When I opened the door, the two people in the outer office both looked at me at the same time.
Mu Lingze was sitting at her desk, and Zhao Chenyu was beside her, holding a document and helping to organize it.
Judging by their current expressions, they must have been having a pleasant conversation earlier.
“What’s up?” Mu Lingze asked.
Zhao Chenyu next to her seemed to think of something, and a hint of nervousness appeared in his eyes.
“Nothing. Zhao Chenyu, come in.”
Inside the office, Zhao Chenyu stood outside the boss’s desk.
“Hello, President Lan,” Zhao Chenyu greeted first, though it was unclear whether he had calmed down or just decided to throw caution to the wind.
“What was your name again?” Aunt Ouyang asked.
Hearing this question, I was completely exasperated, but Aunt Ouyang really didn’t pay much attention to people she didn’t care about.
“President Lan, my name is Zhao Chenyu.”
“Where are you from?”
“Dongshan.”
“Dongshan?” Aunt Ouyang looked him up and down, a bit puzzled.
“Yes, Dongshan Island Qing,” he added.
“Hmm, can you drive?” Aunt Ouyang asked.
[Aunt Ouyang, you didn’t listen to a single thing he said earlier when he introduced himself.]
“Yes, I have a B2 license.” Zhao Chenyu’s eyes showed less panic and more spirit.
Clearly, being asked such questions meant there was a chance.
“Do you have time to work?”
“Yes, I don’t have many classes right now.” His tone was already noticeably excited, and he shot me a grateful look, probably thinking I had privately put in a good word for him with Aunt Ouyang—though I really hadn’t.
“How’s your alcohol tolerance?”
“Not bad. Back home, when there’s a banquet, we drink all afternoon,” he said.
“Give it a try.” Aunt Ouyang pulled a set of keys from the drawer and tossed them to Zhao Chenyu.
Zhao Chenyu looked at the Panamera keys in his hand, and his grip immediately turned into a careful cradling motion.
Aunt Ouyang tidied up, and we headed downstairs, naturally drawing a lot of attention.
Zhao Chenyu, who had been walking behind us with his head down and shoulders hunched, straightened his back.
When we reached the parking lot, we walked up to a red Panamera.
Aunt Ouyang stood beside it, arms crossed, looking at me.
Zhao Chenyu quickly suppressed the gleam in his eyes, hurriedly pressed the unlock button, and went to open the passenger door for Aunt Ouyang.
But instead, Aunt Ouyang got into the back seat with me.
Zhao Chenyu looked awkward for a moment but quickly recovered, rushing to the driver’s seat and gently stroking the steering wheel.
“Can you drive it?” Aunt Ouyang asked.
“Uh—ah, yes!” Zhao Chenyu snapped out of his daze, adjusted himself, and started the car.
Aunt Ouyang and I were in the back seat.
She took my hand, her slender, jade-like fingers with red nail polish naturally intertwining with mine.
Aunt Ouyang often did this, but just as our hands clasped, she seemed to think of something and let go.
I turned to look at Aunt Ouyang, then instinctively glanced at the rearview mirror—hoping Zhao Chenyu hadn’t noticed.
“To **Hotel,” Aunt Ouyang said.
“Right away, President Lan~”
This guy Zhao Chenyu sure got into character quickly.
When we arrived and entered the private room, I immediately understood why Aunt Ouyang hadn’t wanted to come.
Several pot-bellied, greasy-faced men were shamelessly coming up to shake hands with her.
I really had no idea what Uncle Qin was thinking.
Then Aunt Ouyang pushed Zhao Chenyu forward, introducing him as the company’s new supervisor.
On the way, Aunt Ouyang had already explained to him what he was supposed to do.
I watched Zhao Chenyu, with his dark-yellowish skin and squinty little eyes, smoothly greeting everyone alongside Aunt Ouyang.
Though I felt extremely uncomfortable inside, I had to admit that this kind of situation really called for someone like him.
After several rounds of drinking…
[Damn! This guy is hardcore!]
I was amazed.
I had known Zhao Chenyu could drink, but I hadn’t realized he could drink this much.
Spicy liquor was like mouthwash to him, and beer was just to quench his thirst.
He had already gone several rounds with the whole table.
I saw his face, dark with a flush of red, and though his speech was already slurred, he still kept spouting flattering words, one after another.
I almost suspected he had spent all his school years learning these “drinking phrases.”
“Ah—President Chen, let me tell you, working under President Lan is truly a blessing. President Lan treats her employees and business partners impeccably, wouldn’t you agree? Come on, a man who doesn’t drink is wasting his life. I’ll finish mine, you just take a sip~” With that, he downed everything in his glass.
Aunt Ouyang and I just watched him.
When Aunt Ouyang first arrived, she had been frowning, but after Zhao Chenyu blocked all the drinks for her in various ways, her expression returned to normal, and her gaze toward Zhao Chenyu softened a little.
I didn’t drink a single drop because we had already agreed in the car that when introducing me, they’d say I was the driver…
Damn it…
That was the only way.
…
“You all enjoy your meal. I have something to attend to this afternoon, so I’ll take my leave now. Xuanyu, Chenyu, let’s go.” Aunt Ouyang, seeing that things were about wrapped up, stood up and left.
“Alright, President Lan, we look forward to your continued guidance!”
“Take care, President Lan.”
A few red-faced old foxes escorted Aunt Ouyang out of the private room.
I hoisted “Supervisor Zhao” onto my shoulder and got into the back seat of the Panamera.
“Ugh, so heavy!” I tossed him into the car, and Aunt Ouyang had already taken the driver’s seat.
“Vroom!” The car started.
Zhao Chenyu, who had been lying there “half-dead,” suddenly shook his head and sobered up, leaving me completely baffled.
“You… you’re okay?” I asked.
“Ah… uh, a bit dizzy, but nothing serious.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, his tone even free of the earlier slurring and stammering.
“You… don’t tell me you could still drink more?” I asked.
“Sort of. Even though I can hold my liquor, you can’t really drink yourself to death, senior. Drink when you should, but fake it when you need to,” he said with a grin.
Then, noticing Aunt Ouyang driving up front, he quickly wiped the smirk off his face.
“Not bad performance,” Aunt Ouyang said calmly.
“It’s an honor to be able to block drinks for you. I can even add a line to my resume now: ‘Attended a banquet with a renowned local entrepreneur,’ hehe.” Zhao Chenyu suddenly seemed to lose his nervousness.
“Haha,” I laughed out loud.
Glancing at Aunt Ouyang through the rearview mirror, I could tell she was amused too.
Before long, we arrived near the school gate.
Zhao Chenyu and I got out of the car.
Aunt Ouyang rolled down the window and said to me, “Have him come in to start work tomorrow.”
Before Zhao Chenyu could respond, she rolled the window back up, and the car roared off, disappearing from sight.
I was still watching the direction Aunt Ouyang had gone when someone grabbed my hand.
I looked and saw Zhao Chenyu, his face flushed red with excitement.
“Senior, thank you so much, senior. I really can’t thank you enough~ I thought you wouldn’t take it seriously, or would just brush me off with some excuse. I never expected it to turn out this well. Thank you, senior.” Zhao Chenyu kept shaking my hand as he spoke.
I could only go along with him, thinking to myself.
[I really was just planning to brush you off. Who knew you’d stumble into such good luck.]
Back at the lab, I was still marveling at the whole thing.
Ah, I guess he just got lucky.
Whatever, it’s no big deal anyway.
…
In the afternoon, as I left the lab, I saw Jingyan at the building entrance.
She was wearing a deep blue vintage Hong Kong-style shirt, like ripples of the ocean, carrying the charm of bygone days.
Paired with a dark grayish-brown A-line hip-hugging skirt, it exuded elegance with a hint of alluring temptation.
A thin black belt cinched her waist, with a delicate doll charm hanging from it, as if telling the fairy tale of a young girl’s heart.
Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, swaying gently in the breeze, while her jade-like, slender legs shimmered.
On her feet were a pair of black British-style chunky shoes.
She looked like a literary young woman stepping gracefully out of a library brimming with wisdom, carrying a faint scent of books and the vitality of youth.
It was just after class, and though everyone was bustling about in a hurry, almost every gaze lingered on Jingyan for a moment.
I had only taken a couple of steps when I even saw two freshmen-looking guys holding their phones toward her, probably asking for her contact info.
I quietly walked up behind her, suddenly covered her eyes, and said in a disguised voice, “Guess who I am?”
“Ah! You… you’re the big bad wolf!” Jingyan was startled, then used her warm, soft hands to pry mine away as she exclaimed.
“Hehe~ Then the big bad wolf is going to eat the little lamb~” I leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
“I hate you!” Jingyan yanked my hand down, turned around, and hit my chest twice, saying, “Look at you, I spent so long curling my lashes and doing my eye makeup, and you’ve messed it all up.”
“Even without makeup, you’re still the most beautiful woman in the world~” I said, taking her hand as we walked.
“Alright, let’s hurry. Mom and the others should already be home.” Jingyan instead pulled me forward, running ahead.
Just as we stepped out of the school gate, we saw an all-too-familiar red Panamera.
We exchanged a smile and walked toward the car.
When we were just two or three steps away, the driver’s door suddenly opened a crack.
A toe clad in a black stiletto elegantly extended out, lightly tapping the door as if preluding a grand entrance.
As the door slowly opened, a sleek, alluring leg in black stockings gradually revealed itself.
The gossamer-thin stockings tightly hugged the fair, jade-like foot, the delicate calf, and the full thigh, together exuding endless sensuality.
The crisp “click” of the high heel touching the ground echoed in the air.
Beneath the black stockings, the muscles of the beautiful leg tensed with strength, displaying a breathtaking dynamic beauty.
Just as this perfect leg line was about to conclude, the scene shifted again as another equally captivating leg stepped out of the car, complementing the first.
The beauty in the driver’s seat finally unveiled her mystery.
She wore a deep black, form-fitting hip-hugging dress adorned with starlike sparkles.
As her graceful waist swayed gently, the sparkles shimmered brilliantly.
With one hand lightly resting on the car door and the other gently stroking her cascading, ink-black wavy hair, she had peach-blossom eyes and willow-leaf brows, a complexion like pearls and white jade, a high, elegant nose, and luscious red lips.
Her exquisitely made-up, stunningly beautiful face exuded an intoxicating aura, her gaze firmly locked on me.
She moved with light, graceful steps, her voluptuous figure accentuated by the hip-hugging dress, her curves even more pronounced.
The sheer fabric over her chest hinted at a deep cleavage, adding a touch of mystery to her allure.
Below her slender waist, perfectly outlined by the dress, were full, round hips that stretched the hem taut, like ripe peaches gently quivering with each step.
This was my mother-in-law, the flawless, stunningly beautiful, and enchantingly alluring Aunt Ouyang.
“My little young master, does Auntie look good today?” Aunt Ouyang asked with a light laugh, her tone as if it could draw silk.
“Ah… yes—beautiful, beautiful!” I was a bit stunned and stammered.
“Ouch!” I yelped, feeling a patch of skin on my waist undergo a 180-degree deformation under some external force.
It was followed by a “Hmph.”
“Mom, there are no guests today. Why are you dressed so beautifully?” Jingyan asked.
“Can’t Mom look beautiful without guests? Shouldn’t the most beautiful side be reserved for family?” Aunt Ouyang said, her large peach-blossom eyes winking at me.
“Brother~ Sister Jingyan~” The rear window rolled down, revealing a delicate, beautiful face with big, watery round eyes blinking at us.
“Little sister~” I saw she was still in her school uniform.
“Young master, shall we drive?” Aunt Ouyang didn’t wait for me to say anything and headed to the passenger seat.
We both got into the car.
Jingyan and my little sister were in the back, chatting away.
I fastened my seatbelt, glanced at Aunt Ouyang beside me, and said, “Auntie, please sit properly.”
“No~ I’ll sit however I want,” Aunt Ouyang said with a mischievous smile.
I forced a smile, took a deep breath, and focused on driving—Aunt Ouyang had taken off her high heels in the passenger seat, stretched out her two long, black-stockinged legs, and crossed them on the dashboard.
She turned her body toward me, one hand stroking her black-stockinged legs while watching me drive.
The red interior and Aunt Ouyang, dressed entirely in black, were full of mature temptation.
I was truly…
in pain and joy at the same time…
As the sunset deepened and night began to fall, I drove the red Panamera unimpeded into the villa district and pulled into one of the few luxurious villas in the area.
A middle-aged man, about 1.8 meters tall, wearing a checkered shirt and with a bit of a belly, stood smiling as we parked.
This was Qin Jingyan’s father, my father-in-law, Qin Bin.
“Uncle Qin!”
“Dad!”
Jingyan and my little sister threw themselves into Uncle Qin’s arms, and he lovingly stroked their heads.
I got out of the car and also greeted Uncle Qin, who smiled and nodded at me.
Aunt Ouyang put her shoes back on and got out of the car.
She glanced at Uncle Qin and said, “Are Bowen and Sister Wanyi inside?”
“No, they’re in the backyard, having an open-air barbecue,” Uncle Qin said, his eyes visibly lighting up at the sight of Aunt Ouyang.
“Barbecue! Uncle Qin, let’s go quickly! Come on~” My little sister and Jingyan each grabbed one of Uncle Qin’s arms and dragged him toward the backyard.
“Honestly, lazing around here while others are busy working,” Aunt Ouyang said with feigned disdain.
Then she came over, linked her arm with mine, and said, “Let’s go, darling, we’re going too.”
Before we even reached the backyard, the aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, and joyful cheers reached our ears.
“Dad, I want some chicken skewers!” That was my little sister.
“There’s chicken over there, you can skewer it yourself.” That was my dad’s voice.
“Be careful, Jingyan and Xuanman, watch out for the sharp ends of the skewers.” A gentle voice, that was my mom.
Turning the corner into the backyard, I saw several busy figures.
Uncle Qin and my dad were flipping skewers of meat over the grill, while my sister and Jingyan sat at a table far from the grill, wearing gloves and threading meat onto skewers.
And my mom, dressed in a long dress embroidered with delicate lotus flowers on green silk, floated gracefully, as if she were a fairy strolling out of an ancient poem.
Her full, towering breasts seemed almost ready to burst through the fabric, causing the thin straps to dig deeply into her snow-white, tender shoulders, inadvertently revealing a hint of pulse-racing allure.
With a light touch of makeup, my mom’s face appeared even more elegant and pleasing, perfectly showcasing her innate grace and softness.
Her phoenix-like beautiful eyes, brows like spring mountains, skin as fair as snow, and fragrant cheeks glistening with dew all exuded an aura of refined intelligence and charm.
At that moment, she was wearing an apron, her jade-like hands as fair and delicate as lotus roots, gently placing a homemade salad on the table.
Those hands, which seemed untouched by worldly chores, could magically conjure up countless mouthwatering dishes in an instant.
With light steps, her beautiful feet in white sandals peeked in and out from under the long dress, the vertical hem clinging to her calf skin, as tender as a baby’s, slowly sliding down to sketch a hazy and seductive picture, utterly enchanting.
“Dad, Mom~” I called out.
“Son, you’re here~” Mom smiled at me.
“Look at you, Qin Bin, really, you could’ve let Sister Wang handle this, why make Sister Wanyi do all this work?” Aunt Ouyang let go of my arm, grumbling at Uncle Qin, who was busy barbecuing, as she walked over to Mom to help her.
Sister Wang, by the way, is the Qin family’s housekeeper.
“It’s fine, I told Qin Bin to give Sister Wang the day off today. For our little dinner party, I can manage on my own,” Mom said softly to Aunt Ouyang.
Uncle Qin, still grilling, gave Dad a wry smile and didn’t dare say a word.
Dad responded with a meaningful, half-smiling glance.
“Dad, I’ve finished skewering! I want to grill chicken wings!” My sister ran over to Dad with four skewered chicken wings, cheering.
I also walked over to Jingyan, put on gloves, and started helping her.
“By the way, aren’t these things usually ready-made? Why do we have to skewer them ourselves?” I asked.
“Probably my dad got them from somewhere? I heard this trip was to check out an organic farm or something, or maybe your mom prepared them? I’m not sure either,” Jingyan said.
“Alright,” I replied, then glanced around and leaned close to Jingyan, whispering, “Did Uncle Qin and Aunt Ouyang have a fight today?”
Jingyan also looked around, lowered her head, and said, “Probably not, it’s just that Dad’s always like this, and Mom might be a bit unwilling in her heart.”
“That’s good,” I said, relieved.
Uncle Qin’s work keeps him so busy that sometimes he doesn’t come home for half a month.
Actually, every time Uncle Qin returns, he invites our whole family over to their place for a gathering.
It’s called a get-together, but there’s another layer to it—to ease Aunt Ouyang’s resentment after Uncle Qin’s long absence.
Before long, Jingyan and I had finished preparing everything that needed to be grilled.
“Brother~ try this!” My sister hugged me from behind and held a skewer of meat to my mouth, then ran off cheerfully.
[She works so hard with her studies usually, these gatherings are her happiest moments.]
Following her figure, I saw Mom and Aunt Ouyang chatting and tidying up while laughing.
After handing skewers to Mom and Aunt Ouyang, she ran over to Dad and Uncle Qin, hiding behind Dad, her eyes fixed on the smoking skewers of meat.
Unknowingly, stars began to twinkle, and the night deepened.
…
“Cheers!!!”
Under the soft lights and in the cool summer night, the two families raised their glasses together to celebrate this joyful reunion.
Uncle Qin had intended to bring out his treasured fine wine, but after Aunt Ouyang patted his belly, he gave up on the idea.
Mom picked up two skewers of meat, wrapped them in a pancake for Dad, and then gave Uncle Qin a meaningful look, saying, “Old Qin, see, this is how you wrap the pancake.” She handed it to Dad once it was done.
Uncle Qin caught on immediately, clumsily imitating her while saying, “Oh, like this, here, wife, I’ve made one for you, try it.” He finished one and handed it to Aunt Ouyang.
Aunt Ouyang took it, glanced at Uncle Qin, and nodded while eating.
The remaining six of us all breathed a sigh of relief.
“How’s that project you went to check on?” Aunt Ouyang asked Uncle Qin.
“The project still needs some follow-up. It’s quite large-scale this time, and…” Uncle Qin started to say seriously.
“Cough!!!”
Before he could finish, Dad deliberately coughed heavily a few times and said, “Old Qin, try the cold dish Wanyi made, hurry, eat it while it’s hot.” He then pushed the salad in front of Uncle Qin.
Hearing Dad say that, I nearly spat out the drink I had just taken a sip of.
Uncle Qin reacted quickly too, immediately changing the subject, “Right, Lanlan, eat more, there’s too much meat, this will cut the grease.”
Jingyan and I exchanged glances and secretly chuckled in默契.
The dinner ended in a cheerful atmosphere.
We tidied up briefly and returned inside the villa.
Uncle Qin’s villa has two floors above ground and one basement level.
The first floor includes the living room, kitchen, laundry room, a nanny’s room, and a guest room, though the housekeeper, Sister Wang, doesn’t stay overnight.
The second floor is for living and personal spaces: Uncle Qin and Aunt Ouyang’s bedroom, Qin Jingyan’s bedroom, and even a bedroom specifically for my parents; there’s also Uncle Qin’s study, and Aunt Ouyang and Jingyan’s fitness and exercise room.
The basement is equipped with entertainment facilities like a pool table, mahjong table, karaoke, and a private cinema.
My sister dashed off to the karaoke room downstairs.
Jingyan had wanted to stay with me, but my sister dragged her away.
My parents had planned to go to the balcony for some fresh air, giving Uncle Qin and Aunt Ouyang some private space, but Aunt Ouyang pulled Mom into the bedroom for a chat.
That left the three of us men staring at each other.
“Come on, let’s play pool. Bowen, you and me, one-on-one,” Uncle Qin said, leading us downstairs as well.
It was supposed to be a one-on-one, but actually, it was Dad and me against Uncle Qin.
“Click!” The crisp sound of a ball dropping into the pocket.
Dad and I had been standing there with our cues for several rounds.
“Old Qin, what’s really going on with that project?” Dad chatted with Uncle Qin.
“Sigh~” Uncle Qin, who had just bent down to aim, straightened up at Dad’s question and sighed, “It’s another big project, not easy to secure.”
“So you’ll have to follow up on it again?” Dad asked.
“Yeah, I’ll have to go again in a while,” Uncle Qin said.
“If you ask me, Old Qin, you can never earn all the money in the world. You need to make time for your family. How many business trips have you been on? Enough is enough,” Dad advised.
“Yeah, once this project is more or less done, I’ll sell off what needs selling. You know my situation—at our level, some things can’t be refused,” Uncle Qin said.
After sinking the eight ball, he stared at me for several seconds and then said, “When the time comes, I’ll hand everything over to Xuanyu, haha.”
“Come on, he’s not cut out for that. I don’t want him traveling all the time either. He should stick with me in scientific research,” Dad said.
“Xuanyu, what do you think?” Uncle Qin asked me.
“Me? My current path is indeed heading toward scientific research, but research needs funding, or maybe I’ll start my own tech company. I’m already looking into some things,” I said, stroking my chin as I shared my thoughts with them.
“Great! When the time comes, Uncle will fully support you!” Uncle Qin exclaimed loudly, while Dad shook his head helplessly.
“Tap, tap, tap~” The sound of slippers hitting the stairs came from the staircase.
I turned to look and saw Mom and Aunt Ouyang, dressed in robes of the same style but different colors—Mom in pale cyan and Aunt Ouyang in red.
They came downstairs, and Mom placed the fruit and homemade drinks she was carrying on a tray onto a nearby table before heading to the karaoke room to find Jingyan and my sister.
“Xiaoyu, come sing with us,” Aunt Ouyang called to me, her tray also holding some fruit and drinks.
I set down the pool cue I hadn’t used and walked behind them.
Watching the two graceful, mature beauties walking ahead, their robes fitting snugly yet flowing loosely, cleverly outlining their body curves—both custom-made for Mom by Aunt Ouyang.
Mom’s robe was slightly shorter than Aunt Ouyang’s, but the design around the chest and hips was more spacious, exuding a unique charm.
Pushing open the door, the two young beauties were holding hands and singing “Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~.” Seeing what Aunt Ouyang was carrying, my sister ran over to take it.
The four ladies took their seats.
Jingyan handed her microphone to Mom, and I sat at the song selection console, letting Mom choose a song.
She picked “Moonlight over the Lotus Pond.”
“I’m like a fish in your lotus pond~ Only to wait with you for that bright moonlight~” Under the soft lighting, my mother elegantly held the microphone, sitting gracefully with her long, shapely legs gently pressed together to the side, resembling a beauty from an ancient painting.
Amid the melodious tune, her cherry-like lips parted slightly, releasing an enchanting voice.
Unlike the original singer’s bold, heroic tone, Mom’s voice was gentle and lingering, like a veiled dancer twirling gracefully.
Dressed in her cyan robe, Mom seemed even more captivating within the song’s意境, as if she were a lotus flower slowly blooming under the quiet summer night’s moonlight, needing no adornment, naturally exuding a charm all her own.
After the song ended, everyone couldn’t help but applaud.
My sister handed the microphone to Aunt Ouyang, who selected an English song, “Take Me to Your Heart.” It was originally by a male singer, and I thought there might be a mistake, so I double-checked, but Aunt Ouyang confirmed it was correct.
As the music started, Aunt Ouyang crossed her legs and leaned slightly forward while singing.
Having studied abroad, her English was excellent, and the song’s slow tempo, combined with her crisp, clear voice tinged with mature allure, gave me a different flavor to appreciate.
Midway through the song, Aunt Ouyang suddenly stood up, walked over to me at the song selection console, picked up another microphone, and handed it to me, signaling for me to sing along with her.
“They say nothing lasts forever~”
“We are only here today~”
“Love is now or never~”
“Bring me far away~”
Aunt Ouyang looked at me as we sang together.
My English is decent, but singing English songs isn’t my forte, so I could only barely keep up with her rhythm.
Moreover, singing such a song with Aunt Ouyang, feeling the meaning of the lyrics, I couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward…
When the song ended, Aunt Ouyang kissed me on the cheek.
The mature, fragrant scent mixed with the sweetness of the drink entered my nostrils, leaving me momentarily stunned.
Suddenly, Jingyan’s voice came through the speakers: “Xuanyu, come over and sing a duet with me!” I pressed a few buttons on the console and walked over to sit beside Jingyan.
We sang a duet of a song we both loved, “Slowly Falling for You.” The melody was like lovers whispering sweet nothings, full of hidden allure and intimate connection.
The lyrics flowed with fragments of daily life, yet every word brimmed with deep affection and love.
Jingyan was still wearing her Hong Kong-style shirt, her legs gently pressed together, her toes unconsciously swaying to the rhythm.
Her clear voice carried a hint of softness and liveliness, adding a touch of maturing charm to her youth.
Our fingers intertwined, our gazes met, and we looked at each other deeply, with only each other’s reflection in our eyes, conveying vows of never parting through the lyrics.
As the last note faded, I couldn’t help but gently kiss her alluring lips.
She shyly lowered her head, a romantic blush spreading across her face, like the evening glow on fair skin, breathtakingly beautiful.
“Wow~ I’m so envious. Why can’t I have a boyfriend?” My sister clapped while tugging at Mom’s arm, asking.
Mom instinctively started to smile, the corners of her mouth already lifting, but then she suddenly straightened her face and poked my sister’s forehead.
“Hmph, if you won’t let me date, I’ll just sing! I accidentally ate dog food! I need to vent!!!” My sister snatched the microphone and went to choose a song herself.
I thought she was just messing around, but she actually picked “Love Even If It Means Dying.”
I…
I silently repeated in my mind, “She’s my biological sister, she’s my biological sister, she’s my biological sister.”
…
The moon hung high in the sky, the stars clear in the quiet night.
Everyone was tired from playing.
After saying goodnight, each went to their own room.
Needless to say, the two couples, Aunt Ouyang and Uncle Qin, had their own bedrooms.
I was the unlucky one because my sister was there.
Whether she was genuinely jealous and envious today or something else, she insisted on dragging Jingyan to sleep with her.
So, I had no choice but to go to the remaining bedroom on the second floor.
However, before Jingyan entered the room, she made a phone gesture to me, and I responded with one in tacit understanding.
Lying in bed, I flipped open my phone and saw messages from people.
The first was from Zhao Chenyu.
Zhao Chenyu: “Senior, President Lan gave me the day off today. Did you guys go to a party? Do I still need to work tomorrow? President Lan didn’t say. I’m just asking you.”
I replied: “Yeah, probably not for the weekend. Just wait for Aunt Ouyang to contact you then.” Being a driver is different from other jobs—you need to be available anytime, anywhere.
Speaking of which, shouldn’t he be contacting Mu Lingze?
Why contact me?
Probably because it’s related to personal life.
After all, although Mu Lingze and Aunt Ouyang have a good relationship, like sisters or friends in daily life, it’s not as close as the bond between our two families.
He didn’t reply, so I moved on to check other messages.
Mu Qianning: “Young Master Lin, where did you and Jingyan go today?”
Me: “None of your business!”
Unexpectedly, she replied instantly.
Mu Qianning: “You… spill it, or one of these days I’ll tie Jingyan up in the dorm!”
Me: “Haha, you wouldn’t dare.”
Mu Qianning: “Oh, come on, where did you go~”
Me: “Didn’t Jingyan tell you?”
Mu Qianning: “No, my advisor called me, and I was apart from her for just a bit, and you took advantage! Aaaah /furious/ /furious/”
Me: “Calm down, calm down. Uncle Qin came back, just a family gathering.” As Jingyan’s best friends, both sisters had been to her house and met Uncle Qin.
Mu Qianning: “Oh, I see. Alright then, looks like you’re up to no good again tonight.”
I was a bit speechless—this girl really has no filter when she talks.
Me: “Hey? No, Jingyan and I are a couple, both adults. What’s wrong with us doing that? Isn’t it normal? /knock/”
Mu Qianning: “Fine, fine, fine, normal, normal, normal. Wishing you an early baby, ten of them, okay?”
Me: “What about you? Going alone to a hotel so far from school, staying overnight, tsk tsk tsk.”
Mu Qianning: “You… shut up! /knock/”
Me: “Tell me, who is it? I can help you check him out.”
Mu Qianning: “No one.”
Me: “Really? /smirk/”
Mu Qianning: “The thing I regret most is letting you see.”
When I saw this message, I was puzzled, but then she suddenly retracted it.
Me: “??? What did you send?” I pretended not to know and asked her.
Mu Qianning: “Nothing, a typo.”
Me: “Alright. If you like someone, you can tell me, and I’ll help you.”
Mu Qianning: “You said it, it’s a deal.”
Me: “With your words, who am I? Young Master Lin.”
Mu Qianning: “Okay, you owe me a boyfriend.”
Me: “??? Your skill at twisting concepts is impressive. I just said I’d help, and now it’s turned into me owing you.”
Mu Qianning: “/snicker/ /snicker/”
Me: “Fine, I’m off to sleep.”
Mu Qianning: “Sleep? Isn’t Jingyan next to you? Or… is it already done? /snicker/”
Me: “Stop prying into grown-up matters!”
This girl Mu Qianning always talks nonsense, all vague and confusing.
I closed the chat app and checked the time—over half an hour had passed.
Why hasn’t Jingyan sent me a message yet?
I scrolled through videos for another ten minutes and found that Jingyan still hadn’t messaged me.
Forget it, she’s probably too tired and asleep.
I’ll just use the bathroom and go to bed too.
The bedroom I’m staying in doesn’t have a bathroom; their own bedrooms all have one, so I have to go to the bathroom on the second floor.
Quietly stepping out and turning a corner, I noticed a bedroom door with a very thin sliver of light peeking through.
This is…
Uncle Qin’s bedroom, right?
The door isn’t shut properly.
The light’s on, so they must still be awake.
I’ll go remind them.
Just as I was about four or five meters from their room, the sounds coming from inside made my raised foot freeze mid-air.
“Slap, slap, slap!”
“Slap, slap, slap!”
Having experienced intimacy between men and women, I’m all too familiar with this sound, and it’s extremely sensitive to me.
Uncle Qin and Aunt Ouyang must be making love.
Well, it makes sense—they’re a couple who haven’t seen each other in a long time, so it’s only natural they can’t resist.
Honestly, they were so eager they didn’t even close the door properly.
Looks like I won’t get a chance to remind them.
I turned to leave, but the sounds from inside made me stop again.
“Ah! Ah~”
Aunt Ouyang’s moans were like a demonic melody, stirring up the desire within me.
Just listen for a bit—there’s no one around, no surveillance, and the corner isn’t far from me.
I can just run if needed.
I quietly moved a little closer, and the sounds became clearer.
“Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!”
“Slap, slap! Slap, slap!”
“Squeak, squeak, squeak”
The moans, the sound of bodies colliding, and the creaking of the bed blended into a uniquely devilish rhythm.
The agony of only being able to hear but not see further fueled my already vivid imagination, like fertilizing desire to make it grow faster.
What position is Aunt Ouyang in now?
Are they wearing clothes?
How long have they been at this?
Listening to Aunt Ouyang’s moans, they don’t seem very intense—not as passionate as when Jingyan and I are together.
Before I could think much more, a few muffled male grunts came from inside.
“Ah! Wife, I’m coming! Wife!”
“Bang!” followed by the sound of a heavy weight pressing onto the bed, accompanied by Aunt Ouyang’s soft gasp.
A moment of silence.
“Wife~ wife, you’re truly stunning~” Uncle Qin was speaking.
“Stunning? What’s the use of being stunning? Still left alone to guard this house, eventually turning into a haggard old woman.” Aunt Ouyang’s voice carried a hint of resentment.
“Oh, wife, I’m sorry. Smooch!” Uncle Qin’s apologetic voice and the sound of a kiss came through.
“Enough from you. Every time you come back, it’s the same line—I’m tired of hearing it.” Aunt Ouyang’s tone remained firm.
“In a few more years, once Jingyan and Xuanyu graduate from grad school and get married, I’ll step down. We’ll go traveling—wherever you want to go, we’ll go. We won’t care about anything else. That business of yours, we’ll just sell it off!” Uncle Qin said.
“Are you sure? If you had this idea, why didn’t you act on it earlier?” Aunt Ouyang still complained, but her tone softened a lot.
“Really, wife! I decided long ago. This project just needs a few more years to run smoothly. You know, some things can’t be pushed aside.” Uncle Qin’s voice carried a trace of his earlier helplessness.
“Fine, fine, I get it.” Aunt Ouyang’s tone lost its resentment, even adding a bit of comfort.
“Wife, those black stockings you wore today were just too beautiful. I could barely control myself at the time.” As Uncle Qin spoke, I also heard the faint sound of someone shifting on the bed.
“Oh, don’t cling to me so tightly. Who knows how many black stockings you’ve seen out there, or if you’ve torn any open to look.” Aunt Ouyang’s resentment returned.
“No! Wife, I’ve let you down in other ways, but not in this—really.” Uncle Qin’s voice suddenly took on a tone as if he were about to swear an oath.
“Just take care of yourself. Ugh, don’t hold me so tight.” Aunt Ouyang said.
“Wife, after all these years, you’re still so beautiful, just like when we first got together.” Uncle Qin’s words sounded like the sweet nothings Jingyan and I exchange in private.
“Hmph, old and faded now—some people wouldn’t even glance twice.” Aunt Ouyang said, but her words carried a hint of quiet delight.
“Say, wouldn’t it be great if Jingyan and Xuanyu were like us?” Uncle Qin said.
“Don’t.
I’d never want him to turn out like you!” After Aunt Ouyang finished, there was suddenly a “slap” sound.
I was wondering what it was when Uncle Qin spoke.
“Oh, it’s just a little belly—no big deal.”
“You call that a little belly? It’s practically a ball.” Aunt Ouyang’s tone mixed disdain with concern.
Then came another “slap!”
“If Bowen and I hadn’t kept emphasizing it, Xuanyu would’ve been led astray by you long ago. I don’t want him turning into you.” Aunt Ouyang’s words warmed my heart again.
“Oh, that’s not fair. Society always requires some social graces, doesn’t it? You can’t let Xuanyu become a bookworm, right? Or let Jingyan face all this for him? Would you be willing to let that happen?” On this topic, Uncle Qin shed his earlier dejection and became somewhat assertive.
“Who are you saying is wrong?” Aunt Ouyang shot back.
“Am I wrong, though?” Uncle Qin’s earlier “manly spirit” vanished instantly.
“Let me tell you, Qin Bin, I’m well aware of everything you’re saying. I’m prepared for Xuanyu to face these things himself, but I’ve never demanded that these two kids surpass us. Look at what our lives have become now. Do you even still see this as home? Do you want Jingyan to spend her days alone in an empty bed too? The only reason I’m still managing the company is to ensure that what we’ve built gives them and Xuanman a stable living environment. That’s enough.” Aunt Ouyang’s tone turned somewhat reproachful.
But these cold words flowed into my heart like streams of warmth, heating my entire body.
“Alright, alright, wife, don’t be mad. It’s late—we’re just chatting, right~ Let’s get ourselves ready, and as for the kids, let them forge their own paths. No matter what, we’ve got their backs.” Uncle Qin’s tone softened.
“Hmph! That’s more like it.” Aunt Ouyang’s tone also softened.
Silence filled the air.
After a short while.
“Mmm~ mmm~ mmm~”
“Smack!”
“Smack~ mmm~” Soft, crisp kissing sounds came through.
“Wife, shall we go again?” Uncle Qin said, his words tinged with heavy breathing.
“Don’t, let’s sleep~ Tomorrow, okay~?” Aunt Ouyang said.
“Fine, but tomorrow night you wear stockings.” Uncle Qin said.
“Alright, alright, whatever you say.” Aunt Ouyang said.
After another round of soft kissing sounds—”Click~” The light from the crack in the door instantly went out, and everything sank into darkness.