LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

In the corner of the bookstore café, the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds because of Xiaoyu's question.

Su Mo gently stroked the rim of the warm coffee cup with her fingers, without answering immediately.

He raised his eyes and looked directly at Xiaoyu, as if trying to see through the thoughts hidden behind her question.

Xiaoyu's heart was pounding in her chest, and her palms were even covered in a fine layer of sweat.

She knew she had overstepped her bounds; that "home" had its own ecological balance, and she was an outsider trying to intrude.

Finally, Su Mo spoke.

"You want to go?" he asked, frowning.

"Hmm..." Xiaoyu bit her lower lip, then decided to go for it, her eyes hardening. "I want to go. Not just because of skiing, but also because I love traveling. I can cover all the expenses, and I won't be a burden to you. I can even help with taking photos, editing pictures, and planning the trip!"

She finished speaking in one breath, like a prisoner awaiting sentencing.

Su Mo looked at her nervous yet expectant expression, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.

"I have no opinion."

These four words made Xiaoyu's eyes light up instantly, as if she had seen the dawn in the darkness.

But then Su Mo poured cold water on the situation: "However, I didn't plan this trip. As you know, I don't get involved in family matters."

He shrugged, looking helpless yet self-righteous: "If you want to go, you need their permission. If Rita, Sister Shuang, and Luo Xin all agree, adding you is just adding another pair of chopsticks."

Su Mo neither rejected her, giving her hope, nor agreed directly, thus avoiding being severely tortured by Rita and the others when she got home.

He left the decision-making power to Xiaoyu herself.

Xiaoyu was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood what Su Mo meant.

She took a deep breath and a smile appeared on her face.

"Okay, I understand." She picked up her coffee, gently touched Su Mo's cup, and said with a sly look in her eyes, "I'll take care of the sisters."

……

That evening, at Su Mo's villa.

As soon as Su Mo entered the house, she keenly sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.

At this time of day, the living room would normally be filled with game sound effects or background music from TV dramas, but today it was unusually quiet.

Rita, Luo Xin, and Yu Shuang sat around the coffee table, each holding a mobile phone and with different expressions.

Seeing Su Mo walk in after changing his shoes, Rita was the first to look up: "Oh, Brother Mo is back? Did you have a good time with the beautiful host today?"

Su Mo walked over without changing his expression, sat down on the single sofa, picked up an apple from the table and took a bite: "It's alright, the coffee is a bit bitter."

"Hmph, I bet she's just secretly pleased with herself." Rita rolled her eyes and turned her phone screen towards Su Mo. "Look how good Xiaoyu is at handling things; she sent the application directly to Sister Shuang."

Su Mo glanced at it; it was Yu Shuang's WeChat interface.

Xiaoyu posted a long essay, her words were earnest and her attitude humble, with only one central idea: she asked to be taken along, to be accepted, and promised to be obedient, never cause trouble, and to serve as free labor and a professional photographer.

“Not only that,” Luo Xin added from the side, “she also sent me a lot of links to super cute ski equipment, saying she would give them to me if I wanted to buy them… How did she know I like pink?”

Yu Shuang also said, "She even sent me a detailed Swiss food guide down to the hour, pointing out which restaurants required advance reservations and which had the most authentic cheese fondue. She said if we took her along, she would handle all the errands and communications."

Su Mo raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xiao Yu was so efficient, especially with her "divide and conquer, cater to their preferences" strategy.

"So what?" Su Mo asked knowingly, chewing on an apple. "What do you all say? Anyway, I'm not setting an example."

The three women exchanged a glance.

Although Rita has a sharp tongue, she is actually a typical person who responds better to gentleness than force.

Xiaoyu's low-key approach, coupled with the fact that they already knew each other, made it difficult for her to continue targeting him.

Most importantly, the fact that another person was captivated by Su Mo's charm greatly satisfied her vanity to some extent.

“I think… it would be good to bring her along?” Luo Xin said softly. “We just happen to need a professional photographer. Mo Zi’s photography skills are too stereotypical of a straight man.”

“I have no objection either.” Yu Shuang nodded gently. “Xiao Yu is quite sensible. She’s unfamiliar with Switzerland, so having another person can help her out.”

Both votes passed.

All eyes turned to Rita.

Rita glanced at Su Mo and snorted, "Fine, fine! Since everyone agrees, can I be the bad guy? But let's make this clear first, when we get there, I want the biggest room! And if she doesn't behave, I can send her back anytime!"

Su Mo smiled, reached out and pinched Rita's puffed-up cheek: "Okay, I'll do as you say."

……

One week later, Zermatt, Switzerland.

As the most famous ski resort in the Alps, the scenery here is as beautiful as a fairy tale world.

The majestic Matterhorn pierces the clouds, its snow-capped peak shimmering with golden light under the sun.

Su Mo and his group of five booked a wooden villa located halfway up the mountain.

Open the window and you'll see continuous snow-capped mountains and lush forests.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, crackling and popping, filling the room with warmth.

Just as Xiaoyu promised, she fully assumed the role of "all-around housekeeper".

From airport pick-up and drop-off at the villa to ski equipment rental, she arranged everything meticulously, even catering to Rita's discerning taste in coffee.

She wouldn't let anyone help her.

This diligence and obedience completely melted Rita's temper, who had initially been a bit aloof, and she even started taking selfies with her.

The next morning, at the ski resort.

Everyone changed into thick ski suits.

Su Mo was dressed in a black professional ski suit, with goggles pushed up on his forehead, making him look dashing and imposing.

Rita wore a striking red outfit, Luo Xin wore a lovely pink and white color scheme, and Yu Shuang wore an elegant dark blue.

Xiaoyu, on the other hand, was dressed in a pure white ski suit, which made her look exceptionally pure in the snow, like a snow fairy.

"Brother Mo, come teach me! I can't fasten this buckle!" Luo Xin sat on the snow and pouted at Su Mo.

Su Mo glided over, squatted down, and skillfully adjusted the bindings on her skis for her. He then patted her helmet and said, "You're so clumsy."

"Oh no, I can't do it either!" Rita yelled. "I'm going to fall! I'm going to fall!"

Actually, she didn't move at all; she just wanted Su Mo to come and help her.

Su Mo shook his head helplessly and slid over to act as a human crutch.

In contrast, Xiaoyu was much quieter. She awkwardly tried to move on the flat ground, clearly a skiing novice, but she didn't want to trouble Su Mo, so she gritted her teeth and tried hard to maintain her balance.

"Lower your center of gravity and bend your knees slightly."

A voice suddenly rang out behind her.

Xiaoyu was startled, her foot slipped, and she fell backward uncontrollably.

The expected pain did not come; a pair of strong arms steadily supported her back.

She looked up and saw Su Mo.

"Don't be nervous, the more nervous you are, the easier it is to fall." Su Mo helped her straighten up, but didn't let go immediately. Instead, he helped her adjust her posture. "Spread your legs a little apart, and brake by turning your toes inward."

The two were standing very close, and her face instantly turned red.

"Th...thank you," Xiaoyu's voice was barely audible.

Not far away, Rita watched this scene, pursed her lips, but instead of doing what she usually did, she said to Yu Shuang beside her, "See, I knew this little vixen was here to 'steal' our territory. But..."

She glanced at Su Mo's patient teaching and said, "Fine, considering that Brother Mo seems to enjoy being a coach, I'll turn a blind eye today."

The afternoon sun shone on the ski slopes as Su Mo led four beautiful women through the snow, creating a stunning scene that drew the attention of many passing skiers.

With the system at his disposal, Su Mo's skiing skills were naturally top-notch. He glided effortlessly on the advanced slopes, his elegant turns and jumps stirring up layers of snow mist, making Rita and Luo Xin scream with delight below.

Tired from skiing, the five of them sat down to rest at an open-air cafe on the mountaintop.

The hot chocolate emitted wisps of steam.

"Come on, let's take some pictures!" Xiaoyu took out her professional SLR camera and began to fulfill her duties as a photographer.

"Brother Mozi, you sit in the middle!"

Su Mo was seated in the center of the bench, with Rita on his left arm and Luo Xin leaning on his shoulder, and Yu Shuang with a dignified smile on his right.

"Xiaoyu, come on over!" Yu Shuang suddenly waved, "Don't just take pictures of us, you should join in too."

"Huh? Can I?" Xiaoyu was taken aback.

"Hurry up! Just set up a time-lapse!" Rita urged impatiently. "Stop dawdling."

A warm feeling welled up in Xiaoyu's heart. She quickly set up her camera, set the countdown, and then ran over.

In the last second before the shutter was pressed, she stood somewhat awkwardly at the very edge, unsure of what to do with her hands.

Just then, a large hand suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and gently pulled it inward.

Xiaoyu gasped in surprise, lost her balance, and fell halfway into Rita's arms.

"Crack!"

The shutter sounds.

The photo captures this moment:

The backdrop is a majestic snow-capped mountain and a clear blue sky.

In the center of the image, Su Mo, with a faint, mischievous smile on his lips, is embracing two women.

On the left, Yu Shuang and Luo Xin smiled brightly.

On the right, Rita is looking at the camera.

On the far right, Xiaoyu's face was flushed, and although she was half-lying down in a somewhat disheveled state, she was smiling happily.

This photograph was later developed and placed on the huge fireplace mantel in the Sheshan Villa, becoming another precious memory in this home.

Evenings belong indoors.

The cabin was very warm, so everyone changed out of their heavy ski suits and into comfortable loungewear.

Yu Shuang and Xiao Yu were busy in the kitchen, preparing a sumptuous cheese fondue.

Rita pulled Su Mo to play games on the carpet, while Luo Xin cheered them on from the sidelines.

"Ah! Brother Mo, let me win! I'm going to lose!" Rita angrily threw down the controller and threw herself on Su Mo in a fit of pique.

"Practice makes perfect," Su Mo mocked mercilessly, but then peeled a chocolate and stuffed it into her mouth. "Shut your mouth."

Rita fell silent instantly, sweetly chewing on her chocolate, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

During the meal, everyone sat around the long table, and the cheese in the pot was bubbling and bubbling, filling the air with its aroma.

After a few glasses of red wine, the atmosphere became even more tipsy and ambiguous.

“Come on, let’s play a game!” Rita’s cheeks flushed slightly as she raised her glass. “Truth or Dare!”

The bottle spun on the table, and finally, the neck of the bottle slowly stopped, pointing towards... Xiaoyu.

"Choose, truth or dare?" Rita smiled like a little fox.

Xiaoyu glanced at Su Mo sitting opposite her, her heart racing. Fueled by the alcohol, she gritted her teeth and said, "Truth or dare!"

“Okay!” Rita leaned closer, staring into her eyes. “If I gave you a chance right now, to trade your entire career for a position by Mo Zi’s side, like we are…would you be willing?”

The moment the question was posed, the air on the table fell silent.

This is an extremely sensitive question.

All eyes were on Xiaoyu.

Xiaoyu's fingers, which were holding the wine glass, turned slightly white. She glanced at Su Mo.

She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually hardening: "I do."

Three words, loud and clear.

“Actually, I thought a lot before coming here. I thought I would hesitate and be reluctant to give up all the glory I have now. But…” She looked at Su Mo, a relieved smile on her lips, “When you’ve truly been close to the sun, you won’t want to go back to the cold night. If it’s to stay by his side, none of that matters.”

Rita was stunned; she hadn't expected Xiaoyu to answer so decisively and resolutely.

Just as the atmosphere was about to freeze, a soft laugh broke the deadlock.

"Alright, alright," Su Mo said. "Sister Ta Zi, your alcohol tolerance has improved, but your drinking manners have deteriorated. When you drink too much, you start talking nonsense, like giving up your career, making me sound like a feudal landlord who forcibly takes a woman."

Rita covered her forehead, about to retort, "I'm not drunk," but was stopped by a look from Su Mo.

She pouted, a little unconvinced, but realized that her question had indeed been a bit too aggressive. So she took the opportunity Su Mo had given her and muttered, "Oh... I was just joking to lighten the mood, who knew she was so easily amused."

Su Mo turned his head and looked at Xiao Yu, whose body was tense. His expression softened, as if the serious topic just now was really just a joke after drinking.

“Xiaoyu, don’t listen to her nonsense. We’re all adults, there’s no need for that black-and-white, tragic drama.” Su Mo said, placing a piece of the tenderest beef on Xiaoyu’s plate. “Everyone here, Sister Shuang, Luo Xin, Sister Ta Zi, aren’t you all successful, independent women? I’m not some kind of villain, and no one has to give up their career just because they’re associated with me…”

However, Xiaoyu didn't touch her chopsticks, looking at Su Mo with a complicated expression. (End of Chapter)