A good while later, the two finally got up and went to the bathroom together to take a shower.
Yin Yue was already exhausted. As soon as she returned to bed, she hugged Zhao Ran and fell asleep. Zhao Ran, however, lay staring at the ceiling, wide awake.
Returning here had left him with complicated feelings.
Although he didn’t want to come back, the moment he did, the image of his stepmother resurfaced in his mind.
Over the past year, he hadn’t been in contact with her at all. But on the 10th of every month, a sum of living expenses was deposited into his bank account on time. He knew it was from his stepmother.
During holidays, she would often send him messages too, but Zhao Ran had never replied even once. The scenes from that night often emerged in his heart during the quietest hours, and he still couldn’t bring himself to forgive her.
Moreover, aside from Yin Yue, Zhao Ran hadn’t told anyone about his return this time. He hadn’t figured out how to go back home yet.
As he lost himself in these thoughts, Zhao Ran gradually drifted into sleep. In his dreams, his stepmother was still the gentle and virtuous woman she had once been…
Before he knew it, more than a month had passed since Zhao Ran last visited Yin Yue’s home. During this time, they had gone out for meals together several times and had grown quite familiar.
On this day, Yin Yue invited Zhao Ran over for dinner again. Since they had nothing else to do, they arrived quite early. As soon as they stepped inside, they saw Yin Yue’s mother practicing yoga in the living room. Noticing their arrival, she quickly stood up.
Perhaps because she hadn’t expected them to arrive so early, Yin Yue’s mother was dressed rather casually. Her hair was simply tied up, and she wore a tight-fitting tank top that revealed vast expanses of snow-white skin and a deep, prominent cleavage. Due to her physical activity, beads of sweat trickled down between her full, raised breasts and into the deep valley between them. Further down was her slender, supple waist, so narrow it seemed one could encircle it with just one hand.
Her lower body was clad in black, form-fitting leggings that accentuated her curvaceous hips and long, shapely legs. Her bare, pale feet were planted firmly on the yoga mat.
It was Zhao Ran’s first time seeing Yin Yue’s mother dressed like this, and he found the sight strikingly alluring. Yin’s mother, however, didn’t seem embarrassed at all. She said, “You’re here so early! I thought you wouldn’t arrive until dinner time. Yueyue, let Xiao Zhao make himself comfortable. I’ll go upstairs to change.” With that, she slipped on her sandals and went upstairs.
Yin Yue winked at Zhao Ran and whispered, “So, what do you think? My mom has a great figure, right? Ever since I was little, I feel like she’s never changed much, and her body is absolutely impeccable. But I could never be like her—her standards for herself are way too extreme and strict.” She even gave an exaggerated shiver as she spoke.
Zhao Ran chuckled. “Who calls their own mom extreme? Your figure is plenty fine too; no need to be envious.”
Yin Yue replied, “Sweet talker. But consider yourself lucky—my mom is usually very particular about how she dresses. Outfits like the one you just saw are usually only for me and Dad to see. So, appreciate the view while you can.”
Zhao Ran sighed playfully. “Yeah, yeah. But it’s not like I’m an outsider anymore, right? A son-in-law is practically half a son, after all.”
“Hmph, don’t get ahead of yourself. Be careful—my mom can be pretty intimidating. When she gets angry, her face turns stern, and neither Dad nor I dare to even breathe too loudly.” As she said this, Yin Yue put on an exaggerated expression of fear.
Zhao Ran nodded. “To be honest, she intimidates me too. Can’t be helped—her presence is just too commanding.”
“Haha, right? Even Dad doesn’t dare talk back to her…”
The two continued chatting and joking quietly with each other.
A short while later, Yin’s mother came back downstairs. She had changed into a loose, silk loungewear set, but the impressive curves of her body were still faintly visible beneath the fabric.