Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Mo Manor’s Private Tarmac.

At dusk, the sun was setting, and the wind whipped across the tarmac.

Wen Yinong walked close beside Mo Shaoshang, instinctively tightening the cashmere shawl around her.

"Teacher Wen," Lin Ke guided her from the side, "this way."

Wen Yinong looked up.

Before her, on the vast and boundless tarmac, was parked a sleek jet, entirely silver-white, with elegant wings that glistened with a cold sheen in the fading light of the setting sun. An abstract eagle was printed on the fuselage, with sharp lines, wings spread as if ready to take flight, seeming to be an emblem with special significance.

Wen Yinong tilted her head back to gaze at this massive aircraft, marveling inwardly.

She had flown hundreds of times since childhood, but this was indeed her first time coming into such close proximity with a private jet.

The boarding stairs had been lowered, a red carpet stretching from the cabin door to the ground. Two flight attendants in dark blue uniforms stood waiting by the stairs, wearing polite smiles.

"Teacher Wen, please." Mo Shaoshang's voice sounded beside her, low and calm, revealing no extra emotion.

His voice snapped Wen Yinong back to reality.

She nodded, gave a soft acknowledgment, then lifted her skirt and stepped onto the stairs.

Entering the cabin, everything before her eyes completely overturned Wen Yinong's understanding: there were no rows of seats, no narrow aisle; instead, there was an extremely spacious and bright interior, simple yet luxurious.

Light gray carpet muffled every footstep, and warm-toned lighting from wall sconces cast a soft glow throughout the cabin. To the left was a spacious sofa area, with dark brown leather sofas arranged in a U-shape around a black onyx coffee table; to the right was a dining table, its surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting the delicate shadows of the ceiling lights.

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Mo, Miss Wen." An elegant and beautiful flight attendant stepped forward, speaking in fluent, standard Mandarin. "I am Marry, the chief purser for this flight. My team and I will be at your service throughout the flight. Please feel free to ask for anything."

"Thank you," Wen Yinong replied with a smile, her eyes darting as she secretly continued to survey the surroundings.

She noticed several doors further inside the cabin, leading to unknown places.

Suddenly, a voice snapped her out of her thoughts: "Teacher Wen."

Wen Yinong turned her head instinctively: "Hmm?"

The impeccably dressed gentleman looked at her calmly, his tone flat. "Would you like to rest first, or have a meal first?"

"...I'm fine with either."

Finding herself in such an environment, Wen Yinong hadn't fully adjusted yet, so she cleared her throat to cover her unease and smiled. "I'll follow your lead."

Mo Shaoshang looked at her for a few seconds, then instructed Marry: "Serve some tea and snacks first."

"Yes, please wait a moment."

The chief purser took Mo Shaoshang's suit jacket, which he had casually removed, bowed her head, and led them to the sofa area to sit.

Soon, another flight attendant brought tea and snacks. The bone china tea set was exquisite and translucent, and the tray held delicate pastries, each one like a work of art.

Wen Yinong thanked her, picked up the teacup, and took a gentle sip.

The tea was rich and smooth, leaving a sweet aftertaste—she couldn't identify what fine variety it was.

Time passed, and the cabin was dead silent, with only the faint hum of the air conditioning.

Wen Yinong held the teacup, her gaze wandering aimlessly until it finally settled on the tarmac outside the window. But even without looking, she could feel the gaze from across the room, like a beast locking onto its prey, it landed on her with precision, scorching her so much that her fingertips trembled and her whole body grew hot.

In this suffocating silence, Mo Shaoshang suddenly spoke.

"Teacher Wen seems a bit uneasy."

Wen Yinong choked slightly, smoothed her hair, and outwardly maintained her composure. "It's my first time on a private jet, so yes, a little."

"Everyone gets nervous the first time," Mo Shaoshang said. "You'll get used to it after a few times."

Wen Yinong's eyes flickered.

Get used to it after a few times? Did that mean there would be many more such occasions?

A flicker of unease stirred in her heart. Not knowing what to say, she could only lower her eyes and compose herself, and silently take another sip of tea.

For a while afterward, neither she nor Mo Shaoshang spoke. She looked out the window, while he quietly watched her.

With an indescribable gaze.

Neither licentious nor lustful, nor carrying the slightest hint of frivolity, yet so focused it was almost pathological.

As if in his eyes, she was the only existence in the world, the only living thing in this dead silence.

Sitting opposite each other without words, the atmosphere was charged.

Wen Yinong's cheeks burned, her skin prickled all over. She realized that if she didn't say something to break the suffocating silence, she might go crazy.

"Oh, by the way. Ari..."

She suddenly remembered something, hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Mr. Mo, forgive my impertinence. May I ask, does Ari really dislike blue?"

At this, Mo Shaoshang's eyelids drooped almost imperceptibly, and he nodded.

Wen Yinong was somewhat surprised, her eyes widening a little. "You already knew?"

"Yes."

Perhaps out of professional habit, Wen Yinong paid extra attention to every particular behavior of Little Ari, not wanting to miss any clue that might offer a window into the child's inner world.

She frowned slightly and asked again, "Is there any particular reason?"

Mo Shaoshang: "I don't know."

At this answer, Wen Yinong frowned lightly, but then she understood why.

That's true. Ari had been living in Italy, and although Mo Shaoshang was Ari's relative, they had likely only been living together for a few months. It was understandable that he didn't know about the child's experiences in Italy.

Wen Yinong pondered, then a faint smile curved her lips, in a reassuring tone: "Actually, children like Ari often have their own special likes and dislikes. As long as it's not linked to some psychological trauma, it shouldn't be a big deal. You don't need to overthink it."

Hearing this, Mo Shaoshang picked up the red wine glass from the table, took a small sip, then lifted his eyes to look again at that bright, stunning face, his gaze deep and inscrutable.

Meeting his gaze, Wen Yinong realized something, gave an awkward cough, and murmured, "Sorry, I'm talking too much again... I just didn't want you to worry."

Mo Shaoshang took in the blush spreading across her cheeks. For a few seconds, the corner of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

Wen Yinong noticed and asked, confused, "What are you smiling about?"

Mo Shaoshang looked at her and said, "Teacher Wen is concerned about my feelings. That's very good. Mi fai stare bene (You make me feel good too)."

Wen Yinong: "..."

Her already flushed cheeks inexplicably grew hotter. Panicked, she instinctively wanted to look away, but her peripheral vision betrayed her, drifting toward the man's lips curving into a smile.

Mo Shaoshang's lips were beautifully shaped. Perfect in form, pale in color, the slight upward tilt at the corners now held a startling, breathtaking allure.

Those lips.

On that dim, absurd night, it was those lips that had kissed her.

Ferociously, wantonly, burning like fire, nearly searing her from head to toe...

In a flash, Wen Yinong felt a rush of shame and embarrassment, the flush spreading from her cheeks to her ears and neck. Not knowing how to respond to Mo Shaoshang, she turned her head slightly, took a sip of the juice in her glass, and avoided looking at him.

This man was always like this.

With a light, effortless touch, he could stir up a storm in her heart.

But...

Ari disliked blue, yet Mo Shaoshang seemed particularly fond of it. Was it a mere coincidence, or was there some connection between the two?

Wen Yinong pondered. After a while, coming up with nothing, she decided not to dwell on it.

Outside the window, dusk and dawn intersected. The setting sun had been completely swallowed by thick clouds. Not far away, dark clouds rolled in, layer upon layer like ink-dyed cotton, their edges revealing a dark golden halo, eerie yet enchanting. The clouds hung low, as if within reach, with occasional flashes of lightning hidden within, silently brewing a storm.

The plane was climbing, passing through a gray sea of clouds. The city lights below gradually blurred until they became a distant glow.

Wen Yinong pressed her lips against the rim of her glass, forcing herself to shift her focus away from Mo Shaoshang.

She began to savor the juice in her glass.

The juice was a dark purple, sweet and tangy, seemingly a mix of apple and mulberry. It was delicious.

Wen Yinong licked her lips and couldn't help but take another sip.

The sound-absorbing carpet muffled footsteps completely, providing an excellent quiet environment. As a result, Wen Yinong had no idea when the dedicated flight attendant, Marry, had come to her side.

This European beauty with blond hair and blue eyes had long, perfectly straight legs and was very tall. Now, to accommodate Wen Yinong's sitting height, she bent one long leg and knelt slightly, asking softly in Mandarin with a smile, "Miss Wen, since you seem to like this juice, would you like me to bring you some more?"

Wen Yinong, never having experienced such top-tier service in her life, felt a bit shy. She held her wine glass with both hands and nodded slightly. "Yes, please. Thank you for your trouble."

Marry was amused by this shy Chinese girl and smiled, saying, "You're welcome."

With that, she refilled Wen Yinong's juice and, as she stood up, asked gently, "Dinner will be served in about an hour. Do you have any special requests for dishes? The chef can prepare something on the spot for you."

Wen Yinong thought for a moment and replied, "I'm not picky. Anything is fine."

Marry smiled and nodded. "Then I'll ask the chef to prepare today's special set menu for you."

This meticulous service left Wen Yinong both intrigued and a little uneasy. After Marry left, she let out a quiet breath and relaxed.

Once relaxed, her gaze inexplicably drifted toward the opposite side.

And there she saw her employer.

Mo Shaoshang had picked up a document to read. In the light and shadows, his profile was sharp and distinct, flawless.

As if sensing her gaze, he looked up.

Their eyes met.

As if scalded, Wen Yinong quickly looked away, pretending to study the clouds outside the window.

"If Teacher Wen is bored, feel free to walk around and take a look," Mo Shaoshang said casually, crossing his long legs elegantly. "Besides the dining area, the plane also has a bedroom and an entertainment room."

"Oh... okay," Wen Yinong responded. "You go ahead. Don't mind me."

Time flowed quietly like this.

Wen Yinong sipped her juice slowly, occasionally stealing glances at the man working across from her.

She noticed that his expression while reading was focused and stern, his brow occasionally furrowing, then relaxing. His well-defined fingers occasionally tapped lightly on the paper.

The sharp, aggressive edge was gone, replaced by a wise, scholarly air...

After some time, Marry appeared again, announcing that dinner was ready.

Wen Yinong followed Mo Shaoshang to the dining area.

The table was already set. Bone china gleamed softly in the candlelight, and a vase at the center of the table held a bouquet of fresh white tulips, their petals covered in dewdrops.

The head chef personally introduced the evening's menu—the appetizer was caviar on blinis, the soup was cream of matsutake mushroom, the main course was wagyu ribeye steak with seasonal vegetables, and the dessert was molten chocolate cake.

Soft violin music filled the air.

Wen Yinong and Mo Shaoshang each ate in silence. The dining area was extremely quiet.

A chef is a chef—the skills were undeniable.

The steak was cooked to perfection. When cut, the meat was juicy and melted in the mouth.

Faced with such delicious food, Wen Yinong ate with relish, almost forgetting the man sitting across from her.

Before long, Lin Ke entered quietly and whispered something in Mo Shaoshang's ear.

Mo Shaoshang's expression was indifferent. He casually wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and left Wen Yinong with a "Please continue your meal, Teacher Wen. I'll be away for a bit," before turning and walking away.

Wen Yinong paused mid-bite, looking up and glancing at the departing figures of her employer and his assistant as they left the dining area and disappeared down the corridor.

Curious, she couldn't help but turn to the flight attendant beside her and whisper, "Just how big is this plane?"

The flight attendant who remained in the dining area was a Chinese girl with black hair and fair skin, small-featured and young—the youngest member of the dedicated crew, having just joined recently.

Close in age to Wen Yinong, seeing how gentle and approachable Wen Yinong was, she relaxed a bit and replied, "The cabin? It's quite large. Besides the dining area and private kitchen, there's a bedroom, restroom, entertainment room... Mr. Mo's 'Cloud Eagle' is a Bombardier Global 7500, one of the top private jets, with a range of over 7,000 nautical miles."

Wen Yinong listened, surprised, and muttered to herself, "So fully equipped. This isn't a plane; it's like a moving presidential suite."

The young flight attendant nodded. "Yes. This plane was delivered last year, and the interior was customized according to Mr. Mo's preferences."

Wen Yinong was silent for a moment, then let out a mature sigh. "Indeed. Ordinary people can't imagine the lives of the rich."

The young flight attendant chuckled and added, "That's nothing. I heard from Sister Marry that Mr. Mo has several private jets like this one. This 'Cloud Eagle' is the one he uses often. There's another one, 'Silver Wing,' which is even larger, but Mr. Mo finds it too flashy and rarely uses it."

Wen Yinong: "..."

Envy makes one unrecognizable (/ _ \)

She didn't feel like talking for a bit. She picked up a fork, speared a piece of beef, and put it into her mouth, chewing.

The young flight attendant reached over to clear Wen Yinong's empty appetizer plate. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the young woman chewing steak with puffed cheeks, cute as a little squirrel. She couldn't help but chuckle and added, "Miss Wen, you have such a good personality. Spending time with you isn't tiring at all."

Wen Yinong felt her cheeks warm from the compliment and smiled. "...I talk a lot, unlike Mr. Mo, who is so quiet."

The young flight attendant blurted, "I didn't mean serving Mr. Mo was tiring. I meant the Miss Qiao from last time."

Huh?

Wen Yinong paused. Her ears perked up, and her eyes sparkled with pure gossipy curiosity.

"Miss Qiao?"

"That's right." The young flight attendant lowered her voice and complained, "You have no idea how hard she is to please. As soon as she boarded, she said the slippers we prepared weren't comfortable and insisted on a specific brand she usually used, so we had to urgently contact ground crew to buy them for her. Then she complained the plane's scent was too light and not sweet enough, and demanded we change it to her favorite scent... During the flight, she kept complaining it was either too cold or too hot, and the steak wasn't cooked to her liking, so she asked for it to be remade. In short, she was very demanding."

Wen Yinong was listening with great interest when a woman's voice cut in with a low, scolding tone: "Linda, I sent you to serve Miss Wen her meal, not to chat idly."

Upon hearing this, Linda's expression instantly changed. She immediately fell silent, lowered her head, and didn't dare say another word.

Wen Yinong turned her head toward the voice and saw Marry standing with a cold face at the entrance of the dining area, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction toward Linda and a flicker of... panic?

Afraid that Linda might be punished, Wen Yinong quickly spoke up to defend her: "She wasn't trying to chat; I made her answer my questions. Don't blame her."

Marry shot Linda a glare and then walked over. When her face turned to Wen Yinong, she had already put on a professional smile and said sincerely, "Miss Wen, Linda is new, a bit rough around the edges and not great with words. Please forgive her."

"No, not at all. She did everything very well," Wen Yinong quickly said.

After a brief exchange, Marry led Linda away and left with the empty plates.

Wen Yinong was left alone in the dining room again.

She picked up a small fork and was about to enjoy the dessert when Linda's words echoed in her ears again.

"Miss... Qiao?"

"Who is that?"

"To be able to be on Mo Shaoshang's private jet and boss around his personal crew like that, she must have a close relationship with him..."

Wen Yinong scooped up a spoonful of molten lava cake and put it into her mouth. The sweet taste melted on her tongue, but her heart was in turmoil.

Just then, the atmosphere around her shifted, and a chill crept up from behind her. She instinctively turned her head.

At some point, the man had returned.

His handsome features were calm as he sat down gracefully and said indifferently, "I had some urgent business to attend to. Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Wen."

"It's okay, I wasn't waiting long..." Wen Yinong mumbled a reply and lowered her head to continue eating the dessert.

The dining room fell into silence again, with only the violin music and the occasional clink of spoon and fork against bone china.

Yet Wen Yinong's heart could not calm down.

Though she tried hard to ignore it and didn't want to admit it.

But the fact was that Linda's words were like a tiny thorn, stuck in a tender place in her heart.

After an unknown amount of time, and somehow without realizing it, Wen Yinong heard herself speak as if in a trance, suddenly saying, "Mr. Mo."

At her soft call, Mo Shaoshang paused for a moment, then lifted his eyes to look at her blushing, radiant face. Even his voice unconsciously softened as he replied, "Hmm?"

The beautiful Asian girl looked at him with bright eyes, clear as stars: "That Miss Qiao who was also on this plane—is she your friend?"

As her words fell, Mo Shaoshang was silent for half a second, then raised an eyebrow very slightly.

Across from him.

Only Wen Yinong herself knew that she regretted it the very second she finished asking.

Mo Shaoshang was her employer.

And what relationship he had with that "Miss Qiao" was purely his private life. What right did she have to ask her employer such a private question?

She really spoke without thinking—far too rash!

But...

This man had clearly told her that he was not good at socializing, that he couldn't even find a date for a dinner party, and that he had no friends...

So how could there suddenly be a "Miss Qiao" who was so intimate and familiar that she could ride on his private jet?

Wen Yinong's cheeks felt hot, and her mind was like a ball of yarn a kitten had tangled—all in a mess. She could only steel herself, widen her eyes, and meet his blue-black gaze.

After an unknown amount of time, a voice as cool as jade and laden with meaning finally rang out, piercing through all the chaos around.

Mo Shaoshang stared at her without blinking and said, "Ms. Wen, are you upset?"

Wen Yinong: "..."