CTS 23

Shen Mo didn’t know how he ended up next to Ji Mingxuan. By the time he came back to his senses, Ji Mingxuan was already holding his hand tightly.

A moment later, Zhou Yang came rushing over. When he saw their hands clasped together, his expression froze for a second before he quickly covered it up and asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Ji Mingxuan said as he rolled down his shirt sleeve. “I had a bit too much to drink and accidentally bumped into someone.”

Anyone could tell that was a lie, but although people were whispering among themselves, no one said anything out loud.

Zhou Yang followed his lead. “I see.”

Ji Mingxuan patted his shoulder like it was nothing. “Take care of the rest for me, brother-in-law.”

“Yes,” Zhou Yang’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Big brother.”

He looked over at Shen Mo, but before their eyes could meet, Ji Mingxuan had already pulled Shen Mo away.

Shen Mo had no choice but to follow. As they walked out, he noticed Zhao Yi standing in the crowd, but Ji Mingxuan didn’t even glance his way. He walked straight out of the hotel lobby.

There was a small garden outside, just as extravagant as the rest of the venue. A narrow stream flowed quietly through the middle, lined with all sorts of unfamiliar plants. That night happened to be the fifteenth. The moon was full and bright, its light spilling over everything with a calm, gentle glow.

Ji Mingxuan slowed down. “Come out and sober up.”

Shen Mo had seen him drunk before and knew full well he was completely clear-headed right now. But he didn’t say anything. He just looked at Ji Mingxuan’s hand and said, “You’re hurt.”

Ji Mingxuan only remembered then. “Just a scratch.”

Shen Mo took his hand and examined it carefully under the moonlight. It really was just a surface wound, but to end up like this from hitting someone, he must’ve gone in hard.

His heart was pounding. It still felt like a dream.

Or maybe even in his dreams, he never imagined someone like Ji Mingxuan throwing punches in public.

Still holding his hand, he asked, “Do you want to go to the hospital?”

Shen Mo murmured to himself, “So many people saw you throw a punch. Who knows what the papers will say tomorrow?”

Ji Mingxuan chuckled. “What could they say? At most, they’ll report on the engagement between the Ji and Zhou families. A perfect match, blessed by fate. They won’t mention anything else.”

With Ji Mingxuan’s influence, brushing this off would be easy. But that was exactly why it came as such a shock. Someone like him, always mindful of status and appearances, would never lose his composure in public.

Which made today’s outburst all the more unbelievable.

“Mr. Ji.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you hit that man?”

Shen Mo had a vague idea, but he wasn’t sure. He wanted to hear Ji Mingxuan say it himself.

But Ji Mingxuan didn’t answer. Instead, he turned his hand over and clasped Shen Mo’s. “Come walk with me.”

The garden wasn’t large. A few steps in either direction would take you to the edge. Yet Ji Mingxuan kept walking in circles, holding Shen Mo’s hand as if they hadn’t walked enough.

Shen Mo noticed how quiet he remained and began to drift into messy thoughts. His mind wandered somewhere far off until Ji Mingxuan’s voice pulled him back.

“Shen Mo.”

He turned his head, confused, and saw Ji Mingxuan had stopped walking. The man was looking down at him.

Under the hazy moonlight, his features were unusually striking.

Ji Mingxuan stood there silently, his eyes fixed on Shen Mo like he’d been watching him for a long time. His gaze moved gently across his face, soft and calm like water.

Shen Mo’s heart started pounding again. He couldn’t help but whisper, “Mr. Ji…”

The moonlight was silent.

Ji Mingxuan didn’t say a word. He simply lowered his head and kissed him.