βI should just ask Mom for it.β
Yang Haoran let out a sigh. A strange feeling washed over him as this thought emerged. After all, itβs not unreasonable for a child to ask their parents for money; itβs something everyone goes through before becoming independent.
So why did he feel so nervous about it?
Perhaps it was because he was used to asking his dad for money, and this sudden shift to asking his mom was throwing off his usual mindset.
Who was the wealthiest in the family? Without a doubt, it was his mother. Even the slightest trickle from her fingertips would be enough to keep him in luxury for a lifetime.
But clearly, his mother had no intention of letting him be a freeloading second-generation heir. She wanted to cultivate his ability to stand on his own two feet, which was why she had always been strict with him about money.
People adapt. Since Mom wouldnβt give him money without questioning its purpose, his straightforward and generous dad had become the go-to option.
But now, even his dad had a family to support. It was better not to bother him too much.
Lost in his thoughts, Yang Haoran fell back into worry. How was he going to explain what he needed the money for?
Without a reasonable and legitimate explanation, his mother would never approve, as had always been the case.
Even when Yao Yao called him for dinner, Yang Haoran still hadnβt come up with a reason that would convince his mom.
βHaoran, whatβs on your mind? You seem distracted.β
At the dinner table, Yang Wenfu noticed his sonβs troubled expression. Listlessly pushing his food around, he lacked his usual wolfish appetite, which struck Yang Wenfu as odd.
Mom and Yao Yao also turned to look. Yang Haoran forced himself to perk up and said with a smile, βMaybe I just donβt have much of an appetite today.β
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at his mother, causing Liu Ruoxiβs delicate brows to furrow slightly. What kind of trouble was he trying to stir up now?
βDad will get you some appetite stimulants. Take them after dinner, and from now on, take one pill half an hour before each meal. Make sure to exercise more at school, drink plenty of water, and go to bed early every night. Donβt let yourself develop stomach problems,β Yang Wenfu rambled on. He felt that the strained relationship between him and his wife, coupled with the things he had told his son, had placed a psychological burden on the boy.
βDadβ¦ I was just joking!β Yang Haoran shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth, cheeks bulging as he chewed and mumbled, βMomβ¦ Her Majestyβs cooking is so delicious. How could I not have an appetite? This is the best thing Iβve ever eaten!β His stuffed-cheeks teasing immediately made the family laugh, and Liu Ruoxiβs expression softened slightly. At least he knew how to behave.
βBro, this is really good. You should try it.β Yang Mengyao, her cheeks also puffed up, picked up a tempting piece of steamed pork rib with black bean sauce and placed it in Yang Haoranβs bowl.
βYao Yaoβ¦ if you like it, I wonβt take it from you.β Yang Haoran picked it up and put it back into her bowl. Yang Mengyaoβs large, dewy eyes glared at him with feigned grievance as she pouted, βHmphβ¦ fine, if you wonβt accept my kindnessβ¦β
βAh, Yao Yao, how can you say that? Iβm just being considerate of you. Here, give it backβ¦β Without hesitation, Yang Haoran picked the rib back out of her bowl and popped it into his mouth. The flavorful juices, combined with the perfect cooking, exploded on his taste budsβit was truly delicious. He complained to his dad, βDad, look at this girl. I was just trying to show some brotherlyδ½θ΄΄ (consideration), and she doesnβt appreciate it. Youβve spoiled her.β
βThatβs not trueβ¦ I was the one who gave it to you, and not only did you not appreciate it, youβre blaming me now. Youβre so shameless!β Seeing her brother eat it, Yang Mengyao broke into a radiant smile, though her tone was still complaining.
Yang Wenfu watched the siblingsβ banter with a cheerful heart. The long-lost warmth of family life filled his fatherly heart with joy. He picked up a rib for each of them and said jovially, βAlright, alrightβ¦ Dad will serve you both. Isnβt this showing a fatherβsδ½θ΄΄ (consideration)?β
βDad, are you trying to learn crosstalk from me now?β
βHahahaβ¦β
The dinner table was filled with the familyβs laughter and joyful chatter. Liu Ruoxi also smiled, serving Yang Haoran and Yang Mengyao each a piece of rib as well. It felt almost like a ritual, yet it was overflowing with the warmth of family.
Everyone enjoyed the meal immensely.
After dinner, Yang Wenfu was about to take on the task of washing the dishes, but his son beat him to it, helping his wife instead. He shook his head helplessly but still smiled.
He felt that this was actually quite nice. The atmosphere was more harmonious than before, when he and his wife were in a cold war. They each lived their own lives, yet remained together as a family, not lacking in companionship for their children, and his emotional needs were also fulfilled by Zhuang Hui.
But just the thought of his wifeβs secret lover, whom he had never met, sent a pang of anguish through Yang Wenfuβs heart. He really wanted to meet the man who had replaced him in his wifeβs affections.
Ruoxi⦠what exactly are you hiding from me�
He returned to his room, his mind swirling with guesses. His wifeβs life had always been very routineβshuttling between the company and home, rarely going out for gatherings or shopping. If she had a lover, could it be someone from her companyβ¦?
Yang Wenfu thought of those drama scenes where a wealthy woman keeps a young boy toy and couldnβt help but laugh at the absurdity. The idea of someone as cold-natured as Ruoxi keeping a boy toyβ¦ it was just too ridiculous to take seriously.
He shook his head, dismissing these thoughts. The two of them had reached an unspoken agreement. Whatever his wife did, he no longer had any right to question it.
All he hoped for was that the family could live in harmony, that everything would go smoothly, free from illness and disaster, and that after weathering lifeβs storms, they could all join hands to see the rainbowβ¦
Yang Haoran obediently helped his mother wash the dishes. His well-behaved demeanor surprised Liu Ruoxi; it was unlike his usual character. In the past, he would use washing dishes as an excuse to find all sorts of ways to cozy up to her. Now, he seemed to be sparing with his words.
After finishing the dishes, Yang Haoran didnβt linger around his mother. He went back to his room to get his clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower. When you need a favor from someone, itβs best to behave well firstβit makes the conversation easier later.
Yang Haoran stayed in his room alone for a while afterward. Calculating the time and figuring his mother had returned to the master bedroom, he pushed his door open and walked down the hallway toward her room.
It was around nine oβclock, and no one in the family had gone to bed yet. The lights were bright, so there was no need for Yang Haoran to skulk around. He openly turned the knob of the master bedroom door and walked in.
He found his mother with her back to him, apparently having just taken a shower. She was at the dressing table, using a hairdryer on her moist, satin-smooth hair.
Her hair cascaded down to her waist, swaying gently with her movements like a waterfall, making her skin appear even more fair and translucent.
The reflection in the mirror was enchantingβher graceful and slender figure exuded the unique, elegant beauty of an Eastern woman. Her curvaceous form radiated the mature charm of a woman, captivating to the eye.
Every inch of her skin seemed meticulously sculpted, with proportions that were just rightβvoluptuous without being plump, well-balanced yet intensely alluring. It was like a vivid painting slowly unfurling before Yang Haoranβs eyes.
He stared, dazed for a moment. Mom didnβt seem to realize how incredibly enticing her figure was.
βHer Majesty, busy?β Yang Haoran collected himself slightly, a ingratiating smile spreading across his face as he walked straight to his motherβs side. The hairdryer carried the subtle fragrance of her hair into his noseβa rich, elegant scent that he couldnβt help but inhale deeply several times.