Ye Cheng was slightly taken aback but said nothing more.
After nearly ten years of friendship, he understood Mo Qian’s personality very well.
Anyone who dared to mess with someone Mo Qian cared about was guaranteed a grim fate, even if it was Zimei with its underworld connections.
Seeing Ye Cheng go silent, Mo Qian raised an eyebrow and asked, "You’re not going to plead with me this time?"
"There’s no need." Ye Cheng shook his head slowly. "Whatever you decide to do with Zimei, I’ve got no objections."
Mo Qian looked at his entirely expressionless face, a hint of thoughtfulness flashing through his eyes.
Xi Nanfeng had already finished all the remaining porridge, yet the other two still hadn’t come out. Growing irritable, he muttered, "Those two are dragging this out—what, are they telling bedtime stories in the study? Damn it, I can’t wait any longer!"
Xi Nanfeng shot up from his seat and had just taken a few steps when he saw Ye Cheng and Mo Qian walking back.
"What sneaky business were you two up to behind my back?"
Xi Nanfeng was indignant about being excluded, grumbling with righteous indignation, "We’re all brothers here, so why the double standard?"
The two glanced at him briefly before completely ignoring him.
Unwilling to let it go, Xi Nanfeng turned to Ji Wei and asked, "Miss Ji, don’t you think they’re being way too overboard?"
Ji Wei glanced at Mo Qian, forcing an awkward laugh. "Well... maybe just a little, hehe..."
"Hear that? Even your woman thinks you’re overboard, Old Mo! What are you going to do about it, huh? If I don’t get an explanation today, then I’m not leaving!"
Xi Nanfeng swaggered back to his seat and plopped down, adopting the demeanor of an unrepentant rascal.
Mo Qian didn’t even spare him a glance, walking directly to Ji Wei instead. He crouched down in front of her.
"Are you full? Do you want me to get you another bowl?"
He took her hand, his broad, warm palm gently caressing the smooth back of her hand. His gaze was as tender as a flowing stream.
"I’m... I’m full," Ji Wei quickly replied.
"You’ve only just started to recover—let me take you upstairs to rest."
With that, Mo Qian stood up, ready to help Ji Wei upstairs.
Beside them, Xi Nanfeng was once again force-fed a big helping of "public displays of affection."
As the two of them passed him without a care, Xi Nanfeng clutched his chest, feeling as if a thousand arrows had just pierced his heart.
He turned to Ye Cheng, who was standing nearby, and lamented with a pained expression, "Damn it, I’m going on a blind date tonight! If I don’t find a woman, I’ll write my name backward!"
After passionately declaring this, he realized Ye Cheng looked entirely uninterested, as if none of it had registered. Feeling another wave of heartbreak, Xi Nanfeng pointed at Ye Cheng in accusation. "Even you? You’re in cahoots with Old Mo, aren’t you? You’re both ganging up on me!"
Only then did Ye Cheng snap out of his daze, replying indifferently, "Let’s go."
Without waiting for Xi Nanfeng to react, he strode out of the dining room.
"Old Ye, wait for me! Don’t just leave me behind..."
Xi Nanfeng shouted as he chased after him.
The two returned to the bedroom.
Mo Qian shut the door behind him. When he turned around, he saw Ji Wei staring at him.
"What is it?" he asked softly, taking her hand in his.
"Mo Qian, do you think the person who locked me up last night could have been Ji Chuyang?"
Ji Wei couldn’t let go of what had happened the night before. The decisiveness and precision of the move—it was way out of Ji Shanshan’s league. And anyone who dared make a move at Zimei Club undoubtedly had unusual connections and influence.
If it wasn’t Ji Shanshan, then the only other person targeting her would have to be Ji Chuyang.
That day, Ji Chuyang was stripped and thrown onto the public square by Mo Qian’s men. There was no doubt he held a grudge.
Given Ji Chuyang’s twisted and vindictive nature, it was entirely possible he’d choose to retaliate against her.
The hand Mo Qian was holding stiffened slightly. He shook his head slowly. "It wasn’t him."
"So, you know who it was?"
Ji Wei asked in surprise.