“Mom, what are you talking about?”
Jiang Sifeng's heart was racing, but he tried his best to maintain a calm expression, fearing any sign of weakness.
“Don’t worry, it’s all in the past now. After all, you are my son, and I won’t really hold it against you,” Qin Ni said with a faint smile. “I just can’t understand, have I ever mistreated you? Would I not give you money if you asked?”
Jiang Sifeng kept his head low, not daring to meet her gaze. Qin Ni, despite her frustration, couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh. After all, this illegitimate child had been with her for so long.
“You can leave now. There’s too much going on lately. Remember to go to the hospital on time…” Qin Ni sighed. “By the way, has your father contacted you recently?”
“No…”
Even if he had, he wouldn’t tell Qin Ni.
Hearing this, Qin Ni didn’t press further and simply waved her hand, signaling for Jiang Sifeng to leave.
Looking out the window, Qin Ni felt exhausted. The situation at hand had her head spinning over how to handle the family business she had guarded for half her life. With her years of experience in the business world, she knew trouble would only continue to pile up. The Mo Family and the Qin Family were intrinsically linked; how could she untangle herself from them?
Even if she divorced, would Mo Jinpeng and Mo Tingting cease to be her children?
The most pressing issue was that the Mo Family dealt in footwear and apparel, while she ran the Qin Corporation in jewelry. Such products were highly sensitive to scandals involving their spokespersons. If consumers launched a boycott, revenue would plummet, and stock prices would inevitably fluctuate.
What’s more, Mo Tingting, her own daughter, was the spokesperson for the Mo Corporation, and the Qin Corporation had benefited greatly from her image.
If competitors took advantage of the situation to suppress and seize market share, the resulting chain of blows could lead to unpredictable consequences.
At this moment, she found herself thinking of Mo Xuan. Compared to the others, her youngest son seemed remarkably different.
At least he hadn’t caused the mess that Mo Jinpeng had, nor had he embezzled funds like Jiang Sifeng.
Qin Ni had already revoked Jiang Sifeng’s shares, and she had no intention of giving them to Mo Yingying. Instead, she planned to hand them over to Mo Xuan. In that instant, she realized that her youngest son might be more trustworthy.
But she also knew one thing—Mo Xuan no longer needed them…
While the Mo Family was in chaos, Mo Xuan’s life was remarkably peaceful.
The only trouble was that just after being kissed by Luo Muqi, he was now being pinned down and kissed by Luo Shiya in his room.
If it weren’t for Shen Qingyun being there, the sisters might have gotten even more shameless!
“Shiya, I need to make lunch…”
Just as he struggled to get up, Luo Shiya yanked his collar and pulled him back. Lately, the two sisters had been overwhelming, not because of the physical intimacy, but because… they were too clingy. They wanted to be attached to him 24/7.
Especially their eyes—it wasn’t just love; it was a crazy possessiveness.
Thankfully, a phone call interrupted, and Luo Shiya reluctantly let him go, though she clung to him like an octopus, refusing to let go.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll head over in the afternoon.”
After hanging up, Mo Xuan helplessly looked at Luo Shiya and said, “My professor wants me to go to school; there’s a new project he wants me to be part of.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
“Shiya, I have to.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
“…”
Where was the gentle and considerate older sister from before? What happened to her?
“Just kidding.” Luo Shiya slowly let go of Mo Xuan and, as usual, helped him straighten his clothes. “When will you be back? Should I pick you up?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll call you or Muqi when I know.”
Such things were hard to predict. There had been times when he had worked until the early hours of the morning. Luo Shiya’s eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but it was fleeting. Then, she spoke softly, “Alright, let’s go make lunch together, shall we?”
As if she hadn’t been the one clinging to him and refusing to let him leave, Mo Xuan couldn’t help but ask, “Shiya, is everything okay with you and Muqi lately?”
“We’re afraid you’ll leave us.”
Luo Shiya looked up, her usual gentleness replaced by a vulnerability and fragility that was unlike her public persona.
“How could I leave you?” Mo Xuan gently wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’ve told you, as long as you still need me, I’ll never leave you.”
Luo Shiya’s head pressed tightly against Mo Xuan’s chest, her body trembling slightly. Mistaking it for tears, Mo Xuan quickly comforted her, “Shiya, are you okay?”
“I’m fine…”
Her voice was suppressed, her hands gripping Mo Xuan’s arm tightly, her head bowed.
She wasn’t crying; she just didn’t want Mo Xuan to see the morbid smile on her face.
“Just a little longer, my plan will work…”
“Xuan, how could you be so foolish as to leave me and Muqi?”
“Chains don’t need to be physical…”
Luo Shiya greedily nestled in Mo Xuan’s embrace. His body carried a unique medicinal scent; he always used a herbal shower gel that wasn’t floral but had a distinctive aroma.
“If you’re worried, you can install a tracking app on my phone,” Mo Xuan joked half-heartedly.
Luo Shiya, still with her head down, whispered softly, “It’s already done…”
“Already what?”
Mo Xuan didn’t catch it, and Luo Shiya suddenly kissed him, then, as if nothing had happened, smiled lightly and said, “It’s nothing. Let’s go make lunch.”
Without waiting for Mo Xuan’s reaction, she pulled him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. At the bottom, Shen Qingyun was bending down to say goodbye to Luo Wei'er and Luo Xue'er. Luo Muqi was unmoved, sitting on the sofa watching TV.
“Aunt Shen, are you leaving?”
Mo Xuan wanted to see her off, but Luo Shiya held his hand tightly, so he had no choice but to stay. Shen Qingyun glanced complexly at her eldest daughter, who was only looking at Mo Xuan, and her youngest daughter, who didn’t even glance at her, feeling a pang of sadness.
If it weren’t for what happened back then, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way…
“Yes, I have something to do this afternoon, so I’ll be leaving now. You all go ahead.”
As Shen Qingyun turned to leave, she was surprised to hear Luo Shiya and Luo Muqi’s voices behind her:
“Be careful on the road.”
“Mom, we’ll visit you next time.”
Shen Qingyun paused momentarily, then softly replied, "Mm," before leaving without looking back.
Luo Shiya, watching her mother’s retreating figure, didn’t linger. Instead, she pulled Mo Xuan toward the kitchen, while Luo Muqi complained ungraciously, “Sis, you can’t always monopolize brother, can you?”
“Daddy, Daddy!”
The two toddlers also ran over, clinging to Mo Xuan's legs like little pendants.
Mo Xuan: …
He couldn’t help but feel that his current happiness was just a bit too heavy…