abcnovels
Chapter 201
Chapter 201
Chapter 201: Substitution
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xu Youyou held Mo Shenbai’s arm and said softly, “He has never had a father since he was young, and he has always treated you like his father. Even if you’re cold and stern with him, he still really likes you.”
Something flashed in Mo Shenbai’s eyes, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Are you thinking about your childhood?”
Xu Youyou’s eyes flashed in surprise. ‘How does he know everything?’
“I’ve been with my grandmother ever since I can remember. My parents only see me once in a very, very long time. At that time, I really envied others for being able to stay with their parents all the time.”
The desire for parental love was instinctive for every child. Xu Youyou had never been with her parents since she was young and had always been with her grandmother. Moreover, there were always rumors about her. The rumors ranged from her being a monster to her being her father’s illegitimate daughter, which was why she was staying in the countryside.
Hence, Xu Youyou could not help but feel soft-hearted toward Xie Yumu who did not have a father and was dependent on Mo Shenbai.
“But I’m not his father, after all, and I can’t replace his father.” Mo Shenbai did not say he did not want to replace Xie Yumu’s father as well.
Xu Youyou understood Mo Shenbai’s reasoning. She said, “I think he knows. He’s just transferring his desire for his father to you.”
Anyone could see that Xie Yumu was substituting his father for Mo Shenbai.
Mo Shenbai reached out and touched Xu Youyou’s face. Sometimes he felt that she was very foolish, but she always had unexpectedly deep insights; sometimes he felt that she was very smart, but she would be so obtuse that he felt helpless about it.
“Rest early, and good luck with your exams tomorrow. I’m waiting for you to cling to me every day.”
Xu Youyou: “...”
…
The next day.
Xu Youyou’s exams went very smoothly like the day before.
Xie Yumu did not return to Moon Pavilion after visiting the hospital with Mo Shenbai in the morning.
After listening to Mo Shenbai’s words, Yun Youwei, whose leg was better, brought Xie Yumu back.
…
On the third day.
In the morning.
After Xu Youyou was done with her final exam, she walked out of the classroom. The blazing sun shone down on her as she took a deep breath. When she was about to walk to the entrance, she heard Mo Zhiyun calling out to her from afar.
“Youyou! Youyou!”
Xu Youyou turned to look at Mo Zhiyun and asked, “Zhiyun? Are you done with your exams as well?”
Mo Zhiyun nodded. She was panting from running all the way here. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead. She asked, panting, “Have you spoken to my brother?”
“Ah!” Xu Youyou smacked her forehead and said, filled with self-blame, “I’m sorry, Zhiyun. Something happened over the past few days, and I’ve been busy with my exams…”
Xu Youyou’s eyes shone with guilt. She really wanted to plead with Mo Shenbai on Mo Zhiyun’s behalf, but she forgot about it.
Mo Zhiyun was not angry. Instead, she said, “I know. It’s because of Yun Youwei, right?”
Xu Youyou was slightly surprised. “You know her too?”
“Of course! She was Brother Tingxi’s girlfriend, and she even gave birth to his child,” Mo Zhiyun said. A disdainful expression could be seen on her face as she continued to say, “Brother Tingxi died so she’s clinging onto my brother. Although Brother was with Brother Tingxi on the day…”
Mo Zhiyun stopped talking abruptly, realizing that she had misspoken. Her eyes flashed with guilt.
Xu Youyou caught on very quickly this time and asked, “You’re saying that when Xie Tingxi died… Mr. Bai was there as well?”
Mo Zhiyun hurriedly begged for mercy. “Youyou, please don’t mention this in front of Brother. If he finds out that I revealed this behind his back, he’ll definitely kill me.”
A complicated expression flitted past Xu Youyou’s face before she nodded. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you! I know you’re the best!” Mo Zhiyun said as she hugged Xu Youyou’s arm again. Then, she said, “Please go and plead with my brother. Lu Heyun has already graduated, but he still hasn’t heard from the company.”
Over the past few days, Mo Zhiyun had gone to look for Lu Heyun. She could tell that he was in a bad mood, but he still forced a smile on his face in front of her. Seeing this, her heart ached for him.
“I’ll go to the company to look for Mr. Bai now. Why don’t we go together?” Xu Youyou suggested.
“No. I don’t want to disturb both of you,” Mo Zhiyun hurriedly said as she shook her head. A hint of shyness appeared on her face as she added, “Moreover, I’ve already invited Lu Heyun out to eat spicy hotpot.”
Since Lu Heyun was not well-off, Mo Zhiyun did not dare to invite him to expensive places. Every time, they would go to the snack stalls near the university. She had eaten at all the spicy hotpot, casserole, and braised chicken feet in the vicinity of the university.
…
Xu Youyou arrived at the company and walked to the front desk. However, before she could say anything, the receptionist, who looked stunned when she saw her, acted as though she was receiving the emperor.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Mo. You’re here to see Chairman Mo…”
Xu Youyou’s eyes widened in surprise at the title ‘Mrs. Mo’. She did not expect that even the receptionist knew her identity.
“Mrs. Mo, Chairman Mo is in the office today. This way please,” the receptionist said warmly before she carefully led Xu Youyou to Mo Shenbai’s private elevator. After Xu Youyou walked into the elevator, she even pressed the button for Xu Youyou and said, “Mrs. Mo, have a good afternoon.”
Xu Youyou’s smile was awkward but polite as she thought to herself, ‘Is there a need to be so exaggerated?’
…
As soon as the elevator door closed, the receptionist hurriedly brought her phone out and sent a message in a group chat.
The receptionist: It’s over! It’s over! Mrs. Mo came all the way to the company to catch the adulterous couple red-handed.
With this message, a commotion erupted immediately in the group chat.
…
Xu Youyou raised her head and looked at the constantly changing numbers in the elevator. She was unaware that a commotion had already broken out in the staff’s group chat.
…
At the same time, Xu Jialu, who was sitting at his desk, caught a glimpse of his subordinate typing on his phone enthusiastically. His subordinate even looked as though he was watching a good show. With this, he walked out with a displeased expression and kicked his subordinate’s chair before he cursed, “F*ck! I’m working my as* off to clean up your mess, but you’re having fun? Do you want me to clean you up?”
“No! It’s not that!” the subordinate, whose chair was kicked, hastily said as he raised his phone to show Xu Jialu. Then, he said, “The group chat said that a woman brought a child to the company this morning to look for Chairman Mo. Everyone said that the child is Chairman Mo’s illegitimate child. A message just came saying that Mrs. Mo just arrived at the company. This is a big deal!”
Xia Jialu was stunned for a few moments. When he recovered, he cursed under his breath and hurried to the elevator.
…
When Xu Youyou walked out of the elevator, Pei Chuan saw her immediately. He quickly stepped forward to greet her before he asked, “Madam, why are you here all of a sudden?”
“I’m done with my exams. I came to eat with Mr. Bai,” Xu Youyou replied softly. When she saw that Mo Shenbai’s door was closed, she asked, “Is he busy? If so, I’ll wait outside first.”
“No need, no need,” Pei Chuan said hastily as he thought to himself, ‘If the chairman finds out I let his wife wait outside, I’ll probably be fired.’
“The chairman had a meeting this morning, and he has just finished replying to important emails. He was just about to eat when a visitor arrived,” Pei Chuan said, directly reporting Mo Shenbai’s schedule to Xu Youyou.
Upon hearing Pei Chuan’s words, Xu Youyou stopped in her tracks. “Huh? Then, I’ll go in later. I don’t want to disturb him.”
Pei Chuan said confidently, “It’s not work. You definitely won’t disturb him.”
Pei Chuan did not wait for Xu Youyou’s reply before he raised his hand and knocked on the door. Then, he did not wait for a response before he opened the door.
When Xu Youyou looked into the office, she was Mo Shenbai sitting at his desk while Yun Youwei sat on the couch. At the same time, Xie Yumu was trying to climb up to sit on Mo Shenbai’s lap.