Chapter 23 Everybody Has Eyes, Nobody Has Peace
A/N
Hi readers. I'm just realizing that I didn't actually publish this chapter.
I already write it down since but I did not expect that I forgot to publish it.
Thanks to PsyhoKillers for your comment.
I forgot to update. I'll try to update a few more chapters today. Well. Here it is.
Morning came slowly.
The kind of slow that made the air feel heavy and sticky, like the village itself hadn’t decided whether it wanted to wake up yet.
Arielle lay still for a moment, listening.
Waves in the distance.
Footsteps from the crew already moving around.
Someone arguing about batteries outside.
She sighed.
Ah. Another peaceful day of being observed like a zoo exhibit.
When she finally sat up, she immediately noticed something strange.
Her phone.
It wouldn’t stop vibrating.
She squinted at the screen.
Missed notifications flooded in like an attack.
Mentions.
Tags.
Clips.
Edits.
“…Why am I trending again?” she muttered.
She clicked one video.
It was her.
Standing in mud.
Sleeves rolled.
Laughing lightly while working.
Overlay text read:
“WHY IS THE MOM THE MAIN CHARACTER?”
She stared at it for a full five seconds.
Then groaned and flopped back onto the bed.
I did not sign up to be perceived this aggressively.
Outside: The Sons React to Fame
Breakfast was chaos.
Not loud chaos.
The tense kind.
Rhett stood by the cooking fire, scrolling through his phone with a deep frown.
“Why are people zooming into my face?” he demanded.
Zayden glanced over calmly. “Because you froze mid-step when Lin Yue almost fell.”
“I did NOT freeze.”
“You did.”
Emrys leaned over his shoulder, grinning. “You looked like a knight protecting a princess.”
Rhett snapped, “I was NOT—”
?? Viewer Comment (floating screen):
“Rhett was READY to catch her omg ??”
Rhett’s ears turned red.
Arielle quietly took her bowl of food and sat.
Zayden noticed immediately. He pushed a cup of tea toward her.
“Drink.”
She smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
?? Viewer Comment:
“WHY DOES HE KNOW HER SO WELL ??”
Emrys sighed dramatically. “We can’t even exist normally anymore.”
“You can,” Arielle said mildly. “Just ignore the cameras.”
All three sons stared at her.
“…You’re the problem,” Rhett said.
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You’re too calm,” Zayden added. “People like that.”
“That’s unfair,” she protested.
Emrys nodded solemnly. “Unfortunately, Mother, you are very likable.”
She stared at them.
This is victim-blaming.
Lin Yue Tries Again (Quietly)
Lin Yue approached while they were still eating.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
Just… conveniently.
“Good morning,” she said softly, bowing slightly. “I hope I didn’t disturb you yesterday.”
Arielle looked up. “Good morning.”
Lin Yue smiled. “You were very impressive.”
Rhett stiffened.
Zayden’s gaze sharpened.
Emrys tilted his head, watching closely.
Lin Yue continued, tone gentle. “The viewers seem to adore you.”
Arielle nodded. “They’re kind.”
“Yes,” Lin Yue agreed. “Sometimes kindness can turn… overwhelming.”
Arielle paused mid-bite.
Looked at her.
“Oh?” she said politely.
Lin Yue hesitated, then laughed softly. “I mean, expectations can be heavy.”
Arielle smiled.
She’s trying to make me doubt myself.
“Then it’s good I don’t live for expectations,” Arielle replied lightly. “Only for results.”
?? Viewer Comment:
“SHE DIDN’T EVEN RAISE HER VOICE ??”
Lin Yue’s smile faltered—just for a second.
Cutaway: The Fiancées Watching
In the city, several women stared at their screens.
Clara Bennett paused the video.
“…Why does he look at her like that?” she asked quietly.
Another fiancée frowned. “Why are they always around her?”
A third sighed. “This doesn’t feel like a show anymore.”
None of them said the same thought out loud.
It feels like we’re outsiders now.
No one planned anything.
No one plotted.
But unease settled in their chests like cold water.
Today’s Task: Repair & Build
The director announced the day’s challenge with far too much enthusiasm.
“Today, you’ll be helping villagers repair fishing nets and build storage sheds!”
Groans echoed.
Rhett cracked his neck. “Physical labor again.”
Zayden sighed. “Of course.”
Emrys clapped. “Let’s suffer together.”
Arielle tied her hair back.
At least this makes sense.
She worked steadily.
Measured.
Focused.
When a knot wouldn’t hold, she untied it and tried again.
When someone struggled, she helped quietly.
No show.
No fuss.
?? Viewer Comments:
“SHE LEADS WITHOUT TRYING.”
“WHY IS THIS SO ATTRACTIVE.”
Lin Yue worked too.
But she struggled more.
Hands slipping.
Frowns appearing.
A villager gently corrected her.
Arielle noticed—and walked over.
“Like this,” she said softly, guiding Lin Yue’s hands.
Lin Yue froze.
“…Thank you.”
Arielle nodded and stepped back.
?? Viewer Comment:
“WHY IS SHE EVEN NICE ABOUT IT.”
Lin Yue clenched her fingers afterward.
Lucian Watches (Again)
Lucian didn’t mean to watch the full episode.
He really didn’t.
But somehow, he was still there an hour later.
Watching Arielle laugh quietly with the villagers.
Watching his sons hover unconsciously around her.
Watching Lin Yue stand just a little too close.
His jaw tightened.
When did she become this… untouchable?
A message popped up.
Friend: “Your wife is insane on screen. She’s good.”
Lucian stared at the words.
Scrolled.
Then froze.
The clip.
The one he remembered.
The rehearsal.
The line.
His breath caught.
“…That was acting.”
Realization hit him slowly.
Painfully.
End of the Day
As the sun dipped, everyone was exhausted.
Arielle sat on the steps, massaging her wrist.
Emrys dropped beside her. “Tired?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
Rhett stood nearby, arms crossed protectively.
Zayden handed her water without a word.
Lin Yue watched from a distance.
Alone.
For the first time, her smile didn’t come easily.
That night, as Arielle prepared to sleep, her phone buzzed.
A new message.
Unknown number.
“We need to talk. I misunderstood everything.”
Her breath stilled.
She stared at the screen.
Outside, somewhere far away, Lucian Cross stood up abruptly.
Author’s Note ??
MY LOVES ????
THIS is the kind of chapter I wrote for you — slow, full, funny, and breathing.
? One full day
? Natural dialogue
? Lin Yue escalating quietly
? Sons unconsciously guarding
? Fiancées feeling the shift
? Lucian finally REALIZING
If you read everything, Pls VOTE, COMMENT & FOLLOW ????
Your engagement is why this story is moving like this.
Next chapter coming soon..