Chapter 58: Ch 58: Heavy Silences and Awkward Arrival
The living room had fallen into an uncomfortable, heavy silence. The only audible sound was Su Wanyan’s soft, intermittent sniffing as she clung tightly to Mo Xingxue and little Mo Yan.
She remained kneeling in front of the sofa, her face buried against Mo Xingxue’s shoulder, arms wrapped protectively around both mother and child as if shielding them from the world.
The golden afternoon light streaming through the windows cast a warm but bittersweet glow over the scene, highlighting the quiet vulnerability of the moment.
Mo Xingxue stayed steady, one arm cradling Mo Yan securely while the other wrapped around Su Wanyan. She didn’t speak at first, simply letting her presence be the anchor Su Wanyan needed. Her fingers moved gently through Su Wanyan’s soft hair in slow, soothing strokes, offering silent comfort for her..... Best friend? Lover? Fiancee? Mo Xingxue’s thoughts paused.
We’ll worry about labels later, Mo Xingxue thought, a complex swirl of emotions—tenderness, protectiveness, and something deeper—filling her chest. For now, all that mattered was comforting the person who had become her unwavering support.
She noticed the concerned glances from the other guests and offered them a small, reassuring smile, silently telling them not to worry. Her attention returned to Su Wanyan, who was still kneeling there, hugging them fiercely. Mo Xingxue couldn’t help but sigh helplessly.
Su Wanyan had always been a big crybaby—but only when it came to her. It was a side of the alpha that few ever saw: a sensitive, soft heart hidden behind immense self-control. Whenever Mo Xingxue was troubled or aggrieved, Su Wanyan’s protective instincts would surface, and with them, those quiet tears.
"Stop crying, Su Wanyan," Mo Xingxue said finally, her tone firm yet laced with undeniable tenderness. "There are many people watching you."
Su Wanyan lifted her head slightly, eyes red and watery. "Hic.. hic.. it’s because he—he was dam—damaging your reputation," she managed between hiccups, her voice nasal and broken. "You—you built your reputation from your own skills alone, but—but he was ru—ruining it by.. slandering you." Fresh tears welled up as she finished, sniffing pitifully.
Mo Xingxue smiled wryly and patted Su Wanyan’s back in slow circles. "Hey, it’s okay. I’m aware that it isn’t true, so why should I get affected by what he said?"
Little Mo Yan, nestled in her mother’s other arm, stared at Gu Chengze with wide eyes and kicked her tiny feet angrily, as if defending her mother in her own small way.
Gu Chengze watched the intimate interaction with burning jealousy and fury. That slut, he thought venomously, eyes fixed on Mo Xingxue. His jaw clenched so tightly it ached. He was ready to lash out again when a soft, comforting hand touched his.
He looked down to find Lin Xuanyu gazing at him with worried eyes. The touch grounded him. Gu Chengze calmed, nodding in appreciation. Lin Xuanyu smiled gently, and Gu Chengze’s heart softened. Yes, this is how an omega should be.
His gaze returned to Mo Xingxue, dark obsession dripping from his eyes alongside a twisted longing. He hadn’t wanted to say those cruel words earlier, but jealousy had consumed him at the sight of their lovey-dovey behavior—even his own child seemed more comfortable in Su Wanyan’s arms. Gu Chengze conveniently ignored the reality of their past, rewriting it in his mind as passionate and mutual.
He snapped out of his thoughts as Su Wanyan nuzzled closer to Mo Xingxue’s neck—close to her gland, in his distorted perception (though she was actually resting against her collarbone). His fury reignited.
A familiar whisper reached him. "Do you want me to help you chase her?"
Gu Chengze turned. Lin Xuanyu was smiling at him slyly.
Gu Chengze pursed his lips, then smiled back. As expected of one of my favorite canaries—he’s willing to help me secure my main wife, Gu Chengze thought with satisfaction. "Oh?" he drew out, lowering his voice so the nearby mics wouldn’t catch it. "What do you have in mind?"
Lin Xuanyu’s smile deepened, full of cunning calculation.
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As hidden schemes lurked just beneath the surface—dark intentions brewing in shadowed glances and whispered words—Mo Xingxue remained focused entirely on the woman in her arms.
"Stop crying, Yanyan," Mo Xingxue said finally, her voice firm yet laced with undeniable tenderness. "The Su family will see this."
In response, Su Wanyan didn’t stop. Fresh tears continued to fall as she mumbled, "Let them.. they kn-know I’m a crybaby and have lo-long given up on making me change." There wasn’t an ounce of embarrassment in her words—just raw honesty.
Mo Xingxue sighed again, looking at Su Wanyan’s tear-streaked face and then at Mo Yan’s calm, well-behaved expression. So, who’s the real baby between you two? Mo Xingxue thought wryly, a small, helpless smile tugging at her lips.
She tried a different approach. "Look, you’re crying so miserably, while Mo Yan is just looking at you," Mo Xingxue said gently, hoping to appeal to Su Wanyan’s pride. "Will you really show this uncool version of you in front of Mo Yan?"
As she hoped, Su Wanyan’s sniffling slowed. She lifted her head, eyes wide and red-rimmed, then straightened up with surprising speed. She sat neatly beside Mo Xingxue on the sofa, looking as though nothing had happened, though her eyes were still swollen and glistening. She wiped at her tears hastily. "You’re right.. I can’t show Mo Yan this loser side of me," she muttered, still sniffling softly.
Mo Xingxue chuckled softly, a spark of amusement in her eyes. So only Mo Yan can calm you down? Mo Xingxue thought, pleased to have discovered another gentle weapon in her arsenal for handling her overly protective alpha.
After Su Wanyan finished wiping her eyes, Mo Xingxue took one look at her and burst into quiet laughter. "Yo—you’re eyes are so swollen," she managed between soft chuckles, covering her mouth delicately.
Su Wanyan pouted but made no effort to stop her. As long as Mo Xingxue forgets what that bastard of a male lead said, I don’t mind being a laughing stock, she thought helplessly. She looked at the still-laughing Mo Xingxue and felt a fresh surge of grievances on her behalf, her chest tightening painfully.
It’s really unfortunate that she became Gu Chengze’s White Moonlight, Su Wanyan reflected with deep heartache. In the original novel, Gu Chengze was portrayed as a scumbag with countless lovers, yet he obsessively longed for his "pure" White Moonlight—believing only Mo Xingxue was worthy of conquest.
She hadn’t flattered him upon learning he was the CEO of Zen Corporation, nor had she fallen for his looks or status. Her elegant etiquette, prestigious family background, and cold rejections only fueled his fixation.
Su Wanyan recalled the chilling details: Gu Chengze had first approached Mo Xingxue when she was just fifteen and he was twenty, offering her money for a night of passion. Mo Xingxue had coldly rejected him. The memory made Su Wanyan shudder. What kind of adult propositions a minor?
From that day on, he had pestered her relentlessly until he convinced himself it was true love. Eventually, Mo Xingxue had been tragically entangled in his and Lin Xuanyu’s chaotic story, leading to her heartbreaking fate.
Recalling the plot in full now—especially with the original owner’s memories fully integrated—Su Wanyan felt far more than simple pity. A profound, protective ache bloomed in her chest. Her eyes watered again, but this time she refused to let the tears fall.
She reached out and wrapped her hands gently over Mo Xingxue’s, squeezing with quiet resolve. I’ll never let him hurt you two, she vowed silently, emotionally or physically.
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Thick tension lingered in the villa’s living room like a heavy fog that refused to lift. The golden afternoon light still streamed through the tall windows, but its warmth felt distant now, almost mocking against the strained atmosphere.
Su Wanyan remained seated close to Mo Xingxue, one arm protectively on top of Mo Xingxue’s, while the other played with little Mo Yan’s. Her eyes were still slightly swollen from crying, though she had managed to compose herself somewhat.
Mo Xingxue sat gracefully beside her, one hand resting gently on Su Wanyan’s back in quiet support, while her other arm cradled their daughter. The three of them formed a small, tight-knit circle of warmth amid the uncomfortable quiet that had settled over the entire group.
The other guests shifted awkwardly on the sofas, exchanging uneasy glances but saying little. The earlier confrontation with Gu Chengze still hung in the air, raw and unresolved. Even the usually boisterous Qin Yuran and Zhao Yichen had fallen uncharacteristically silent, their earlier playful energy dampened by the heavy mood.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness. PD Xu Cui finally entered the living room with his usual stride, clipboard in hand and a cheerful expression on his face. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting!" he announced brightly, completely unaware of the storm that had just passed through the room.
He expected the typical reaction—perhaps some applause for moving things along, or at least a few good-natured complaints about the long wait. Instead, he was met with complete, almost oppressive silence. The guests stared at him with varying degrees of exhaustion, wariness, and lingering tension.
PD Xu Cui blinked rapidly, his cheerful smile faltering for a moment as he scanned the room. Did something happen? PD Xu Cui wondered, tilting his head slightly. Then he shrugged it off internally. Eh, whatever. I’ll find out when I review the footage later anyway. The thought brought a small, private chuckle to his mind.
"So tense!" he continued, trying to lighten the mood with his usual dramatic flair. "Did you all finally fight? How wonderful!" he clapped his hands together enthusiastically, expecting laughter or at least some playful groans.
Instead, the mood grew even heavier. A few guests shifted uncomfortably, while others shot him flat, unamused looks. The silence stretched on, thick and awkward.
Ooh, I messed up, PD Xu Cui thought, realizing his joke had landed like a lead balloon. He smiled wryly, rubbing the back of his neck as he took in the strained expressions around him. Hmm, how troublesome. He shook his head slightly, already mentally noting to review the recent footage as soon as possible. The lively energy he had hoped to build upon had clearly been disrupted by something significant.
The living room remained quiet, the earlier playful banter and domestic warmth now overshadowed by unresolved tension. PD Xu Cui cleared his throat, preparing to move forward with the schedule despite the heavy atmosphere, while hidden schemes and protective affections continued to simmer just beneath the surface among the guests.
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Guys, the fluff will return next Chapter. And of course I’ll make it sweet as heck, to the point that ants will surround you and your teeth will rot (kidding). Also, don’t be shy to comment your thoughts. Your fellow readers bite, but I don’t—so don’t worry!
Oh, oh, AND! I have been making some progress on ways to tortur—COUGH! COUGH! Ahem, I apologize for coughing... I’m sick (ifykyk). Anyway, I have new ways to.. reward Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze... That’s all :D!
