Chapter 116: Ch 116: Hungry Pleas and Soft Headpats

The sun had climbed to its peak, the afternoon light making every shade of green richer and more vibrant. Beneath the sheltering canopy, Su Wanyan and the others continued resting in the cool shade, conversation drifting lazily from one random topic to another.

Su Wanyan, still forced to rest her head against Mo Xingxue’s shoulder thanks to PD Xu Cui’s earlier intervention, remained comfortably settled there.

The warmth of the omega’s body and the steady rhythm of her breathing created a quiet, private bubble. Her right hand was busy squeezing and playfully pinching Mo Yan’s soft cheeks, while her left arm had once again found its natural place around Mo Xingxue’s waist.

Mo Yan protested loudly, mouth wide open as she tried to shake off the persistent attacks. Drool slipped from the corner of her lips while she focused entirely on escaping her mother’s teasing fingers. Her little face was a mixture of indignation and determination, the soft chubby cheeks turning faintly pink under the gentle assault.

Su Wanyan only laughed and squeezed again, thoroughly entertained by the baby’s determined struggle. The sound of her laughter was light and free, blending with the rustle of leaves overhead.

Mo Xingxue watched the two of them with open warmth, tenderness soft in her eyes. The sight of Su Wanyan’s playful affection and Mo Yan’s dramatic resistance filled her chest with a quiet, steady happiness. Yet something—or rather, someone—felt missing.

She looked up and stretched out her left hand, gently taking hold of Shen Guoxing’s right hand that rested nearby. The child’s fingers were small and warm in hers.

Shen Guoxing, who had been listening to PD Xu Cui asked Leilei a series of questions, glanced down at the unexpected touch. When she looked up and saw Mo Xingxue smiling at her while holding her hand, her heart warmed.

Is Aunt Xingxue making sure I feel included? She thought. A bright smile spread across her face as she tightened her fingers around Mo Xingxue’s. The omega returned the gentle pressure, the silent reassurance clear.

Satisfied, Shen Guoxing turned her attention back to the scene in front of her—PD Xu Cui looking as though he were conducting a formal interrogation, and Leilei looking as though she might pass out from the tension at any moment.

"So, you’re an orphan?" PD Xu Cui asked. There was no judgment or pity in his voice; he was simply curious, the question delivered with the same straightforwardness he used when reviewing production schedules.

Leilei pressed her lips together and nodded. "Yes," she answered, her voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz. The soft grass pressed against her knees, and the weight of the adults’ attention made her shoulders tighten.

PD Xu Cui hummed and nodded, choosing not to pursue the matter further. The answer was noted and filed away without unnecessary weight.

"So when did you meet my angelic granddaughter?" he asked next, eyes sharpening slightly. The overprotective edge returned, quiet but unmistakable.

Leilei blinked and tilted her head. "Just an hour and a half ago...."

PD Xu Cui’s eyes narrowed. "....Just an hour and a half ago?" His tone and expression both turned grim. The dappled light through the leaves suddenly seemed sharper around him.

Leilei blinked rapidly, then nodded after a short pause. It was the truth; she really had only met Shen Guoxing earlier that day. There was no reason to lie. The child’s expression remained open and honest.

PD Xu Cui let out a quiet sigh. "You two just met.. and you’re already this close?" he murmured, a strange heaviness settling in his chest. The thought of someone—anyone—growing so quickly close to his granddaughter stirred an old, protective instinct he rarely examined.

Leilei looked up at him, worry flickering in her eyes. Did.. did I say something wrong? she wondered, growing more nervous as she noticed PD Xu Cui quietly gritting his teeth. The soft breeze stirred the leaves above them, but the tension in the small circle felt thicker than before.

Shen Guoxing heard both her Grandpa Cui’s mutter and saw the confused, anxious expression on Leilei’s face. She immediately understood. I need to help Leilei, she decided, a small smile forming. The child’s quick thinking was already moving.

"Grandpa," she called out, voice soft and carefully pitiful.

PD Xu Cui’s grave expression vanished at once, replaced by pure doting warmth. "Yes, my sweet?" he answered in a sing-song voice, the earlier sharpness melting away as if it had never existed.

Shen Guoxing put on her best puppy-dog eyes. "I’m hungry," she said pitifully, rubbing her stomach for extra effect. Then she glanced at Leilei, gave a quick wink, and turned back to PD Xu Cui. "Leilei’s hungry too," she added in a soft, whining tone. The performance was complete—eyes wide, voice small, and the perfect amount of childish need.

In that instant every worry PD Xu Cui had about Leilei somehow taking his granddaughter away someday evaporated. All that remained was concern for his hungry little one.

"Oh, it is late," he said, checking his watch. He stood, walked over, and scooped Shen Guoxing into his arms. The child smiled and cooperated willingly, already settled against his chest as if she belonged there.

"Let’s get something to eat," he declared. Then he looked toward Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue, mouth curving into a teasing smile. "We’ll just go grab a bite, you three."

Mo Xingxue, who had already been watching him closely the moment he took Shen Guoxing, frowned at the expression. Annoying, she thought, glaring at the completely oblivious PD. The earlier warmth of holding Shen Guoxing’s hand still lingered in her fingers.

Su Wanyan looked up and offered him a bright smile. "Okay, PD." She stood and reached out to ruffle Shen Guoxing’s hair, the gesture affectionate and familiar. "Just keep her safe, okay?"

"Ack!" Shen Guoxing protested, trying in vain to shrug off the hand. Her small face scrunched in exaggerated offense. Su Wanyan only laughed at the futile struggle before finally stopping and carefully fixing the hair she herself had just messed up. The strands settled back into place under her gentle fingers.

After Su Wanyan was satisfied with Shen Guoxing’s hair, she finally freed her baby with one last playful pinch on the cheek. Shen Guoxing let out a little shriek, but the protest was short-lived.

Soon, the three of them—PD Xu Cui, Shen Guoxing, and Leilei—waved goodbye to the remaining pair and the baby. The soft afternoon light filtered through the leaves above them, casting shifting golden patterns across the grass as they turned to leave.

Just as they turned, Mo Yan let out a loud, protesting scream.

The sound cut through the quiet shade like a small alarm. PD Xu Cui stopped and looked back at the baby, a doting smile spreading across his face. "You want to go too?" he asked gently, the earlier teasing edge completely gone.

In response Mo Yan burst into a stream of tiny, insistent babbles that clearly meant yes. She then turned her head toward her mothers and produced even louder babbles, as if declaring she refused to be left behind with only the two of them. Her little face was serious, almost offended by the idea of being abandoned.

PD Xu Cui chuckled. He carefully set Shen Guoxing down on the soft grass. The child immediately ran over and grabbed the handle of Mo Yan’s stroller, ready to help push, her small hands already testing the weight.

PD Xu Cui walked closer and crouched, stretching out his hands for the baby. Mo Xingxue fixed him with a long, narrowed stare, as though carefully judging whether this man could be trusted with her child.

The dappled sunlight shifted across her face, but her expression remained steady and assessing. A full minute passed under that silent scrutiny. The breeze stirred the leaves overhead, and the quiet tension stretched between them.

PD Xu Cui finally scratched his head, looking helpless. "I’m not going to put her in danger," he said, the words straightforward and free of his usual mischief.

Mo Xingxue’s eyes narrowed even further. After another beat she released a quiet sigh. "Fine. But keep my babies safe." She carefully handed Mo Yan over, her movements precise and protective. The baby settled into PD Xu Cui’s arms with a soft sound of acceptance.

PD Xu Cui laughed and nodded. "Just leave it to me." He settled the baby securely into the stroller, making sure she was snug and comfortable, adjusting the soft blankets with surprising care. Then he straightened and looked at the two adults one last time. "Well, we’ll be off for real this time."

Su Wanyan smiled and nodded, waving them off without worry. After all, she trusted PD Xu Cui completely with the children. The golden light caught the edges of her glasses as she lifted her hand. Mo Xingxue, however, still looked anxious, her gaze darting between Mo Yan and Shen Guoxing as though reluctant to let them out of her sight. The quiet worry sat heavy in her chest.

PD Xu Cui noticed. He stepped closer and gently patted Mo Xingxue’s head. The touch was warm, casual, and completely paternal—fingers resting lightly against her hair for a brief, steady moment. "Don’t worry. Just leave it to me," he said, laughing softly at the stunned expression that appeared on her face.

With that, PD Xu Cui and the little group finally departed, leaving only Mo Xingxue, Su Wanyan, and the cameraman beneath the trees. The soft sound of the stroller wheels and Shen Guoxing’s bright chatter faded gradually into the distance, swallowed by the quiet rustle of leaves.

Su Wanyan sat back down beside Mo Xingxue and looked up at the soft light filtering through the leaves. The canopy above them shifted gently in the breeze, scattering warm patches of gold across the grass. "This is nice," she said quietly, the words simple and sincere.

Mo Xingxue remained frozen for a moment longer. Instinctively she lifted her right hand to the top of her head, where the warm touch of PD Xu Cui’s palm still lingered. The sensation was unexpected—gentle, steady, and entirely without demand.

She pressed her lips together, and a beautiful, quiet smile slowly curved her mouth. The old, familiar ache of wanting something she had never received from her own father softened under the simple weight of that remembered touch.

"I like it here," Su Wanyan continued, still gazing at the peaceful scenery around them. The forest stretched out in quiet greens and golds, the air soft with the scent of earth and leaves.

The soft words pulled Mo Xingxue out of her daze. She lowered her hand and turned to look at Su Wanyan, who wore an open, mesmerized expression as she took in the forest. The afternoon light caught the edges of her profile, and the quiet contentment on her face was unguarded. Mo Xingxue’s smile deepened.

"Me too," she answered. "I like it here too."

She was not speaking about the beautiful view. She was speaking about the new memory she had just gained in this place—the simple, unexpected warmth of a paternal hand resting gently on her head. The sensation still lingered against her skin, quiet and steady, like a small light that had been missing for a very long time.

Around them, the shaded circle under the trees settled into a softer silence. The cameraman kept a respectful distance. The leaves continued to whisper overhead. And for a moment, Mo Xingxue simply sat with the quiet warmth of that new memory, letting it settle into the spaces that had been empty for years.

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Y’ALL, I’M SO SORRY IT’S LATE! SO, I WON’T TELL THE REASON WHY (BECAUSE IT’S SUPER LONG), BUT JUST KNOW IT’S BECAUSE OF SCHOOL!