At the dining table on the first floor, Mom had already prepared breakfast, and Dad was sitting there eating.
The coupleβs relationship seemed both harmonious and strainedβthere wasnβt a single word exchanged between them, yet their interaction felt natural, just like any other day.
Having done such things with their son last night, Liu Ruoxi felt a sense of guilt and didnβt know what to say to her husband.
Yang Wenfu, still worried that his wife hadnβt forgiven him, ate his breakfast with hesitation, unsure how to break the ice.
It wasnβt until Yang Haoran arrived that the atmosphere was finally disrupted.
βHaoran, youβre up. Come sit next to Dad and have breakfast. Your momβs cooking today seems even more delicious than before.β
Seeing his son, Yang Wenfu felt as though he had glimpsed a ray of hope. A smile spread across his face as he waved his son over, making sure to include a word of praise for his wife in his greeting.
Yang Haoran took a seat beside his father. His mother brought over breakfast for him. Liu Ruoxi glanced at her son, then stole a look at her beaming husband sitting beside him. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes. She addressed her son with a tone that was neither warm nor cold, βWhat about Yaoyao? Isnβt she up yet?β
βMom, Yaoyao just woke up. She was tired from playing with her classmates yesterday, so she got up a little later today. Sheβll be down soon.β
Though his affectionate advances were met with his motherβs coldness, Yang Haoran still responded with eager enthusiasm, much like his father.
βHmm. Finish early and head to school.β
Liu Ruoxi gave a slight nod.
βRuoxi, I was thinkingβsince the company has time off for National Day soon, and Yaoyao and Haoran have a break from school, how about we take a family trip together?β Yang Wenfu proposed to his wife. As he spoke, his eyes remained fixed on her face. Noticing her slight frown, he grew uneasy, worried she might refuse.
He thought that the way he and his wife had been living had created an opening for a third party. He couldnβt just sit back and do nothing. Perhaps the National Day holiday was an opportunity for the whole family to take a trip together, to repair their relationship and reconcile.
Seeing the hopeful look on her husbandβs face, Liu Ruoxi felt a tumult of emotions. His humble efforts to please her were evident, but they only stabbed at her heart. She simply couldnβt bring herself to refuse. She nodded and said, βOkay, sure.β
Overjoyed that his wife had agreed, Yang Wenfu quickly turned to his son beside him. βDid you hear that, Haoran? Your mom agreed! Our family will take a trip during National Day. School has been exhausting for you both. Take this chance to relax with your dadβgo enjoy the scenery, see the magnificent beauty of our country.β
His tone carried a hint of grand enthusiasm, likely because he was in high spirits.
βOhβ¦ okay.β
Though reluctant inwardly, Yang Haoran forced a smile and joined his father in feigned excitement.
If the whole family went on a trip, he was worried that his mother and father might repair their broken relationship. He preferred things to stay as they were. If they went on vacation, relaxed and in good spirits, it could truly act as emotional therapy, a surgery to mend their relationship.
But from his position as their son, he had no grounds to refuse.
A sense of crisis rose within him. He couldnβt let his mother and father go on this trip. He had to find a way to sabotage it, or simply prevent his mother from going.
As he ate his breakfast, his mind raced furiously, searching for a solution. How could he stop this?
Fake an illness?
So his mother would stay behind to take care of him?
It sounded like a good idea, but his mother knew him too well. A common cold or minor illness wouldnβt escape her notice. Even if he deliberately caught a real cold, falling ill at such a critical time would seem far too coincidental. His mother, aware of his cunning nature, would likely stay to care for him if he were truly sick. But that would undoubtedly make winning her affection later even more difficult.
He didnβt just want to possess his motherβs bodyβhe wanted to win her heart too. Only then could he truly claim her entirely.
So what could he do? He certainly couldnβt openly oppose the tripβthat would only backfire. If his father asked for reasons, he wouldnβt be able to explain.
Since he couldnβt object directly, he would have to work behind the scenes. His mother was the key. But how could he get her to agree not to go on the trip?
Yang Haoran racked his brain but found itζ£ζ. In their daily lives, he hardly had any opportunities to be intimate with his mother. It wasnβt that he couldnβt try, but his mother would likely respond by giving him a beating.
The few times it had happened were almost always when his mother, in her slut persona, took the initiative to seduce him. He would then push his advantage and succeed, but it was always passive and frustrating. That was why, for so many years, he had kept his feelings for his mother buried deep in his heart.
He had once considered using forceβXiao Shaowan had been his test subject, a way to train and tame his mother through conditioning.
What exactly is the difference between humans and animals?
Animals can be tamedβbut what about people?
Xiao Shaowan had already given him the answer. But his motherβs slut persona had inflated his desires. He didnβt just want to have herβhe wanted to capture her heart.
His thoughts wandered and churned until his fatherβs voice interrupted him. He still hadnβt come up with anything.
βYaoyao, overslept today? Youβre up so late?β Yang Wenfu, perhaps in good spirits, teased his daughter with a lighthearted tone as he saw her coming down the stairs.
βYeah, Dad.β
Seeing the smile on her fatherβs face, Yang Mengyao showed a sweet smile of her own, momentarily forgetting all her troubles.
The family ate breakfast together in apparent harmony, though each harbored their own thoughts.
After breakfast, Yang Haoran and Yaoyao left the neighborhood together, heading toward the bus stop.
βYaoyao, how was your time with Xiao Shaowan yesterday? Did you have fun?β
βIt was okay, I guess. Itβs just that Shaowanβ¦ I donβt know how to say it. Brother, do you still like her?β
βYeah, why?β Yang Haoran stopped walking and looked at Yaoyao with curiosity.
Yang Mengyao pressed her lips together, unsure whether she should say anything. Seeing that her brother still seemed to like Xiao Shaowan, she grew even more hesitant.
βWhatβs wrong? Did something happen between you two yesterday?β Noticing Yaoyaoβs hesitant expression, Yang Haoran grew curious.
βWellβ¦ Shaowan yesterdayβ¦ sheβ¦β As if struggling to say the words, perhaps recalling the surprised and strange looks from the shop assistant yesterday, Yang Mengyaoβs face flushed, and her voice grew softer. βShaowan took me to a sex shop yesterday.β
βWhat?β Yang Haoran was also surprised. βWhy did she take you to a sex shop?β