Lin Mo: "..."
Lin Mo could only say that this reasoning was so very Zhao Ziling.
Zhao Ziling was her mentor from the Huangmen school, and she had quite the expertise in such matters.
But even Lin Mo hadn’t expected Zhao Ziling to be this unguarded around her.
"Crude but true—though your phrasing is way too crude, Zhao Ziling!"
Zhao Ziling’s face was all smiles. "What’s the big deal? With you, I’ve always been completely open."
Lin Mo didn’t want to dwell on the topic.
After all, there was a grown man in this house.
Changing the subject, she asked, "So how’s your dancing these days? You must’ve performed at the National Grand Theatre by now, right?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Zhao Ziling’s smile froze, her lashes casting faint shadows under her eyes.
"I stopped. Huo Tingshen won’t let me dance."
Lin Mo frowned. "Why? How could he do that?"
She and Zhao Ziling had met through dance lessons.
They happened to be students of the same renowned instructor.
They’d shed sweat together, forging a deep bond of camaraderie.
After her parents passed away, Lin Mo no longer had the heart to continue dancing.
But Zhao Ziling had kept at it, excelling in the art.
Zhao Ziling stared at the ceiling. "How could a Mrs. Huo go out and flaunt herself in public?"
Lin Mo propped herself up on the bed with her arms, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on Zhao Ziling. "Do you still love dancing?"
Did she?
No one had ever asked her that.
Marrying into the Huo Family had already been a climb up the social ladder for her. Her father had insisted she obey Huo Tingshen in everything.
She’d tried to keep dancing at first, but Huo Tingshen was displeased.
Then her father was displeased.
Her stepmother even brought people to the Huo residence to throw out all her dance gear.
Zhao Ziling forced a smile. "It’s been seven years. I don’t love it anymore."
Lin Mo could tell the smile didn’t reach Zhao Ziling’s eyes.
Before she could say anything else—
Zhao Ziling cut in, "Enough about me. What about you?"
"Are you really sure about taking the college entrance exams? It’s exhausting. Just don’t bother—my money’s enough to last us both several lifetimes."
Marrying into the Huo Family came with two undeniable perks:
Physical satisfaction and financial security!
Sure, there’d been plenty of grievances, but there were compensations too.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have stayed tangled in it all, rising and falling with the tides.
Lin Mo laughed. "I’m sure!"
Zhao Ziling tilted her head. "But my sister just texted me saying your school’s forum is full of people badmouthing you. It’s infuriating! Should I have Huo Tingshen call your principal and get to the bottom of this? Have the poster thrown to the dogs!"
In the capital, the Huo Family’s word carried immense weight.
Lin Mo shook her head. "No need. It’s a small matter—it won’t affect me."
As long as the principal didn’t intervene, Shen Jing could stir up as much drama as she wanted.
Zhao Ziling admired Lin Mo’s unflappable expression. "That’s why you’re the best! Unshakable mindset!"
No matter what happened, Lin Mo always faced it with a smile.
Zhao Ziling had rarely seen her flustered.
Well—
Almost never.
A memory surfaced: earlier, at the gate of the courtyard.
When Lin Mo introduced Xie Guanyan as her husband.
After saying it, she’d frozen for a few seconds.
Later, when Xie Guanyan remarked that he was a little startled, a flicker of unease had flashed in her eyes.
They weren’t in a relationship.
Why would Lin Mo say something like that?
Narrowing her eyes, Zhao Ziling mimicked Lin Mo’s earlier pose—propping herself up and staring straight into Lin Mo’s eyes. "Mo, do you like Xie Guanyan?"
By Lin Mo’s account, she’d been back for over half a month.
Meaning she’d lived under the same roof as Xie Guanyan for just as long.
Xie Guanyan was flawless, whether in looks or status.
Spending every day together…
Lin Mo falling for him wouldn’t be strange at all.
The girl lying peacefully on the bed jolted upright at the question.
"Thud!"
Her head collided with Zhao Ziling’s.
Nearly sending Zhao Ziling flying.
"Ow! Mo, even if I’ve uncovered your secret, you don’t have to kill me to silence me!" Zhao Ziling rubbed her forehead.
Lin Mo winced, rubbing her own forehead. "No, that’s not it—don’t talk nonsense!"
Zhao Ziling, her forehead now red, stroked her chin like a detective. "Then why’d you call him your husband earlier? Weren’t you testing the waters?"
Testing?
Lin Mo had never even considered that angle.
A terrible realization struck her.
Did Xie Guanyan think the same?
That she was testing him—which was why he’d reacted so seriously, saying he was startled?
Lin Mo took a deep breath, wanting to slap herself. "No!"
Zhao Ziling pressed, "Then what was it?"
Lin Mo deadpanned, "I suspect someone’s targeting me. A setup by the elites!"
Zhao Ziling frowned. "Huh? Xie Guanyan set you up?"
Lin Mo: "..."
Lin Mo smiled. "Maybe spend more time online. It was just a slip of the tongue! You were going on about how he’d make a good husband, and my brain short-circuited!"
Someone as sharp as Lin Mo, slipping up like that?
Zhao Ziling scoffed. "Nope. You definitely have some feelings for him. But fair warning—Xie Guanyan’s notoriously hard to crack. After Jiang Wan confessed to him, he avoided her like the plague. Refused to share the same space."
"Once, Jiang Wan sneaked into a banquet he was attending and insisted on sitting next to him. He told her to get lost on the spot. Jiang Wan was so heartbroken she declared she’d become a nun."
Lin Mo blinked. "Did she?"
Zhao Ziling: "Nope. We’re on decent terms—I booked her three male models for therapy that night. She changed her mind."
Lin Mo: "..."
Lin Mo shook her head. "Anyway, I’m not into Xie Guanyan."
At her age, she’d never truly liked anyone before.
But if she did, she’d be unwavering.
For her, affection was precious.
Not something to be tossed around lightly.
Besides, she and Xie Guanyan had only just gotten acquainted.
She didn’t know him well enough.
Claiming to like him so casually would be disrespectful.
And after the whole Gu Jingchuan debacle—agreeing to a confession on a whim—
She was now extra cautious with matters of the heart.
Seeing Lin Mo’s denial, Zhao Ziling dropped the subject.
Her bestie was only eighteen—it was normal to be a little slow on the uptake.
She’d figure it out eventually.
"By the way, that Gu Jingchuan who used to chase you—he’s a big-shot actor now. Did you know?"
Lin Mo lay back down, still rubbing her forehead. "I know. And I dislike him even more!"
Zhao Ziling was unaware of Gu Jingchuan’s confession.
They’d been fighting and out of touch at the time.
Zhao Ziling had been traveling abroad.
Now, Lin Mo was almost grateful for that.
One less person knowing about that embarrassing chapter.
"I heard you accepted his confession back then!" Zhao Ziling blinked.
Lin Mo: "..."
Exhausted. Just end me.
