Chapter 12: Unexpected

Leng Mohan was somewhat surprised by the sudden question.

He simply nodded, his voice firm, “She is, of course, my wife. Is there anything else? If not, please leave. I need to rest.”

Wang Li arrived shortly after, his face showing disbelief. He stared at Leng Mohan and pressed, “Is that true? What about Zhou Wenwen?”

Leng Mohan frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

He looked at Wang Li calmly, his tone cold, “She is my wife. What does Zhou Wenwen have to do with it?”

“Are you unaware? Zhou Wenwen has been devoted to you for three years. She’s extremely beautiful and capable, not to mention she’s the daughter of the Second Regiment’s commander. Everyone knows this. Everyone thought you two would end up together,” Wang Li said, astonished.

Luo Jiaojiao, behind the door, heard Zhou Wenwen’s name and pictured the beautiful woman she’d seen earlier that day.

Her looks, her position in the art troupe, and her father’s status put her at a significant advantage.

Luo Jiaojiao felt a pang of bitterness. Even she, faced with such a choice, would probably choose Zhou Wenwen.

Remembering Leng Mohan’s tacit approval of her sitting in the passenger seat, Luo Jiaojiao felt a complex mix of emotions. A sudden chill ran down her spine, and the lunchbox in her hand fell to the ground, thankfully without spilling.

“Just because Zhou Wenwen likes me, does that mean I have to be with her? If that’s the case, wouldn’t I have to be with countless people? I barely know her. Don’t spread rumors; it’s damaging my reputation. If my memory wasn’t so good, I might not even remember who she is.”

Hearing a noise inside, Leng Mohan felt a tightening in his chest. He opened the door and saw Luo Jiaojiao crouching on the floor. He went over and gently pulled her up.

Whether it was to save face for her, or because he genuinely didn’t care for her, Luo Jiaojiao found his words comforting.

“I’m so sorry, I couldn’t hold onto the lunchbox,” Luo Jiaojiao said, rising with Leng Mohan’s help. Her gaze was averted, nervously glancing at him. In truth, she’d been distracted by their conversation, leading to the accident.

“It’s fine, as long as you’re not hurt,” Leng Mohan calmly picked up the lunchbox. Since it contained dry rice, there was no mess.

Mu Bai and Wang Li, upon seeing Luo Jiaojiao’s face, were stunned, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Their pupils dilated, as if frozen, forgetting to blink.

Luo Jiaojiao’s beauty was like a dazzling star, instantly illuminating their world, leaving them speechless.

Wang Li’s lips trembled, attempting to speak, but he found himself unable to utter a sound.

His surprise was overwhelming. He swallowed hard, his gaze shifting to Leng Mohan, suddenly understanding. No wonder he was indifferent to Zhou Wenwen; he already had such a stunning lover.

Wang Li glanced at Luo Jiaojiao, secretly admiring her.

If he were in Leng Mohan’s position, he would probably make the same choice. Status and power could be pursued through effort, but relying on a woman’s support wasn’t the way of a true gentleman.

A wife he truly loved was what he sought. Moreover, Leng Mohan was talented and protected by the commander; his future would undoubtedly be bright.

Seeing their stares at Luo Jiaojiao, Leng Mohan felt a surge of displeasure. He moved, shielding Luo Jiaojiao from their gaze.

“If you have nothing else, go eat,” Leng Mohan said calmly to Wang Li. “Don’t associate Zhou Wenwen with me again. I don’t like it.”

Wang Li noticed Leng Mohan’s darkening expression and recalled the fallen lunchbox. He understood.

He quickly nodded, “Understood. We’ll be more careful with our words. Mohan, and your wife… we won’t disturb you further.”

Wang Li turned to leave, pulling Mu Bai along.

Wang Li’s words were unintentional, without regard for the situation. He just hoped his sister-in-law wouldn’t misunderstand, as it would damage Leng Mohan’s reputation.

He didn’t want any misunderstanding between the couple because of his words.

Mu Bai glanced at Luo Jiaojiao, a hint of worry in his eyes.

He couldn’t help but say, “Sister-in-law, don’t take Wang Li’s words to heart. It was purely Zhou Wenwen’s one-sided infatuation. As Mohan said, if his memory wasn’t so good, he might not even know who Zhou Wenwen is.”

Luo Jiaojiao, after Mu Bai’s explanation, nodded slightly, understanding dawning in her eyes.

She understood; it was simply Zhou Wenwen’s one-sided obsession, unrelated to Leng Mohan.

Leng Mohan firmly closed the door, ending the interaction.

His gaze turned to Luo Jiaojiao, his eyes firm and without guilt. His relationship with Zhou Wenwen was clean; he’d never given her any encouragement, so he wasn’t worried about Luo Jiaojiao misunderstanding.

“What I said is true. There’s nothing between Zhou Wenwen and me. Don’t misunderstand,” Leng Mohan’s voice held a hint of urgency. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want Luo Jiaojiao to misunderstand.

“I believe you,” Luo Jiaojiao nodded softly. Her doubts were resolved by his explanation.

“Then why did you let her sit in the passenger seat?” Luo Jiaojiao asked, a hint of tension in her voice. Her eyes fixed on him, searching for answers.

She remembered he’d initially had her sit in the back. Didn’t he know the implication of the passenger seat?

“She sat there, not because I told her to, but because she decided to. You seem rather concerned about her sitting there,” Leng Mohan picked up on the subtext in Luo Jiaojiao’s words. He finally understood why her face had been pale; he’d thought it was from the long journey and lack of rest. Now he realized it was because of Zhou Wenwen sitting in the passenger seat.

Luo Jiaojiao’s eyes widened, her tone laced with dissatisfaction and confusion, “Don’t you know the real meaning of the passenger seat?”