However, Zhao Ran never expected that his plan to surprise his stepmother would backfire. Since he hadn’t informed her in advance, when he fought against the crowd to reach her office, she was already gone.
One of Zhou Yun’s colleagues, who recognized Zhao Ran, told him directly that his stepmother had left right after her class ended.
Zhao Ran couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He should have just sent a text message ahead of time.
When Zhao Ran returned home, he still didn’t see any sign of Zhao Ping. His stepmother’s expression was unreadable, perfectly calm as she vacuumed the floor. Her perky buttocks were slightly raised, making his mouth go dry at the sight.
Seeing him return, she simply told Zhao Ran to eat first.
Zhao Ran wanted to ask if Zhao Ping had come back, but seeing how busy his stepmother seemed, he couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. He decided to eat first. Maybe Zhao Ping had already returned but was out playing cards with friends or something.
But soon, Zhao Ran noticed in the kitchen that Zhao Ping’s cup hadn’t been used, confirming that he definitely hadn’t been back. He wondered where Zhao Ping had been these past two days.
After hurriedly eating, washing the dishes, and taking a shower, Zhao Ran returned to his room and received another text from Wu Dan. She asked why he hadn’t come to her place that day and told him to come earlier the next day to tutor her.
Just then, his stepmother walked in to ask about some trivial matters. Zhao Ran seized the opportunity to keep her there with this excuse.
“Stepmom, can you help me review math again today? I’ve mostly forgotten these formulas and I’m not very proficient with them yet. That cousin of mine seems like she’ll want me to tutor her regularly over the break.”
His stepmother was wearing a light blue shirt and gray pants, her face showing signs of fatigue. Still, she nodded and moved the chair slightly away.
As she passed by Zhao Ran, her full hips brushed against his arm. The warm, soft contact sent a thrill through him, instantly distracting his thoughts.
While working on the problems, Zhao Ran asked softly, “Stepmom, he still hasn’t come back?”
“Hmm,” she replied, not looking up from the book in her hands, as if the person he mentioned meant nothing to her.
“Should we, um, give him a call?” Zhao Ran glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and asked quietly.
She put down the book. “No need. Focus on your problems. Don’t get distracted.”
Zhao Ran quickly resumed writing, but inwardly, he couldn’t help but blame Zhao Ping. What was the point of throwing a tantrum at his age? Why not just come back and apologize?
It wasn’t like his stepmother was an unreasonable person.
Zhao Ran completed a practice exam Wu Dan had sent him. His stepmother looked it over, circling his mistakes with a pen and carefully explaining where he’d gone wrong with certain questions.
Through the collar of her shirt, Zhao Ran caught a glimpse of her purple bra and the full breasts it encased. His heart stirred with desire.
Although he had already seen his stepmother naked, the thrill of peeking at her while she was clothed was different—another kind of allure that made him yearn to see more.
After reviewing the exam, his stepmother went to take a shower. Zhao Ran had planned to sneak another peek, but a friend suddenly called, and they talked for so long that he lost track of time. By the time he hung up, it was already late, and his stepmother had long since finished her shower. With nothing else to do, Zhao Ran went straight to sleep.