Yang Haoranβs mind was a chaotic mess at home. From the time the sun was high in the sky until it set behind the western hills, his father returned from work, and his younger sister Yaoyao came back from school, yet there was still no sign of his mother.
It wasnβt until after seven in the evening that Yang Haoran heard the familiar sound of a car from his room. Peering out from his second-floor window, he happened to see his mother stepping out of the car and walking toward the villa.
Mother was still wearing the purple dress from the daytime. Her stunningly beautiful face wore a serene and natural expression; nothing seemed amiss, exactly the same as always.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran felt a wave of relief. It seemed he had really been overthinking things.
He went downstairs from the second floor and ran to open the door for his mother. After she entered, he eagerly took the groceries and her bag from her hands.
His father, Yang Wenfu, who had been reading a newspaper on the living room sofa, heard the commotion, put down the paper, and walked over. Seeing it was his wife, he frowned slightly and said, “Why are you back so late? The children haven’t eaten yet.”
Facing her husband’s inquiry, Liu Ruoxi’s expression remained unchanged. She glanced at Yang Wenfu, her tone somewhatε·ζ·‘ (lΔngdΓ n – cold/indifferent) as she replied, “There was a bit more work at the company today. I was busy and lost track of time.”
Used to his wife’s lukewarm attitude, Yang Wenfu was no stranger to it. Although they were still nominally husband and wife, their marital relationship had long since fractured after prolonged cold wars. Frowning, he said, “If you’re going to be late coming home in the future, give me a call. I can cook for the children.”
After that, he said nothing more and returned to the sofa to continue reading his newspaper.
Yang Haoran watched as his parents exchanged a few brief words like strangers before falling silent. He sighed inwardly. As their son, he ought to be building bridges, striving to mend their relationship. But because of the wicked thoughts in his heart, seeing this scene, aside from a slight feeling of guilt, he actually felt somewhat pleased to witness it.
After all, if Mom and Dad had a harmonious, respectful, and loving marital relationship, how could he possibly have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation and claim his exquisitely beautiful, fairy-like mother for himself?
Later, Mother went into the kitchen to cook for the family. Yang Haoran, shamelessly pretending to be filial, went to the kitchen to offer his help. But upon entering, he saw his mother looking distracted, as if preoccupied with something. She was staring blankly at the ingredients on the cutting board, not even noticing that he had come in.
Seeing this, Yang Haoranβs heart tightened. The worries from the afternoon resurfaced in his mind. Pretending nothing was wrong, he walked over to his mother and asked casually, “Mom, where did you go this afternoon?”
Liu Ruoxi, deep in thought, was startled by her son’s sudden appearance. She didnβt even catch what he asked.
“You wretched child, what are you doing sneaking around so quietly?”
Liu Ruoxiβs willow-like eyebrows shot up in anger as she glared furiously at Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran felt somewhat wronged. “I came in a moment ago. I just felt bad for you and wanted to come help out. Who knew you’d be standing there in a daze, thinking about who knows what, not even noticing I came in. You can’t blame me for that!”
“Mom doesn’t need your help. If you have free time, you’d be better off going back to your room to study. Give your mother some peace of mind.” Liu Ruoxi massaged her forehead, utterly exasperated with this child. Unwarranted enthusiasm always signaled ulterior motives; it was either mischief or theft.
“Mom, you still haven’t answered my question from earlier?”
Yang Haoran was naturally unwilling to leave it at that.
“What question?”
Liu Ruoxi looked at her son suspiciously, unsure what scheme he was up to now.
“Mom, where did you go this afternoon?”
Yang Haoran lowered his voice, leaned in closer, and asked quietly.
“I went to the company. Why?”
Liu Ruoxiβs expression was calm as she met her sonβs flickering gaze, answering with an air of effortless ease. Although she didnβt know what her son was thinking, she certainly couldnβt tell him the truth about todayβs events.
“I don’t believe it. Mom, you always wear formal attire when you go to the company.”
As he spoke, Yang Haoran, like a thief with a guilty conscience, glanced outside the kitchen at his father sitting quietly on the sofa. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he whispered, “Mom, do you have someone else outside? Tell me the truth. I wonβt tell Dad. I support you.”
Hearing this, Liu Ruoxiβs face instantly turned frosty. She pinched her sonβs ear harshly, her voice icy enough to pierce bone. “Say that again if you dare.”
“Owβ¦ ow owβ¦ gentlyβ¦ gentlyβ¦ Mom, donβt worry, I wonβt tell Dad. Just be honest with your son.”
Yang Haoranβs ear turned red from the pinching; it was clear Liu Ruoxi was using considerable force. He stammered out pleas for mercy while stillδΈεΏ (bΓΉwΓ ng – not forgetting) to continue his questioning.
Seeing her son persisting without remorse, a cold smile tugged at Liu Ruoxiβs lips. She leaned close to her sonβs ear, her voice low and menacing. “Donβt think Mom doesnβt know what youβre thinking. If you dare spout such nonsense again, youβll suffer for it tonight.”
After saying this, worried she might actually hurt his ear, she let go. But her expression remained frigid as she stared coldly at her son.
Facing his motherβs icy gaze, in the past, Yang Haoran would have wisely made himself scarce. But if he didnβt get to the bottom of this matter, it felt like a heavy stone was pressing on his heart, leaving him stifled and anxious.
So, steeling himself, he met his motherβs cold stare head-on. His lips moved, and he said with firm determination, “Mom, do you really have someone else or not? If you donβt tell me, I wonβt feel at ease. I wonβt be able to sleep tonight, and I wonβt be able to focus on studying at school tomorrow.”
Seeing this, Liu Ruoxi sighed. She really had no way to deal with him. What could she do? He was her own flesh and blood.
“No, I didnβt. I went to your Aunt Shenβs place this afternoon. If you donβt believe me, you can call and ask her.”
Liu Ruoxi knew her sonβs cunning mind and also knew he was telling the truth about his worry. So sheε¦η½ (tΗnbΓ‘i – frankly) told him to set his mind at ease.
As for whether the photoshoot would be exposed, that was naturally impossible. Even if her son called to ask, Shen Qing wouldnβt tell him the truth. After all, it wasnβt yet time for him to know the reality of the situation.
“Really?” Hearing this, Yang Haoran felt a wave of relief but pressed again just to be sure.
“Really.” Liu Ruoxi shot her son a look and repliedζ·‘ζ·‘ (dΓ ndΓ n – lightly/calmly).
“Thatβs good, thatβs good. Hehe⦔ Yang Haoran grinned broadly, not even trying to hide his happiness.
“Nothingβs wrong now, so arenβt you going to get lost?”
Remembering her sonβs earlier nonsense, Liu Ruoxi still felt a bit of anger.
“Heheβ¦ Iβm going, Iβm going.”
With his mind at ease, Yang Haoran scampered out gleefully, even humming a little tune, his mood jubilant.
Liu Ruoxi watched her sonβs retreating back, herεΏζ ζδΊε€ζ (xΔ«nqΓng yΗuxiΔ fΓΉzΓ‘ – mood somewhat complicated) as she thought about what was to come later. She had just been pondering this matter. After all, as the tasks unfolded, the purely maternal relationship might soon be broken.
She worried that when the mission progressed to the second stage, and her identity was exposed, her son would misunderstand and think she was a slut. How would he view her as a mother then?
And how would he treat her?