In the corner of the living room, slightly removed from the festive mood, sat Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze. Lin Xuanyu maintained that harmless, gentle smile on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes at all, giving him an unsettling, almost creepy quality rather than the cute innocence he usually projected. While he appeared calm on the surface, internally he was freaking out.

His hand resting on his thigh kept tapping restlessly, a clear sign of his growing anxiety. It was already hard seducing Su Wanyan with just Mo Xingxue and Mo Yan around, he thought, glancing toward the door. Now she has to bring another brat too. Lin Xuanyu gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching.

How am I going to successfully seduce her if her attention is divided? He glanced at Gu Chengze beside him, and his demeanor softened slightly. Right, we have our plan. I’m getting anxious for no reason. Lin Xuanyu gazed at Gu Chengze again, a fervent obsession flickering in his eyes. He’s truly so handsome, he swooned inwardly. He stared for a moment longer before shaking his head softly. Yeah, I’m the only one who deserves him, he thought proudly and darkly.

Then his gaze shifted to Mo Xingxue, who was calmly feeding Mo Yan amid the noise of the other guests. I’m sorry, Teacher Mo, but you have to be a tool in our love story, he thought, "sincerely" apologizing in his heart.

Then he smirked. Why should I feel sorry? I’m literally the only one who really deserves him, after all. All his other lovers and loves are just obstacles in our story. He glanced at Gu Chengze again and smiled. Hah~ I literally am the only one who deserves you, CEO Gu, he thought, his eyes practically dripping with sticky, obsessive sweetness.

Meanwhile, Gu Chengze’s entire focus was locked on Mo Xingxue. Even after that inferior alpha had taken a break, she still didn’t let anyone near her. He had been trying to get close and rekindle their "flame," but Mo Xingxue kept distancing herself.

Gu Chengze was furious at this—he had been stooping so low already, yet this woman kept playing hard to get? He felt wronged, very wronged. But he had prepared himself for this years ago. After all, during their first meeting, she had turned down his suggestion. That was the first time someone had ever done that, and he had been pursuing her ever since.

However, to no avail, she still didn’t budge. He didn’t think it was because what he had done was despicable. He righteously believed it was because Mo Xingxue’s avoidant nature had kicked in again.

To him, what happened that day was mutual. After all, if she really felt repulsed by him, why had she taken the drink he offered? Gu Chengze had played these games before and knew that Mo Xingxue was just playing hard to get.

Gu Chengze exhaled the breath he had been holding and relaxed his clenched hands. He tried to suppress the anger that had risen and calmly leaned back on the sofa. I should follow our plan, he thought darkly. A prey would calmly offer themselves to a predator as long as the predator waits, Gu Chengze thought, feeling the corner of his mouth rise. He glanced at Lin Xuanyu in the corner of his eyes, and unbeknownst to him, an obsessive affection appeared in his gaze.

Just then, the door of the villa opened, snapping the two men out of their thoughts.

"Su Wanyan’s here!" Zhao Yichen said excitedly, standing up from the sofa, to which Han Jiho glared at him. The other guests showed their excitement, and the two men hid their dark plans, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

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The van came to a smooth stop in front of the grand villa, its tires crunching softly against the gravel driveway. The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the impressive building and the long staircase leading up to its entrance.

The air was fresh and crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the carefully tended gardens surrounding the property and the distant, clean aroma of the nearby hills. Birds chirped softly in the trees, adding a peaceful melody to the moment.

Su Wanyan calmly stepped out of the van first, turning back to hold her hand out for Shen Guoxing. The child obediently took it and stepped down, her small feet touching the ground with careful wonder.

Shen Guoxing opened her mouth in awe at the sight of the grand villa and the tall staircase stretching upward. "This is where we’re going to stay at, Aunt Wanyan?!" she exclaimed excitedly, her small body practically shaking with joy.

Su Wanyan chuckled at the sight and nodded. "Yeah, but it’s just for a day though," she said gently.

Shen Guoxing’s smile didn’t falter for a second. Her eyes sparkled even brighter as she looked up at Su Wanyan. "You mean we’re going to another place again tomorrow?!" she asked, her voice filled with pure delight.

Su Wanyan blinked at her, then wiped her eyes as if she had seen something wrong. I swore I saw sparkles coming out of her eyes, she thought, chuckling inwardly. This must be the result of sleeping so late. She shook the silly thought away.

Su Wanyan crouched down to Shen Guoxing’s level and nodded. "Yeah," she affirmed. "Are you excited for that?"

Immediately, Shen Guoxing nodded repeatedly. "Yeah! I can’t wait!" she said, practically looking like an eager little hen pecking at food.

Su Wanyan chuckled at the random thought and stood up. "Shall we go, then?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Shen Guoxing nodded enthusiastically. "Un!" she said, her voice bright with excitement.

The two began climbing the large staircase. However, not long after, Shen Guoxing began panting softly from the effort. Su Wanyan looked at her worriedly. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern clear in her tone.

Shen Guoxing looked up at her, still breathing heavily. "Yeah," she said, stretching out both of her small hands toward Su Wanyan. "Aunt, carry me."

Su Wanyan smiled at her and nodded, immediately lifting the little child into her arms. Shen Guoxing melted into the embrace, resting her head on Su Wanyan’s shoulder as she gathered her breath. Su Wanyan patted her back gently and continued climbing the stairs.

Ha.. she’s still so frail, Su Wanyan thought, feeling a deep heartache for the child. She knew that delaying Shen Guoxing’s treatment would have side effects, but... She looked down at the child in her arms and shook her head. If only there was a miraculous item that would heal Shen Guoxing’s frailness—

Su Wanyan’s thoughts paused. Wait, don’t I have 9 more Perfect Foundation Potions? Her eyes widened at the realization. That’s right! I can give that to Shen Guoxing! Why haven’t I thought of that before?! She wanted to hit herself for letting the thought slip away earlier.

Just then, she heard an exhausted voice call out to her. "Aunt Wanyan?" Shen Guoxing asked in confusion as Su Wanyan suddenly stopped climbing up.

Su Wanyan finally snapped out of her thoughts and managed an embarrassed smile. "I’m sorry, I got too deep into thinking," she said.

Shen Guoxing playfully shook her head at Su Wanyan, laughing softly. Su Wanyan patted her frail back and started climbing again. This time, not with heaviness, but with renewed strength at her conclusion.

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After climbing up peacefully, the two reached the top of the stairs, and Su Wanyan gently put Shen Guoxing down. She looked at the child and asked gently, "Are you ready?"

Shen Guoxing looked up at her and nodded hesitantly. "Yeah.." she said, her voice faltering. Don’t get her wrong—she was excited to meet the uncles and aunts who had visited her when she was asleep and even gave her gifts. But all her life in this world had been spent with doctors and nurses.

Even in her last life, she had been a loner who only interacted with one person online. So, she really wasn’t adept at socializing.

Su Wanyan smiled gently at her. She crouched down to meet Shen Guoxing’s level and patted her head. "Take all the time that you need, Xing’er," she said gently.

Shen Guoxing nodded at her and smiled. "Okay, Aunt Wanyan," she said, her voice still trembling. Su Wanyan waited patiently, holding Shen Guoxing’s small hands with hers, warming up the child’s cold fingers.

Shen Guoxing exhaled a shaky breath and nodded at Su Wanyan. "Okay, Aunt. I’m ready," she said, looking straight into Su Wanyan’s eyes. Her voice, although still shaky, was filled with determination.

Su Wanyan stood up and patted both of Shen Guoxing’s shoulders. "What a strong jiejie. Good job," she said.

Shen Guoxing smiled. "Open the door, Aunt!" she said, the excitement in her voice returning.

Su Wanyan laughed softly and opened the large door of the villa.

Starting the new adventure that awaits them.

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Guys, can y’all scold AshesOT, yuriconnoisseur, ShiiroNovax, riyoko_xin, and You_knowwho for me? They had been ganging up on me when they found out I can’t comment... (curse you restrictions)