Seeing she was relaxed and confident, Mo Jingshen held her waist and tugged her into his embrace. His low voice carried a hint of warning. “In the future, no matter what happens, you’re not allowed to run up to cover me. Remember it well, do you hear me?”

Ji Nuan smiled. In that sort of situation, even if it were not a cup but a knife, her instincts would have been to rush out, nonetheless.

Mo Jingshen brought her back to their room and had a helper bring an ointment over. He directed her to sit down and leaned over to help her rub that fist-sized bruise on her leg.

Ji Nuan stared at him and asked, “Did you live in Los Angeles for a long period?”

Mo Jingshen’s hand paused for but a blink of an eye before he continued pouring out more yellow-colored ointment to massage her leg.

“When I was studying in America, I lived in Los Angeles for around two to three years.” Ji Nuan stared at him. “Have we met before?”

Mo Jingshen stood up, closing the ointment bottle and tossing it to the side.

He returned her gaze. “What do you think?”

What does she think?

There were only vague impressions left in her mind when it came to that period in America. After all, so many years had gone by in her previous life. Why would she spare the effort to reminisce about those days in school?

Thinking back now, she could not recall if she had met Mo Jingshen.

Any woman who had seen a man like him once would surely have a long-lasting impression of him. Even though Ji Nuan had already seen plenty of outstanding men since she was young, if she had met someone like Mo Jingshen, she was sure that she would not forget him.

“Probably not,” Ji Nuan murmured to herself.

Mo Jingshen watched her; his eyes deepening profoundly.

—–

At the same time, in the Ji family’s villa.

It was already midnight. Ji Mengran’s room was well-lit, but the atmosphere was incredibly stifling.

Earlier, she had dialed An Shuyan but had coldly received the following words: “Second Miss Ji, you don’t need to waste time trying to reap any benefits from me. From the beginning, we’ve never been working together. Please don’t call me again.”

The call was then hung up.

Initially, she had planned on making use of the sharp blade that was An Shuyan to push Ji Nuan off of Mo Jingshen’s side smoothly, but she had never expected An Shuyan would return to America so quickly. The reason behind her call was to gain a clear understanding of Mo Jingshen’s current situation with Ji Nuan. Yet, she had actually received such a distant reply.

Clearly, this An Shuyan was in the same position as her. They both itched to push Ji Nuan away from this world, yet she acted as though she was of great importance; who was she trying to show this arrogance off to?

Returning to America was the same as leaving after facing a defeat. She was a failure, yet she acted as though she was above all.

What was even more surprising was that Mo Jingshen’s father’s interference did not shake Ji Nuan’s position as Mrs. Mo. If Ji Nuan could be more suspicious or as pampered as she used to be, she would surely have continuously fought with Mo Jingshen.

Yet, Ji Nuan had maintained her composure the whole time and did not even cause a fuss once!

Ji Mengran had previously thought that against a strong opponent like An Shuyan, Ji Nuan would completely lose.

Yet right now, this unexpected result caused her to lose confidence.

Not only was Ji Nuan’s current character difficult to understand, but she also had Mo Jingshen protecting her. This meant no matter what happens, it would be difficult to harm Ji Nuan.

In front of the Mo family, the Shine Group’s director similarly could not use heavy methods to force her hand. After all, there was still the Elder above him. Mo Shaoze was trapped between Elder Mo and Mo Jingshen and would naturally be powerless despite having opposing thoughts.

After all, the person by Ji Nuan’s side was not just anyone but Mo Jingshen.

That man had a cold indifference that could cause fear to seep into someone’s bones, without making a sound, penetrating every area.

—-

Two days later, early in the morning.

Ji Hongwen noticed Ji Mengran appeared to have slept poorly for the past few days. Ever since she had intentionally gone against Ji Nuan at the Mo home previously, Ji Hongwen had been extra strict with her. However, it was clear that while he could control her person, he could not control her heart.

He abruptly said coldly, “It’s just a meal yet your face is so depressing. Your father is still alive and well, who are you mourning?

Ji Mengran choked and jumped. Her chopsticks almost slipped from her hands as she raised her eyes to speak, “Dad, it’s because I had some trouble sleeping for the past few nights, so I…”

“You’re having trouble sleeping because you have a guilty conscience!” Ji Hongwen coldly said.

Ji Mengran darkly bit her lip, tolerating the grievance as she shoved a mouthful of rice in her mouth.

Even though previously, when Ji Nuan was living at home, her father would always compare her with Ji Nuan—praising that she often accompanied him at home, that she was gentle and well-mannered, and that she did not contradict her elders—every line was full of praise for her and unhappiness for Ji Nuan.

Ji Mengran felt wronged and abruptly placed her bowl down, but under Ji Hongwen’s glare, she could only pick up the bowl and continue eating. She could barely taste anything as her belly filled with anger.

“Old Ji, don’t blame Meng Ran anymore. You’ve already scolded her previously. Do you want to be upset with her for the rest of your life? Ji Nuan isn’t an outsider; they’re both your daughters. Quite some time has passed by since the Mo family’s incident, it’s time to start afresh,” Shen Heru gently persuaded.

Ji Hongwen coldly sneered. “Do you think you’re clean? Do you really think I don’t know how that chess board was taken away? Without you helping behind my back, would Meng Ran have the ability to enter my study and take it away?”

Shen Heru smiled at him as though currying favor and begging for forgiveness. Her gaze then flitted back to Ji Mengran, warning her not to cause any more trouble in front of her father.

This meal finished under Ji Hongwen’s cold eyes. Ji Mengran’s heart burned with fire the whole time.

Taking the opportunity while Ji Hongwen had left for the company in the day, Ji Mengran slipped out of the door. She could no longer visit the Yu Garden, and she had no idea where else Ji Nuan and Mo Jingshen were staying at. The only thing she knew was that Ji Nuan’s studio was located in Jin Lin Building. She directly took a cab there.

Walking into the building, she arrived at the level Mo Nuan Studio was located at.

Seeing the words ‘Mo Nuan Studio,’ Ji Mengran appeared calm, but her heart filled with a rush of nausea. Just as she was about to enter, her path was abruptly obstructed by a tall and skinny short-haired woman.

“Who are you?” Ji Mengran asked in confusion after being startled by this woman’s cold aura. She took a step back.

Feng Ling did not speak and only watched her icily, preventing her from entering.

“Are you the receptionist here or some small employee? You dare to block my path? Do you know who I am?” After receiving such a cold disregard, Ji Mengran was extremely unhappy.

Feng Ling cut her off without any expression. “CEO Mo has ordered that the Ji family’s Second Miss is to be treated like a dog. She cannot be allowed within a ten meters radius near Mrs. Mo.”

Ji Mengran’s delicately made-up face instantly ashened.

“What did you say? Do you have the guts to repeat that?” Ji Mengran was filled with rage.

Feng Ling’s expression was cold and indifferent. As requested, she fully repeated her words. “The Ji family’s Second Miss is to be treated like a dog. She cannot be allowed within a ten-meter radius near Mrs. Mo.”

“You sure have some guts!” Ji Mengran never expected she would be so daring and in a fit of anger, she swung her bag to smash against her body.

In the end, that short-haired woman smoothly grabbed her wrist and harshly forced it back. Ji Mengran wailed in pain as her wrist was almost snapped.

“Ah—”

To prevent the noise from disturbing Ji Nuan who was in a meeting, Feng Ling moved her hand away as Ji Mengran’s face turned pale from the pain. At the same time, she harshly pushed her around two meters away.

“Scram.” Feng Ling directly and efficiently chased her away.

Ji Mengran had just arrived and was dealt with such a strong blow. She was trembling from anger.

Was this woman the bodyguard Mo Jingshen had arranged to be by Ji Nuan’s side?

After that small incident in the Mo family, Mo Jingshen actually was prohibiting her from even approaching Ji Nuan!

Ah, how precious of a treasure was Ji Nuan exactly? Did he have to protect her so attentively?

She was just a vixen who was relying on the reputation as the beautiful first ‘warmth’ [1. Nuan means warmth.] in Hai Cheng!

“Since you recognize me, you should know the Ji family are influential figures in Hai Cheng, yet you dared to use so much force against me! No matter who sent you here, do you know I can sue you!” Ji Mengran rubbed her wrist; her skin was already turning red. She angrily glared at the woman. “There’s never been a bodyguard that dared to treat me this way!”

Feng Ling appeared as though she did not hear anything. She remained standing there, maintaining her cold indifference.

Ji Mengran refused to give up and approached once more. In the end, she did not cover much distance before Feng Ling’s ice-cold gaze swept past her again. Her cold eyes landed on Ji Mengran’s reddened wrist, as though if she really dared to approach, she would snap her wrist without any hesitation.

Ji Mengran did not soften her expression, but her heart shivered instinctively. She paused her movements, hesitating for a moment as her gaze shifted toward the glass doors of the studio.

Feng Ling expressionlessly shifted, blocking her view. She did not even allow her to size up the studio.

Although Ji Mengran was angry, she was still wary and did not challenge her directly. She angrily turned away and walked out.

After being slapped by Ji Nuan previously, Ji Mengran was still somewhat fearful and did not meet with Ji Nuan again.

Previously, she had wanted to make use of An Shuyan’s return from America to instigate a fire but did not manage to gain any benefits.

She really wanted to know what exactly was up with Ji Nuan.

Could it be that there was someone powerful giving her advice?

She had to be hiding something!

—-

“Boss Nuan, the head of the town hall’s National Land Agency has already arrived at Xi Min Square for his inspection!” Xiao Ba ran into Ji Nuan’s office to report.

Ji Nuan glanced at the time and stood up with her car keys. “Let’s go take a look.”

Xiao Ba held the documents she had prepared and followed Ji Nuan out of the studio.

Ji Nuan’s car was around a hundred meters away from the parking lot when a taxi suddenly followed behind. Ji Mengran sat in it, speaking to the driver, “Follow them, keep following them. Maintain a distance and don’t let them notice.”

Ji Mengran found that Ji Nuan’s actions were rather strange. She usually had very few social events she had to attend. Since the car was not heading in the direction of the Yu Garden, nor was it headed toward Mo Corporation, could it be that she was going to her new residence?

Right now, Ji Nuan was too heavily guarded, and they had already shed all pretense of cordiality; Ji Mengran could no longer approach openly and could only secretly follow her to wait for an opportunity.

Feng Ling was driving. Her gaze casually moved toward the rear view mirror for several seconds.

All of a sudden, the car sped up. Xiao Ba, who sat in the front passenger seat, turned back to hand documents to Ji Nuan who was seated behind. “Boss, these are the documents we’ll be showing the head of the National Land Agency for approval. Take a look at it. I’ve already examined it; there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Ji Nuan received it, lowering her head to flip through it seriously. It was as though she was completely unaware of the situation behind them.

Feng Ling’s driving skill was exceptional. She smoothly turned the car onto a small road by the side and quickly drove through it. Although the car was moving steadily, the sudden change in speed caused the confused Xiao Ba to ask, “Why are you suddenly driving so fast!?”

Feng Ling did not speak. Her ice-cold eyes scanned the rearview mirror, keeping track of the situation behind.

Ji Nuan did not bat an eyelid as she continued looking through the documents in her hands. She did not even make a sound or ask a single question.

When Ji Mengran noticed they were accelerating, she wondered if she had been found out. Was Ji Nuan really hiding something she could not let anyone know?

Could it be Ji Nuan was going to meet someone? Was it someone Mo Jingshen did not know?

Ji Mengran tossed another two hundred dollars at the driver, ordering, “Chase them!”

The driver received the money and continued stepping on the accelerator. However, a simple taxi could not compete against Ji Nuan’s Mercedes-Benz. They were constantly being left behind and were madly trying to catch up.

Ji Nuan’s car did not stop even as it passed by Xi Min Square. Xiao Ba shouted in the car, “Aiya, we’ve arrived, we’ve arrived! Why aren’t you stopping the car?”

Feng Ling disregarded Xiao Ba’s clamor, expressionlessly increasing the speed of the car.

After scanning the documents in her hands, Ji Nuan finally raised her head and said mildly, “Continue driving. Make a few more rounds.”

Hearing this, Feng Ling’s eyes lit up. She continued driving, this time choosing a more isolated, small road.

The car made a detour for almost an hour. It was four in the afternoon when they left the studio. By now, it was already five-thirty the evening. They neared a district in Hai Cheng where most of the buildings had been demolished, and its inhabitants relocated. Dust filled the air and caused their vision of every path to be muddled.

Ji Mengran had an increasing sense Ji Nuan had something to hide. Otherwise, there was no way she would drive as though she was trying to make the car soar, making it so difficult for them to follow.

Finally, as they approached the abandoned district, Ji Nuan’s car abruptly entered a turn in front. When they tried to follow, they could not even see hide nor hair of them!

“Where did they go?” The driver had a suspicious expression. There were two paths ahead. It was impossible to tell which direction that car had taken.

“This place is filled with fragments of demolished buildings. The more we drive in, the narrower the path gets. No matter how capable that car is, it can’t have gone too far.” Ji Mengran spoke, “I’ll go in to take a look. Stop the car here and wait for me.”

After alighting, Ji Mengran felt Ji Nuan was really strange. Why did she come to such a place?

The sky gradually turned dark, causing the place to appear shadier. It was suited for keeping things out of sight!