Rebirth: My Reclusive Husband Helps Me Get Revenge!-Chapter 34: Maybe a little bit of both

The car cruised quietly through the city, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. Lixue stared out of the window, watching the city lights flicker by, her mind drifting between fragments of thoughts that she couldn’t seem to piece together.

Mo Ran was beside her, calm as ever, but there was an unspoken tension in the air. She wasn’t sure why, but something about tonight felt different.

The car finally pulled up to the restaurant, a place so upscale it made her feel like she’d stepped into another world. Everything about it screamed luxury, from the gleaming marble floors to the opulent decor. Mo Ran didn’t even wait for the valet; he led her straight through a side entrance, bypassing the busy front area, into a private room reserved only for those who valued their privacy as much as he did.

Once inside, Lixue hesitated for a moment. The room was dim, the lighting soft and intimate, everything about it designed to make one feel small yet strangely important. A round table with white linen, delicate glassware, and exquisite plates was set in the middle. It all felt so meticulously planned. Too much for her liking.

Mo Ran didn’t even glance at her before pulling out a chair for her and guiding her into it.

"Sit," he said, his voice carrying a weight that left little room for argument.

Lixue didn’t resist, settling into the chair, her eyes still scanning the surroundings. She had long gotten used to the high-society lifestyle, but sometimes, in moments like this, it felt like too much. She wasn’t one for attention or grandeur. But tonight, Mo Ran had planned it all, and there was nothing she could do but play along.

The private room was quiet as they settled into their seats, the soft clink of cutlery was the only sound. Lixue had been unusually quiet, lost in her thoughts, while Mo Ran was determined to break the silence. After all, he knew something was bothering her, but what was it?

"So, Lixue," Mo Ran began, setting down his glass of water and looking at her thoughtfully. "How’s the food? You know, I thought you’d be more excited to eat here."

Lixue smiled faintly, poking at her plate without much enthusiasm. "It’s fine, Mo Ran. I’m just... tired."

"Tired?" Mo Ran raised an eyebrow. "You’re not trying to escape the conversation, are you?"

Lixue’s lips twitched, the corner of her mouth pulling up in an amused grin. "What conversation?"

"The one where you tell me what’s going on with you. You’ve been really quiet today."

Lixue took a bite of her food and shrugged. "Nothing much. Just... life."

Mo Ran leaned in, eyes narrowed in feigned suspicion. "Life? Are you sure? Because last time I checked, ’life’ didn’t make you look like you just lost your last piece of chocolate cake."

Lixue couldn’t help but chuckle at his over-the-top expression. "I don’t even like chocolate cake."

"Now, I know that’s a lie," Mo Ran said, leaning back with a confident smirk. "No one dislikes chocolate cake. You’re just trying to hide your emotions."

Lixue laughed, shaking her head. "Seriously, I’m fine. You’re just way too observant."

"Is that so?" Mo Ran raised a finger dramatically. "I’m actually just a highly trained detective. I have a PhD in reading people’s expressions."

She tilted her head, playing along. "A PhD, huh? You don’t look like the detective type."

"I’ve cracked many cases in my day," he continued, leaning in and lowering his voice for dramatic effect. "Like the time I solved the case of ’Who Took My Favorite Pen.’" He paused for emphasis. "Spoiler alert: It was me. I’d left it in my pocket the whole time."

Lixue’s chuckles turned into full-on laughter at his antics. She hadn’t expected him to pull something so ridiculous out of nowhere. The tension she hadn’t even realized she was carrying started to ease.

Mo Ran sat back, a little proud of himself. "You see? I told you I’m good at this."

She wiped her eyes, still giggling. "I swear, sometimes you’re a bigger kid than I am."

"That’s because I am a kid," he said without missing a beat. "I just have a very professional mask on."

Lixue shook her head, still smiling. "I should have never let you take me to a restaurant. You’re dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Mo Ran asked, feigning innocence. "I’m just here to ensure you eat and smile. And maybe take a few notes on how to be an expert on mischief."

"Well, you’ve succeeded in making me laugh," Lixue said, still catching her breath from the earlier laughter. "I guess I owe you one."

Mo Ran grinned. "No need to pay me back. I’m just here to make sure you don’t get too serious about life. Now, if you want to talk about something else, I’m all ears. But if you want to keep laughing at my detective skills, I’m okay with that too."

Lixue leaned back in her chair, her mood lightened in a way she hadn’t expected. "Maybe just a little bit of both."

After dinner, as the cool night air settled in, Mo Ran glanced at Lixue, noticing the faint traces of exhaustion still lingering on her face. Despite the light-hearted moments at the table, he could tell she wasn’t quite at ease.

"Do you want to take a walk?" he asked softly, his tone more considerate than usual. "I know a place nearby that might help clear your mind."

Lixue raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not fully convinced. "A walk? Where?"

"The ocean," Mo Ran replied, his gaze steady. "I think the sound of the waves might help you relax."

Lixue hesitated, but the calm in his voice made her nod. "I could use a change of pace."

He led her to the car, and they drove in silence for a while. The city lights flickered in the distance, but as they moved farther from the hustle and bustle, the road became quieter, the only sounds the hum of the engine and the occasional breeze outside. It wasn’t long before they reached the ocean.

The moon hung low, casting a soft silver light across the water, making the scene almost surreal. The sound of the waves crashing gently on the shore filled the air, and the salty breeze lifted Lixue’s hair, calming her more than she had expected.

"Wow," she breathed, stepping out of the car and taking in the view. "It’s beautiful here."

Mo Ran stood beside her, hands in his pockets, a soft, contemplative expression on his face. "I thought it might help," he said quietly, his voice almost blending with the sound of the waves.

Lixue turned to him, her eyes softer now, no longer filled with the stress of the day. "It does," she admitted. "Thank you."

They walked along the beach, the sand soft beneath their feet, each step further removing the tension that had built up during the day. Lixue was no longer focused on her past, her complicated relationships, or the responsibilities weighing her down. For the first time in a long while, she felt the freedom of simply being in the moment.

"So," Mo Ran said after a while, breaking the silence with his usual casual tone, "what’s been on your mind, Lixue? I know we joked a lot tonight, but... I can tell something’s still bothering you."