Chapter 523: 522 Did you promise?

“Professor Fu, it’s not that I won’t act, it’s just that Wen Ran hardly leaves her house. Even when she does, she has two skilled bodyguards with her. My people haven’t had an opportunity to strike.”

In a small house on the outskirts of a certain city, Wu Tianyi stood by the window, explaining to Fu Jingyi on the other end of the phone line.

That day, Fu Jingyi called him, saying that he had already told Wen Ran everything. He was certain she would leave Mo Xiuchen. He instructed Wu to take advantage of Mo’s absence to kidnap her and bring to him for his experiments.

That day, Wu had assured him fervently that he would capture Wen Ran. Yet, after several days, there was no progress. Fu Jingyi grew impatient and called to interrogate him.

During all this time, Wu Tianyi didn’t want to make any moves. He wished he could go into hibernation like winter animals, to hide securely from the police. Risking capture was the last thing he wanted.

However, without Wen Ran, Fu Jingyi won’t help him leave the country. Now, he desperately needed Fu’s assistance to leave the country.

“Find a way yourself. If you keep waiting, the only ‘delivery’ you will get is the police to arrest you.”

On the other end of the phone, Fu Jingyi spoke coldly, with a mocking tone.

Wu Tianyi’s face changed color for a moment, but before he could reply, Fu Jingyi continued. “If you truly are incapable, I’ll arrange for someone else to do it. If you’re scared, keep hiding. We’ll see how long can you hide.”

“No, Professor Fu, I can do it. Just give me some more time; I assure you I will capture Wen Ran.”

Wu Tianyi was desperate. Hiding here was obviously not as safe as leaving the country.

If Fu Jingyi abandoned him, he would have no other means to safely leave the country. After all, Fu Jingyi had a significant amount of influence at his back.

“So how much longer do you need? My time is very valuable.”

“One, one month, I assure you. Within a month, I will capture Wen Ran.”

Wu Tianyi gritted his teeth and set a deadline. On the other end, Fu Jingyi fell silent, seemingly considering whether a month was too long. After about two minutes, when Wu Tianyi was nervously breaking out in cold sweat, he heard Fu Jingyi’s chilling voice:

“Alright, I’ll give you one more month. If you have not captured Wen Ran within that period, I’ll have to let someone else do it.” The implication being that Wu Tianyi would be discarded.

“I will get it done, Professor Fu, don’t worry.”

Wu Tianyi quickly reassured Fu Jingyi again. On the other end of the phone, after a noncommittal hum, Fu hung up without listening to his further attempts at persuasion.

Wu Tianyi stared at his phone and snorted coldly, his eyes revealing a menacing glare. Fu Jingyi was ruthless. To think he was considering abandoning him, Wu Tianyi thought bitterly. If he couldn’t capture Wen Ran within a month, and Fu Jingyi didn’t help him leave the country, he would betray Fu.

After some thought, he walked over to the couch a few steps away and sat down. He threw the phone on the coffee table, picked up a pack of cigarettes, and lit one. After a few puffs, he picked up his phone again, dialed a number…

**

G City

In a quiet suburban villa,n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Bright, dazzling yet soft crystal lamp light poured down, illuminating every corner of the master bedroom. The two people nestled together on the leather couch looked wrapped in a web of happiness, separating them from the world outside.

The LCD screen was broadcasting a variety show. The witty hosts and guests induced endless laughter from the audience.

Wen Ran was nestled in Mo Xiuchen’s arms, watching TV, while the man beside her looked at her with soft loving eyes.

“Mo Xiuchen, if you don’t want to watch TV, go sleep first.”

Wen Ran knew, without even looking up, that his gaze was focused on her. With him looking at her with such intensity, it was hard for her to concentrate on the TV.

A smile of affection tugged at Mo Xiuchen’s lips; his voice was soft and warm. “You watch; I’ll accompany you.”

It had been several days since he had quietly watched her like this, feeling the satisfaction and security of having her by his side. Ever since the afternoon when she left the company on her own, he had been feeling uneasy.

The days without her were like enduring hellish torture. Those lonely nights he sat on the couch, even her favorite shows could not bring warmth.

Tonight, if he hadn’t tricked her into coming home, been both persistent and persuasive to convince her to stay, he would still be alone in this bedroom.

Even now, with her here, he knew it was only temporary. She was only staying for tonight. Tomorrow, she would leave again, and perhaps in a few days, she would give him the same answer – divorce.

At this thought, the arm holding her shoulder tightened subconsciously, causing a lump in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

Wen Ran felt his move and looked up in surprise. Seeing the tension and anxiety in his eyes that he was too late to hide, she felt a pang in her heart and instinctively called out, “Mo Xiuchen!”

Mo Xiuchen, realizing his own tension and seeing her soft and caring eyes, quickly masked his feelings with a small smile. He bent down and lightly kissed her forehead, pulled her into his arms, and said, “Ranran, you go on watching.”

“Okay!”

Wen Ran fell silent for a moment, turned her head back to the screen. However, her heart still felt a bit sad.

“Ranran!”

Not even a minute later, Mo Xiuchen’s voice rang out again. Wen Ran had not been focusing on the TV to begin with, so as soon as she heard him, she immediately looked up.

Mo Xiuchen’s eyes sparkled, he held her gaze for a moment before he opened his lips, his gentle voice resonated.

“Tomorrow, the company has a celebratory banquet, would you accompany me?”

“A banquet?”

Wen Ran’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t answer immediately. She was hesitating. She had only agreed to stay with him for tonight and reconsider their divorce.

Mo Xiuchen smiled slightly and said, “Yes, the company is holding a banquet to celebrate Cheng Jia and a few other colleagues who brought in a high profit for the company after their training in D country.”

“Did her leg recover?”

Wen Ran uncharacteristically asked in response, her clear eyes fixed on Mo Xiuchen.

“I don’t know.”

Mo Xiuchen didn’t hesitate, he genuinely didn’t know.

Firstly, he didn’t know the extent of Cheng Jia’s injury. Secondly, he didn’t care. Even if her leg was crippled, he wouldn’t feel a shred of pity. All his care and affection were for the woman he loved. Cheng Jia did not deserve it.

Wen Ran chuckled lightly, “Aside from the banquet, will you also be promoting her and giving her a raise?”

Mo Xiuchen arched an eyebrow at her radiant smile. His eyes deepened, and he chuckled in a gentle voice: