Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Old K's question never received an answer because at that moment, Xi Siyan was right behind Chen Mo, his chin resting on Chen Mo's shoulder, asking, "What did he say?"

Chen Mo instinctively covered himself.

Then a light scoff echoed in his ear.

Xi Siyan's hold on Chen Mo tightened like a large predator gripping its prey by the nape of the neck. His voice, still groggy from sleep, sounded lazy and hoarse, "I've already seen it. You can confidently reply with 'yes.' After all, I remember last time, you were on top for the second half, weren't you?"

Chen Mo's well-honed composure from years of workplace experience couldn't suppress the sudden heat rising to his face.

The phone felt like a hot potato.

Everything around him, including Old K's question, suddenly seemed glaringly obtrusive.

Chen Mo was discharged from the hospital early the next morning.

He sent the diagnosis results for his grandfather and his final decision to Yang Zhi's email, instructing him to inform everyone in the Yang family.

A few hours later, Yang Zhi replied, saying that Grandfather's children were unable to accept the decision and reacted strongly, advising Chen Mo to prepare himself mentally.

When he received Yang Zhi's response, Chen Mo was standing in front of a two-story villa.

This was Genting Bay, a renowned luxury villa area, less than a kilometer away from Chen Mo's previous neighborhood in Rhine Ark. When Chen Mo bought his house, he had considered this place, but at the time, it wasn't the most cost-effective option.

Xiaolin handed over the keys and said, "Mr. Chen, President Xi had a temporary meeting this morning and couldn't come back yet. Here are the keys to the house. The interior has been decorated for a year now and is ready to move into. The cleaning lady and cook haven't arrived yet, so if you need anything, just let me know, and I'll buy it for you."

"A year?" Chen Mo realized this coincided with when he bought his own house, a time when Xi Siyan hadn't returned to the country yet.

Chen Mo took the keys and looked at the house, recalling how Xi Siyan once called from his place, claiming he was dealing with house renovations.

It seemed he wasn't telling the truth then.

Chen Mo asked, "Did Xi Siyan live here after he returned to the country?"

Xiaolin waved his hands, "No, no. President Xi had a fixed suite in a hotel. This place has always been vacant. It was only when you fell ill and were hospitalized that President Xi asked me to furnish it with some essentials."

"Alright, I understand," Chen Mo said. "You can go back to your work now."

But Xiaolin didn't leave immediately.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke up, "Mr. Chen."

Chen Mo turned around.

Xiaolin scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I know I shouldn't be saying this, but you know Uncle Lin, the driver who used to chauffeur President Xi? He's my uncle. He said you and President Xi were very close in high school and is very happy to see you together again. Uncle Lin thinks both of you have had a tough few years, and President Xi's relationship with the Xi family has become distant. He hopes you can put aside past grievances and live happily with President Xi."

Chen Mo paused for a moment, "Is this not really Uncle Lin's intention?"

Someone who had been with the Xi family for decades wouldn't be so tactless.

Sure enough, Xiaolin was surprised, "You guessed it?" Then he quickly added, "Well, you and President Xi are both smart. Actually...it was Grandpa Xi's idea. He learned about your grandfather's illness a long time ago and feels very sad. President Xi's estrangement from the family is mainly due to you. Uncle Lin said he doesn't want any reason from the Xi family to interfere with your relationship, but Grandpa Xi is old and didn't want this situation either. He fears you might be concerned about past events, so he asked me to convey this message."

Chen Mo was silent for a moment.

Apart from Xi Jianxing, Chen Mo hadn't interacted much with anyone from the Xi family.

Grandpa Xi's willingness to compromise was largely due to Xi Siyan's attitude over the years, but Chen Mo hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

He was still dealing with the separation of a familial bond.

That sense of loss and regret was something Chen Mo hoped Xi Siyan would never experience.

Chen Mo said, "Please convey this message to Grandpa Xi. Tell him that the Xi family was never the main reason we separated. In the past, it was, but in the future, although no one can guarantee a lifelong commitment, I will try my best."

"Okay," Xiaolin stared at him, entranced. "Okay." Although Xiaolin was just a driver, he drove for Xi Siyan every day and knew many things others didn't. For example, he knew that Mr. Chen had reportedly been running a low fever recently, and President Xi had tried everything to help. Even now, Chen Mo still looked pale from his recent illness, but there was no trace of fear or panic.

Even in an unfamiliar place.

His composure and calmness matched President Xi's, and the casual way he said "I will try my best" gave a sense of a weighty promise.

Chen Mo walked up the stone steps of the villa and opened the door.

Contrary to his expectations of a spacious and luxurious interior, the design leaned towards a minimalist and warm wood style, blending glass and stone elements to create a subtle sense of luxury.

The villa was clearly cleaned, looking clean and bright.

Chen Mo messaged Lao Gou, telling him not to worry about the house anymore.

Lao Gou immediately called back.

"Not worried anymore?" Lao Gou asked, "Did I guess right? Are you staying at the class monitor's place?" Chen Mo nodded, "The location is convenient and close to where I used to live. I can still oversee the renovations when I have free time."

"The class monitor's efficiency is impressive," Lao Gou commented. "Do you remember the house you rented in high school? It was also his. Looking back, I curse myself for being blind and not realizing what was going on between you two."

Chen Mo chuckled lightly, "And then you'd spread gossip on forums?"

"Don't make things up. I have principles, okay?" Lao Gou changed the subject, "But seriously, you should sell that house after renovating it. If I were the class monitor, I wouldn't let you live alone again. Think about what happened that day; even I got scared."

Chen Mo placed the items he brought from the hospital in the upstairs bathroom, leaving his phone on the counter as he looked at his reflection in the mirror—his face, different from seventeen years ago—calmly replying to Lao Gou, "If someone is destined to meet an accident, they can't avoid it."

"Pah! Pah!" Lao Gou scolded, "Are you crazy? Say that to your boyfriend and see if he doesn't yell at you." Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, "He doesn't seem to yell anymore."

"He doesn't?" Lao Gou hesitated, "Makes sense, given his current status. He can't act like he did back in high school."

Chen Mo glanced at the new call notification on his phone.

He told Lao Gou, "Hold on, I need to take a call."

"Hello."

"Mr. Chen." The person on the other end immediately said, "You have to save us."

Though it was a plea, there was no room for negotiation.

It carried a sense of urgency.

An hour later, in the secretary's office on the top floor of CM's headquarters.

The chief secretary watched as one by one, people with dejected expressions left the CEO's office, feeling her smile starting to stiffen.

"What's going on?" the second secretary asked nervously. "President Xi seems particularly bad-tempered today."

The chief secretary, in her thirties, maintained her composure and whispered, "Tell everyone to be extra careful today. The Huifyuan project with the public utility company is likely to fall through. Many suppliers are pleading for help. This project was one of President Xi's key initiatives since returning from abroad. How could he not be in a bad mood?"

The second secretary was surprised. "But wasn't the project progressing normally?"

"It seems to be related to Chuanxing Technology," the chief secretary said nonchalantly. "Rumor has it that President Ren from Chuanxing offended President Xi and is now desperate. He apparently has connections at Huifyuan and is colluding with others to sabotage our bids intentionally."

At that moment, the receptionist called.

All the managers from the previously contacted partner companies had arrived.

The chief secretary handled it professionally. "Say President Xi is unavailable." The receptionist looked at the young man in front of her and whispered hesitantly, "Sis, this really won't work. It's Xinrui. They control almost all the smart product distribution channels in the city. You're not going to see them?"

Ten minutes later, Chen Mo and the five managers were respectfully ushered into the reception room.

Chen Mo looked around.

He hadn't expected his first visit to CM's headquarters to be like this.

One of the men who came with Chen Mo, named Old Huang, spoke up, "We wouldn't have disturbed you if we knew you were ill, Mr. Chen. But we initially connected with Xinrui through you, so we consider ourselves old acquaintances. This matter involves multiple parties' interests, so we had to contact you."

Chen Mo smiled indifferently. "Mr. Huang, you're too kind. Su Qianran has already informed me of the situation. Regardless of whether CM and Huifyuan's project succeeds, I understand your desire to be among the first domestic distributors for CM. However, some things need to be made clear. Xinrui and Huanshang's investment plans depend on CM, which is now Xinrui's new owner. As someone involved in research projects, I still rely on them. Whether this works out depends mainly on CM's attitude."

"Understood, understood."

"We know about Mr. Chen's difficulties."

The receptionists were very courteous, refilling their cups with high-quality tea repeatedly, but no one came to meet them.

The expressions on the faces of the managers, including Old Huang, shifted from urgency to impatience.

They repeatedly asked the young receptionist.

"Has President Xi said when he'll be available?"

"Is President Xi still busy?"

"So much time has passed; when can we see President Xi?"

The uniform response was, "I'm sorry, President Xi is still in a meeting."

Chen Mo sat there the whole time.

Su Qianran sent him a message to check on the situation, "How's it going?"

Chen Mo glanced at the disheartened people in the reception room and replied calmly, "No chance."

"Just go through the motions," Su Qianran said. "They somehow found out you and Xi Siyan were high school classmates and are using the few months of contract cooperation as leverage. They must be regretting their decision now, thinking your relationship isn't that strong."

Chen Mo chuckled. "Indeed, it's not that strong. We've been here for nearly three hours." Su Qianran remarked, "Tsk, Xi is quite ruthless."

In the end, they didn't get to see anyone.

Chen Mo considered this a successful retreat for Xinrui. The others couldn't even manage a smile. He ignored their expressions and helped them into their cars on the street.

Chen Mo was about to leave himself when his phone rang.

Xi Siyan: "Come up."

Chen Mo looked back at the towering skyscraper, raised an eyebrow, and walked back.

The receptionist, seemingly following orders, quickly ran over, swiped the VIP elevator card for him, and respectfully said, "Mr. Chen, 56th floor, please."

Unbeknownst to Chen Mo, CM had been buzzing since he entered the building.

"Why did they let those managers go up this time?" "Don't you recognize the leader? It's Xinrui's Mr. Chen."

"The same one who appeared at Yang's? Seems to have a good relationship with President Xi." "Latest news: President Xi didn't even show his face." "So what's the real relationship?"

"But I noticed something interesting—the tea served was all Tieguanyin except for one cup of barley tea."

"They're leaving, downstairs."

"He's on the phone... coming back."

"Damn, straight to the 56th floor."

The atmosphere on the 56th floor was not good.

As soon as Chen Mo stepped in, he could see several secretaries standing silently and hear faint voices coming from the office.

Earlier, Chen Mo had mentioned that the current Xi Siyan doesn't scold people, but in reality, he was saying: "You talk about market benefits, but now you bring up values? Your facial features are fine, but you lack common sense. This afternoon, you..."

Two minutes later, Chen Mo saw a man with a purple-red face come out, head bowed.

Behind him was Han Qian, who handed over a file and patted the other person on the shoulder, saying, "Think it over when you get back. Don't blame him for scolding you; I feel like scolding you too. But he's really in a bad mood today." Then he turned his head and saw Chen Mo.

"Assistant Han," Chen Mo nodded.

Han Qian felt a pang of discomfort, his expression indescribable. "President Chen. You really know how to pour oil on the fire at a time like this. You don't care about our lives at all."

Chen Mo smiled. "Everyone has their role; there's nothing we can do about it."

At that moment, a voice came from inside the office, "Come in."

Chen Mo followed the secretary and pushed open the metal door.

Xi Siyan was sitting behind the desk by the window.

He looked up at that moment.

Chen Mo leaned against the door without rushing forward, looking at him for a while. "How much longer until you finish work? Want to have dinner?"

"Real dinner or fake dinner?" Xi Siyan got up, walked around the table toward him, and approached. "Did you see the house?"

Chen Mo hummed an affirmative and nodded. "I did. It's very nice, exactly like the one I saw before."

"Indirectly accusing me of watching you?" Xi Siyan placed both hands on the door, looking at him. "But right now, I wish I could watch you twenty-four hours a day."

Chen Mo sighed, playing with his tie, then looked up. "Are you in such a bad mood just because of Huiyuan?"

"Huiyuan is secondary; mainly, I suddenly realized I wasn't cautious enough." Xi Siyan traced Chen Mo's face. "This time, I think he wanted to tell me that even without Lunaer, he can still do something."

That was the real reason why Xi Siyan was in such a terrible mood. He could infiltrate Rhine Ark once; next time, he might appear in New Edge's parking lot, Chen Mo's lab, or on his way home one day.

Xi Siyan squeezed his hand. "I'm not asking you to stay home and not go out."

"Just because I was discharged from the hospital doesn't mean I won't go to work anymore?" The two were very close, and Chen Mo raised his hands, speaking softly with a raised eyebrow. "Unless you lock me up."

Xi Siyan leaned in, pressing his lips against his. "I wish I could."

But he couldn't bear to.

Someone as brilliant as him had to traverse so many paths to reach this point. How could he bear to?

Xi Siyan deepened the kiss.

It was intense, and as Chen Mo tilted his head back, unable to stop his Adam's apple from moving, Xi Siyan suddenly lifted him up.

Carrying him to the desk, he cleared away all the files with one hand while kissing him, never letting go.

Chen Mo endured it, his hands initially supporting himself, but eventually, he had to wrap them around Xi Siyan's neck.

Panting, he reminded, "Don't go too far; this is an office."

Xi Siyan held onto the edge of the desk with one hand and gripped Chen Mo's waist with the other. "I know my limits."

Outside, people were discussing how dignified and graceful President Chen of New Edge was.

Little did they know that inside the office, the man who claimed to know his limits carried President Chen from the desk to the black leather sofa. Chen Mo's hair, damp with sweat, stuck to his cheeks, and his slightly pale face, now flushed with a hint of red, turned sideways, filled with an ambiguous and unbearable hue.