Chapter 59: Ch 59: Gentle Goodbyes and Lingering Worries
PD Xu Cui cleared his throat, the sound deliberate and practiced as he looked around at the awkward guests. His expression remained professional, but there was that familiar spark of mischief in his eyes—the one that suggested he was already calculating how to turn even this tension into engaging television.
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a sleek black remote, deliberately ignoring the strained silence as he turned on the large wall-mounted TV. The screen flickered to life, revealing footage of a luxurious restaurant interior.
Soft, elegant lighting illuminated polished marble floors that gleamed like still water, crystal chandeliers that sparkled like captured stars overhead, and tables dressed in crisp white linens adorned with delicate floral arrangements that added pops of color without overwhelming the refined space.
Waitstaff moved with graceful precision, carrying plates of meticulously plated dishes that looked almost too beautiful to eat—intricate garnishes, perfectly seared proteins, and sauces swirled with artistic care. The camera panned slowly across the opulent space, highlighting floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a manicured garden bathed in twilight, subtle classical music playing in the background, and an overall sense of exclusivity that screamed high society.
"Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue," PD Xu Cui announced, his tone shifting into that familiar, promotional narrator mode, "you two are going to Tianze."
The screen displayed elegant text overlaying the footage: Tianze—3-Star Michelin Restaurant. PD Xu Cui continued narrating with evident pride, his voice smooth and engaging. "Tianze is one of the most prestigious dining destinations in the country, renowned for its innovative fusion cuisine that blends traditional Chinese techniques with modern international influences. It has held its three Michelin stars for five consecutive years, praised by critics for its impeccable service, breathtaking presentation, and flavors that elevate every ingredient to an art form." PD Xu Cui paused, trying to regain his breath. All of the guests stayed quiet, wondering what was wrong.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, PD Xu Cui continued as if nothing happened—causing the guests to look at him weirdly, to which he shrugged off. "Reservations are booked months in advance, and it’s a favorite among celebrities, business elites, and food connoisseurs worldwide. Tonight, you’ll experience a private dining experience that captures the essence of refined elegance."
Su Wanyan, who had regained most of her composure but whose slightly swollen eyes still betrayed her earlier outburst, nodded politely at PD Xu Cui. Mo Xingxue also nodded, a quiet look of amazement crossing her elegant features.
She knew how notoriously difficult it was to secure a reservation at Tianze—even she had only managed it once before, through careful connections and timing. The fact that the production team had pulled it off spoke volumes about the show’s resources.
The barrage reacted with immediate excitement:
[Dang, forget Su Wanyan’s and Gu Chengze’s issue for now, GO EAT ALREADY!]
[FR, JUST LET US GLIMPSE OF THE LEGENDARY FOODS THERE.]
[We beg of you, let us view it.]
[Sigh..... I want to go there too, but poverty....]
[I can take you there, if you want.]
[Oh, for real? You’ll treat me?]
[Of course not, I don’t have the money for that.]
[Tsk, then why propose that idea.]
[Hey, I only said I’ll take you there. I didn’t say I’ll treat you there, smh.]
[Am I the only worried what people will think about Su Wanyan’s swollen eyes? (crying)]
PD Xu Cui continued narrating the assignments for the other pairs with the same energetic flair. Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze were assigned a high-end rooftop bar with panoramic city views. Zhao Yichen and Song Meiyu chose a serene traditional tea house experience.
Qin Yuran and Han Jiho were headed to a lively night market known for its street food and vibrant atmosphere. The guests listened attentively, some nodding with interest, others exchanging quiet glances as they pondered on what to eat.
After wrapping up the announcements, PD Xu Cui clapped his hands once, the sound sharp and decisive. "Now then, go on," he said with a small, satisfied smile.
The guests let out a collective sigh of relief, glad for the excuse to move and leave the lingering tension behind. The guests stood up and began gathering their things and preparing to depart.
Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue were about to follow when PD Xu Cui called out again. "Wait, wait," he said, raising a hand.
The two women turned back, confusion etched on their faces. "What’s wrong, PD?" Su Wanyan asked, her voice still carrying a faint nasal quality from earlier.
PD Xu Cui smiled brightly at them, a fawning look in his eyes. "You two aren’t really planning to bring Mo Yan to your date, right?"
Mo Xingxue glanced at Su Wanyan, then back at the PD. "Uh, we were planning to bring Mo Yan with us," she said, her tone laced with confusion. "Is something wrong?"
PD Xu Cui puffed out his chest slightly. "No, nothing’s wrong," he replied, his nose practically in the air. "This is a love variety show. I was expecting the audience to focus on the two of you for now." He paused, then added, "And who will take care of Mo Yan?"
Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue exchanged another look, finally understanding where this was going. PD Xu Cui continued with enthusiasm, "The Tianze Restaurant has a high-end mall nearby. I plan to take Mo Yan there along with some crew members. It’ll be a nice little outing for the baby while you two enjoy your dinner."
Mo Xingxue hummed thoughtfully, then nodded. "Fine by me."
Su Wanyan, still processing, looked at Mo Xingxue for confirmation before agreeing. "If Mo Xingxue already agreed, of course I have to as well."
PD Xu Cui’s eyes practically sparkled like a puppy’s. "Then, shall we go?"
Mo Xingxue smiled. "Let’s go."
They left the villa and boarded their assigned van, the refreshing afternoon air brushed against their skin as they stepped outside.
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Inside the vehicle, the seats were comfortable leather, the interior softly lit with ambient lighting. Su Wanyan looked at Mo Xingxue, wanting to say something but hesitating. Mo Xingxue noticed and smiled gently at her. "Just say what you want to say."
Su Wanyan pursed her lips and glanced at the sleeping baby secured in the baby seat. "Is it really alright to leave Mo Yan with PD Xu Cui?" she asked hesitantly, her voice laced with worry.
Mo Xingxue arched an elegant eyebrow, encouraging her to continue. Su Wanyan fiddled gently with the baby’s tiny hand. "What if something happens to her at the mall and we aren’t there?" The concern was raw in her tone, her protective instincts flaring brightly.
Mo Xingxue smiled at her anxious alpha. "PD Xu Cui will look after her though?"
Su Wanyan still fiddled with Mo Yan’s hand, worry evident on her face. "I know, but still.... I can’t help but worry." Her mind spun with worst-case scenarios—what if Mo Yan was accidentally left behind? What if something unexpected happened in the crowded mall? The thoughts made her grimace, her heart refusing to settle.
Mo Xingxue watched Su Wanyan’s anxious expression and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "You’re worrying more than I am," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement tinged with tenderness.
Deep down, Mo Xingxue was also concerned about leaving her daughter, but PD Xu Cui’s reputation was one of the cleanest in the industry despite the cutthroat nature of entertainment. "I understand what you’re feeling, but let’s trust him, okay?" She extended her hand to gently fiddle with Mo Yan’s other tiny fingers.
Su Wanyan looked at her, then at Mo Yan, and sighed. "Okay...." Su Wanyan wasn’t fully relaxed, but the worry eased slightly. Mo Xingxue smiled at her docile action, a quiet satisfaction blooming in her chest.
While they were wrapped in their domestic atmosphere, the barrage couldn’t calm down.
[AHHHH, I WANT AN ALPHA LIKE THIS!]
[PLEASE GOD, GIVE ME AN ALPHA THAT HAS AT LEAST HALF OF SU WANYAN’S PERSONALITY!]
[Heh, all of you are simping for Su Wanyan but here I am yearning for Mo Xingxue.]
[Back off, dude. Do you want Su Wanyan to punch you too?]
[LOL! But it was really satisfying seeing him get punched like that.]
[Fr, it was a well-deserved punch.]
[Yep, yep. And how dare he maliciously slander our Xuexue?]
[Fr, fr.]
[Wait, what did I miss? The psycho asked me to drink medicine. Can someone kindly enlighten me? As a favor, I’ll let you guys request me for one thing.]
[Upstairs, in summary, Gu Chengze said outrageous things to the other guests and Mo Xingxue, and Su Wanyan lost it and punched him. It was quite satisfying.]
[Oh, really? Thank you for that.]
[Upstairs, you said you’ll let someone request something for you if they answered you, right?]
[Hm? Yeah, why? Wait.... OH, WAIT, PSYCHO? NEVERMIND I TAKE IT BACK!]
[Upstairs, open your door.]
[Can you give that poor person a break? (crying)]
Meanwhile, Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue continued to enjoy the smooth ride, the peace and quiet bringing a sense of calm after the chaotic time in the villa.
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The van slowed to a smooth stop in front of the upscale mall, its sleek black exterior gleaming under the bright afternoon sun. It was around 12:03 PM, the perfect time when the city buzzed with midday energy but the heat hadn’t yet reached its peak.
Sunlight poured down in warm, golden waves, reflecting off the mall’s polished glass facade and casting long, elegant shadows across the paved drop-off area.
The air carried the faint, bustling scent of the city—fresh coffee from nearby cafés, the subtle floral notes from landscaped planters lining the entrance, and the clean, metallic tang of passing cars. Pedestrians moved at a leisurely pace, some chatting on phones, others carrying shopping bags, creating a lively but not overwhelming backdrop.
Su Wanyan carefully unbuckled the baby seat from its secure base in the van, her movements deliberate and gentle to avoid disturbing the still-sleeping Mo Yan. The straps clicked softly as they released, and she lifted the entire carrier with practiced ease, cradling it securely in her arms. The baby’s peaceful face—chubby cheeks flushed with sleep, tiny lashes casting faint shadows—tugged at her heartstrings.
Another van pulled up smoothly right beside them. Its door slid open with a quiet mechanical hum, and PD Xu Cui stepped out, his goatee neatly trimmed and his usual energetic smile in place. He looked ready for the day’s adventures, clipboard in hand and a small crew trailing behind him.
Su Wanyan stepped down from the van first, the sunlight warming her skin as her feet touched the pavement. She held Mo Yan’s carrier close, her posture protective. "PD, please take care of our Mo Yan," she said, trying to keep her voice composed. But the slight tremor in her words betrayed the anxiousness swirling in her chest—a motherly worry that refused to fully settle.
Mo Xingxue followed gracefully, stepping out with a small cream-colored bag filled with all of Mo Yan’s essentials slung over her shoulder. "Here, PD," she said, handing it over. Her eyes smiled, though a subtle sharpness lingered beneath the surface.
PD Xu Cui accepted the bag with a bright, reassuring grin. "Rest assured," he said, laughing boisterously in his usual larger-than-life manner. "I’ll look after Mo Yan really well."
Mo Xingxue’s smile turned a touch sharper, a dangerous glint flickering in her phoenix eyes despite the light tone. "If something happened to my baby...." she trailed off, laughing lightly, but the words carried an unmistakable edge—a mother’s quiet threat that sent a visible shiver through the nearby crew. "You’ll know what will happen, right, PD?"
PD Xu Cui smiled nervously, sweat beading slightly on his forehead. "O—of course," he stuttered, looking at the terrifying yet elegant demon before him. "I won’t let something happen to her. Not even a strand of her hair would be damaged."
Su Wanyan felt her eyes water as PD Xu Cui carefully took the baby carrier from her arms. "Take care, little Yan," she whispered, waving a small goodbye to the sleeping baby. Her voice cracked just a little, the separation hitting harder than she expected.
Mo Xingxue moved behind her and patted her back lightly, offering silent comfort. Su Wanyan hastily wiped at her watering eyes, her glasses nearly slipping from the vigorous motion.
PD Xu Cui looked between the two women and couldn’t help but wonder inwardly, So who really is the alpha between you two? He wisely kept the thought to himself, waving them off with an enthusiastic smile. Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue waved back, their expressions a mix of reluctance and trust, before climbing back into their van.
Once settled in their seats, Su Wanyan kept glancing out the window toward the other van heading to the underground parking lot. She let out another soft sigh, worry still knotting her chest. Mo Xingxue noticed and reached over, taking Su Wanyan’s hand in hers. Her fingers were warm and reassuring as she interlaced them. "She’ll be fine, Yanyan. She’ll be fine," Mo Xingxue said softly, trying to comfort both her alpha and herself.
Su Wanyan looked at her, then at their joined hands, and finally nodded. "Yeah.. she’ll be fine." The words helped ease the knot in her heart, even if only a little. The van hummed forward, carrying them toward their elegant dinner destination, the afternoon sun painting the city in vibrant, hopeful light.
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Hey, guys! So, I’m not sure if y’all saw the review that said they wanted angst, but it made me.. interested. VERY INTERESTED. I won’t say much, but do prepare your hearts for a lil bit of angst. That’s all, bye ;P!
