Mo Jingshen’s eyes contained a deep, ink color. His lips curved up, but the smile was cold. “It means what the words mean.”
The thin sheet masking over everything was publicly torn down. Mo Shaoze could no longer hold onto his bearings as his features distorted in rage. The father and son met eyes, and the living room turned cold like ice.
Father An, who sat by An Shuyan’s side, did not speak. He raised his head and saw that although Mo Jingshen’s expression was cold, his fingers were still intertwined with Ji Nuan’s. His dress-pants-covered-legs were unhurriedly crossed, giving him a calm and casual appearance. However, his brows revealed the hypocrisy and the viciousness he carried above them.
It seemed like he did not plan on peacefully letting go of the incident where Ji Nuan was locked in the bathroom.
This topic should not have been brought up in the first place. If they were to really go into it, the one who would suffer a loss clearly would not be Ji Nuan, whom they had been backing into a corner.
Just as Mo Shaoze was about to open his mouth in rage, An Shuyan softly suggested, “Grandfather Mo, I heard that in the mountain behind the Mo family home, there is a hundred-year hot spring which is connected to Hai Cheng’s mountain terrains. Also, that it’s a four-colored hot spring difficult to find within the country. I’m not sure if, before I return to America, Shu Yan will have the luck to soak in the Mo family hot springs the legends speak of?”
It could be heard An Shuyan was trying to change the topic and stop the situation where two icebergs would collide.
Mo Shaoze unhappily glanced at Ji Nuan, but Ji Nuan only returned a mild smile. Unlike that day at the hotel, her tongue was not as quick. In front of others, she still knew to maintain decorum.
Don’t look at this young girl and think she’s only making use of Mo Jingshen’s protection. In actuality, she was clear headed from the start and knew how to cooperate with Mo Jingshen. Every word and action matched seamlessly with his.
Elder Mo was already laughing happily. “Aiya, it’s just a private hot spring. How can it be as amazing as you say.”
“Grandfather Mo, you’re too humble. The Mo family’s hot spring has always been famous locally!” An Shuyan continued speaking after seeing the elder’s mood was lifted. “I heard that soaking in the Mo family’s four-colored hot spring frequently can drive away every illness!”
“It’s all because people outside have been praising it too highly. The so-called four-colored hot spring was gradually dyed by the herbs developed by the Mo family years ago!” Elder Mo stood up while speaking. “Just nice, there are many small, separate hot springs over there. It’s suitable for girls to go in. Since Shu Yan wants to take a look, let’s all soak there today!”
Elder Mo then said, “Jing Shen, ah, bring the Ji brat in as well. Soaking in a hot spring is good for the body. Right now, the Ji brat’s body has the mission of quickly carrying my grandson. This sort of nurturing cannot be lacking!”
The words the elder spoke clearly displayed his self-awareness about where he should be standing. He completely blocked the final chance An Shuyan had to perform.
He also firmly protected Ji Nuan.
Father An’s expression was not very good, while An Shuyan’s maintained a fitting, generous smile. However, her gaze occasionally shifted to Mo Jingshen.
—-
The Mo family’s hot spring was unlike various high-grade or low-quality hot springs. It was located in a cave delicately crafted by the Mo family at the bottom of the mountain and had an old charm to it.
Under Elder Mo’s warm invitation several people used it at the same time, thankfully, the so-called four-colored hot spring was located right in the middle, and it was surrounded by several other small spring water pools and hot springs. This made it convenient for An Shuyan and Ji Nuan to use.
After all, the older people were all men while An Shuyan and Ji Nuan were women. Even if they were dressed as they chatted in the hot spring, it was still inappropriate.
Ji Nuan was taken to the medical hot spring located at the end. As she passed a rose spring pool obstructed by a stone door, she saw An Shuyan being brought in by a helper.
The medical hot spring was located deeply in the hot spring cave and was very secluded.
Initially, Ji Nuan felt the hot spring was too hot. After gradually adjusting to the temperature and sweating a little, she thought it was very comfortable. Slowly, she stretched her body out and sat in the hot springs leaning on her back. Her hair was bundled up high, and her neck and face gradually released some sweat from the heat.
She soaked like this for nearly twenty minutes. Ji Nuan was so comfortable she almost fell asleep.
All of a sudden, it seemed like someone was approaching from behind. Although it was not a large movement, she still returned to her spirits abruptly. Turning back, she saw Mo Jingshen approaching with the scent of the four-colored hot springs on him.
Ji Nuan was startled. “Why didn’t you continue staying with Grandfather and the rest of them?”
“I can’t let you stay here alone. Soaking in the hot spring for too long can cause drowsiness. Let me take a look.” Mo Jingshen unhurriedly entered the hot spring. As he moved in front of her, he caused the water surface to ripple.
Ji Nuan sat in the hot springs without moving, but the man brought her into his embrace with a stretch of his arm, asking, “How do you feel?”
“I’m all right. It’s just slightly warm.”
Mo Jingshen smiled and held her, accompanying her to soak for a while. He lowered his eyes and noticed her little face was turning red from the heat. He was about to lean down to kiss her cheek.
All of a sudden, it seemed like someone was approaching from outside.
Hearing the movement, Ji Nuan rushed to push him away, fearing that someone would see him.
The man tightened his grip around her waist, turning back to glance mildly at An Shuyan who had suddenly come in.
An Shuyan clearly did not expect she would see Mo Jingshen here, and she further did not expect to see the two of them in the hot spring… embracing…
After walking in to see such a scene, her first reaction was not to leave but to stand there for a while in a daze.
“My apologies.” A few seconds later, she barely returned to herself. “CEO Mo, earlier on, I was slightly bored in the rose spring and thought to look for Mrs. Mo to chat. I didn’t think that…”
Mo Jingshen’s tone was mild. “There’s nothing to apologize for. But if you and Ji Nuan were to soak in the same hot spring, it would only worsen the boredom.”
An Shuyan’s expression faltered.
Ji Nuan also indifferently swept her gaze past An Shuyan.
Mo Jingshen’s words were meant to mock An Shuyan’s decision in coming here to chat with Ji Nuan, as it would only result in two women looking forward to humiliating each other.
And so, indeed, there was no reason for her to look for Ji Nuan to chat. Even if they did have a conversation, there would be nothing good to talk about.
The man’s indifferent expression hid a poisonous tongue; he was genuinely unrestrained and ruthless.
From start to finish, it seemed like Mo Jingshen had never once crossed any inappropriate lines with An Shuyan. Even during Shine’s evening ball, he was cold and maintained a distance from her.
Ji Nuan could imagine, for an arrogant woman like An Shuyan who was envied by the crowd, her current mood must be terrible.