When Xia Sihan got back to the room, Wu Qingyi was still awake, lying on her bed, scrolling through her phone. The moment Xia Sihan walked in, Wu Qingyi noticed the heavy, brooding look she’d worn earlier was completely gone—replaced by a relaxed, cheerful expression.
“You’re back?” Wu Qingyi asked, her eyes glinting a little, though she didn’t push for details.
“Mhm. Sister Qingyi, you’re still up?” Xia Sihan responded with a soft smile. Ever since learning Wu Qingyi was older, Xia Sihan had intentionally started calling her “jie” (older sister).
“There’s not much of an age gap between us. You can just call me by my name,” Wu Qingyi said, her smile fading, her tone cooler. After all, who wouldn’t be annoyed to be called “older sister” by someone close in age—especially on a competitive dating show like this one?
Xia Sihan looked apologetic. “Sister Qingyi—uh, Qingyi, sorry. I don’t know why, but ever since I found out everyone’s ages, I naturally started seeing you as a senior I respected.”
Wu Qingyi let out a small laugh but didn’t reply. What could she say? The girl was framing it as a sign of respect—if she kept pushing, she’d just come off as petty and ungrateful in the eyes of the viewers.
Once Wu Qingyi fell silent, Xia Sihan went off to wash up. When she realized she hadn’t received a single text tonight, she had no energy for anything else. Her mind had been consumed with keeping her “pond full of fish” from getting stirred up. Luckily, one of them had calmed down.
By the third day in the villa, things started shifting. When Mu Fu woke up, she noticed Wu Qingyi was already gone, and downstairs, only Xu Kangning was around. She gave him a curious glance, surprised he wasn’t out and about, then walked into the kitchen.
Xu Kangning came over and casually took a seat by the dining table. “You always get up this late?”
“Yeah, it’s a habit.”
“And you? Why are you still here?” It had been two days since they arrived at the villa, and the tension between them had started to ease. As long as he didn’t provoke her, Mu Fu figured it was okay to have a peaceful chat.
Xu Kangning kept his gaze fixed on her. “You mean work? I don’t actually have a job right now.”
Mu Fu didn’t buy that for a second. After their breakup, all kinds of classmates had come to her talking about how Xu Kangning was killing it at Xu Group—leading huge projects, getting promoted left and right. Eventually, she got so annoyed she deleted every single high school contact.
She let out a cold chuckle. “Hard to believe Young Master Xu is unemployed.”
“Mm, I’m just on a break lately.”
“Heh.”
Mu Fu ignored Xu Kangning. She pulled two slices of toast from the fridge, planning to pan-fry them and make a sunny-side-up egg to go with it. Soft sunlight filtered in through the window, casting a warm glow on her face. She wasn’t wearing any makeup—her lips were naturally soft pink, giving her an effortlessly pure, fresh look, like a lotus blooming out of clear water.
Xu Kangning froze for a second. He’d always known Mu Fu looked great after losing weight, but his memory kept showing her how she looked when they were still together. He’d never really seen her this way before. Now, something about her felt… different.
Some feelings, once they start, can grow into huge trees before you even realize it—unless you stop them right away. But the person having those feelings had no intention of doing that now. His gaze changed slightly. “Are you having breakfast? Or is this… lunch?” Her indifference was getting to him. Xu Kangning could feel his irritation rising. He hated that look on her face.
“You have eyes, don’t you?”
“Why are you always so harsh with me, but so gentle with Yu Mo?”
Mu Fu shot him a look. “Do you really think the two of you are even comparable?”
Xu Kangning stared at her for a moment, as if something had just crossed his mind. “You mean to say Yu Mo can’t compare to me?”
Mu Fu frowned, her features elegant even when annoyed. “Xu Kangning, when did you become so shameless?”
“Isn’t it true, though? I’ve always been better than Yu Mo.”
She responded with another dry, sarcastic chuckle. “Heh.”
“Who did you send your ‘heart-throb’ text to these past couple of days?” he asked, his voice dropping as his expression darkened.
“Why would I tell you?”
“It’s just out of friendly concern, from one old classmate to another.”
Mu Fu gave him a cold look. “Kindly keep your so-called ‘concern’ to yourself. I don’t need it.”
Looking at her vivid, expressive face, Xu Kangning’s lips curved slightly. “You know… you’re getting more beautiful by the day.”
Mu Fu was speechless. What was wrong with this guy?
“If you’re bored, go bother someone else. I’m not accepting visitors.”
Seeing Mu Fu’s growing impatience, Xu Kangning finally stopped pretending and said seriously, “Mu Fu, Yu Mo isn’t the good guy you think he is. You’d be better off keeping your distance.” His gaze was layered with complexity. He wasn’t oblivious—he’d noticed the way Yu Mo had been looking at him lately. There was something chilling beneath that calm surface, something that made him uneasy. No matter what his reasons were, Xu Kangning didn’t want Mu Fu getting too close to Yu Mo.
“If Yu Mo’s not a good person, are you saying you are?” Mu Fu shot back, her brow furrowing. “And do you even know him? I can’t stand people like you—spreading rumors with nothing but your mouth.” Her eyes were sharp with disdain.
Xu Kangning opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. In truth, he wasn’t a good person either—and he knew it.
At that moment, Mu Fu caught sight of Yu Mo coming down the stairs. Her eyes flickered nervously, uncertain how much he might’ve overheard. That last line—he probably heard it. A faint flush crept up her cheeks.
Xu Kangning, still watching her closely, noticed the change immediately. His face darkened. When Yu Mo met his eyes, Xu Kangning didn’t bother hiding the hostility in his own.
There was no guilt about what he’d just said—only malice. Yu Mo, however, looked back with a casual, almost amused expression, but the sarcasm in his eyes stung more than any words.
“What brings you downstairs?” Mu Fu asked quickly.
“Just wanted a glass of water.” Yu Mo glanced at her hands. “You haven’t eaten yet?”
“No,” she replied with a nod.
“I’ll help,” he offered, stepping closer.
“That’s okay. I’m almost done.” Honestly, if Xu Kangning hadn’t been annoying her the whole time, she’d be finished by now. She looked up and gave Yu Mo a bright, warm smile. It made his heart jolt—as if her light was slowly chasing away some long-standing shadows within him.
Xu Kangning watched the two of them, a third wheel in his own story. Their closeness made him feel like an intruder. Beneath the table, his hand clenched tightly. He glared at Yu Mo for a beat before turning and storming out. Yu Mo didn’t even glance at him, completely unbothered. Mu Fu, on the other hand, gave the departing back a puzzled look. What was his problem?
Yu Mo picked up the kettle on the kitchen counter and poured himself a glass of water, but he didn’t move to leave. His gaze stayed fixed on Mu Fu. He brought the glass to his lips and took a slow sip, like he was really enjoying something rare.
Mu Fu’s cheeks turned a deeper red. Her fair skin had a soft, glowing look, and the faint, sweet smell around her seemed to get stronger by the second.
“You heard everything, didn’t you?” she asked.
“What perfume are you wearing?” he asked at the same time.
They both paused, surprised.
Mu Fu ducked her head, shyly. “I’m not wearing any perfume.”
While she was distracted, Yu Mo quietly set the glass down and walked around the kitchen island, heading toward her. Then, leaning in, he took a light breath near her, moving closer—toward her neck. His eyes darkened. The scent clinging to her was richer up close. It was so intoxicating, it made it hard for him to hold back.
Mu Fu froze with him so close. Her fingers curled, unsure what to do. She bit down gently on her lower lip—once pale pink, now a vivid rose, like a flower blooming just for the picking. Something flickered in Yu Mo’s gaze—an intense, shifting heat.
“You smell incredible.” I want to taste you. His voice was low and smoky, full of a magnetic, dangerous charm. He was like a siren luring a sailor to the rocks, his presence thick with seduction.
“Wh-why are you standing so close to me?” she stammered, barely able to finish the sentence.
Yu Mo’s eyes shimmered, but he didn’t answer. “What were you and Xu Kangning talking about just now?”
Mu Fu hesitated. She wanted to ask how much he’d overheard, but instead said, “Oh… nothing really. Just chatting.”
He seemed to accept that. “Alright.”
As he straightened up, Mu Fu finally felt her muscles loosen. Only then did she realize her forehead was damp with sweat. Her skin felt sticky, but with Yu Mo still standing nearby, she didn’t dare wipe it off. She hurried to plate the fried egg, laid it onto a piece of toast, and topped it with another slice—then quickly grabbed the sandwich and made a swift escape to the dining table.
That hazy, intense moment from earlier had left Mu Fu with the feeling that Yu Mo might actually lean in and kiss her. Just thinking about the shape of his lips made her mouth feel dry. In her rush to escape, she hadn’t even remembered to pour herself a glass of milk.
Right then, Yu Mo strolled over from the kitchen and took the seat across from her. As he sat down, he placed a glass of milk in front of her.
“Thank you,” Mu Fu mumbled, still too flustered to look at him. Her head stayed bowed as she ate, her cheeks never once losing their blush.
After she finished and washed the dishes, she practically bolted from the kitchen like someone was chasing her. Yu Mo, with his long legs and calm stride, followed her leisurely, never too far behind. Just as she was about to enter her room, he called out.
Mu Fu turned back. “Hmm?”
“The lounge on the third floor is really quiet,” he said, his eyes fixed on hers with a smoldering intensity. “Do you want to work up there?”
“Why would I go up there?”
“You said you had work to do, didn’t you?”
“Oh… you too?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yeah.”
Mu Fu hesitated for a moment. She did want to spend more time with him—and since he was handing her an excuse on a silver platter, why not take it? “Okay then. I’ll grab my things and meet you.”
“I’ll wait,” Yu Mo replied, his gaze dark and magnetic—everything was unfolding exactly as he’d hoped.
A few minutes later, Mu Fu emerged with her things in hand. Just as promised, Yu Mo was waiting outside the door. “Let’s go,” she said softly.
The two walked side by side, their shoulders occasionally brushing. Mu Fu kept her head down, her cheeks burning again. Yu Mo glanced sideways at her. From his height, he could clearly see the soft curve of the back of her head. His gaze trailed downward to the slender line of her pale neck, delicate and elegant like a swan’s. It looked so fragile, so tempting—like the kind of softness that would give way with just the lightest touch. She had no idea the kind of thoughts that look was stirring in him—simply exposing that vulnerable curve to the gaze of a predator.
Yu Mo swallowed hard. He felt parched again.
Last time Mu Fu had come upstairs, she’d been turned away by staff before getting a good look. So it was only now that she realized the “quiet lounge” Yu Mo mentioned was actually tucked inside the game room.
Axolotl Translations 
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