Chapter 93: Something’s off…
Days passed.
Ma Tengyun had eagerly anticipated Yan Feilei’s arrival, expecting a dramatic confrontation where Mr. Mo would put him in his place. But nothing happened. He soon realized that high-profile figures wouldn’t stoop to petty theatrics. Instead, he focused on boosting user engagement through interactive chats.
Meanwhile, the concept of “QQ Coins” had gained massive popularity, driving up sales of QQ Show avatars.
Then, Li Mo received unexpected news, Bai Lulu was coming to Shencheng.
When her call came, he was momentarily stunned. He still vividly remembered the elegant middle-aged woman in the black cheongsam and stockings. Given her status, her interest in a mere businessman was unusual. He had assumed her visit was just talk, but it was real.
“Xiao Mo, I’m not familiar with Shencheng. You’ll have to take good care of me. I’m coming alone,” Bai Lulu said, her voice warm.
Memories of Li Mo rescuing her resurfaced, stirring emotions she had never felt before.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. Just let me know when you arrive, and I’ll pick you up immediately,” he assured her.
Investment insights had revealed that Bai Lulu would play a crucial role in his future success, so he was determined to impress her.
Meanwhile, in the villa, Liu Pingping watched Li Mo on the phone, her mind uneasy.
Lately, she had often seen Li Mo and Su Qingyan embracing, tightly.
She knew they were close, but was their relationship becoming inappropriate?
Then again, Li Mo sometimes hugged her too. Maybe it was just affection.
“Am I overthinking this?” she wondered.
But Su Qingyan’s mysterious boyfriend had been absent for a while…
A disturbing thought crossed her mind.
Could Li Mo be Su Qingyan’s boyfriend?
No, that couldn’t be. Yet once the idea took root, it refused to fade.
“I need to follow Qingyan and find out the truth,” she decided.
Guilt gnawed at her. She had come to Shencheng for Qingyan, yet most of her attention had shifted to Li Mo.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency prices had begun skyrocketing.
Few were selling, with most holders waiting for further gains. The crypto boom attracted waves of speculators, turning the market into a playground for manipulative whales.
Li Mo’s profits fluctuated wildly. Some investors tried to force him into liquidation, but his hefty collateral kept his position secure. Within days, his earnings surpassed 3 billion yuan, and this was just the beginning. The 30 billion windfall was within reach.
“Auntie Bai is coming to Shencheng. I need to prepare,” Li Mo thought.
He decided to keep it from Liu Pingping, knowing her deep-seated hostility toward Bai Lulu. After their trip to Hangzhou, Liu Pingping had been sullen for days, and he had only just managed to cheer her up.
That afternoon, Li Mo visited an internet café.
Young students were buzzing about QQ Coins.
“I have ten QQ Coins!” one boasted.
“Pathetic. I have fifty! I’m buying another awesome QQ Show outfit!” another retorted.
Envious gasps filled the room, inflating the boy’s ego.
Nearby, Li Mo spotted the café’s resident “god of gaming”, a familiar face.
“Buddy, we meet again.”
“Dude, didn’t you get Mobile QQ? Why are you back at the café?”
Li Mo remembered how excited this guy had been when he first got Mobile QQ, like he’d found the love of his life. Yet here he was again.
“Ah, don’t even ask. My girlfriend said she likes fancy QQ Show outfits…”
“So I came here to buy QQ Coins and got us matching couple sets. Gotta say, they really hit different.”
“Lately, all my money’s been going into QQ Show.”
Li Mo could feel just how addictive QQ Show was in this era of nonconformist fashion. Though its appeal would fade over time, right now, its money-making potential was staggering.
“Buddy, I’m sure you’ll win her over in the end.”
“Hey, net admin, add ten bucks to this guy’s tab.”
The internet café god was moved. This guy… really is a good person.
Not only had he bought him cigarettes before, but now he was topping up his internet time. Li Mo sat down and played some games, listening to the endless chatter about QQ Coins and QQ Show around him.
That afternoon, Li Mo stood in his room, gazing into the distance. He knew Su Qingyan would be back soon.
This girl… She’s been at school for days. I’ve missed her so much.
The longing between them had built up intensely.
Finally, under his eager gaze, Su Qingyan returned.
Today, she wore a white blouse with a jacket, a short skirt, and black stockings, a perfect, youthful combination that sent a ripple of warmth through Li Mo’s heart.
It had been a long time since his divorce. Pretending he had no desires would be a lie, he was only human, after all.
“Xiao Mo.”
Liu Pingping’s sudden voice behind him startled him.
He hadn’t expected her to show up, let alone sneak up on him like that.
“Mom.”
Turning around, he saw her gentle smile and instinctively opened his arms, hugging her. Only around Liu Pingping did he feel this relaxed.
Feeling his warmth, she lightly pinched his cheek, her eyes full of affection.
“I’ll go make dinner. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
After a moment, she left his room to cook.
Not long after, Su Qingyan rushed in, her face glowing with happiness.
“I’m back!”
Her bright eyes shone with obvious longing. After days apart, she had missed him terribly.
She almost threw herself into his arms, but then remembered her mother was home. Getting caught would be bad.
(Of course, she didn’t know that their secret embraces might have already been discovered.)
“Let’s go to the rooftop for some fresh air,” Li Mo suggested.
Su Qingyan nodded quickly, her cheeks faintly pink.
As they headed upstairs, neither noticed Liu Pingping quietly following them.
Something’s off… Why do they keep sneaking around like this?
She tiptoed up after them.
Once around the corner, Su Qingyan immediately wrapped her arms around Li Mo, and his hands settled on her waist.
They didn’t speak, their eyes said everything.
Then, naturally, they kissed.
And all of it, every second was witnessed by Liu Pingping, who felt as if the sky had just collapsed.