure, free of any shadows.
Their marriage had been arranged, and Mo Xigu had chosen her not only because of her family background and her love for him but also because being with her was easy.
Yet as he thought about another face—one that had once been just as young and vibrant but was now worn and withered—his heart clenched with pain.
Once, Su Ya Bing had laughed as freely as Chi Huan.
But now, that lively, gentle woman had withered away, like a flower that had been cut down before its time.
Chi Huan stared blankly at him as she realized he was looking at her but clearly thinking of someone else.
She picked up her wine glass and slowly sipped, letting the rich taste fill her senses before setting the glass down. Her face lit up again with a sweet smile. “Xigu, my friends have been begging to meet you. Do you have time tonight to come with me to a gathering?”
Mo Xigu took a couple of sips from his own glass, then after a moment, he said casually, “Another time. I already have plans tonight.”
Chi Huan’s previously bright face fell.
Mo Xigu noticed the disappointment on her face and frowned slightly, but he said nothing.
After dinner, Mo Xigu went to retrieve the car, and Chi Huan stood outside waiting. It wasn’t long before her phone rang from inside her purse.
“Huan’er, we’re all at 1999. Hurry and come join us!”
"1999" was an exclusive, members-only bar in Lancheng, a popular hangout for her group of friends. They often gathered there for events and parties.
Chi Huan lazily asked, “What’s the occasion?”
“Just having fun. You haven’t come out in ages. What’s up? Already playing the role of the devoted little wife?”
Chi Huan twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers and smiled smugly. “Well, I’ve finally bagged my man. Why would I waste time on you guys?”
“Ugh, spare us! Are you coming or not?”
“Fine, fine. Since you all miss me so much, I’ll grace you with my presence. Wait for me.”
After a few more playful insults, the call ended. Chi Huan tucked her phone back into her purse just as Mo Xigu’s car pulled up. She quickly walked over but instead of getting into the passenger seat, she knocked on the driver’s side window.
The dark window slowly rolled down, revealing Mo Xigu’s handsome and composed face.
“My friends just invited me to a gathering. I’ll take a cab.”
“Where’s the gathering?”
“1999.”
“Get in. I’ll drop you off.”
Chi Huan didn’t argue. Her eyes curved in a sweet smile. “Alright.”
She walked around the car, opened the passenger door, and got in.
As they approached a traffic light, the car slowed to a stop. Just then, Mo Xigu’s phone buzzed with a call.
He picked it up and answered in a calm voice, “What’s the matter?”
“Mr. Mo… A man claiming to be Miss Su’s husband is causing a scene at the hospital. He’s demanding to take her away.”
Mo Xigu’s brow furrowed, and his voice dropped a few degrees. “Have security throw him out. Don’t let him near the room.”
“But… he’s threatening to take this public. He’s saying… saying…”
Mo Xigu’s patience wore thin, and his voice turned cold. “Saying what?”
“He’s saying that if we stop him, he’ll go to the media… and say… say that Miss Chi’s fiancé is having an affair with a married woman…”
Without thinking, Mo Xigu turned to glance at Chi Huan, sitting quietly in the passenger seat.
Chi Huan was a rising star, and even the smallest rumor about her was enough to attract a swarm of paparazzi. If word got out that her fiancé was involved with another woman...
Su Ya Bing would be crucified by her fans.
“Stall him. I’ll be there soon.”
Chi Huan froze, catching every word of the conversation. It was obviously about Su Ya Bing.
Mo Xigu hung up the phone and placed it aside.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice low and restrained. “Sorry, I have an urgent matter to deal with. You’ll have to take a cab from here.”
Chi Huan looked at him, her lips curving into a bitter smile. “So, from now on, if something happens to her, you’ll leave me behind like you did last night and now?”
“I told you in the hospital, I’ll take care of everything before the wedding.”
His tone was even, but then it shifted slightly as he added, “But Chi Huan, don’t forget what else I said when I agreed to marry you.”
When he agreed to marry her, he had made something clear.
Chi Huan stood by the roadside, cars rushing by as she gripped her purse tightly, her knuckles turning white.
- Writer
