It was day five at the villa.
Yu Mo was an early riser.
Ding Binbing squinted at his phone. “Isn’t it Sunday? Why are you up so early?” he mumbled.
“Got stuff to do,” Yu Mo replied, adjusting his clothes and checking himself in the mirror.
Ding Binbing just grunted sleepily. “Oh. I’m going back to sleep.”
Yu Mo gave him a long, knowing look, but Ding Binbing didn’t see it. His eyes were already shut again, already half asleep.
Usually, when Ding Binbing had a date, he’d be up even earlier than Yu Mo. So, seeing him still in bed now made it pretty obvious what had happened.
The always-flirty Xia Sihan hadn’t chosen him. Yu Mo had no idea who she picked, and honestly, he didn’t really care. He just felt a little bad for Ding Binbing, that’s all.
As Yu Mo stepped out of his room, the door across the hall opened at the exact same time.
It was Xu Kangning.
He offered a polite greeting first. “Morning.”
Yu Mo nodded. “Morning.”
They exchanged pleasantries as if nothing had happened the night before.
They walked to the kitchen together, each doing their own thing, making their own breakfast without bothering each other.
Meanwhile, everyone on Mu Fu’s side of the villa was already up.
Hearing the sounds through the wall, Feng Ningran asked cautiously, “Mu Fu, are you heading out this morning too?”
Mu Fu nodded. “You as well?”
Feng Ningran made a face. “Yeah. But I have to be back by noon. So annoying.”
Mu Fu gave a slight smile. “Same here.”
Feng Ningran blinked in surprise. “You’re coming back at noon too?”
Mu Fu nodded again, confirming it.
A puzzled look crossed Feng Ningran’s face.
“Can’t believe someone actually chose Yu Mo…” she mumbled under her breath. Then, realizing Mu Fu was right there, she quickly tried to fix it. “No, I mean—someone was actually interested in him.”
Mu Fu didn’t say anything. Honestly, trying to explain would just make it worse.
Feng Ningran realized she’d said too much and fell silent. But moments later, she kept sneaking glances at Mu Fu, clearly dying to say something but holding back.
“What is it?” Mu Fu asked. Feng Ningran’s tense expression was making her uncomfortable.
At once, Feng Ningran broke into a grin. She’d been waiting for this. Ever since she found out that Mu Fu and another girl had both picked Yu Mo, she could barely keep it in.
And now, she finally had an excuse to spill her own secret:
She, too, had picked someone… along with another girl. And that someone was Xu Kangning.
Feng Ningran cleared her throat. “Aren’t you curious who I picked?”
Mu Fu played along. “Who?”
“I asked Xu Kangning out,” Feng Ningran said, sounding a little pleased with herself. “At first, I thought I’d be the only one stuck at the villa this afternoon. But knowing you’ll be back too—it makes me feel way better.”
Mu Fu gave her a gentle smile but didn’t say anything.
Feng Ningran didn’t seem to care if she replied or not; she just kept talking. “So that means two of the guys will be hanging around the villa today.”
“Looks like it,” Mu Fu said casually. “Though I wonder if the crew has anything else planned for them.”
Feng Ningran knew exactly who Mu Fu meant by “them.”
After finding out Rong Yongxin would be one of the two staying behind, Feng Ningran’s feelings got surprisingly mixed up. She’d figured at least Wu Qingyi would have chosen him, or maybe even Xia Sihan. But in the end, not a single invitation went his way.
Still, when she remembered that Ding Binbing was in the same boat, it didn’t feel quite so bad.
Anyway, it wasn’t going to stop her from going after someone better.
Feng Ningran had always been a bit selfish. Any guilt she felt toward Rong Yongxin quickly faded. Ask her to give up Xu Kangning for him? No way. She loved herself way more than she ever loved him.
Besides, they weren’t even back together. No one could blame her for moving on.
When they went downstairs, Mu Fu saw that Xia Sihan and Wu Qingyi were already up. Wu Qingyi was wiping sweat off her forehead, while Xia Sihan, dressed casually, was looking over at Yu Mo and Xu Kangning.
“Morning,” Mu Fu greeted them with a wave.
“Morning,” the others replied.
Wu Qingyi glanced at Mu Fu, then quickly looked away.
Feng Ningran turned to her, surprised. “Qingyi, you’ve already been out for a run?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d go out early for a jog.” As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward Yu Mo.
She wanted to see how he’d react—if he’d show even a tiny bit of concern after hearing she’d lost sleep because of him.
But Yu Mo didn’t react at all.
Wu Qingyi bit her lip, her mood sinking. Still, she told herself maybe he was just too focused on cooking to hear her properly.
That was the only way she could make herself feel better. She didn’t want to face the truth—that Yu Mo didn’t care about her. Not even a little.
Mu Fu walked over to Yu Mo. “Hey, A-Mo, what are you making? Smells amazing.”
The kitchen was filled with the delicious, smoky smell of bacon.
Yu Mo looked up at her. “Just pan-frying some bacon. Thought I’d make bacon toast. Want some?”
Mu Fu nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Do you want cheese with it?”
“Mhm.”
To the side, Xu Kangning was busy making fried eggs.
He watched Mu Fu and Yu Mo out of the corner of his eye. He felt invisible.
Once Mu Fu realized Yu Mo didn’t need any help, she went to sit with the others.
Xu Kangning turned to them. “Anyone else want some? I can make more.”
Xia Sihan accepted right away. “Yes, please. Thanks, Kangning—sorry for the extra work.”
Wu Qingyi glanced at Yu Mo, who hadn’t said a word. He hadn’t even asked if anyone else wanted breakfast. That was all the confirmation she needed—he’d only made enough for Mu Fu.
Xu Kangning turned to her. “Qingyi, do you want some?”
“Yes, thank you,” she said. “Need a hand?”
“No need,” he politely declined.
He didn’t ask Mu Fu again. He remembered what he’d said the night before. If he wanted her to see him in a better light, he couldn’t make things awkward for her in front of everyone.
Yu Mo had only cooked for two, so he finished quickly. Without a word, he brought the two plates over and sat right beside Mu Fu, as if no one else was there.
Mu Fu glanced around, a little embarrassed. “We’ll go ahead and eat first.”
She lowered her head and started to eat. Around the table, the others had mixed expressions.
Feng Ningran looked at her with thinly veiled envy.
Mu Fu and Yu Mo had chosen each other, and their chemistry was obvious. Their quiet sweetness stirred up envy in more than a few hearts—Feng Ningran’s included. She longed for that kind of connection too.
The two of them finished quickly. Yu Mo gathered their dishes and took them to the sink without being asked. That simple gesture made the other women look at him with even deeper jealousy.
“Ready?” he asked. “It might get pretty hot later. Did you put on sunscreen?”
His eyes fell to Mu Fu’s pale, delicate arms as he spoke.
Today, Mu Fu was wearing a crisp white T-shirt and cool wide-leg jeans—a look that made her seem really youthful and charming.
“Mhm, I put some on,” she replied, answering Yu Mo’s earlier question about sunscreen.
As she rummaged through her bag, she realized her lipstick had worn off after breakfast and needed a quick touch-up.
“What are you looking for?” Yu Mo asked, noticing her digging through her stuff.
“Found it,” Mu Fu said, finally pulling out the small tube. Her bag was full of random bits and bobs, and the lipstick was tiny, so it took a moment.
Holding it up, she looked at Yu Mo. “This. Can you check if the color on my lips is uneven?”
As she spoke, she stood on her tiptoes a little and puckered her lips, giving him a look that said, take a good look.
Yu Mo’s eyes dropped straight to her lips.
They were slightly parted, glistening and soft like a ripe peach—sweet, inviting, totally irresistible. His calm gaze suddenly grew intense.
He knew exactly how soft they were. He’d tasted them before, and the memory was still fresh—sweet, warm, addictive.
He couldn’t tell what shade of lipstick she was using, but in that moment, he thought it might be worth buying every single shade for her, just to see her wear them for him.
“Here,” he murmured, “it’s a little light… right here.”
Words weren’t enough, so he raised his hand and gently tapped her lips with his fingertip. The soft skin yielded under his touch, and he couldn’t help but think—if she opened her mouth just a little more, she could almost take his finger in.
Yu Mo’s eyes turned pitch black. His throat felt dry.
A vivid image flashed through his mind: Mu Fu lying helpless beneath him on white sheets, letting him do whatever he pleased. His possessiveness surged, dark and primal—he wanted to leave his mark on her, again and again.
“Want me to put it on for you?” His voice was low, husky, and deeply alluring.
Mu Fu’s ears tingled. “Okay,” she answered softly, her voice sweet as honey.
Yu Mo’s gaze darkened even more, though his expression stayed calm as he took the lipstick from her.
Lifting her chin gently, he lowered his head, his eyes meeting hers.
Mu Fu looked up at him, her eyes wide and clear, trusting and expectant.
That look of innocent reliance made his heart clench. His gaze grew heavier.
He carefully traced the shape of her lips with the lipstick, then smoothed it out gently with his finger. His fingertip came away stained with the same rose-colored hue that bloomed on her lips.
“All done.”
“Let me see.”
It was the first time a guy had ever helped her apply lipstick—she was genuinely curious. She checked herself in her compact mirror and nodded, satisfied. “Wow, not bad at all. You’ve got talent, A-Mo.”
Yu Mo’s lips curved into a smile. “It’s because you’re beautiful, A-Fu.”
Mu Fu’s heart felt like it had been dipped in honey—sweet and warm. Her eyes curved into crescents, glowing with a shy smile.
Once they were in the car, Yu Mo followed the GPS coordinates from the show and started driving.
Mu Fu glanced at the handsome man beside her, who was fully focused on the road. “Hey, A-Mo, aren’t you curious where we’re going?”
Yu Mo smiled. “Where’s A-Fu taking me?”
Instead of answering, Mu Fu teased, “I’m going to sell you off.”
Yu Mo played along, his voice half-serious. “A-Fu, if you keep me around, I can earn you way more money.”
Mu Fu shook her head with mock seriousness. “Nope. You never know what the future holds. Better to cash in now while I still can.”
Yu Mo turned to glance at her. “If you don’t trust me, you can hold onto the money. I’ll make it, and you can spend it.”
“You’d really be okay with that?” Mu Fu looked at him, surprised.
Without hesitation, Yu Mo nodded. “Yeah.”
To him, money would never be more important than Mu Fu. If his wealth could keep her by his side, he was more than willing to use it as bait.
Mu Fu blinked, but chose not to reply. She didn’t want to push the topic any further.
The passenger seat in Yu Mo’s car was super comfortable. After a while, Mu Fu started to feel sleepy. She had gone to bed late the night before and had woken up early to get ready that morning—her body was still getting used to the change in routine.
Axolotl Translations 
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