Become the Sickly Villain in the Novel - Chapter 62

After being pulled out of the coffee shop, Li Nuo saw Mo Chuan’s car parked not far away. Standing beside it was a man whose demeanor somewhat resembled Fang Che’s.

The man was holding a bouquet of flowers. Mo Chuan released Li Nuo’s hand, took the bouquet, and handed it to him with a gentle smile. “I just got off the plane. The flowers were pre-ordered. I had Liu Ming pick them up.”

Li Nuo accepted the bouquet and glanced at the silent man. So, this was Mo Chuan’s one and only all-around secretary?

“I’m talking to you. Why are you staring at Secretary Liu?” Mo Chuan, dissatisfied, turned Li Nuo’s head back toward him.

“I’m just curious since you mention Mr. Liu Ming all the time.”

Since he had been brought up, Secretary Liu nodded at him. “Mr. Li Nuo, hello.”

“Hello,” Li Nuo responded immediately.

Liu Ming had a serious demeanor and was slightly shorter than Fang Che, though still over 1.8 meters tall. Like Mo Chuan, he was dressed in a suit.

He opened the car door. “Please get in, both of you.”

Mo Chuan pulled Li Nuo into the car. “Come on, keep me company for a while. Li Yan has to work overtime anyway, doesn’t he?”

After getting in, it was obvious that Mo Chuan had everything arranged. Without even asking, Liu Ming started the car.

“I thought you wouldn’t be back until next week? That’s what you said just yesterday.”

“That was to surprise you. I wrapped things up quickly.”

Mo Chuan held onto his hand tightly. “But more importantly, why did you cheat on me?”

Li Nuo sighed helplessly. “Please don’t say it like that. That was… Well, you could say he’s a friend.” He answered vaguely.

“A friend?”

“We met in high school. He seems to know the pre-amnesia me quite well.”

“Oh? Are you trying to regain your memories?”

“No, I’m just curious about what kind of life I used to live. And Li Yan refuses to tell me, isn’t that right?”

Mo Chuan chuckled. He had heard a bit about the old Li Nuo. Of course, Li Yan wouldn’t want to talk about it. If Li Nuo really remembered everything, that would be a huge loss for Li Yan. It was obvious that Li Yan preferred this new version of his brother—one who actually felt like family.

“What are you laughing at? I already knew I wasn’t a good person before, and I treated Li Yan poorly. That’s why I’m trying to be a good brother now,” Li Nuo muttered.

“You’re already doing a great job,” Mo Chuan reassured him.

“Not really. When I had surgery, Li Yan lost a lot of weight from staying up all night.”

Mo Chuan squeezed his hand. “Then just keep being a good brother from now on.”

After dinner, Mo Chuan drove Li Nuo home. Having been on a long flight and dealing with jet lag, he was exhausted and needed a good night’s rest.

Anyway, Li Nuo wasn’t going anywhere. He could see him again tomorrow.

After saying goodbye, Mo Chuan watched Li Nuo disappear into the elevator before finally getting into his car and leaving.

That night, Li Nuo’s phone vibrated non-stop. When he checked, he saw multiple messages from Zhang Wanhui.

【 Who was that guy? 】

【 He seems really familiar with you. 】

【 He looks rich. 】

【 Are you sure about this? 】

What was this nonsense? Li Nuo frowned and tossed his phone aside.

He had no interest in replying. But Zhang Wanhui wasn’t giving up.

【 Let’s meet tomorrow. You can bring that friend of yours too. 】

Mo Chuan had already been annoyed just seeing him today—bring him along?

Just as he was thinking about it, a new message from Mo Chuan arrived.

【 Goodnight. 】

After a moment of thought, Li Nuo decided to tell Mo Chuan about Zhang Wanhui’s invitation for tomorrow.

On the other end, Mo Chuan raised an eyebrow. Oh? He still wanted to meet?

He was curious to see what tricks this so-called “old friend” of Li Nuo was trying to pull.

【 Sure. I’ll come find you tomorrow. Since he’s your friend, I should get to know him too. 】

After sending the message, Mo Chuan immediately went to sleep, preparing to be well-rested for his meeting with Li Nuo the next day.

The next morning, just as Li Nuo finished breakfast, the doorbell rang.

The video intercom displayed Mo Chuan’s face.

Li Nuo opened the door. “You’re here this early? Wait, don’t you have work?”

“Hmph, I was on a business trip for one whole month. My leave isn’t over yet.”

Mo Chuan entered the room carrying a bouquet of flowers and a vase. With practiced ease, he filled the vase with water, trimmed the stems, and arranged the flowers neatly.

“I mentioned before that I should get you another one.”

Li Nuo was already used to receiving flowers from him and didn’t pay much attention. Instead, he gave Mo Chuan a disapproving look.

Noticing his gaze, Mo Chuan sighed. “Alright, alright, Secretary Liu will handle things for me. I just need to hand over the documents, and that’s it.”

“Besides I’m a director, after all. I was on a business trip for a whole month. What’s wrong with taking a few days off?”

Li Nuo glanced at him. The visible exhaustion on his face from yesterday had faded significantly, and he looked much more refreshed.

“Did you two agree on a place?”

“The same coffee shop as before. It’s close by. Very convenient.”

“Hmm—” Mo Chuan adjusted his clothes. “Let’s head out now.”

Watching Mo Chuan, who was inexplicably acting all serious, Li Nuo couldn’t quite understand what was going through his mind.

Forget it. Let him be.

When they arrived at the coffee shop, they waited for a while before Zhang Wanhui finally showed up.

“Yesterday was too rushed. It’s better to meet again properly today,” Mo Chuan said with a smile before introducing himself. “I’m Li Nuo’s lover.”

Li Nuo immediately elbowed him in the ribs. “What are you even talking about?!”

Then, turning to Zhang Wanhui, he added, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. He’s not my lover. Just someone I know, an older brother figure.”

Though Mo Chuan wasn’t entirely satisfied with this, he was at least somewhat appeased. As long as Li Nuo wasn’t calling him “uncle,” it was fine.

Watching their interaction, Zhang Wanhui found himself feeling something strange. Over the past few meetings, he had noticed changes in Li Nuo. Though they had known each other for years, this was the first time he had seen him smile so freely and genuinely.

Was this another one of his ways of seduction?

If he wanted to appear pitiful, shouldn’t he be putting on a sorrowful expression rather than smiling?

Whatever the case, as long as he did his part, everything else was secondary. If he could win over Li Nuo, that would be even better.

“Oh? I never knew Li Nuo had this older brother. We’ve known each other for quite a while.”

“Well, now you do,” Mo Chuan said, the corners of his lips curling into a faintly mocking smile.

Fang Che had already investigated this man before, and Mo Chuan had naturally seen the report. The fact that this person was connected to Li Nuo’s biological father was very interesting.

There was no need to elaborate on what kind of man Li Nuo’s father was. Even so, the fact that this man was trying to get close to Li Nuo was already irritating enough.

And yet, here he was, acting as though they had a close relationship.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know Li Nuo had friends. Are you very close to him?”

Zhang Wanhui raised an eyebrow. “Of course. We’re like brothers.”

“Li Yan wouldn’t agree with that statement.”

Li Nuo, listening from the side, nodded. He wasn’t the original Li Nuo anymore, so naturally, he was closer to Li Yan now.

Zhang Wanhui didn’t recognize Mo Chuan. Before Li Nuo lost his memory, Mo Chuan had never appeared. But he did know Qin Xu.

Li Nuo had complained about Qin Xu to him before—how the man was completely indifferent and unyielding, how all his efforts to win him over had been utterly useless.

He had used his good looks to his advantage, yet Qin Xu still treated him like a joke.

Then, a while ago, when he had gone to find Li Nuo near his home, he had run into Qin Xu leading Li Nuo outside. At the time, he hadn’t known that Li Nuo had lost his memory, but based on what he saw, it was clear that Li Nuo had successfully captured Qin Xu’s attention.

And now, there was yet another man. One who also seemed completely smitten with Li Nuo.

“I was Li Nuo’s high school classmate. And you? How did you two meet?”

“I already told you. I’m his lover.”

“He just denied that.”

“That’s because Li Nuo is shy.”

Hearing this, Li Nuo couldn’t stay silent any longer.

“I told you to stop saying that! What if someone actually believes it?”

“That’d be even better!”

Mo Chuan’s shameless attitude left Li Nuo momentarily speechless.

He had been trying to pretend he didn’t know anything, to let that kiss at the hospital fade into the past. After all, Mo Chuan hadn’t actually confessed.

But then, even after going abroad, Mo Chuan had kept in constant contact with him, solidifying his presence in Li Nuo’s mind.

And now that he was back, he had already said things like this multiple times.

“He denied it again. So you’re not his lover, but someone who wants to become his lover?”

“That’s about right. But I think my chances are pretty good.”

Li Nuo wanted to interject again, but Mo Chuan lightly scratched the palm of his hand, stopping him.

“Is that so?” On the other side, Zhang Wanhui pressed further. “I don’t think so.”

“I don’t need you to think so.”

“Alright, are you two going to keep talking about this forever?” Li Nuo frowned, already fed up with the passive-aggressive atmosphere.

The two of them, surprisingly in sync, fell silent and changed the subject.

From their conversation, Li Nuo managed to learn a few things that Li Yan hadn’t told him before.

“Oh, so you still have photos from high school?”

“Yeah, the graduation picture.” Zhang Wanhui zoomed in on his phone screen. “This one’s Li Nuo.”

Hearing that, Li Nuo leaned in curiously. All the photos at home were gone, so he had no idea what the original owner used to look like.

On the screen was a thin young man staring blankly into the camera. It had been summer at the time of graduation. Under the scorching sun, his pale skin, overexposed under the bright light, made his entire silhouette look slightly blurred.

“So cute.”

Hearing Mo Chuan’s comment, Li Nuo gave him an indescribable look. That expressionless face… How did he see anything cute about it?

“Right? But I’m the only one who remembers. It’s a bit of a shame.”

“Haha, I already told you, Li Yan wouldn’t be happy about that.”

Mo Chuan let out a vague chuckle, clearly unfazed by Zhang Wanhui’s not-so-subtle flaunting.

Zhang Wanhui’s eye twitched slightly as he shifted his gaze to Li Nuo. From the moment they sat down, Li Nuo’s hand had remained under the table, firmly held by Mo Chuan’s right hand. He hadn’t let go even once.

Seeing Li Nuo display this kind of warmth and obedience was unsettling.

At that moment, Mo Chuan’s phone lit up on the table. He glanced at the screen, then finally released Li Nuo’s hand. “I’m stepping outside to take a call. Just wait here for a bit.”

“Mm.”

Watching him leave, Zhang Wanhui felt a sudden impulse. “I have something to take care of too.”

Mo Chuan walked into the alley beside the coffee shop before finally answering the call.

Zhang Wanhui trailed behind stealthily, leaning against the corner of the alley to eavesdrop. But the distance was a bit too far, and he could only make out bits and pieces.

” Keep a close watch. Don’t let him escape.”

Zhang Wanhui’s eyes narrowed. That was definitely not something an ordinary person would say.

Mo Chuan finished giving his instructions and ended the call, then took a few steps forward.

He had already noticed Zhang Wanhui.

“Eavesdropping is bad manners, you know.”

The gentle tone was like the slow, suffocating constriction of a venomous snake, making Zhang Wanhui’s skin crawl with unease.

“Who are you? How exactly did you meet Li Nuo?”

“And why should I tell you?”

Mo Chuan had no reason to play nice when it was just the two of them. His expression turned cold as he gazed at Zhang Wanhui indifferently. “Don’t flatter yourself. I only bothered talking to you out of consideration for Li Nuo.”

“Besides, you should really learn to take a hint.”

“What?”

“I mean, you’re annoying. You can leave now.”

Zhang Wanhui clenched his teeth. The sheer contempt on Mo Chuan’s face was suffocating, an oppressive force pressing down on him, making it impossible to move.

“That’s all I have to say. I’ll let Li Nuo know.”

With that, Mo Chuan brushed past him and walked out of the alley.

“Ha!”

Left behind, Zhang Wanhui let out a bitter laugh, but under the weight of Mo Chuan’s presence, he didn’t dare chase after him.

“What the hell is with that guy?”