Chapter 48

In the car, Zhu Jia suddenly remembered she hadn’t replied to Chen Tingyan’s message. She took out her phone and typed:

“I’ll be at the library by 8.”

His reply was almost instant: “I’m almost there. I’ll save you a window seat.”

“Thanks~”

After replying, Zhu Jia put her phone away. From the corner of her eye, she sensed Mo Yichen glancing at her. But when she turned, he was engrossed in work on his tablet.

Mo Yichen’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, though he wasn’t reading the material. His fingers tapped lightly against the tablet, deep in thought.

Moments earlier, he had glimpsed Zhu Jia chatting with someone whose profile picture was a cat. They seemed quite familiar.

“I’m getting out now,” Zhu Jia said, snapping him out of his thoughts.

As she stepped out of the car, she waved goodbye to Mo Yichen.

“Go ahead. I’ll pick you up after class,” he said with a smile.

Zhu Jia nodded and closed the door firmly.

Mo Yichen’s eyes followed her retreating figure, her ponytail bouncing as she walked.

Recalling the owner of that cat profile picture, his gaze turned cold, his expression tinged with disdain.

“Overestimating himself,” he muttered.

Friday evening, Zhu Jia and Mo Yichen were enjoying hot pot at the oval marble dining table again.

“Hot pot always feels perfect in winter,” Zhu Jia said, fishing out soft potato slices and napa cabbage from the red broth.

“Veggies! Veggies!” Xiao Wen clapped excitedly, his eyes fixed on the cabbage.

“Xiao Wen, this is spicy. It’ll hurt your tongue,” Zhu Jia warned, pointing to his bowl. “This is for you—this one’s yummy.”

Xiao Wen pouted at the food in his bowl, clearly uninterested.

“How about I make you some seaweed rice balls?” Zhu Jia suggested, smiling. “I’ll go wash my hands.”

After carefully washing her hands, Zhu Jia returned with a pack of low-sodium children’s seaweed. She tore off a sheet, shaped a small rice ball, and wrapped it in seaweed.

“Tomorrow’s the weekend,” Mo Yichen suddenly said. “Why don’t you bring Xiao Wen to the office?”

“To the office? What’s there to play with?” Zhu Jia asked, baffled.

Mo Yichen swirled the mutton in the hotpot for Zhu Jia. “You can come and take a tour. Once I finish the afternoon meeting with the senior executives, I’ll take you both out to eat.”

Zhu Jia found his peculiar arrangement baffling. Clearly, he was busy tomorrow. Why did he insist on them visiting the office?

Since she had no other plans for the weekend, Zhu Jia nodded. “Alright, then.”

Mo Yichen scooped a full spoonful of mutton into her bowl.

After dinner, Zhu Jia idly browsed her phone and noticed a message from Chen Tingyan sent an hour earlier:

Y.: “Are you free tomorrow evening? Wang Zheng is celebrating his birthday and would like to invite you.”

Zhu Jia pursed her lips. Why was everyone inviting her out on the same day? It almost felt coordinated.

But since she had already agreed to Mo Yichen’s plan, she couldn’t back out now.

She quickly replied, “Sorry, I’m busy tomorrow. Please wish Wang Zheng a happy birthday for me!”

***********************************…….***********************************

It was Zhu Jia’s first time visiting Mo Yichen’s company, situated in a skyscraper piercing the clouds in the city’s CBD. The iconic building was a landmark of the city.

As she stepped out of the car carrying Xiao Wen, eight tall, robust bodyguards in black suits immediately formed two lines to escort them into the building.

“Madam, this way, please.” One of the bodyguards led Zhu Jia and Xiao Wen to the elevator, where they entered the CEO-exclusive lift, which went directly to the 18th-floor executive office.

Inside the spacious elevator, Zhu Jia and Xiao Wen stood in the center, flanked by the stern-faced bodyguards on both sides and behind.

Xiao Wen clung to Zhu Jia’s neck like a little koala, clearly intimidated by the stone-faced “uncles.”

Zhu Jia thought to herself, This is so over-the-top. If I hadn’t come here today, I might’ve forgotten that I’m in a classic CEO trope novel.

The elevator reached the 18th floor quickly. As the doors opened, Zhu Jia was greeted by Assistant Lin. “Madam, the young master is currently in a meeting with senior executives. Why don’t you wait in his office for now?”

Assistant Lin smiled at Xiao Wen. “Little Master has grown so much!”

“Alright,” Zhu Jia nodded.

Mo Yichen’s hectic workload required him to handle numerous tasks. His executive office team was extensive, and Assistant Lin primarily managed personal matters.

Following Assistant Lin, Zhu Jia walked into the office area. Despite being a weekend, there were still many employees working overtime in the executive suite.

As Zhu Jia passed, they greeted her politely but didn’t show undue curiosity or stare.

After passing through two security doors, Assistant Lin led them to Mo Yichen’s office.

“This is the young master’s office and lounge.”

Zhu Jia couldn’t help but feel envious. This is luxury!

The office featured 180° floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s CBD, a large dark-toned desk and chair, matching curved sofas, and an entire wall of bookshelves—all sleek and sophisticated.

Connected to the office was a lounge outfitted to the standards of a five-star hotel suite, designed for Mo Yichen to rest anytime.

Zhu Jia set Xiao Wen down and let him walk around. The little boy was equally fascinated, waddling over to Mo Yichen’s desk and grabbing the executive chair.

“Xiao Wen, do you want to sit in it?”

“Sit… Sit…” Xiao Wen patted the leather chair enthusiastically.

Zhu Jia chuckled and helped him onto the chair. The oversized chair completely enveloped the small boy, his expression looking surprisingly mature for his age.

“Xiao Wen, you really do look like your dad with that serious face.” Zhu Jia pinched his cheeks playfully, her eyes curving into a smile.

But Xiao Wen quickly got bored sitting in the chair. He grabbed onto the desk, pulling himself upright.

Zhu Jia noticed something on the desk that surprised her—a framed photo of the three of them from Xiao Wen’s one-month celebration. In the picture, Mo Yichen stood behind her, his arms around her as she cradled Xiao Wen.

Beside the photo were several documents and two fountain pens.

Xiao Wen swiped at one of the pens, knocking it to the floor. The pen’s cap wasn’t fully secured, leaving a black ink stain on the polished hardwood floor.

“Xiao Wen! You can’t play with the things on the desk!” Zhu Jia scolded, bending down to pick up the pen.

Just then, she heard a ripping sound. Startled, she looked up to see Xiao Wen tearing an English document in half. One half floated onto her head.

Xiao Wen giggled gleefully when he saw the paper land on her head.

“Mo! Wen!!” Zhu Jia was so furious her face turned green. “Are you asking for a spanking?”

She snatched the paper off her head, immediately picked Xiao Wen up, and gave him a few light swats on his bottom.

Xiao Wen burst into tears, wailing loudly. His tears fell onto Zhu Jia’s arm like pearls from a broken necklace.

Hearing the commotion, Assistant Lin quickly knocked and entered. “Madam, what’s wrong?”

Assistant Lin took in the scene: Xiao Wen crying in Zhu Jia’s arms, Zhu Jia looking exasperated, and the office in disarray. The once-organized desk was now a mess, a document torn in half, and black ink stains on the luxurious wooden floor.

Assistant Lin massaged his temples. It’s only been fifteen minutes. How did things end up like this?

Stepping forward, he tried to mediate. “Madam, the little master is still young. He doesn’t know any better.” He extended his arms toward Xiao Wen. “Come here, little one. Let Uncle take you to play.”

Xiao Wen, still sniffling, immediately reached out for Assistant Lin, clearly seeking refuge.

“What’s going on here?” Mo Yichen’s voice suddenly came from the door.

Hearing his father’s voice, Xiao Wen’s crying intensified. He reached out for Mo Yichen with a face full of grievance, as if he had been terribly wronged.

“Alright, no more tears.” Mo Yichen walked over and took Xiao Wen from Assistant Lin, patting his back gently to comfort him.

After placing Xiao Wen on the sofa, Mo Yichen handed him a few pieces of milk candy. The sight of the candy made Xiao Wen instantly forget his earlier distress. Grinning, he unwrapped a piece and popped it into his mouth.