Chapter 119: Mo Qi, We Shall Fight to the Bitter End

Shen Yijue’s words were, in a sense, within Mo Qi’s expectations, so she did not feel surprised.

Not surprised, but that did not mean she agreed!

Mo Qi even felt a surge of anger. Did Shen Yijue dare to treat her so domineeringly just because she lacked power and status, making her an easy target for bullying? Was that why he didn’t even offer her the most basic respect due to another person?

"Shen Yijue, what am I in your eyes?" Mo Qi gripped her phone, her eyes growing cold. "Some kitten or puppy you’re keeping?"

"No," Shen Yijue denied, but he offered no further explanation.

"But your behavior treats me exactly like a pet you’re keeping." Mo Qi said this, then suddenly laughed, though the warmth never reached her eyes. "I know you treat me differently. I can speak to you so recklessly right now only because I’m relying on that difference. Do you think I’m being spoiled and ungrateful?"

Shen Yijue’s expression remained blank as he furrowed his brows slightly. "No." He knew Mo Qi was resilient and possessed a strong sense of pride, so he had never truly viewed her as a mere attachment.

For a moment, they both fell silent, clutching their phones.

After a long while, Mo Qi sighed. "I’m going to take a shower."

"Mo Qi, I know what you’re thinking," Shen Yijue said. "But I won’t let you go. We’re going to see this through to the end."

With that, Shen Yijue hung up.

Outside the car, Xiao Zhang waited until the call ended before opening the driver’s side door to get in. Shen Yijue leaned back against the seat, eyes half-closed, his expression unreadable.

Xiao Zhang hesitated for a long time, not knowing what to say, until he finally asked awkwardly, "Brother Shen, are we heading to the apartment or the villa?"

"Go to the dormitory."

"Huh?" Xiao Zhang was stunned for a moment before he reacted. "Oh, right. Understood."

Shen Yijue closed his eyes, feigning sleep, and said nothing more.

Mo Qi tossed her phone aside and collapsed onto her bed, losing all desire to shower. She had actually been trying to provoke Shen Yijue earlier, but he hadn’t hung up on her directly as he had in the past.

"Unless there is no other choice, I really don't want to go that far," Mo Qi said with a bitter smile. "See it through to the end? God, what a headache."

"Buzz, buzz!" The phone, tossed to the side, began to vibrate.

Mo Qi stared blankly for a moment before picking it up. The caller ID showed Xiao Bao.

"Hello, Xiao Bao."

"Mommy." Mo Xiaobao’s slightly muffled voice came from the other end, heavy with congestion.

Mo Qi sat up. "Xiao Bao, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing." Mo Xiaobao sniffled, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Mommy, I miss you."

Hearing this, Mo Qi felt a mix of heartache and warmth. She softened her voice. "Be good, Xiao Bao. Once I’m done with my work, I’ll come pick you up, okay?"

"Mommy, I’m sorry." Large, bean-sized tears welled up in Mo Xiaobao’s eyes and streamed down his face as he wiped them away with his small hand while talking. Mommy was so busy and tired; he couldn’t help her, and on top of that, he was making her worry. He felt so inconsiderate.

Hearing the soft, stifled sobs, Mo Qi felt an ache in her chest, and her own nose began to sting.

"Xiao Bao, we have to be strong," Mo Qi said softly. "You have to believe that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

"Mm." Mo Xiaobao nodded vigorously. "No matter where Mommy is, I will definitely find you."

Mo Qi smiled and changed the subject. "Are you getting used to the new school? Are any of the classmates bullying you?"

"No one is bullying me." Mo Xiaobao held the phone and shook his head. "The teacher gave us a test yesterday, and I got first place."

"Xiao Bao is so amazing."

Hearing his mother’s praise, Mo Xiaobao felt a glow of happiness.

The two chatted about this and that for a long time. Xiao Bao mentioned that when he suddenly transferred schools, Zhu Xiaozi cried terribly and held onto him, refusing to let him leave. It wasn’t until she cried herself to sleep from exhaustion that he was finally able to go.

They chatted for a while longer about his new classmates and teachers before saying a reluctant goodbye.

"Xiao Bao, I’m going to another city to film a movie in a while. My phone won’t have a signal there, so you have to be a good boy and listen to Aunt Xiaoling. I’ll contact you as soon as I get back, you hear me?"

"Don’t worry, Mommy. I will be good."

"Good boy. Give me a kiss."

After doing it a few times, Mo Xiaobao’s reserved personality had opened up quite a bit in front of Mo Qi. He kissed the phone and said reluctantly, "Goodbye, Mommy."

"Goodbye, Xiao Bao."

After hanging up, Mo Qi felt deeply reluctant to part with him. But to prevent Shen Yijue from finding out that Xiao Bao had transferred schools, she couldn’t go see him just yet.

It was all Shen Yijue’s fault for trying to force feelings on her!

Mo Qi climbed out of bed, feeling indignant, and grabbed her clothes to head for the shower.

Xiao Zhang slowly pulled the car to a stop at the school entrance. "Brother Shen, we’re here."

"Mm." Shen Yijue sat in the back, showing no intention of getting out.

The entire drive over, Brother Shen had been radiating a low-pressure mood. Xiao Zhang didn’t dare ask questions; he killed the engine and waited along with him.

After a long while, Shen Yijue slowly lifted his eyelids and stared silently ahead.

Catching his gaze in the rearview mirror, Xiao Zhang felt a shiver run through him. Surely Brother Shen wasn’t planning on doing something to Mo Qi? She was just a newcomer who had just debuted. If she weren't hardworking or had poor conduct, that would be one thing, but she worked harder than anyone else.

Xiao Zhang felt conflicted. Given the friendship he had built with Mo Qi over this period, shouldn't he say something?

Weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Zhang tentatively spoke up. "Brother Shen, Mo... Mo Qi might be a bit stubborn, but she’s actually a good person. Throughout the competition, she worked harder than anyone..."

Shen Yijue looked up, his gaze locking with Xiao Zhang’s in the rearview mirror.

His eyes were deep and dark, as if they could shoot ice daggers at any second.

Xiao Zhang was startled, the words stuck in his throat, and he timidly looked away. *Mo Qi, I’m sorry. My abilities are limited, and this is all I can do for you.*

Shen Yijue looked away and finally opened the door to get out. "We’ll be out in a moment."

"O-okay." Xiao Zhang was still shaken by that look, feeling guilty and unable to regain his composure.

Shen Yijue got out of the car and headed straight for Mo Qi’s single dormitory. When the production team had first assigned this room to Mo Qi, they had proactively given him a key.

Shen Yijue took the key from his suit pocket and stood at the door for two or three minutes before finally making his decision.

As Mo Qi stepped out of the shower, she ran right into Shen Yijue as he opened the door. The two froze in place, locking eyes.

Mo Qi hesitated for a moment before reacting. While wiping her wet hair with a dry towel, she said, "I only have bottled water. Would you like some?"

"Is there nothing you want to say to me?" Shen Yijue closed the door behind him and walked over.

Mo Qi handed him a new bottle of water and smiled. "Say what? Haven’t we already said everything that needed to be said at the hospital?"

"Why did you sleep in the hospital corridor for the night? Were you worried about me?" Shen Yijue didn’t take the water, his deep, sharp gaze locked onto Mo Qi, not missing even the slightest shift in her expression.