“It’s not entirely unacceptable…” Zhou Shiwen was engaged in a complex internal struggle. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Mom, if you really like him, I have no objections. So what if he’s young? But I absolutely will not call him ‘Dad.’ Also, you have to bring him over to meet me.”
Shen Qing’s worried expression vanished, her beautiful eyes once again sparkling with unusual brilliance. Smiling, she said, “You said it yourself. Mom knew her Wenwen would feel for her. You’re such a good boy.”
Hearing his mother’s praise made Zhou Shiwen blush crimson. He hurriedly changed the subject: “Which school does he go to, Mom? How did you meet him?”
“We met online. He’s a handsome young man, quite good at pleasing a woman…” Shen Qing said, beaming as she elaborated step by step.
In her description, the other party was a reliable partner, with one point especially emphasized: she liked him very much.
But the more Zhou Shiwen listened, the more something felt off. This description didn’t sound anything like Haoran. And “academically excellent”? Wasn’t Haoran a terrible student?
Also, they met online? But Mom has watched Haoran grow up since he was a child.
The more he listened, the more confused he became.
He had actually wanted to bluntly ask earlier if it was Haoran, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Now, hearing his mother’s description, he had no choice but to suppress that thought.
After his mother finished, Zhou Shiwen said, “If he’s really as good as you say, Mom, I don’t have any reason to oppose it. As long as you like him, that’s what matters. But also, he’s too young. Mom, you need to be careful not to be deceived by him. Tomorrow, you must bring him over for me to meet.”
He placed particular emphasis on that last point.
“Do I look like a foolish woman to you?” Shen Qing looked at Zhou Shiwen with an expression one might use on a silly child, whichεθ made Zhou Shiwen feel somewhat embarrassed.
“If you want to meet him, Mom will bring him over for you to see tomorrow.” Shen Qing already had a plan in mind. The person she had just described did indeed exist, but he was an actor she had hired.
Although Shiwen’s attitude was more open-minded than she had imagined, she knew that if she bluntly said it was little Haoran, he would definitely find it hard to accept.
So that afternoon, she had contacted an actor.
The other party was also a first-year high school student, attending an ordinary high school in City G. He had excellent grades and was quite handsome. Born into a poor family, he seemed honest and well-behaved.
The fee she offered him for acting was not low.
She was more motivated by a desire to provide him financial support; the acting part was just incidental.
…The next noon, the bright sunshine was warmly intoxicating, and the gentle breeze was delightful.
At noon, Shen Qing drove to pick him up, and they went to the house together to wait for Shiwen to return.
“Have a cup of tea.”
In the living room, Shen Qing brewed a pot of tea, poured a cup, and handed it to the somewhat awkwardly seated boy opposite her.
He was a handsome young man, dressed simply. His clothes looked visibly faded, clearly old garments he had worn for years.
“No need… really, no need.” Mu Penghai quickly waved his hands. The radiantly beautiful woman before him, with her elegant and dignifiedζ°θ΄¨ (qΓ¬zhΓ¬ – aura/demeanor), and her stunning face, made him afraid to even look directly at her.
He had never seen such a beautiful woman.
She had hired him to act in a scene, giving him a sum of money that could be considered a fortune. He was very grateful to her. Faced with such a stunning beauty who wanted him to act as her partner, although he found it strange, he didn’t dare have any improper thoughts, feeling instead a deep sense of inferiority.
“Relax. It’s okay even if the acting isn’t perfect,” Shen Qing comforted him. She knew he was honest and well-behaved, a shy boy. To be honest, choosing him for this acting role wasn’t the wisest decision.
“Mhm.” Mu Penghai took a deep breath and nodded in response.
Watching the fidgeting boy, Shen Qing sighed inwardly. It seemed this was going to be a flop.
As time passed, the villa’s door opened. Zhou Shiwen had returned from school.
The two went to greet him. To Shen Qing’s surprise, the boy who had been so shy moments beforeδΈ»ε¨ (zhΗdΓ²ng – took the initiative) smiled and extended his hand towards her son.
“Hello, my name is Mu Penghai,” he said, a brilliant smile on his face that looked completely natural.
“Oh, hello.” Zhou Shiwen glanced over the other party. He seemed like a sunny, outgoing boy, the kind who easily made a good impression. He reached out and shook his hand.
But for some reason, after withdrawing his hand, he felt the other’s palm was somewhat damp.
“Come in and sit down to talk.”
Shen Qing glanced at Mu Penghai. She had somewhat underestimated him. She noticed that Mu Penghai’s left hand, hidden behind his back, was trembling slightly. He was clearly not as calm as he appeared on the surface.
But his dedication to fulfilling his promise to act well for her was, unexpectedly, quite professional. He had potential.
The three returned to the living room sofa and sat down. Zhou Shiwen sat opposite Shen Qing and Mu Haipeng. Mu Haipeng sat about a person’s width apart from Shen Qing.
This was something Shen Qing had requested in advance. Although Mu Penghai didn’t dare have any improper thoughts about the woman beside him, he was still a man, and couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Fortunately, he quickly adjusted his attitude and began chatting casually with Zhou Shiwen across from him. Both were high school students, both in their first year, and both academically excellent, so naturally they had many topics to discuss.
Watching the two converse happily about academic matters, Shen Qing watched quietly with a smile at the corner of her mouth, not interrupting.
After chatting for a while, Zhou Shiwen felt something was strange. The other party and his mother didn’t seem intimate at all. They really didn’t look like a couple in love.
Mu Haipeng also felt helpless. Shen Qing had just brought him out, requiring only that he meet her son, chat about anything to pass the time, and leave when the time was up.
As for any intimate actions to make them seem more like a couple, she had specifically stated the opposite: there must be no crossing of boundaries, or he wouldn’t get a single cent of the money. When she said this, her attitude was particularly serious, as if she was very concerned about this point.
Seeing that half the time had passed, Mu Haipeng got up to say goodbye. After their brief exchange, Zhou Shiwen had developed a bit of fondness for him and urged him to stay for a meal before leaving.
“Haipeng, stay for dinner before you go. After all, this will be your home from now on,” Shen Qing also urged him to stay. She was genuinely sincere; his performance had pleased her greatly.
Shen Qing’s words stirred waves of emotion in Mu Haipeng’s heart. Even though he knew it was an act, mustering courage for the first time, he looked directly at the radiant woman before him.
Shen Qing’s beautiful eyes were like a vast starry sea, rippling with enchanting magic. After just one glance, he deeply lowered his head.
But in the end, he did stay for a meal.
After leaving, he felt deeplyε€±θ½ (shΔ«luΓ² – disappointed/dejected).
Some women are like stars high in the sky, unforgettable after the first meeting.
…
Special note: The character Mu Haipeng is just a minor supporting role. He has a few more minor scenes later. I originally considered just glossing over him, but I ended up writing him in, though I kept it brief for fear the esteemed readers might get the wrong idea.
Emphasizing this point: This story is a pure love story. There will be no NTR (cheating) plotlines.