Chapter 143: A Nightmare

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

MO Shu was chatting with Xia Xin, casually taking a seat next to her. He said, had no idea you were friends with a reporter.”

Pondering the complexity of that relationship, Xia Xin replied, “It’s complicated, but yes, we’re friends now.”

As they conversed, Xia Xin’s thoughts drifted to Jing Mo. Considering MO Shu and Jing MO worked at the same company, she couldn’t help but ask, “You’re in the same company as Jing Mo. You must know him pretty well, right?”

MO Shu’s tone tinged with a hint of jealousy, he replied, “Not as well as you do.”

After a moment’s thought, Xia Xin realized if there was something about Jing MO she didn’t know, it was probably something he didn’t want to share. So, she decided not to pry further.

Curiosity getting the better of him, MO Shu asked, “Why the sudden interest?”

Evasively, Xia Xin answered, “I find Jing MO mysterious and somewhat friendless. Just wanted to know more about him.”

While Xia Xin spoke with no hidden motive, MO Shu felt a pang of jealousy and decided not to pursue the subject further. A silence settled over them, heavy with unspoken words.

During dinner, the director kept insisting on pouring drinks for MO Shu and Xia Xin. Flustered, she declined, citing her low alcohol tolerance. But the director, now tipsy, wasn’t pleased. He said, “What’s the matter, do you look down on me?”

Caught off guard by the director’s sudden abrasive demeanor, Xia Xin frowned.

Rising swiftly to his feet, MO Shu interjected, “Xia Xin doesn’t drink. Allow me to take this one for her.”

After MO Shu downed a glass of white wine, applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

Someone boldly declared, “MO Shu is taking the hit for his girlfriend!”

The comment left Xia Xin embarrassed. MO Shu didn’t refute the statement, making them the center of attention and gossip, as if they were jesters thrown on stage for the crowd’s amusement. Needless to say, the dinner left Xia Xin feeling rather disheartened.

After the meal, Xia Xin’s manager Sun Hu came to pick her up, which surprised her. She said, “I never thought you’d be so attentive as a manager, picking me up so late.”

Sun Hu had his reasons, unspeakable as they were. It wasn’t his choice but a relentless series of calls from ‘someone’ that forced him to come. He escorted her to her apartment building and then left.

When Xia Xin arrived home, Jing MO was still awake. All the lights were on, illuminating the space like daylight. Seeing her return safely, he felt relieved, but his brows furrowed upon smelling alcohol. He asked, “Did you drink?”

Shaking her head, Xia Xin said, “No, MO Shu took the drinks for me. But I got a bit of the smell on me.’

Jing MO simply nodded.

“Take a shower and get some sleep.” Jing MO advised before disappearing into ms room.

Gazing at the closed door, Xia Xin found herself pondering, ‘Chen Li’s findings about ‘gang-related,’ ‘wealthy,’ and ‘influential.’ Why did these labels not match the Jing MO I knew? To me, Jing MO seemed more like a caring and considerate big brother.’

After her shower, Xia Xin played with her two dogs for a bit before heading to bed. But her sleep was restless. It was as though something was strangling her in her dreams, something she couldn’t break free from. Just when she felt she couldn’t breathe, she was awakened by a tickling sensation on her palm. Layle, one of her dogs, had been pawing at her hand.

And Bobo, the other dog, was lying squarely on top of her, which explained her suffocating feeling. Thank heavens for Layle’s timely wake-up call, she thought. Otherwise, she might have suffocated in her sleep.

Blinking awake, Xia Xin told Bobo, “You’re getting too heavy, little guy. I can’t breathe with you on top of me. Be good and sleep in your doggy bed, okay?” Disgruntled but obedient, Bobo retreated to his bed.

Now with the weight lifted, Xia Xin soon drifted back to sleep, only to find herself in another dream—a dream that took her back to her childhood home.

Xia Xin saw herself as a child, cheerfully hopping towards Jing Mo’s rental apartment, backpack in tow.

Watching her younger self, Xia Xin couldn’t help but marvel, “Ah, youth is truly amazing. Look at how adorable I was, my skin full of collagen.”

Lost in nostalgia, Xia Xin was startled when two figures suddenly appeared behind her younger self, using a cloth to cover her mouth and nose. After a few struggles, young Xia Xin collapsed, unconscious…