As the sun dipped lower, painting the villa's living room in warm golden hues that softened every edge, the eight guests continued chatting in loose clusters.
Laughter rose and fell like gentle waves. On the left side of the large curved sofa, Qin Yuran had shifted closer to Su Wanyan, her energy bright and playful as she recounted some exaggerated story from a past filming set. Su Wanyan listened with an easy smile, occasionally letting out soft laughter at the other alpha's animated gestures.
Their two partners sat nearby—Song Meiyu on Qin Yuran's other side, and Mo Xingxue beside Su Wanyan, the baby still nestled peacefully in her arms for now.
"Bro, I'm really sorry about changing my mind earlier," Qin Yuran said suddenly, referring to her roommate switch. She rubbed the back of her neck, looking genuinely sheepish.
Su Wanyan waved it off with a kind smile. "It's nothing. This is a love variety show, after all." Her gentle expression shifted into a teasing smirk, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Qin Yuran caught the change and burst into laughter, playfully swatting Su Wanyan's shoulder. Su Wanyan laughed along, the sound was light and warm. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Song Meiyu glancing their way—shy, almost hopeful, her gaze lingering softly on Qin Yuran.
Su Wanyan's teasing smirk widened. She raised both eyebrows dramatically, tilting her head toward Song Meiyu in silent suggestion.
Qin Yuran blinked in confusion, then turned. When she spotted Song Meiyu, a foolish grin spread across her face.
Su Wanyan rolled her eyes in fond amusement at the sudden cowardice and gave Qin Yuran a gentle push on the shoulder, urging her closer. Qin Yuran swatted back at Su Wanyan's knee in playful retaliation before finally turning fully toward her intended roommate, voice dropping into something softer.
Su Wanyan shook her head, still chuckling quietly to herself. She had expected Qin Yuran to be bolder, but the other alpha was clearly shyer than her outgoing personality suggested. She made a mental note to tease her about it properly later.
Just then, a loud, piercing cry cut through the relaxed atmosphere.
Everyone's attention shifted. Su Wanyan looked immediately to her side—specifically to the small bundle in Mo Xingxue's arms.
Mo Yan had woken up fussing, her tiny face scrunched in discomfort.
Mo Xingxue met Su Wanyan's gaze with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry," she murmured, voice low so as not to disturb the others more than necessary.
Su Wanyan shook her head gently. "It's fine."
Mo Xingxue thanked her quietly and stood, moving a few steps away from the main camera's direct line while still cradling Mo Yan close to her chest. She rocked the baby with practiced care, murmuring soft words of comfort. But Mo Yan's cries only grew louder, sharp and insistent, as if searching for something—or someone.
The other guests turned their heads with concerned glances. Even the staff paused their quiet movements in the background.
The live barrage reacted instantly.
[Wow, Movie Queen Mo's baby has some serious lungs! Future singer material?]
[That cry is louder than my mom yelling for dinner.]
[This is exactly why I'm never having kids.]
[No one asked.]
[LOL]
Mo Xingxue's elegant brows furrowed in clear worry. She continued rocking, whispering gentle pleas for calm, but nothing seemed to soothe the little one. The baby's cries carried that particular edge of genuine distress.
Su Wanyan watched the troubled expression on Mo Xingxue's face and stood without hesitation. She crossed the short distance and spoke softly. "Let me try."
Mo Xingxue hesitated, embarrassment coloring her cheeks, but the steady, gentle determination in Su Wanyan's eyes won her over. She carefully passed Mo Yan into Su Wanyan's waiting arms.
Su Wanyan took the baby with skilled confidence—cradling the head first, then supporting the body in that secure, familiar way only experienced hands could manage.
Almost immediately, Mo Yan's cries quieted. The baby's tense little body relaxed, tiny fists unclenching as she nestled closer with a soft sigh.
Mo Xingxue's eyes widened in genuine astonishment. "How did you do that so quickly?"
In the past, Mo Yan's fussing episodes could stretch on for hours. Su Wanyan simply smiled and shrugged lightly, continuing to cradle the now-content baby with small, rhythmic rocks.
In truth, the Heart of Nurture skill had activated the moment she took hold—sensing the baby's needs clearly and instinctively guiding her movements. But she couldn't exactly explain that here.
Seeing the situation calm, the other guests returned to their conversations, though they kept their voices noticeably lower out of consideration.
The barrage, however, had no such restraint.
[SHIT, THEY LOOK SO PERFECT TOGETHER!!]
[GET MARRIED ALREADY, YOU TWO!!]
[I'm officially shipping them—anyone else in?]
[Me!]
[+1]
[+2]
[+3]
...
Though Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue had stepped slightly out of the main camera's frame, the villa was filled with multiple angles. One side camera captured the moment clearly: the tall, gentle alpha holding the baby with natural ease, while the elegant omega watched with open adoration.
The two at the center of the growing frenzy remained blissfully unaware.
Su Wanyan focused entirely on little Mo Yan, cooing softly under her breath. She's so cute, she thought warmly. The baby's features were a perfect miniature of Mo Xingxue's—delicate brows, soft cheeks, the same elegant nose in tiny form.
Just then, Mo Yan's little brows furrowed in a familiar way, mirroring the exact expression Mo Xingxue had worn earlier when worried. Su Wanyan couldn't help a gentle chuckle.
Mo Xingxue noticed the sudden laughter and turned her piercing gaze toward Su Wanyan, curiosity clear in her eyes.
Su Wanyan felt the look and cleared her throat, pretending to be absorbed in the baby.
Mo Xingxue pouted slightly, noticing the deliberate avoidance. She opened her mouth to ask directly—when a small, unmistakable sound escaped from Mo Yan, followed by an immediate foul smell that enveloped their small space.
Su Wanyan's skill confirmed it instantly: a dirty diaper.
Mo Xingxue froze. "..."
Su Wanyan: "..."
Mo Xingxue's face flushed pink on her daughter's behalf. "I'm so sorry!" she said quickly, reaching out to take Mo Yan back.
Before she could, Zhao Yichen called her name from across the room, needing a quick word about something show-related.
Mo Xingxue looked visibly torn—diaper change first, or answer the call?
Su Wanyan noticed the hesitation and smiled gently. "It's fine. Where are Mo Yan's wipes and diapers?"
Instinctively, Mo Xingxue pointed toward the pink baby bag sitting neatly in the corner.
"You can go to Zhao Yichen," Su Wanyan said calmly. "I'll change her."
Mo Xingxue's eyes widened. "N-no, I can do it—"
Su Wanyan gently dodged the outstretched hands, already moving. "He was calling you just now, wasn't he? It might be important. Go on—I've got this."
Without waiting for further protest, Su Wanyan headed toward the pink bag, scooped it up with one hand while still securely holding the baby, and made her way toward the nearest bathroom.
Mo Xingxue stood there for a moment, cheeks still warm with embarrassment, before she had no choice but to turn and walk over to Zhao Yichen.
I hope it doesn't smell too bad, she thought desperately, sending a silent prayer into the air.