Mo Ran didn't step back. Instead, he stood firm, his piercing gaze locking on Lixue's.
"Do you think I'll let this go so easily?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm. "Tell me, Lixue—what exactly are you planning?"
Lixue clenched her fists, her breathing uneven as she struggled to maintain her composure. "It's nothing that concerns you. This is something I need to handle myself."
Mo Ran's lips curled into a humorless smile. "Nothing that concerns me? Have you forgotten why you married me? Or are you deliberately ignoring the vows we made?"
"…!"
"Don't make this marriage boring Lixue.."
Her heart sank at his words. She had hoped to avoid this confrontation, but Mo Ran wasn't the type to back down when he wanted answers.
"I haven't forgotten," she said, meeting his gaze with as much strength as she could muster. "But this doesn't change anything. I'm not trying to betray you or go behind your back. I just need to prove myself."
"Prove yourself?" Mo Ran's voice sharpened. "To whom? The world? To your family? To me? Or to yourself? And at what cost, Lixue?"
He took a step closer, his tone dropping into something darker, more intimate. "You think I haven't noticed?. The way you slip out of the house. The mask you wear, hiding behind this new identity. Do you think I'm blind to all of it?"
Lixue's lips parted, but no words came out. The weight of his accusations pressed heavily on her chest.
"I'm your husband, Lixue," Mo Ran continued, his voice soft but unyielding. "If there's something you want—something you need—tell me. Don't treat me like a stranger."
"I'm not treating you like a stranger," she shot back, her voice trembling. "But you don't understand! This isn't about you. It's about me. About reclaiming what was taken from me."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with tension.
Mo Ran's expression darkened further. "Then tell me what was taken from you. Or are you still too afraid to trust me?"
The words struck a chord, and Lixue looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "It's not about trust," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "It's about doing this on my own terms. Please… just let me handle it."
Mo Ran stared at her for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "You really don't get it, do you?"
Before she could respond, he continued, his tone cutting. "Once you women have this funny idea in your head, it's really hard to get it out. I'm not asking you to give up your independence or your goals. But as your husband, I have a right to know what you're risking—what you're fighting for. Marriage isn't just about vows, Lixue. It's about partnership. And right now, you're treating me like an obstacle instead of an ally. You said you were going to use me, use me in any way you see fit, I'll give you whatever resources you need to get whatever you've lost."
The weight of his words left her speechless.
"Is it really my fight, if I let you in?"
Mo Ran patience dropped to zero at this point, he couldn't understand why she had this strong believe of getting her goals done by herself.
What's wrong with accepting a little help?
"It's your fight, your fight is also my fight…I want to help you achieve your goals. Is that so hard to understand?"
Mo Ran sighed as he took a sip from the wine, hoping to calm down now that his patience was wearing thinner by the second.
"Yes, why would you want to help me…Mo Ran do you love me? This marriage was supposed to be my sister's, our marriage is just for convenience…so why would you chose to go through all these length. I'm not used to experiencing such kindness Mo Ran. It's just me and myself, so why are you suddenly so invested.."
The previous Mo Ran didn't care whether she lived or died, he didn't even see her as a person.
"You know what…I'm not explaining myself to you. If you don't tell me whatever you're hiding. Then you're not taking a step out of this house.."
"…!!!"
Alarm bells rang in Lixue's head, she had vocal lessons with Miss Zhang the whole week.
Clenching her fists, she nodded and turned to the door. There was no use in explaining anymore.
As Lixue reached for the doorknob, Mo Ran moved like a shadow, suddenly towering behind her. His hand slammed against the door, trapping her in place.
"Going somewhere, little bunny?" he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
"…!"
"Let me go," she demanded, trying to turn, but his other hand wrapped gently but firmly around her neck.
"You're stubborn," he said, his tone laced with mock frustration. "Owning a little bunny like you is the worst. You don't know how to listen." His lips brushed against the shell of her ear, and she froze, her body tense as he bit down lightly, sending a jolt of shock through her.
"Stop this, Mo Ran!" she hissed, trying to push him away.
He chuckled darkly. "Why should I? You're testing my patience, Lixue. If you won't tell me what you're planning, then maybe I should focus on something more… productive." His voice dropped lower, dangerously suggestive. "Ever slept with a man of my caliber? Big ambitions, big goals, and, of course, big…"
"Enough!" she interrupted, her cheeks blazing with indignation. "This isn't funny!"
"Who said I was joking?" His hand slid away from her neck but remained braced against the door, his body effectively caging her.
Lixue turned her head, glaring at him. "I don't need your help. I don't need your interference. And I certainly don't need your… antics."
"Antics?" Mo Ran leaned closer, his lips brushing her temple. "You really think you can handle this alone? You married me, Lixue. That means your problems are mine. Your fights are mine."
She clenched her fists, trembling with frustration. "You keep saying that, but why, Mo Ran? Why are you doing this? Why do you care so much?"
"Why?" he repeated, his voice softening. For a moment, his expression shifted—an almost unguarded look crossed his face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual unreadable mask.
"Because I can," he said simply.
Lixue shook her head. "That's not an answer."
"Then let me make it clearer," he said, stepping back slightly but still blocking her path. "You're my wife. Whether this marriage started for convenience or not, you're mine now. And I don't abandon what's mine."
She swallowed hard, her resolve wavering.
"And if you won't tell me what you're hiding," he continued, his voice cold again, "then you're not leaving this house. Not until I have answers."
Lixue's eyes widened. "You can't do that."
"Can't I?" His smirk was infuriatingly calm. "Watch me."