Chapter 732: Call Me by My Name

As he listened to Guo Xuehua's slow narration, Yang Chen's heart gradually calmed down, though it became much heavier. Indeed, among the close women around him, only Mo Qianni was the most ordinary. If this relationship continued, she would undoubtedly be the one who would be hurt the most in the future.

Liu Mingyu could always return to the Qinglong Gang and resume her position as the young lady, participating in the gang's business management. Rose and An Xin were both high above the ordinary, and ordinary people wouldn't even have the chance to judge them. As for Tang Wan and the Cai sisters, it goes without saying—if not for his interference, their marriages would either have remained single for life or been alliances between powerful families, beyond the judgment of mundane values.

While Yang Chen was struggling internally, in the villa next door, Mo Qianni, who had also just finished dinner, was being dragged into her room by Rose to serve as cheap labor.

Both women wore the light, breezy nightgowns they loved to wear at home during their leisure time. After bathing, their fragrant scents filled the air, their tall and voluptuous figures truly captivating.

Mo Qianni was pressed onto a desk in the bedroom by Rose, facing an open laptop with a pile of densely packed report files. Pouting and looking full of displeasure, she complained, "Rose, can't you spare me? I've been busy all day, and now that I'm home, I still have to help you with work."

Rose smiled seductively and gently bit Mo Qianni's earlobe.

"Ouch!" Mo Qianni's cheeks flushed red as she quickly turned her head away, "What are you doing!"

"Come on, Qianni, help me out. You know I'm a late bloomer, never went to college. You studied accounting and finance, and you can manage the vast finances of Yulei. It won't take much time for you to analyze these reports for me. If you help me finish, I'll keep you company tonight," Rose said with a teasing glint in her eyes, her smile mischievous.

Mo Qianni was speechless, looking mournful, "You're threatening me! I don't need you to keep me company. We agreed, once I finish this, you're not allowed to bother me tonight!"

"So, does that mean you agree?" Rose said with a victorious smile.

Reluctantly, Mo Qianni responded, "I guess I'm just easy to bully. Besides, last time you sneaked into my bed and got caught by my mom, she scolded me pretty badly."

Rose, puzzled, asked with a look of confusion in her moist eyes, "Why did Aunt Ma scold you? I'm not a man; what's wrong with sisters having a little fun?"

"You still dare to say! My mom is very traditional, you know that. Sleeping together is fine, but you sneaking under my nightgown and touching me like that, it's just not proper!" Mo Qianni glared at Rose.

Rose stuck out her pink tongue, then grabbed Mo Qianni's hand with a playful shake, signaling her agreement.

The two women had lived together for so long that they were like real sisters, and ever since Ma Guifang arrived, she had become like Rose's godmother, making their bond even closer. However, they rarely mentioned Yang Chen in front of Ma Guifang to avoid making her unhappy.

Just as Mo Qianni was once again reluctantly conscripted into labor, there was a knock on the door. Ma Guifang's voice came from outside, "Qianni, are you in Rose's room?"

Mo Qianni quickly stood up, "Yes, Mom, what's up?"

"Come down, I need to talk to you," Ma Guifang said. Mo Qianni hurried out, not looking back, leaving Rose stomping her feet in frustration in front of the computer.

Following her mother downstairs to the living room, Mo Qianni curiously asked, "Mom, what's so serious?"

Ma Guifang looked her daughter up and down, then said softly, "You haven't been disobedient lately, have you?"

Mo Qianni's eyes flickered. She knew exactly what her mother meant—asking if she had been in contact with Yang Chen.

Before Yulei was attacked, they had just sweetly promised to stay together, which made her feel guilty. She mumbled an "um," not daring to confirm or deny.

Ma Guifang's expression instantly turned cold, "Hmph, I knew it! You're just like I thought, disobedient! Raising you was such a waste!"

Mo Qianni's nose tingled as she felt wronged, "Mom, we just met and had a meal."

"Were you planning to do something else?!" Ma Guifang's breathing became heavy with anger. After a moment, she continued, "Yang Chen came to see me today."

Mo Qianni's heart skipped a beat. Feeling a bit scared but even more curious, she asked, "What did he say?"

"Hmph, what else could it be? He wanted me to stop interfering and let you two continue being close," Ma Guifang said bitterly.

"And you…"

"Of course, I didn't agree!" Ma Guifang slammed the table, "Qianni, I made it very clear to him today. If you stay with him, you'll get hurt sooner or later. You're still young now, but a few years down the road, it'll be too late to turn back. He seemed to understand and will probably consider breaking up with you. You're not to see him again! Don't give him any false hopes!"

"Mom!"

Mo Qianni suddenly stood up, her face full of sorrow, her eyes brimming with tears, "How could you do that!"

Hearing her mother say that Yang Chen was considering a breakup, Mo Qianni didn't need to imagine the harsh and cruel words that had been said. She couldn't control herself and shouted anxiously.

The mere thought of Yang Chen possibly leaving her made her heart feel like it was dangling over the edge of a cliff, ready to plunge into the abyss at any moment!

"Of course I can!" Ma Guifang shouted back, "You're my daughter; don't you think I have the right to control you?! Everything I do is for your own good. Yang Chen may be great, but if he can't give you his whole heart, then it's worthless! As a woman, you don't need to marry a wealthy man, but you must marry one who loves you and makes you happy. He can't do that!"

Mo Qianni's face turned pale. She took a step back, her legs bumping into a chair, "All I know is that from the moment I decided to love him, I never cared about what he could give me. I want him, not happiness."

"You…" Ma Guifang was so angry she couldn't speak, her heart aching as if it were bleeding. "How can you be so foolish?!"

"Even though you're my dearest mother, my feelings are mine to decide. Unless he tells me himself that he wants to leave me, I will never give up," Mo Qianni wiped away her tears, her expression firm, as she turned and walked upstairs.

Ma Guifang slumped into a chair, watching her daughter's retreating figure, tears streaming down her face.

Back in her room, Mo Qianni took a deep breath to calm the fire burning in her chest. Once she regained her composure, she picked up her phone from the desk, hesitated for a moment, and then dialed Yang Chen's number.

At the same time, Yang Chen was sitting on his bed with a MacBook on his lap, browsing world news. In truth, it was just a way to kill time, trying to push the chaotic thoughts out of his mind.

Suddenly, his phone on the bedside table vibrated. When he saw that it was Mo Qianni calling, he couldn't help but frown.

In the past, he would have immediately picked up and teased her. But now, for some reason, Yang Chen felt a little afraid to answer her call.

After a few seconds, he finally pressed the answer button and forced a smile as he said, "How do you have time to call me?"

As soon as he said that, Yang Chen cursed himself for being stupid. Of course, she had time after work!

Mo Qianni sat on her large bed, clutching the bedsheet tightly in one hand, twisting it in her grip. She could clearly sense the change in Yang Chen's tone—distant, unfamiliar, distracted. Was he really hesitating?

She tried not to dwell on negative thoughts and forced a smile, saying, "What do you mean? Isn't it good that I called you? Don't you miss me at all?"

Yang Chen chuckled lightly, "Of course it's good, just a bit unexpected."

Mo Qianni bit her lip, falling silent for a moment before she said, "Mom told me you went to see her today."

"Yeah..." Yang Chen responded in a low voice.

"Don't worry too much about what she said. I'm fine, really. She's just overly concerned about me. She doesn't know much about you yet, right? I believe things will get better with time," Mo Qianni spoke nervously.

But Yang Chen could sense the emptiness in her words, her unease, her attempts to comfort him. All of it only deepened his guilt.

Just as Yang Chen struggled to respond, a notification appeared in the lower left corner of his laptop screen—a black pirate flag icon signaling a video call request. Yang Chen frowned; it was Macedonia contacting him. What could be so urgent that he would interrupt his evening?

Yang Chen didn't believe that his subordinates would be inconsiderate of the time difference. "Qianni, something's come up. I have to go," he said hurriedly, relieved to have an excuse to end the call, and quickly hung up, turning his attention to the video call.

Back in her room, Mo Qianni sat alone, her face turning pale as she heard the busy tone on the other end of the line.

"He called me Qianni... he called me by my name," she murmured to herself, letting out a bitter smile as silent tears streamed down her face.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen had no time to think about Mo Qianni's situation. As the video call connected, the bald head of Macedonia appeared on the screen, his expression complicated as he asked, "Lord Hades, haven't you refrained from large-scale killings for over two years? Why did you wipe out an entire U.S. fleet this time?"

To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8