Chapter 194 - 174: Don’t Call Me Mother, Call Me Sister

Su Mo frowned and asked, "You’re not coming back with me?"

Fu Ying quietly whispered in her ear, "Better not. It’s more dangerous to be around you right now..."

Su Mo gritted her teeth. ’And to think that was the same person in the room just a moment ago, going on and on about being sisters who would live and die together!’

’This sisterly bond really is as thin as paper...’

"Suit yourself."

Fu Ying was right. Jiang Wu was targeting her and didn’t have time for anyone else.

It was indeed safer for Fu Ying not to be by her side.

When they got down the mountain, Mo Xiao couldn’t help but ask Su Mo, "Is she... really going to be okay on the mountain by herself?"

"It’s fine. For now, there’s no one more dangerous than Jiang Wu."

As she said this, the final conversation she had with Fu Ying in the room flashed through her mind.

Fu Ying had asked her, "Su Mo, if we fail to change our fate this time and still end up dying, will you be afraid?"

She hadn’t answered right away, instead asking back, "Are you afraid?"

Fu Ying was silent for a long time before chuckling softly. "It would be a lie to say I’m not. Even an ant clings to life. But nine lifetimes of reincarnation... it’s been enough for me to become indifferent to life and death."

She had looked at Su Mo, her voice soft. "The story has come this far. This world isn’t just a novel anymore; every single person here is a living, breathing being. Do you have any idea how hopeless it is to watch those lives wither away in my dreams, time and time again? It’s like... snuffing out ten thousand flames with your own hands. Jiang Wu’s obsession shouldn’t be a cage for everyone."

"The fact that you came to find me today means you must have already made up your mind. So let’s give it a try. This time, we either rewrite the ending, or..."

Su Mo cut her off, her brow furrowed. "No. This time, we *have* to rewrite the ending. There’s no other option."

’Now that she was trapped in this mess with nowhere to run, there was no point in hiding anymore.’

’She didn’t want to die, and she didn’t want to see anyone she cared about in danger. So... she had to change the ending!’

Fu Ying declared boldly, "Alright, I’m with you!"

—

"Wife."

Su Mo snapped back to reality to find herself already at the foot of the mountain, hearing Mo Xiao call to her from behind.

The moment she turned, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I just... suddenly really wanted to hold you."

He held her as if trying to merge her into his very chest. Su Mo rested against his chest, listening to his heart, which was pounding like thunder.

He hugged her tighter and tighter, his arms trembling uncontrollably.

Sensing his anxiety, Su Mo soothed him in a soft voice, "Don’t worry. I’ll definitely find a way to deal with Jiang Wu."

Not far off, the others from the house had come looking for them too.

Mo Xiao’s gaze swept over the figures in the distance. "I’m not worried about that," he said, his voice husky. "I’m worried about you. Worried you’ll get hurt, worried you’ll... just vanish before my very eyes."

Su Mo chuckled and gently pushed him away. She reached out and tapped the tip of his nose, smiling fondly. "Have you forgotten I can protect myself now? I’ll be careful. Now, let’s hurry home. I want to cook dinner tonight!"

’We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we still have to enjoy today’s meal.’

Mo Xiao smiled and nodded, turning to take her hand and walk toward the three figures not far away.

The moment Su Mo drew near, Yue Ying strode over and unceremoniously wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her firmly into his embrace.

"You disappear for ages. What could you possibly have had to talk about for so long? Didn’t you know I’d be at home missing you?"

’He’s being dramatic again,’ Su Mo thought, struggling discreetly.

Yue Ying held her even tighter. "Hiding from me again? Do I have some kind of disease? If you dislike me so much, why did you even marry me? Did you bring me into this house just to neglect me?"

Su Mo placated him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course not. I married you so I could cherish you properly!"

"Then give me a kiss?" Yue Ying said, leaning in shamelessly.

Su Mo shot him a speechless look but leaned in and gave him a quick kiss anyway.

Yue Ying smiled in satisfaction. Just as he was about to lean in to kiss her back, a plaintive voice rang out from behind them. "Wife, I want one too!"

Su Mo turned to see Ye Yuan looking at her, his eyes red-rimmed and his face a mask of grievance.

Cang Lan, beside him, pouted. "I want a kiss, too."

Su Mo pursed her lips. "..."

[Can’t play this game. Run!]

Su Mo shoved the fox beside her away and took off like a shot.

Yue Ying watched her run off faster than a rabbit and sighed in exasperation. "Why did you two have to jump in and make a scene!"

Glancing in the direction she’d disappeared, he turned to Mo Xiao to ask about what had happened on the mountain.

Su Mo ran into the courtyard and made a beeline for the kitchen, her throat parched from talking with Fu Ying for so long.

Just as she reached the doorway, she saw Xuan Qing brewing her medicine. Drop by drop of startling crimson liquid dripped from his wrist into the medicine pot. The rising steam made the metallic scent of blood even stronger, but then the smell quickly dissipated.

Su Mo stumbled back a step in disbelief, bumping into something and making a sharp noise that startled the person inside, who had been completely focused on his task.