Chapter 33: Ch 33: Green Tea and Unwanted Touch

"What are you guys doing?" Lin Xuanyu asked, his voice dripping with exaggerated disbelief as he entered the room. His delicate features were arranged into a perfect picture of concern, eyes wide and lips slightly parted.

Zhao Yichen’s previously confused gaze suddenly cleared. "Oh, you two must’ve done something wrong," he said, his tone laced with playful amusement as he looked between Su Wanyan and Qin Yuran.

Han Jiho hummed thoughtfully, arms crossed. "You should also kneel down," he commented, urging Zhao Yichen to join the others on the floor.

Zhao Yichen just smiled at him and snaked an arm around Han Jiho’s waist. "Come on, it wasn’t that terrifying," he said, a stupid, lovestruck grin plastered on his face.

Han Jiho stared at him for a second, then shook off the arm with surprising strength. Without warning, he reached up and pinched Zhao Yichen’s ear firmly. "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" Zhao Yichen cried out in pain, wincing as Han Jiho mercilessly pulled him toward the sofa. "Reflect and kneel," Han Jiho ordered, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion.

"Eh?!" Zhao Yichen yelped, clearly not wanting to kneel but unable to resist Han Jiho’s grip.

"Wait," Lin Xuanyu’s sweet voice cut in again. To Su Wanyan, it sounded rotten—disgustingly sweet, like overripe fruit masking something sour underneath. She shuddered involuntarily.

Mo Xingxue noticed the small movement and tilted her head slightly, confusion flickering in her phoenix eyes. What did that shudder mean? Mo Xingxue pondered inwardly.

Lin Xuanyu hurried over to Su Wanyan and Qin Yuran. He first reached for Qin Yuran, tugging at her arm with his delicate strength, trying to pull her up. Qin Yuran brushed his hand off coolly, still gazing pitifully at Song Meiyu.

Song Meiyu’s eyes crinkled with quiet joy at Qin Yuran’s obedience. She let out a soft chuckle.

Lin Xuanyu panted slightly from the effort, then turned to Su Wanyan. He stretched out his hands again, but Su Wanyan dodged neatly, still kneeling firmly on the carpet.

Lin Xuanyu looked exasperated at the two stubborn alphas. His gaze then shifted to Song Meiyu and Mo Xingxue. "Guys, I get that you want to show omega superiority," he said, his voice dripping with fake concern, "but you shouldn’t let them kneel on camera. That’s not empowering at all!" His tone was filled with theatrical heartache, eyes glistening as if he were truly worried for the dignity of alphas everywhere.

The barrage had opinions.

[Uh, actually, it’s quite empowering.]

[Very empowering.]

[Fr, this is a very empowering day for us omegas.]

[Just mind your own business, Lin Xuanyu.]

[Fr, can’t you see they’re punishing their wives?]

[Qin Yuran: ???]

[I am still wondering why she got asked to kneel, lol.]

[Why are you so worked up? It’s not like they were told to commit a crime.]

[Fr, and it’s not like they were ordered to strip or something. I mean, even if they were, what does that have to do with you?]

[I know you just want them to strip, but I can’t prove it yet.]

Gu Chengze watched the entire scene with a cold, unamused expression. However, Lin Xuanyu’s words stirred something in him. Yes, he’s right. Omegas shouldn’t order alphas to kneel. His gaze shifted to Mo Xingxue, then to Su Wanyan. Mo Xingxue is acting unruly and this incompetent alpha is just letting her have her whims? He snorted inwardly. What an incompetent alpha.

Meanwhile, Su Wanyan fought the urge to raise her eyebrows at Lin Xuanyu. In the original novel, this man had not only made Gu Chengze kneel but had manipulated him into committing heinous crimes. What a hypocrite, she thought, feeling nothing but pure disgust for the omega.

Meanwhile, Han Jiho looked at Lin Xuanyu, then at Zhao Yichen, who was still yelping in pain. Then, Han Jiho finally released his ear and said coldly, "Do you agree with what he said?"

Zhao Yichen rubbed his sore ear warily and nodded quickly.

Han Jiho straightened his posture and plopped down on the sofa. "Fine," he said flatly. "Don’t you dare sleep in our room later. I might commit murder." He glared daggers at Zhao Yichen.

Immediately, Zhao Yichen dropped to his knees beside him. "Yiyi, don’t sulk, huh?" he pleaded, trying every coaxing tactic he knew.

Han Jiho didn’t even bat an eye. He turned to the girls with a bright, innocent smile. "So, how did your day go, guys?"

Mo Xingxue returned the smile calmly, ignoring Lin Xuanyu entirely. "Oh, it was good."

Song Meiyu glanced at Lin Xuanyu for a brief moment before averting her gaze. "It went pretty well too," she answered gently.

Su Wanyan looked at the three peaceful omegas and felt a fresh wave of sweat trickle down her back. In the novel, their dismissive treatment of Lin Xuanyu had led to severe consequences—ruined careers and falls from grace. She sighed inwardly. I want to be a salted fish as soon as possible, but I can’t just ignore what will happen to them.

But how?

Lin Xuanyu, meanwhile, was fuming inside. How dare they ignore me? He gnashed his teeth silently but forced himself to calm down. Now’s not the time to get angry. I need to score more good points with Gu Chengze and the other alphas too.

With tears shimmering in his eyes, he placed both hands on Su Wanyan’s shoulders. "Mo Xingxue, don’t you feel bad for Teacher Su?" he said tearfully, his pitiful act tugging at the hearts of some viewers and staff.

[Hey! These bitches!]

[Don’t cry, Yuyu. We’ll handle them for you, okay?]

[That’s right! Don’t waste your tears on ungrateful and hateful scums!]

[My poor baby, don’t cry. Sister’s got you, okay?]

[Lin Xuanyu is so pitiful. He’s the only one caring for the dignity of alphas, yet he gets this treatment?]

[Right? That’s not fair!]

While Lin Xuanyu’s fans and some passersby cooed over his "concern," others saw right through the act.

[He reeks of green tea, yuck.]

[And a white lotus, lol.]

[Can’t believe I liked him in the past.]

[Annoying much?]

[He’s trying way too hard, lol.]

[Pick me much?]

Just then, Su Wanyan eyes brightened as she suddenly had a bright idea. She tugged gently at the hem of Mo Xingxue’s dress. "Xuexue, I’ll cook you something to eat, okay?"

In this way, Lin Xuanyu wouldn’t be able to keep acting, and the tension would ease, even for a moment. Mo Xingxue looked at her, then nodded. "Okay, you can stand up now."

Su Wanyan breathed a huge sigh of relief and immediately stood, bolting toward the kitchen like her life depended on it.

Meanwhile, Qin Yuran still gazed pleadingly at Song Meiyu. Then, Song Meiyu sighed. "Okay, you can stand up now."

Qin Yuran rose quickly, but her knees gave out for a moment. She stumbled straight into Song Meiyu’s arms. It looked almost too perfect to be accidental. Qin Yuran’s eyebrows twitched, and she immediately pulled back. "I’m sorry!" she apologized hastily.

Song Meiyu just laughed softly. "It’s okay. Want another one?" She stretched her arms out teasingly.

Qin Yuran blushed furiously and bolted toward their room, stumbling slightly as she went.

As for Zhao Yichen, he continued desperately coaxing the stone-faced Han Jiho, who remained unmoved by every tactic.

Gu Chengze watched the entire scene with cold detachment. He seized the empty space beside Mo Xingxue. Mo Xingxue felt goosebumps rise across her skin and unconsciously clenched her fists, recalling the frightening night.

"Lovely day," Gu Chengze said coldly.

Mo Xingxue nodded politely, her face unusually pale as she maintained her icy expression.

Lin Xuanyu watched it all with a tightening smile that didn’t reach his eyes. After a moment, he excused himself quietly, voice soft and unassuming. "I’ll go get some water," he murmured, slipping away before anyone could question him. His footsteps were light and deliberate as he walked slowly toward the kitchen.

Gu Chengze and Mo Xingxue both noticed his departure. Mo Xingxue’s instincts flared—a quiet unease twisting in her gut. She wondered what Lin Xuanyu was planning by heading to the kitchen where Su Wanyan was. She started to stand, intending to follow, but before she could fully rise, Gu Chengze’s large hand landed heavily over hers on the sofa.

Mo Xingxue’s entire body went rigid. A bone-deep chill raced up her spine, turning her back ice-cold. Her breathing hitched sharply. The simple touch felt like a brand—heavy, possessive, and suffocating. Memories she had tried so hard to bury surged forward: that night, the drugged haze, Gu Chengze’s unrelenting grip, the helplessness.

Her vision blackened at the edges. Nausea churned violently in her stomach, threatening to rise. She unconsciously hugged Mo Yan closer to her chest, arms wrapping protectively around her daughter as if shielding her from the world.

Gu Chengze remained completely unaware of the storm raging inside her. In his mind, her reaction was simply her playing hard to get again. A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips. She must be playing hard to get, he thought, eyes darkening with obsession. He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping into what he believed was a warm, intimate tone. "Let’s forget all that happened in the past and try to rekindle our old feelings, okay?"

To Mo Xingxue, his words were pure nightmare fuel. His voice slithered over her skin like oil, heavy with the same arrogance from that terrible night. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. She couldn’t breathe properly. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall in front of him.

Without a word, Mo Xingxue wrenched her hand free with every ounce of strength she possessed. She stood up abruptly, clutching Mo Yan tightly against her as she bolted toward the safety of her and Su Wanyan’s shared room. Her steps were hurried and unsteady, breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The hallway blurred around her as she fled.

Gu Chengze remained seated, still lost in his fantasy. He watched her retreating figure with dark, possessive eyes. Keep playing hard to get, Mo Xingxue. I’ll play with you as long as you want.

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Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Su Wanyan was busy pulling ingredients from the fridge, trying to focus on what she’ll cook for Mo Xingxue. She hadn’t noticed Lin Xuanyu entering quietly behind her.

The villa’s kitchen was bright and modern, sunlight streaming through wide windows and reflecting off stainless steel surfaces. The faint scent of fresh vegetables and fruits filled the air. Su Wanyan moved with practiced efficiency, her mind still replaying the earlier chaos in the living room.

Lin Xuanyu’s footsteps were nearly silent as he approached, a calculated smile playing on his lips.