Chapter 85: Ch 85: Pre-Dawn Preparations and Family Warmth
The world was still wrapped in the deep, velvety blue of pre-dawn, the kind of quiet that feels almost sacred. The villa lay hushed, with only the faint rustle of leaves outside and the soft, rhythmic breathing of sleeping children filling the air. Su Wanyan lay there, her face soft and unguarded in sleep, breath slow and even.
On top of her rested little Mo Yan, sleeping peacefully with a tiny pool of drool soaking into Su Wanyan’s shirt. The baby’s small hand clutched Shen Guoxing’s finger, who lay curled beside her beloved aunt—or rather, the woman she had come to see as her own mother. Shen Guoxing’s breathing was steady and calm, no longer needing the support of oxygen after her successful surgery.
Parallel to Su Wanyan’s chaotic bed, Mo Xingxue lay sleeping peacefully. The soft pre-dawn light filtered through the curtains, illuminating her ethereal face with a gentle, almost otherworldly glow.
Just then, Su Wanyan’s eyes fluttered open. Although awake, her mind was still slowly loading, caught between dreams and reality. After processing everything, Su Wanyan then moved with careful tenderness, gently and slowly easing Shen Guoxing’s arm from around her, making sure not to wake the slumbering child.
After confirming Shen Guoxing was still sleeping peacefully, Su Wanyan turned her attention to Mo Yan. She carefully supported the baby’s back and bottom with both hands, then slowly and gently sat up, keeping Mo Yan steady against her chest. The baby stirred slightly, letting out a tiny murmur, but thanks to Su Wanyan’s practiced, soothing movements, she remained asleep.
Seeing that, Su Wanyan breathed a quiet sigh of relief and gently lowered Mo Yan onto the bed beside Shen Guoxing. She then eased herself out of bed and stretched her stiff body, letting out a soft yawn that echoed faintly in the quiet room.
Su Wanyan glanced toward the window, where the first hints of dawn were beginning to lighten the sky, and then at Mo Xingxue. As always, she moved to place a blanket over her friend, but noticed the blanket had somehow slipped to the floor.
Su Wanyan let out a soft, fond chuckle. She crossed the room on silent feet, bent down, and retrieved the blanket. With the same tenderness she showed the children, she gently draped it back over Mo Xingxue’s form. The sleeping woman instinctively snuggled closer to the added warmth, a small, contented sigh leaving her lips.
Su Wanyan’s smile deepened. She reached out, smoothing a stray lock of hair from Mo Xingxue’s forehead, her touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. Memories from yesterday surfaced—how easily she had pressed a kiss to that very temple.
Su Wanyan’s lips pursed. She glanced back at the two sleeping children, then slowly bent down. Her lips brushed softly against Mo Xingxue’s warm temple in a feather-light peck. The contact was brief, almost chaste, but it sent a rush of heat flooding Su Wanyan’s face. She straightened immediately, cheeks burning bright red.
A quiet cough escaped her as she tried to compose herself, quickly adjusting the blanket once more. Heart pounding, she slipped out of the room, unaware that someone’s eyes had cracked open the moment she left—a soft, knowing smile curving her lips in the dim light.
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In the bathroom, Su Wanyan splashed cool water on her still-flushed face. Why did you do that, Su Wanyan?! She scolded herself silently, staring at her reflection. The blush refused to fade. She sighed, pressing her palms to her warm cheeks. I don’t know what’s happening to me anymore.....
Deciding that overthinking would only make things worse, she pushed the thoughts aside and went through her morning routine—brushing her teeth, washing her face—with deliberate calm. Out of sight, out of mind. A small, rueful smile touched her lips as she dried her face.
When she returned to the bedroom, the sight that greeted her made her pause. The three people she cherished most in the world were still sleeping peacefully: Shen Guoxing now hugged her little meimei, while Mo Yan smiled faintly in her sleep, tiny fingers clutching her jiejie’s sleeve.
Warm energy bloomed in Su Wanyan’s chest, stronger and sweeter than anything the Perfect Foundation Potion could provide. She lingered in the doorway for a long moment, simply watching them, letting the quiet joy fill her.
Then practicality returned. Right. The suitcases, Su Wanyan thought, sighing quietly.
She stretched once more and moved to gather the luggage. Thanks to the potion’s enhancements, the heavy cases felt lighter than feathers. Truly amazing, she thought with quiet appreciation as she carried them out to the living room one by one. If only it had improved my eyesight too.... She sighed softly at the missed opportunity.
By the time she finished arranging the last suitcase, her watch read at 5:36 AM. Shen Guoxing had stirred enough to embrace Mo Yan more fully, and the baby’s smile had grown. Su Wanyan took out her phone, snapped a quick, precious photo of the two, then tucked it away again. She still had time—PD Xu Cui wouldn’t be knocking until closer to 6:45 AM, just as the novel had described.
Moving with quiet efficiency, Su Wanyan headed to the kitchen to prepare a light breakfast and several lunch boxes. A hearty meal might not sit well during the long van ride ahead. She worked swiftly, her Culinary Alchemy guiding her hands instinctively—balancing flavors, ensuring everything was nourishing yet gentle on the stomach. She packed portions for Mo Xingxue, Shen Guoxing, and Mo Yan, and even for the other guests.. except Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze.
At the thought of them, a mischievous, almost playful smile tugged at Su Wanyan’s lips. She had no intention of waking them early or sharing food. Let them arrive at the countryside hungry, just as the story had unfolded. A small act of petty justice.
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After finishing her preparations in the kitchen, Su Wanyan glanced at her watch and saw it was already 6:09 AM. She calmly removed her apron, folded it neatly, and set it aside. With a soft smile playing on her lips, she walked back to their room, determined to wake Mo Xingxue first.
"Xuexue," she called out gently, her voice warm and soothing like a morning breeze. This time, Mo Xingxue stirred surprisingly easily, cracking her eyes open and looking up at Su Wanyan with sleepy, half-lidded eyes.
"What’s wrong, Yanyan?" Mo Xingxue asked, her voice drawn out and still heavy with sleep, sounding adorably drowsy. Su Wanyan smiled, reaching out to smooth Mo Xingxue’s unruly hair with tender fingers. "I made breakfast," she replied gently.
Mo Xingxue yawned softly and stretched out her arms toward Su Wanyan in a silent request to be carried. Su Wanyan shook her head with fond indulgence, a doting smile lighting up her face. She gently scooped Mo Xingxue up, who cooperated easily, and carried the still half-asleep woman toward the kitchen.
After settling Mo Xingxue safely on one of the chairs, Su Wanyan gave her soft instructions. "Stay here and be good, okay? I’ll get the children," she said. Mo Xingxue nodded sleepily, and Su Wanyan smiled at her well-behaved appearance before leaving the dining room.
Once Su Wanyan had stepped out, Mo Xingxue shed the half-asleep act like a cloak. A teasing smirk crept across her face as she murmured to herself, "She must have forgotten that I’m an actress." She chuckled quietly, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief.
Meanwhile, back in their room, Su Wanyan was trying to rouse the deep sleeper Shen Guoxing. "Xing’er, Xing’er," she called out softly, a helpless smile on her face. To no avail—Shen Guoxing remained dead asleep, hugging her meimei close. Su Wanyan shook her head in disbelief, murmuring fondly, "Sometimes I wonder how you sometimes feel like you took after Xuexue."
After trying for a bit longer, Shen Guoxing finally stirred. "Aunt?" she asked in confusion, her soft, delicate voice still thick with sleep. Su Wanyan smiled, "Come on, I made breakfast for you," she said, already carrying little Mo Yan in her arms.
Miraculously, the baby was still deeply asleep. Seeing that, Su Wanyan shook her head again. Did the two of them take after Mo Xingxue? she wondered inwardly, feeling both helpless and endlessly fond.
Shen Guoxing sat up, blinked the sleepiness from her eyes, and stretched out her arms toward Su Wanyan for a carry. Su Wanyan opened her mouth in playful disbelief. "Even this," she thought, shaking her head with amusement. She bent down and lifted both children, carrying them steadily toward the dining table.
When they arrived, they saw that Mo Xingxue still hadn’t touched the food. "Why haven’t you started eating yet?" Su Wanyan questioned as she gently placed Shen Guoxing on the chair beside hers.
Mo Xingxue smiled at her warmly. "I was waiting for you guys," she said, her voice soft and genuine. Just then, Shen Guoxing suddenly hopped down and moved to Mo Xingxue’s side. "Aunt Xingxue, ups," she said, stretching out her arms. Mo Xingxue chuckled and gently scooped her up, placing the child on her lap. Shen Guoxing immediately softened against her, content and relaxed.
Seeing the sweet scene, Su Wanyan let out a soft chuckle. "Let’s eat then?" she asked. The others nodded, and the little family of four began their meal together, savoring the peaceful silence the early dawn offered them. Though the morning air outside was cool, their hearts felt wonderfully warm in this quiet, shared moment.
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Our Chapter for today! A bit late, since I almost fell asleep LMAO.
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