JR Chapter 33

Mo Lin was drying her hair while looking at herself in the bathroom mirror.

In the mirror, fogged up by the warm steam, Mo Lin’s blush was still clearly visible, both from the residual warmth of the shower and from thinking about what she was about to do.

“You can’t do the whole coy and delicate act. After all these years of friendship, I know you. Just go straight for it,” Cheng Lulu’s voice echoed in Mo Lin’s mind. “I’ve been observing, and there’s no problem. Just find an opportunity, kiss him, and then…” Mo Lin didn’t catch the rest of the detailed instructions.

Just the words “kiss him” had made Mo Lin’s mind boil all night.

Mo Lin touched her lips with her uncasted hand, looking at herself. Her dark eyes seemed to hold turbulent waves. Finally, she took a deep breath, her gaze shifting from hesitation to determination.

Having a child naturally required this process.

Not only did she need to kiss him, but she also needed to do this and that with him.

Gritting her teeth and steeling her heart, Mo Lin wrapped herself in a towel and yanked open the bathroom door with a bang, like a warrior heading to the battlefield. But she didn’t expect to run into the “enemy” as soon as she stepped out.

Jiang Yuanmu was about to head to his bedroom when they bumped into each other at the bathroom door, both momentarily stunned.

Jiang Yuanmu took a step back to maintain “social distance,” while Mo Lin took a big step back and slammed the bathroom door shut with a bang.

Mo Lin hadn’t expected Jiang Yuanmu to come back at that moment. She had planned to take a few lazy steps to her bedroom to change clothes…

Yes, although such situations had happened many times in the past five years, like the time Mo Lin walked in on Jiang Yuanmu after his shower, Mo Lin had always felt guilt-free and straightforward in this marriage. Even if they bumped into each other, they would just nod and acknowledge each other politely before heading to their respective spaces.

But now, with ulterior motives and a guilty conscience, she felt uneasy and anxious…

Mo Lin turned back to look at herself in the bathroom mirror, now cleared of steam. This time, she saw that her shoulders were red.

Calm down.

Mo Lin took a deep breath.

She was determined to take the initiative with Jiang Yuanmu, and this was just the beginning.

According to Cheng Lulu’s advice, she should have stepped out and pinned Jiang Yuanmu against the opposite wall, then kissed him until she achieved her goal.

Mo Lin’s hand reached for the doorknob again. She steadied herself, bit her lip, and took a deep breath before opening the door.

But now, the doorway was empty. Jiang Yuanmu’s bedroom door was slightly ajar, with the light on inside. Clearly, he had gone back to his room, leaving the space outside for Mo Lin.

It felt like a heavy punch had landed on nothing. Mo Lin stood there for a moment, then returned to her room.

With her cast still on, Mo Lin found showering and changing clothes more challenging than usual. After some effort, she finally put on her pajamas and walked out of the bedroom, regaining her composure.

This time, Jiang Yuanmu was already sitting at the neatly arranged dining table as usual. However, today, besides his laptop, there was a large bouquet of flowers on the table.

The deep red roses, paired with white orchids, creatively combined with anthuriums and acacia fruit, exuded a sense of elegant Chinese beauty.

As a designer, Mo Lin was immediately drawn to the flower arrangement. It didn’t look like a typical florist’s work.

“The flowers are for you,” Jiang Yuanmu said before Mo Lin could speak.

He didn’t look at Mo Lin but stared at his laptop screen, his expression calm but his tone slightly stiff. “I saw them on the way back… thought they suited you.”

“Oh, thank you…”

Mo Lin didn’t refuse and accepted the flowers. She held them in her arms, admiring them for a while, then her gaze shifted to Jiang Yuanmu’s… lips.

His lips were thin, naturally colored like a dusky rose, yet… enticing.

Mo Lin’s gaze flickered, and she looked around for a vase. But soon, she forgot her purpose and found herself staring at his nose, wondering if his high nose bridge would get in the way if they kissed…

“What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yuanmu, still seated, looked up at her, his dark eyes observing her expression. “Don’t you like them?”

“No, I do.”

“Can’t decide which vase to use?”

Oh…

Mo Lin realized Jiang Yuanmu was asking about the flowers.

She glanced at his lips again, then turned to the cabinet to find a vase.

Holding the flowers in one hand and with her other hand in a cast, she was about to set the flowers down to open the cabinet when Jiang Yuanmu came over and opened the cabinet for her. “Is this the big one?”

“Yes…”

Her back pressed against Jiang Yuanmu’s chest, the warmth of his body and the sound of his breathing reminded her of their close proximity.

“Mo Lin.”

“Yes?”

“Can you move a bit so I can get the vase out?”

“I…” Mo Lin, holding the flowers, suddenly turned to face Jiang Yuanmu. She was a head shorter than him and had to look up at him. “I don’t want to move.”

Jiang Yuanmu looked down at Mo Lin holding the flowers. Although puzzled, he didn’t feel annoyed. He even found Mo Lin’s defiance somewhat cute. He smiled and looked at her, “So, what do you want me to do?”

Mo Lin stared directly into Jiang Yuanmu’s eyes, then her gaze dropped again, settling on his lips.

Jiang Yuanmu wasn’t stupid; he quickly realized Mo Lin’s target.

First, he was surprised, then shocked. Finally, his body heated up, and he trembled slightly. Almost instinctively, Jiang Yuanmu pressed his lips together, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Mo Lin stood on tiptoe, but Jiang Yuanmu was too tall. Her lips barely reached his Adam’s apple before she lost her balance and fell towards him.

Their bodies pressed together, crushing the bouquet between them. The wrapping paper rustled, and the white orchids swayed between them.

Jiang Yuanmu timely grabbed Mo Lin’s arm.

Mo Lin’s feet touched the ground again.

The distance between their lips increased, and their eyes met. Mo Lin could almost see her flushed face reflected in Jiang Yuanmu’s eyes. At the same time, she saw Jiang Yuanmu turn his head away.

“The flowers can stay like this.”

Mo Lin felt her cheeks had never been this hot in her life.

“Alright, let’s leave it like this for now. I… I’m a bit tired. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

The night ended with Mo Lin fleeing in embarrassment and Jiang Yuanmu sitting at the dining table, covering his lips all night.

“Huh?” Ji Ming was incredulous when he saw Jiang Yuanmu the next day. “You grabbed her arm and pushed her down?”

Jiang Yuanmu rarely felt so defeated. “I had to push her down.”

“Why?”

Jiang Yuanmu looked at Ji Ming. “I was afraid that if I didn’t, by the time I saw you today, I would already be a tool.”

Ji Ming was speechless for a long time.

“Honestly, Boss Jiang, your innocence really surprises me.”

Jiang Yuanmu rubbed his temples furiously. After calming down, he opened his eyes. “Mo Lin’s cast hasn’t been removed yet. She’s a bit anxious. She wouldn’t have thought of doing this herself; someone is giving her advice.”

Ji Ming smiled knowingly. “Who else could it be?”

Meanwhile, Cheng Lulu was sitting in the studio, watching Mo Lin rub her temples with one hand all morning.

“I can’t believe he pushed you down. Where did it go wrong? Did you really just say goodnight to him? No way, if you had pushed a bit more last night, he wouldn’t have been able to resist. Trust me, sister, you’ll win. Try again tonight.”

“This isn’t easy…” Mo Lin rubbed her temples, her voice hoarse. “This isn’t easy…”

Standing on tiptoe yesterday had almost exhausted all her courage, but Jiang Yuanmu had still pushed her away.

His rejection wasn’t just words; he truly meant it.

“A forced melon isn’t sweet. I have to respect his choice.” Mo Lin covered her face. “I feel like a criminal.”

“What criminal? What respect? There’s no forcing here!” Cheng Lulu pulled Mo Lin’s hand away from her temples. “Why did he give you flowers? Giving flowers means mutual affection! Who gives flowers to someone they’re divorcing?”

Mo Lin looked at Cheng Lulu with wide eyes. “Yes, why did he give flowers?”

And why did he push her away?

“Sister, listen to me. Try again tonight.”

Mo Lin pulled her hand back. “I think I’ve lost my courage.”

“You didn’t lose your courage when someone hit you with a brick. Why lose it now?” Cheng Lulu went to the corner of the studio, pulled out a bottle of red wine, and placed it in front of Mo Lin. “Drink this for courage.”

Mo Lin stared at the wine for a long time, then shook her head. “Alcohol isn’t good for the body.”

“So you’re giving up on your choice of genes and soul?”

Mo Lin fell silent again, staring intently at the bottle of wine.

 

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8 chapters left~

What do you guys think? I am personally smitten with the book 😍