Chapter 46: Ch 46: Matched Threads and Shifting Fates
While Su Wanyan was quietly fearing for her own future—imagining Mo Xingxue’s suddenly mischievous side turning those same thunderous claps against her—the other guests finally began trickling back down to the living room.
Zhao Yichen appeared alongside the elegant Song Meiyu, both of them looking comfortable but still carrying traces of awkwardness and distance. Close behind came Gu Chengze paired with Lin Xuanyu.
Seeing the two male leads together, Su Wanyan couldn’t help but let out a deep, internal sigh of relief. Luckily fate is really on their side this time.
It was scary just thinking about what chaos might have unfolded if they had been paired with anyone else—their poor partners would have undoubtedly suffered under the weight of that tense, volatile dynamic.
"What happened to her?" Zhao Yichen asked, raising his eyebrows at the sight of Qin Yuran still slumped dramatically on the floor.
Su Wanyan snapped out of her thoughts and offered him a wry smile. "Han Jiho happened," she replied simply.
Zhao Yichen’s confusion only deepened, but he chose not to press for more details. Instead, he walked over to Han Jiho’s side with a remorseful expression. "Sorry, I didn’t get to pick you," he said, voice heavy with genuine regret.
Han Jiho smirked, crossing his arms. "It wasn’t your fault you were dead last," he teased coldly, though a hint of reluctant fondness softened the edge of his words.
Zhao Yichen’s face crumpled into a heartbroken pout, disbelief written all over his features.
Meanwhile, Song Meiyu approached Qin Yuran with gentle concern, kneeling beside her. "What happened to you?" she asked softly, worry evident in her graceful posture.
Qin Yuran looked up with a deeply wronged expression, opened her mouth to speak, then wisely closed it again, clearly afraid of inviting more "discipline." "It’s nothing," she finally muttered, before pulling Song Meiyu into a tight hug.
Song Meiyu patted her back soothingly, though her expression remained disheartened. Su Wanyan observed the scene with a different lens, shaking her head inwardly. This opportunist, she thought, noting Qin Yuran’s pained yet oddly satisfied face as she clung to the elegant omega.
Su Wanyan turned her attention to the PD. "What shall we do now, PD?" she asked, her voice steady. The others quickly grew serious, waiting attentively for instructions.
A moment passed with no reply. PD Xu Cui was still completely absorbed in playing with little Mo Yan, making silly faces and bouncing her gently with a grandfatherly smile. "PD?" Su Wanyan prompted again, more quietly this time.
"Oh!" PD Xu Cui looked up, momentarily startled, as if he had forgotten his professional duties entirely. He cleared his throat, dispersing the awkwardness with a professional nod.
"Now that you know who your dates are, I want you all to get ready," he said, suddenly serious as though the previous moment hadn’t happened. "You all have 45 minutes. After that, we’ll take off."
The guests murmured their understanding and slowly dispersed back to their rooms to prepare.
Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue stayed behind for a moment. "Thank you for looking after Mo Yan, PD," Su Wanyan said warmly.
Mo Xingxue added her own soft thanks before reaching out. "We’ll take it from here, PD."
However, PD Xu Cui skillfully evaded her hands, cradling the baby closer. "I’ll look after her. You two go get ready," he insisted, shooing them away with a playful wave.
Mo Xingxue tried once more. "No, I don’t want to bother you, PD—"
"Pah!" PD Xu Cui made a spitting sound of mock indignation. "Who would consider this little treasure a bother?" He shooed them again more insistently. "Time is running out—go!"
Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue exchanged embarrassed smiles but finally relented. "Then we’ll get her ready after we freshen up," Su Wanyan promised, gently leading Mo Xingxue back toward their room. Behind them, PD Xu Cui simply waved them off and resumed making faces at Mo Yan.
When they had walked a short distance, the two women glanced back one last time. They caught sight of PD Xu Cui pulling exaggerated expressions while Mo Yan laughed loudly, her tiny hands enthusiastically tugging on his goatee.
The PD yelped in playful pain, only making the baby giggle harder. The heartwarming scene brought genuine smiles to both their faces, a wave of relief washing over them as they continued on.
+-+-+-+-+-+
Back in their bedroom, Su Wanyan noticed that the camera the staff had set up earlier had already been removed. The room felt quieter, more private. The two women moved to their respective wardrobes, busying themselves with selecting clothes for the upcoming outing. A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric.
"Oh, you can take a bath first," Su Wanyan offered generously.
Mo Xingxue hummed in acknowledgment. The silence that followed was easy and familiar, like an old, well-worn blanket.
Just like the previous day, Su Wanyan found herself stumped once more by what to wear. She sighed softly, remembering how Mo Xingxue had coordinated their outfits perfectly at the zoo so the three of them matched. Should I ask her for help again? she mused, staring at the array of clothes with mild frustration.
As if the heavens had heard her silent plea, Mo Xingxue’s voice floated over. "Should the three of us match again?"
Su Wanyan turned immediately, nodding with visible relief. "Please, I’m stumped," she admitted honestly.
Mo Xingxue laughed lightly and shook her head. "You should’ve said so from the start," she teased, her phoenix eyes curving with amusement.
Su Wanyan scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "I’ll be sure to tell you in the future," she promised.
Mo Xingxue hummed and walked over to Su Wanyan’s wardrobe, carefully browsing through the options with an elegant, discerning eye. She pulled out pieces thoughtfully, considering colors, styles, and how they would complement both her own and little Mo Yan’s outfits.
Meanwhile, Su Wanyan watched from the sidelines, quietly admiring the beautiful lines of Mo Xingxue’s face—the graceful slope of her neck, the way her long lashes cast soft shadows, the quiet focus in her expression.
Wow... If I had a wife like her, I would be the happiest woman alive, Su Wanyan thought, a gentle warmth blooming in her chest. Then a quieter sigh followed. But alas, this beautiful woman is my best friend. She ignored the slight, inexplicable ache that accompanied the thought.
Once Mo Xingxue finished coordinating their outfits, she announced she would take her bath first and left the room. Su Wanyan was left alone, patiently picking stray blades of grass from her hair.
Suddenly, she remembered the strange incidents from the obstacle course—those inexplicable trips and slips. Oh yeah, what was that about? Su Wanyan wondered, frowning.
As far as she recalled, her form had been perfect, her grip strong, everything flowing naturally thanks to her skills and the potion. Yet she had stumbled at critical moments. Su Wanyan closed her eyes, replaying the scenes.
Both times, Gu Chengze had been right behind her, closing in. Her frown deepened as an ominous feeling settled over her. If it really is plot armor... She shuddered, pushing the thought aside for now.
Still, the question lingered: If that really were the case, how can I and the others escape those clutches?
She recalled stories from her past life—protagonists losing their heavenly luck when key opportunities meant for them were stolen. Su Wanyan’s eyes brightened. She knew all the major opportunities that would come the main couple’s way later: investments, secret connections, hit projects, influential figures. A smirk tugged at her lips. It might be worth trying.
Her heart relaxed slightly. This was something she couldn’t fully address yet—the major plots came after the show. But then she paused, glanced at her phone, and made a decision. Never mind. Let’s test the hypothesis right now.
+-+-+-+-+-+
When Mo Xingxue returned to the room, fresh from her bath and wrapped in a light robe, she found Su Wanyan smiling brightly at her phone, clearly texting someone. "Who’s that?" Mo Xingxue asked, her voice unconsciously sharpening with curiosity.
Su Wanyan looked up and flashed a bright, reassuring smile. "Oh, I was talking to Mo Fangyue," she admitted openly, even tilting the screen toward Mo Xingxue to show the chat.
After verifying it was indeed her sister, Mo Xingxue’s expression softened. A small smile tugged at her lips. "What are you and Mo Fangyue talking about?"
Su Wanyan shrugged casually. "Nothing much. Just checking up."
Mo Xingxue believed her and didn’t press further. Su Wanyan studied her serene smile and tentatively asked, "You two do get along well now, right?" The moment the words left her mouth, she fought the urge to smack herself. Why did you ask that?!
Mo Xingxue paused in her movements, then offered a small but deeply tender smile. "Yes, my sister and I have already made up." She looked straight at Su Wanyan. "You don’t need to worry." She returned to her tasks with graceful calm.
Su Wanyan nodded dazedly, then smiled herself. "That’s good then." She gathered her chosen clothes and headed to the bathroom, leaving the room with a lighter heart.
+-+-+-+-+-+
In the bathroom, warm steam soon filled the air as Su Wanyan washed away the morning’s exertion. She was still dazed by the revelation. In the original novel, the two sisters had never reconciled—not even in their final, tragic moments caused by the main couple. But now.. they had already made up.
Su Wanyan couldn’t help but smile softly under the shower spray. So changing our fate is possible after all, she thought, a quiet hope blooming in her chest as she continued preparing for the day ahead.
