"We're here, Ms. Su," the cameraman said softly from the front seat.
Su Wanyan smiled and nodded. "Thank you." She opened the door, stepped out into the warm afternoon light, and moved to the back to pull out her suitcase. The wheels touched the gravel with a quiet crunch. She straightened and waited patiently by the van, tall frame relaxed, luggage resting beside her.
The staff paused for a moment, hearts softening at the sight. At 180 cm, she towered gently over most of them—Betas used to alphas who strode ahead without a backward glance. But Su Wanyan stood there calmly, sunlight catching the soft waves of her hair, as if hurrying the crew was the last thing on her mind. It was easy to see why children trusted her so completely.
Oblivious to their thoughts, she simply waited until everyone gathered their gear. Then they started up the wide stone stairs together, lined with blooming shrubs that released a faint, sweet scent into the air.
The climb was long, the steps uneven in places, bags heavy on shoulders. Most of the crew breathed a little harder by the halfway mark, but Su Wanyan felt nothing—no strain, no warmth rising in her cheeks, not even a hint of sweat. The potion's quiet strength carried her effortlessly, like walking on flat ground.
Near the top, one of the younger staff members caught her foot on a loose stone. She stumbled forward with a small gasp, equipment bag slipping from her shoulder and thudding down a few steps.
Everyone turned instantly. A couple of crew members hurried over, voices concerned. "Are you okay?"
The woman laughed breathlessly, brushing dirt from her knees. "I'm fine, just clumsy." But fatigue showed in her eyes, she'd been carrying the heaviest lights and stands all day.
Su Wanyan crouched beside her, voice softening the way it did with startled and frightened children in the hospital. "Can you stand? Take your time."
"Yeah.. thank you," the staff member said, cheeks pink from more than just the fall.
Su Wanyan nodded, then reached for the fallen black bag before anyone else could. It was heavy—metal stands clanking inside—but she lifted it easily onto her shoulder.
"I-I can carry that, Ms. Su!" the woman protested, scrambling up.
"It's really fine," Su Wanyan replied with a gentle smile. "I've got it." She didn't wait for more arguments, just turned and continued up the last steps, pace steady and unhurried.
The crew exchanged quiet glances as they followed, warmth spreading in their chests.
+-+-+-+-+-+
Inside the villa's spacious living room, the seven other guests waited on a large, curved sofa that wrapped around a low glass table. Sunlight poured through tall windows, painting the room in golden patches. Conversation had been light, everyone curious about the final arrival.
In the farthest corner sat Mo Xingxue, the celebrated actress whose name carried weight across the industry—youngest ever to win the Golden Rooster Award, and twice at that. In her arms, a four-month-old baby slept peacefully, tiny fists curled against her chest. Mo Yan's soft breaths rose and fell in perfect rhythm, dark hair fine as silk.
Across the circle, Gu Chengze—tall, sharp-featured CEO of Zen Corporation—kept stealing glances her way. His fingers tapped once against his knee, hesitation clear. Just as he drew breath to speak, the front door opened.
All heads turned.
Su Wanyan stepped inside, wheeling her suitcase with one hand, the heavy equipment bag balanced easily on her opposite shoulder. Long black hair with soft side bangs framed her face, catching the light as she moved. Eyes swept the room, met multiple stares, and she offered an apologetic smile before bowing slightly.
"I'm sorry for keeping everyone waiting."
"No, no, it's fine! Come sit!" Zhao Yichen, the warm veteran actor, waved her in with an easy grin. Others echoed welcomes, voices overlapping in friendly reassurance. Only Gu Chengze stayed quiet, gaze drifting back to Mo Xingxue.
Su Wanyan thanked them softly and crossed the room. The only empty spot left was beside Mo Xingxue. She lowered the equipment bag carefully by the wall first, earning a few surprised looks from the guests, then settled onto the sofa with her suitcase parked neatly nearby.
She turned first to the person on her right, offering a polite "Hello" and receiving a friendly nod in return.
Then she faced Mo Xingxue. "Hello," she said again, dipping her head courteously.
Mo Xingxue's cool, elegant features softened into a genuine smile—one that reached her eyes and surprised a few of the others. "It's been a long time, Yanyan."
Su Wanyan's own smile warmed. "Yes, it really has." Memories from the original body surfaced gently: childhood glimpses at fancy parties, two little girls hiding under tables with stolen desserts, whispering about boring speeches.
Before anyone could comment on the familiar greeting, a man with a neat goatee—the PD—stepped into the center of the circle.
"Welcome, everyone," he began, voice carrying easily. "Thank you for joining us." Brief greetings rippled back. He gave a quick overview of the show's format—living together, games, dates, the usual—then smiled. "Since some of you might not know each other well yet, let's do proper introductions. Starting from my right."
He gestured, and the first guest stood with an easy grin.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Han Jiho, musical theater actor, and an Omega."
One by one, they followed.
Qin Ruyan, award-winning actress with bright energy, an Alpha.
Zhao Yichen, the veteran who'd welcomed Su Wanyan, sharing a kind laugh, who was also an Alpha.
And Song Meiyu, renowned TV actress with a sweet voice, who's an Omega.
Introductions moved smoothly around the circle until only four remained.
Gu Chengze rose, posture confident. "Alpha, Gu Chengze, CEO of Zen Corporation." Polite praise and recognition followed from the others, but his eyes returned almost immediately to Mo Xingxue.
Beside him, Lin Xuanyu's lips pressed into a subtle pout. He noticed the glance and stood quickly. "I'm Lin Xuanyu—Omega, model and actor! So happy to be here!" He bowed with dramatic flair, earning claps and chuckles.
Su Wanyan clapped along politely, smile fixed in place even as her inner thoughts stayed carefully blank.
Then she took her turn. Rising smoothly, she offered a wider, gentle smile and a small wave. "I'm Su Wanyan, pediatrician." She paused playfully. "As for my gender.. guess."
Laughter rippled.
"Come on, you're obviously an Alpha," Qin Ruyan teased.
Su Wanyan laughed softly. "Guilty. Yes, I'm an Alpha. Nice to meet you everyone." She bowed again, settling back down.
"Social butterfly already," Zhao Yichen said with approval.
"Oh, not at all," she protested lightly, cheeks warming just a touch.
The room quieted as Mo Xingxue raised a hand. She shifted slightly, careful not to wake the baby. "I'm Mo Xingxue. Omega, actress.. and a mother." Claps followed, warm and sincere.
Su Wanyan's thoughts drifted as the sound faded.
In the novel, Mo Xingxue had been little more than a tragic spark—used to push the main couple together, then discarded. The sleeping baby in her arms was proof of the worst part: Gu Chengze had drugged her one night, leaving her pregnant and alone.
She'd chosen to keep Mo Yan anyway—not out of love for the father, but because she'd always wanted a child and decided to embrace it despite everything.
Su Wanyan is sure that it took real strength to sit calmly in the same room as him.
Gu Chengze had joined the show chasing his "white moonlight," ignoring the feelings of Lin Xuanyu, his current favorite. Later, when Lin Xuanyu finally won him over, he'd demand proof of loyalty—Mo Xingxue's life. Gu Chengze then ended coldly, leaving their baby abandoned.
Su Wanyan glanced sideways at the peaceful infant, then at Mo Xingxue's serene profile.
Not if I can help it.