Chapter 36: Ch 36: Midnight Comfort and Rising Heat

The bedroom had grown dark as evening settled over the villa. The soft, silvery moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting gentle, ethereal patterns across the rumpled bedsheets and the three figures resting peacefully on Mo Xingxue’s bed.

The air was warm and still, carrying the faint, comforting scent of the day’s outdoor adventure—sun-warmed skin, a hint of fresh grass from the zoo, and the subtle floral notes of Mo Xingxue’s perfume mixed with the clean, milky scent of little Mo Yan.

Outside, the distant sounds of the night—crickets chirping softly and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze—created a peaceful backdrop.

Su Wanyan stirred slowly, her enhanced senses pulling her from a light doze. She became aware of the warmth surrounding her: Mo Xingxue’s head resting trustingly on her left arm, using it as a pillow, while her right arm was wrapped securely around little Mo Yan.

The baby was nestled comfortably between them, her tiny chest rising and falling in steady, peaceful breaths. Su Wanyan’s heart swelled with a quiet, protective tenderness at the sight.

She smiled softly, a gentle curve of her lips that spoke of deep affection. For a moment, she simply lay there, savoring the intimate closeness—the way Mo Xingxue’s silky hair spilled across her shoulder, the soft, even puffs of the baby’s breath against her chest. It felt right. Natural. Like pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together after years of being scattered.

But the room was noticeably darker now. Su Wanyan glanced behind her toward the window, noting how the twilight had deepened into a full night. The soft glow of the bedside lamp was the only steady light, casting long, gentle shadows across the walls.

Carefully, so as not to disturb them, she eased her right arm from around Mo Yan. The baby stirred slightly but didn’t wake, letting out a tiny, contented sigh. Su Wanyan then gently pulled her left arm free from beneath Mo Xingxue’s head, replacing it with a soft pillow she reached for from the side. Mo Xingxue murmured something incoherent in her sleep but remained deeply asleep, her elegant features relaxed for the first time in hours.

Su Wanyan sat up slowly, stretching her arms above her head with a quiet sigh. Her muscles felt a little stiff from holding the same position, but the enhanced vitality from the potion kept any real fatigue at bay. Her gaze drifted to her own bed, where the abandoned plates of mashed potatoes and fruit salad sat, now cold and untouched. She let out a soft, regretful sigh. Ha.. what a waste of food.

The memory of Mo Xingxue’s earlier breakdown flashed through her mind—the tears, the trembling, the raw fear in her voice. Su Wanyan’s heart tightened painfully again. Never mind, she thought, pushing the regret aside. At least the ants didn’t swarm in. She carefully retrieved the two dishes, balancing them quietly, and slipped out of the room.

The hallway was dimly lit, the villa’s elegant wooden floors cool beneath her bare feet. She moved silently toward the kitchen, the faint clink of plates the only sound accompanying her. Once there, she set the dishes down and began washing them methodically under the running water.

The cool stream splashed gently against the ceramic, washing away the remnants of the uneaten meal. As she worked, her mind replayed the earlier events—Mo Xingxue’s sudden panic, the way she had clung to her like a lifeline.

Su Wanyan gritted her teeth, a quiet frustration building. How do I distance her from Gu Chengze without causing more chaos? She sighed again, the sound soft in the empty kitchen. Her hands moved on autopilot, scrubbing the plates clean with steady, precise motions.

Her face remained calm and gentle on the surface—like an untouchable flower blooming quietly in the moonlight—but inside, her thoughts churned with protective worry.

The barrage, ever-present through the cameras, had its usual chaotic commentary.

[She looks so hot!]

[Dang, I can’t—wow! Just wow!]

[I can’t believe I can look at this face for free.]

[The demons—! The demons are spreading my legs for Su Wanyan!]

[Even the demons are ashamed of your shamelessness.] 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

[As much as I am enjoying the treat, did she and Mo Xingxue fight?]

[Fr, she looks calmer than usual.]

[Maybe she just drained her energy?]

[For what reasons though? Social battery?]

[Bro, think about it. She and Mo Xingxue were in the room for hours, right?]

[Right.]

[Then she came out and looked THIS exhausted. Add to that, you can’t see Mo Xingxue nearby, right?]

[Right... What are you even trying to imply?]

[Bear with me. Now, when an alpha and an omega are alone, what do they do?]

[Hangout?]

[Close, but think deeper and spicier.]

[...Are you saying they—?]

[Hey, I’m not saying anything. It’s just based on my interpretation.]

[...I feel like you’re onto something.]

[And here are the long-awaited conspiracies, lol.]

[How the heck did you two even find each other’s replies? The bullet is fast as hell!]

Su Wanyan finished washing the dishes, drying her hands on a nearby towel with slow, deliberate movements. She wiped down the counter for good measure, her mind still heavy with concern for Mo Xingxue. With a quiet sigh, she headed back toward the living room, intending to give her childhood friend some much-needed alone time to rest.

When she stepped into the living room, the scene had shifted. Zhao Yichen had finally succeeded in coaxing Han Jiho, who was now laughing softly at one of his jokes, the earlier coldness melted into warm amusement.

On the other side of the sofa, Song Meiyu was teasing a red-faced Qin Yuran, who endured it with a mix of embarrassment and shy affection. Su Wanyan’s gaze drifted further, landing on Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze.

The two were sitting in an uncomfortably intimate posture—knees touching, foreheads nearly pressed together as they spoke in low voices. The corner of Su Wanyan’s mouth twitched, her eyes darkening for a brief moment. She quickly masked her expression, offering a calm smile as she sat near Qin Yuran and Song Meiyu.

"I’m telling you, I won’t kneel again," Qin Yuran said helplessly, her voice a mix of exasperation and fondness.

Song Meiyu just laughed softly at her, then noticed Su Wanyan. "Is Mo Xingxue asleep?" she asked gently.

Su Wanyan nodded, a fond expression softening her features. "Yeah, she’s tired from our little adventure earlier."

Song Meiyu returned the nod warmly, and the three continued chatting quietly.

+-+-+-+-+-+

Meanwhile, back in the bedroom, Mo Xingxue stirred from her restless sleep. The soft moonlight illuminated her serene yet troubled face, casting silver highlights across her dark hair. She was still hugging her daughter close, but the absence of Su Wanyan’s warmth beside her made her heart clench.

Her eyes teared up again, a wave of insecurity washing over her. Did Yanyan leave me? The thought pierced her like a thorn. It’s probably because she was scared of my outburst earlier.... It’s all my fault.

She felt her emotions spiraling, her body growing unusually sensitive. Could my heat have started early? The high emotional state from earlier stress must have triggered it. Tears fell silently down her cheeks. It didn’t matter if it was the heat or her trauma—she wanted her Yanyan here, with her and Mo Yan.

"Yanyan...." she called out softly, her voice nasally and trembling. There was no response. She tried again, louder this time. "Yanyan!"

Su Wanyan, still chatting in the living room, heard her name through her enhanced hearing. Mo Xingxue’s voice sounded like she was crying. Alarm shot through her. Without a word, she stood up abruptly and bolted toward their room, her movements a blur of speed.

Qin Yuran, who had been about to place her arm on Su Wanyan’s shoulder, was left with her hand awkwardly hanging in the air. She blinked, stunned. "What just happened?" she questioned, voice full of confusion.

The others exchanged surprised glances. Zhao Yichen whistled softly. "Mo Xingxue has Su Wanyan under her control," he murmured, laughing at the simp-like behavior. Han Jiho rolled his eyes at him and sighed. "How lucky. If only I had a suitor like her too," he said accusingly.

Zhao Yichen widened his eyes in disbelief. "But I am like that though?" Han Jiho ignored him again, leaving Zhao Yichen speechless. I just coaxed you and now I have to do it all again?

The barrage, of course, couldn’t stay idle.

[What the heck just happened?]

[I don’t know. I blinked and suddenly she was gone.]

[Dang, she’s a runner.]

[She can even compete professionally with that speed of hers.]

[No kidding, I think she’s even faster than the one representing our country.]

[SU WANYAN FAST TRACKER ERA WHEN??]

[When the ravens are white and the sun has risen from the west.]

[OH, IN A BLINK GO—]

[STOP! If you continue that, we’re going to get copyrighted!]

Meanwhile, the main character of their teasing barged into the bedroom, heart pounding. "What’s wrong?" Su Wanyan asked worriedly, her brows furrowed in distress. She closed the door gently behind her and hurried to the bed.

Mo Xingxue’s eyes flickered with a mix of joy and lingering sorrow as she saw her. Su Wanyan’s heart tightened again. "I’m here. I’m here," she said softly.

As she got closer, Su Wanyan paused. She hadn’t noticed it before in her rush, but now the scent was unmistakable—Mo Xingxue was in heat.