The tension in the air thickened the moment Lin Xuanyu's shy glances toward Su Wanyan became obvious to everyone. His eyes kept drifting in her direction, soft and lingering, as if working up the courage to speak.
Mo Xingxue noticed immediately. She was sitting beside Su Wanyan, after all. Her right hand clenching tightly in her lap, a cold, unfamiliar fury stirred in her chest—one she couldn't quite name or understand. The temperature around their small group seemed to drop several degrees.
The other guests shifted uncomfortably. Even the staff behind the cameras exchanged quick glances. Su Wanyan felt the shift keenly and turned to look at Mo Xingxue, worry flickering across her face.
"Uh….." Lin Xuanyu dragged the sound out again, still giving Su Wanyan those coy, fluttering looks. He seemed completely unaware of the icy stare coming from the woman beside his target.
Almost everyone watching—guests, crew, and viewers alike—shared the same silent plea: Please don't say Su Wanyan!
When Mo Xingxue glanced sideways at Su Wanyan, the latter flinched visibly and let out an awkward laugh, looking straight at the nearest camera as if begging for intervention.
The barrage erupted.
[LOL, LOOK AT HER FACE!]
[Bro, can someone please save Su Wanyan?]
[She looks like a big puppy about to get scolded.]
[Fr, she looks terrified.]
[Help, why isn't Lin Xuanyu noticing Mo Xingxue's death glare?]
[I'm sending prayers for Su Wanyan.]
[Mo Xingxue, please spare my wife! We have kids at home!]
[Upstairs, stop with the nonsense and drink your medicine.]
[I'm shipping these two so hard, lol.]
[Look, Mo Xingxue isn't the only jealous one here.]
Gu Chengze wasn't blind either. He had been certain Lin Xuanyu would choose him, but the younger man kept stalling and looking at Su Wanyan instead. An anxious knot formed in his stomach. It must be because I've been favoring him lately, he told himself. I'm just worried about wasting the money I spent on him. Yes, that had to be it. He shot Su Wanyan another cold, murderous glare.
Help! Su Wanyan thought desperately. Not only is the white moonlight mad at me, the male lead wants me dead too!
Lin Xuanyu cleared his throat dramatically and sighed. "Ah, it's too hard. I'll skip my turn for now." He deliberately looked at Gu Chengze and let out a soft, shy laugh.
Su Wanyan's mouth twitched. If you just want to make Gu Chengze jealous, don't drag me into it! Su Wanyan thought, thoroughly annoyed by the green tea performance.
Zhao Yichen laughed awkwardly, clearly relieved. "Then we'll come back to you after Su Wanyan." He turned to Han Jiho with a bright smile. "For me, it's Han Jiho." He stood up dramatically and knelt in front of him, presenting him like a prize. "Just look at him!"
Han Jiho laughed and played along, waving gracefully like royalty. The playful moment helped ease some of the tension in the air.
Mo Xingxue, however, didn't laugh. She leaned back in her seat, face cool and distant, Mo Yan resting peacefully in her arms. Su Wanyan glanced at her nervously, already planning to apologize later. Then she paused. Wait.. why am I planning to apologize? I didn't do anything wrong.
Still, when their eyes met, the words tumbled out before she could stop them. "Sorry, Xuexue...."
Mo Xingxue nodded silently and turned her face away.
It's over, Su Wanyan thought, disheartened. She hates me now.
Unbeknownst to her, Mo Xingxue had turned away to hide the small, uncontrollable smile forming at the corners of her lips.
Qin Yuran caught the entire exchange and opened her mouth to tease them, but Mo Xingxue's cool gaze swung toward her. Qin Yuran wisely closed her mouth and decided to stay silent.
When Zhao Yichen sat back down, he looked at Gu Chengze. "Who's yours, bro?"
Gu Chengze's eyes went to Mo Xingxue first. He almost said her name, but then remembered how she had been "flirting" with another alpha right in front of him. A smirk curved his lips. He would make her jealous instead. Turning to Lin Xuanyu, who immediately blushed, he said smoothly, "It's Lin Xuanyu."
Lin Xuanyu turned beet red and stammered out a grateful thank you. Gu Chengze felt a surge of satisfaction and glanced at Mo Xingxue again. However, she wasn't even looking at him. He frowned, then huffed. Keep playing hard to get, he thought. It's more fun that way. A cold smile touched his lips.
Su Wanyan found the whole exchange strange but said nothing. Everything about Gu Chengze felt off to her anyway.
Next came Mo Xingxue's turn.
Without hesitation, in her clear, melodious voice, she said, "Su Wanyan."
No explanation. No stuttering.
Su Wanyan felt a genuine warmth bloom in her chest. She smiled softly and looked at Mo Xingxue with open affection. "Of course it's my Xuexue."
Mo Xingxue blushed deeply and cleared her throat, covering her mouth with her right hand in an attempt to look composed.
In her arms, little Mo Yan let out a happy coo, as if pleased with the answer.
The group immediately burst into teasing.
"Wow, claiming her already?" Qin Yuran laughed.
Su Wanyan blinked, confused. Did I say something wrong?
The rest of the questions continued more lightly until the session finally wrapped up. The guests eventually returned to the villa and retired to their rooms for the night.
When Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue entered their shared room, they found two large boxes waiting with a note saying they were gifts for Mo Yan. Both women smiled and began unboxing them together.
The gifts were a beautiful stroller and a crib.
The crib looked like something from a dream. Painted in a soft, glowing pink that shifted between blush and rose, its frame curved gently with rounded edges that invited touch rather than danger. Delicate carvings of tiny flowers and ribbons traced along the rails, elegant and subtle. A sheer canopy draped overhead like layers of petals, shimmering faintly in the light. Inside, plush cushions patterned with hearts and stars created a tiny, safe sanctuary.
The matching stroller was equally lovely—velvety soft seating, a graceful canopy with embroidered flowers and lace, smooth wheels, and a padded handle. A small charm dangled gently from the canopy.
"Wow, this must have been expensive," Su Wanyan said softly.
Mo Xingxue nodded in agreement.
Su Wanyan carried the crib and placed it carefully between their two beds, then positioned the stroller near the door. Mo Xingxue gently laid Mo Yan down on the bed.
After stretching, Mo Xingxue felt sticky from the long day and decided she needed a bath. She glanced at her sleeping daughter, then at the still-unpacked luggage, and began preparing.
Su Wanyan was also unpacking. She sighed at how much she had brought—most of it practical items for the upcoming farm segment—but continued methodically.
Once they finished, Su Wanyan let Mo Xingxue take her bath first.
When the bedroom door opened again, Su Wanyan looked up and froze.
Mo Xingxue wore a floor-length black silk nightgown that clung subtly to her elegant curves. Thin straps framed her shoulders, while a plunging V-neckline with delicate lace trim offered a hint of cleavage. A high side slit revealed a flash of smooth thigh with every step. The sheer silk shimmered as it flowed loosely from her waist down to her ankles. Her long dark hair cascaded in loose waves over one shoulder, and the usual coldness in her eyes had melted into gentle warmth.
Su Wanyan stared, stunned.
Mo Xingxue tilted her head slightly. "What's wrong?"
Su Wanyan snapped out of it and gave an apologetic smile. She quickly gathered her own pajamas and bolted out of the room and into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her a little too firmly.
+-+-+-+-+-+
After a warm shower and drying her hair, Su Wanyan returned to the room. Mo Xingxue was already asleep, her face ethereal in the soft moonlight streaming through the window.
Then Su Wanyan noticed her shivering slightly.
A fond memory surfaced. When the original Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue were children having sleepovers, Mo Xingxue would always kick off her blanket and end up cold. The original owner would quietly cover her again, afraid she'd catch a chill.
Now it was her turn.
Su Wanyan smiled softly, went to her cabinet, and pulled out a soft, fluffy blanket. She draped it gently over Mo Xingxue, tucking it around her with care.
Luckily I brought extras, she thought.
Once Mo Xingxue was settled, Su Wanyan climbed into her own bed. The day's exhaustion finally caught up with her, and before long, she drifted off into peaceful sleep.