Chapter 88: Ch 88: Backyard Games and Sudden Strength
Chapter 88: Ch 88: Backyard Games and Sudden Strength
While the omegas and alphas were gossiping in the living room, with the two factions forming their own tight circles, Shen Guoxing and PD Xu Cui were playing peacefully in the backyard.
The morning sun bathed the open space in warm, golden light, the grass still glistening with a light layer of dew that sparkled like tiny diamonds underfoot. A gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of earth and blooming flowers, making the air feel crisp and alive.
"Grandpa!" Shen Guoxing called out loudly to PD Xu Cui, waving her small hand enthusiastically through the air.
PD Xu Cui smiled warmly and threw the ball toward her. "Catch!" he said. Shen Guoxing let out a bubbly giggle and caught the ball with a big smile on her face, the sunlight softly illuminating her bright expression even more.
PD Xu Cui smiled at that and waved his hands too. "Pass it to me!" he said, acting like a grown child in his excitement. Shen Guoxing smiled and threw the ball. It flew quickly through the air with a sharp swish sound.
"Oops!" Shen Guoxing said, her eyes widening as she quickly covered her mouth because of her blunder. PD Xu Cui felt cold sweat drench his back as the ball hurtled toward him.
Oh, shit, PD Xu Cui thought as he failed to catch it. The ball hit him square in the stomach. He felt the air in his lungs escape him as the impact landed hard. The force was like a bull crashing into him.
Still, not wanting to lose face in front of his angelic granddaughter, PD Xu Cui didn’t let out a shriek like the first time Shen Guoxing had accidentally hit him. "Go-good throw," PD Xu Cui said, sending Shen Guoxing a thumbs up and a smile that looked uglier than a grimace.
Not wanting to embarrass her grandpa, Shen Guoxing decisively ignored his expression and smiled brightly at him. "Nice catch, Grandpa!" she replied, also sending a thumbs up.
PD Xu Cui nodded, then laid down tiredly on the grass. "Just wait for a moment, Xing’er," PD Xu Cui said, gathering his breath. "Grandpa just needs to catch his breath, ’cause you know, grandpa is old," he lied naturally.
Shen Guoxing nodded and looked at her hands. Weird, Shen Guoxing thought. Why do I feel like my body is coursing with so much energy? She mused inwardly. At first, she didn’t think much about it—how no matter how hard she ran, she didn’t get out of breath, or how her senses (except her eyes) had sharpened, and her strength had suddenly increased to an almost inhumane level.
But now, Shen Guoxing couldn’t ignore it anymore. After all, just yesterday she could only reach half the stairs up to the villa before running out of breath, but now it was like she was a whole different person.
Shen Guoxing clenched her hand and felt the power in it. What happened to me? Shen Guoxing thought, frowning. She first noticed something had changed in her body when she drank the milk Aunt Wanyan gave her—how she felt a warm tingling spread through her.
At first, she thought it was just a normal thing the milk did. But after the minutes that had ticked by, she knew something was really happening to her body. She didn’t know why this was happening, but if it meant she could live as a normal child and be able to protect her meimei, she didn’t mind it at all.
Shen Guoxing smiled and looked at her Grandpa Cui. "Grandpa, are you okay?" she asked, running toward him, worry dripping in her voice.
PD Xu Cui let out a laugh. "I’m okay," he murmured tiredly. Then, he suddenly sat up, causing Shen Guoxing to halt in her steps. "Let’s go," PD Xu Cui said, turning to Shen Guoxing. "Let’s play another round," he added with a smile.
Shen Guoxing pursed her lips and nodded, deciding to be more careful this time. "Grandpa," she called out, already running back to her place earlier. PD Xu Cui smiled as he dusted his pants. "Yes, yes," he murmured helplessly before throwing the ball to Shen Guoxing.
Meanwhile, the staff member ordered to sunbathe Mo Yan was calmly standing near a tree, rocking the sleeping baby, who had a contented smile on her face as if she was having a nice and peaceful dream.
The peaceful and playful atmosphere continued in the background, Shen Guoxing’s bright laughter filling the space.
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After playing for another ten minutes, the people outside finally went back inside the villa. Shen Guoxing practically skipped on her way to the living room, a tired PD Xu Cui following her, his hands and feet heavy after playing with the child. Behind them, the staff was still carrying little Mo Yan carefully as she continued to sleep the morning away.
When they got there, the two factions had already finished discussing the big revelation and sat stiffly on the sofa. The people who had heard it still couldn’t quite believe that the two had really done it. Zhao Yichen shook his head, inwardly applauding Qin Yuran’s bravery. While Han Jiho kept teasing Song Meiyu, who just accepted it calmly. So calmly that it was Mo Xingxue who was feeling shy for her.
"Aunt Wanyan! Aunt Xingxue!" Shen Guoxing called out to them, snapping them out of their reverie. Su Wanyan and Mo Xingxue looked at Shen Guoxing, warm smiles forming on their lips. "Did you enjoy playing outside?" Mo Xingxue asked as she placed the still full-of-energy Shen Guoxing down on her lap.
Shen Guoxing nodded, melting into Mo Xingxue’s embrace. "Yeah!" she said, gently swaying both of her little feet. Mo Xingxue smiled and patted her head. "Grandpa Cui taught me how to play catch!" Shen Guoxing said, narrating to Mo Xingxue what she and the PD had done earlier. Mo Xingxue listened patiently, also getting infected by Shen Guoxing’s excitement.
Meanwhile, the staff member who was carrying Mo Yan stood awkwardly near them. He didn’t want to ruin the moment by suddenly handing Mo Yan to Mo Xingxue while Shen Guoxing was still in her arms, retelling her adventure. But he also didn’t know what to do, after all, he knew his face was getting broadcast to all of China!
At that, the staff member felt the back of his shirt go damp with cold sweat pouring down his forehead. Just then, he felt a tap on his shoulder. The man broke out of his dazed state and looked up to see Su Wanyan smiling at him.
"Here, let me hold her," Su Wanyan said gently, reaching out her hands for Mo Yan. The staff member nodded and gently transferred Mo Yan to Su Wanyan’s arms before bowing and fleeing. Su Wanyan smiled and shook her head, returning to her seat.
Meanwhile, PD Xu Cui sat down in his personal chair, exhaustion dripping from his whole expression. "I’m tired," PD Xu Cui murmured. He beckoned for a staff member, and the staff immediately went to his side. "Yes, PD?" the staff asked. PD Xu Cui didn’t even look at him. "Get me a glass of water. Hurry," PD Xu Cui said, waving him off. The staff laughed at the old man and went to the kitchen.
After a few seconds, the staff swiftly came back and handed PD Xu Cui the water. "Thanks," PD Xu Cui said. Downing the water down his throat.
After gathering his breath, he looked at Shen Guoxing, who was still narrating her fun earlier, and PD Xu Cui felt all his exhaustion was worth it if it meant Shen Guoxing looked so happy like that.
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PD Xu Cui looked at his watch and beckoned for a staff member. "Yes, PD?" the same staff member who got him a drink asked. "Go call Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze," PD Xu Cui said, finally remembering the two. "Tell them we only have 5 more minutes left before we leave for the countryside," PD Xu Cui said, a satisfied smirk on his face.
The staff member also smirked and bowed politely to PD Xu Cui. "Understood, PD," he said, before slowly going upstairs, his swiftness from earlier gone.
PD Xu Cui looked at the staff member and nodded approvingly. I’ll give him a bonus, PD Xu Cui thought, leaning back on his chair with a relaxed smile.
After the staff member went upstairs, hurried footsteps came from upstairs, some even sounding like suitcases were falling by how hurried they were moving. Not long after, Lin Xuanyu and Gu Chengze emerged, with Gu Chengze carrying his suitcases and also Lin Xuanyu’s, looking irritated but still maintaining that indifferent demeanor.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuanyu’s state was worse as he literally hadn’t even combed his bed hair. "Are we late, PD?" Lin Xuanyu asked worriedly, looking like he was near to tears. PD Xu Cui smiled and shook his head. "Nope, you’re just in time," PD Xu Cui said, already standing up.
PD Xu Cui looked at Lin Xuanyu’s pitiful appearance and let out a smirk. "Let’s go," he said, already leaving the living room, deliberately ignoring Lin Xuanyu’s pitiful expression.
Lin Xuanyu’s expression froze, and unwillingness bloomed in his heart. That old geezer, he thought. He had worked hard to act this early in the morning, but not only did that old man not give him and Gu Chengze time to prepare, he even smirked at him.
Lin Xuanyu felt humiliated, his eyes burning with fury. I’ll get you too, old man. Just you wait, he thought, a sinister plan already forming as he obediently went out to follow the other guests.
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I just want to to y’all how I ate 300 pieces of marshmallows in one sitting. Yeah, I’m tuff.