CTS 65

Shen Mo admitted openly, “Yes.”

Because the person on the other end of the net was Mr. Ji, he didn’t hesitate. He ran straight in.

Shen Mo was beginning to understand Ji Mingxuan more and more. He knew that Ji might not admit to many things, even if he did them, so Shen Mo could only choose to love him a little more boldly in return.

The sky outside the window was gradually turning pale.

Shen Mo asked, “Mr. Ji, do you need to head back early to keep Xiao Ning company?”

Ji Mingxuan responded with a soft “Mm,” but still held Shen Mo close and said, “Let’s stay here a little longer.”

“Since you aren’t married, then Xiao Ning is…”

Ji Mingxuan suddenly pulled him closer.

“You must have heard some things about An’an while you were in the country.”

“Yes, Lawyer Chen mentioned her.”

“After An’an and I went abroad, her condition had already stabilized. But she ignored my warnings and insisted on giving birth to Ji Ning. Just like my mother did back then.”

Shen Mo was startled. He sat up in bed. “Xiao Ning is Miss Ji’s child?”

Ji Mingxuan did not deny it.

Shen Mo quickly calculated the time. Ji An’an had passed away three years ago, and Xiao Ning was now three years old. The timeline matched. But the child’s father…

Shen Mo hesitated, but still asked, “Is Xiao Ning’s biological father Zhou Yang?”

Ji Mingxuan’s eyes darkened. He reached out and pulled Shen Mo back into his arms. His voice was hoarse. “No.”

He calmed down after a while and said, “Ji Ning carries the Ji surname and has nothing to do with anyone else. That was An’an’s wish.”

Shen Mo immediately understood. Ji Mingxuan had claimed Xiao Ning as his own to avoid any entanglements with the Zhou family. He couldn’t help but say, “Miss Ji must have really loved Xiao Ning.”

Even knowing her life was at risk, she still chose to give birth to the child. As for whether she still loved Zhou Yang, Shen Mo didn’t dare think further.

Ji Mingxuan said, “But she was far too cruel to me.”

Shen Mo knew that Ji Mingxuan’s parents had long passed away, and Ji An’an had been his only remaining family. He must have been carrying a heavy burden of guilt. He had wanted to give his sister everything she wished for, but ended up using the wrong method and lost her instead.

The sky was already fully bright. Shen Mo rested in Ji Mingxuan’s arms and tried to lift his head to see his face. But Ji Mingxuan reached out first, covering his eyes with his hand, and softly called, “Shen Mo.”

Shen Mo’s heart ached. He kissed Ji Mingxuan’s chin and responded, “Mm, I’m here.”

He regretted not finding Ji Mingxuan sooner. When he had lost Ji An’an, when he had been in his deepest sorrow and pain, Shen Mo had not been by his side.

But from now on, Shen Mo thought, he never would leave again.

The two of them stayed quietly like that, leaning against each other without saying another word. It wasn’t until they could delay no longer that Ji Mingxuan gently ran his hand through Shen Mo’s hair, got up, and said, “I’ll go check on Ji Ning.”

Shen Mo got up as well.

The clothes they had discarded last night were still scattered messily on the floor. Shen Mo pretended to pick them up and let Ji Mingxuan use the bathroom first. After washing up, Ji Mingxuan came out looking once again like the impeccable Mr. Ji. Only his eyes were a little red.

Shen Mo pretended not to notice and handed him his clothes.

Ji Mingxuan had no change of clothes, so he had to put on the same shirt from yesterday. Once he was dressed, he took the cufflinks in his hand and toyed with them for a moment before tossing them to Shen Mo.

Shen Mo was stunned for a second. After looking closely at Ji Mingxuan’s expression, he understood what he meant. He walked over and helped him fasten the cufflinks.

Ji Mingxuan behaved as if it were only natural.

His shirt had been crumpled on the floor all night and was wrinkled in several places. Shen Mo casually smoothed out his collar and brushed out the creases.

Ji Mingxuan didn’t say anything, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, clearly satisfied. Before he left, he looked back at Shen Mo and asked, “Are you heading back to the mainland today?”

As if afraid Shen Mo might disappear.

Shen Mo quickly said, “I’ll cancel my flight right away.”

Ji Mingxuan nodded. “Stay a few more days. I’ll show you around.”

In truth, Shen Mo came to S Island every year for vacation and had seen just about everything already. But going around with Ji Mingxuan made everything feel different. Not wanting to part so soon, he asked, “Why don’t I come with you to see Xiao Ning?”

“He’s cranky in the mornings. Best not. And you didn’t rest well last night. Sleep a bit more.”

Shen Mo really was exhausted, so he didn’t insist.

Ji Mingxuan said, “Let’s have lunch together.”

He thought for a moment and added, “But before that, there’s something I need you to do.”

“What is it?”

Ji Mingxuan lifted his left hand and showed him the ring mark that had yet to fade. Then he pointed to Shen Mo’s hand. “Draw the same thing on yours. I’ll check when we meet for lunch.”

Shen Mo said, “I drew a heart to represent mine. As for yours, Mr. Ji…”

Ji Mingxuan glanced at him and replied, “Of course you’ll draw mine too. Don’t you know where my heart belongs?”