The silence that followed PD Xu Cui's announcement was so heavy it felt like the entire room had stopped breathing. You could have heard a pin drop on the marble floor.
The live barrage, however, was anything but quiet.
[LOL, LOOK AT THEIR FACES.]
[The crew is so ruthless, but I love it.]
[Qin Yuran's expression is killing me.]
[They're all from rich backgrounds… can they even light a fire, let alone chop wood?]
[Lighters exist, stupid.]
[I'm looking forward to seeing what they actually do with the firewood.]
"So, what are you guys waiting for?" PD Xu Cui said, his benevolent smile now carrying a clear hint of mischief. "Get moving."
Zhao Yichen snapped out of his daze first and forced out a laugh. "Alright then.. Me and the other alphas will set up the campfire and chairs." He turned to the omegas. "While you guys...."
He trailed off, clearly unsure what to assign them.
Han Jiho jumped in smoothly. "We'll get the things necessary for s'mores. After all, that's the most essential part, right?"
Zhao Yichen's face brightened. "Right! Perfect." He clapped his hands. "Let's get moving."
His gaze landed on Su Wanyan, who had been quietly observing the chaos. "Can you help us, Su Wanyan?" Then he glanced at Mo Xingxue, who was still sleeping peacefully against her shoulder. "And.. could you kindly tell her what we're planning and let her know their task?"
Su Wanyan understood immediately. This was live television, and Mo Xingxue had plenty of antis waiting for any slip-up. Leaving the popular actress sleeping while everyone else worked would invite nasty comments. She nodded.
"Xuexue," she called softly.
Mo Xingxue only groaned and hugged her tighter.
A low whistle and quiet laughter came from the others. Su Wanyan felt heat rise to her cheeks.
"Xuexue, wake up," she tried again, gently shaking Mo Xingxue's shoulder with her free hand.
Mo Xingxue's phoenix eyes finally cracked open, still hazy with sleep. "Sorry.... does your shoulder hurt?"
Su Wanyan shook her head and gave her a quick, soft overview of the campfire plan. Mo Xingxue nodded drowsily and murmured her thanks.
One by one, the guests stood up. Mo Xingxue carefully took Mo Yan from Su Wanyan's arms before they all headed off to handle their assigned tasks.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+
By sunset, the backyard of the villa had been transformed.
A neat half-circle of camping chairs faced a central fire pit. A low table nearby held everything needed for s'mores—marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers arranged invitingly. Cameras were positioned to capture the group from the front, golden evening light bathing everything in warm tones.
"So..... who's actually going to chop the wood?" Qin Yuran asked, looking visibly troubled.
Zhao Yichen frowned. "I.. forgot about that part."
Before the awkwardness could settle, Su Wanyan calmly raised her hand. "I'd like to try."
Zhao Yichen looked relieved. "Okay. Thank you."
Su Wanyan stood, walked over to the pile of logs, and picked up the axe. She set one sturdy log upright the way she remembered from videos online. Gripping the axe with both hands, she adjusted her stance. The moment she did, her body instinctively shifted into a more balanced, powerful position. Her grip felt natural, almost familiar.
Arms Sovereignty, she thought with a small smile. Just as I expected.
She raised the axe high and brought it down in one clean, powerful swing.
The log split neatly into two perfect pieces.
She repeated the motion with calm efficiency until she had eight solid pieces of firewood. Not a single wasted swing.
The other guests (except Gu Chengze) immediately thanked her, voices full of genuine appreciation. The barrage exploded once again.
[SU WANYAN, YOU'RE SO HOT!]
[ARF ARF ARF]
[Tears are streaming down my thighs.]
[…What??]
[As expected of my wife! Come back home, Yanyan—the kids miss you.]
[Upstairs, stop your delusions and drink your medicine.]
[These two, I swear—]
Su Wanyan simply smiled and nodded politely, saying nothing.
"Oho, she's feeling shy," Qin Yuran teased.
Su Wanyan rolled her eyes. "Am not."
She looked around for a seat and realized the only one left was on the far left—right beside Mo Xingxue. Qin Yuran laughed again. "You definitely are."
Su Wanyan stuck her tongue out at her and sat down.
The moment she settled, Mo Xingxue pulled out a clean handkerchief and gently patted the light sweat from Su Wanyan's forehead and neck. The gesture was quiet and caring.
Su Wanyan smiled at her gratefully. From the corner of her eye, however, she noticed Gu Chengze staring at them with pure murderous intent.
What is with him?
"Is something wrong?" Mo Xingxue asked softly.
Su Wanyan turned to her and offered a kind smile. "No, nothing's wrong."
She glanced down and noticed Mo Yan was now wide awake, big eyes sparkling with curiosity. Su Wanyan's smile widened as she reached out to gently play with the baby's tiny hands. Mo Yan cooed happily in response.
Mo Xingxue watched the interaction with a soft, fond expression, her usual cool demeanor melting into something warmer.
Zhao Yichen clapped his hands. "Alright, let's get to the main event!"
The group cheered and settled into comfortable conversation. Questions flowed naturally as they got to know one another better.
Then it was Mo Xingxue's turn to speak.
"I've been meaning to ask this since earlier," Qin Yuran said, looking between Mo Xingxue and Su Wanyan with a mischievous grin. "Why do you two call each other by nicknames?"
Mo Xingxue smiled and glanced at Su Wanyan, who gave her a small nod.
"We're actually childhood friends," Mo Xingxue admitted calmly.
"Really? For real?" Several voices spoke at once.
Both women nodded.
"Wow, a real case of childhood sweethearts," Han Jiho teased.
Qin Yuran laughed and reached over to high-five him. Su Wanyan simply smiled, while Mo Xingxue blushed faintly and stole a quick glance at Su Wanyan's reaction. Seeing nothing negative there, she let out a tiny sigh of relief.
The questions continued, light and friendly, until PD Xu Cui suddenly called for their attention.
Everyone turned to him, curious.
"Now that you've gotten to know each other better," he said with a smile, "which guest are you most interested in?"
Su Wanyan felt a drop of sweat slide down her back.
Wow, this PD really likes stirring trouble.
She had managed to dodge a similar question earlier by saying she didn't know them well yet. That excuse wouldn't work anymore.
The answers started from the right side of the circle, meaning Su Wanyan would be last again—something she was secretly grateful for. It gave her time to think.
Qin Yuran went first, winking playfully at Song Meiyu. "Still Song Meiyu."
Song Meiyu blushed deeply but replied, "Then.. you're mine too."
Qin Yuran grinned. "I'm yours?"
Song Meiyu nodded, flustered but determined. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"
Qin Yuran turned bright red and laughed foolishly, earning laughter and teasing from the whole group. Su Wanyan joined in, unable to resist teasing her new friend.
After the laughter died down, it moved to Han Jiho.
"Of course, Zhao Yichen," he said warmly. "Because I like his leadership."
Zhao Yichen started to reply with a bright smile, but Qin Yuran cut him off. "Hey, simp—it's not your turn yet!"
Zhao Yichen laughed and playfully tossed a marshmallow at her.
Then it was Lin Xuanyu's turn.
"Well...." Lin Xuanyu said, his gaze first landing on Gu Chengze. The CEO straightened his posture, looking dignified.
Lin Xuanyu blushed, then slowly turned his eyes toward Su Wanyan.
Su Wanyan raised her eyebrows at him, silently asking, what are you looking at me for?
Lin Xuanyu covered his mouth dramatically. "Ah, this is embarrassing.."
The other guests cheered him on excitedly.
Mo Xingxue, sitting beside Su Wanyan, suddenly felt a strange wave of nervousness.
"Well, it's of course.." Lin Xuanyu paused, eyes still fixed on Su Wanyan.