Chapter 23
On New Year’s Eve, the Mo family home was lively and full of excitement.
Madam Mo was in a good mood and personally went into the kitchen to cook. Su Li felt embarrassed doing nothing, so she followed her in to help.
“Go outside and keep Xingyuan company. I don’t need your help here,” Madam Mo said.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
No matter what, she was still the Mo family’s daughter-in-law. It didn’t feel right for the elders to be busy during the holidays while she just sat around.
Madam Mo smiled. “No need. I haven’t cooked in a long time, so my hands are itching. If you help, you’ll just disrupt my rhythm.”
Hearing that, Su Li quickly and obediently left the kitchen.
Outside, Mo Xingyuan was playing chess with Mr. Mo, while Chi Mu was boiling tea nearby.
Considering her relationship with Mo Xingyuan, Su Li probably shouldn’t sit too close to him. But this was the Mo family home—if she didn’t sit beside him, that would seem even stranger.
In the end, Su Li walked over and sat next to Mo Xingyuan.
“You know how to play?” Mr. Mo asked when he saw her watching the chessboard.
Su Li gave an awkward smile. “No.”
“In our family, you don’t need to deliberately please anyone, and there aren’t so many rules,” Mr. Mo said. “Do whatever you want.”
Su Li nodded. “Okay.”
She stayed seated for a while longer. Although she didn’t know how to play, she could more or less understand what was going on after watching a couple of rounds.
Mo Xingyuan played very decisively. He never seemed to hesitate when placing a piece.
Every time he made a move, Mr. Mo would think for a long time.
It was obvious how sharp Mo Xingyuan’s mind was.
Su Li couldn’t help thinking—if Mo Xingyuan had a child who inherited his excellent genes, the child would probably be very smart too.
After sitting there for a while, Su Li’s phone rang.
It was Lu Jing.
Earlier, Lu Jing had said that her boyfriend invited her to his house for New Year’s Eve dinner this year.
Su Li quietly stepped away to answer the call.
“Hello?”
“I don’t want to continue this relationship.”
Su Li froze. “Huh? What happened?”
Lu Jing was holding back her anger. “Do you know how ridiculous this is? I just arrived and found out that a bunch of his relatives are here. The moment they saw me, they looked me up and down. The most outrageous thing? His mom told me to prepare tonight’s New Year’s Eve dinner. What a joke.”
Su Li couldn’t believe it.
When Lu Jing had talked about Wei Yu before, she couldn’t imagine that someone who seemed so good in every way would come from a family like that.
“Heh. If you put it nicely, they’re saying they treat me like family. If you put it bluntly, they’re trying to intimidate me and keep me in line.”
Lu Jing took a deep breath. “I’m planning to leave.”
“Have you told Wei Yu?”
“I told him. He said he’d help me cook. He said his family was very happy to know he’s in a relationship and wants me to integrate into the family as soon as possible. He even said handing the New Year’s Eve dinner to me means they value me. Value my ass!”
“With that whole bunch of relatives, I feel suffocated just looking at them. I’m not afraid of them—I just can’t stand it,” Lu Jing said, her emotions rising. “I think Wei Yu is great, but I can’t fit into his family.”
Su Li understood.
“Then make it clear. If it feels wrong, don’t force yourself.”
Lu Jing took another breath. “I’m leaving in a bit.”
“Talk to Wei Yu properly. Don’t let it turn into an ugly scene,” Su Li said, thinking that since it was New Year’s, it would be best to part on good terms.
“I know.”
After hanging up, Su Li felt helpless.
When she turned around, the Mo father and son had already finished their chess game and were now drinking tea.
Thinking about what Madam Mo and Mr. Mo had said to her earlier, she suddenly felt that she was actually quite lucky.
“Sir, Mr. He and Mrs. He have arrived,” a servant came out and reported to Mr. Mo.
