The Collapsed Queen of the Forest

In a softly lit private room of a café in Magic City.

"I truly didn’t expect the song you sang to blow up like this."

"Honestly, your singing voice is incredibly captivating—even my peers couldn’t help but praise it. And then there’s the song itself."

"You’re right. This melody is perfect for the masses, especially with its easily relatable lyrics."

Lin An'an looked at Xu Mo, speaking each word deliberately.

"And?" Xu Mo took a sip of coffee, smiling as he asked.

Lin An'an blinked, then her expression shifted, her tone tinged with apology.

"I owe you an apology for my outburst yesterday. You were right—this song really did take off."

Xu Mo shook his head. "You know that’s not what I’m referring to..."

Lin An'an froze in confusion.

Then she saw Xu Mo raise one hand slightly while lowering the other, mimicking a little kitten.

Lin An'an jolted awake to the memory, her eyelids twitching involuntarily.

Earlier that morning, her assistant had sent her yet another exhilarating update.

"Guangzhou Love Story" had stormed the charts on every major music platform.

Not only that—it had skyrocketed to the top of the most-used BGM list on short-video platforms!

Though the song was written, sung, and even the background music was all Xu Mo’s doing, Lin An'an couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

It was as if this hit song belonged to her.

Pride leads to a fall—and that’s exactly what happened to the reigning diva in this moment.

After all, Lin An'an had completely forgotten about her little "kitten calling him 'daddy'" incident.

Her cheeks burned as she pleaded softly, "Can’t you ask for something else? I’ll agree to anything..."

"No." Xu Mo’s reply was crisp and final, his smile unwavering.

Lin An'an bit her red lip.

She was a bona fide queen of music and film!!!

When had she ever resorted to acting cute to win fans’ adoration?

She had always crushed it with pure talent.

Her image was that of the "unattainable A-list goddess!"

And now?

Xu Mo wanted her to play cute.

Sure, as an actress, she could pull it off effortlessly.

But the indignation burned inside her!!!!

Especially doing it in front of Xu Mo!!!

The sheer embarrassment was unbearable.

No, no—next time, definitely next time.

Watching Lin An'an hesitate, torn between words and pride, Xu Mo’s smile faded. He grabbed his jacket, making a show of leaving.

"If Miss Lin can’t keep her word, I suppose there’s nothing left for us to discuss."

Writing songs for her had just been a way to kill time.

He wasn’t trying to win her over.

Please.

Xu Mo already had his femme fatale at home.

Sure, lately she hadn’t let him touch her.

And Xu Mo had respected that.

But that silly woman of his wasn’t exactly behaving either.

Though every time afterward,

she’d turn into a whimpering mess—living proof of "all bark, no bite."

The femme fatale handled it better.

But back to the matter at hand.

"Wait—I’ll do it, I’ll do it...!" Lin An'an’s voice suddenly pitched higher.

Xu Mo paused, glancing back at her with an amused smirk.

"Sure? No pressure."

Lin An'an stared at him, suspicion dawning.

"You weren’t actually leaving just now?"

"You’re the one who wouldn’t honor the bet. My fault?"

Xu Mo shrugged and turned toward the door—this time for real.

Lin An'an abandoned all restraint, grabbing his arm.

"Fine, fine!!! I’ll honor it, I’ll honor it!!"

Xu Mo really had been about to leave.

It took Lin An'an considerable effort to coax him back.

Their current position was...

a little too intimate.

If anyone saw them,

their jaws would hit the floor.

But if the femme fatale found out, she’d probably just nod in approval.

"Well done!!! That’s my man."

Xu Mo settled back onto the sofa,

ready to enjoy the show.

This was a performance Lin An'an’s fans and admirers

would never get to see in their lifetimes.

Only Xu Mo had that privilege.

Lin An'an stood there, taking a deep breath, her cheeks flushing pink.

Mimicking Xu Mo’s earlier pose,

she raised one hand in a tiny fist, the other slightly lowered,

and let out an adorable meow—

"Miao~ meow~"

(＞^ω^＜)

Lin An'an was a singer by trade.

A diva, no less.

Her voice alone was mesmerizing enough.

This kitten impression?

It could melt bones to jelly.

Xu Mo’s body gave a slight shudder.

But he recovered quickly.

After all, Xu Mo wasn’t an ordinary man.

The femme fatale at home even outclassed Lin An'an—the female lead—in aura.

Looks-wise, they were evenly matched.

But when it came to presence,

the femme fatale was in a league of her own.

Locked and loaded.

"What... what are you laughing at?" Lin An'an’s face burned hotter under Xu Mo’s grin.

Her heart swelled with even more unbearable shame.

Xu Mo paused, "I wasn't laughing."

"You liar, you totally were!"

"Not even allowed to smile?"

"No!"

"Alright, fine. I’ll stop."

Xu Mo wiped the smile off his face, turning serious in an instant.

Like a stern, no-nonsense father.

Watching his daughter awkwardly dance and meow like a cat.

Let’s not forget.

Xu Mo was a man with the acting chops of an award-winning performer.

Changing expressions?

For him.

It was as easy as eating or drinking.

Just as Lin An'an had managed to steady her emotions—

The moment her eyes landed on Xu Mo’s expression,

She nearly lost it completely!!!!

"I didn’t mean for you to look like that!!!!"

He was doing it on purpose!!!

Absolutely on purpose!!!

This jerk just wanted to see her flustered.

To satisfy his own twisted, disgusting amusement!!!

The more Lin An'an thought about it, the more convinced she became.

She’d guessed the beginning.

But not the ending.

The ending was Xu Mo finally stopping his teasing.

His expression returned to normal—

No smile, no disdainful "disappointed father" look.

Now.

Lin An'an was left speechless.

With no excuses left to hide behind.

Finally, under immense mental and emotional pressure,

She managed to choke out, "D... Dad..."

Even if her voice was barely a whisper.

She’d still said it.

Her face burned like fire.

Wasn’t she an actress?

Why was this so hard?

First, Xu Mo was her peer—

In fact, he might even be slightly younger than her.

Second.

In her acting roles,

The actors playing her father were always

Old men in their seventies or eighties.

Or at least in their fifties or sixties.

You know, the kind who looked older than they were.

But Xu Mo?

Xu Mo was just... that kind of vibe.

Leaving Lin An'an equal parts mortified, furious, and helpless.

Life is unfair, and she was suffering!!!!

Xu Mo nodded approvingly, then lazily dug a finger into his ear, looking utterly shameless.

"Not bad, not bad."

"Too bad I didn’t hear a single word."

"Miss Lin, have you lost the strength to speak?"

Lin An'an: ?????

[○･｀Д´･○]

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