Chapter 5: A Visit to Express Gratitude

No one knew exactly why, but the video of Mo Ran saving lives—once viral online and dominating trending searches—seemed to have been deliberately suppressed. Within just two days, its popularity vanished completely. If not for the official account of the Shanghai fire brigade still displaying Mo Ran’s photo, it would have felt like the whole thing was a fabrication.

On the fifth morning after the incident, a discreet black sedan pulled out from the hospital’s rear entrance, heading toward the city government. Inside, besides the driver, sat Xiao Weiguo’s wife and his treasured daughter, Xiao Xiao.

“Mom, have you found the young man who saved me?” Xiao Xiao asked, gazing at the swiftly receding scenery outside the window, recalling the harrowing scene from that day.

“Here, look at this photo—is it him?” Her mother smiled, produced her phone from her bag, opened a picture, and handed it to Xiao Xiao.

“Yes, it’s him.” Taking the phone, Xiao Xiao stared for several seconds, excitement sparkling in her voice. That handsome profile and eyes shining like stars were etched in her memory. Although she’d been dazed from the airbag’s impact on the steering wheel, the flash of brilliance had left an indelible impression.

“This young man is named Mo Ran, an orphan. Now he’s…” Xiao’s mother paused, a sense of regret flooding her heart. Why do all good men marry so early? If only he weren’t married—he’d be perfect for her daughter.

“Mom, what’s happened to him now?” Xiao Xiao grew anxious, worried he might have been injured, given the ferocity of the electric car’s explosion.

“He’s now part of the Su family,” her mother replied.

“But Mom, his surname is Mo. How is he a Su? Do you mean he’s their son-in-law?” Xiao Xiao responded, lowering her voice, unsettled by a peculiar feeling in her heart.

“Yes. That’s why this afternoon I plan to bring some gifts and visit the Su family personally to express our gratitude. Your father’s identity makes it inconvenient—you understand.” Her mother explained.

“Mom, let’s go together. I must meet the person who saved my life.” Determined, Xiao Xiao insisted on accompanying her.

Meanwhile, news of the visit brought joy to the Su family, especially Su Dashan. When he received a call from the secretary of Shanghai’s top official, he was overjoyed. As a successful businessman, he longed for a family member to rise to official prominence, bringing honor to their lineage.

Unfortunately, Secretary Xiao Weiguo—usually meticulous—made a rare mistake. Assuming the visit was simply to thank them, he only notified the family to host at home. He didn’t realize the Su family knew nothing of Mo Ran’s heroic deeds; in fact, they weren’t interested. Even when they saw the video, they never connected it to Mo Ran, swiping past without a second thought.

Thus, one side assumed the other understood the purpose; the other thought Xiao Weiguo had delicate matters to discuss, and the gratitude visit was a pretext. One spoke in official jargon, the other didn’t ask, nearly causing a major misunderstanding.

At Su Dashan’s command, the main house, second house, third house, and married daughter all returned to the old mansion. Upon hearing that the wife and daughter of Shanghai’s top official would come, everyone became as excited as if preparing for a matchmaking event, dressing their young men like peacocks, as if vying for marriage.

Yet no one considered the true meaning behind the words “visit to express gratitude,” treating it only as an excuse.

At one-thirty in the afternoon, as the Su family waited anxiously, the black sedan slowly entered Su Dashan’s old mansion. The family lined the road to welcome the official’s wife and daughter.

When the car stopped, Secretary Xiao Weiguo stepped out first, surveyed the scene, then opened the rear door, ushering Xiao’s mother and Xiao Xiao out.

“Welcome, Madam Xiao and Miss Xiao. Your presence brings light to our humble abode,” Su Dashan greeted them, his face blooming with joy.

“Chairman Su, you’re too kind.” Madam Xiao glanced around, searching for someone but not finding him. Assuming more guests were yet to arrive, she responded politely.

“Please, come inside.” In his excitement, Su Dashan failed to notice her subtle disappointment, instead gesturing for everyone to enter the sitting room.

“Thank you.” Madam Xiao suppressed her thoughts, leading Xiao Xiao inside, followed by the secretary carrying bags of gifts.

“Madam Xiao, Miss Xiao, please sit anywhere. I’ve brewed the finest Biluochun tea,” Su Dashan said cheerfully.

“No need for such formality, Chairman Su. We’re here today specifically to express our thanks.” Bound by her husband’s special status, Madam Xiao politely declined his hospitality, stating her purpose.

“To ease Secretary Xiao’s worries is my honor.” Su Dashan, thinking she was signaling him, promptly expressed his loyalty.

“Chairman Su, are all your young family members here?” Madam Xiao, sensing his obliviousness, reminded him.

His face broke into an even wider smile, believing she wanted him to choose a young person for some exchange.

“Yes, everyone’s here—grandsons, granddaughters, all,” Su Dashan replied.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao, silently leaning on the sofa, searched the crowd for the person she sought. Her gaze finally landed on Su Qingcheng. Their eyes met briefly, then quickly looked away.

“What’s happening? Why do I suddenly feel hostility toward her?” Xiao Xiao wondered, baffled by her sudden antagonism toward a stranger. Was it simply because the other woman was as beautiful as she? Some kind of rivalry among women?

Elsewhere, oblivious to the events at the old mansion, Mo Ran wore an apron, cleaning Su Qingcheng’s villa. Upon hearing that Madam Xiao would visit, Su Dashan hastily summoned all the housekeepers from his sons’ homes to the old mansion for cleaning. Naturally, Su Sen wouldn’t miss the chance to boss Mo Ran around, threatening to dock his pay if he didn’t finish cleaning the whole villa that afternoon.

Had Mo Ran known that today’s troubles were brought upon himself, he might have felt differently.

“Chairman Su, don’t you have a grandson-in-law?” Madam Xiao, seeing Mo Ran was absent, decided to speak plainly. This endless official speak was far too troublesome.

“Grandson-in-law?” Su Dashan was stunned. If not for the old master’s prophecy—‘a good son-in-law brings prosperity to three generations’—he’d have kicked Mo Ran out long ago.

“Yes, Chairman Su. My mother and I are here specifically to see him, your grandson-in-law, Mo Ran,” Xiao Xiao explained.

She felt frustrated. Hadn’t she instructed the secretary to explain everything? Was this how he handled things? She glanced at the secretary, only to find him baffled, looking at Su Dashan as if he were insane.

“Mo Ran, Qingcheng, has Mo Ran arrived?” Realizing the situation, Su Dashan immediately inquired.

“He had something to do and didn’t come,” Su Qingcheng replied, startled by her grandfather’s nervous urgency. She wondered why the daughter of Shanghai’s top official would be connected to her nominally useless husband.

“Miss Su, please take us to him. I want to thank my savior in person,” Xiao Xiao said, standing up and approaching Su Qingcheng in front of the assembled family.

“Savior? What savior?” Su Qingcheng asked, puzzled.

“Hurry, Qingcheng, lead the way!” Su Dashan urged, anxious not to offend the distinguished guests.

“Let’s take my car.” The secretary, now fully aware of the situation, picked up the gifts and volunteered to drive. He realized Su Dashan was oblivious to Mo Ran’s heroic deeds, and if he didn’t fix matters, his own position would be at risk.

Thus, under the bemused gazes of the Su family, Su Qingcheng joined the secretary and Xiao Xiao and her mother in the car, guiding them to her villa.

“Dad, what’s happening?” Only after the car’s engine roared and sped away did the family snap out of their daze. Su Sen cautiously asked.

“You fool! Why ask me? How should I know? Go back and check!” Su Dashan snapped at his incompetent eldest son.

Everyone hurried to their cars and followed to Su Qingcheng’s villa, a fleet of luxury vehicles attracting attention and becoming the talk of the town.

Guided by Su Qingcheng, the black sedan arrived smoothly at her home.

A fingerprint pressed on the handle, and the solid brass doors slowly parted. It was said that just this door cost nearly a hundred thousand.

Inside, Mo Ran, hearing the commotion, stopped his work, standing in the entryway to watch the doors open.

Ten pairs of eyes met. Mo Ran saw Su Qingcheng and the two women and one man beside her, assuming they were business associates. He dutifully inserted the mop into its bucket, picked it up, and prepared to leave. Su Qingcheng had repeatedly instructed: whenever guests came, regardless of what he was doing, he must immediately stop, tidy up, and retreat to the back garden until the visit concluded.

“Hey, Mo Ran, someone’s here for you!” Su Qingcheng called out, frowning at Mo Ran’s lack of awareness. Why was he leaving when she brought guests?

“They’re here for me? Don’t joke, Miss Su. I’ll just tidy up in the garden,” Mo Ran replied, not turning his head as he walked up the steps toward the kitchen and the back door.

“I’m sorry, Madam Xiao, Miss Xiao. My husband isn’t very talkative,” Su Qingcheng explained, embarrassed.

“It’s fine, Miss Su. Please lead the way—I want to see my savior in person,” Xiao Xiao replied, not minding, but her eyes shone with a keen light, revealing she’d already discerned something.

As the daughter of a provincial leader, she had no ambition for officialdom, but years of upbringing had sharpened her powers of observation. From Mo Ran’s attire, behavior, and the words “Miss Su,” she had already sensed the truth.

Thus, Su Qingcheng, silently praying that Mo Ran wouldn’t cause any trouble, led the three guests to the back garden.

As the door opened, all four were left dumbfounded...