"Chen Mo, the fridge is empty. It's the weekend tomorrow and we're both off work. Come shopping with me tonight, okay?"
Xiao Yu set the last dish down, untied her apron, and sat at the dining table, gazing expectantly at Chen Mo.
"Sure," Chen Mo agreed without hesitation.
Since the mercenary incident, he hadn't gone shopping with Xiao Yu much. She never asked or complained, always understanding. But clearly, she'd missed it. Things had finally calmed down—there was no reason not to go.
The smile that bloomed on Xiao Yu's face made Chen Mo's heart lighten.
From the beginning, her requests were always simple. Never extravagant, never unreasonable. She didn't care about spending his money. She never made things difficult.
Xiao Yu was the kind of girl who found joy in the ordinary.
And that was exactly why Chen Mo cherished her even more.
"Eat a bit more," Xiao Yu said warmly, scooping more food into his bowl.
"Trying to fatten me up?" Chen Mo grinned.
"If you turn into a pig, I'll keep you. You basically just eat and laze around at home anyway," Xiao Yu teased.
"Excuse me? I wash the dishes. I blow-dry your hair. And I get to live with a beautiful chef. Honestly, I'm winning here," Chen Mo nodded solemnly.
Xiao Yu's cheeks flushed. "Shameless."
After dinner, they cleaned up and left the villa together.
In the commercial plaza, Xiao Yu's arm wrapped around Chen Mo's as they walked leisurely. They looked like any ordinary couple out on a date.
"Wanna see a movie?" Chen Mo offered.
"Nope. Since we're out, I'd rather walk around than sit in a theater," Xiao Yu said.
"There's a jewelry store over there—"
"Nope."
Before Chen Mo could finish, Xiao Yu dragged him in another direction. She hadn't forgotten their last visit to a jewelry shop and felt awkward just thinking about it.
"Most girls like jewelry. Don't you?" Chen Mo asked, amused.
"I do. But one piece is enough. Buying more is a waste of money," Xiao Yu said honestly.
"I've got more money than I know what to do with," Chen Mo chuckled.
He didn't even know how much was in his accounts anymore. Money had become just a number. And it all began to change the day he met Xiao Yu.
"So what, you want to turn me into some walking jewelry rack?" she said, rolling her eyes.
"Watch your phrasing. You're not just a woman," Chen Mo said.
Hearing that, Xiao Yu's ears turned red. Her cheeks flushed, and she mumbled, "Idiot…"
"I've noticed you call me that a lot lately. What makes me stupid?" Chen Mo asked.
"You just are."
"Alright, alright. You win."
Xiao Yu laughed and tugged him along through the mall. She helped him pick out a new suit, but didn't buy anything for herself. Then they headed to the supermarket.
"By the way," Xiao Yu said while tossing some fruits into the cart, "Zhao Jie asked the Investment and M&A Department to evaluate a few pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies. Are you guys entering the pharma market?"
"I do want to, yes," Chen Mo replied. "But not tonight. Tonight's a no-work zone."
"Alright, alright. No more questions."
They strolled through the aisles, taking their time. After half an hour, Chen Mo emerged with several large shopping bags—snacks, fruit, daily essentials.
"I get why people enjoy supermarket runs," Chen Mo said.
"Next time we need stuff, I'll let you go alone," Xiao Yu said with a smile.
"Not as fun without you."
They laughed as they walked out of the store together.
Suddenly, Xiao Yu stopped, a hand on her lower abdomen, brow furrowed.
"What's wrong?" Chen Mo immediately turned serious.
"Just cramps. They weren't this bad before… but for the past two days, they've been acting up."
"Is it serious?"
"Not really. Just need a rest."
"Probably stress. You've been busy lately. Take it easy this weekend. Come on—I'll carry you back."
Before she could argue, Chen Mo squatted down in front of her.
Embarrassed, Xiao Yu hesitated. But eventually, she climbed onto his back, hiding her red face against him.
Carrying her on his back, along with the bags in hand, Chen Mo began walking.
"Lately I've been managing a new project," Xiao Yu mumbled. "There's a lot to do. And graduation is coming soon. In a month, I'll have to go back to school to defend my thesis."
"Almost done with school, huh? Doesn't feel like it," Chen Mo said.
"That's because people like you don't have to worry about graduation. Freaking genius."
Their quiet banter drifted into the night.
Ordinary moments. And that's what made them so precious.
Over the next two days, Chen Mo took Xiao Yu back to Binhai University to relax and walk around the campus. She was visibly more at ease.
He knew stress could mess with the body. And if he could do anything to ease her burden, he would.
Monday.
Chen Mo had just arrived at the office when Zhao Min walked in with a folder.
"Chairman, Xiao Yu looked like she had a great weekend. Did you two have fun?"
"It was okay."
"Figures. You go out, we work overtime."
She placed the file on his desk.
"This is the evaluation report for three pharmaceutical companies. I got it from the M&A department. They've got full R&D teams, production lines, and certifications up to international standards. They've also got established sales channels and partnerships with hospitals and universities."
"Meaning, if we provide them with one strong product, they can scale quickly," she added.
Chen Mo flipped open the report and nodded.
"I'll read this through and get back to you."
"Anything else?" Zhao Min asked.
"Yeah, graduation season's coming up. I want to donate 20 million to Binhai University. In my name. And set up an Ant Scholarship under the company's banner."
After all, the Science and Technology Library first appeared at that university's library.
He'd also met Xiao Yu there.
Without Binhai University, none of this would exist.
"Got it," Zhao Min said, her expression softening. She had almost forgotten Chen Mo was still technically a student. In just half a year, he'd reached heights that most people couldn't touch in a lifetime.
If there was ever a time to give back—it was now.
"I'll take care of it. You go through the reports."
After Zhao Min left, Chen Mo opened the first file.
"Ink Girl."
"Yes, Brother Mo. I'm here," came the soft voice from the AI assistant.
"Re-evaluate the value of these companies based on current market and projected tech integration. Feed me the results."
"Okay, Brother Mo."