Chapter 18: Acting

“Alright, alright, I’ll talk, I’ll talk.” Seeing Mo Ran’s expression—go ahead, say it, let’s see if I believe you—Su Qingxue, after all, was still a young woman with a thin skin. In the end, she couldn’t withstand Mo Ran’s questioning and confessed everything in one go.

“What are you talking about? Someone’s harassing you and even confessed to you?” At these words, Mo Ran nearly jumped up in shock, blurting it out loud. Still in school and preparing for the college entrance exam, which reckless brat dared to confess to her?

“Oh, shush, don’t shout so loudly. It’s a classmate from my high school,” Su Qingxue quickly signaled Mo Ran to lower her voice, worrying that the maids living in the servant quarters might overhear.

“Does he know who you really are?” Mo Ran finally caught on and asked hurriedly. After all, there’s a world of difference between someone chasing you knowing your identity and someone who doesn’t; one is purely for the person, the other is not just for the person.

“He doesn’t know. They just know my family’s rich, but not exactly how rich. In a place like Shanghai, there are plenty of rich people,” Su Qingxue shook her head and replied.

“Alright then. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll come pick you up at school, help you deal with him, and then we’ll go to the company to find your sister.” Mo Ran nodded.

“Hooray, finally I don’t have to worry about this anymore!” Su Qingxue cheered, then hurried upstairs, ready to go to bed.

Meanwhile, Mo Ran, freshly showered and wearing pajamas Su Qingcheng had given him, waited in the living room for a long time—until well past eleven—before finally hearing the sound of an engine outside. He immediately stood up to greet them at the door.

Unfortunately, he was a step behind. As he stood, he saw Li Lan supporting a slightly staggering Su Qingcheng through the door. As for Su Sen, he was probably still parking the car.

“Oh? Those pajamas…” Perhaps it was the effects of a few extra drinks, but both Li Lan and Su Qingcheng’s gazes and minds were a bit hazy. Add to that the dim lighting—only a few small lamps were on by the sofa, not the main lights—they didn’t see Mo Ran’s face clearly, and Li Lan, slurring a bit, spoke up with a drunken curiosity.

At her words, Mo Ran’s face changed instantly, catching an odd implication—was there something special about these pajamas?

With a click, the main light in the living room turned on, instantly illuminating the entire space and the foyer.

“Why are you sitting in the dark? You’ll trip if you’re not careful.” It was Su Sen, a step late, who had flipped the switch by the main door. As he changed his shoes, he asked,

“Mo Ran, sleep downstairs tonight. Qingcheng isn’t feeling well, so I need to take care of her.” The sudden brightness seemed to clear Li Lan’s mind, and she was grateful she hadn’t said anything more. Not having figured out Su Qingcheng’s attitude yet, she quickly switched topics.

“Alright, Mom.” Hearing this, Mo Ran glanced at Su Qingcheng, whose cheeks were flushed—how much had she drunk tonight? He nodded, and watched as Li Lan helped Su Qingcheng upstairs.

“It’s just a celebration banquet, not some business deal. Why drink so much?” Watching their figures disappear around the stairwell, Mo Ran shook his head in confusion, not knowing that tonight Su Qingcheng drank a wine named “Intoxication to Forget All Sorrows.”

The night passed. Following the routine of the past couple of days, Mo Ran planned to go to the company with Su Qingcheng, but she brushed him off with a casual excuse.

Standing at the villa gate, Mo Ran watched Su Qingcheng’s car drive further and further away. His enthusiasm sank to rock bottom, and only then did he truly understand what Xiao Xiao’s words last night had meant.

That afternoon, Mo Ran arrived as promised, waiting at the school gates right on time. Perhaps because the holidays were near, the school allowed visitors to enter as long as they registered.

He hadn't even reached the teaching building when, from a distance, he saw a handsome young man waiting below with a large bouquet of roses. Could this be the wealthy heir Su Qingxue had mentioned—the one planning to confess to her? He seemed decent: clean features, tall… Mo Ran was puzzled. With such qualities, why did Su Qingxue dislike him?

As he slowed his pace, observing the boy, Mo Ran noticed that aside from his height and looks, the hand holding the bouquet was trembling—no, to be precise, shaking rather visibly, to the point that even the greeting card at the top seemed loose and askew.

Such weak nerves? Mo Ran silently concluded.

Soon, as the bell signaling the end of exams rang out, the once-quiet campus bustled with life. Mo Ran quickly spotted Su Qingxue coming down the stairs.

“Qingxue, you’re here!” The moment he spotted his beloved, the boy hurried forward, offering the bouquet and speaking up.

“Huang Mao, just give it up. Don’t think I’ll accept you just because your father’s a school board director.” Seeing Huang Mao with the roses, Su Qingxue’s face instantly filled with disgust as she snapped at him, pushing him aside. Her eyes quickly darted around and finally locked onto Mo Ran, standing not far away and smiling at her.

Immediately, Su Qingxue lit up with a smile—not as breathtaking as her sister Su Qingcheng’s, but pure and sweet, like a ray of moonlight. Under everyone’s gaze, she picked up her pace, then ran straight into Mo Ran’s arms, looping her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek, and whispered softly, “Brother-in-law, you’re here so early.”

Many students nearby began to cheer and hoot. Faced with this real-life TV drama, everyone was visibly excited.

At that moment, Su Qingxue, as if wishing for even more spectacle, pressed her soft, warm lips directly onto Mo Ran’s. Caught off guard, Mo Ran was stunned—what was this sudden performance? Then, his eyes widened in utter disbelief.

For, inexplicably, Su Qingxue began to French kiss him, her long, shapely legs wrapping tightly around Mo Ran’s waist, squeezing even harder—the kind of force that could crush someone. Was this all just an act? Did she have to go this far? How much did she hate that boy, Mo Ran wondered, but at a loss for what to do, he could only hold Su Qingxue by the waist to keep her from falling.

It was a long while before Su Qingxue finally let go, her face now scarlet. The two girls who had come out with her and the boy with the bouquet were now gathered around, watching. The boy’s face had turned the color of raw liver, like the doors of some old antique building—a deep, dark red. He clutched the roses so hard that even the thorns drew blood, though he seemed not to notice the pain.

“Qingxue, is this your boyfriend? He’s so handsome!” Su Qingxue’s classmate approached as soon as the two parted.

“Yes, yes, isn’t he? Not only is he handsome, he’s got great muscles too!” Su Qingxue jumped off Mo Ran, beaming at the humiliated Huang Mao, her tone full of scorn. Then, right there in front of everyone, she suddenly pulled up Mo Ran’s shirt, revealing his sharply defined six-pack.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Mo Ran protested in exasperation, hastily tugging his shirt back down.

“Hehe, just showing them how amazing my boyfriend is. Hope someone gets the message—don’t try what’s impossible,” Su Qingxue said with a mischievous grin, glancing pointedly at Huang Mao. Her meaning couldn’t be clearer.

“You know, you could’ve just said no if you didn’t like him—no need for all that. You really went for the jugular,” Mo Ran couldn’t help but remark on the way to the Su Group headquarters. He wanted to tell her that her little stunt would crush any man’s spirit.

As the saying goes: while you’re crying at night, someone else is sweating; while you’re heartbroken, someone else is burning with passion. People use it for comfort, but it really is a ruthless truth.

“I did say no, but he kept pestering me, so I came up with this. Clever, right?” Su Qingxue replied from the back seat, grinning wickedly.

“Ahem, well, you can’t blame me for this.” Mo Ran was instantly embarrassed, feeling as if a thousand wild horses were stampeding through his mind.

“Really? So it’s not your fault? Is that so?” Su Qingxue leaned in like a curious kitten.

“Oh, come on, you’re the one who’s so beautiful and pulled that sneak attack—what normal guy could resist?” Mo Ran’s face grew even redder as he tried to act composed.