After Mu Haipeng left, the mother and son sat facing each other.
“How was it?” Shen Qing asked her son with a beaming smile.
“Not bad, I suppose.”
Zhou Shiwen thought for a moment before giving his honest opinion.
“As long as you approve, that’s all that matters.”
Shen Qing smiled, her eyes curving into seductive crescents.
“But he doesn’t look like your boyfriend at all,” Zhou Shiwen said after some consideration, voicing the doubt in his heart.
“Weren’t you right there?” Shen Qing shot back confidently.
“Oh, yeah.”
Zhou Shiwen realized she had a point. But now that his mother’s partner wasn’t Haoran after all, he felt an odd twinge. He hadn’t wanted it to be Haoran, yet learning the truth left him with a strange sense of loss, courtesy of his twisted psyche.
Truth be told, he’d rather keep the benefits in the family than let some outsider profit. After all, he’d known Yang Haoran since they were kids—inside out, through and through.
…
That afternoon at the school gates, the after-class crowd surged and milled about.
Yang Haoran stepped out of the school and scanned the sea of heads. Parked by the roadside was a fiery red, streamlined Ferrari, standing out like a sore thumb and drawing curious stares from countless students. It caught his eye immediately.
He overheard snippets of chatter.
“Who’s that ride here for? Some rich kid?”
“By the color, I’d say the owner’s a woman. Looks like it’s time for some smooth operator to hit the jackpot.”
A bespectacled kid pushed up his glasses and held forth.
“Get outta here. I’m not blind—’smooth operator’ my ass. You scared of being a sugar mama’s boy toy?”
“Sugar mama~ Her fun’s my fun. What’s there to fear?”
“Sugar mama? What if she’s a total butterball? You still going for it?”
“The fortune teller said when I was little that I’ve got a weak stomach—perfect for living off a woman.”
“Or maybe he meant you’d get stomach cancer?”
…
Yang Haoran ignored the chatter and strode straight toward the Ferrari. He knew Aunt Shen’s car all too well. As a kid, he’d begged his own mom for one, only to end up with a good spanking.
“You lot are all talk, no action. Check out that guy’s got the guts—we should take notes!” The glasses kid pointed at Yang Haoran’s retreating back as he neared the sports car.
He was clearly heading right for it.
“Shh… Some fool with a death wish. Watched too many dramas, huh?”
“Don’t knock him. I can’t stand guys who won’t make a move themselves but trash the ones who do.
Wanna bet? If our brave dude scores, you buy lunch in the cafeteria tomorrow. If I lose, I buy. Deal?”
“You’re on. Loser’s a punk.”
The guy got fired up and snapped.
“You hothead, your ears clogged? You buy either way—why bet?” The glasses kid couldn’t take it anymore and tried to talk sense into him.
…
As Yang Haoran drew near, the beauty in the Ferrari noticed him. The doors extended outward like wings, folding open. Shen Qing sat in the driver’s seat, clad in a sexy, form-fitting purple qipao. She wore light makeup and a pair of black aviator shades, the picture of modern glamour.
Subtle floral patterns adorned the surface of her purple qipao, blending seamlessly with its elegant vibe. Aunt Shen’s mature allure was on full, intoxicating display.
One slender, pale hand rested on the steering wheel, tapping lightly. Her exquisite face evoked the autumn moon, her raven hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her amber eyes brimmed with seductive charm. Her dainty nose and full, rosy lips gleamed softly in the light, utterly tempting.
“Come on up, little baby.”
Shen Qing beckoned Yang Haoran with elegant poise, like a sugar mama calling her kept man. Her posture was incredibly alluring—playful, coquettish, radiating irresistible allure that left the onlookers dumbfounded.
“Holy shit, am I dreaming?”
“Who the hell’s that guy? Not even as hot as me—what gives?” Sour voices grumbled.
“That’s no sugar mama—she’s rich and gorgeous. Clearly my long-lost sister…”
“Goddess! From now on, call me ‘pretty boy,’ or else.”
“You thug, who gave you the balls?”
Some cursed under their breath, fuming as they vented their frustration over the unattainable prize onto him.
“That kid… no justice in this world~” The glasses kid stared, dumbstruck, murmuring to himself as his specs slipped askew.
…
Yang Haoran felt a bit helpless. He slid into the passenger seat, complaining, “Why be so flashy? Afraid Shiwen won’t notice?”
The door shut, and Shen Qing started the engine. “I checked with Shiwen last night. He’s pretty open-minded—no major issues.”
“Should I just tell him straight up?” Yang Haoran hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly.
“Not yet. I hired an actor your age at lunch. He didn’t object to that.”
Shen Qing drove toward her place, explaining, “You two grew up together. If I said it was you right away, he might not handle it. Better take it step by step.”
“If he can accept it’s someone his age now, he’ll accept it’s me later. These things need to build gradually—no rushing.”
Yang Haoran saw the wisdom in her words and held his curiosity in check. “So, who’d you get to play the part?”
“Not as handsome as you. Auntie couldn’t even look at him. Don’t worry.”
She saw right through his little concern.
“Heh heh… That’s a relief.”
Yang Haoran relaxed. He hadn’t been worried about her falling for someone else—just that with her stunning looks, the actor might get ideas.
“Have you told Ruoxi?”
She meant about staying over at her place tonight—whether he’d informed his dear mother. Of course, he’d prepared for that little detail.
“I did. She asked why I was crashing there. I said to hang with Shiwen. She wasn’t having it. Then I hemmed and hawed without a good excuse, and suddenly she agreed.”
Yang Haoran still found it odd.
Shen Qing burst out laughing. “Ruoxi probably guessed what you’re up to. You still dare go? Careful she paddles your butt raw~”
Her tone dripped with teasing provocation.
Yang Haoran felt a flicker of panic midway through, but by the end, he couldn’t let this vixen look down on him. He boasted shamelessly, “If Mom tries spanking me, once I get the upper hand, I’ll fuck her ass every damn day.”
Shen Qing laughed until she shook, her voice dripping with allure. “Oh really? You’re quite the filial son—bold enough to say you want to fuck your own mom right out loud. Ruoxi would die of rage if she heard that.”
