Mo Xingxue felt a sudden sting behind her eyes as the old memory settled over her like dust on a forgotten shelf.
The regret sat heavy in her chest now.
"..xue.. Xuexue?"
Mo Xingxue blinked, pulling herself back. Su Wanyan was watching her with gentle concern, head tilted slightly.
"Yeah?" she answered, voice softer than she intended.
"Has Mo Yan had her milk yet?" Su Wanyan asked, glancing down at the baby still nestled comfortably in her arms.
The question snapped Mo Xingxue fully awake. She looked at her daughter—tiny lips parted in sleep—and realized she'd completely lost track of time. "Oh! I almost forgot. Thank you for reminding me, Yanyan."
She stood quickly, a faint flush warming her cheeks, and crossed to her suitcase in the corner. Bottles and formula appeared with practiced efficiency, though her hands moved a little faster than usual.
Su Wanyan watched her go, fondness growing quietly in her chest. Mo Xingxue was clearly a devoted mother—every movement careful, every glance at the baby full of quiet love. It made the novel's cruel ending feel even more wrong.
A small squirm drew her attention downward. Mo Yan stirred again, tiny fists flexing. Thanks to the Heart of Nurture skill, the baby's need hummed clearly in Su Wanyan's mind: hunger, simple and insistent. She smiled and rocked gently, soothing the little one until Mo Xingxue returned.
Across the room, the chore discussion wrapped up. Zhao Yichen clapped once, drawing everyone's focus. Mo Xingxue hurried back just in time, reaching out with a grateful nod. Su Wanyan carefully transferred Mo Yan over, making sure the head stayed supported until the baby settled against her mother's chest.
"Okay, everyone," Zhao Yichen said with an easy smile. "Final rundown. Su Wanyan kindly agreed to handle all the cooking." He glanced her way, with a touch of guilt. "Which I feel bad about, but we're hopeless in the kitchen."
Su Wanyan laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Really, it's okay. I'll make sure everyone gets healthy, filling meals." She even held up three fingers in a playful scout-style promise.
Soft laughter spread around the circle. Even Mo Xingxue's cool composure cracked into a quiet chuckle, eyes crinkling at the corners.
Gu Chengze, however, felt his jaw tighten. His fists clenched harder under the table.
An alpha cooking? It was already embarrassing enough to see one stooping to "omega work." Now this woman was making bold promises in front of everyone. He couldn't wait to watch her fail.
A cold scoff escaped him, barely audible.
Zhao Yichen continued smoothly. "Han Jiho and Lin Xuanyu will vacuum. Gu Chengze and Qin Yuran handle groceries. Song Meiyu and Mo Xingxue take care of mopping. I'll manage trash duty. Dishes rotate among everyone except Su Wanyan—sound fair?"
Heads nodded all around, no objections.
"Great," Zhao Yichen said, pulling a simple villa map closer on the coffee table. "Now, rooms. There are eight total, but four are set aside for activities, games, dates—that kind of thing. So we pair up."
He looked around expectantly. "Any preferences?"
Qin Yuran raised her hand first, with bright energy in her voice. "I'd like to room with Su Wanyan—if that's okay with you?" She turned with a friendly grin.
Su Wanyan returned the smile warmly. "Of course."
Zhao Yichen jotted their names down. "That leaves Gu Chengze and me sharing, then."
Before he could write it, Lin Xuanyu's hand shot up. "Wait—there's no rule saying alphas have to room together, right?"
Zhao Yichen blinked, then nodded slowly. "No rule, no. It's just how it is.. usually."
Lin Xuanyu's cheeks pinked dramatically. "Then.." he looked at Gu Chengze's way, and when their eyes met, he looked away shyly. "I'd like to room with CEO Gu Chengze. There are two beds, so it's not weird. I just.. want to." He finished in a rush, looking shyly toward the CEO.
Laughter bubbled up around the room—teasing, lighthearted. "Ooh, someone's got a favorite already," Zhao Yichen said with a wink.
Lin Xuanyu turned even redder. Gu Chengze gave a short nod and a quiet huff—agreement, if not enthusiasm.
Su Wanyan watched without comment. If their feelings developed naturally, without hurting anyone else, she was fine staying out of it.
Qin Yuran raised her hand again, playful glint in her eye. "Well, if we're mixing things up.. I'd actually love to room with Song Meiyu instead. Strike while the iron's hot, right?" She shrugged with a grin.
The room echoed with more laughter. Song Meiyu agreed easily, cheeks warm.
That left Su Wanyan, Mo Xingxue, Zhao Yichen, and Han Jiho.
Han Jiho's eyes lit up like he'd just had a brilliant idea. "Mo Xingxue has little Mo Yan with her. What if she rooms with Su Wanyan? That way, if the baby needs anything medical in the night, the pediatrician's right there." He flashed a sly smile and winked at Zhao Yichen.
Zhao Yichen caught on quick—ratings gold—and nodded approvingly.
Behind the cameras, PD Xu Cui murmured, "Nice one, Jiho," with quiet satisfaction.
The barrage went wild.
[JIHO YOU GENIUS!!]
[Su Wanyan + Mo Xingxue + baby = perfect family package!!]
[They don't even need the rest of the show at this point.]
[MY WIFE!!! RESPECT OUR MARRIAGE!!]
[I just refilled your prescription, upstairs. Take it.]
[These two commenters are my entertainment for the season.]
Su Wanyan froze for a second. In this ABO world, an alpha and omega sharing a room—both women or not—could spark gossip. She didn't care about her own reputation, but Mo Xingxue's? The actress had already been through enough.
She opened her mouth to politely decline.
But Mo Xingxue spoke first, voice calm and melodic. "That makes sense. I'll room with Yanyan."
Su Wanyan's smile stuttered. Wait—what are you doing, movie queen?!
She wanted to protest again, but Zhao Yichen was already writing their names on the board with a satisfied flourish. He added his own and Han Jiho's to the last spot.
"And that's everyone," he announced cheerfully. "Roommates set for the duration."
Su Wanyan sat there a moment, mouth still slightly open in surprise. An alpha and an omega—sure, the other pairs had mixed too, but still.
She glanced sideways. Mo Xingxue met her eyes with a gentle, almost shy smile.
Su Wanyan exhaled quietly and returned a small, resigned smile of her own. "Then.. I'll be in your care."
"Likewise," Mo Xingxue replied softly.
As if in celebration, Mo Yan let out a happy little coo, tiny hand waving.
Well, Su Wanyan thought, torn inwardly between worry and warmth. I'm sure nothing will go wrong.