The next day.
Ding Yao and Cheng Mingzhe were about to leave the villa when they unexpectedly ran into Su Mu, who was just coming downstairs. She was still wearing casual clothes, and both of them couldn't help but be stunned.
"Su Mu, aren't you and Ji Simiao going out today? Why are you still in casual clothes?" Ding Yao was the first to become suspicious. Could it be that Ji Simiao, after teaming up with Lin Qi for so long, also liked to stay in the villa?
"Teacher Ji? I'm not teamed up with him! I didn't receive a team invitation, so I'm alone today."
Cheng Mingzhe's expression changed when he heard this. "How is that possible? Si Miao messaged me last night saying he had already formed a team. I thought it was with you, so I asked Ding Yao to team up. If he wasn't with you, then he must be with..." Before the word "who" could be uttered, he already had the answer in his mind.
"Most likely with Lin Qi again! What's going on with this kid? Yesterday he said he would take good care of Su Mu, and now his attitude has changed so quickly overnight? How about I lend Cheng Mingzhe to you, and you two go out and have fun together today while I stay home." As she spoke, Ding Yao pushed Cheng Mingzhe in Su Mu's direction.
Cheng Mingzhe didn't refuse. He also felt a bit guilty. He had promised to invite her yesterday, but neither he nor Si Miao had done so, causing her to be alone as soon as she arrived. He felt very bad about it.
"No, no, you two go ahead. I'm not yet familiar with the villa, so I'll take this opportunity to explore. Besides, you have other arrangements today, right? If you don't leave soon, you might be late." Su Mu hurriedly refused, showing no reluctance on her face. This made Ding Yao and the others feel even more apologetic.
"When that boy Ji Simiao comes back, I'm definitely going to have a stern talk with him! He even called himself your fan! He's not qualified at all."
Although Ding Yao was angry, she also knew that Su Mu and Lin Qi were different to Ji Simiao. Lin Qi was someone Ji Simiao had liked for a long time, while Su Mu was just one of the celebrities he liked.
"Then we'll be going. We really are running out of time." Cheng Mingzhe glanced at the time, pulled Ding Yao along, and walked out briskly.
Su Mu walked into the water bar in the restaurant and poured herself a glass of plain water. Looking at the pure water in the cup, she sighed softly.
She didn't expect to be targeted as soon as she arrived!
{Master, this was done by Lin Qi. She wants the master to be eliminated.} Yao Yao didn't want her to be unhappy and informed her immediately after finding out the result.
{I know.} Although she hadn't interacted much with Ji Simiao, he didn't seem like such a rude person. Someone must have said something to him.
Recalling the person eavesdropping in the corner last night, the truth of the matter became obvious.
{Then does the master want to take revenge on her?}
{No need. If her actions are exposed, it will be hard to resolve the situation.} Su Mu stretched. She wasn't the type to be bullied and not report it.
Yao Yao nodded in understanding. It knew that although the master's current actions were conforming to the original host, she was still herself – that Nine-tailed Fox who never wanted to suffer a loss – Su Mu.
"Why aren't you going out? Isn't it time yet?"
A deep voice pulled Su Mu back from her thoughts. She followed the sound and saw Bai Mo wearing dark-colored loungewear, his hair slightly messy, holding a water cup. It seemed he had come downstairs to get some water.
"I'm alone, so I plan to stay here with you in the villa." Su Mu shifted her gaze and spread her hands helplessly.
Bai Mo paused in his steps, his brow furrowing. "They didn't invite you?" He remembered yesterday at the dinner table, those two had confidently said they would invite her.
"Mm." Su Mu cupped her cheeks with both hands and nodded gently, then added with a hint of worry, "Teacher Cheng said Teacher Ji messaged him last night saying he had already formed a team. Teacher Cheng mistakenly thought Teacher Ji's partner was me, so he asked Teacher Ding to team up."
Bai Mo didn't ask the foolish question of who Ji Simiao had teamed up with, as there was only one person who could make Ji Simiao so obedient.
"Then how do you plan to spend your day today?"
"Today? I want to explore the villa. I noticed it when I first arrived; the scenery here is beautiful."
Su Mu turned to look out the restaurant window. It was the villa's garden, filled with various kinds of flowers, a riot of colors – it was a sight to behold!
Bai Mo walked beside her, following her gaze to the flowers outside, his hand gripping the water cup tighter.
"Doesn't it make you sad that they didn't invite you?"
"Sad? Why should I be sad? I'm just a newcomer, and they've been together for so long and have developed chemistry. It's understandable that they didn't choose me, so I'm not sad about it."
To prove she wasn't lying, Su Mu maintained a faint smile on her lips.
"You're truly optimistic." Bai Mo gazed at the smile on her face for a long time before turning to get some water.
Su Mu didn't deny it. Optimistic? Not really. It was just that she had anticipated such an event beforehand, which allowed her to accept it without batting an eye.
She had always preferred to keep everything within her control to avoid emotional breakdowns.
They spent the entire day together in the villa. Although they didn't disturb each other, they got along well.
Through observing Su Mu for the day, Bai Mo discovered she was skilled in almost everything – she could mix drinks, enjoyed knitting, made delicious desserts, and was also good at painting.
She was like a treasure; the more you delved into her, the more secrets you would uncover.
Su Mu also found that Bai Mo enjoyed spacing out, often staring at a particular view for over an hour. No wonder he didn't like going out; otherwise, people might not even be able to find him.
As evening approached, the other guest groups gradually returned. Lin Qi and Ji Simiao were the last to arrive.
As soon as Ji Simiao returned, Ding Yao couldn't help but vent her anger at him. "You finally decided to come back? I thought you, as Su Mu's fan, would definitely take good care of her, but you ended up abandoning her and having fun yourself! What kind of fan are you? You're terrible!"
Ji Simiao, being scolded by her, was still a bit dazed. He looked helplessly at Cheng Mingzhe beside him. "Brother Cheng, what's going on with Sister Ding?"
Cheng Mingzhe sighed. "Ultimately, it's my fault for not asking for clarification. You said you had already formed a team, and I naturally assumed it was with Su Mu, so I went to invite Ding Yao. Who knew you chose Lin Qi, and Su Mu ended up being the one left out?"
"Ah? The goddess is alone?" Ji Simiao finally heard the key point. He widened his eyes in surprise. "That shouldn't be the case. Lin Qi told me the goddess teamed up with Bai Mo, so I went to invite others."
At this moment, he also sensed something was amiss. Had something unexpected happened?