Zhao Ran knew that given Zheng Yao’s personality, she might not be joking at all. Considering her status, if word really got out, there would be no way for her to go on living.
So he quickly assured her, “I won’t. I would rather die than tell anyone. Please don’t worry, really.” Hearing Zheng Yao say something so extreme, Zhao Ran was starting to panic himself.
After a long silence, Zheng Yao gradually calmed down. Having just considered the worst possible outcome, the words had spilled out without thought. Now, seeing how flustered Zhao Ran was, she couldn’t help but comfort him: “It’s not that frightening. If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, no one will know. We just need to be more careful. Alright, go get some sleep.”
Zhao Ran said nothing more. He turned, walked out, and closed the door behind him.
Lying in bed, Zheng Yao caught a strange scent at the tip of her nose—the peculiar smell of evaporated saliva left from her kiss with Zhao Ran earlier. In that moment, she had somehow listened to him; otherwise, she would never have allowed Zhao Ran to kiss her.
In Zheng Yao’s heart, she believed that if he had only entered her lower body, it would have been merely a physical betrayal. But kissing him meant her heart had strayed as well.
But how could this be? He is her daughter’s boyfriend. What a mess. How awkward their future interactions would be…
Amid these chaotic thoughts, Zheng Yao fell into a deep sleep.
In the early morning, Zheng Yao was roused from her dreams by a faint, fresh fragrance. She rubbed her slightly groggy head.
The slight soreness between her legs and the disarray on the bedsheet confirmed that last night was not a dream. She patted her forehead helplessly and got up to wash and freshen up.
Zheng Yao took off her nightgown, which had been thoroughly ravaged, and looked at her perfect body in the mirror. Though she was over forty, regular exercise had kept her figure as firm and supple as a young girl’s. Her face bore a trace of weariness, but it couldn’t conceal her stunning beauty.
The few fine crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes didn’t make her look old; instead, they added a touch of mature charm.
Zheng Yao took great care to maintain her figure. It wasn’t for anyone else but herself—after all, what woman doesn’t wish to remain young and beautiful forever?
Yet she never expected that, in the end, she would be taken advantage of by her own son-in-law.
But given the circumstances last night, which were even more absurd than a TV drama, the slightest misstep could have prevented it from happening. Thinking of this, Zheng Yao felt utterly exasperated.
Still, what’s done is done. There’s no use regretting it now. She would just let things take their natural course.
After finishing her toilette, Zheng Yao found some of Yin Yue’s clothes to change into. They didn’t fit perfectly, but they were wearable.
She gathered the soiled bedsheet, blanket, and her clothes into a bundle and walked out of the bedroom.
Zhao Ran was setting the breakfast he had prepared on the dining table. Seeing Zheng Yao carrying a pile of clothes, he hurried over to help.
“Mom, let me take care of that.”
Zheng Yao dodged his offer and said, “No need. Go attend to your tasks. I’ll just put these in the washing machine.”
Of course, she couldn’t let him wash them—her freshly changed bra and panties were in there.
With that, Zheng Yao walked straight to the washing machine on the balcony.
Zhao Ran watched her retreating figure, unsure of what he was feeling. Recalling their heart-to-heart talk the previous night and the intimate union that followed, he felt a faint itch in his heart.
Although they had both insisted it must never be known to others and that they should act as usual, neither had explicitly stated that such a relationship could never happen again.
Zheng Yao was wearing Yin Yue’s clothes—a black fitted T-shirt. Her bra might have been a bit too small, leaving marks visible on both sides. Even through the fabric, the outlines were clearly discernible.