CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: ARE YOU FREAKING OUT?

It was late at night.

Mo Chuxi lay wide awake, his long eyes staring at the girl sleeping soundly with her head resting on the crook of his arm. His arm tightened slightly.

He slowly bent forward, his lips brushing a gentle kiss on Yan Xinxin’s forehead.

After a few seconds, Mo Chuxi froze.

Why had he suddenly kissed her like that, with such a tender and protective feeling?

Mo Chuxi loosened his embrace, gazing at the delicate and tranquil features of the sleeping girl nestled in his arm. He lingered for quite some time before finally turning off the bedside lamp and holding Yan Xinxin tightly as he drifted to sleep...

Morning.

Dawn had just broken, a sheer veil of light filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

Mo Chuxi furrowed his sharp brows and opened his long eyes. He glanced at the vibrating phone on the bedside table, then looked at Yan Xinxin clinging to him. Only then did he extend his arm to pick up the phone.

He glanced at the caller ID and promptly answered.

"Morning, Mo Shao!"

Ah Ding’s bright voice was filled with energy.

"I just uncovered something quite important, so I wanted to report it to you. Mo Shao, is this a good time?"

Mo Chuxi froze slightly at the words, then carefully pried Yan Xinxin’s arm off him. With quiet steps, he walked to the balcony.

"Go ahead."

"OK!"

Ah Ding responded enthusiastically, then spoke with a hint of disbelief.

"Mo Shao, it turns out Yan Xinxin has a son! He’s already five years old! She became a mother at eighteen!"

"..."

Mo Chuxi’s sharply furrowed brows tightened, his chest feeling slightly constricted.

"That’s the critical information you uncovered?"

"...Wait, don’t tell me... Mo Shao, you already knew?"

"Your recent work efficiency has been lacking. Don’t be surprised if your performance bonus for this month is canceled."

"..."

Mo Chuxi hung up decisively, his brows knitted deep in frustration. He turned back to the room to find the bed already empty.

Yan Xinxin was in the bathroom, staring at her slightly puffy red eyes in the mirror and letting out a long sigh.

Yesterday’s events, and Ye Lirong’s words and actions, had deeply shaken her.

She hadn’t expected to cry in Mo Chuxi’s arms for so long.

That man—surprisingly gentle like never before—had held her, comforted her, and soothed her...

Yan Xinxin’s heart raced uncontrollably. If this continued, she feared she might truly fall for this man...

Breakfast time.

Mo Chuxi ate his pastries elegantly, his gaze lowered as he skimmed through that day’s financial morning reports.

He appeared as cool and indifferent as ever, as though none of yesterday’s events had ever occurred.

Yan Xinxin twisted her fingers nervously. After hesitating for a while, she finally spoke.

"Teacher Mo."

"..."

Mo Chuxi’s fingers clenched slightly on the sandwich he was holding. His deep eyes lifted, landing on the woman whose gaze held a hint of vulnerability.

"Is something wrong?"

"...You’re the one who’s acting strange!"

"Hmm?"

"No, it’s me acting strange."

Yan Xinxin conceded with a grin.

"Teacher Mo, I’d like to ask for a day off. I won’t be attending tomorrow’s advanced math class. I need to accompany Xi to a parent-child hiking event tomorrow."

"Xinxin, won’t Chuxi’s dad come with us?"

Yan Chenxi raised his big, expectant eyes to look at her.

Yan Xinxin gave her son a tender smile.

"Of course not, it’s a parent-child activity."

The moment Yan Xinxin finished speaking, she felt the surrounding air pressure drop significantly.

Just as she was about to lift her head, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her heartbeat stumbled—she hesitated.

Mo Chuxi took an elegant sip of his milk, then spoke in a seemingly casual manner.

"Why not answer the call? Who’s calling?"