Chapter 60
Inside the car, Li Mo briefly recounted her past and experiences. She told Song Ling that she was a Chinese-American, born and raised in the United States. She was an orphan, with no family or parents.
She had worked hard, earning scholarships to attend a prestigious university in the US, where she studied architectural engineering. After graduating, while waiting for her diploma, she met Director Xu, who was impressed by her unique aura and offered her the lead role in his next film, promising to mentor and guide her.
Li Mo, finding the opportunity intriguing, agreed and traveled to China to pursue an acting career. Her debut film had earned her the Best Actress award at the Golden Rooster Awards. And that was it.
Song Ling felt that Li Mo’s story, although plausible, lacked authenticity. Who could summarize their entire life story in just a few minutes? And Li Mo had avoided mentioning her childhood. Whenever Song Ling tried to ask, she would quickly change the subject.
This deliberate avoidance suggested a hidden secret. However, Song Ling didn’t press her, patiently listening as Li Mo finished her story.
Song Ling stopped the car. Li Mo, looking out the window, realized that they weren’t at the after-party venue. She turned to Song Ling, confused. Song Ling smiled, a cold and enigmatic smile, and then got out of the car, opening Li Mo’s door.
“Get out.”
“Where are we going?”
Li Mo asked nervously. Song Ling leaned closer, her lips brushing against her ear, and whispered,
“I’m taking you shopping.”
She chuckled and, without further explanation, pulled Li Mo out of the car, giving her no time to think. Li Mo, bewildered, was led into a high-end boutique filled with expensive clothes and shoes.
The salespeople, seeing Song Ling enter, immediately rushed over to greet them. Song Ling went to a rack of clothes, casually selected a black dress, and disappeared into the changing room. Li Mo sat down on a nearby sofa, realizing Song Ling’s intentions. She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and read a message from Director Xu.
“Mo Mo, where are you? Have you arrived yet? I don’t see you. Is everything alright?”
“Director Xu, I’m with Ms. Song. We’re shopping for a change of clothes. I’ll be there soon. Don’t worry, everything’s fine.”
Li Mo typed a quick reply. Director Xu responded almost immediately.
“Be careful. Call me if anything happens. You know there are a lot of people in this industry who try to take advantage of newcomers. Don’t fall into their traps, okay?”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll be careful.”
Song Ling emerged from the changing room, wearing the black dress. She saw Li Mo engrossed in her phone, oblivious to her presence, and walked over, taking the phone from her hand. She saw the open chat window.
Li Mo raised an eyebrow, displeased. Song Ling smirked, tossed the phone back to her, and twirled in front of her, showing off the dress.
“How do I look?”
“You look good.”
“Don’t look at your phone when you’re with me. I don’t like it.”
“…”
Li Mo was annoyed by this domineering CEO, but unsure of her motives, she didn’t dare to confront her. Song Ling, seeing her silence, leaned closer, her hand tilting Li Mo’s chin up, forcing her to meet her gaze.
“I saw your WeChat conversation. Are you hoping I’ll take advantage of you?”
“No! You must have misunderstood! I was saying that I won’t let you take advantage of me! I’ll protect myself!”
“Do you think I would do that?”
“…” Li Mo couldn’t read this woman. She didn’t know how to answer.
“Your silence means you agree?”
“Ms. Song, what do you want? I don’t understand you.”
Song Ling, seeing Li Mo’s annoyance, softened her expression and winked playfully.
“Hee hee hee, don’t be angry. I was just teasing you. Now, go and choose a dress for yourself.”
“I don’t need one. I’m fine with what I’m wearing.”
“No way! You’re an actress, the star of the night! You can’t wear the same dress to two events! The media will have a field day! Go and pick one.”
Li Mo, seeing Song Ling’s serious expression, gave up trying to understand her. She went and picked a black cocktail dress. Song Ling, satisfied, watched as she entered the changing room. She took out her phone and sent a message to Wang Xinru, her assistant.
“Investigate Director Xu.”
“Yes, Ms. Song.”
Song Ling put away her phone and waited for Li Mo. Li Mo emerged from the changing room a few minutes later, the dress hugging her curves. Song Ling nodded approvingly, then stood up and circled Li Mo, her eyes appraising her from head to toe. She then nodded again, a smile playing on her lips.
“We match.”
“We match?”
“Yes, we look good together.”
“…”
Li Mo blushed, flustered by Song Ling’s words. Song Ling took her hand and led her out of the boutique. The salespeople bowed as they left.
They got back into the car and drove towards the after-party venue. Li Mo’s phone buzzed. She reached for it, but Song Ling snatched it away, stopping the car and turning to face Li Mo.
“I told you, I don’t like it when you look at your phone when you’re with me.”
They were so close that Li Mo could feel Song Ling’s breath on her face. She shrank back, but her back was against the seat, leaving her no room to escape. Song Ling’s gaze was intense, unwavering. She was certain that this woman was Li Xinjun. At this close proximity, she could sense the faint demonic aura emanating from her.
But she couldn’t understand why Li Mo didn’t recognize her. She was angry, jealous, and excited all at the same time. She wanted to confront her, to demand an explanation for her disappearance, to ask why she hadn’t died and why she hadn’t come looking for her, leaving her to suffer for centuries.
But she held back. There was a sliver of doubt, a tiny possibility that she might be wrong. She couldn’t risk scaring Li Mo away. She couldn’t bear to lose her again. She decided to take it slow, to get to know her, to uncover the truth about what had happened.
“Ms. Song… You’re a bit… too close.”
Li Mo, flustered by Song Ling’s proximity, lowered her head, unable to meet her gaze. Song Ling, seeing her shy demeanor, felt a mischievous urge to tease her. She was so adorable, just like the young Li Xinjun she had known.
She lifted Li Mo’s chin, forcing her to look at her. They stared at each other, their gazes locked, neither speaking. After a long moment, Song Ling finally spoke.
“Are you afraid of me?”
“Um… A little.”
“Why?” Song Ling’s lips curled into a smile.
“Your eyes… They’re scary. Like a predator… Like you want to devour me…”
Song Ling’s smile widened, her eyes narrowing. She leaned closer, and Li Mo instinctively closed her eyes. Song Ling whispered in her ear,
“I do want to devour you. You’re too adorable.”
She then pulled away and sat back in her seat, restarting the car and continuing their journey. Li Mo’s face was flushed, her heart pounding. She couldn’t understand this woman, her unpredictable mood swings unsettling her. But she was intrigued, wanting to know her true intentions. She stole glances at Song Ling, her mind racing with possibilities.
They soon arrived at their destination. Song Ling got out of the car and opened Li Mo’s door. She then took Li Mo’s phone, which she had confiscated earlier, and used Li Mo’s finger to unlock it. She quickly typed in her own number and saved it as “My One True Love,” then dialed her own number to confirm that it was saved correctly. Satisfied, she handed the phone back to Li Mo.
“That’s my number. I’ll contact you later. We can meet again and discuss collaborations.”
Li Mo stared at the number and the contact name, confused. She was about to ask Song Ling what that was about, but Song Ling had already taken her hand and was leading her into the venue.
