Chapter 24: I Might Not Be Able to Control Myself

Qiao Lan spent over a week in F Country.

She attended international brand fashion shows, met with old friends, and visited iconic landmarks. Every day was happy and fulfilling.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had been able to relax so completely.

The only downside was that she couldn’t get used to the food here. Even highly-rated Chinese restaurants didn’t taste as good as Mo Qian’s cooking.

If it weren’t for the food, she could have stayed another week.

Qiao Lan arrived in Haishi at 2 am.

She didn’t tell anyone, not even Mo Qian.

It was too late, and she didn’t want to bother them.

As Qiao Lan got off the plane, the air conditioning hit her, making her shiver. She pulled her coat tighter and hurried towards the exit.

The airport was empty at 2 am. When she saw the familiar figure, her steps came to a halt.

The tall, handsome man stood at the exit. He seemed to have come straight from home, wearing a beige casual outfit, his aura gentle and refined. He had a jacket draped over his arm.

He was looking down at his phone screen, seemingly making a call.

Qiao Lan started to walk towards him, but a melodious ringtone came from her bag.

Instinctively, she looked up at the man, and Mo Qian looked up at her.

Their eyes met, and they both smiled.

Qiao Lan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking alluring and charming. “How did you know I was coming back?”

“To pick you up.”

Mo Qian naturally took her suitcase, draped his jacket over her shoulders, and strode towards the parking lot.

Qiao Lan glanced at the jacket, a playful smile curving her rosy lips. “How did you know when I was coming back?”

Her assistant had booked the return flight, and only she knew her schedule.

Mo Qian put the suitcase in the trunk, his words filled with meaning. “If you care enough, you can always find out when you’re coming back.”

Qiao Lan raised her elegant eyebrows, not saying anything.

She sat in the passenger seat, leaning back against the comfortable seat, yawning sleepily.

Mo Qian saw her reddened eyes and said with concern, “If you’re tired, take a nap. Don’t force yourself to stay awake.”

Qiao Lan shook her head. “I’m afraid if I fall asleep, I won’t be able to wake up. I’ll sleep when I get home.”

Mo Qian chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about that. I can carry you.”

Implied in his words was that even if she couldn’t wake up, he could carry her home.

Qiao Lan smiled but didn’t respond.

This man, Mo Qian, was both alluring and dangerous. It was easy to get lost in his gentle trap.

It was best to keep a safe distance from him.

Perhaps because she was back in familiar surroundings, Qiao Lan looked at the familiar streets, her head growing heavier, her eyelids getting heavier.

She was so sleepy.

Mo Qian saw the stubborn woman trying to stay awake, and said helplessly, “Why are you so stubborn? You’re not cute at all.”

She was too strong, strong to the point of making him feel sorry for her.

Qiao Lan retorted, “Can cuteness buy food or make people respect you?”

Only by becoming strong could she avoid being bullied. Only by becoming strong could she make those who once looked down on her fear her.

She had been alone since she was little. Showing weakness wouldn’t make anyone pity or sympathize with her. It would only add salt to her wounds.

Qiao Lan forced her eyelids open until the car drove into the hotel’s underground parking lot.

She stumbled out of the car, and the man’s large, bony hand reached out to her. “You don’t want me to carry you, but you can hold my hand, right?”

Mo Qian paused for a moment, then added, “Or do you want to embarrass yourself and trip?”

Qiao Lan swallowed, finally reaching out to place her hand on the back of his hand.

The man’s hand was large and strong. Holding his hand gave her a sense of reassurance and stability.

The room door opened, and the aroma of lamb chops filled the air.

Qiao Lan blinked. “Did you make lamb chops?”

Mo Qian nodded. “You probably didn’t eat well while you were abroad, so I made some lamb chops to reward your stomach. I don’t know if you’ll give me the honor.”

“You’ve said it like that, so of course I have to give you the honor.”

Although Qiao Lan was very sleepy, she craved Mo Qian’s cooking. How could she not eat?

Mo Qian watched her pretend to be reluctant despite her obvious craving. He thought she was cute and suppressed the urge to pinch her cheeks. He went into the kitchen.

Under the warm light, the man in his home clothes was busy in the kitchen, creating a real sense of home.

Qiao Lan’s eyes suddenly felt a little moist. A loving and considerate partner and a warm home were things that Qiao Lan had always longed for.

The man brought out the lamb chops, and Qiao Lan quickly suppressed the longing in her eyes.

She knew that Mo Qian wouldn’t be her support. He would leave one day.

Qiao Lan sat at the dining table, picked up a spoon, and took a sip of soup. The savory flavor filled her taste buds, making her eyes light up. “It’s so delicious. Did you secretly practice your cooking skills while I was gone?”

Mo Qian sat down opposite her, pulling out a napkin and handing it to her. “How can I keep your stomach if I don’t improve my cooking?”

Qiao Lan looked at him. “Did you put honey on your mouth?”

The man’s handsome face remained calm, but his words were shocking. “Yes, do you want to try some?”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Qiao Lan was startled by the man’s bold words, choking and turning red.

Mo Qian quickly patted her back, laughing and saying, “I was just joking. Why are you so excited?”

Qiao Lan glared at him. “That was a joke?”

He was clearly flirting with her.

He was oblivious to his own charm.

Qiao Lan threatened him. “If you flirt with me again, I might not be able to control myself.”

“Go ahead.”

Qiao Lan: “…”

She couldn’t continue this conversation with him.

She quickly finished her soup and slipped back into her room.

Mo Qian looked at her closed door, a mischievous smile curving his lips.

Qiao Lan was just a naive paper tiger.

…

The next day, 9 am.

The alarm clock went off, and Qiao Lan tossed and turned in bed for a long time before dragging her heavy head to the bathroom to wash up.

She sat at the dining table in a daze. “Where’s my breakfast?”

Mo Qian came out of the kitchen. When he saw Qiao Lan, his steps suddenly stopped, his eyes darkening.

Qiao Lan frowned. “What are you standing there for?”

“Nothing.”

Mo Qian placed the breakfast in front of her. “I came back late from my morning workout, so I bought breakfast from a street vendor. Does it suit your taste?”

Qiao Lan wasn’t picky about food, but after tasting Mo Qian’s cooking, everything else tasted bland.

Mo Qian asked, “Do you have any plans for today?”

Qiao Lan thought for a moment. “I’m going to look at some apartments.”

She had lived here before for convenience, but now with Mo Qian, it was inappropriate for a man and a woman to stay in a hotel room together. No one would believe that nothing had happened.