Chapter 9

“Don’t move!” Aunt Ouyang interrupted my shaking. “Just stay still!” She even deliberately pressed my hand hard against her chest. Then, she pressed the answer button.

“Hello? Sister Wanyi?”

“Okay, Lanlan.”

In the video, Mom, with her black hair gently flowing, dressed in a simple blue outfit, is sitting on the sofa at home, holding up her phone and chatting with us.

“Oh, Xuanyu is here too. What are you all doing?”

“Haha… Mom.” I felt guilty. Luckily, the camera only showed my neck and the area above my head. Of course, I also had my upper body in the shot, but that didn’t matter. I wanted to lie down here for a while. This recliner is uncomfortable. The service here is really bad. There isn’t even a cushion on the recliner, so I had to lean against your son. Sister Wanyi, you won’t be angry, will you?” Aunt Ouyang complained.

“Really? I saw the message you sent me, it’s quite expensive there. Is there a lack of furniture? Didn’t you get enough rest?” Mom seemed completely unconcerned about Aunt Ouyang’s anger later on, she was only worried about whether Aunt Ouyang was lying down properly.

“I’m fine with resting. What I’m saying is that the folding chair is uncomfortable and I don’t use it often.”

“Okay, that’s good. How’s the scenery over there? The scenic spot Jingyan sent me looks nice, with a strong natural atmosphere,” Mom said casually.

“That’s great! I’ll bring you and Bowen here separately when I have time. Where did you two go?” Aunt Ouyang chatted casually while teasing my feet with her toes. It truly shocked me; is this what a woman’s acting is like?

“He didn’t go anywhere, just strolled around the nearby park. There was an emergency at his work, and he didn’t get home until the early hours of yesterday morning.” The mother’s tone was devoid of any sense of Yuan Shang, only a faint worry.

“Oh, you’ve all worked so hard. It’s good that we earn more so that Xuanyu and Jingyan can have an easier time in the future.” Although Aunt Ouyang’s words touched me deeply, I was still incredibly nervous.

“You can’t think like that. No amount of money is enough to squander. We still need to make them more and more outstanding, right, Xuanyu?” My mother gave me a faint smile.

“Oh yes, yes, Mom is right. I will definitely study hard and do even better!” I replied nonsensically.

“By the way, where are Jingyan and Xuanman?” Mom asked.

“They were playing on the beach, and I wanted to stay inside for a while, so I brought my son back to keep me company.”

“Hmm, that’s good. Xuanyu, keep your Aunt Ouyang company, or I’ll raise your dowry when you get married, haha.” Mom rarely joked like that.

“Oh, Sister Wanyi, what dowry? I don’t want it! Let me tell you, everyone in my family, except Qin Bin, belongs to Xuanyu. Even I belong to Xuanyu, haha.” If Aunt Ouyang’s words were a joke before, now that she was naked on top of me, I couldn’t help but think more deeply.

“Haha, Xuanyu, you’re so lucky to have such an excellent girlfriend like Jingyan, and a mother who treats you like her own son!” Mom smiled sweetly.

“What do you mean ‘treat him like a biological son’? This is my biological son! Sister Wanyi, you’re not allowed to take him from me!” Aunt Ouyang said.

“Okay, okay, here you go! Xuanyu’s mom doesn’t want you anymore! Haha!”

“Ha ha!”

Aunt Ouyang and my mother burst into cheerful laughter, which reminded me that this was one of the things they often joked about with me. When I was little, I would always cry whenever they joked like this with me, but now, being loved by both families, I only feel happy.

“Okay, Sister Wanyi, I’m going to lie down for a bit. If you want to know what Xuanman is doing, just video call them,” Aunt Ouyang said.

“Okay! You can lie on your son then. I’ll go call Xuanman.” After saying that, the mother hung up the phone with a smile.

“Oh, Aunt Ouyang, you scared me to death!” My tense body instantly relaxed, and I almost ejaculated because of the high tension.

“It’s alright, my sweet baby.” Aunt Ouyang touched her private parts with her jade-like hand, gently stirred them a few times, and then held her fingers up in front of me.

The glistening, sticky substance was clearly clinging to her fingers. What was it? It was unmistakable.

“Aunt”

“Silly boy!” Aunt Ouyang turned her jade-like legs slightly, freeing herself from my “restraint,” and stood up in the setting sun. The warm yellow light shone on Aunt Ouyang’s naked body, instantly bathing her fragrant shoulders and jade-like back in a layer of holy light, while her pert buttocks formed a dark shadow, concealing her private parts, full of artistic beauty in the interplay of light and shadow. Through her rounded buttocks, I discovered the honeyed crevice between her thighs… wet and glistening.

“Let’s go, let’s go downstairs and play for a while.” Aunt Ouyang gently moved her body, lowered her head and kissed my forehead, secretly touched my bulging crotch with her jade hand, and went into the bathroom with a smile.

I got up and hurriedly left the warm and cozy room.

Walking alone on the beach, my thoughts rose and fell like the tides. I had originally wanted to go find Jingyan and the others, but what had just happened with Aunt Ouyang made me feel a little guilty, so I decided against it.

Before I knew it, I didn’t know where I had gone. Familiar voices faded into the distance, and a few unfamiliar yet friendly voices drifted into my ears.

“The flood is coming—we’re going to get wet—oh my! Ha ha!”

A beautiful young woman gently lifted the arm of a cute little girl, about one or two years old, and let her tiny toes lightly touch the surging seawater and soft sand. The woman’s voice was full of affection as she playfully teased the child, guiding this little angel who had just arrived on earth to explore this unknown and wonderful world.

“Hehe, hooray, the little one’s legs, as thin as lotus roots, kicked and thrashed happily in his mother’s arms, his smiling face like a blooming flower, overflowing with innocent joy.”

Seeing this joyful scene filled with maternal love, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion. My mother must have comforted me in the same way before. In the future, Jingyan will comfort our child in the same way.

Just as I was admiring this scene, the tide came in and the toys that the mother and daughter had left aside were swept away by the seawater.

“Huh?” The young woman was still holding her child, so she couldn’t pick them up. I quickly ran over and helped her gather up all the toys.

“Thank you,” I finally saw the young woman’s face. Her skin was as white as jade, her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting. Her unintentional dishevelment added to her alluring charm. Her breasts were full and firm, her waist slender, and her hips full and round. Her whole body exuded the gentle grace of a woman from the Jiangnan water towns, a grace that did not lack youthful vitality. It was a fusion of maternal tenderness and the charm of a young woman.

“You’re welcome, sister. Your daughter is so cute.” The child in her arms hugged her neck tightly, but turned her head to look at me. Her cute look, both nervous and curious, made me want to tease her.

“Qing Le—” A slightly thin young man walked over from the side, who looked to be in his early twenties.

“Husband—” This young woman named Qing Le held the child in one arm and stretched out the other, her beautiful face beaming with uncontrollable joy.

The man reached out and gently pulled the young woman close, kissing her passionately right in front of me without any hesitation.

“Ah! Ah-woo! Daddy, ah-ba-um!” The daughter in the young woman’s arms babbled and stretched out her chubby little hands, pulling at her father’s ear as if she was very unwilling.

“Smack! Oh, my little princess, why won’t you let Daddy kiss Mommy? Mua!” The man pinched his daughter’s chubby cheek and gave her another affectionate kiss.

“Really, there are other people here!” The young woman blushed shyly, glancing at me with embarrassment out of the corner of her eye. When she looked at her husband again, her eyes were full of tenderness and obedience.

“Okay, you can go back now.” The young woman, holding her daughter, disappeared from our sight.

“Hello, my name is Yue Feng, and that’s my wife, Yang Qingle.” The man walked up to me and greeted me.

“Hello, my name is Lin Xuanyu.” I gently shook his outstretched hand; it wasn’t big, but it was strong. I thought to myself, “Oh no, does he think I was just doing a training session?”

“Haha, don’t worry, I saw you picking up my wife’s toys just now. No misunderstanding, are you here for tourism?” he explained with a smile, which relieved me.

“Yes, I’m from the north, from T city,” I said.

“Wow! That’s really far!” Yue Feng said to me, hands on his hips.

“Are you a local? You didn’t already buy this villa, did you?” I asked, pointing to a villa next to ours.

“I can’t buy it here, they don’t sell it here either. It’s not exactly local, but it’s quite close by, and I often come here to play.”

“Are those your family members?” He pointed to Jingyan and the others in the distance. I turned around and realized I was already quite far away from them.

“Yes, you have family and friends. There are quite a few beautiful women. Your life is pretty happy, my friend!” Yue Feng gently tapped my arm with the back of his hand, revealing a knowing look that all men understand.

“It’s alright. Your partner is a beauty, and your daughter is so cute. I’m not even married yet.”

“Fiancée? Or girlfriend?” he asked.

“She’s not exactly my fiancée; we’ve known each other since we were little, like childhood sweethearts.” I was a bit Versailles when I said that.

“Wow! Seriously? So happy! How many men dream of being with their childhood sweetheart?” He said, glancing back guiltily as if afraid Yang Qingle would hear. This amusing gesture made me laugh.

We found a rock to sit on and continued chatting while enjoying the sea breeze.

“Any local delicacies around here?” I’ve been researching a lot for tomorrow’s special occasion, and meeting Yue Feng, a local, is like grasping at straws. “The seafood is good, especially the oysters, which are very fresh.”

“I’d like to book a table at a restaurant. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Yes!” He took out his phone and searched for me, pointing out some places to avoid pitfalls as he searched. I nodded repeatedly, suddenly understanding.

“What day is tomorrow?” he asked.

“It’s my mother-in-law’s birthday,” I said shyly, scratching my head.

“Mother-in-law? Is that the one?” He pointed to the person coming out of the villa in the distance.

“Yes.” I turned my head and saw that Aunt Ouyang had changed into a conservative swimsuit and was out playing again.

“He’s so young! You’re in for a treat, bro.” He raised an eyebrow.

“No, mother-in-law, what good fortune is there?” I asked helplessly.

“Ah, you’re still young, you and I…”

“What are you doing here? We’re about to go back!” Before Yue Feng could finish speaking, a mature woman with long, wavy hair and wearing a red swimsuit walked up beside him. The woman had delicate features, smooth skin, and a seductive gait. What was most striking was her pair of full, almost bursting buttocks; even from the front, I could feel them swaying violently, exuding a mature and alluring aura.

“The family next door is tourists, so I chatted with them and told them about things to be aware of around here.” As Yue Feng was speaking, the mature woman walked up to him. He reached out to put his arm around her slender waist, but she slapped it away.

“Tsk! Someone’s here!” the mature woman said coquettishly.

I stared in astonishment at the scene before me, thinking to myself, “This woman was just with Yang Qingle… How come Yue Feng’s affairs are this exciting?”

“Hmm?” Yue Feng stood up and caught her, not afraid that anyone would see, and kissed the mature woman.

“Oh, you muah! Okay, okay!” The mature woman glanced at me shyly at first, then gave Yue Feng a light peck on the lips. I sat on the curb, unsure whether to leave or stay; I still had so many questions to ask.

Fortunately, the mature woman shyly slipped away, telling Yue Feng to hurry back before she left. How did that feel? Yue Feng sat next to me, looking relaxed.

“Um…no…you’re playing this excitingly?” That’s all I can say.

“What’s so exciting? That’s my mom! Her name is Mu Yuping,” Yue Feng explained with a smile.

“Ah? Oh—I see! I’m so sorry, I misunderstood.” My heart finally settled down. Although it did seem a bit too intimate, they are mother and son after all, so it’s understandable. After all, my mother-in-law and I are also…

“What? You’re not mistaken, it’s exactly what you think.”

His next words stunned me.

“No…no, buddy? What do you mean, ‘like that’? Like what?” I stammered. “Having sex, isn’t that what you’re thinking of?”

My wife knows too, so I said, “Your happiness is yet to come!” His very casual words left me frozen in place.

What?! Had sex with his mother?! And his wife found out?! This…this is like something out of a novel!

“Don’t be surprised, it’s normal. Look over there!” He pointed to the area near his family’s parasol, where his mother, Mu Yuping, and his wife, Yang Qingle, were playing with their daughter. Sitting next to them were a young woman with shoulder-length short hair and a woman with long hair who looked older.

“My wife and my mother, you know them, right?”

“Mmm-hmm!” I nodded stiffly.

“The short-haired woman over there is the wife of one of my gym clients, I guess you could say I introduced them. Her name is Mu Xiaoting. The long-haired woman next to her is her mother-in-law, Zhou Fengling, who is also my client’s mother. They’re both pregnant now,” Yue Feng pointed to her.

“Mmm-hmm-hmm!” I nodded stiffly.

“They are both my women.”

“Huh?” Countless question marks popped into my head.

“The baby in your belly is mine too.”

“Huh? Huh?” My jaw seemed to be out of control.

“All four of them know.”

“Huh? Huh? Huh?” I felt like my jaw was about to drop.

“Oh, look at how surprised you are. Isn’t that normal?” Yue Feng turned around, still looking relaxed.

Normal? Is this normal?

“No…you…aren’t you afraid something will happen if you play like this?” I asked in a low voice.

“Something happened? It’s because something happened, something big, that things have turned out like this.” Yue Fengyan said meaningfully.

“Ah… okay.”

“My story could fill a novel; I’ve even thought of a title: ‘Don’t Let Mom Go to the Gym,'” Yue Feng said calmly.

“So, your happiness is really just around the corner, it all depends on you.” Yue Feng pointed in my direction again.

I turned my head and saw Jingyan and Aunt Ouyang having a water fight with water guns. My sister and Jingyan were dodging and spraying water at the same time. Chu Yun, the big guy, blocked Mu Qianning and Mu Lingze, while Zhao Chenyu stood in front of Aunt Ouyang. “Although I don’t know who these women are, I have a feeling that they all like to be around you, and may even like you,” Yue Feng said calmly.

“I only have one fiancée,” I said, instinctively retorting.

“Haha, those are all your women, if you want them,” he laughed.

“Come on, you look so young but you’ve got the air of a charlatan all over you,” I said, deliberately mocking him.

“Oh… I just feel like you and I are a lot alike,” he said.

“Very similar?”

“The same as the old me,” he added immediately.

“Okay…” I was speechless, because I didn’t know his past or what he used to look like.

“People can only gain something by losing something. Sometimes, if you are unwilling to lose what you have now, you will lose even more.”

He suddenly said something out of the ordinary. I turned to look at him. Although we were about the same age, he looked like an elder who was a generation above me.

“I’ve heard that principle many times before,” I replied.

“Here’s a website.” He handed me his phone. I glanced at the screen; it was a forum called “Conqueror Forum.”

“What is this thing?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, it’s safe. You still need to use a VPN.” He handed the phone to me again.

I’ve saved the website.

“On the forum, the person called ‘Crossing the Peak’ is me.” Yue Feng showed me his homepage.

“Okay, thanks, but I’ll still ask about the restaurant,” I said.

“Okay!” Yue Feng remained as relaxed as ever.

The moon shines like a crescent moon, and the sea breeze is refreshing.

Inside the bedroom, I came out of the bathroom and looked at Jingyan lying on the bed playing on her phone. I couldn’t help but touch my arm; the redness and swelling hadn’t faded yet. I recalled the “case-fixing” incident before dinner.

“Where did you go? My sister and I were bullied to death by them with water guns!” Jingyan, soaking wet, grabbed my arm and twisted it.

“Ouch!” I cried out in pain.

“Hmph! Exactly!” Che Xuanman chimed in from the side.

“Everyone else has boys protecting them, but your boyfriend just disappeared at the crucial moment!” Jingyan pinched me hard again, and I felt like the skin on my arm had been turned 360 degrees.

“Hmph! Exactly!” Che Xuanman also sneered. I opened the door and left the bedroom, still thinking to myself, “Jingyan, she’s never this irritable when she’s angry. Why did she suddenly change her attitude after the water fight today? Is it because I didn’t protect her and she’s jealous?”

Turning my head, I saw two people lying on the balcony of the dark second floor, looking particularly conspicuous in the moonlight. They were a man and a woman, and they were standing very close to each other.

I crept over quietly and found Zhao Chenyu and Mu Lingze.

“What are you two doing here?” I asked.

“ah!”

“Ouch!” The two of them shuddered at the same time.

“Young Master Lin, why do you walk so quietly?” Mu Lingze complained, clutching her small chest.

“You two are talking too seriously, what are you looking at?” I asked.

“Hey, senior, come take a look.” Zhao Chenyu called out to me quietly. I went to the balcony and looked in the direction he pointed. A tall, strong man and a hot woman were walking side by side, chatting casually. It was Chu Yun and Mu Qianning.

“What are those two doing?” I asked in surprise.

“Hehe, Young Master Lin, stop pretending! Tell me! Did you arrange for him to pursue my sister?” Mu Lingze pointed at me, her bright eyes gleaming mischievously in the dim moonlight.

“Well… I’m really embarrassed to say it, because if I did, my purpose would be too obvious.”

“It’s probably not an arrangement. I guess Senior Chu had met Sister Qian Ning before, and Senior Lin found out and gave Senior Chu a chance. After all, it’s always better to keep such beautiful women like Sister Ling Ze and Sister Qian Ning in the family.” Zhao Chenyu helped me out of the predicament while also praising Mu Ling Ze. I have to say, he’s quite eloquent, and he guessed the situation pretty accurately.

“What ‘fertilizer’! You’re the ‘fertilizer’! Humph!” Mu Lingze was a little unhappy.

“Hey Lingze, I was just going to make a buzzing sound, just a buzzing sound, hehe.” Zhao Chenyu begged for mercy while pleading with me for help. I was caught between the two of them and helplessly shrugged.

“Young Master Lin, do you have any other outstanding male classmates around you?” Mu Lingze suddenly asked me with flirtatious eyes.

“What, you’ve got your eye on things now? A young girl’s heart is fluttering with first love? Tell me, what kind of girl are you looking for?” I crossed my arms.

“Hmm… I haven’t decided what kind yet. How about I become Jingyan’s little sister? You don’t mind, do you, Young Master Lin?” Mu Lingze asked shyly, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Ouch!” I almost tripped and fell, and Zhao Chenyu also turned his head to the side.

“Haha, Young Master Lin, you’re really funny, haha.” Mu Lingze covered her mouth and chuckled.

“You…” I was thinking about how to teach her a lesson when Zhao Chenyu quickly called out to the two of us.

“Hey senior, Lingze, look quickly! Aren’t they holding hands? No way, they’re getting closer!” I wished there was a telescope here. I squinted at the two people under the streetlights not far away, and wow, they were definitely getting closer and closer.

The three of us were just like high school classmates who were secretly watching each other’s early romances; we were more anxious than anyone else.

“Alright, you two can stay here and watch. I’m going back; these mosquitoes are biting me.” I left impatiently.

But when I got to the bedroom door, I found that Mu Lingze and Mu Lingze, without my intervention, were quickly getting very close again—could it be that something was going on between them too?

I was secretly observing from around the corner.

About ten minutes passed, and the two of them were just chatting away—it seems I was overthinking it.

The next day, since there were no plans, everyone was sleeping in, so I woke Chu Yun up.

“What are you doing, Xuanyu?” Chu Yun was still rubbing his sleepy eyes when I ordered him to go out with me on business.

“What? Aunt Ouyang’s birthday? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I haven’t prepared anything!” Chu Yun said in a panic in the car.

“Oh, you don’t need to prepare anything. Just go to the area near the restaurant and get a big bouquet of flowers,” I said. The reason I hadn’t told him about this before was because I was afraid he would feel awkward around everyone. Besides, Aunt Ouyang wouldn’t be short of gifts.

“All right……”

“Buzz!” A message came through on my phone from Jingyan: “How’s the preparation going? My mom, Xuanman, and I are chatting together.”

I replied with an “OK” emoji.

Inside a private room of a luxurious hotel. As Chu Yun brought in a large bouquet of flowers, Jingyan put a birthday hat on Aunt Ouyang’s head, and amidst everyone singing “Happy Birthday,” I slowly pushed the cake in.

“Happy birthday, Aunt Ouyang! Make a wish.” Chu Yun and I placed the cake on the table in front of Aunt Ouyang, while Zhao Chenyu stood by, ready to take pictures. I thought to myself, “At least you brought the right camera.”

Aunt Ouyang stood with her hands clasped in front of her full breasts, her eyes closed, as devout as a believer. Her mature and alluring face, at this moment, appeared as innocent and pure as a young girl’s. Her lips were pressed together, as if silently expressing a prayer, and time seemed to stand still. Suddenly, she opened her eyes slightly, a fragrant breeze blew by, and the candles all went out in a flash.

Oh!! Happy birthday!

“Happy birthday!”

Everyone cheered, but Aunt Ouyang gently turned her head to look at me sitting next to her, which made my heart skip a beat.

Amidst the jubilant cheers and joyful atmosphere, I keenly caught a subtle, almost imperceptible shift in Aunt Ouyang’s beautiful eyes, a hint of tension and unease swirling within them, like a melancholy breeze gently brushing across the lake of my heart.

This is completely inconsistent with Aunt Ouyang’s usual confident and beautiful temperament; it is also at odds with the joyful and festive birthday atmosphere.

Why? Is it because Uncle Qin isn’t here? But why is she looking at me?

“Happy birthday, Mom. May you always be beautiful.” Jingyan took out an exquisite gift box from her bosom and carefully took out a delicate necklace. The gold chain was inlaid with several small jade beads, showing luxury and perfectly complementing Aunt Ouyang’s temperament.

She walked behind her and carefully put the glasses on Aunt Ouyang. Aunt Ouyang’s eyes were filled with love and gratitude for Jingyan.

“Thank you, my darling daughter, you will always be my favorite.”

“Smack, I love you too, Mom.” Jingyan gently kissed Aunt Ouyang on the cheek. This heartwarming scene of mother and daughter truly moved everyone. I looked at Zhao Chenyu next to me, who was already frantically taking pictures.

“Aunt Ouyang, this is for you.” The younger sister ran over from next to Jingyan, holding a red sachet shaped like a good luck charm.

“I learned this from my mom and made it myself. I’m giving it to you; you can hang it in your car. It smells wonderful. I wish you peace and safety.” After handing it to Aunt Ouyang, the younger sister gently massaged Aunt Ouyang’s shoulders, looking incredibly cute and well-behaved.

“Thank you, my darling daughter. Auntie gives Xuanman a kiss.” Aunt Ouyang affectionately kissed her little sister’s cheek.

“Aunt Ouyang, this is a gift from my sister and me.”

Mu Qianning and Mu Lingze each held a beautifully packaged set of skincare products.

“Isn’t this the one we watched together back then?” Aunt Ouyang asked Mu Lingze.

“Yes, yes, but you seem to have forgotten that I secretly gave it to you as a birthday present, hehe. This one is a matching set for you.” Mu Lingze said quietly and obediently.

“Thank you, my two beauties. Lingze is so lovely, and so is Qianning. Jingyan will need your care.” Aunt Ouyang gently patted Mu Qianning’s hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do whatever Jingyan says. I definitely won’t let her get hurt in the slightest,” Mu Qianning said, patting her ample chest. “So who hit Jingyan the hardest with a water gun yesterday?” Mu Lingze suddenly asked, making everyone laugh, except for me.

“Hey, you naughty little sister!” The two of them playfully sat back down.

Then, sitting on the other side of Aunt Ouyang, were a few of us boys. Zhao Chenyu put down the camera and picked up a large gift box from the side.

“Aunt Ouyang, this is for you.” He walked up to Aunt Ouyang and opened it; it was a cushion or something.

“First of all, thank you for keeping a college student like me, who knows nothing, as your assistant. It has broadened my horizons considerably. I’m giving you this as a gift because I’ve noticed that you often experience back pain from sitting for long periods, and the one you’re currently using is no longer suitable. Since I studied physical education, I understand these things quite well, so I bought this one based on my understanding, hoping it will improve your health,” Zhao Chenyu explained. Everyone listened attentively, and Jingyan even nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Zhao Chenyu’s statement.

“Thank you, Chenyu. You did a great job. We’ll make you a full-time employee when we get back. Keep up the good work.” Aunt Ouyang accepted the gift with great satisfaction.

“Oh really? That’s great, thank you Aunt Ouyang… Wait, I haven’t graduated yet.” Zhao Chenyu excitedly clasped his hands together, but then suddenly remembered that he was still a junior in college, and he froze for a moment. This sudden contrast made everyone burst into laughter again.

“Haha, alright, you work hard here with me for now, and I’ll offer you a permanent position after you graduate,” Aunt Ouyang comforted me. I thought to myself, Zhao Chenyu’s got it all figured out. Zhao Chenyu happily walked to his seat, and as he passed by me, he quietly said, “Thank you, senior.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

“Aunt Ouyang…I…” Chu Yun stood up. His tall stature, along with the large bouquet of flowers in his hand, made me feel like he was blocking out the light.

“Auntie, I only found out about your birthday at the last minute, so I’m preparing in a rush. I’m bringing you a bouquet of flowers to wish you… to be as beautiful as a flower, um… um… good health… um… great success in your career!” Chu Yun gently handed over the flowers. When I heard him say that, I almost spat out my water. Great success in her career? Aunt Ouyang is successful enough already.

“Thank you, Chu Yun. It’s kind of you to have this thought.” The aunt lowered her head, sniffed the air, and revealed a sweet smile.

“Hehe, whatever makes you happy.” Chu Yunshao scratched his head.

“You are Xuanyu’s roommate. Please help him in his daily life and work. I won’t treat you badly,” Aunt Ouyang said gently to Chu Yun.

“Don’t worry! Xuanyu is my sworn brother… um, my good friend. We hit it off immediately. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely go through fire and water for you…”

I looked up, wondering how I could have encountered such a strange creature. This person was clearly big and heavy, but with just a breath, he was sent flying into the sky!

“Haha, alright, Chu, hurry back. There’s still the main character to watch.” With just one sentence from Mu Qianning, Chu Yun obediently returned to his seat.

Instantly, I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I straightened up and took out the gift I had prepared for a long time from my pocket.

“Aunt Ouyang, this is for you.” I gently opened the small gift box in my hand.

“Wow!” Mu Lingze and Mu Qianning couldn’t help but purse their lips, their eyes filled with admiration.

At the center of the gift box lies a jade pendant, about two centimeters in diameter, carved into a heart shape. Under the light, the jade gleams with a dazzling yet warm green, vibrant and translucent yet subtly veiled, much like a lover’s eyes, or a heart-shaped pool of spring water, rippling and captivating. Set on a gold base, the jade exudes a refined elegance, like a woman of captivating charm, both pure and alluring.

“Let me put it on you.” Under Aunt Ouyang’s delighted gaze, I put the pendant on the necklace that Jingyan had given to Aunt Ouyang. The pendant lay quietly on Aunt Ouyang’s cleavage, gorgeous and endlessly alluring.

“So beautiful!” Che Xuanman exclaimed as if she wanted to jump up.

“Aunt Ouyang, happy birthday.” My words were the simplest, but they touched Aunt Ouyang the most.

“Thank you, my precious son! Muah!” Aunt Ouyang didn’t shy away from everyone and gave me a big kiss on the cheek.

“Did you and Jingyan prepare this in advance? Was it originally a set?” Aunt Ouyang asked curiously.

“No, Mom, they were originally separate. It was Xuan Yu’s idea, and then he had them custom-made, hehe,” Jingyan explained excitedly.

“Alright, alright, you’re already siding with outsiders even before you’re married, aren’t you?” Aunt Ouyang pinched Jingyan’s cheek warmly.

“Aunt Ouyang, look this way.” Zhao Chenyu walked up to Aunt Ouyang without anyone noticing, holding up his camera. Aunt Ouyang sat up straight, waiting for him to take pictures.

“Let me see Brother Chenyu!” Xuanman couldn’t wait to walk to Zhao Chenyu’s side. Zhao Chenyu then handed the camera to Aunt Ouyang.

I leaned over to look, and in the camera’s lens, Aunt Ouyang sat elegantly, wearing a well-fitting black long dress that perfectly showcased her captivating figure. The necklace that Jingyan and I wore together featured a beautifully crafted heart-shaped gemstone that shimmered with a gentle green light. It seemed to be set against Aunt Ouyang’s snow-white skin, adding an air of regal elegance to her already distinguished and extraordinary presence.

“Alright, I’ll cut it. Everyone, eat some cake to warm yourselves up!” Aunt Ouyang happily raised the cake knife and began cutting the cake amidst cheers. Another burst of laughter filled the air, making me think that the worried and fearful look in Aunt Ouyang’s eyes earlier was just my imagination. In the taxi, Aunt Ouyang leaned on my shoulder, holding my hand.

“Buzz!” Aunt Ouyang’s phone suddenly vibrated. She raised the phone and held it directly in her face.

“Hello?” This lack of even a proper greeting immediately told me who was on the other end.

“Happy birthday, my wife!” Uncle Qin said excitedly.

“Okay, I’m so glad to have your call. Where are you now?” Aunt Ouyang’s concerned question put my previous doubts at ease.

“Well, there were some things that had piled up before, and then there was an accident at the construction site,” Uncle Qin said.

“Really? Are you alright?”

“If anything happens to me, I’ll just step in and handle it, make some contact. I’ll compensate as needed. Hey, who are you relying on?” Uncle Qin asked.

“Who are you leaning on, man! Handsome young man!” Aunt Ouyang teased him.

“Let me see which junior brother my wife has taken a liking to. I’ll castrate him when I get back.” Uncle Qin’s calm yet ruthless words sent a chill down my spine.

“Come on, castrate me.” Aunt Ouyang turned the front-facing camera towards me.

“Oh, it’s Xuanyu. Well, sorry, sorry, haha, you can pretend Uncle Qin didn’t say anything. I knew it! Your Aunt Ouyang doesn’t fancy any other men besides the two of us, haha.” Uncle Qin laughed it off.

“Haha, hello Uncle Qin.” I could only manage an awkward laugh, then shrank my legs. Castrate him, then you can forget about having a grandson.

Aunt Ouyang’s words were even more outrageous. The driver couldn’t help but laugh in the rearview mirror.

“Hey—” I was just kidding, how was it? Had fun, right?

“So happy! I’m so happy!”

“Hey, wait for me to get back, honey, wait for me to get back to be with you. Mua!” Uncle Qin even gave her a kiss.

“Oh, come on! Hurry up and finish what you’re doing! That’s it, I’m almost there! Bye! Mua!” Aunt Ouyang hung up the phone abruptly.

“Um…for a moment I didn’t know what to do.”

Aunt Ouyang stopped leaning on me and looked out the window. Her eyes showed that worry and fear again, and at the same time, a tight grip came from my hand.

I also gripped Aunt Ouyang’s hand tightly.

Late at night, everyone was on the basement level, playing Monopoly at Zhao Chenyu’s suggestion. Aunt Ouyang said she didn’t like sitting in a wine glass, drinking from a bottle of red wine, and watching us play.

“Oh brother, you’re in jail again?” the younger sister teased, leaning over.

“Um… I don’t know what happened either, haha.”

I scratched my head, and out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Aunt Ouyang next to me. She was swirling the red liquid in her glass, her eyes were glazed, her face was rosy, and she was also looking at me with a faint sadness about her.

“Mom? What’s wrong?” Jingyan saw it too and looked up to ask.

“It’s alright, I feel a bit better. You guys have fun. Xuanyu, come back with me.” Aunt Ouyang was holding a wine glass and bottle, so I quickly went over to help her. “You guys have fun, I’ll take care of Aunt Ouyang.”

I turned to Jingyan and said it, and Jingyan nodded gently.