Mo Xingxue sat on the edge of her bed for a long moment, simply watching the peaceful duo across the room. Sunlight filtered gently through the half-drawn blinds, casting a warm golden haze over everything.
Su Wanyan lay on her back, breathing slow and steady, while little Mo Yan rested comfortably on her stomach, tiny fist curled into the fabric of Su Wanyan's shirt. The sight sent a quiet wave of warmth through Mo Xingxue's chest.
Just then, Su Wanyan's eyes twitched. Her lashes fluttered, and she slowly woke up.
Mo Xingxue didn't look away. She watched calmly as awareness returned to those gentle eyes.
Su Wanyan blinked a few times, realizing she had fallen asleep with Mo Yan still on her chest. She had tried putting the baby back in the crib multiple times during the night, but each time Mo Yan grew anxious and fussy. Holding her had been the only way to keep her calm.
She felt a steady gaze on her and turned her head. Mo Xingxue was sitting there, watching her with a small, soft smile playing on her lips.
"Good morning," Mo Xingxue said. The morning light poured over her, illuminating her elegant features and making her smile even more striking. Su Wanyan felt momentarily dazzled.
She snapped out of it and returned the smile warmly. "Good morning."
"Sorry I used Mo Yan's things without asking for your permission," Su Wanyan added, carefully sitting up while supporting the baby's head and bottom. Mo Yan remained deeply asleep, nuzzled comfortably against her.
"Don't be," Mo Xingxue replied, standing up and walking over. "I'm grateful for what you did." She gently took Mo Yan into her own arms, their hands brushing lightly in the transfer.
Su Wanyan smiled and stood up, stretching her arms above her head with a quiet sigh of relief. She gathered her skincare essentials and headed toward the door when Mo Xingxue's voice stopped her.
"Yanyan.. thank you for last night. But you don't have to do that again. I don't want to burden you."
Su Wanyan paused at the doorway and looked back, her expression sincere. "I can't promise you that." Before Mo Xingxue could respond, she slipped out of the room with a small smile.
+-+-+-+-+-+
When Su Wanyan returned later, Mo Xingxue was sitting on the bed feeding Mo Yan. Su Wanyan quietly put her skincare items back into her luggage.
"What do you want for breakfast?" she asked.
Mo Xingxue looked up. "Anything will be fine."
Su Wanyan nodded and left the room again.
By 8:49 AM, the delicious aroma of breakfast had filled the villa. The other guests came downstairs one by one, still sleepy but drawn by the scent.
"Wow, the smell of food!" Qin Yuran exclaimed, walking faster toward the dining area. The rest followed curiously.
When they reached the table, most of them let out sounds of surprise.
"Woah...."
It was simple fare
—pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit—but everything looked incredibly appetizing. The pancakes were golden and fluffy, bacon perfectly crisp, eggs light and fluffy with a sprinkle of green onions.
"Good morning, everyone. Eat up," Su Wanyan said warmly, already seated beside Mo Xingxue. She handed the actress a cup of fragrant tea.
"Thanks," Mo Xingxue murmured, accepting it naturally. The small gesture felt so effortless, as though they had been doing this for years.
The other guests noticed but wisely chose to stay silent when Mo Xingxue gave them a cool, warning glance. Breakfast passed with light conversation and appreciative sounds as everyone enjoyed the meal.
Suddenly, a loud wail echoed from their room—Mo Yan was crying.
Mo Xingxue excused herself and hurried back. When she returned, she was gently rocking a whimpering Mo Yan in her arms.
As soon as Mo Xingxue sat down, Su Wanyan stood up. "I'll be right back." She returned moments later pushing the baby stroller. "Here."
Mo Xingxue nodded gratefully and settled Mo Yan into the stroller so she could continue eating.
+-+-+-+-+-+
After breakfast, the group scattered to prepare for the cameras.
"Are you going to bathe her?" Su Wanyan asked when she saw Mo Xingxue gathering the baby's things.
Mo Xingxue nodded and left hurriedly. They only had about forty-one minutes left before filming resumed.
When Mo Xingxue returned carrying a now clean and awake Mo Yan wrapped snugly in a soft towel like a little burrito, Su Wanyan stood up and walked over.
"You go take your bath. I'll handle this," she said.
Mo Xingxue hesitated, not wanting to impose again.
Su Wanyan reminded her gently, "We only have thirty-four minutes left."
Mo Xingxue murmured a quick thank you and left with her things.
When Mo Xingxue came back, fully dressed and refreshed, Su Wanyan had already changed Mo Yan into a fresh outfit and was rocking her gently, trying to lull her back to sleep.
"Oh, thank you so much, Yanyan," Mo Xingxue said, getting Mo Yan from Su Wanyan's arms. Then she glanced at the time on her phone and grimaced.
"You're welcome," Su Wanyan replied calmly.
The moment the words left her mouth, Su Wanyan suddenly moved with surprising speed—bolting out of the room to get ready herself.
Mo Xingxue blinked, then laughed quietly to herself. She really hasn't changed.
+-+-+-+-+-+
Once everyone was prepared, the guests gathered in the living room again, facing the cameras and waiting for the signal.
"3.. 2.. 1.. and we're on!" PD Xu Cui announced.
The barrage immediately flooded in at lightning speed.
[HI!!!]
[THEY'RE HERE!!]
[Y'all calm down, I can't read a single comment.]
[HI, SU WANYAN! THE KIDS SAY THEY MISS YOU!]
[Upstairs, I'm outside your door. Drink your medicine.]
[How the heck did you even read their message?]
[The same question applies to you, upstairs.]
While the comments flew wildly, the guests sat with polite smiles, though they were all on high alert. Yesterday had been relaxed because it was the first day. Today, the more experienced ones knew a variety show—even a love variety—was about to get intense.
PD Xu Cui stepped forward. "May I have your attention, everyone?"
All eyes turned to him.
"Yesterday, you were given freedom to do whatever you wanted." He smiled as they nodded. "Well, now I will assign tasks to you guys."
The guests tensed immediately, remembering last night's firewood announcement.
PD Xu Cui laughed at their reactions, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Don't be so tense. This is a love variety show, after all."
No one lowered their guard. That mischievous glint in his eyes was unmistakable.
He pulled out his phone. "Anyway, before we get to the fun part, please download this app on your phones." He showed them the screen—Love House. "This is a private voting app. You will use it to vote for your favorite partner each day. There will be rankings, of course."
He grinned. "The identity of the voter is anonymous, so it's up to you to figure out who voted for you."
The guests nodded. That part was expected.
"Now," PD Xu Cui said, giggling softly to himself, "let's get to the fun part."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Sorry for the late update, guys.. I genuinely forgot I hadn't uploaded yet. I would not make this blunder again, dw.