The fog dissipated, and the morning breeze carried a slight chill, as if laced with the cold of frost.

Having been starved for a day last time, Mo Lingling had learned her lesson and dared not wantonly smash things anymore, because no one would indulge her.

After convalescing for a while, the injuries on her body had mostly healed.

Spending all day in the bedroom with nothing but the television for entertainment, the monotonous days were almost driving her insane.

Mo Lingling leaned against the window, her gaze drifting aimlessly as she stared at the foggy sky outside, her thoughts wandering off to who knows where.

Gu Xinuo hadn’t shown up for so long; did she believe her words? Had she gone back to confront Chu Chen?

Mo Lingling’s lips were tightly pressed, wishing she could see Chu Chen herself.

Just then, the voice of a female nurse suddenly came from outside.

"Mr. Chu."

Mo Lingling was momentarily dazed, almost thinking she was hearing illusions.

Had Chu Chen come?

A sudden radiance lit up her face, and she hurried to the vanity to fix her makeup and hair.

At that moment, the tall figure of a man appeared at the door.

The steady sound of his footsteps drew closer and closer.

Mo Lingling turned her head to look, and the handsome face she had been longing for entered her view.

His deep-set features were covered with a layer of coldness that was intimidating.

However, even as she felt some fear towards him in her heart, her infatuation still prevailed.

Mo Lingling’s lips curved into a gentle smile, "Chu Chen."

She took the initiative to approach him, completely forgetting the incident in the hospital where Chu Chen nearly strangled her to death, even reaching out to grab his arm.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the hem of his clothes, the man opposite her suddenly stepped back, and her hand froze mid-air.

Chu Chen’s face was icy as he glanced at her once, unperturbed.

Mo Lingling gracefully retracted her hand, whispering, "Chu Chen, I know I was wrong about that matter, I apologize to you. Can’t you forgive me once more for the sake of my grandfather?"

After her words fell, silence suddenly enveloped the surroundings.

After a long pause, Chu Chen’s thin lips parted slightly, and a chilling voice came from his throat, "What did you say to Anuo?"

Mo Lingling’s expression stalled.

Did Gu Xinuo believe her and argue with Chu Chen after going back?

Suppressing the joy in her heart, she asked innocently, "I didn’t say anything. What happened?"

"Mo Lingling, stop playing dumb. If you hadn’t said anything, Anuo wouldn’t have quarreled with me for no reason after she left here that day," Chu Chen said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Mo Lingling felt a secret thrill.

Raising her head, her eyes filled with confusion and incomprehension, "Chu Chen, I really didn’t say anything. Could there be some misunderstanding?"

It appeared that Gu Xinuo had believed her after all. Fight, she thought, it would be best if they broke up for good.

"Heh."

A scornful laugh flickered through the air.

Chu Chen looked at her with a gloomy gaze, "Mo Lingling, I’ll give you one more chance. Don’t force me to take action."

A sharp aura of menace hit her head-on, turning Mo Lingling’s face pale, as the memory of nearly being strangled to death in the hospital suddenly resurfaced.

"Chu Chen, I..."

"Speak," he commanded coolly.

Mo Lingling shivered, her palms sweating coldly.

Her eyes reddened as she said, aggrieved, "Chu Chen, I really didn’t say anything, and you know it. When it comes to fighting, I simply can’t beat Gu Xinuo. How dare I provoke her?"

As she spoke, she squeezed out two drops of tears.

"Now that it has come to this, I won’t hide it from you anymore. In fact, a long time ago, Gu Xinuo had been together with Ji Mingqian. They threatened me not to tell you, or they would lay their hands on me."

Qin Yi, disguised as Chu Chen, became disheveled amidst the chaos.

What?

Ji Mingqian and Gu Xinuo were together?

This woman must be insane, spouting nonsense so brazenly; if Chu Chen heard this, he would probably break every bone in her body.

Mo Lingling stole a glance at Chu Chen’s reaction, unable to decipher his thoughts. She continued, "Chu Chen, I really didn’t want you to be kept in the dark and played for a fool by them, that’s why I told you."

She shuffled her feet forward, cautiously grabbing his sleeve, and spoke softly, "You were the first person that grandfather brought back. Ever since we were little, I’ve been willing to do anything for you. I’m the one who truly has your interests at heart; Ji Mingqian and the others are just using you."

Chu Chen looked down at her, his eyes full of suspicion, and asked in a faint voice, "You said that Aqian and Anuo were together, do you have any evidence?"

Seeing that he hadn’t shaken her hand off, a glimmer of hope ignited in Mo Lingling’s eyes, "I have it. In the bedside drawer of the room where I used to live, there is a photo. I took it by accident, a picture of Gu Xinuo and Ji Mingqian going to a hotel together."

Chu Chen looked at her intently, and after a long while, he said, "I will look for the photo you mentioned. If you lied to me, you know what the consequences will be."

Mo Lingling nodded without hesitation, her expression resolute, "I wouldn’t lie to you."

Averting his gaze, Chu Chen said coldly, "Let go."

Mo Lingling bit her lip, a trace of determination crossing her eyes, as if she had made a decision.

Suddenly she hugged him, her face flushed, "Chu Chen, I really like you. Please don’t push me away, alright?"

Qin Yi almost vomited, just about to push her away when Ye Jiuliang’s words suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Qin Yi, if Mo Lingling makes any intimate moves toward you, you must endure it."

Suppressing the urge to push her away, Qin Yi imitated Chu Chen’s tone, his voice ice-cold, "Let go."

Not pushing her away gave Mo Lingling even more hope.

She shook her head and tightened her grasp on his arms.

"What are you two doing?"

An angry voice sounded from the entrance.

"Anuo."

Seeing Gu Xinuo arrive, Qin Yi felt as if he saw a savior.

Following Ye Jiuliang’s instructions, he showed a panicked expression and hurriedly pushed Mo Lingling away.

"Anuo, it’s not what you imagine."

Turing around, Mo Lingling saw Gu Xinuo arriving, a hint of triumph flickering deep in her eyes.

"Chu Chen, I thought you went somewhere else, but it turns out you came here for her. You asked me to trust you, you better explain this to me clearly, how am I supposed to believe you?" Gu Xinuo’s face was livid with anger as she said through gritted teeth.

"Chu Chen" quickly walked up to her, reaching out to pull her hand but she dodged it.

Softening his tone, he said, "Anuo, listen to me explain, this is a misunderstanding. Mo Lingling and I have nothing between us, please, believe me, alright?"

"Misunderstanding?"

Gu Xinuo laughed coldly, pointing at Mo Lingling, "You’re holding her in your arms and still telling me it’s a misunderstanding? Do you think I’m that easy to deceive?"

"Xinuo, listen to me..." Mo Lingling started to speak in a gentle voice.

Before she could finish, Gu Xinuo interrupted harshly, "Shut your mouth."

Confronting Gu Xinuo’s blazing eyes, Mo Lingling shrank her neck back, reluctantly silencing herself.