Yang Haoran fell silent immediately. He understood Aunt Shen’s meaning; she wanted him to let them stay.
“What will happen if I don’t let them stay?”
“Auntie isn’t too sure. From what I gathered, if they are sent back, their fate probably won’t be too good.”
“You don’t need to overthink it. The estate is quite large and needs some people to maintain it. Also, regarding confidentiality, you don’t need to worry. Auntie has her methods.”
“Then let them stay.”
Yang Haoran thought about it. Since Aunt Shen had put it that way, he might as well go along with her.
Then, Shen Qing’s lazy voice came over the phone: “Oh… I forgot to tell you. Keeping them will cost an average of fifty thousand per person per month, you know~”
“So expensive?” Yang Haoran was stunned. Since when have recent university graduates become so valuable?
“Scared, are you? Hehehe… Otherwise, why do you think they would sign a contract selling themselves? But don’t worry, Auntie will help you take care of them. Also, I’ve met all of them. They’re quite pretty, but only one of them is a virgin.”
“According to the developer, she is the jewel among this group of maids… Auntie specifically asked about her. She’s a local from City G, and her family was originally quite well-off. Her father developed a gambling addiction and racked up debts of over ten million. She just graduated and has no way to repay it… So…” Listening to Aunt Shen’s detailed account, Yang Haoran finally understood why she felt pity for the girl.
If not for her father’s actions, as a graduate of a prestigious university, she might have had a bright future ahead of her. She was beautiful, and having remained a virgin after graduating, she was clearly a good girl who valued her purity.
“What’s her name?” Yang Haoran asked.
“Tang Wenqian.”
“Aunt Shen, you mentioned her specifically because you’re afraid I might treat her poorly later, right?”
“Auntie said no such thing. I was just introducing her to you.”
…After hanging up, Yang Haoran kept thinking about what Aunt Shen had said. Maids? The rich really know how to play. He was still too naive.
He shook his head, trying not to dwell on it.
He hesitated for a moment about Aunt Shen’s arrangements but decided to trust her. He was mentally prepared.
He plugged in the silver USB drive, turned on the computer, opened the folder labeled “Liu,” and began browsing through the provocative photos of his mother.
Time passed slowly. As Yang Haoran flipped through the provocative photos of his mother, his initial excitement gradually waned along with his masturbation. He cleaned up and continued looking… flipping through each photo one by one until every image was etched into his memory.
He checked the time and sighed. It was 11:30. Two or three hours had passed since he started. Had Aunt Shen misjudged? Would his mother not come to find him?
Then again, it might be better if she didnโt. At least heโd avoid a beating.
Just as Yang Haoran was feeling disheartened and ready to give up, familiar footsteps sounded outside the doorโtap, tap, tap, tap… Instantly, he was fully awake, all drowsiness gone. He sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the provocative photos of his mother on the screen, pretending to be completely absorbed.
Thump… thump… thump… Yang Haoran could hear his own heart pounding violently. Even though his mother hadnโt arrived yet, his hands were so tense and sweaty he could barely grip the mouse.
What was he doing?
Seeking death?
He dared say this was the boldest thing he had ever done in his lifeโso bold that he was already regretting it. He shouldnโt have believed Aunt Shenโs nonsense. This was like throwing himself into a fire.
Knock, knock… After two knocks on the door, Yang Haoran heard the creak of the door opening behind him. He didnโt dare turn around, but the footsteps behind him drew closer until they stopped right behind him. After three or four seconds of silence, an icy voice, cold enough to freeze bone, exploded like thunder in his ears.
“Did Shen Qing give this to you?” Yang Haoran could no longer pretend to ignore her. He stiffly turned his head and saw his motherโs stunningly beautiful face, cold as frost. Her gaze was devoid of any warmth, sending chills down his spine.
A forced, awkward smile appeared on Yang Haoranโs stiff face. He instantly rolled off his chair and knelt before his mother, like a guilty man pleading for mercy or a sly coward putting on a pitiful act. “Dear Mother, this is yet another misunderstanding. Aunt Shen gave this to me and told me to look.”
His voice trembled, utterly sincere and without a hint of pretense. He was genuinely terrified, his heart racing uncontrollably.
What kind of terrible idea was Aunt Shen suggesting? Wasnโt this like playing with fire and getting burned?
“Have you looked at all of them?” Her tone was piercingly cold. Yang Haoran didnโt dare look up to see his motherโs expression. Trembling, he replied, “All… n-no… I only saw a little. The photos you took are truly beautiful, Mother. I was only looking at them with an appreciation for beauty, without any filthy thoughts. Mother, you must see the truth…” He spoke flatteringly, his face full of่ฎจๅฅฝ, hoping to lessen his motherโs anger so she might go easier on him when she hit him.
Liu Ruoxi looked at her son kneeling before her, meek and timid. She knew full well that, given his cowardice, he wouldnโt dare deliberately look at her provocative photos in front of her. This was all Shen Qingโs terrible idea, meant to remind herโor perhaps even carrying a hint of coercion.
Seeing the pitiful expression on Haoranโs face, Liu Ruoxi remembered his phone call and the obvious, deliberate little scheme that led to this situation. Her son was clearly conspiring with Shen Qing. He was far from innocent, and the anger in her heart surged uncontrollably.
“Bring me the duster.”
Liu Ruoxi spoke coldly. Yang Haoran wasnโt surprised. He had already prepared for this. He retrieved the feather duster from under the bed and respectfully handed it to his mother.
He said cautiously, “My dear Mother, your humble son has done wrong and seeks your punishment.”
He acted like an obedient child, admitting his fault.
“This time, Mother will give you a choice. Your hand or your butt? Think carefully before you answer.”
His motherโs icy gaze sent chills down Yang Haoranโs spine. Was this even a choice?
Steeling himself, mustering his courage, he knelt on the floor with a pitiful expression. “Dear Mother, your humble son is deeply aware of his sins. I choose my butt. My beautiful, kind, generous, and magnanimous Mother, please, in light of my sincere attitude in admitting my wrongs, could you hit me a little lighter…” He looked up at his mother hopefully, only to be met with two cold laughs. She said lightly, “No, my obedient, dutiful, and filial son.”
If she didnโt give her son a beating, the anger in her heart would have no outlet.