Xia Ruyan was settled in her room at the Mo Mansion. The room had been arranged by Marie before her return. A mild sandalwood incense was lit, its gentle fragrance curling into the air. The windows stood open, and freshly watered potted plants sat just outside, allowing the earthy scent of soil and greenery to mingle with the incense, creating a peaceful, grounding atmosphere.
The rest of her day passed slowly. Her meals were served in the room, and Mo Yichen stopped by multiple times to check on her, each time met with her polite indifference.
Late in the evening, Mo Yize appeared. Mo Yichen, noticing his younger brother heading toward her room, hurried after him. Mo Yize knocked on her door, which Marie opened, and he peeked his head inside with a wide grin.
"Sister-in-law, I'm here to see you," he announced cheerfully as he stepped into the room.
Just then, Mo Yichen arrived behind him, slightly disheveled, his sleeves were rolled up, and a few strands of hair had fallen onto his forehead, making him look unexpectedly younger and a bit untamed. His onyx eyes, intense and sharp, gave him a passionate, wild charm.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice directed at Mo Yize, but his eyes were fixed on Xia Ruyan, who sat quietly on her bed, half-covered by a fluffy blanket. Her hair was tied in a low bun, with a few wisps escaping to frame her face, giving her an even more delicate appearance.
"Brother, I thought I'd come to visit my sister-in-law," Mo Yize said with a cheeky grin. "She could use some company."
"She doesn't need you," Yichen snapped.
"How would you know that, Brother? I'm charming and intelligent, you know," Yize replied with mock pride.
"Leave. Let her rest," Yichen said, grabbing his brother by the collar to drag him out.
"Wait, wait! I brought something for my sister-in-law," Mo Yize protested, quickly pulling out a book as if from nowhere. "Here! It's really good. I read it myself. You can read it too, and maybe we can discuss it later…"
There was enthusiasm in his voice, along with a flicker of hesitation. He wasn't sure she would accept the gesture. Though she had been married to his brother for two months now, they were practically strangers.
Mo Yize understood that his sister-in-law was a quiet person, perhaps a little introverted, which explained her distance. He hadn't tried to break the ice before, but now, knowing his brother didn't share a cordial relationship with her, he realized she was utterly alone in this grand house. So, he decided to step forward and befriend her.
Xia Ruyan looked at the book briefly. It was by a Russian author, she had read some of their work before. After a moment's pause, she took it.
Mo Yize pumped his fist in victory. "Hehe, she didn't reject me!" he said, grinning widely.
"Now that you're done, you may leave," Mo Yichen said through gritted teeth. He didn't understand why he was so angry. The sight of Xia Ruyan accepting books and flowers from Mo Yize felt like a thorn in his side. The ease with which his brother spoke to her, without barriers, was something he couldn't tolerate, when he himself couldn't utter a word to her without it turning venomous.
He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to find clarity. "Mo Yize, she needs to rest," he said, dismissing him with barely concealed irritation.
Finally, Mo Yize left, leaving a quiet tension behind.
Xia Ruyan was now looking through the book, seemingly waiting for Mo Yichen to leave as well. She clearly wasn't in the mood for another one of their venom-laced small talks.
"If you like, I can ask Secretary Lee to get you books," he offered, his voice dropping an octave, almost sounding gentle.
"I can get them myself," she replied dismissively, as usual.
He bit the inside of his cheek. How easily she dismissed him as if his presence meant nothing. And maybe it really didn't. He was a deal she had made, a contract she had entered out of sacrifice. He meant nothing to her.
"Xia Ruyan," he called, trying again. Maybe, just maybe, if they could start over, they could at least be civil. Cordial. Like acquaintances.
"I know we started off wrong. I assumed things about your circumstances. But since we are tied together, maybe we can be… cordial with each other," he said, struggling to keep his voice calm and polite.
Born with a golden spoon, he had never humbled himself before anyone. He was polite with family, yes, but otherwise he was brash, curt, and often outright rude. And now, he was carefully picking each word, trying not to start another vicious cycle, one where he said something cutting, and she responded with icy silence.
"We are tied temporarily, President Mo," she replied, making the distinction clear. "But for the time I'm bound to you, I can be cordial. And I believe I have been from the beginning."
Her words stung, but they were true. From the very beginning, she had held up her end of the deal, the one they both agreed to the day they signed the marriage certificate. That the marriage meant nothing. And she had honored it with quiet dignity. She never interfered or tried to be part of his life.
It was always him, unable to digest her indifference, her boundaries. So he poked and provoked, using the pettiest ways to get her attention. Like an ignorant schoolboy pulling a girl's braid for fun. When she ignored even those provocations, his ego took the hit.
Looking back, his behavior had been disgraceful. If she wasn't in the room, he would have facepalmed. What had he been doing? The mighty CEO of a global enterprise, resorting to childish revenge just because a woman didn't give him attention? How shameful. How low. Beneath him.
"You're right," he finally said. "I won't disturb you. I know we're both stuck in this situation because of circumstances. So, for as long as we're together, let's be polite acquaintances."
Before she could say anything, he added, "I know we have our differences, but you are my responsibility. And I've never been an irresponsible man. So… bear with me."