Volume One, Chapter 86: Wearing Swimsuits

Director Zhang Zheng set down his plate, covering his mouth. Soon after, he spat out a broken tooth and a whole—pebble. Su Beican panicked, rushing forward to check the director’s injuries.

“How is it? Director, what I wanted to say earlier is that this dish shouldn’t be bitten into—the stones are meant to be spat out.”

“Why didn’t you say so sooner…” The director’s mouth was full of blood, his speech slurred, clutching half his face and gazing at Su Beican with a wounded expression.

Only then did Yu Mo notice that those black, round objects were actually meticulous pebbles. So Su Beican’s dish was only for tasting, not for swallowing.

“Next, the guests will taste each other’s dishes and vote. Whoever receives the most votes will be crowned the winner of this round.”

The director muttered the announcement, holding his face as he left to tend to his wound.

When the results came in, Su Beican’s Stir-Fried Pebbles was the undisputed champion of the round.

Unexpectedly, Yu Wenbai’s Spicy Braised Beef took second place. Mu Shaozhou’s Bean Sprouts Stuffed with Meat claimed third. Yu Mo and Lin Xing’s Salmon Sashimi ranked fourth. Despite having access to the finest ingredients, Chu Muxing and Lin Yue’s Steamed Australian Lobster ended up at the bottom.

Yu Mo turned to Chu Xirui.

“Who thought of using pebbles as an ingredient?”

Chu Xirui looked at Su Beican, who was still scratching his head and grinning foolishly, a rare admiration flickering in her eyes.

“Acan came up with it. For once, he was clever.”

Her eyes brightened. “What privileges does the winner get this time?”

She’d expected to end up at the bottom with Su Beican, but fate had taken a sharp turn—they’d won first place.

Yu Mo recalled the director’s rules for the show.

“The next round is set by the seaside. The winning guests get first dibs on choosing their outfits.”

As she finished speaking, Chu Xirui leaned in mysteriously.

“I heard the girls have to wear bikinis and swimsuits. Mo, you have such a stunning figure—even I envy you. I’d love to see you in swimwear!”

Chu Xirui’s face took on a mischievous, teasing look.

“Let’s go back to our rooms,” Yu Mo said, heading upstairs to the third floor of the villa. She planned to take a bath, only to discover that her room’s lights were out—there was no electricity.

She called for the staff to come fix it. All afternoon, she stayed in her room.

Night fell, but the electrician still hadn’t arrived. Just as she was about to call the staff again, the doorbell rang.

She rose to open the door, and as soon as it swung open, a strong figure pressed her against the wall by the entrance.

The familiar scent on the visitor’s body calmed Yu Mo’s initial anxiety. Though she couldn’t see the man’s expression in the darkness, his rapid breathing was unmistakable.

“Mu Shao—” she began, but her lips were sealed before the words left her mouth. A clean, masculine fragrance filled her senses, a woody note unique to his pheromones. Dizzied by the scent, Yu Mo’s lips parted, inviting his deep, unrestrained kisses.

It was a long while before he released her, breathing heavily and murmuring, “I missed you, Yu Mo.”

She understood perfectly what he meant; she’d felt the same these past days. Yet every time she saw Mu Shaozhou and Tang Xinyan together, she reminded herself not to interfere in another’s relationship. Better a brief pain than a lingering one.

A love that wasn’t hers would inevitably end in tragedy. Rather than let it fester, she’d cut it off herself.

She pushed him away, her tone cold.

“Mu Shaozhou, what are you doing here? Leave now—I don’t want to see you.”

No sooner had she spoken than she was lifted off her feet, carried sideways, and thrown onto the bed.

Yu Mo realized what he intended. As she sat up, he pinned her down forcefully, leaving her unable to move.

“Knock, knock, knock!” Someone tapped at the door—a repairman’s voice called out, “Miss Yu, I’m here to fix the electricity.”

Yu Mo struggled to shove the man off her. In the dark, she whispered anxiously, “Hide, quickly! If anyone sees you, it’ll be bad.”

Mu Shaozhou straightened, his voice dissatisfied. “Am I really someone who has to hide?”

Yu Mo, exasperated, tried to push him toward the wardrobe. “You’re the heir apparent, Tang Xinyan’s fiancé. If you’re seen in my room, it’ll look bad for both of us. Don’t come here again.”

“Bang!” She slammed the wardrobe door shut, then went to let the repairman in.

Once the electricity was restored and the repairman gone, Yu Mo hurried to check the wardrobe.

Opening it, she was stunned for a moment.

Mu Shaozhou was nowhere to be found.

She searched the room—he couldn’t have left through the door. Where could he have gone?

After checking every corner, she finally cast her eyes to the window.

Pulling aside the curtains, she saw the window had been opened at some point. Her heart tightened; she leaned out, peering downstairs.

It was pitch black—she could see nothing.

Her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling.

“Mu Shaozhou, are you alright? Where are you? Are you okay?”

The thought of him leaping from a third-story window made her breathless with fear.

“Hey! Mu Shaozhou!” she called desperately into the darkness below.

But nothing stirred; the night remained silent.

Yu Mo grew frantic, turning to change her shoes and head downstairs.

Just as she opened the door, a sound came from the window—Mu Shaozhou climbed back in from the ledge.

Yu Mo spun around, forcing back her tears, and strode over to smack his shoulder.

“Where did you go? I thought you—”

Mu Shaozhou seemed in good spirits. He lifted a large hand to wipe away the tear trembling at Yu Mo’s eye, his voice deep.

“The wardrobe’s gap was too big, so I hid behind the window ledge.”

“Do you realize how dangerous that was? It’s the third floor—if you’d fallen…” Yu Mo’s voice was muffled, thick with emotion and grievance.

Mu Shaozhou looked innocent.

“You told me to hide—who said I wasn’t fit to be seen?”

Yu Mo said nothing; she walked to the door and opened it, clearly showing him out.

Mu Shaozhou closed the door and locked it, his movements swift and decisive.

The next morning.

Mu Shaozhou emerged openly from Yu Mo’s room, meeting Chu Muxing, who had just stepped out.

A moment later, Chu Xirui exited her room, witnessing Mu Shaozhou leaving Yu Mo’s quarters.

Chu Xirui glanced at Mu Shaozhou, who showed not a hint of guilt. She closed her eyes like a blind person, felt her way along the wall back to her room, and shut the door behind her.