Chapter 19: Taking You for a Spin

The meal was a pleasant affair for both host and guest. After finishing, Li Mo moved to help clear the table, but was promptly stopped by Mu Jinyi and Chen Xi.

"Xiao Mo, there’s no need for that. A lady will be coming by shortly to take care of the cleaning."

"Old Chen, Xiao Xi, take Xiao Mo over to the sofa and relax for a bit," Mu Jinyi said to Chen Teng.

Chen Teng nodded, signaling for Li Mo to follow him. Just then, Chen Xi walked up to Li Mo and said with a smile, "Li Mo, let's go."

Li Mo followed them to the sofa in the living room, a short distance from the dining area.

"Li Mo, I heard you were the one who caught all the assassins this time?" Chen Xi asked eagerly the moment she sat down.

"Not exactly. While I played a part, I was just one of the participants," Li Mo replied with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Let’s not talk about work at home," Mu Jinyi said, walking over with a tray of fruit, which she placed before them. "In a few minutes, you can have some fruit."

They kept the conversation off work-related topics, with Mu Jinyi and Chen Teng instead asking about Li Mo’s personal life and his thoughts on various matters. When they learned that Li Mo’s ex-girlfriend had initiated the breakup, Chen Xi’s eyes lit up.

"So, Li Mo, are you single now?"

Seeing the excitement in Chen Xi’s tone, Chen Teng and Mu Jinyi exchanged a helpless glance.

"Xiao Xi!" Mu Jinyi said, her voice turning stern. "That girl choosing to break up with Li Mo is her loss, but you shouldn't use that tone!"

Chen Xi quickly apologized, "Li Mo, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to gloat, I just..."

"It's fine," Li Mo said with a smile, waving it off. "I know. It’s all in the past now. She felt she had a better future ahead and made her choice. While I may not fully understand it, I respect it."

"Let's not dwell on that."

They chatted on the sofa for a while longer and finished the fruit. When the doorbell rang, Mu Jinyi went to open the door, letting in the woman responsible for the household cleaning.

"Sister Xu, I'll leave the kitchen to you. Sorry for the trouble," Mu Jinyi said.

"It's no trouble at all," the woman replied with a smile before heading to the kitchen.

Mu Jinyi returned to the living area. "Li Mo, would you like to take a nap?"

"Auntie Mu, I don't usually nap at midday."

Upon hearing Mu Jinyi’s suggestion, Li Mo realized she likely wanted to take a break. He was about to excuse himself when Chen Xi spoke up: "Mom, you and Dad should go nap; I know you have that habit. I’m not tired, so I’ll take Li Mo out for a stroll."

"Fine!" Mu Jinyi nodded and looked at Chen Teng. "Old Chen, let's go. Don't you have to head to the office this afternoon?"

Chen Teng nodded. As he prepared to leave with Mu Jinyi, Li Mo suddenly asked, "Uncle Chen, has there been any investigation by the provincial authorities into the matter I mentioned earlier?"

After a moment of thought, Chen Teng realized what Li Mo was referring to. "You mean the matter of Wang Ze targeting Xiao Xi?"

"Yes!"

"I have already notified her department and arranged for an investigation, but there are no results yet."

Li Mo pondered for a moment before saying, "Perhaps you could ask Director Tian. The captured assassins must have some intelligence. Once we confirm what their target was this time, we can roughly verify my earlier suspicions."

Chen Teng nodded. "Understood. I'll ask when Tian Yun comes to report to me."

With the conversation concluded, Mu Jinyi and Chen Teng headed upstairs, while Chen Xi grabbed Li Mo’s hand and led him out of the villa.

"I noticed you seemed to have something on your mind back in the dining room," Chen Xi said after they stepped outside.

"Huh?" Li Mo was momentarily taken aback. He realized he had been thinking about how Mu Jinyi’s attitude toward Chen Teng seemed different from when they were at the hospital.

"I just felt that Auntie Mu seemed a bit dissatisfied with Uncle Chen. Perhaps it was just my imagination," Li Mo said with a smile.

"It wasn't your imagination," Chen Xi said, laughing. "My mom thinks my brush with danger this time had something to do with my dad, so she's taking it out on him."

She lowered her voice. "I heard that relatives of several provincial governors and party secretaries were attacked across different provinces—some were successful, some weren't. In any case, the news has been suppressed."

Li Mo was stunned. He hadn't known this information, even in his past life. He had been in too low a position to ever come into contact with intelligence concerning such high-ranking officials.

As they were about to exit the provincial committee residential compound, Chen Xi slapped her forehead. "Oh, I forgot to drive."

"Let's go back and get the car."

She pulled Li Mo back toward the villa. Looking at Chen Xi, who was holding his hand and acting like a shy young woman, Li Mo felt his heartstrings being pulled in a way he hadn't expected.

An indescribable emotion washed over him. A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of Chen Xi’s hair. Li Mo felt a warmth in his chest and a sudden impulse to pull her into his arms.

Just then, Chen Xi stopped and caught her breath. Before them stood the Chen family's villa within the compound.

"Follow me."

Chen Xi led Li Mo toward the right side of the villa. Li Mo had noticed a garage there when he arrived, but hadn't paid it any mind. Once inside, he saw a MINI parked there.

"This is my car. My mom gave it to me for my twentieth birthday, but I've barely driven it."

As she spoke, she grabbed the keys from the wall. "Come on, I’ll take you for a spin," she said with a grand, feigned sense of bravado.

"Then I shall accept the honor."

Li Mo was about to open the passenger door when he suddenly paused. "How long has it been since you last drove?"

Chen Xi froze, looking a bit embarrassed. "A little over a year."

"I'll drive, then."

Li Mo walked to the driver's side, and Chen Xi didn't protest, heading straight for the passenger seat. Soon, the MINI pulled out of the garage and left the residential compound.

"Where to?" Once they were out, Li Mo realized he wasn't familiar with the provincial capital. Even in his previous life, he had never had the chance to come here.

"Let’s go to Wanda!" Chen Xi suggested.

Li Mo immediately opened the car’s navigation system, entered the destination, and followed the route.