Campus Ace Girl

Later, she stopped mentioning her family’s company matters, but Chu Ci still instructed Secretary Yin to sort everything out well. Not only did they resolve the debt issues, but they also hired a high-level consultant to help reorganize the Zhao Family company, achieving profitability within just half a month. Her mother later came to the villa and told her all this.

Her mother probed as she elaborated, "Mo Ran, I know you’ve always felt uneasy. At first, we didn’t have high hopes for Chu Ci either. His family background is just too prominent; I feared he might be difficult to deal with. But he handled this matter so beautifully, truly dedicating himself wholeheartedly to our family."

Zhao Mo Ran was already nearly two months pregnant, resting quietly at the villa since her discharge. These days had been quite peaceful. She listened to her mother and smiled faintly, without saying anything.

Her mother refused to let it go, and whispered, "It’s not mother saying this—Chu Ci is quite good... shouldn’t you pay more attention to him? Men are all the same; if they can’t get things at home, they’ll look elsewhere."

Zhao Mo Ran’s heart felt as cold as water. She didn’t want to respond, but she knew that if she didn’t say anything, her mother wouldn’t let her off. So she smiled lightly, "Mom, do you know some things can’t be forced?"

Moreover, she found him... repulsive.

In Chu Ci’s heart, he never really took this marriage seriously. He made it very clear—he wanted her to be the Chu Lady, a trophy to bear children while he focused solely on earning money to support her, and conveniently kept women on the side. She couldn’t interfere and had to pretend not to know. She knew saying this to her mother wouldn’t bother her; after all, for money and the name of Chu Lady, one must endure, right?

She laughed self-deprecatingly: to gain, one must pay the price.

When she said this, Chu Lady disagreed and added, "Mo Ran, that’s not right; how can you be so pessimistic? You have to hold onto your husband’s heart, not keep treating him indifferently every day."

Zhao Mo Ran held her cup, took a sip of water, and found it slightly cold. Immediately, a servant came over to replace it with a fresh cup, attending to her meticulously. Her mother watched with a tinge of envy and lowered her voice to say, "Look at where you live, what you use, eat, and command—how many women in Beicheng can compare? Besides... doesn’t Chu Ci take care of your allowances?"

Zhao Mo Ran gazed at her mother, finally speaking hoarsely, "Mom, this isn’t the life I want."

Her mother’s expression changed, "You’re still thinking about that poor guy, Gu Fei? Mo Ran, though he comes from a small town and his family isn’t really poor, he has no connections, no background, and definitely no financial resources like Chu Ci. What does he have to offer you? Can he give you this kind of life you’re living now?"

"It’s not like that." Zhao Mo Ran was about to continue...

It’s not like that; it has nothing to do with Gu Fei; it’s all about Chu Ci.

She and Chu Ci were never meant to walk the same path.

Just at that moment, a figure stood at the hall entrance. The servant who brought the water saw and hesitantly called out, "Sir is back."

Chu Ci placed the car keys on the foyer cabinet, changed his shoes, took the water from the servant, and directly sat on the sofa next to Zhao Mo Ran, placing the glass in her palm... She was somewhat startled as he leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead, his voice slightly hoarse, "Did the baby kick you today?"

His actions were excessively affectionate, unlike usual. Zhao Mo Ran wasn’t foolish; she immediately perceived that he was intentionally putting on this show for her mother. Portraying such a loving couple was merely to make her mother feel that she was being unreasonable, nitpicking at a considerate husband.

Yet she, not even angered, simply remained expressionless.

She faintly smiled before replying to him, "It’s only been two months; how could it kick?"

He kissed her again before addressing her mother, "Mom is here... it’s great that you can be with Mo Ran. She’s been feeling down these days."

Speaking as he wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder, he asked gently, "What would you like for dinner? I’ll have Aunt Zhang make it for you, or... I’ll do it myself."

Her mother was stupefied.

Although this pampering was directed at her daughter, the Zhao Family had owed such a favor to the Chu Family, and yet Chu Ci was still tenderly caring for Mo Ran like this!!!

She immediately threw her daughter a warning glance, cautioning her not to be too excessive.

Zhao Mo Ran felt a cold smile in her heart but replied softly, "You’ve been working all day; let Aunt Zhang take care of it."

He kissed her, "I’ll make two appetizers for you."

Then he indeed headed to the kitchen.

Though it was his first time, Zhao Mo Ran’s mother, unaware, kept praising, "Mo Ran, I only thought your relationship wasn’t good, but I didn’t expect Chu Ci to actually do this."

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Mom still stands by her words; a man’s heart must be held. You’re young, beautiful, and talented—of course, Chu Ci cherishes you."

Zhao Mo Ran held the water cup, lowered her eyes without drinking—

Cherish? Pamper?

In Chu Ci’s mind, Zhao Mo Ran was nothing more than a breeding tool; to put it bluntly, she was simply a woman solely belonging to Chu Ci... she accepted this long ago.

Her mother saw her indifference and urged, "Men having a bit of flirtation outside is common; Chu Ci’s business is so big that socializing is inevitable. Mo Ran... some things you should turn a blind eye to; the key is he’s willing to treat you well and sincerely."

Zhao Mo Ran merely faintly smiled, then drank half the glass of water.

Clearly, it was just a glass of plain water, yet she tasted bitterness.

Zhao’s mother was still praising Chu Ci, seemingly getting more and more satisfied... Half an hour later, Chu Ci emerged from the kitchen, wearing a light blue shirt, his elegance undiminished even after cooking. As he walked, he wiped his fingers with a napkin, and after doing so, he supported Zhao Mo Ran: "Dinner is ready."

He also courteously invited Zhao’s mother to eat; Zhao’s mother enjoyed the meal thoroughly—

After all, if the son-in-law treats the daughter well, the family can bask in his glory with a clear conscience!

At eight in the evening, Chu Ci arranged for a driver to send Zhao’s mother away. Upon returning to the living room, he couldn’t see his wife, so while loosening a button on his collar, he casually asked, "Where’s the missus?"

The servant replied: "Madam went upstairs, she seemed a bit tired. Today, Madam’s mother was here for five or six hours."

Chu Ci was ascending the stairs, but upon hearing this, he paused and then turned his body sideways, frowning slightly as he said: "In the future, have her call me when she comes over."

The servant couldn’t quite grasp his meaning—

Was he not welcoming the mother-in-law? But he clearly seemed quite happy before.

She stood there bewildered, while Chu Ci had already gone upstairs, guessing easily that she was in the master bedroom.

Recently, because she was pregnant, he had been staying in the guest room temporarily for half a month. By his calculations, it had been a long time since he’d gone to the master bedroom. When he entered, Zhao Mo Ran was taking a shower, the sound of running water audible from the bathroom...

He waited patiently, leaning against the sofa and lighting a cigarette, smoking leisurely.

When she came out, she was a bit displeased seeing the cigarette in his hand, surprised to see him there. Chu Ci stubbed out the cigarette, then looked at her: "I am your husband, sharing a bedroom is a duty."

She said nothing, merely moved to the vanity, sitting and combing her straight black hair.

Chu Ci kept watching her.

Zhao Mo Ran might not be a stunning woman, but her gentle features and delicate, enduring charm were particularly appealing, especially her skin which was exceptionally soft and smooth. Such a woman deserved to be cherished at home by a man. At the moment, she wore only a champagne-colored silk nightgown, with a camisole underneath and a covering above. Though not revealing, it was provocative.

At least, that’s what a husband likes.

After she finished combing her hair, she began applying skincare products, showing no desire to converse with him. Chu Ci moved over, resting his hand on the back of her chair, leaning towards her, his face near her shoulder hollow: "Still angry, hmm?"

"No." Her hand paused briefly, then she said very quietly: "You’re so good to me. What could there be to be angry about?"

Chu Ci laughed wickedly, pinching her cheek with his fingers: "See, that statement indicates you’re angry."

She sighed softly: "Chu Ci, aren’t you tired? After a day of work, and then handling your little darlings, how do you still have the energy to focus on me?"

He didn’t answer her question right away, but instead, traced her fine cheek with his long fingers. After a while, he chuckled softly again: "Jealous? Still upset over that girl issue?"

She kept silent, merely gathering her thoughts.

To her, such matters were too frightening and unpleasant. Sometimes, she even had nightmares about them, but she saw no need to tell him that... His kindness to her was only for her mother’s benefit. She wouldn’t delude herself into thinking he truly loved her that much.

Since she kept quiet, Chu Ci embraced her from behind, his lips lightly brushing her earlobe as he whispered softly, "She’s going to spend the rest of her life in an asylum."

Zhao Mo Ran’s body turned rigid, her fingers quietly curling into a fist.

He could naturally sense her stiffness, so his voice grew even softer yet more unsettling: "Do you know why she ended up like this?"

She couldn’t articulate a response because she wasn’t him nor that woman.

"Because she didn’t follow the rules of the game." Chu Ci blew a breath softly into her ear.

This only made her body even more tense.

His words were about that woman, but why did they feel like a warning directed at her?

Chu Ci’s large hand rested on her shoulder, his movements gentle and considerate, yet she became more rigid. His face was close to hers, his voice hoarse and sensually arresting: "Any thoughts, Mrs. Chu?"

Under his control, Zhao Mo Ran was trembling uncontrollably all over. After a long while, she slightly tilted her head up, closing her eyes, her expression extremely vulnerable and her voice seemingly tinged with tears: "Chu Ci, you don’t need to force me like this!"

"How could it be forcing you?" His hand began to encircle her neck, the gesture quite perilous: "What are you afraid of, hmm? Tell me!"