Chapter 38: Ch 38: Gentle Lights in the Evening

Su Wanyan stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair now neatly towel-dried and falling in soft waves around her shoulders. The icy shower had done its job; the noticeable bulge that had strained against her pants earlier had finally calmed, leaving only a faint, lingering warmth that she could mostly ignore.

Thank the heavens the cold water works, she thought with a wry, self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. She adjusted the collar of her fresh pajamas, the fabric cool and comforting against her skin after the earlier turmoil.

She walked back toward the bedroom with measured steps, the wooden floorboards creaking softly beneath her feet. As she reached the door, however, she paused. A flicker of caution crossed her mind. She gently eased the door open just a crack, leaning in to test the air with a subtle inhale.

To her relief, the heavy sweetness of Mo Xingxue’s pheromones had dissipated almost entirely, carried away by the open window and the neutralizing sprays. Unaware that deliberately scenting an omega in such a vulnerable state could be considered intrusive, Su Wanyan simply breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Composing herself, she mustered a gentle, soft smile and pushed the door open fully, stepping inside.

Mo Xingxue was already awake. She lay propped against the pillows, gazing at the ceiling in a quiet daze, her long lashes casting faint shadows over her porcelain cheeks. The suppressant had clearly taken effect, but a lingering fragility still clung to her posture.

When Su Wanyan entered, Mo Xingxue turned her head. Their eyes met, and a small, genuine smile curved Mo Xingxue’s lips. The vivid dream from earlier still replayed in fragments at the back of her mind—those tender touches, that warm gaze—but she gently pushed the images aside for now.

"Yanyan," Mo Xingxue called out softly, her voice like a light breeze.

Su Wanyan perked up instantly, a warm hum escaping her throat in response. She crossed the room with quick but careful strides as Mo Xingxue attempted to sit up. The omega’s movements were slow and slightly unsteady, her body still weakened by the lingering effects of her heat.

Su Wanyan was at her side in moments, concern etching deep lines between her brows as she studied her friend’s face.

Mo Xingxue let out a soft, reassuring laugh at the obvious worry. "I’m okay now, Yanyan," she said, her tone soothing and melodic, easing the knot of anxiety in Su Wanyan’s chest. Their gazes locked then, Mo Xingxue’s phoenix eyes curving gently into crescents. "Thank you," she murmured, the words carrying layers of gratitude that went beyond the suppressants and care.

Su Wanyan stared for a heartbeat, momentarily dazed by the quiet beauty and sincerity in that smile. Heat crept up her neck, turning the tips of her ears a noticeable red. She looked away shyly, nodding in acknowledgment. Mo Xingxue noticed the flush and chuckled, a trace of tenderness flashing across her features like sunlight on still water.

The soft sound only made Su Wanyan more embarrassed. She straightened her posture unconsciously, clearing her throat. Weird.. why does my stomach feel fluttery? Am I hungry? Su Wanyan pondered seriously.

The more she thought about it, the more logical it seemed. After all, the afternoon had only offered an unfinished sandwich and two crepes. Dinner time had arrived, and her body was making its needs known.

Composing herself, Su Wanyan met Mo Xingxue’s eyes once more. "What do you want to eat, Xuexue?" she asked softly, the red still lingering on her earlobes.

Mo Xingxue watched her childhood friend’s efforts to regain composure with quiet amusement. Deciding not to tease her further—lest the poor alpha crumble in embarrassment—she hummed thoughtfully. Her phoenix eyes lit up a moment later. "I want braised pork," she said, a hint of longing in her voice.

Su Wanyan’s expression softened into a doting smile. "Sure."

As she spoke, she noticed the faint trace of dried tears still clinging to the corner of Mo Xingxue’s eyes. Without thinking, she reached out and gently wiped them away with the pad of her thumb, her touch light and careful.

Mo Xingxue froze, the gesture pulling her straight back into the dream—those same gentle hands cupping her cheeks, that overwhelming tenderness. A delicate blush bloomed across her cheeks, warming her skin.

Su Wanyan, focused on the task, didn’t immediately notice the flush. She sighed inwardly, a wave of heartache washing over her as she silently cursed Gu Chengze a thousand times over. That evil bastard.

Pushing the anger down, she offered one last warm smile and ruffled Mo Xingxue’s hair with gentle affection. "Wait for me, okay?" The words were accompanied by a bright yet soft smile that lit up her features.

Mo Xingxue nodded absentmindedly, still a little stunned. As Su Wanyan left the room, she lay back down, drawing her baby daughter closer into her arms and hiding her blushing face against the crown of her daughter’s head, heart fluttering with emotions she wasn’t quite ready to name.

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In the living room, the atmosphere was lighter, filled with the low hum of conversation and the occasional chuckle from the group. Su Wanyan entered with a calm stride and called out softly, "What do you want to eat, guys?"

"Oh, oh! I want egg tarts!" Qin Yuran exclaimed excitedly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Su Wanyan nodded warmly, committing it to memory before turning to Song Meiyu. The elegant woman hummed for a moment, then requested with quiet grace, "A chocolate-filled cookie, please."

The live chat erupted almost instantly, text flooding across the screen in a flurry of reactions.

[These two are dessert addicts, indeed.]

[How are y’all going to survive from desserts, bro?]

[I just hope the others would ask for actual meals, lol.]

[Me too, ’cause there’s no way in hell they’ll be full from desserts.]

Su Wanyan noted Song Meiyu’s preference with a small mental note, then shifted her attention to Zhao Yichen and Han Jiho.

Han Jiho spoke first, his tone firm. "Oh, I’m not eating."

Zhao Yichen immediately butted in, eyes wide with disbelief. "What, why?"

Han Jiho shot him a pointed glare, the irritation from earlier still simmering. "Well, who was it that kept pulling me to heavy meals right after we bungee jumped?" The resentment in his voice was palpable, sharp enough to make Zhao Yichen flinch.

Zhao Yichen laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Th—then, I also won’t eat," he conceded, looking rather helpless under Han Jiho’s continued glare.

The chat lit up again with a mix of laughter and defense.

[That’s what you get for being dense!]

[Lol, poor Zhao Yichen.]

[I say he deserves that, he was quite insensitive earlier.]

[Forgive our Yichen-gege, he’s a little dense.]

[Yeah, he meant no harm!]

While Zhao Yichen’s fans rallied in the comments, Su Wanyan turned her gaze toward Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze. The warmth in her eyes dimmed slightly when it landed on the latter, but neither man seemed to notice or even care.

Lin Xuanyu’s eyes brightened dramatically. "I want baked scallops with lots and lots of cheese!" Lin Xuanyu declared, exaggerating his gestures with theatrical flair. Then, turning shy, he added, "But if you can’t make them, it’s fine." He huffed, quickly regaining his energy and pumping both arms enthusiastically. "I’m sure everything you cook will taste good, Teacher Su!"

Su Wanyan blinked rapidly, caught off guard by the rapid shift in enthusiasm. She hadn’t even responded yet.

Gu Chengze, on the other hand, remained sullen. His eyes darkened with clear hatred as he stared at Su Wanyan, before he simply huffed and looked away, completely ignoring her presence.

Su Wanyan observed the two leads and let out a quiet sigh of exasperation. Whatever. She smoothed her expression back into a kind smile. "Then, I’ll call you guys in a bit," she said softly before turning to leave.

As Su Wanyan’s figure disappeared down the hallway, Gu Chengze’s gaze lingered on her retreating back. He snorted coldly, his expression twisting with disdain.

That inferior alpha dared to seduce Mo Xingxue—his wife. Now she’s trying to seduce his soon-to-be concubine too? His eyes darkened further, fists clenching at his sides. Not on my watch. He suppressed the surge of displeasure, burying it beneath a mask of indifference.

Unaware of the dark thoughts brewing in Gu Chengze’s mind, Su Wanyan made her way to the kitchen with a peaceful stride. The soft glow of the overhead lights cast a warm, golden hue over the spacious counters, turning the space into a quiet sanctuary amid the villa’s subtle evening bustle.

She reached for a clean apron hanging nearby, slipping it over her head and snugging the ties securely around her waist. The fabric settled comfortably against her figure, accentuating the gentle curve of her hips as she moved.

With practiced hands, she began preparing the ingredients, laying them out one by one across the wide wooden cutting board. Fresh pork belly for the braised dish, vibrant vegetables still glistening with dew, fragrant spices that released their aroma as she sorted them.

A soft, content smile played on her lips as she worked. In her mind, she pictured Mo Xingxue’s expression lighting up when her craving was finally granted—the way her phoenix eyes might curve with quiet delight, how the tension in her shoulders would ease after such a comforting meal. The thought warmed Su Wanyan from within.

She hummed a gentle, wordless melody under her breath, the sound light and melodic, filling the kitchen with an unexpectedly domestic charm. Her movements were fluid and unhurried: slicing, rinsing, measuring. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

To anyone watching, she looked effortlessly cute like this—apron-clad, focused, radiating a quiet tenderness that contrasted beautifully with her usual composed but mischievous demeanor.

Unaware that her planned salted fish was drifting further and further away with every caring gesture she made.

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Can someone count how many times I used the word "unaware" here? Lol