Yang Haoran paced restlessly at home, his mind a tangled mess from the moment the sun hung high in the sky until it dipped below the horizon. Daddy came home from work, and his little sister Yaoyao returned from school, but there was still no sign of Mom.
It wasn’t until around seven in the evening that Yang Haoran, sitting in his room, heard the familiar sound of a car pulling up. He rushed to the second-floor window and peered out, just in time to see Mom stepping out and heading toward the villa.
Mom was still wearing the same purple dress from earlier that day. Her stunning face was serene and natural, showing no signs of anything amiss—it was just like any other day.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran let out a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed he really had been overthinking things.
He hurried downstairs and opened the door for her. As soon as Mom stepped inside, he eagerly took the groceries and purse from her hands.
Yang Wenfu, who had been reading the newspaper on the living room sofa, heard the commotion and set it aside. He walked over, frowning slightly when he saw it was Mom. “Why are you back so late? The kids haven’t even eaten yet.”
Liu Ruoxi’s expression didn’t change at her husband’s question. She glanced at Yang Wenfu, her tone cool and detached. “There was a lot to do at the company today. I got held up.”
Yang Wenfu was used to his wife’s lukewarm attitude by now. Though they were still husband and wife in name, years of cold war had shattered their relationship. He frowned and said, “If you’re going to be late in the future, give me a call. I’ll make dinner for the kids.”
With that, he said nothing more and returned to the sofa to resume reading his newspaper.
Yang Haoran watched as his parents exchanged a few perfunctory words like strangers before falling silent. He sighed inwardly. As their son, he should have been the one to mend fences and repair their bond. But tainted by his own wicked desires, he felt only a twinge of guilt amid a secret thrill at the sight.
After all, if his parents were on good terms—harmonious, respectful, and affectionate—how could he ever find an opening to swoop in and claim his fairy-like, ethereal mother for himself?
Mom then headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the family. Yang Haoran, putting on his most dutiful face, followed her in to offer a hand. But the moment he entered, he saw her gaze drifting aimlessly, lost in thought as she stared blankly at the ingredients on the cutting board. She didn’t even notice him come in.
His heart tightened at the sight, the afternoon’s worries resurfacing. Pretending to be casual, he sidled up beside her and asked offhandedly, “Mom, where were you this afternoon?”
Liu Ruoxi, deep in her thoughts, jumped at her son’s sudden appearance. She hadn’t even caught what he said.
“You little rascal, why’d you sneak up like that?” Her brows furrowed in anger as she glared at Yang Haoran.
Yang Haoran put on a wronged expression. “I came in a minute ago! I was just worried about you and wanted to help out. Who knew you’d be standing there all spaced out, not even noticing me? That’s not my fault!”
“No need for your help, Mom’s fine. If you’ve got time on your hands, why not go back to your room and study? Save me some worry.” Liu Ruoxi rubbed her forehead, utterly exasperated with the boy. No good deed goes unpunished.
“Mom, you still haven’t answered my question.” He wasn’t about to leave empty-handed.
“What question?” Liu Ruoxi looked at her son in confusion, wondering what scheme he was cooking up now.
“Mom, where were you this afternoon?” Yang Haoran lowered his voice and leaned in close, whispering.
“I was at the company. Why?” Liu Ruoxi’s expression remained calm as she met her son’s flickering gaze with effortless poise. She had no idea what was on his mind, but she certainly couldn’t tell him the truth about today.
“I don’t buy it. Mom, you always wear business attire to the office.” Like a thief with a guilty conscience, Yang Haoran glanced toward the living room where Daddy sat quietly on the sofa. Seeing no one had noticed, he whispered, “Mom, do you have a lover out there? Be honest with me—I won’t tell Dad. I support you.”
At those words, Liu Ruoxi’s face turned to ice. She grabbed her son’s ear and twisted hard, her voice a frigid stab. “Say that again if you dare.”
“Ow… ow ow… easy… easy there, Mom! Don’t worry, I won’t tell Daddy. Just tell your son the truth.”
His ear was turning red—clearly, she wasn’t holding back. Stammering through the pain, Yang Haoran begged for mercy but pressed on with his questioning.
Seeing her son unrepentant, Liu Ruoxi curled her lips in a cold smile. She leaned close to his ear, her voice a chilling whisper. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Keep spouting nonsense, and you’ll regret it tonight.”
Worried she might actually hurt him, she let go. But her face remained frosty as she fixed him with a piercing stare.
In the face of Mom’s icy gaze, the old Yang Haoran would have bolted. But he couldn’t let this go without answers—it felt like a stone weighing on his chest.
Steeling himself, he met her cold eyes head-on. His lips moved, his tone resolute. “Mom, do you have a lover or not? If you don’t tell me, I won’t be at ease. I won’t sleep tonight, and I won’t be able to focus at school tomorrow.”
Liu Ruoxi sighed, helpless against him. What could she do? He was her son, after all.
“No, I went to Aunt Shen’s this afternoon. If you’re still worried, call her and ask.” She knew his tricks and that he meant what he said, so she told him the truth to put his mind at rest.
As for the shoot, there was no risk of exposure. Even if he called, Shen Qing wouldn’t spill the beans—not yet, anyway.
“Really?” Yang Haoran felt relief wash over him and asked once more to be sure.
“Really.” Liu Ruoxi rolled her eyes at him faintly.
“That’s great, that’s great. Heh heh…” Yang Haoran grinned from ear to ear, not bothering to hide his joy.
“Alright, now get out.” Recalling his earlier nonsense, Liu Ruoxi was still a bit annoyed.
“Heh heh… right away… right away.” With his mind eased, Yang Haoran scampered out happily, even humming a little tune.
Liu Ruoxi watched her son’s retreating back, her emotions complicated as she thought about what was to come. She’d been mulling it over just moments ago. With the tasks unfolding, their pure mother-son bond might soon shatter.
She worried that when they reached the Second Ring and her true identity came to light, her son might see her as a loose woman. How would he view his mother then? And how would he treat her?
