Deep Development 1×3 (H)

Chapter 40

From that day until Christmas, Wang Zihe never stepped out of his room. Even his meals were brought in by the maids. Interestingly, the three men from the Mo family seemed to have reached some kind of unspoken agreement and hadn’t bothered him for the past few days.

Now, the long-awaited Christmas had finally arrived.

Dressed in a luxurious wine red suit, Wang Zihe looked at the Christmas dinner on the table, more sumptuous and exquisite than anything he had seen in American dramas. He couldn’t help but marvel at it. This was probably the most lavish and extravagant meal he had ever eaten.

Then, he lifted his head and looked at the father and sons sitting across from him and to his left. The four of them raised their champagne glasses and said in English, “Merry Christmas.”

However, strangely enough, except for Mo Xijue, there was no trace of a smile on anyone’s face. There was no sense of festive enthusiasm and joy. Amidst the splendid and festive decorations, the atmosphere felt eerie and oppressive, as if some evil sorcery was taking place. Even the usually cheerful Mo Jian had lost his smile… What secrets lay behind Christmas? Wang Zihe wondered.

After finishing their champagne, everyone began to eat. Throughout the entire process, no one spoke or made a sound, as if they were in a bizarre silent play. The air was filled with a disturbing and unsettling aura.

Wang Zihe’s mind was filled with questions, but he couldn’t speak. Why was the Mo family’s Christmas so strange yet so grand? What did it all mean?

After the meal, he followed the others to the first-floor gathering hall. As the four of them sat on the sofa, the lights suddenly dimmed. At that moment, Wang Zihe realized that all the servants except for the four of them had disappeared. The lights in the garden outside were also turned off, leaving only the open-plan living room illuminated in the entire villa.

Wang Zihe’s heart began to beat rapidly. Everything was just too eerie, like a horror movie from an American drama. He involuntarily swallowed and felt a cold sweat forming in the palm of his hands.

“Now, let’s exchange gifts,” Mo Xijue stood beneath the enormous and dazzling Christmas tree, looking at the prepared gift boxes.

The gaze of the Mo family trio shifted towards Wang Zihe, as if queuing him.

Wang Zihe observed the three individuals, each wearing a faint smile. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath, noting the stark contrast in their expressions compared to the dinner table. He felt like these three were driving him crazy. What could it possibly mean?

There should be a limit to their teasing. With this thought in mind, Wang Zihe made a firm decision. If he had to pretend, he believed he could outperform anyone. Since he couldn’t decipher their intentions, he would handle it his own way, regardless of the outcome.

With that in mind, Wang Zihe smiled faintly and stood up. If it was Christmas, it should be a joyful occasion, shouldn’t it? He leisurely approached the Christmas tree, picked up his prepared gift—the “gift” that held his fate. Whether it met Mo Xijue’s standards would depend on him. He had done everything he could, and regardless of the ultimate outcome, he would have no regrets.

Wang Zihe held the rectangular gift box in his hands and approached Mo Xijue. He then half-knelt before him, smiling as he said, “Mr. Mo, Merry Christmas.”

“I am looking forward to it,” Mo Xijue maintained his unchanging gentle smile as he received the gift and slowly unwrapped it.

Once he fully opened the gift box and took out a neatly bound A3-sized folder, Mo Xijue’s expression froze for a moment. Then, as he looked at the contents inside, his smile gradually widened until he burst into laughter.

“Is this your most precious gift?” Mo Xijue asked, still smiling.

“This is the underwater chamber that was originally meant for me to design, worth a hundred million yuan. Inside are all the design drawings, including construction plans, material lists, structural diagrams, and budgets,” Wang Zihe’s face revealed a confident smile.

“On what basis do you believe this is your most precious possession?” Mo Xijue raised an eyebrow, questioning.

“Do you, Mr. Mo, consider my body as my most precious possession? I don’t think so. I haven’t become that conceited… Architecture design is the only thing I can proudly showcase, the only thing that gives me confidence. It is a gift bestowed upon me by fate.”

“My talent—I believe there is nothing more precious than that,” he slightly tilted his head, gazing at Mo Xijue confidently.

Perhaps even Wang Zihe himself was unaware that when he spoke of architecture, his entire demeanor and expression transformed. He displayed an intense passion and fervor, something incredibly captivating.

Upon hearing his response, Mo Xijue’s face suddenly displayed a highly satisfied smile. He then reached out and cupped Wang Zihe’s chin, gently planting a kiss on his lips. “Congratulations, you’ve passed.”

“Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Mo,” Wang Zihe said, and then he extended his arm, hooking it around Mo Xijue’s shoulder. Taking the initiative, he deepened the kiss, exploring Mo Xijue’s mouth with his tongue, savoring the softness of his lips.

“That’s enough,” Mo Xijue took the initiative to push Wang Zihe away after awhile.

Then, he noticed the displeased expressions on the faces of his two sons sitting across from him, along with a hint of jealousy in their eyes.

Mo Yi observed Wang Zihe’s proactive kiss and the gift he presented. He felt a mixture of jealousy and a strange sense of satisfaction. Wang Zihe hadn’t disappointed him; he had captivated his father. Thinking about it, Mo Yi found his own situation somewhat pathetic. To defeat his own father, he had to resort to the tactics of an outsider, similar to a scheme straight out of a melodrama. It was truly laughable.

As for Mo Jian, he couldn’t help but feel jealous amidst other complicated feelings. In fact, he didn’t consider himself a participant in this game at all. Wang Zihe possessed talent and charm, so he was fully aware that he had no chance of winning.

In a game he was destined to lose, there was no need for him to participate.

When Wang Zihe stood up again, he felt as if the weight on his heart had finally lifted. He became noticeably more relaxed, wearing an undisguised expression of joy. This signified that his plan was already halfway successful…

Then, he picked up a small gift box and approached Mo Yi. This time, after adjusting his tie, he formally knelt before him.

Wang Zihe opened the gift box, revealing an exquisite and sparkling silver ring, which elicited a shocked expression from Mo Yi.