Volume One, Chapter 87: Venturing into the Sea

After Yu Mo finished washing up and came downstairs, Chu Xirui immediately sidled up to her, whispering in her ear with an air of secrecy.

“Did you make up with His Highness?”

Yu Mo’s cheeks flushed hot as she recalled Mu Shaozhou spending the night in her room. News traveled fast—Chu Xirui already knew.

“What makes you say that?” Yu Mo asked.

“I saw him coming out of your room this morning.”

Yu Mo closed her eyes, face burning even more. Thankfully, only a few people lived on the third floor. If Tang Xinyan found out, she’d be heartbroken.

Just then, Xie Mengqi appeared on the first floor. Yu Mo glanced at her. “Xie Mengqi, you’ve recovered quickly.”

Today’s segment was all about seaside delicacies, and the female guests were expected to wear swimsuits. Xie Mengqi was determined not to miss such a golden opportunity to show off her figure. She smoothed her meticulously styled hair, thinking back to that night she had forced her way into Mu Shaozhou’s room, only to hear him say that she wouldn’t need to appear on the next day’s show.

She’d spent a fortune and pulled many strings to get on this program; she couldn’t simply be dismissed.

Everyone headed to the bay. As soon as they got off the bus, the staff began preparing for the guests to choose their swimwear. The rule remained: last round’s winner had first pick.

Chu Xirui was the first to enter the room by the bay to select her suit. Facing five distinctly styled swimsuits, she decisively chose one that suited her best—a cute, fruit-themed number.

Next, Xie Mengqi entered to choose. Of the four remaining, one was particularly revealing, but she knew her figure wasn’t quite up to doing it justice, so she opted for something slightly sexy yet forgiving.

Tang Xinyan was third and chose a swimsuit with a flouncy skirt design.

When Yu Mo entered, only two were left: a very daring swimsuit and a highly conservative one-piece in lake blue. After some hesitation, she picked the sexy one, leaving the last for Lin Yue.

Lin Yue’s figure didn’t suit something so revealing, but her fair skin would be beautifully accentuated by the blue suit. She took the lake blue swimsuit, casting a grateful look at Yu Mo.

Yu Mo changed into the white, sensual swimsuit. Her figure was flawless—curves in all the right places, not a trace of excess anywhere. Her slim waist could be easily encircled with a hand, and her long, shapely legs exuded the air of a supermodel with every step she took.

The alluring lines of her chest could make any man’s nose bleed at first glance.

As the five women emerged in their swimsuits—especially Yu Mo—she instantly became the center of attention. The five male guests had changed into their swim trunks as well. The live broadcast chatroom exploded with excitement.

[Wow, Yu Mo’s figure is incredible! She could be a supermodel, ahhh!]
[No wonder His Highness likes Yu Mo. I’d fall for her too!]
[Looks like His Highness really does suit Yu Mo—Tang Xinyan just doesn’t have that spark.]
[Ahhh, so big, so big! This show really knows what I want! I’m starving!]

Yu Mo carried herself with poise, displaying her figure without a hint of shyness in her eyes. In contrast, Mu Shaozhou’s gaze was dark and fathomless, exuding an unmistakable possessiveness—he clearly didn’t relish others admiring what belonged to him.

The staff’s voice rang out. “Next, all ten guests will wade into the sea to search for ingredients for the upcoming cooking session. Please don’t swim too far; each of you will have a professional staff member behind you.”

With no mention of teams, Yu Mo headed straight into the water to seek out edible ingredients. Mu Shaozhou followed close behind, as did Lin Xing, who had always been Yu Mo’s partner; no one found it odd that he trailed after her. But Mu Shaozhou, rather than staying with his fiancée, followed Yu Mo, which sent the live chat into a frenzy of speculation about the relationships between Mu Shaozhou, Yu Mo, and Tang Xinyan.

Yu Mo paid no mind to anything else, focusing solely on finding ingredients. She swam out a ways and soon spotted several sea bream. Just as she moved to catch them, she heard cries for help nearby.

She swam toward the source of the sound, feeling the turbulence in the water grow stronger as she approached. It was Tang Xinyan, flailing as though something was pulling her under, unable to stay afloat.

Yu Mo reached out to grab Tang Xinyan’s hand, intent on pulling her over, but a sharp pain shot through her palm and she jerked back. Looking closer, she realized Tang Xinyan was clutching a sea urchin, struggling desperately in the water.

The scent of blood quickly spread through the seawater. Yu Mo took a deep breath and dove down to see more clearly. It wasn’t seaweed trapping Tang Xinyan—it was Xie Mengqi.

That woman was actually trying to kill Tang Xinyan.

Yu Mo forcefully yanked Xie Mengqi away, giving Tang Xinyan the chance to break the surface and gasp for air. Her face was ashen from lack of oxygen, and after a few breaths, her strength gave out and she started sinking again.

Yu Mo rushed forward, dragged her up, and swam back toward shore.

Once on land, she laid the unconscious Tang Xinyan down and began emergency first aid. After a few chest compressions, Tang Xinyan coughed up seawater and began to breathe again.

The staff were shaken, only relaxing once they saw Tang Xinyan was all right. Someone immediately contacted emergency services.

Yu Mo let out a sigh of relief—dragging Tang Xinyan ashore had taken all her strength. Now, as the tension left her body, her knees buckled and she nearly collapsed, but a pair of strong arms caught her, pulling her into a firm embrace.

She looked up—it was Mu Shaozhou.

For once, his usually cool, disciplined face was etched with worry. He seized Yu Mo’s hand; her pale, delicate fingers were bleeding, several wounds visible.

Before she knew it, she was lifted off her feet, cradled in his arms. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling.

After the saltwater had washed away her makeup, her face was luminous and fair, her lips stained red as if with blood, set against skin so white it glowed—a sight that made one want to kiss her on the spot.

Yu Mo whispered, “Mu Shaozhou, we’re still on live broadcast. You’d better keep your distance.”

Mu Shaozhou didn’t reply. Instead, with a stony expression, he carried her back to the house, fetched the first aid kit, and began tending to her injuries with utmost care.

By the time Yu Mo and Mu Shaozhou returned to the beach, Tang Xinyan’s hand was already bandaged. Xie Mengqi, too, had been injured.

Now the director at last had a chance to question them. “Ms. Yu, what happened? How did all three of you get hurt?”

Yu Mo glanced at Xie Mengqi’s wound. Unlike the others, hers was on her head, and she was now anxiously examining it in a mirror, terrified of being left with a scar.

Yu Mo withdrew her cold gaze and turned to the director. “You’d better ask Ms. Tang.”

Tang Xinyan, wrapped in a large towel and visibly shaken, was still trembling. All eyes were on her, waiting for her to speak.

She glanced timidly at the group, quickly lowered her gaze, and remained silent.

Sensing Tang Xinyan’s reluctance, Yu Mo spoke up. “The director has already turned off the live feed. You can speak freely now.”

Tang Xinyan glanced at the powered-down cameras, lifted her lashes, and began to speak at last.