"Thank you." Although He Wuxue didn't really like Lin Mo, after all, he had saved Grandpa.
Lin Mo glanced at her, returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and finally said, "Next time you see me, remember to call me 'master'."
The slight fondness that had just begun to stir in He Wuxue's heart vanished completely.
Wei Ya checked on Mr. He again, and Mr. He's condition had stabilized. However, having suffered too much pain, he had fallen into a deep sleep and was temporarily out of danger.
The way everyone looked at Lin Mo also began to change.
Nobody expected Lin Mo to truly have the skills; he stabilized the old man's condition in just a few moments. As for Wei Ya, who had studied at Washington Medical College and had returned from overseas, he seemed more like a quack.
"Weiwei, once we get to Xiazhou Airport, let me accompany you to the hospital with Grandpa," Wei Ya said with a sheepish smile on his face.
"Thank you for your help, Wei Ya, but that won't be necessary. I will take Grandpa there," He Wuxue coldly stated as she stayed by the old man's side.
Wei Ya was given the cold shoulder but didn't get angry. In terms of appearance and family background, He Wuxue was someone he couldn't compete with. A woman like her was born to be proud. If she were too enthusiastic towards him, that would feel odd to him.
A woman's pride is directly proportional to her looks and status.
However, Wei Ya's gaze fell on Lin Mo, and a hint of hatred flickered in his eyes. If Lin Mo hadn't been able to save Mr. He, that would have been better, but since he did, it was as if he had slapped Wei Ya hard across the face.
"Don't let me see you in Xiazhou," Wei Ya gritted his teeth.
Upon arriving at the airport, He Wuxue had already notified someone to drive over and was ready to take Grandpa to the hospital. She stood outside the terminal and scanned the area, realizing that the annoying man from the plane had already disappeared.
"Shanshan, where are you?" Lin Mo answered the phone, "I just got off the plane."
"I'm right across the airport, can you see me?" Lin Shanshan's light voice came through the phone.
Knowing that Brother Mo had come to see her, Lin Shanshan was so happy that she hadn't slept at all the previous night.
"I see you."
Lin Mo hung up the phone and strode across the street. Next to a fiery red Ferrari stood a girl dressed in a black long skirt and flesh-colored stockings, with a white lace sweater and a coffee-colored vest on top. Her hair hung straight over her shoulders, radiating with vitality.
Compared to half a month ago, Lin Shanshan's attire seemed much more mature, exuding more of a woman's charm.
"Heh, my little sister has grown up into a beautiful young lady now, becoming more and more attractive," Lin Mo said with a faint smile.
Lin Shanshan's cheeks turned red, and she touched her burning face, "Brother Xiao Mo, you always tease me."
"I'm just telling the truth. With such beauty, there must be a lot of boys chasing after you at school, right?"
"I'm not interested in them, none of them are as good as Brother Xiao Mo," Lin Shanshan pouted and hooked her arm around Lin Mo's, as a faint jasmine scent wafted into his nose, fresh and pleasant.
As the two got into the car, Lin Mo asked her about a few things. The car that Lin Shanshan was driving was still the one Lin Mo had bought for her, stylishly cutting through the streets and drawing the attention of many onlookers.
"Mm, I'm doing well at the Du Family's home. I'll visit mom every month from now on," Lin Shanshan said.
Lin Mo looked out the window at the scenery, his lips curving slightly, and said, "You agreed to follow Du Li so quickly because of your aunt, didn't you?"
Lin Mo was no fool. Although he was surprised at the time, he soon understood after some thought.
Lin Shanshan agreed so readily to return to the Du Family with Du Li because she didn't want to delay her aunt. Her aunt, not yet forty, had endured the mockery of outsiders because of her, and was still unmarried. If she left, her aunt Lin Mei would regain her freedom, put down a burden, and might choose her own path in life, or even choose someone she loved to marry.
"Nothing can ever be hidden from Brother Xiao Mo," Lin Shanshan said with some sadness in her eyes.
"Young lady, after all, I've… well, lived nearly twenty years," Lin Mo said with a mild smile. With his state of mind, how could he not see through the thoughts of a young girl?
"My mother has carried too much for me. If I leave, she can also start her own life without burdens," Lin Shanshan said, pursing her lips. "Besides, nobody bullies me at the Du Family."
A cold glint flashed in Lin Mo's eyes, "If anyone from the Du Family thinks of bullying you, I'll cut them all down."
"Yeah, with Brother Xiao Mo, I'm not afraid of anything," Lin Shanshan glanced at Lin Mo and a happy smile appeared on her face.
"Sister Du is still waiting for me at the coffee shop. They invited me to go out tonight. Brother Xiao Mo, come with me," Lin Shanshan invited.
Lin Mo nodded his head.
He had come to Lai Fu Province specifically to see his little sister and spend a few days with her, as he had no particularly urgent matters to address.
When they arrived at a Starbucks Coffee shop in the city center, Lin Mo met Sister Du, who Lin Shanshan had mentioned.
Du Ruoxi, twenty-five years old, had long hair dyed wine-red, with exquisite makeup, eyeshadow, and red lips, wearing a light pink long dress that made her look enchanting and easily attracted the attention of men.
"Sister Du is my aunt's daughter, and she's very good to me," Lin Shanshan told Lin Mo.
Du Ruoxi, holding a cup of coffee, was flipping through a fashion magazine when she looked up at Lin Mo. Seeing his plain appearance and simple attire, she asked, "Are you the Brother Mo that Shanshan often talks about?"
"Hello," Lin Mo responded with a nod.
Blushing, Lin Shanshan said, "Sister Ruoxi, could Brother Xiao Mo join us at the party tonight?"
"Of course, no problem," Du Ruoxi replied with a light smile.
Then the three of them sat in the coffee shop and chatted for a while. Du Ruoxi had graduated from Xiazhou University with a degree in Business Administration and had also studied Fashion Design.
Du Ruoxi talked about the economy, energy, and even fashion, covering a wide range of topics, but when she realized Lin Mo was completely clueless about them, she couldn't help but feel a bit of contempt.
"Shanshan said her cousin was quite impressive, but it seems he doesn't have any real skills, probably just a playboy," Du Ruoxi assessed internally.
Xiazhou, being a coastal city and a tourist destination, was divided into inner and outer regions. Both in terms of environment and air quality, it was among the best in Dragon Country, even having been selected as one of the top ten most livable cities. The evening's party was to be held on Gulangyu Island, an area of the inner region.
As dusk approached but before it got dark, the three took a ferry to the island.
The entire island was surrounded by the sea, with many historical buildings erected on it; it was a popular location for film and TV shoots.
"Sister Ruoxi."
"Sister Ruoxi."
They set up a barbecue party on an open area of the island, with about a dozen fashionably dressed young men and women—clearly kids from wealthy circles. As Du Ruoxi, Lin Mo, and Lin Shanshan appeared, many greeted Du Ruoxi, evidently holding a high status in the circle.