Chapter 144: Chapter 144: Things Seem to Be Getting Worse…

While brushing her teeth, she felt a slight numbness on her lips. A closer look revealed they were a little swollen…

As Xu Su stared, she couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

’Sure enough, there was no way Zhou Mochen would have let her go when she was so obedient and quiet!’

’He’d chewed them up so badly they were still numb after a whole night…’

Xu Su had no intention of confronting him about it. It would be exhausting and pointless.

She consoled herself with the thought that since she didn’t remember it anyway, she might as well just pretend a dog bit her.

After breakfast, Zhou Mochen said he would take Xu Su to school, which made Shen Chen raise his eyebrows in surprise. “It’s only the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. What university starts this early?”

Xu Su shot him a glare and said irritably, “Ever consider the possibility that I’m a high school student?”

“…!” Shen Chen’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, so that’s how it is.”

He finally understood why Brother Zhou had been forcing himself to act like a saint.

Shen Chen had seen Zhou Mochen carry her into the room and not come out all night, so he assumed they had already done the deed. But then he saw him run out to shower first thing in the morning, so afraid of waking his beloved that he even used a different bathroom.

Based on Shen Chen’s experience, this definitely meant nothing out of line had happened.

’Then again…’ In Shen Chen’s opinion, it wasn’t a big deal even if she was a student. There was no need to hold back.

Neither Xu Su nor Zhou Mochen had the time to care what Shen Chen was thinking. The two of them left, leaving him to space out alone in the dining room.

In the car, Zhou Mochen explained, “You were so drunk yesterday, I wasn’t sure if you’d be angry when you sobered up if I took you home. In the end, I decided to bring you back to my place.”

Xu Su nodded, being uncharacteristically reasonable. She would rather stay at his place than have him carry her, dead drunk, back to the Xu Family estate.

If Zhou Mochen had taken her home, the last layer of pretense would have been torn away, and Xu Su felt her parents would probably force her to start asking him for favors.

They certainly wouldn’t be fawning over her in this secretive, roundabout way anymore.

Instead, they would be completely open about it.

Zhou Mochen asked, “Will your parents say anything about you not coming home last night?”

Xu Su shook her head. “I told them when I left that I was going back to the school to sleep.”

Originally, Xu Su and Huang Feng had agreed that after celebrating Xi Zirong’s birthday, she would go straight back to school and stay in the dorms to make it easier to get to class today.

But then she ran into Zhou Mochen halfway, and after he got ahold of her, everything went completely off the rails.

Xu Su rubbed her temples with a headache. Zhou Mochen, while driving, took a moment to glance over at her. “Not feeling well? Still think you’ll dare to drink that much next time?”

He reached out and took her hand, his voice tinged with pity. “Susu, be more careful when you drink from now on. It feels awful to be drunk.”

Xu Su ignored him, pulled her hand away, and simply stared out the window at the passing scenery.

Soon, they arrived at City No.1 High School. Before she got out of the car, Zhou Mochen took out a perfectly square box and handed it to her. “A New Year’s gift I brought for you.”

“…” Xu Su stared at the understated yet luxurious box, unwilling to reach out and take it.

Zhou Mochen simply opened it himself. Inside was a necklace. A sapphire pendant hung from a delicate chain, its design simple enough for everyday wear.

Of course a gemstone from him wouldn’t be fake. Xu Su glanced at it once before looking away. “Do you think I’ll accept this?”

In her previous life, after they got together, Zhou Mochen loved to give her all sorts of gemstones. Xu Su would refuse at first, but after they were married, he would just buy them and place them directly in her jewelry box without even telling her.

Xu Su would always find out he had “restocked” for her only after inexplicably discovering a few new pieces in her jewelry box.

“Why not?” Zhou Mochen smiled. “I had this necklace custom-designed for you. It’s suitable for a student to wear. It was always meant to be yours and yours alone. If you don’t take it, who will?”

Xu Su didn’t want to argue with him, but she truly couldn’t hold back. She said angrily, “Do you even remember what you promised me at Lakefront Park? To respect my wishes! Right now, my wish is to not have this necklace. Can you please take it back?”

The car was silent for a few seconds. The smile on Zhou Mochen’s face slowly faded. He closed the gift box and conceded, “Fine. I’ll hold onto it for you for now. Whenever you’re willing to accept it, it’s yours.”

He added, “Once you’re back at school, don’t suddenly start ignoring me again. And don’t get too close to other guys.”

Xu Su shot him a look, too tired to argue. She tried to leave without a word, but he grabbed her by the wrist.

Zhou Mochen coaxed her as if she were his own daughter. “Baby, be good. Promise me you’ll stay away from other people, especially that Xi Zirong.”

Xu Su’s pupils contracted. His “Baby” left her utterly speechless.

“Zhou Mochen, where did you even learn to call someone that? Isn’t it sickeningly sweet?!”

Xu Su truly didn’t understand. In her previous life, he had the image of a domineering CEO who was always true to his word. How could he now say things like “Baby” so easily?

Zhou Mochen sighed helplessly. “When you’re being good, you really are a baby in my eyes, one that can’t be spoiled enough.”

His words were so sincere it just gave her more goosebumps.

A shiver of revulsion ran through Xu Su. She waved her hand dismissively. “You can stay here and call me that all you want. I’m going back to school.”

Zhou Mochen didn’t stop her, only reminding her, “Remember what I said. If I really do something that makes you angry, just tell me directly. Don’t try to get back at me in other ways.”

Xu Su left without looking back.

After returning to school, she glanced at the time. Morning self-study started in less than ten minutes, so she gave up on going back to her dorm and went straight to the classroom.

She walked into the classroom just as the bell was about to ring. Everyone was already there. Xi Zirong’s gaze fell on her the moment she entered, and he looked like he wanted to say something, but then the class bell rang.

Xu Su sat down in her seat, took out the books she hadn’t even brought home, and started to study.

Though it was a new semester, they had only had a few days off. The textbooks had been distributed before the New Year, so they just had to follow the usual routine for morning reading.

Even Teacher Wu didn’t show up for this morning reading session.

The period ended quickly. As soon as the bell rang, Xi Zirong waited for Xu Su to go get breakfast.

Xu Su had already eaten breakfast at Zhou Mochen’s place, but she went with him anyway.

She ordered a bowl of oatmeal and nothing else.

Xi Zirong ordered a bowl of porridge as well. After taking a slow sip, he asked casually, “Why did you leave so suddenly yesterday? Did something major happen at home?”

He was still wearing the silver ring Xu Su had given him. As he spoke, he glanced at the matching one on Xu Su’s finger, a smile he couldn’t quite suppress spreading across his face.

“…” Xu Su paused. She was finally experiencing what it felt like to tell one lie and then need countless more to cover it up.

She forced a smile and shook her head. “Nothing major. My mom forgot her keys, so she asked me to bring them to her.”

The excuse was plausible, so Xi Zirong didn’t doubt it or ask any more questions. He just watched her with a sticky, affectionate gaze.

His stare made Xu Su extremely uncomfortable. Thinking about the lie she had just told, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

’Things seem to be getting worse and worse…’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep