After hearing the whole story, Yang Haoran was speechless. Dad, you’re so useless. You can’t even control one woman, so why did you have to go fooling around?
“Dad, don’t panic.”
Yang Haoran comforted his father, while silently adding in his mind, Panicking won’t help anyway—Mom already knows you cheated.
“Dad, Jinjiang Residential Complex has security and access control. Even if Zhuang Hui knows the address, she can’t get in,” Yang Haoran said.
A sigh came from the other end of the phone. “She stole my access card at some point and made a copy.”
Hearing this, Yang Haoran was utterly lost for words.
You… this is really hard to defend, Dad!!
Knowing how anxious his father truly was, Yang Haoran thought for a moment and asked, “Dad, when can you get back?”
“There’s no way I can make it back today. The earliest I can return is tomorrow morning. Just buy me one day—that’s all I need.”
“Alright then, Dad. I’ll take Mom out for the day today to lay low. You handle things when you get back tomorrow.”
No matter what, Yang Haoran genuinely wanted to help his father avoid this disaster. Perhaps it was guilt over breaking his promise last time, or maybe it was his own selfish desires that indirectly led to all this.
Hearing his son’s response, Yang Wenfu on the other end was slightly taken aback and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be in the hospital for treatment?”
Yang Haoran inwardly cursed—shit—and quickly covered himself. “I was discharged yesterday. The doctor said I’m fine now.”
Yang Wenfu had only asked casually. Hearing his son’s explanation, he didn’t dwell on it, too overwhelmed by the mess he was in.
“Okay then, Haoran. Take your mom out tomorrow. In the evening, make up an excuse and stay at a hotel with her for the night.”
Ah! Dad, aren’t you overestimating me? Yang Haoran felt the pressure. Just taking Mom out for the day was already pushing it, but spending a night with her at a hotel? This was…
Still, under the circumstances, Yang Haoran had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.
With his son as a backup plan, Yang Wenfu breathed a sigh of relief. He reminded Yang Haoran to get some rest soon and ended the call.
Yang Haoran couldn’t sleep. His mind raced with all sorts of ideas, and he tossed and turned until after 3 a.m. before finally sinking into a deep slumber.
…
Early the next morning, a exhausted Yang Haoran was woken by his mother for breakfast.
At the table, Liu Ruoxi looked at her listless son and frowned, scolding him, “Did you stay up late last night?”
Yang Haoran had no way to explain his troubles. After hesitating for a long moment, he nodded.
“Go back to sleep after breakfast. From now on, go to bed earlier.”
Yang Haoran had expected a harsher scolding from his mother and was surprised it was so easy to get off. But going back to sleep wasn’t an option. Forcing himself to perk up, he said, “I was still feeling tired, but the moment I saw your heavenly beauty, Mom, I instantly woke up.”
“Be good. Don’t be cheeky!”
Liu Ruoxi wasn’t having any of it and glared sharply at her son.
Ah! My plan failed before it even began—this won’t do. He still had his father’s important task to carry out.
“Mom, I’m really not tired anymore.” To prove it, Yang Haoran put down his breakfast, dropped to the floor, and started doing push-ups.
“One, two, three, four…”
Yang Haoran counted as he went. Despite his exhaustion, he grew more energetic with each push-up, his voice growing firm and powerful.
“What’s gotten into you? Jumping around during breakfast.”
Liu Ruoxi’s delicate brows furrowed. “You don’t have anything to do during the holiday anyway. If you stayed up late, go catch up on sleep. Don’t push yourself just because you’re young.”
“Huff… Mom… I have plans today… huff…” Feeling he’d done enough, Yang Haoran sprang back up like a carp and returned to his seat.
After thirty push-ups, his blood was pumping, and he was breathing heavily, but he did seem much more alert.
Liu Ruoxi raised an eyebrow, studying her son with a scrutinizing gaze. “What plans do you have?”
“I want to go swimming at the beach with you today, Mom.”
Yang Haoran put on a pitiful act. “Your Majesty, Mother, would you grace me with your presence?”
Liu Ruoxi shot him a faint glare, her red lips parting slightly. “No.”
“Mom, my dear, beloved mother.”
Yang Haoran stood up and walked over to her, waving his arms exaggeratedly. “Your humble son was so excited he couldn’t sleep last night. He even dreamed of going to the beach with you—that’s how much he wants this.”
“So, what do you say…?” Yang Haoran gazed at Liu Ruoxi with pleading eyes.
Faced with her son’s begging look, Liu Ruoxi hesitated, on the verge of softening and agreeing. But then she remembered his inappropriate behavior when they soaked in the hot springs together yesterday. If she agreed, what if the system triggered another task and he tried the same trick again?
“No. Go by yourself if you want to,” Liu Ruoxi coldly refused.
“Your Majesty, Mother…”
Yang Haoran was stunned and was about to continue pleading when Liu Ruoxi cut him off sharply. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re plotting. Did I spoil you too much yesterday, making you think you can push your luck now?”
Hearing the warning in his mother’s tone, Yang Haoran inwardly sighed—this is bad—and quickly waved his hands. “No… that’s not it at all. I just thought, since it’s a rare holiday, it’d be nice to go out and have some fun with you.”
Though his excuse sounded reasonable, Liu Ruoxi wasn’t convinced. Well aware of her son’s perverted and twisted desires, her expression turned icy. “Enough. Mom won’t go with you. Put that idea out of your head right now.”
Seeing that his mother had drawn such a firm line, Yang Haoran, afraid of getting punished, could only sulkily retreat back to his seat.
Dad, how am I supposed to help you now? Yang Haoran sighed deeply to himself.
But he still had one trick up his sleeve. After breakfast, he seized the chance to volunteer helping his mother wash the dishes. As they cleaned, he suddenly said, “Mom, will you help me fulfill a childhood wish of mine?”
Liu Ruoxi, who was scrubbing a plate, frowned and asked, “What wish?”
Seeing that his mother had taken the bait, Yang Haoran pressed on smoothly. “Take me to the amusement park for a day. It was a birthday wish I made when I was little that never came true. I want to make up for that regret.”
Liu Ruoxi’s expression softened, and this time, she didn’t refuse. “Alright. You can go now—go catch up on sleep. I’ll wake you at nine.”
It was 7:51 a.m. If he went back to sleep now, he could still get about an hour of rest.