Chapter 48: Ch 48: Thoughtful Gifts and Twisting Challenges

The guests departed from the villa one by one, each pair slipping into their respective vans with a mix of anticipation and lingering fatigue from the morning’s obstacle course. Laughter and quiet conversations faded into the distance as the vehicles pulled away.

Su Wanyan, Mo Xingxue, and little Mo Yan remained behind at PD Xu Cui’s polite request. They stood outside the villa under the gentle autumn sun, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves and distant pine.

Su Wanyan shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her scholarly brown knit sweater and cream trousers feeling comfortably warm against the crisp air. She glanced at the empty driveway, curiosity bubbling within her. "What could the PD want from us?" she wondered aloud, turning to Mo Xingxue beside her.

Mo Xingxue shook her head gently, equally uncertain. She bent down gracefully and lifted Mo Yan from the stroller into her arms, rocking the peacefully sleeping baby with instinctive maternal tenderness. "Who knows," she replied simply, her voice soft as she adjusted the baby’s bonnet.

Just then, a white van rolled smoothly into view and stopped before them. The side door slid open, revealing PD Xu Cui. He stepped out with a slightly sheepish yet sincere expression. "I apologize for delaying your departure," he said, bowing his head lightly, genuine regret coloring his tone.

Su Wanyan smiled warmly and shook her head. "It’s alright, PD. But I was just wondering—is something the matter? The staff mentioned you asked us to stay behind." Her lighthearted smile eased any tension.

Mo Xingxue nodded in agreement. "I was wondering the same."

PD Xu Cui looked visibly relieved that neither woman seemed impatient. With a flourish, he stepped aside and gestured dramatically toward the van’s interior. "Tada~!" he announced, revealing a brand-new, securely installed baby car seat.

"Ooh!" Su Wanyan’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise at the thoughtful gesture. She walked closer to inspect it, running her hands over the sturdy straps and testing the anchors to ensure everything was properly secured.

Mo Xingxue’s phoenix eyes softened with deep gratitude. "Thank you so much, PD," she said, her voice warm and sincere.

PD Xu Cui waved off the thanks with a broad, humble smile. "It’s nothing, it’s nothing." He glanced at the sleeping Mo Yan, his eyes curving into gentle crescents. "I was watching the live show yesterday and realized that just carrying her while traveling could be dangerous. I apologize for not making proper arrangements from the start."

Mo Xingxue smiled softly but looked down, a shadow of self-reproach crossing her features. "No need to apologize, PD. It’s my shortcomings as a mother that I couldn’t foresee this situation."

Both PD Xu Cui and Su Wanyan flinched visibly. Before Su Wanyan could respond, the PD beat her to it. "What nonsense! You’re already doing a wonderful job!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with protective worry.

Su Wanyan nodded vigorously beside him. "That’s right! Saying that is like claiming the sun rises from the west and sets in the east—it’s physically impossible!" she declared righteously, her scholarly appearance lending unexpected weight to the dramatic statement.

PD Xu Cui nodded along emphatically, the two of them creating an unintentionally comedic scene. Mo Xingxue chuckled despite herself, the sound light and melodic. "Okay, stop with your exaggerated performance," she sighed, though tenderness sparkled in her eyes.

She carefully placed Mo Yan into the new car seat. "This is a love variety show, not a stand-up comedy show," she reminded them with a laugh.

Su Wanyan joined in the laughter, the comparison fitting perfectly. "Right, I forgot about that," she joked, earning another fond head shake from Mo Xingxue.

PD Xu Cui stood awkwardly for a moment, realizing he had been momentarily sidelined. Wow, I just disappeared, he thought with a wry internal smile. He quickly recovered, bidding them farewell before heading to his own prepared van.

Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue waved him off warmly. Su Wanyan then folded the stroller neatly and loaded it into the back before climbing into the van beside Mo Xingxue and their now-securely seated daughter.

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The journey to the obstacle park passed uneventfully, filled with light, mundane conversation—the gentle sway of the van, the passing scenery of autumn-tinted trees, and occasional soft coos from Mo Yan. The atmosphere between them remained comfortable and familiar, like old friends sharing a quiet ride.

When they finally arrived, Su Wanyan couldn’t help but marvel at the park’s impressive scale. Vast open grounds stretched before them, dotted with elaborate courses that promised both challenge and excitement. It’s very big, she thought in quiet awe as they stepped out.

A staff member greeted them promptly and guided them through the entrance toward the main gathering area. Su Wanyan’s eyes shone with bright, childlike enthusiasm as she took in the various obstacles—longer tire runs, water features, and intricate teamwork stations.

Her scholarly outfit contrasted adorably with her excited demeanor, like a studious researcher discovering a new playground.

The live barrage couldn’t resist cooing over her:

[She’s so cute.]

[Childish Su Wanyan wasn’t in my 20XX bingo card.]

[I thought she’d be a serious and cold guest, but she’s the most childish one after Qin Yuran and Zhao Yichen.]

[Lol, it’s weird grouping Su Wanyan with Qin Yuran and Zhao Yichen.]

[Fr, it’s like when the top 1 student was grouped for a project with the troublemakers. (crying)]

Su Wanyan remained blissfully unaware, her expression shifting back to scholarly focus as she studied the courses intently.

The alpha challenges would naturally include the extended tire runs, cargo net climbs, monkey bars, and balance beams, Su Wanyan thought, predicting what the courses would be. Then Su Wanyan’s gaze lingered regretfully on the sparkling water obstacles. We probably won’t do that, she thought with genuine heartache.

Mo Xingxue noticed her subtle disappointment and spoke softly. "Let’s return here after the show ends."

After hearing that, Su Wanyan’s face lit up instantly, her steps becoming noticeably lighter. "Un!" she replied, eyes sparkling as she looked at Mo Xingxue with pure gratitude.

Mo Xingxue returned the look with an exasperated but deeply fond smile.

They soon reached the waiting area where the other guests had gathered. Su Wanyan unfolded Mo Yan’s stroller while Mo Xingxue gently transferred the baby into it. The two women settled onto a nearby bench, Su Wanyan sitting close beside her partner.

Before she could fully relax, Qin Yuran appeared and hooked an arm around Su Wanyan’s neck, pulling her close to whisper conspiratorially. "Bro, Zhao Yichen and I planned to come back here in the future. Go with us, okay?"

Su Wanyan nodded seriously. Qin Yuran patted her back and released her with a grin.

As Su Wanyan sat back down next to Mo Xingxue, the latter tilted her head curiously. "What were you two talking about?"

Su Wanyan hesitated for a split second as she caught Zhao Yichen and Qin Yuran frantically shaking their heads and pressing fingers to their lips in the background. She felt a pang of guilt but went along with it. "It’s nothing. Qin Yuran was just saying we’ll secretly try the water obstacles later," she lied smoothly, keeping her tone casual. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Mo Xingxue nodded trustingly and didn’t press further. Zhao Yichen and Qin Yuran sighed in visible relief.

Just then, PD Xu Cui arrived with his usual energetic presence. "Attention, everyone!" he called, drawing all eyes to him. He turned on a massive TV screen and began explaining the courses: basic alpha challenges like tire runs, cargo nets, monkey bars, and balance beams—just like what Su Wanyan had predicted.

"Of course, that would be boring, right?" he added with a laugh, his eyes twinkling with familiar mischief.

Su Wanyan thought silently, Nope, it’s actually quite hard, but wisely kept quiet.

The PD clicked to the next slide, revealing a wobbling bridge over cushion padding, followed by a tall rock climbing wall. Excitement and mild dread rippled through the group.

"Of course, we can’t have our omegas just watching, right?" PD Xu Cui continued, his smile turning wicked in the eyes of the guests. He explained that alphas would carry their partners in a princess carry through a parkour-style course. A collective ripple of reactions followed—some excited, many nervous.

The barrage celebrated wildly:

[Woohoo! We knew we could count on you, PD!]

[Yeah! Although it’s like you’re punishing the alphas, we don’t care as long as we see our favorite couple in such close proximity!]

[I can already see Lin Xuanyu blushing while he’s being carried by Gu Chengze. Bliss.]

[How will Mo Xingxue react, I wonder?]

Some lamented the pairings, mourning missed opportunities for other ships.

[It’s such a shame Song Meiyu and Qin Yuran aren’t partners this time, sigh.]

[Fr, it’s quite saddening actually.]

[MY OLDIE DUO, NOOOO!! (Zhao Yichen and Han Jiho)]

[I still daydream that Qin Yuran had picked three instead of four, sigh.]

[Fr, fr, it’s such a shame, really.]

"But if that’s the only thing the omegas will do, isn’t that boring for you guys?" PD Xu Cui asked innocently. Before anyone could respond, he clicked again, showing blindfolds.

He explained the final twist enthusiastically: after the parkour, alphas would complete wall climbs while blindfolded, then shuffle positions. Omegas, also blindfolded, would have to find their partners by touch alone. Wrong guesses meant the alphas had to repeat the wall climb.

The guests stared in dumbfounded silence. PD Xu Cui simply turned off the TV and grinned devilishly.

"Then, shall we start?" he asked, his expression full of playful menace.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

See what I did there again? Mo Yan is THEIR baby. And I’mma keep it that way, ’cause Mo Yan is literally their baby. Who the heck even is Gu Chengze? Is he a fish? I don’t know him... I’m kidding.

Anyway, can y’all spot what meme I referenced this time?