Chapter 35: Ch 35: Tears in the Dark and Silent Vows

The bedroom was wrapped in a gentle hush, the afternoon light now softened into a warm, amber glow that filtered through the sheer curtains. It casts long, peaceful shadows across the floor and over the two beds, turning the space into a quiet sanctuary away from the noise and cameras outside.

The air carried the faint, comforting scent of the villa’s wooden furniture mixed with the subtle floral notes from Mo Xingxue’s belongings.

Su Wanyan felt her heart tighten painfully at Mo Xingxue’s broken words. "I’m scared, Yanyan. I’m so scared." The actress’s voice trembled, raw and fragile, like thin glass on the verge of shattering.

Mo Xingxue sobbed harder, her face buried against Su Wanyan’s shoulder, tears soaking into the already damp fabric of her shirt, warm and relentless, but instead of annoyance, Su Wanyan only felt a deep, aching pity for her best friend. The actress’s usually elegant frame trembled, looking small and vulnerable in a way that twisted something deep inside Su Wanyan’s chest.

She hugged her tighter, pulling Mo Xingxue fully into her arms as they sat together on the edge of the bed. One hand moved in slow, soothing circles on her back, the other gently cradling the back of her head.

"Cry it all out," Su Wanyan whispered, her voice low and comforting, like a warm blanket on a cold night. "I’m here."

She kept wondering what could have triggered this so suddenly. They had been so happy just moments ago—laughing on the sofa, teasing each other, sharing stories and memories.

Why was she suddenly so afraid? It wasn’t like.... Su Wanyan’s thoughts paused. She remembered Gu Chengze sitting too close to where Mo Xingxue had been earlier, his presence heavy and unwelcome.

Su Wanyan’s face darkened, a quiet fury simmering beneath her gentle exterior. That bastard. She wanted nothing more than to storm out and give him a taste of his own medicine, but she held herself back. He’s not important right now. What’s more important is Xuexue.

Mo Xingxue continued to sob, her breaths coming in shaky, uneven gasps. Whenever she closed her eyes, the memories flooded back unbidden—that terrible night, the drugged haze clouding her mind, Gu Chengze’s unrelenting grip, her desperate pleas falling on deaf ears, the overwhelming pain and helplessness that followed.

She had tried so hard to pretend everything was normal around him for the sake of the show, but every moment near him dragged her back to that darkness, leaving her feeling hopeless and powerless all over again.

Her chest tightened further. She began panting heavily, struggling to draw in air, her body trembling as the panic attack took hold.

Su Wanyan was immediately alarmed. She gently pulled Mo Xingxue’s face away from her shoulder, cupping it with both hands. Her thumbs brushed away the tears on the omega’s pale cheeks. "Xuexue, Xuexue, look at me," she said softly, her voice calm but urgent. "Look at me."

Mo Xingxue’s phoenix eyes were dazed and unfocused, tears still spilling freely. "Breathe with me," Su Wanyan instructed gently. "Inhale...." she demonstrated, taking a slow, deep breath. "Exhale...."

Mo Xingxue followed shakily at first, her breaths ragged and uneven. Su Wanyan kept her voice steady and soothing, repeating the cycle patiently. "Inhale... Exhale... That’s it. You’re doing so well."

Su Wanyan continued guiding her, slow and patient, their foreheads nearly touching. "Inhale... Exhale... You’re safe. I’m right here."

After several long minutes of this back-and-forth, Mo Xingxue’s breathing finally evened out, becoming smoother and deeper. The tight, panicked look in her eyes began to fade.

Su Wanyan felt tears pricking at her own eyes, her heart aching at the sight of her strong, elegant friend reduced to this trembling state. She pulled Mo Xingxue back into her arms, holding her close. "I’m here. I’m here," she whispered repeatedly, one hand still rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Mo Xingxue clung to her, still sobbing quietly, the pain of that night still lingering like a shadow. Su Wanyan held her through it all, offering silent comfort with every gentle stroke and whispered reassurance.

After what felt like an eternity, Mo Xingxue’s sobs quieted, and her breathing grew steady. Su Wanyan tried to gently adjust Mo Xingxue’s position to lay her down properly on the bed, but the moment she moved, Mo Xingxue’s arms tightened around her like a vice. Her breath turned ragged again, a small whimper escaping her lips.

Su Wanyan froze, alarmed. She didn’t let go. Instead, she kept patting Mo Xingxue’s back soothingly, murmuring soft words of comfort until the actress relaxed again. "It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere."

After some time had passed, Mo Xingxue’s breathing smoothed out once more. Su Wanyan breathed a quiet sigh of relief and decided not to risk moving her again. She simply held on, one arm securely around Mo Xingxue while her free hand continued its gentle, rhythmic patting.

Just then, a tiny whimper came from the crib. Su Wanyan’s enhanced senses picked it up immediately.

She carefully pried Mo Xingxue’s arms loose without waking her, then gently laid her down on the bed, pulling the soft blanket up to cover her shoulders. Mo Xingxue stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her face still etched with exhaustion.

Su Wanyan moved quietly to the crib. One look at Mo Yan’s scrunched-up face and soft whimpers was enough to soften Su Wanyan’s heart all over again. Using her Heart of Nurture skill, she immediately sensed the baby was simply anxious—likely picking up on her mother’s distress.

"It’s okay, it’s okay," Su Wanyan cooed softly, scooping the little bundle into her arms. She rocked Mo Yan gently against her chest, humming a low, soothing lullaby. The baby’s whimpers quieted almost instantly, her tiny body relaxing into the safe hold. Su Wanyan smiled tenderly, pressing a light kiss to the top of Mo Yan’s head.

Just as Su Wanyan was about to place her back in the crib, the baby’s small hand clutched firmly onto her shirt, even in sleep. Su Wanyan revealed a wry, affectionate smile. This mother and daughter duo are so clingy.

She straightened up and continued rocking the baby, swaying side to side in the quiet room. Just then, she heard a rustle from Mo Xingxue’s side of the bed. The omega mumbled something incoherent—Su Wanyan’s name and Mo Yan’s mixed together in a sleepy, anxious whisper.

Su Wanyan walked over and sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "We’re here," she whispered gently.

Mo Xingxue cracked her eyes open, tears still glistening. Su Wanyan hastily wiped them away with her thumb. "It’s okay. It’s okay. We’re here for you."

She gently laid Mo Yan down on the bed between them. Mo Xingxue immediately wrapped her arms around her daughter, then looked up at Su Wanyan with teary, vulnerable eyes.

Su Wanyan smiled softly, then removed her shoes and lay down beside them. She wrapped both mother and child in a protective embrace, one arm around Mo Xingxue and the other resting lightly over Mo Yan. She continued patting Mo Xingxue’s back in slow, rhythmic motions until the omega’s breathing deepened once more, falling back into exhausted sleep.

Su Wanyan stayed awake, holding them both close. She remembered Mo Xingxue’s tear-streaked, terrified face and made a silent, resolute promise in her heart: I won’t let Gu Chengze get near you again.

Her free hand clenched into a fist at her side, knuckles turning white from the force. Then she forced herself to relax, continuing the gentle patting.

Ha.... Su Wanyan sighed quietly, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over her. She couldn’t do anything drastic just yet. Cameras were everywhere, filming their every move. She couldn’t risk ruining the Su family’s reputation by lashing out at Gu Chengze publicly. Getting suddenly hostile toward him would also raise suspicions.

She sighed again, then looked down at Mo Xingxue’s peaceful, sleeping face. Her expression hardened with quiet determination.

But if he decides to do something to Xuexue again.... Su Wanyan thought grimly, still patting Mo Xingxue’s back soothingly, I don’t mind getting myself ruined.

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Gu Chengze sat rigidly on the sofa, his sharp eyes fixed on the closed door of Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue’s shared room. The two women had not emerged for some time, and the longer they stayed inside, the deeper his frown etched itself into his handsome features. His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, the motion betraying the irritation simmering beneath his composed exterior.

Why does Mo Xingxue keep hanging out with that inferior alpha? Gu Chengze thought, a dark possessiveness curling in his chest like smoke. She’s getting corrupted by that worthless thing. In his mind, his "obedient and soft wife" was being tainted by Su Wanyan’s influence, pulled away from the path he had already decided was hers. The thought made his jaw clench, a quiet storm brewing behind his cold gaze.

He barely noticed the rest of the room—Zhao Yichen still trying (and failing) to coax a cold-faced Han Jiho, Qin Yuran and Song Meiyu sharing quiet conversation on another sofa. His focus remained locked on that closed door, as if willing to open and reveal Mo Xingxue returning to him.

Lin Xuanyu, now seated in the spot Mo Xingxue had occupied earlier, observed Gu Chengze’s yearning stare with sharp, calculating eyes. Anger flickered hot and fast in his chest, but he forced it down, smoothing his expression into a sweet, docile smile. He leaned slightly closer, voice soft and honeyed as he struck up the conversation.

"They’re quite close, no?" Lin Xuanyu asked, tilting his head with feigned innocence.

Gu Chengze turned his gaze to him, a cold snort escaping. "It’s because they’re childhood friends and nothing more," he replied dismissively, his tone icy.

Lin Xuanyu nodded, maintaining that sweet smile. "Yeah, and it’s also because Teacher Su is so nice," he continued, watching with hidden amusement as Gu Chengze’s face darkened further. "One would unintentionally lower their guard around her."

Gu Chengze stared at him coldly, jealousy and possessiveness threading through his words before he could stop them. "What, you like her too?"

Lin Xuanyu’s eyes widened in practiced shock. He shook his head quickly, looking shy and flustered. "Of course not," he denied softly. "Teacher Su is a nice alpha, but I still prefer heroic alphas like you, CEO Gu." His voice dropped to a shy whisper, lashes lowering demurely.

Gu Chengze’s mood lifted noticeably. He snorted, a satisfied sound that betrayed his ego. Of course. In his mind, he was the pinnacle—raised to be a righteous, dominant alpha. He then looked at the soft and delicate Lin Xuanyu, I can take him in as a concubine, he thought, already spinning fantasies. I’m sure Mo Xingxue won’t mind.

The living room continued its quiet hum around them, but the tension between the two men was palpable, even if only Lin Xuanyu truly understood the game being played.