Page 589 of Assistant to My Contracted Husband

Jian Ran, knowing her cue, headed straight for the lounge. As she entered, she could still hear the man’s magnetic and fluent Italian.

It must be something to do with Carlo.

A glint of darkness flashed in Jian Ran’s beautiful eyes...

It was hard to imagine... that the man steering the European economic titan, Carlo, was actually in Yuncheng City...

...

After Jian Ran had prepared a lavish lunch, she saw Gu Mochen raise a large hand to his forehead and rub it, clearly showing some fatigue.

The affairs of the Gu Family were already in no small number.

Then there were Carlo’s matters.

Even if Gu Mochen had been made of iron, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the energy demands.

Now... living together with Gu Mochen and Tang Bao, she knew that any company matters would be firmly left at the office after work hours, never brought home.

Jian Ran bit her lip, and in a soft voice, said.

"Let’s eat."

"Alright..."

Gu Mochen’s gaze fell upon the dining table, spotting braised eggs, cucumber with pork slices, steamed bass, sweet and sour ribs, and seaweed egg soup.

It was indeed a feast.

Though they were all home-cooked dishes, Gu Mochen’s appetite was greatly stimulated at the sight, and his hunger emerged stronger. A glimmer of enchanting light passed through his dark eyes as his thin lips curved in a subtle smile.

"Mrs. Gu’s cooking skills are quite impressive."

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Gu."

Jian Ran’s smile was sweet, and though polite in form, it held much more warmth than before.

Gu Mochen felt the slight change in the woman, narrowing his eyes with a light swimming in them.

"Bon has independently submitted your work for the European design exhibition for review; that’s what I was just discussing on the phone."

Upon hearing this, Jian Ran’s eyes widened in surprise...

Bon seemed a bit too proactive.

This European design exhibition was the biggest of its kind globally, held annually.

Just to be included for review was a significant recognition for any designer.

If one could win an award, it would be akin to reaching the venerable ranks within the design community.

Without Carlo’s instruction, Bon probably wouldn’t dare to give such authorization on their own.

However, as the designer herself, Jian Ran was in very good spirits.

"Well... just being displayed in the exhibition hall satisfies me, but winning an award... well... without prize money, of course, I hope to leave it to fate."

At her words, the corners of Gu Mochen’s mouth curled almost imperceptibly, forming an extremely charming arc.

"Hmm, and what if there were prize money involved?"

"Cough cough... of course, I hope... to win the award..."

Sigh... whether a little or a lot, money is still money.

Even though Gu Mochen might give her a raise of 5, 20, or 13 yuan everyday.

She... could endure it.

Gu Mochen looked at her straightforward words, his thin lips curling slightly.

"Gail and I both think you have a high chance of winning the ’New Designer’ award."

Objectively, Jian Ran’s design work might not be the highest quality, but it certainly was unique.

Winning the grand prize could be challenging... but the ’New Designer’ award held great promise.

Furthermore, with Bon and Carlo both championing Jian Ran’s work in Italy, success seemed more following.

Hearing Gu Mochen’s words, Jian Ran’s eyes brightened with expectation as she asked.

"Really?"

"Of course..."

Jian Ran felt jubilant inside, and spoke earnestly, "If I really do win an award, then I’ll go see my dad... to tell him I’ve been progressing these years... not just living in the past."

After saying that, Jian Ran’s lips curved into a faint smile.

It had been a long time since she’d visited Jian Anguo.

And she had thought about it...

Previous attempts to see him had been met with staunch refusals from Jian Anguo, unwilling to meet with her.

Truthfully, these years, Jian Ran raising Tang Bao on her own had not been easy.

Afterward, once she became pregnant, it indeed became more inconvenient, and after giving birth...

The struggles of life intensified.

Only during the second trial did she see Jian Anguo...

In less than two years, the man had been worn down by prison to the point he hardly seemed human.

A tinge of sadness could not be hidden in Jian Ran’s beautiful eyes, but Gu Mochen swiftly caught it.

"How long has it been since you’ve seen him?"

"Well... after the incident, I only saw him during the first and second trials in court, and not at other times..."

Jian Ran paused, then spoke softly, "My dad doesn’t even know about Tang Bao.

.. If he knew... that after the tragedy at home I was raped and gave birth to a child.

.. he would probably... break down even more.

" Jian Ran casually spoke of her past ordeal... Realizing that Gu Mochen’s expression shifted subtly, her lips hinted a faint smile.

"Well... it’s all in the past now, Gu Mochen, don’t look at me that way."

To Gu Mochen’s surprise, Jian Ran’s first time had been a result of rape, causing shock in his heart.

This was something Jian Ran had never shared with him before...

He had always believed it was an accident, but he had no idea of the deeper implications.

"Who was that man?"

"Well... haven’t I said it before? It was an accident... It was so dark, I never saw him, and then... it was over, I couldn’t just... after something like that... go running to the police for everyone to know, after all, the most pressing issue at that time was my father’s trial."

Jian Ran observed as Gu Mochen clenched his hand tightly, her eyes darkening.

She... was opening up to someone else for the first time ever.

She didn’t expect that Gu Mochen would be the first person she told.

"I’m actually quite grateful to that despicable scumbag... after all, if it wasn’t for him, there wouldn’t be Tang Bao now..."

So, after all, he was Tang Bao’s father. Even if that man had ruined her life, she couldn’t bring herself to hate him.

"Jian Ran!"

"Alright, I admit, I just lied... If I ever see that scumbag again... I certainly won’t let him off."

Gu Mochen: "..."

Oddly enough...

Gu Mochen really hoped that the scumbag Jian Ran encountered was himself.

But of course, how could such coincidences exist in the world?

Gu Mochen’s narrow eyes tightened slightly, he put down his chopsticks, stood up, took Jian Ran’s small hand, and enveloped her in his embrace.

Jian Ran’s eyes widened, and she instinctively struggled, only to hear the man’s captivating voice close to her ear.

"Don’t move, let me hold you for a while."

Jian Ran: "..."