Chapter 1294: He Just Let Her Go

Chu Ci let out a cold laugh, “Of course you didn’t mean it!”

Zhao Mo Ran looked at him, bewildered.

Chu Ci’s sneer deepened, his fingers gently scraping her fair cheek, “After all, you and Gu Fei are the same kind of people, only you’re more ruthless than him. By the way, does he know how ruthless you are? I think he doesn’t, otherwise he wouldn’t be so obsessed with you.”

As he spoke, he locked her small face, his voice sinking lower, “Remember this, Zhao Mo Ran, I don’t like you getting too close to other men, especially Gu Fei.”

She couldn’t avoid him and was forced to look at him.

Chu Ci chuckled softly, “Alright, the matter is in the past.”

He seemed to be in a good temper, but Zhao Mo Ran knew he wouldn’t easily settle the matter, so she involuntarily asked, “What are you going to do to Gu Fei?”

Chu Ci leaned back in the chair, smiling at her. His smile was strikingly bright, yet seeing it left her feeling inexplicably cold. Finally, Chu Ci spoke, “You don’t need to worry.”

“I’m not asking for mercy,” she said with difficulty, “Chu Ci, don’t you think ignoring him would be better if you don’t want me involved with him any longer? I just happened to meet him, chatting briefly; I just wanted to make things clear to him.”

“Make things clear?” Chu Ci lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply before giving her a sideways glance. “You are now Mrs. Chu. These three words need no further explanation to him.”

After saying that, he snuffed out the cigarette and started the car, but left her a final remark, “If you don’t want your days to be difficult, don’t speak on his behalf anymore.”

The more she talked, the more uncomfortable he felt.

He would then recall their past, wondering if she and Gu Fei had kissed or embraced while dating, whether her face showed a shyness he hadn’t seen, rather than fear.

Chu Ci’s displeasure made her wary of provoking him. She thought he would retreat to his study for some quiet time upon returning home, but instead, he went to the nursery to hold Xiao Xunxun, played music, and picked up a fairytale book to read to her. Zhao Mo Ran came over, speechless, and crouched in front of him, “Chu Ci, Xunxun is still young, she can’t understand.”

He looked up at her, “But can you understand?”

She paused momentarily, then heard him say, “Reading to you is like playing a harp to a cow.”

At this moment, she understood his meaning, thinking he was somewhat childish and laughable. Moreover, he seemed to hold her against some trial, as though a day without loving him meant grave sin. Her lips moved, silent for a long time.

Chu Ci paid her no attention, continuing to read to their daughter. His voice was pleasant and slightly deep but not raspy, possibly due to his past as an actor with excellent diction, offering an enjoyable sound. Having things to request of him, she sat on the thick rug, leaning against his leg while reading her own book.

Her actions were somewhat cheeky.

Yet, in Chu Ci’s eyes, it was something new since he’d never seen her like this. He lowered his gaze and slightly jiggled his leg, “What are you doing?”

“Reading,” she replied without lifting her head.

Chu Ci was silent for another moment before speaking, “I know, I’m asking why you’re doing this. Don’t think that this will make me spare Gu Fei.”

She suddenly put down the book, turned to wrap her arms around his leg, looking up at him and softly calling his name, “Chu Ci.”

Her voice was soft and tender like a kitten, unheard by Chu Ci before; even when he bullied her harshly, she never spoke in such a tone.

Chu Ci felt some warmth in his heart, placing his elegant hand atop her head, gently rubbing. Meanwhile, the strength in his hand slowly increased, adding some complexity. Even the air felt different; she knew what he wanted and gently closed her eyes… Chu Ci chuckled lowly, “This is your request.”

He kissed her, deeply kissing…

After what seemed like ages, they only regained awareness when Xiao Xunxun cried out, causing Chu Ci to release his wife, holding the little one completely in his arms without soothing—simply staring, “The child seems to be hungry.”

While speaking, he unexpectedly pressed Zhao Mo Ran’s head down by his leg, stroking her back softly from her hair, as if preventing her departure yet akin to calming her, given her breath’s disarray…

She didn’t leave, obediently resting against him. Chu Ci didn’t speak further, instead picking up the fairy tale book, reading to Xiao Xunxun again. The little one who was previously crying calmed down, ceasing to wail… Her small mouth opened with gurgling, revealing a toothless sweet grin, incredibly adorable.

Chu Ci wasn’t typically a warm man, yet this moment led him to kiss the little one indulgently.

Mmm, smelling of milk.

He kissed again, even pinching her soft cheeks.

Xiao Xunxun looked at him and then nestled into daddy’s lap, her little mouth gaped like a bird searching for food. Chu Ci was slightly surprised, then glanced at the baby’s mother, “She seems hungry.”

Zhao Mo Ran rose and took the child, giving Chu Ci a look post-kiss, his temper seemingly eased, “I’ll check downstairs for dinner.”

She said nothing, quietly feeding Xiao Xunxun.

He stood watching for a while, adam’s apple moved before proceeding downstairs, hesitating midway with flickering eyes of confusion.

In truth, he didn’t quite understand why he let her off so easily, despite his anger… Simply resting against his leg had softened him, allowing her pardon. After a moment, Chu Ci shook his head, ceasing his debate over the matter.

Upstairs, Zhao Mo Ran sighed in relief; married to Chu Ci over a year, she knew his temperament well. Surprised at his leniency towards her, but uncertain whether he’d spare Gu Fei… still, she dared not inquire further.

She wasn’t worried about Gu Fei but believed someone uninvolved should remain out of her and Chu Ci’s affairs. A man like Chu Ci might not harm her, but would not show mercy towards Gu Fei.

After feeding Xiao Xunxun, she changed her diaper, placing her in the crib, reluctant to leave, instead rocking her bed and singing lullabies. Xiao Xunxun watched her mom, then closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep… Zhao Mo Ran smiled, leaned in to kiss her little one, sighing inwardly, thinking how wonderful children are, free from worries.

Upon leaving the nursery and heading downstairs, she found Chu Ci on the sofa, phone to ear—his mother calling, seemingly asking him to visit Song Yunfei, who wasn’t feeling well. After exchanging words, he saw Zhao Mo Ran and seemingly intentionally remarked to his mother, “If I go, Mo Ran won’t be happy.”

On the other end, Mrs. Chu paused, hesitating before changing her tone, chuckling softly, “Why wouldn’t she be happy?”

Clearly, that woman was heartless, intending not to live with her son anymore. Yet now acting in front of Chu Ci, pretending to be intimate?…

Mrs. Chu wanted to expose the charade but remained silent, waiting until funds accumulated, irritably retorting, “Your marriage sounds loving now, Chu Ci. Better not be fooled by women.”

Chu Ci snickered, “A woman tricking me is a sign of my worthiness. If there’s no urge even to deceive, isn’t that more tragic?”

Mrs. Chu copied his sneering, “Just don’t end up crying!”

She couldn’t help but ask, “Chu Ci, does Zhao Mo Ran love you?”

Chu Ci was silent for a while, Mrs. Chu’s voice grew sharp, “Indeed, you know she doesn’t love you at all; why persist?”

In her heart, her son was excellent; most women didn’t deserve him. Now her son cared for Zhao Mo Ran? That woman didn’t appreciate him—that was intolerable!

Finishing her words, Chu Ci chuckled lightly, “No love now doesn’t mean never.”