Chapter 13: Encountering Xiao Weiguo Again

Over the next three days, Mo Ran continued to cooperate with Xiao Xiao, keeping Su Qingcheng in suspense through his words. At the same time, he allowed Su Qingcheng to believe she was privy to the government’s latest moves, and Mo Ran himself experienced a sense of respect he hadn’t felt in years, even if it was likely nothing more than a fleeting dream.

The night before the bidding conference officially began, when she deemed the timing right, Xiao Xiao sent the pre-prepared photos of the documents to Mo Ran’s phone. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had designed.

Late at night, Mo Ran, lying on a makeshift bed and scrolling through his phone, suddenly sat upright with an expression of surprise.

“Hm? Mo Ran, what’s the matter?” Su Qingcheng, worried about the upcoming bidding conference, was startled by his reaction and asked in confusion.

“Xiao Xiao sent it,” Mo Ran glanced at Su Qingcheng and spoke.

“Sent what?” Su Qingcheng feigned ignorance.

“The government’s base price,” Mo Ran replied, his lips barely moving, uttering four words.

The following day, at the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.

Following Su Qingcheng’s instructions, Mo Ran slowly parked the Maybach in the spot reserved for Su Group. He hadn’t wanted to come, but Su Qingcheng insisted, citing that he was a team member for this project. Wang Bo accompanied them as well.

After getting out of the car, Su Qingcheng strode ahead, with Mo Ran and Wang Bo following. Never having experienced such a grand occasion, Mo Ran felt nervous, sensing that something might happen to him today.

There’s no telling why, but sometimes people’s instincts are uncannily accurate. As the three entered the venue through a private passage, two men in black official uniforms, badges pinned to their chests, blocked their way.

“You gentlemen are…?” Seeing their attire—clearly officials—Su Qingcheng, always cautious, smiled and probed.

“Ms. Su, we are staff from the inspection agency. Your company’s employee, Mr. Mo Ran, is involved in a government leak case. We need him to assist with the investigation.” At these words, all three opened their eyes wide in shock.

Especially Su Qingcheng and Wang Bo; they exchanged glances, each reading both relief and a hint of worry in the other’s eyes.

“Page (1/3)”

“Page (2/3)”

“Comrades, you must be mistaken. Mo Ran is not an employee of my company.” Su Qingcheng immediately put on a professional smile, refusing to acknowledge Mo Ran’s identity.

The two officers turned their gaze to Mo Ran, seemingly awaiting his response.

Mo Ran remained calm and nodded. Though he hadn’t expected this today, he knew it had to be Xiao Xiao’s arrangement.

“Ms. Su, since he isn’t your company’s employee, why did you bring him here?” one inspector asked.

“He’s my family’s son-in-law. My grandfather, the chairman of Su Group, specifically instructed me to bring him to experience the event,” Su Qingcheng explained, her words making everything sound reasonable.

Yet, even in her explanation, she still didn’t publicly acknowledge Mo Ran as her husband, which left Mo Ran with a bitter feeling.

“Can we enter now, comrades?” Su Qingcheng asked, ignoring Mo Ran’s silence. She had quickly distanced him from Su Group, her mind focused solely on her own interests.

“You may.” The two inspectors exchanged glances and stepped aside. In truth, they hadn’t received any report but only orders from above: bring Mo Ran somewhere.

“Mr. Mo, please.” After Su Qingcheng and Wang Bo entered, the two officers gestured for Mo Ran to follow. Soon, the three reached the private room area on the third floor, stopping before Room 666.

“Mr. Mo, someone is waiting for you inside.” They glanced at Mo Ran and then turned to leave. This left Mo Ran bewildered—what kind of game was this? But since he was already here, he placed his hand on the door handle and opened it.

“Ta-da! Are you surprised? Is it unexpected?” As soon as he opened the door, Mo Ran saw Xiao Xiao standing with her hands behind her back, smiling brightly.

“Xiao Xiao, what… what are you doing here?” Seeing Xiao Xiao dressed in academic style, Mo Ran’s eyes lit up.

She wore a deep blue blazer, impeccably tailored, over a white fitted shirt with a misty blue tie, echoing her pleated mist-blue plaid skirt. Her long, slender legs, clad in sheer stockings and black leather shoes, caught the light—likely “bare-leg illusion” tights. The scholarly look was perfect.

“Because I’m here! Xiao Xiao insisted on coming, so I brought her along.” At this moment, Mo Ran was still caught up in the stunning impression from their first encounter, until the commanding baritone of Xiao Wei Guo snapped him back to reality.

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“Hello, Secretary Xiao.” By instinct, Mo Ran straightened and spoke seriously, as any ordinary person would when meeting an official.

“Dad, see? I told you, as soon as you speak, Mo Ran immediately gets serious.” Unexpectedly, Xiao Xiao pouted and complained, displeased by Mo Ran’s solemn demeanor.

“Haha, alright, alright. My fault. Xiao Mo, there’s no need to be so formal. When there are outsiders, call me Secretary Xiao—I won’t mind. But when it’s just us, if you call me Secretary Xiao again, I’ll take issue with it.” Hearing his daughter’s complaint, Xiao Wei Guo conceded quickly. “Come in, let’s have a chat.”

“Alright, Uncle Xiao.” Mo Ran glanced awkwardly at Xiao Xiao’s disgruntled face, scratching his head in embarrassment as he replied. He now noticed the light makeup on Xiao Xiao’s face, her beauty markedly elevated compared to previous days—could it be…?

What am I thinking? He knew exactly where he stood. Best not to fall for the three great illusions of life. Thoughts flashed through Mo Ran’s mind, only to be dismissed the next moment.

“Mo Ran, Su Group has already been removed from the bidding shortlist—only the issuance of this document remains.” As soon as he sat down, Xiao Wei Guo pointed to a file on the coffee table. His casual remark left Mo Ran torn between standing and sitting.

“Curious why?” Watching Mo Ran’s discomfort, Xiao Wei Guo smiled, as if he could see through his thoughts.

“Yes, Uncle Xiao.” Mo Ran nodded honestly, knowing that lying before someone of such stature was pointless.

“As a company, seeking growth through projects is normal, but it must be done legitimately. Yet Su Group tried to manipulate you and my daughter, attempting to steal government secrets—that’s already illegal.” Xiao Wei Guo sneered, “In Shanghai, if the Su family displeases me, I can make sure they’re very unhappy.”

“Uncle Xiao, actually, Xiao Xiao and I didn’t…” Mo Ran’s heart skipped a beat, feeling both guilty and trying to salvage the situation, still clinging to a sliver of hope for Su Qingcheng.

“Didn’t what? I know Xiao Xiao staged a show with you. Since it’s come to this, how can you still be soft-hearted?” Xiao Wei Guo turned strict, though a hint of approval flickered in his eyes. Such kindness was rare—no wonder he had the courage to save someone.

“Enough, then. I’ll keep this document here for now. I hope you’ll see through the true faces of Su Qingcheng and the Su family.” Xiao Wei Guo sighed, casting a meaningful glance at his daughter as he put the file away.

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