I Wish To Never Leave Your Side - Chapter 32

Mo Lishen held Qiu Yan by the nape of her neck, her elegant swan-like neck slightly tilted back as she gently savored the girl’s lips.

Her wandering hand couldn’t resist exploring the curve of Qiu Yan’s waist. Qiu Yan could even feel the warmth radiating from Mo Lishen’s palm, scorching her skin and making her exhaled breaths feel hot.

But Mo Lishen’s hands always avoided the critical areas.

At the critical moment, Mo Lishen opened her eyes and ended the long, fiery kiss.

If she didn’t stop now, she knew what she would do.

She had indeed had too many lovers to count, touching and sleeping with them as she pleased, all to satisfy her own desires.

But with Qiu Yan, she didn’t want to touch her.

Not only did she not want to throw her into the shredder, she didn’t even want to leave her own mark on that clean sheet of paper.

This was her current instinct, for reasons unknown.

Qiu Yan still clung to Mo Lishen’s neck, her eyes hazy with a misty daze, as if she hadn’t yet recovered from the kiss.

Mo Lishen reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Qiu Yan’s ear, her voice slightly hoarse. “Go rest.”

“Will you stay tonight?” Qiu Yan lowered her gaze, a little embarrassed.

Mo Lishen hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “No.”

“I have something to do later.”

“Oh… okay.” Qiu Yan hung her head, masking a faint disappointment.

“Go on.” Mo Lishen gently ruffled Qiu Yan’s soft hair.

Qiu Yan nodded, slid off Mo Lishen’s lap, and slowly made her way back to her room.

What kind of person was Mo Lishen? What had she been through? What did she want? When would she get angry? All of these were mysteries to Qiu Yan.

But she liked Mo Lishen.

After her shower, Qiu Yan curled up under the covers, pricking up her ears to listen for any movement outside.

She heard nothing. Mo Lishen must have already left.

She was happy that Mo Lishen was willing to explain things to her. Could she dare to hope that she was somehow different in Mo Lishen’s heart?

With these thoughts, Qiu Yan drifted off to sleep with a smile.

–

After Qiu Yan returned to her room, Mo Lishen rubbed her temples, stood up, and left the apartment, her steps even carrying a hint of haste.

After softly closing the door, Mo Lishen glanced at the bodyguards standing outside. For a fleeting moment, she considered dismissing them to make Qiu Yan a little happier.

But in the end, reason prevailed. Mo Lishen said nothing and went straight downstairs.

In the car, Mo Lishen stared out at the night scenery, her brow slightly furrowed.

Should she not have said so much to Qiu Yan? She regretted it a little.

For a little bird, the less it knew, the better.

But at the time, she had spoken naturally, following her heart.

Mo Lishen’s head began to ache again.

Forget it. Could it be that she couldn’t even protect one little bird?

As long as the little bird stayed in its cage, always within her sight, it would be safe…

Early the next morning, as soon as Mo Lishen arrived at the company building, a problem arose with a collaborative project. Lost in thought about how to handle it, she didn’t pay attention to the person in front of her and walked straight toward the entrance.

It wasn’t until Bai Hua called out, “Chairman Mo,” that Mo Lishen looked up and saw Mo Yihuai standing at the company entrance.

Mo Lishen glanced at him, then walked right past without even a greeting.

“Mo Lishen.” Mo Yihuai stopped her.

Mo Lishen turned back and said calmly, “What is it, Chairman Mo?”

“Come to my office.” Mo Yihuai said with a stern face, leaving those words behind as he stepped into the elevator on his own.

Mo Lishen narrowed her eyes slightly, waiting until Mo Yihuai’s elevator doors closed before she pressed the elevator button again, she simply didn’t want to ride with him.

Mo Yihuai’s office was on the 28th floor, a place rarely accessed by regular employees, making it exceptionally quiet.

“What’s going on with Zhao Qiulin?” Mo Yihuai turned to question Mo Lishen as soon as she arrived.

“Can’t Father send someone to investigate himself? Why ask me?” Mo Lishen stood at the office door, glancing at him sideways.

“Mo Licheng is trying to pin the blame on you. What if your grandfather hears something?” Mo Yihuai sat in his chair, hands clasped on his lap.

“Are you that afraid of Mo Boren?” Mo Lishen stepped closer to his desk, staring directly into his eyes.

Mo Yihuai didn’t respond, lost in his thoughts.

A long silence followed.

“Do you need my help?” Mo Yihuai asked softly, eyes closed as he twisted the ring on his finger.

“No need. You should focus on keeping your father company.” Mo Lishen turned and left.

Mo Yihuai paid her no mind, his gaze drifting to the window outside.

A few scattered snowflakes drifted down lightly. The sound of footsteps from the 28th floor faded into the distance, leaving behind an eerie silence.

Mo Yihuai stared blankly at the falling snow.

–

Qiu Yan woke up early to find a missed call on her phone, from Aunt Liu.

Her drowsiness vanished instantly, replaced by panic as she immediately called back.

“Sister Liu, what’s wrong?” Qiu Yan’s voice was anxious.

“Nothing serious. It’s just that Yuanyuan cried last night, saying she wanted to see you.” Aunt Liu glanced at Yuanyuan, who was pretending to play but secretly listening in.

“With the New Year approaching, Yuanyuan wanted me to ask if you’ll come back to celebrate with her.”

There were just over ten days left until the New Year.

Qiu Yan looked out at the gloomy, snow-filled sky, her mood sinking like the falling snowflakes.

“Sister Liu, let me talk to Yuanyuan.”

“Of course, just a moment.” Aunt Liu covered the receiver and softly called Yuanyuan over.

Yuanyuan, clutching her small toy, picked up the phone and spoke in a quiet, childish voice, “Mommy.”

Tears welled in Qiu Yan’s eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. “Yuanyuan.”

“Mommy is sorry for not visiting you for so long.”

“Mommy promises to come back and celebrate the New Year with you.”

“Really?” Yuanyuan’s small hand tightened around her toy, her eyes wide with hope. “Mommy will spend New Year with Yuanyuan?”

“Yes, Mommy definitely will.”

No matter what, she had to make sure Yuanyuan had a proper New Year’s celebration. Last year, they had spent New Year’s Eve in a hospital waiting area, seeking treatment for Yuanyuan.

“Then… will Mommy’s friend still get bullied by others?” Yuanyuan asked in a muffled voice.

“Huh?” Qiu Yan was taken aback.

Then she remembered the lie she had told Yuanyuan about needing to accompany a friend. The child had remembered it clearly.

“Ah, her.”

“She’s doing okay now. Mommy will protect her, but she might be feeling down, so I need to stay with her for a few more days. But I’ll definitely come back to celebrate with my Yuanyuan for the New Year.”

“Okay.” Yuanyuan’s tone brightened noticeably.

A child’s emotions were always written on their face and easily satisfied.

After hanging up, Qiu Yan wondered if she should sneak a visit to see Yuanyuan.

But she quickly dismissed the thought, it was only a few more days to wait.

On New Year’s Eve, she planned to ask Mo Lishen for permission to visit her family, she figured he would agree.

After eating a casual meal, Qiu Yan picked up her coat from the hanger. As she slipped one arm into a sleeve, she paused.

Where could she go? With people following her outside, she couldn’t visit Yuanyuan, nor could she go to film sets. The fridge was stocked with enough groceries, and she had no mood for a stroll.

Everything felt dull and meaningless.

Sitting on the sofa, she recalled the kiss she shared with Mo Lishen the previous night.

Even the memory alone made her heart race, but so what?

Her relationship with Mo Lishen was twisted, driven by interests from the start. If he refused to let her go, would she be trapped in this house forever, waiting like a pet for her owner to return from work?

Gradually, her heartbeat steadied.

Staying idle indoors for too long could wear down a person’s will. Her affection for Mo Lishen didn’t seem enough to make her accept everything as it was.