I Wish To Never Leave Your Side - Chapter 24

“Hurry up.” Mo Lishen’s fingers gripped the leather seatback tightly, her usually steady voice trembling slightly.

Her mind raced, trying to figure out who had targeted Qiu Yan, was it Mo Yihuai, Mo Licheng, or someone else entirely?

Mo Yihuai was ruthless, and Qiu Yan bore a striking resemblance to Su Peijiu. From Mo Lishen’s perspective, Mo Yihuai had never loved Su Peijiu. Yet, he had approached Qiu Yan before, offering her a check to leave Mo Lishen, which suggested he had no intention of killing her. If he had taken Qiu Yan, she would likely be unharmed.

But if it was Mo Licheng, he was more cautious. If he intended to act, he would first secure a scapegoat. However, he should know that Mo Lishen didn’t care much about the lives of her lovers, so there would be no need for him to resort to murder.

If it was someone else, Mo Lishen couldn’t be sure.

A thin layer of sweat formed on her forehead. Over the years, she had never hesitated to act and had never allowed anyone to find her weaknesses. This sudden sense of losing control disgusted her.

Then it struck her, Qiu Yan was just a lover. Someone she could replace at any moment.

Her grip on the seat loosened slightly. The words “stop the car” caught in her throat, but Qiu Yan’s helpless expression flashed in her mind. The words that finally left her lips were still a command: “Faster.”

A twenty-minute drive was compressed into five under Mo Lishen’s urgency. The screech of brakes echoed in the cold air as she stormed through the entrance. She ordered one person to check the surveillance footage and directed the others to inspect every room.

This KTV was well-known, often chosen by corporate executives for business meetings. It didn’t take long before Mo Lishen spotted familiar faces among the rooms.

At that moment, she almost wished Qiu Yan was with someone she didn’t know.

As she passed one room, Mo Lishen recognized the head of a company she had previously refused to collaborate with, a man named Zhang. She had turned him down after learning about his ruthless, profit-driven methods.

He had always held a grudge but had never found an opportunity to retaliate against Mo Lishen.

Mo Lishen clenched her fists, her gaze piercing into the room.

The room was spacious, with three or five men lounging on chairs, surrounded by a group of women. Mo Lishen scanned the area, and her eyes suddenly narrowed, a pair of familiar legs were being forcibly restrained.

She had seen Qiu Yan’s body many times and instinctively knew those legs were hers.

Mo Lishen’s hand moved to the doorknob. Inside, two men were dragging the woman by her arms toward a corner. Though she couldn’t see the woman’s face, she could tell she was struggling desperately, trying to break free and run toward the door.

The two men quickly stood up and pinned her against the wall.

In that fleeting moment, Mo Lishen caught a glimpse of Qiu Yan’s face.

She shoved the door open with force. The loud noise silenced everything except the background music. All eyes turned to the entrance.

After a moment, someone recognized Mo Lishen.

“President Mo?”

The two men restraining Qiu Yan froze, cursing under their breath before rising to greet Mo Lishen.

Qiu Yan clutched her clothes tightly, sitting in the corner, gasping for breath, her face streaked with tears.

She looked toward the doorway, where a crowd had gathered. Through the gaps between their legs, she could just make out the figure of her rescuer.

The KTV private room was dim, with a sliver of bright yellow light spilling in from the doorway. Qiu Yan glanced at the shadow on the floor, and her heart tightened abruptly.

Was it her?

“Long time no see, President Zhang.” A light, calm voice.

It was her!

Qiu Yan’s heart pounded violently. Just as she was about to stand up, she caught sight of Bai Hua.

Bai Hua quickly shot her a look, pressing her palm downward, signaling her not to approach yet.

“So it really is President Mo.” A man in a white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses stepped forward, extending his hand to shake Mo Lishen’s.

Mo Lishen curled her lips into a faint smile, glanced down at his outstretched hand, ignored it, and walked straight to a seat, sitting down casually.

No different from usual.

Zhang Yunjie stared at his ignored hand, a flash of malice in his eyes, but when he turned around, his face was plastered with a smile.

“I was in a private room not far from here. It was too stuffy, so I came out for a walk and happened to run into President Zhang here.”

Mo Lishen pulled a cigarette out of her pocket.

“Yes, yes, what a coincidence indeed.”

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and light President Mo’s cigarette.” Zhang Yunjie hastily summoned the accompanying women, instructing them to serve Mo Lishen.

Two scantily clad women sat on either side of Mo Lishen. One wrapped her arm around Mo Lishen’s neck, took the cigarette from her hand, placed it between Mo Lishen’s lips herself, and lit it. The other took Mo Lishen’s hand and guided it to her own waist.

Mo Lishen’s lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes icy as she allowed the woman to light her cigarette.

A wisp of pale smoke drifted into the air. Mo Lishen took a drag and slowly blew the smoke into the woman’s face.

The woman leaned in closer, as if eager to inhale every bit of smoke Mo Lishen exhaled. As the smoke enveloped them, she brought her lips closer to Mo Lishen’s, hoping to please the wealthy woman before her.

But just as she closed her eyes and leaned in, Mo Lishen slapped her to the ground.

The woman let out a startled cry but didn’t dare say a word. Clutching her face, she stood up and retreated to the side.

Mo Lishen turned her head and glared coldly at the other woman. “Get lost.”

The woman scrambled out of Mo Lishen’s embrace.

The other executives, seeing the scene, quickly tried to smooth things over with smiles. “President Mo has seen it all, naturally, she wouldn’t be interested in this kind of trash.”

“Should I call a few more girls to keep you company?” Zhang Yunjie stepped forward, placing an ashtray on the coffee table in front of Mo Lishen, his tone ingratiating.

“That one looks pretty good.” Mo Lishen tilted her chin upward.

Everyone followed her gaze to Qiu Yan, who was cowering in the corner.

“Bai Hua.” Mo Lishen called out softly.

“Yes.” Bai Hua nodded, stepped forward, grabbed Qiu Yan’s arm, and dragged her in front of Mo Lishen.

Qiu Yan’s collar was crumpled from being clutched, her hair disheveled, and the seam of her skirt was half torn.

Mo Lishen’s throat moved as she took a heavy drag from her cigarette.

“Look up.” She gently nudged Qiu Yan with the tip of her shoe, mimicking the way she used to pick women.

Qiu Yan clenched her hands tightly in front of her and slowly raised her head to look at Mo Lishen.

It was just like their first meeting, yet completely different.

“Where did President Zhang find such a fine catch?” Mo Lishen’s lips curved into a smile as she looked at Zhang Yunjie with apparent satisfaction.

Zhang Yunjie gritted his teeth inwardly. This girl had just been brought in, and he hadn’t even had a chance to touch her yet.

“A friend sent her over, doesn’t know the rules,” Zhang Yunjie said with a smile. “Why don’t you head back first, President Mo? I’ll give her a few instructions and send her to your private room to accompany you.”

Mo Lishen sneered coldly, reached out, and pulled Qiu Yan onto his lap, firmly gripping her waist.

Caught off guard, Qiu Yan instinctively wrapped her arms around Mo Lishen’s neck.

Mo Lishen pinched her chin, examining her from side to side with a playful glint in his eyes.

“No need to trouble yourself, President Zhang. I’ll educate her myself,” Mo Lishen said, a faint smile on his lips as he slowly smoothed Qiu Yan’s disheveled hair.

Zhang Yunjie remained silent, his mind already calculating how to snatch her back from Mo Lishen.

“I’ve had some new thoughts about the land we discussed earlier,” Mo Lishen said, flicking away his cigarette and tracing circles lightly at the collar of Qiu Yan’s shirt, his eyes teasing.

Zhang Yunjie was still stuck with that piece of land, and at this point, he would welcome any offer of cooperation, let alone one from Mo Lishen.

Hearing that Mo Lishen was interested in his land, his eyes lit up instantly. Forget a woman who had just been sent over, even if it were a mistress he had kept for three years, he would hand her over without hesitation.

Zhang Yunjie’s face broke into an ingratiating smile as he offered Mo Lishen another cigarette. “As expected of President Mo. This girl was just sent over, looks like she hasn’t even been touched. If you like her, feel free to take her.”

Mo Lishen didn’t look at him, but Zhang Yunjie’s words deepened the simmering anger in his eyes.

The hand around Qiu Yan’s waist grew colder, his thumb rubbing against her shirt, while his other hand brushed away the tear stains on her face, gently wiping them dry.

“Take it,” Mo Lishen signaled with his eyes.

Qiu Yan swallowed hard, reached out, and took the cigarette Zhang Yunjie offered, then looked at Mo Lishen.

Mo Lishen raised an eyebrow slightly and lowered his gaze.

Qiu Yan gently placed the cigarette between Mo Lishen’s lips.

Seeing that Mo Lishen had accepted the cigarette, Zhang Yunjie fumbled in his pocket for a lighter, intending to light it for him.

Mo Lishen raised his hand, stopping Zhang Yunjie from approaching.

He held Qiu Yan’s wrist, the cigarette dangling from his lips, his eyes fixed on her brown pupils as the corners of his lips curled upward. Slowly, he guided her hand into his coat pocket.

Tears welled in Qiu Yan’s eyes. Just moments ago, she had been struggling desperately, but once in Mo Lishen’s embrace, she became as docile as a little rabbit, obedient and compliant.

This time, she didn’t avoid Mo Lishen’s gaze but met it directly, allowing him to guide her, feeling the strength in his hand.

The two locked eyes in the dim light. Qiu Yan’s eyes glistened as she boldly looked back at Mo Lishen, an unprecedented sense of calm washing over her.

Suddenly, something cold pressed into her palm. Mo Lishen guided her hand to retrieve it.

It was a silver lighter.

Mo Lishen used his thumb to flip open the lid, clasped Qiu Yan’s hand, and pressed her finger against the striker wheel, sliding it downward. Their coordination was clumsy, and the first attempt failed. Mo Lishen tightened his grip and tried again. The flint sparked, and a yellow flame burst forth.

The reflection of the yellow flame flickered in Qiu Yan’s pupils. Mo Lishen stared intently at that glimmer, guiding her hand to bring the lighter closer and light the cigarette.

His thumb flicked the lid shut, and the flame vanished without a trace.

Mo Lishen took a drag from the cigarette, tilted his head to exhale the smoke to the side, then brought his hand up to cup Qiu Yan’s neck, leaving a soft kiss at the corner of her lips.

The tips of Qiu Yan’s ears flushed red.

Mo Lishen lowered her lashes briefly, and when she raised her eyes again, they were filled with playful amusement. She teased lightly, “Little sister, you did well.”

Zhang Yunjie awkwardly retracted his lighter and lit a cigarette for himself.

“Don’t spoil everyone’s fun. Please continue,” Mo Lishen said, holding her cigarette between her fingers and gesturing with a raised hand. “Tonight, everyone should enjoy themselves, it’s on me. As for business matters, I’ll send someone to coordinate with President Zhang tomorrow.”

Zhang Yunjie knew the deal was secured. Mo Lishen’s words clearly indicated she didn’t want to be disturbed. He chuckled ingratiatingly, switched on the ambient lights in the private room, and urged everyone to continue singing.

Mo Lishen exchanged a glance with Bai Hua, who nodded in understanding. Bai Hua turned to keep an eye on the group, positioning himself to shield Mo Lishen and Qiu Yan.

Mo Lishen stubbed out her cigarette, then reached out to fasten the button at the collar of Qiu Yan’s shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles on her blouse. Softly, she murmured, “It’s alright now. I’m here.”

Hearing such gentle words, Qiu Yan could no longer hold back. She wrapped her arms around Mo Lishen’s neck, buried her face in her shoulder, and began to sob quietly.

Mo Lishen swallowed hard, her eyes turning cold and her jaw clenched tightly. Yet her hand remained gentle as she patted Qiu Yan’s back soothingly.

During a lull in the music, the people at the front heard the sounds from the back and quickly switched to the next song, afraid of interrupting Mo Lishen’s moment.

Qiu Yan cried for as long as she needed, and Mo Lishen held her the entire time.

Only when Qiu Yan had cried herself out did she slowly lift her head from Mo Lishen’s shoulder, gazing down at her.

She had been drugged on set and woke up alone in an empty private room. Just as she tried to get up and run, a group of men burst in, leering at her and pushing her back inside.

For a moment, she had desperately wished for Mo Lishen.

And just when she felt she couldn’t hold on any longer, she had arrived.

Qiu Yan had once dreamed like Zhuixia Xianzi, fantasizing that her destined one would come to her in golden armor, riding on colorful clouds.

Mo Lishen wore no golden armor, nor did she arrive on colorful clouds. She hadn’t even called out Qiu Yan’s name. But when she appeared at the doorway, the light spilling over her, she truly seemed like a peerless hero, etching herself deeply into Qiu Yan’s heart.

Her destined one had come to save her.

Mo Lishen raised her hand and wiped away the tears at the corner of Qiu Yan’s eyes.

She straightened up slightly, took off her own coat, and draped it over Qiu Yan’s shoulders.

“Let’s go back,” Mo Lishen whispered, pressing a kiss to Qiu Yan’s forehead.

Supporting Qiu Yan by the waist, she helped her stand.

Though the others were singing, they were all keeping an eye on Mo Lishen in the back. The moment she stood up, the music paused, and everyone turned to look.

“I won’t disturb you all any longer. I’m heading out first,” Mo Lishen said with a nod, preparing to leave the room with Qiu Yan.

Zhang Yunjie quickly stepped ahead of Bai Hua to open the door for them.

Afraid that Mo Lishen might change her mind, he stood by the door, fawning over her. “President Mo, about tomorrow…”

“Eight o’clock tomorrow morning, downstairs at my company,” Mo Lishen tossed back without looking at him.

“Understood,” Zhang Yunjie replied, bowing and nodding. “Take care, President Mo.”

Ignoring him, Mo Lishen drew Qiu Yan closer into her embrace and strode out of the room.

Mo Lishen’s hands were cool, but her embrace was warm. Qiu Yan, held tightly against her, walked all the way to the entrance of the KTV.

Only then did she notice several black Mercedes-Benz vehicles parked at the entrance, surrounded by a group of people in tailored suits. As Mo Lishen stepped out, they all bowed their heads slightly.

“Don’t be afraid, they’re on our side.” Though Mo Lishen’s gaze wasn’t fixed on Qiu Yan, she could keenly sense the shift in Qiu Yan’s emotions.

Qiu Yan nodded and allowed herself to be led into the car by Mo Lishen.

Throughout the journey, Qiu Yan nestled against Mo Lishen’s chest, her hand clutching tightly at Mo Lishen’s sleeve as if seeking security in the gesture.

Mo Lishen let her cling and hold on, turning to speak with Bai Hua.

“Did you take note of all those people?” Mo Lishen’s tone was icy.

“Yes, I’ve already sent people to investigate,” Bai Hua replied, swiftly typing on his phone. “I’ve also arranged for someone to look into Qiu Yan’s film crew. It turns out the assistant director accepted bribes from someone else and lied about filming to take Qiu Yan away.”

Bai Hua paused his typing and glanced at Mo Lishen through the rearview mirror. “How should we deal with that assistant director?”

“Follow the usual procedure, cut off his…” Mo Lishen hesitated, took a breath, and adjusted her tone. “Send him to the police station.”

Bai Hua was momentarily taken aback but quickly nodded. “Understood.”

After speaking, the atmosphere around Mo Lishen grew heavier, the suppressed anger in her eyes seeming ready to erupt at any moment.

The line of black Mercedes-Benz vans gradually dispersed at the intersection. By the time they reached Qingshui Bay, only Mo Lishen’s car remained.

Qiu Yan, still wrapped in Mo Lishen’s coat, was pulled along as they went upstairs.

When the door opened, the room was pitch dark. Qiu Yan, feeling a bit fearful, reached out to flip the light switch.

But she suddenly remembered Mo Lishen disliked turning on the lights, so she withdrew her hand mid-air.

The next moment, all the lights in the room flickered on.

Mo Lishen’s hand left the switch as she bent down to change her shoes.

Qiu Yan walked into the dining area and spotted the takeout containers on the table. Inside one was a long-cold boiled fish dish, its surface covered with a layer of solidified red oil. Beside it was a small cake, its ice cream frosting melted and dripping over the edge of the box onto the table.

Qiu Yan froze for a moment before turning to look at Mo Lishen.

Before she could clearly see Mo Lishen’s face, she was abruptly shoved against the dining room wall.

Mo Lishen stared intently at her, jaw tight, the tenderness she had shown in the private room completely gone from her eyes.

Qiu Yan no longer had the courage to meet her gaze.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, lowering her eyelids guiltily.

She knew she had caused trouble for Mo Lishen, who had even promised to sign a contract with that man on her behalf.

A moment later, cold fingers gripped Qiu Yan’s chin, forcing her to look up.

In Mo Lishen’s eyes, Qiu Yan could see something suppressed, and the next instant, a chill touched her lips.

Mo Lishen seized Qiu Yan’s wrists, pinning them above her head, and fiercely captured her lower lip.

A soft whimper escaped Qiu Yan as Mo Lishen invaded, claiming everything within her mouth.

The last time they had kissed at length was at the amusement park, on the miniature train where Mo Lishen had kissed her.

Since then, Mo Lishen had brushed light kisses against her lips or forehead a few times, but none had been as fervent as this.

Mo Lishen ravaged her breath like a storm, the beast finally beginning its hunt.

Overwhelmed, with her wrists firmly restrained, Qiu Yan was on the verge of suffocating when Mo Lishen released her lips and began plundering new territory.

She released her grip on Qiu Yan’s restrained hands and moved them to the hem of Qiu Yan’s skirt, which had just been torn at the seams.

Mo Lishen’s fingers brushed over the torn part of the skirt, her gaze growing even fiercer as she pressed her lips down with sudden force.

Qiu Yan trembled all over, instinctively clutching Mo Lishen’s shoulders.

With a sharp tug, accompanied by the sound of tearing fabric, Mo Lishen ripped the skirt to shreds and tossed it aside.

She scooped Qiu Yan into her arms, pushed open the bedroom door, and threw her onto the bed.

Breathing heavily, Mo Lishen tore away the delicate veil covering the painting with no gentleness.

Qiu Yan wrapped her arms around Mo Lishen’s neck, unconsciously murmuring her name.

“President Mo…”

“Mo… Lishen.”

Mo Lishen’s eyes snapped open as if jolted awake, staring down at the person beneath her.

Qiu Yan’s clothes were already in disarray, her neck dotted with red marks, her hands weakly draped over Mo Lishen’s shoulders, soft and delicate like rippling water.

A flicker of conflict crossed Mo Lishen’s eyes. She closed them, exhaled heavily, and gently removed Qiu Yan’s hands from her neck, then straightened Qiu Yan’s collar.

Propping herself up from the bed, her voice hoarse, she said, “Go take a bath.”

After speaking, she sat on the nearby sofa and lit a cigarette.

Qiu Yan steadied her breathing, got up, adjusted her clothes, nodded blankly, and walked toward the bathroom.

Out of the corner of her eye, Mo Lishen caught sight of the scant fabric left on Qiu Yan’s body. She turned her head away and took a deep drag of her cigarette.

The sound of running water from the bathroom grated on Mo Lishen’s nerves, so she opened her phone to deal with messages.

Coincidentally, Bai Hua sent a text, they had identified the mastermind behind it all.

Yu Xiamu.

Mo Lishen silently repeated the name in her mind, her right hand repeatedly twisting the ring on her finger, her eyes dark and brooding.

In the bathroom, Qiu Yan finally shed those humiliating clothes, but the red marks on her body only made her feel more ashamed.

Two months ago, this house had been a place she wanted to escape, but now it had become her sanctuary.

Back then, she couldn’t understand Mo Lishen, and even now, she still couldn’t grasp her completely. But one thing she knew for sure was that Mo Lishen would never harm her…

After drying her hair and wrapping herself in a bathrobe, Qiu Yan stepped out of the bathroom. The room no longer smelled of smoke, Mo Lishen must have opened the window to air it out.

She sat on the edge of the bed near Mo Lishen’s sofa, glancing at her with lowered eyes.

Mo Lishen had just closed the window, worried that Qiu Yan might catch a chill. She stood up, took Qiu Yan’s hand, and guided her to lie down under the covers.

Bending over, she tucked the blanket around Qiu Yan, watched her for a few seconds, and then turned to leave, only to feel a gentle tug on her wrist.

Mo Lishen looked back at her. Qiu Yan’s eyes seemed to hold unspoken words.

She took Qiu Yan’s hand and sat on the edge of the bed, brushing the back of her fingers against Qiu Yan’s cheek as she asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Qiu Yan swallowed, her eyelashes fluttering downward. Before she could speak, her eyes and the tip of her nose had already turned red.

Mo Lishen frowned slightly, then held Qiu Yan’s hands in both of hers, watching her quietly.

Qiu Yan swallowed again and whispered in a choked voice, “I wasn’t…”

She bit her lower lip tightly. “I’m clean.”

When Mo Lishen understood her meaning, she felt as if her heart were being torn apart by an invisible force. Her touch grew even more tender.

Leaning down, she placed a soft kiss on the corner of Qiu Yan’s lips and gently wiped away her tears with her fingers. “I know.”

Straightening up, she took Qiu Yan’s hands again. Qiu Yan’s hands were colder than hers, so she brought them to her lips and warmed them with her breath.

“Can you stay tonight?” Qiu Yan’s gaze towards Mo Lishen was pleading and helpless.

Mo Lishen glanced at the other side of the bed, she never spent the night at her lovers’ places.

“Alright.”

But it seemed she had never truly considered Qiu Yan as a lover in the conventional sense.

Mo Lishen hesitated for a moment before finally taking off her outer garment and lying down beside Qiu Yan.

Qiu Yan pulled half of the quilt over her and nestled into Mo Lishen’s embrace, holding her tightly.

Mo Lishen could still feel Qiu Yan trembling. She raised her hand to stroke her hair, gently soothing her.

Qiu Yan had truly been frightened tonight. Even in her drowsy state with her eyes closed, she felt as if someone was trying to tear off her clothes, causing her to shudder from time to time.

Each time, Mo Lishen would hold her tightly, continuously patting her back.

The light in the room remained on. Mo Lishen looked down at the top of Qiu Yan’s head, a trace of guilt flickering in her eyes.

“I’m sor-”

Mo Lishen ultimately swallowed her words.