In the living room, the atmosphere seemed frozen as an awkward silence spread like a tide.
The light shed by the crystal chandelier appeared exceptionally piercing. Jiang Chi sat on the sofa, calmly recounting his recent experiences to his mother sitting opposite him. Ji Yue’ian sat on Jiang Chi’s lap, held in his embrace with her head buried, the flush on her face yet to fade.
“Alright, alright, I really didn’t expect it to be like this…” After listening to Jiang Chi’s narration, Chen Mengrou couldn’t snap out of it for a long time. After repeating those words twice with a dull gaze, she finally woke as if from a dream.
She raised her hand to lightly pat her forehead, then looked up. Her gaze lingered for a moment on her precious son who had already grown into a man, then briefly paused on the mature beauty in her son’s arms whose neck was covered in red and purple marks. Her expression was extremely complicated. Finally, she looked at Huang Qingchuan beside her, who had the look of someone watching drama unfold.
“Little Huang-Huang, it’s all your fault!”
Chen Mengrou suddenly lunged and pinned Huang Qingchuan down, her small hands vigorously tickling the other’s soft spots. This sent waves of itching through Huang Qingchuan’s armpits, making her laugh uncontrollably as she cried out.
“It’s your fault! It’s your fault! It’s your fault for never telling me!!”
“Yue-Yue is clearly Chan-Chan, and Yue-Yue is A-Chi’s future wife, yet you kept it from me the whole time! I really thought Chan-Chan was your illegitimate daughter and was constantly worried about you, but instead… Hmph! It’s all your fault!!”
“Ahahaha… It tickles, it tickles! Little Rou-Rou, I was wrong… Haha!”
“Yue-Yue, A-Chi, save me!!”
“Hahaha…”
Huang Qingchuan was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, and could only call out to the two for help. Unfortunately, after exchanging a glance, the pair looked away as if they hadn’t seen anything.
Finally, after a bout of frolicking, Chen Mengrou resentfully let go of her best friend. Once she sat back down, her gaze oscillated between Jiang Chi and Ji Yue’ian, her eyes full of doubt and curiosity.
“Are you two… really decided on being together? Tell me the reason?”
Her voice sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet living room. In truth, in her heart, she wasn’t opposed to the two being together; she even felt a bit of approval and support.
If at the very beginning she was surprised, startled, and stunned upon learning the truth—that the Yue-Yue from her best friend’s house had turned into a girl and her own precious son had fallen for her—then now, Chen Mengrou was excited enough to start shipping them!
Everyone in the world has a competitive side, and Chen Mengrou was no exception. From daily cosmetics and bags to even the upbringing of the next generation, she had secretly compared everything with Huang Qingchuan.
And now…
Ow-ow-ow!
Her son had actually snatched the daughter her best friend had raised for eighteen years!
Just thinking about this made Chen Mengrou incredibly excited!
She had a daughter-in-law, A-Chi had a wife, and Little Huang-Huang had a son-in-law!
A triple win!
She was winning big!!
Wait, she was the one who raised a son, so any child Yue-Yue had in the future would have the surname “Jiang”!
A quadruple win!
She was winning even more!
Hehehe!
She had beat Little Huang-Huang once again (hands on hips, tactical lean back).
Ji Yue’ian scratched her head, her gaze shifting as she didn’t know how to answer. She peeked at Jiang Chi, and it just so happened that Jiang Chi was looking at her too. The moment their eyes met, it felt as if a current of electricity passed between them.
Chen Mengrou watched their interaction, her curiosity growing. Seeing Yue-Yue and A-Chi like this, the couple must have already done most of what couples do, but…
Right then, she was poked in the elbow. Chen Mengrou turned her head and met Huang Qingchuan’s cool yet slightly playful eyes, which were winking at her.
Almost instantly, Chen Mengrou understood her best friend’s hint—Yue-Yue was a tsundere!
Thinking this, she cleared her throat, preparing to say something to alleviate the awkward atmosphere, but Jiang Chi suddenly moved. He unexpectedly picked up the mature beauty in his arms in a princess carry.
Ji Yue’ian hadn’t expected this at all. Startled by the sudden situation, her beautiful eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat.
However, for some reason, her body didn’t reflexively struggle. Instead, as if she had found someone to rely on, she obediently let Jiang Chi hold her tight.
“Mom, Aunt Huang, we’re making a break for it!”
“Couples in love don’t need a reason!!”
After shouting this to the still-dazed Chen Mengrou and Huang Qingchuan, the school heartthrob Jiang held his girlfriend tight and fled the scene like a bolt of lightning, leaving the two women behind, utterly bewildered.
Chen Mengrou and Huang Qingchuan sat on the sofa, faces full of confusion, staring blankly in the direction Jiang Chi had left.
After a good while, the two of them came to. The two mothers looked at each other, seeing helplessness and doting in each other’s eyes.
The next moment, they both shouted toward the door, “Remember to come back for dinner tonight!”
***
Outside the apartment building, Jiang Chi was like an unleashed horse, carrying Ji Yue’ian into the garden path of the residential area. A gentle breeze blew, softly lifting Ji Yue’ian’s hair. A few strands brushed against Jiang Chi’s cheek, bringing a tickling sensation.
Ji Yue’ian unconsciously wrapped her arms around Jiang Chi’s neck. Her cheeks were burning, and she buried her head in Jiang Chi’s chest. Jiang Chi’s breathing was a bit hurried, but he didn’t slow down at all.
Jiang Chi’s footsteps trod on the stone path, kicking up small pebbles. Ji Yue’ian’s hair fluttered in the wind. She opened her eyes slightly and looked at Jiang Chi’s sharp profile, her heart filled with complex emotions.
Finally, they stopped in front of the quiet man-made lake in the neighborhood. The water rippled under the touch of the gentle breeze, clearly reflecting their figures as they sat together.
“By the way, will they be angry that we just ran out like that?” After stopping, Ji Yue’ian sat on a bench by the lake, looked at the boy beside her, and muttered softly, speaking tentatively.
“They won’t be,” Jiang Chi said, shaking his head slightly. He looked toward the distance, his voice as calm as the unruffled lake surface.
“I know my mom, and I know Aunt Huang’s personality.”
“That’s good then…” Ji Yue’ian whispered. She fell into deep thought for a moment, and then, as if having made some kind of decision, she spoke again.
“Jiang Chi.”
“Yeah?”
“Sit a bit closer.”
Jiang Chi did as she asked without much thought, shifting his position. Suddenly, a warm sensation touched his cheek. A faint mint fragrance mixed with Ji Yue’ian’s unique scent wafted toward him, making his body instantly stiffen and his mind go blank in a flash.
“Yue… Yue-Yue?”
The boy’s soft call, filled with some doubt and surprise, reached her ears. Only then did Ji Yue’ian snap out of it. Realizing her actions just now, her face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.
“Ahem!” She coughed a few times, trying to hide her embarrassment, then beat her chest, pretending to be bold as she said, “Don’t overthink it. This is your reward. Thanks for helping me out of that situation just now.”
“Also, there’s one more thing…” Ji Yue’ian leaned close to the boy’s ear. Seeing those ears that had already turned completely red, the corner of her mouth curled into a silent smile.
“From now on, you’re my boyfriend.”
(End of Main Text)
(P.S. There are a few more sweet extra chapters after this)
Bang! I have my criticisms but overall it has been a pleasant read, thanks for having us!