Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Wen Yinong was stunned.

Not long ago, he had asked her to accompany him to a banquet as a plus-one, claiming he had too few friends and couldn't find a date. Now he wanted her to join him at an auction?

Gazing at the exquisite velvet gift box in his hands, Wen Yinong pressed her lips together. After a few seconds, she looked up at him and asked hesitantly, "Mr. Mo, is there a special reason you want me to come along? As far as I know, auctions don't require a female companion."

Mo Shaoshang's eyes met hers from behind his glasses, and he replied casually, "No special reason."

Wen Yinong was even more puzzled. "Then..."

Mo Shaoshang said, "I hope that, before Teacher Wen decides whether to date me, you can have a more comprehensive evaluation and assessment."

At this, her eyes flickered slightly, and she froze.

"Clearly, the frequency and duration of our current time alone together are far from enough for us to understand each other," he said. "So the current situation needs to change."

This employer's tone was unhurried, carrying the unique ease and nonchalance of someone in a position of power. As a result, even the most absurd and outrageous statements, when spoken by him, seemed to make perfect sense.

Because he had proposed a romantic relationship, it was only natural that he wanted her to spend more time with him, to get to know him better.

The logic seemed flawless at first glance, without any fault to be found, but on closer inspection, it felt a bit off...

Wen Yinong bit her lip almost imperceptibly.

Just as she was mulling over her hesitation, a voice came from above again, still low and cool in timbre, mixed with the unique pronunciation of a foreigner speaking Chinese.

Mo Shaoshang said calmly, "Try the dress first."

Wen Yinong's brow furrowed slightly, and she stammered, "But I haven't agreed to..."

Before she could finish, Mo Shaoshang interrupted: "I personally drew the first draft of the design for this dress."

His tone was matter-of-fact as he said this, his expression as calm as still water, his entire being like a calm, flat sea. Yet the content of his statement shocked Wen Yinong.

She stood frozen for a couple of seconds before blinking, trying to digest this absurd and bizarre news.

The design sketch was drawn by him personally?

Oh, right.

This man had a private, secret studio—it wasn't strange that he could paint. He had also mentioned that he had to learn many courses from a young age, including art appreciation, but...

Why would he personally design this dress?

For a moment, Wen Yinong was both shocked and suspicious.

"The measurements were taken at the banquet. It's been a few days, so they might not be accurate," Mo Shaoshang added. "Try it on first. If there's anything that doesn't fit, we can have it altered."

When he finished speaking, Wen Yinong was locked in fierce internal conflict. She hesitated, frozen in place.

Across from her.

Seeing the young girl frozen in place, her face tense and torn, still not reaching for the gift box, Mo Shaoshang's eyebrow arched slightly. He added nonchalantly, "I suggest Teacher Wen take advantage of the fitting time. If you try it on now, the tailors can still have a full night. Whether they can rest tonight, and how many hours they can rest, depends on you."

Wen Yinong: "..."

Wen Yinong was utterly dumbfounded.

The implication was clear: the dress was made specially for her. If she tried it on early, the tailors could finish early and get some sleep. If she dawdled, they'd have to work through the night.

With just a few casual words, he had shifted all the responsibility onto her?

Outrageous. Absurd. Unreasonable!

But...

The tailors were truly innocent.

Feeling double pressure from both emotion and morality, Wen Yinong had no choice. After a few seconds, she gritted her teeth, steeled herself, and reached out with both hands to take the box.

Mo Shaoshang's fingers were long, his palms broad, making the box look small and light in his hands.

But when Wen Yinong actually took it, she realized it was heavy, as if made of some metal material—smooth and cold to the touch, with considerable length, width, and height.

She was slender and petite, finding the box too heavy to hold with one hand. In the end, she had to cradle it awkwardly in her arms.

The scene was amusing and endearing, tinged with an indescribable innocence.

Mo Shaoshang took in the sight, and his gaze softened unconsciously. "The box is a bit heavy. Do you need me to help you carry it to the bedroom?"

Wen Yinong quickly shook her head.

"Alright," he said. "I'll wait at the door."

Wen Yinong was caught off balance. She looked up instinctively, dazed. "Huh?"

Mo Shaoshang looked down at her.

Her eyes were always so clear, like a newborn fawn, untainted by any impurities. And it was this purity, like flames, that could easily ignite the hidden violence in his blood.

Mo Shaoshang lowered his lashes, concealing the darkness surging in his eyes without a trace. Yet his gaze had already traced uncontrollably across her smooth forehead, her pert, rounded nose, landing on her slightly parted lips.

He remembered the softness of her lips and the sweetness of her tongue.

He wanted to kiss her again.

"Under the current circumstances, I think it's not appropriate for me to enter your bedroom," Mo Shaoshang said. "You try on the dress, and I'll wait at the door."

Wen Yinong snapped back to reality, her fingertips curling slightly.

Mo Shaoshang's voice was naturally cool, making him come across as distant and unapproachable in normal conversation. But at this moment, for some reason, his voice carried a deliberate softness, speaking softly, even seeming a bit...

How to describe it.

A bit put-on?

Compared to his cold and imposing appearance, his tall and formidable build, the contrast was striking.

Inexplicably and uncontrollably, a wave of heat rushed to Wen Yinong's face.

Her cheeks flushed. She didn't respond, just lowered her head to avoid his gaze, hugged the box, took a step back, and shut the door.

A single door separated two worlds.

Thump-thump-thump.

Staring at the now-closed door, Wen Yinong's heart raced wildly.

The next second, she looked down at the gift box in her arms.

She carried the box back to the dressing room, extended both hands, unfastened the magnetic clasp, and lifted the lid.

Inside the box was a blue dress, deep in hue with a flowing quality, like a still expanse of seawater or a dream from the deep ocean. Its specific design was hard to discern.

A flicker of emotion passed through Wen Yinong's eyes.

She had to admit—that man had exceptional taste.

This dress, with its color alone, was enough to make any girl's heart flutter.

What a unique blue.

She lightly ran her fingertips over the fabric. After a moment, she took out the dress, carefully slipped it on, and then looked at the huge floor-to-ceiling mirror.

She looked at herself from both sides.

It fit pretty well.

Thinking about the tailors waiting impatiently for her feedback, Wen Yinong couldn't bear to delay even a minute.

After a quick glance to ensure she wasn't at risk of exposure, she lifted the hem slightly, walked to the bedroom door, reached out, grabbed the handle, and gently pressed down.

She opened the door again.

The hallway was dimly lit, with a tall, slender figure leaning against the wall.

The dim yellow hallway light carved Mo Shaoshang into light and shadow. He leaned against the wall, wrapped in the cool scent of cedar, like a resting king of beasts, still radiating a sharp dangerousness.

His chiseled features made him look even more intimidating.

Hearing the door open, Mo Shaoshang's slightly lowered eyelids lifted a fraction.

In an instant, a flash of awe lit up his dark blue-black eyes, like a spark igniting.

"Please tell the artisan who made this dress..."

Wen Yinong cleared her throat, trying to speak softly, "The dress fits perfectly—no alterations needed. They can get some rest early."

As her words fell, Mo Shaoshang kept staring at her like he hadn't heard a word, saying nothing.

The mermaid-style dress clung to her body from top to bottom, like a second layer of skin. The lines of her shoulders and neck extended under the asymmetrical neckline, elegant, like a swan's curved neck. Her back was largely bare, her porcelain-white skin offset by the blue, like a pearl kissed by moonlight.

A slender waist, shapely hips, and a rounded bust—every curve was dangerously alluring. At the ankles, the fabric suddenly flared out, layered like waves, fanning out into a graceful mermaid tail.

Every time she moved slightly, tiny diamonds shimmered across the fabric.

Like a siren's scales glinting as her tail waves in the heat of passion.

The dress he'd designed himself now wrapped around her.

So perfectly fitted, so intimate, seamless.

Kissing every inch of her skin and bone for him.

The world around seemed to fade away, leaving just her in his world. Only her—pure yet seductive body, her misty, clear eyes, and the delicate lines of her neck pulsing with her heartbeat.

An overpowering sensory thrill surged through him like a wave, or like a deadly poison seeping into every limb and nerve of Mo Shaoshang.

He looked at her for a while, then spoke, his face calm: "I adjusted this color a bunch of times—it really fits you. Looks great."

This compliment, devoid of any ornate decoration, simple and direct, felt like an invisible, gentle hand had slipped into Wen Yinong's chest and squeezed her heart.

Her face turned red, and her ears burned. She dropped her gaze, moved her lips, and whispered, "Thanks for saying that."

Then, as if remembering something, she paused and murmured an addition: "You... why'd you design this dress? I mean, your time's valuable. Even if you thought I needed a dress for the auction with you, you didn't need to do this yourself."

With his wealth and status, he could just say the word and have top designers worldwide jump to serve him.

Now, he had not only drawn the dress's design sketch but also participated in color matching, fabric selection, and production...

She was totally baffled.

Why would Mo Shaoshang waste his time on something so pointless?

The night was deep. Outside the window, the pitch-black sky had just a crescent moon, sharp and cold as a hook.

Mo Shaoshang barely moved after hearing her question. He stayed leaning against the wall, relaxed, elegant, and lazy. He stared at her, his gaze unwavering, his blue-black eyes looking hazy in the hallway light.

Suddenly, Mo Shaoshang spoke: "Honestly, I don't care much about fashion design or aesthetic theory."

Wen Yinong looked confused, her lashes flickering.

Then she heard him continue calmly: "I just wanted to do it for you."

"..." Wen Yinong's breath caught. All her shock and panic froze on her fingertips, leaving her lost for words.

She just felt her face and ears get hotter.

Opposite her, Mo Shaoshang took in her bright red face and raised an eyebrow, then added, "So, considering this dress, Ms. Wen, will you take my invitation?"

Wen Yinong inhaled, exhaled, and took a deep breath.

After a moment, as if making a decision, she looked up at him, her attitude finally softening: "When and where is the auction exactly?"

Perhaps, as he said, no girl in the world could refuse such a beautiful dress.

Or perhaps for reasons she herself didn't understand.

At that moment, looking into those dark, deep blue-black eyes, she felt confused and flustered, her heart pounding wildly, but she simply couldn't say no.

Satisfied with her answer, Mo Shaoshang slightly curled his lips, not directly answering, but simply saying, "Get some rest tonight. I'll pick you up tomorrow evening."

He said no more, and she naturally didn't press further.

Wen Yinong nodded and said quietly, "Then... Mr. Mo, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

With that last word, the young woman gave her habitual polite smile, turned, and returned to the bedroom.

The door closed with a gentle push, emitting a soft thud.

Thump.

Looking at the closed bedroom door, Mo Shaoshang casually took off his glasses, pinched them between his fingers, closed his eyes, and pressed hard on his brow with a finger.

He couldn't stand another second with Wen Yinong.

An intense heat surged within him, like an avalanche beneath a volcano, each snowflake a shard of his crumbling sanity.

Only Mo Shaoshang himself knew that he had to exert all his self-control to suppress the urge to crush and devour her.

He was driven mad with desire for her.

*

The gown on her body seemed to absorb the heat from his gaze, taking on a warmth of its own.

As soon as she returned to the bedroom, Wen Yinong rushed to the dressing room and peeled off the mermaid dress.

Her skin felt dry, tingling, and burning all over.

Flushed and flustered, Wen Yinong hung the dress neatly, then grabbed a bathrobe to wrap around her naked body and padded barefoot into the bathroom.

Turning on the shower, warm water cascaded down, instantly drenching her from head to toe.

In the misty steam, her thoughts scattered wildly as her eyes unconsciously glanced at the bathroom mirror.

The heat was so thick that the whole space had fogged up, making the mirror no longer clear.

Through a thin layer of vapor, the mirror faintly reflected the outline of a female body.

Very blurry.

Yet, even in that blurred image, her two full, tender breasts stood out prominently, plump and taut.

Belatedly realizing what had happened, Wen Yinong felt both embarrassed and annoyed, covering her face under the stream of water.

Earlier, when she had tried on the gown, she had been in a rush so as not to hold up the tailors, so she had only roughly felt the fit at various points before leaving the room, without carefully looking in the mirror.

It wasn’t until she took off the dress that she noticed how absurdly form-fitting the mermaid dress was.

Wen Yinong naturally had a small frame, with an underbust measurement of only 73 centimeters, but she had developed well since puberty, with an upper bust of nearly 92 centimeters.

With a large bust, even the slightest carelessness in dressing could turn out overly provocative.

This often troubled Wen Yinong.

For everyday bras, she always opted for ultra-thin styles that made her chest look smaller.

Since it was inconvenient to wear a bra under the dress, she had only used two adhesive nipple covers. The form-fitting mermaid gown, despite its elegant and tasteful design and appropriate neckline, when paired with her excessively generous curves, created a look that was almost obscenely seductive.

And yet, she had just rushed out like that.

Brazenly standing before Mo Shaoshang, lingering right under his nose for a good while...

Oh, heavens.

The more Wen Yinong thought about it, the more flustered and embarrassed she became. Her face and neck burned fiercely, and she wished she could turn into a wisp of smoke and vanish on the spot.

But then she reconsidered: what was done was done, and regret was useless.

She had already agreed to accompany Mo Shaoshang to the auction tomorrow evening. The urgent task now was to find a way to make the beautiful dress look more modest and demure on her.

Wen Yinong began to think seriously.

After showering and drying her hair, she walked out of the bathroom in her nightgown, pulled out a previously purchased bust-flattening nipple cover from the drawer under the dressing room cabinet, opened the packaging, and tried it on in front of the mirror.

Hmm, it would do.

After putting it on, her chest still had some volume, but it was better than the previous "tidal waves."

Wen Yinong looked at herself from left to right and smiled in satisfaction.

Just as she was tidying up and getting ready for bed, she habitually opened WeChat to check.

She saw that the chat interface had a new message from her mother, Shen Yulan.

Shen Yulan: "Honey, your grandfather is being discharged from the hospital the day after tomorrow morning. The doctor said he needs to rest at home. I’m letting you know. You’re busy with work, so no need to take special leave to come. Your father and I are here at the hospital."

Overjoyed to learn that her grandfather was finally recovering and being discharged, Wen Yinong quickly typed back: "Sure, okay. I’ll come see Grandfather when I have time on the weekend."

Shen Yulan: "This time your grandfather was in the hospital, thanks to Dr. Pei. He’s highly skilled in medicine and very patient with the elderly. He’s really a fine young man."

Recalling that gentle, jade-like handsome face, Wen Yinong replied: "Dr. Pei is indeed a nice person."

Shen Yulan: "The cardiovascular department has a patient follow-up group. The head nurse pulled me in tonight, and Dr. Pei is in the group too. I just added Dr. Pei on WeChat, and he accepted."

Wen Yinong, lying in bed, typed: "Mm, that’s very thoughtful. If we encounter any issues during care, we can ask him on WeChat."

Shen Yulan: "Shall I forward you Dr. Pei’s WeChat ID?"

Wen Yinong blinked: "No need."

Wen Yinong: "Since you, dear mother, already have Dr. Pei as a friend, there’s no need for me to add him too."

Shen Yulan: "Oh, at my age, it takes forever to type a message, and I make so many typos. Sending it over, Dr. Pei would probably think I’m illiterate."

Shen Yulan: "It'd be easier if you add him."

Then Shen Yulan forwarded a WeChat contact.

Wen Yinong glanced at it.

Pei Xizhou’s WeChat nickname was Kevin.P, and his profile picture was a candid work photo of him in surgical scrubs, wearing a medical mask and surgical cap, revealing deep, beautiful eyes with a hint of a smile. He clearly looked like the epitome of a "promising young man of the new era."

Looking at this earnest doctor’s profile picture, Wen Yinong raised an eyebrow slightly.

Pei Xizhou was her grandfather’s attending physician, and with his connection to the Mo family and Ari... there was a good chance she might run into him again in the future.

Adding him as a friend was fine; it wouldn’t have any impact on either side.

Without giving it much thought, Wen Yinong replied to her mother: "Okay, I’ll send him a friend request tomorrow morning."

Shen Yulan: "That’s the way."

Shen Yulan: "Why wait until tomorrow morning? Send the request now."

Wen Yinong chuckled softly, amused: "Mom, it’s so late. Dr. Pei must be resting by now. It wouldn’t be considerate to bother him."

Shen Yulan: "Alright."

Wen Yinong asked, suspiciously: "What's the hurry?"

In another part of the city, Shen Yulan, harboring her little schemes, cleared her throat and replied to her daughter with feigned nonchalance: "No rush. What’s there to be in a hurry about? Go to sleep now."

After chatting with her mother, Wen Yinong was clearly in a good mood. She sent back a sweet voice message: "Goodnight, Mom."

Shen Yulan's lips curled into a smile as she turned off her phone screen and casually tucked it into her pocket, preparing to leave the hospital room.

She even hummed a little tune under her breath.

Nearby, Wen Zhenhua, who had just finished setting up the hospital cot, heard his wife's humming and shot her a puzzled glance, asking in a low voice, "What, did you win the lottery?"

"Go on," Shen Yulan tsked, lowering her voice as she said, "I just sent Nongnong Dr. Pei's WeChat contact."

Wen Zhenhua looked confused: "What's there to be happy about?"

Shen Yulan was speechless, waving her hand: "It's like talking to a brick wall with you. Just lie down and sleep."

Wen Zhenhua bent down to sit on the edge of the hospital cot, slowly shaking open the blanket, when suddenly he came to his senses and chuckled: "You, always worrying about unnecessary things. With our daughter's great qualities, are you really afraid she won't find a good partner?"

"They say on TV that modern young women need to take the initiative to seize opportunities. And let me tell you, Nongnong is working as a live-in rehabilitation therapist now—the pay is high, but it's also hard work. Dr. Pei is sort of a colleague in the same field; he has the platform, resources, and connections. If he could pull some strings for Nongnong, she'd have a bright future."

Shen Yulan packed her father's finished meal boxes into her bag, then adopted a mysterious tone as she lowered her voice: "And that time I saw Nongnong's employer, he's good-looking, tall and broad-shouldered, even more handsome than a Hollywood movie star. But he definitely doesn't seem easy to get along with. Our daughter working under him might end up being mistreated."

Wen Zhenhua listened to his wife's ramblings, already lying in bed with the covers pulled up, casually replying: "Our daughter's own matters—why do you worry so much about that?"

Seeing that they weren't on the same page, Shen Yulan muttered a few words under her breath before saying, "Alright, I'm heading back. Keep an ear out for Dad tonight—appreciate you keeping an eye on him."

Wen Zhenhua smiled: "What's the trouble there? Take care on the way, and text me when you get home."

"Okay."

*

The next day dawned clear and sunny, the sky clear and the sun warm.

After breakfast, Wen Yinong went to the estate as usual to give Ari his rehab lessons.

Whether it was the gentle sunlight outside the window lifting Ari's spirits or some other reason, the little boy was in great form today, and all the lessons went smoothly.

Throughout the day, she didn't see Mo Shaoshang at all.

In the evening, the nanny showed up early at the playroom door, waiting to take Ari to wash up and prepare for dinner right after his lesson.

After the meal, the sky was slowly darkening, and a few tired birds flapped their wings as they flew over the estate.

The nanny took Ari to his music lesson, while Wen Yinong returned alone to her bedroom.

She put on pasties and changed into her gown.

Then she took out her foundation and mascara, quickly putting on some light makeup.

As luck would have it.

Just after she sprayed her setting spray, a knock came at the door—neither hurried nor impatient, steady and gentle: knock, knock.

She wasted no time, stood up, stepped into the high heels the employer had given her last time at the banquet, and went to open the door.

As the door swung open, Mo Shaoshang stood outside.

In a perfectly tailored dark suit, his tall figure appeared even more imposing and impeccable. The Windsor knot at his throat was an elegant touch, exuding grace and nobility amidst the cool precision.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses, stood in a relaxed posture, and hung a cashmere shawl-like item casually over his arm, its purpose unknown.

Seeing this man, Wen Yinong's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

She paused, drew a deep breath, curved her lips into a smile, and forced a polite smile: "Time to go?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, wait a moment—I'll grab a jacket." Saying this, she turned to go back into the room.

Just then, a voice suddenly cut in: "No need."

At the sound, Wen Yinong stopped in her tracks. Before she could react, the next second, a soft warmth enveloped her slender shoulders.

That high-quality cashmere shawl had somehow been unfolded by Mo Shaoshang, gently wrapping around her.

At the same time, the faint fragrance from the shawl filled her senses, in wisps, cool and distant, stirring her senses.

Wen Yinong was slightly stunned, her eyes flickering.

She hadn't expected him to be so thoughtful, to have prepared a shawl for her...

Across from her.

Mo Shaoshang's eyelids drooped slightly as he quietly studied the girl before him.

The shawl was very ample, covering all the graceful curves and smooth skin, leaving only a lightly made-up face that was still enough to be stunningly beautiful and captivating.

The surging desire deep in his heart was finally somewhat calmed.

"That's better," he said in a low voice.

This alluring and beautiful body belonged only to him. He would not allow any eyes to look upon it, nor allow anyone else to covet it.