When Su Wanyan, Mo Xingxue, and little Mo Yan descended the long stone stairs, the afternoon sunlight cast long golden shadows across the driveway. They met face to face with Gu Chengze and Lin Xuanyu, who were about to board their van.
Su Wanyan immediately felt the weight of Gu Chengze's burning gaze on her. She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with genuine confusion rather than challenge.
"Oh," PD Xu Cui let out from behind them, voice light with amusement. "You guys still haven't left yet?"
Lin Xuanyu turned and offered the PD a bright smile. "Not yet, PD. We were dazzled by Teacher Mo and Yanyan's appearance." He deliberately used the affectionate nickname, his tone sweet and casual.
Hearing the nickname, Gu Chengze's murderous glare intensified instantly.
Su Wanyan, however, couldn't focus on the male lead. She felt another sharp, protective presence beside her. When she glanced at Mo Xingxue, she saw the usually elegant actress glaring coldly at Lin Xuanyu, her phoenix eyes narrowed with clear displeasure.
"Please refrain from using my nickname, Teacher Lin," Su Wanyan said politely but firmly, her voice steady and clear.
The live barrage immediately split into chaos.
[How dare this woman do that to our baobao Yuyu?!]
[Exactly, she has no heart at all.]
[Frfr, what kind of alpha says that to an omega?]
[She's no gentlewoman.]
[I could do so much better than her.]
Su Wanyan's fans fired back just as quickly.
[Bro, why is it Su Wanyan's fault?]
[Right, she just said not to use her nickname. What's wrong with that?]
[Exactly. Also, it wasn't like she said it in a rude way.]
The fan war escalated rapidly in the comments, but the guests remained blissfully unaware. The staff monitoring the live broadcast could only shake their heads at the escalating storm.
Lin Xuanyu simply smiled at Su Wanyan, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, then turned on his heel and headed straight for their van.
Gu Chengze lingered for a few more seconds, glaring at her intensely, before following at a slower, deliberate pace. He slammed the van door shut with more force than necessary.
What is his beef with me? Su Wanyan wondered internally. It's not like I was acting chummy with Lin Xuanyu.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Mo Xingxue gently tugged at her sleeve, guiding them toward their own waiting van. "Oh, wait," Su Wanyan said, lifting the folded stroller slightly. "Don't I have to put this in the trunk?"
Mo Xingxue snapped out of her thoughts and nodded apologetically. "Sorry."
Su Wanyan smiled and reached out to pat Mo Xingxue's head softly. "What are you saying sorry for?"
She carried the stroller to the back of the van, opened the trunk with one hand, and placed it inside carefully before returning to Mo Xingxue's side. "Let's go?"
Mo Xingxue's expression softened. "Un. Let's go."
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Once they settled into their seats—Mo Yan comfortably nestled in Mo Xingxue's arms—the van started smoothly and pulled away from the villa, heading toward the zoo.
Even as the scenery began to change outside the windows, Su Wanyan could still sense that Mo Xingxue was feeling off. The omega sat quietly, a small frown lingering between her brows.
Su Wanyan glanced at her several times, wanting to explain, but her logical side kept insisting there was nothing to apologize for. And as a logical person, she of course followed her—
"I don't know why he called me that either," Su Wanyan said gently, turning toward Mo Xingxue.
—heart!
Mo Xingxue looked at her and raised a delicate eyebrow.
Su Wanyan tensed for a second but continued earnestly. "I seriously don't have any connection with him. Yesterday was the first time I ever met him.." 'in person.' She stopped herself from saying the last two words out loud.
Mo Xingxue studied her for a long moment. "Are you saying the truth?"
Su Wanyan immediately raised three fingers in the classic childhood swear. "I swear to the heavens that it was the first time!"
Mo Xingxue stared at the familiar gesture, then burst into soft laughter. Her eyes brightened with resurfacing memories. "Alright, alright. It's the first time you met him. I believe you."
When Su Wanyan heard those words, relief washed over her. She leaned back in her seat and looked out the window, a small, happy smile forming on her lips.
I'm looking forward to the trip now.