# Chapter 204: Mudfish, Warm Hearts, and a Star Who Surprises Everyone
Hello everyone, it’s me again! How are you all doing today? I hope life is treating you with kindness and warmth. Today, I’m so excited to continue our journey together through the unforgettable pages of **"The Untouchable Ex Wife"**. And let me tell you, Chapter 204 has a little bit of everything—shy glances, unexpected friendships, and a superstar who trades his polished image for muddy water and heartfelt charm. So gather around, settle in, and let’s step right back into the story.
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Leia felt her cheeks heat up when Santiago Dalton looked at her so knowingly. She had been trying hard to be professional, to be welcoming, but something about the famous actor’s gentle gaze made her feel completely transparent. Her eyes widened as she stammered, "How did you..."
“How did I know your thoughts?” Santiago finished for her, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. He leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret, and said, "I'm an actor. Being observant is a skill we really need."
Leia was mortified. She dropped her gaze to the ground, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m such an idiot,” she murmured, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.
But Santiago’s reply was kind, patient, almost tender. "Why would I think that?" He tilted his head, studying her with real curiosity. “I think there’s something very pure in you. That’s rare. It's the one thing that’s hard to find in the entertainment circle. So don't doubt yourself, Leia. You're much more outstanding than them.”
At those words, the gloom inside Leia scattered like morning mist. A sudden spark of joy lit up her heart. She looked at Santiago with newfound confidence. “Mr. Dalton, let me show you around the house,” she offered eagerly, now taking on the role of a cheerful hostess.
Her voice was bright and animated, and Santiago happily followed as she led him forward. “This is the kitchen where we cook our meals,” she said, pointing here and there. “And this is the cow’s shed... Bessie is about to give birth soon, so it’s a bit stinky around there, be careful.” She wrinkled her nose playfully and moved on. “This area is where we hold our activities. If you ever get bored, you can lie in this hammock and read. Honestly, I love this spot the most.” Then her gaze drifted to a beautiful stretch of water not far away. “Oh, and the pond over there is incredible! I heard there are lots of mudfish in it. I’ve even thought about catching and cooking them myself, but I’ve never been brave enough to try.”
Santiago walked quietly behind her, listening to every word. At first, he had accepted this assignment simply to repay a favor to Adam. But now? Now he was genuinely charmed. There was something so refreshingly honest about this place—and about Leia.
He raised an eyebrow, an amused glint entering his eyes. "Catching mudfish? Why don’t we do it right now?"
Leia stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, startled. "Do you actually want to catch them? Like… right now?"
"Yeah! Why not?" Santiago shrugged, grinning like a boy who had just discovered a new adventure.
Leia hesitated, nibbling her lip. “But… do you really know how to catch mudfish? The mud is so watery, and if you get dirty, it could ruin your clothes or your hairstyle…”
"It’s fine. I’ve got to blend in since I’m here, right?" Santiago waved off her concern, his voice warm. "Besides, I can fry the mudfish too. How about we cook a meal for everyone today? A real treat.”
Leia was stunned silent. She stared at Santiago, searching his face for any sign of mocking. All she saw was sincerity. It was so hard to reconcile this playful, down-to-earth man with the cold and brooding characters he portrayed on screen. In private, he was actually… human. Kind. Fun. She could hardly believe that he wanted to roll up his sleeves and catch mudfish with her.
“But… can you actually cook?” she asked carefully, half-convinced this was all a dream.
Santiago winked at her. "Don’t worry. I’m an expert with mudfish. You’ll know soon enough."
Leia felt completely bewitched by his smile, and before she knew it, she was nodding and letting him do as he pleased. With a burst of enthusiasm, she walked toward the group and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat today! Mr. Dalton is going to catch mudfish and fry them for all of us! Isn’t that amazing?"
The moment Leia announced it, the women in the group erupted into excitement. The thought of the handsome actor wading through a pond to catch his own dinner was endlessly entertaining and thrilling at the same time. Some of them practically volunteered on the spot to join him in the water—whether to help or just to be close to him, no one could say.
Even Adam, who had been standing around with his arms crossed, found himself smiling at the scene. It was a good environment, he thought. This kind of activity was exactly what the variety show needed. So he went over to the villagers and arranged for the pond to be drained just enough for everyone to wade in and search for mudfish safely.
Leia and Santiago led the charge with pure excitement.
They changed out of their fine clothes, rolled up their sleeves, and stepped into the pond. The cold, muddy water squelched around their feet, but neither of them seemed to care. Santiago crouched low, eyes sharp, his hands moving through the water like he actually knew exactly what he was doing. Leia followed suit, laughing every time the mud splashed her face.
The other celebrities, however, stood at the edge with obvious reluctance. They stared at the murky pond, their noses lifting slightly at the smell. But the cameras were rolling, and no one wanted to look spoiled in front of an audience. One by one, with gritted teeth, they braced themselves and stepped into the mud, joining Leia and Santiago’s lively expedition.
Meanwhile, much farther down the slope, Xavier and Shirley finally reached the bank where the rest of the entourage had gathered. They looked completely out of place, breathing heavily, their stylish clothes wrinkled and damp with sweat. Shirley kept her head down, rubbing her aching legs with a grimace. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Her voice cracked when she finally spoke.
"My legs fail me. I can’t go anywhere and do anything, and now you’re forced to stay here to keep me company. I’m so sorry..."
The way she said it, fragile and self-pitying, hung in the air like an unspoken accusation. Did she truly feel guilty, or was this just another performance? Was she trying to guilt-trip Xavier, or maybe force an opportunity for them to be alone? Everyone watching could sense the tension, but no one moved.
In that moment, while laughter erupted from the mud-caked group by the pond, Xavier and Shirley remained isolated on the bank—two people surrounded by joy, yet completely disconnected from it.
There is something poetic about that scene: while Leia and Santiago chose to be messy, genuine, and down-to-earth, Xavier and Shirley stayed clean, distant, and uncomfortable. And as the chapter draws to a close, one can’t help but wonder—was this just fun and games, or was this day a turning point, changing the hearts of everyone watching?
The mudfish may have been the main catch of the afternoon, but perhaps Leia caught something even more precious—an ally, a friend, and a man who saw true worth in her. And if this story has taught us anything, when one star begins to rise… another may very well begin to fall.
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**Reader’s Impressions & Star Rating:**
Wow, this chapter was such a breath of fresh air! It was so satisfying to watch Leia genuinely enjoy herself and be appreciated by someone as influential and sincere as Santiago. The contrast between the joyful group at the pond and the miserable tension surrounding Xavier and Shirley was beautifully drawn. I absolutely loved the pure, wholesome tone of this chapter—it feels like a warm hug after so much drama. Santiago is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters, and Leia’s bright, hopeful energy definitely shines through.
I’d give this chapter a solid **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars**.
**Next Chapter Prediction:**
Now that the camera has captured the contrast between Leia’s joyful, genuine moment with Santiago and Shirley’s tearful excuses on the bank, I predict that Shirley will do everything in her power to sabotage the happy atmosphere. She won’t be able to stand seeing Leia get so much attention, especially with Xavier around. In the next chapter, we might see Shirley stage an "accident" to pull Xavier’s sympathy away from Leia—or perhaps even twist the mudfish scene into another scheme. But will Xavier finally see through her act? And will Leia’s newfound confidence make her stronger than ever? I can’t wait to find out!
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