Volume One, Chapter Four: When I Die, Will You Follow Me in Love’s Demise?

Only a few days had passed since her last visit, yet this time, as soon as she got out of the car, the Mo family’s servants greeted her as “Young Madam.”

Hearing that, Su Li’s heart trembled; she walked into the grand house with a touch of unease.

In the vast living room, Mo Xingyuan and Mrs. Mo sat together. Mrs. Mo gazed at her son with eyes full of gentle affection and a hint of sorrow.

Su Li envied such a relationship between mother and child.

In her own memory, scenes filled with warmth like this had already faded into a blur.

"Ah Li, come and sit," Mrs. Mo called to her softly.

Hearing her, seeing her smile, Su Li almost saw her own mother calling her home. She forced herself to set aside the sadness in her heart and walked over.

Mrs. Mo had her sit beside Mo Xingyuan.

Su Li knew well how unwelcome she was to Mo Xingyuan, but under Mrs. Mo’s watchful gaze, she smiled and took her seat next to him.

Mrs. Mo turned to look at the two of them, her eyes brimming with joy. “You two are truly a perfect match—talented gentleman and beautiful lady.”

Mo Xingyuan’s face remained cold.

Su Li managed a bashful smile.

“Xingyuan, Ah Li is a fine girl. She is now your wife. You must treat her well.”

Mo Xingyuan showed no emotion.

Mrs. Mo then looked at Su Li, stood up, and reached out her hand.

Su Li hurriedly rose and took Mrs. Mo’s hand.

Mrs. Mo affectionately looped her arm through Su Li's, leading her upstairs as she spoke.

Once behind closed doors, Mrs. Mo released her hand, her tone both gentle and distant. “You and Xingyuan aren’t living together, are you?”

Su Li shook her head.

“How can that be?” Mrs. Mo frowned. “If you don’t live together, how will you develop feelings for each other?”

Su Li thought to herself: it wasn’t about developing feelings, but about hoping they would live together and have a child. The Mo family’s urgency in finding him a wife was all about ensuring an heir.

She understood perfectly well, yet still explained softly, “I became his wife without his knowledge. He hasn’t accepted me in his heart yet. Forcing myself to move in with him now would only make him dislike me more.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best,” Su Li coaxed Mrs. Mo. “Since I’ve married him, I want to live a good life, bear him children, and make our family whole.”

Her attitude pleased Mrs. Mo.

She patted Su Li’s shoulder lightly. “You are a sensible girl. As long as you give the Mo family an heir, we will not treat you poorly.”

Su Li smiled obediently.

“Tonight, you two will stay at the old house,” Mrs. Mo said, making her decision.

Su Li’s smile faltered.

But Mrs. Mo’s eyes twinkled with amusement, as if she hadn’t noticed Su Li’s embarrassment. “Opportunities are made, not given. You must make an effort.”

Su Li forced a smile, though her expression soon relaxed. After all, she was certain Mo Xingyuan would never comply with such an arrangement.

After dinner, Su Li waited for Mo Xingyuan to leave.

To her surprise, he went upstairs.

Su Li frowned slightly.

When the servant brought out fruit, Mrs. Mo handed it to Su Li with a smile. “Take the fruit upstairs and share it with Xingyuan.”

Su Li accepted the tray and replied obediently, “Alright.”

As she climbed the stairs, she drew a deep breath.

Standing at the door, she raised her hand and knocked.

The door opened to reveal the man’s cold, pale face, utterly expressionless, his gaze distant.

“Husband,” Su Li called out sweetly.

Mo Xingyuan’s face darkened.

Su Li lifted the fruit plate, tilted her head with a bright-eyed, playful smile. “Have some fruit.”

Mo Xingyuan noticed a shadow at the turn of the stairs. He opened the door wider and let her in.

As soon as the door closed, he shoved her against the wall. Washed cherries scattered across the floor.

Her back hit the wall through her sweater, making her wince in pain.

She looked up into those bottomless, icy eyes—cold and threatening, radiating danger.

His hand clamped around her throat, utterly unconcerned whether she could withstand his strength. “You go to such lengths—what exactly do you want?”

Su Li realized she’d been too hasty in saying he wasn’t cruel.

His grip made her throat ache and her breath falter. She slapped at his shoulder.

Seeing her eyes redden, tears welling up in a pitiful way, Mo Xingyuan finally loosened his hold.

Su Li coughed harshly several times before she could catch her breath.

She handed him the fruit plate.

Mo Xingyuan’s brows drew tight together; she looked foolish—after all that, still presenting the fruit.

“Your mother said you should eat more fruit. It’s good for you,” Su Li said, still breathless.

He took the plate, and Su Li slid down the wall, clutching her chest, feeling her heart pounding violently. She’d nearly lost consciousness.

Mo Xingyuan didn’t think he’d been excessively harsh, but seeing her like this, he wondered if he’d been too forceful.

“What could I possibly do to you?” Su Li laughed wryly, her voice tinged with fragility. “If you think I’m after something, you can draft an agreement. I won’t touch anything that’s yours.”

He looked down at her, while she raised her chin, her eyes misty and faintly pitiful.

In this moment, her sincerity seemed genuine.

“I will,” Mo Xingyuan replied bluntly. “Everything that’s mine has nothing to do with you.”

“Then, may I at least admire you?”

She gazed up at him, her eyes shining with a hint of longing and a touch of caution.

For a moment, Mo Xingyuan found her interesting. She’d only just broken up with He Shuming, turned around and married a stranger, and now asked him questions as if she were deeply in love.

He crouched down to meet her gaze. “How many faces do you have?”

Su Li was silent.

“To fall for a man whose days are numbered—are you planning to follow me in death when I’m gone?” His words were as venomous as poison.

Seeing her stunned expression, he sneered. “If you’re unwilling to divorce, I’ll oblige you. Whatever your ultimate aim, to me you are nothing more than a name. That’s all.”

Even at such close range, despite her sickly appearance, the force of his presence made Su Li’s heart race with anxiety.

He stood and looked down at her. “Your identity is not to be mentioned to anyone. You have nothing to do with the Mo family.”

Su Li took a silent breath and said nothing, accepting it by default.

She hadn’t intended to tell anyone anyway—this marriage would not last.

“Tonight, you’ll have to make do,” she said, tilting her face up, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Your mother wants us to share a room.”

Mo Xingyuan turned away. “Anywhere but the bed—you can sleep wherever you like.”

…