In Jiang Leyi’s memory, her best friend, Shen Ruxue, never liked staying at home. In all the time she had known her, even during Mid-Autumn Festival or longer holidays, Shen Ruxue had never once expressed a desire to go back.
Shen Ruxue’s home wasn’t even that far from this city; it took less than an hour by high-speed rail. Although their school was a bit out of the way, there was at least a subway station nearby.
Going home, while not as convenient as Leyi’s own situation—where she only needed to take the subway—was still much easier for Ruxue than for most people. Yet, in Leyi’s memory, the only time Shen Ruxue had gone home was for this year’s Spring Festival, and even then, she returned to school after only a few days.
On the second day after Leyi’s father and aunt returned from their trip, Shen Ruxue was already back on campus.
Jiang Leyi didn’t know why Shen Ruxue had returned so early, but it worked in her favor. It allowed her to resolve the anxiety weighing on her heart as quickly as possible. Taking this opportunity, Leyi invited her out to play, planning to give her a proper tour of the city. Once the time was right, she intended to confess her inner thoughts to her best friend.
Regardless of whether her father would even like her friend, the age gap alone was inappropriate—not to mention the current flirtatious atmosphere between her father and her aunt.
Jiang Leyi would never allow anyone to disturb that harmony. To prepare for this outing, she had rehearsed many arguments in her mind; she swore she would make her best friend give up on this obsession.
While Jiang Leyi’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the returned Shen Ruxue was thinking about far more than her daughter realized.
Shen Ruxue didn’t know how to confess her true identity to her daughter. For decades, she had never fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother. Through her time spent with Leyi at school, Ruxue knew her daughter was a bright and cheerful child whose capacity to accept the absurd was much higher than she had imagined.
Therefore, Shen Ruxue wasn’t worried about scaring her daughter. Based on her understanding, Leyi would likely be like her sister: surprised, but ultimately able to accept the fact of her rebirth.
None of that was what Shen Ruxue feared. What truly terrified her was whether her daughter would still be willing to acknowledge her as a mother.
Despite her immense anxiety, Shen Ruxue understood that if she didn’t reveal her identity, she wouldn’t even have the chance for a “worst-case scenario.” She had prepared herself for any outcome, whether her daughter accepted her incompetent mother or not.
Accepting her daughter’s invitation, Shen Ruxue arrived early at their meeting spot. Today, she had specifically dressed in a mature style, hoping to shed the youthful air that came with her current age. She felt that if she looked more mature, her daughter might find her revelation easier to accept.
As Shen Ruxue was scrutinizing her outfit, she suddenly sensed something—perhaps due to the bond between mother and daughter. Even while Jiang Leyi was still some distance away, Ruxue spotted her and waved.
Jiang Leyi also saw her friend immediately, but she was struck by how elegant Shen Ruxue looked today.
At first glance, she looked like a woman one could rely on; her every movement exuded composure and confidence. She was dressed impeccably—every piece of clothing felt like an extension of her personality, revealing a unique taste and an aura of wisdom and rationality.
Even though this friend was technically younger than her, she looked far more mature. Moreover, every time she saw Leyi, the smile her friend gave was so gentle and powerful that it always felt… maternal.
Could my best friend really want to be my mom?
Just as the two met up, in a place neither Jiang Leyi nor Shen Ruxue noticed, several hidden figures were staring at them intently.
Since her return, Jiang Lai’s biological clock had been a mess. It was only when the sunlight outside was overflowing and the sun had climbed high into the sky that Jiang Lai finally woke up.
When she opened her eyes, she saw her sister-in-law, Chi Yingyu, lying beside her with a radiant smile.
Seeing her wake up, Chi Yingyu gave her an extremely gentle kiss. “Good morning!”
Jiang Lai was no longer surprised by Chi Yingyu’s “good morning” kiss. Compared to the “night raids” Yingyu had pulled the previous night, the kiss on her cheek felt positively innocent.
Technically, Jiang Lai’s body was younger, but in terms of sheer energy, her sister-in-law’s vitality seemed inexhaustible. Since returning home, Yingyu would wait every night until Leyi was fast asleep before coming to Jiang Lai’s room to demand “tenderness”—the kind that one or two hours couldn’t possibly satisfy.
Every time, she would only reluctantly leave the room when Jiang Lai was so exhausted she could no longer stay awake even if she were gently shaken.
This had completely wrecked Jiang Lai’s internal clock over the past few days. She told herself it was just because they were on holiday and didn’t have to work. Once work resumed, her sister-in-law surely wouldn’t have so much pent-up energy, so she endured it.
However, the nights were one thing; now, in the dangerous light of day, Yingyu had come to her room to be alone with her. Wasn’t she afraid her daughter would walk in?
“Good morning. The daytime is too dangerous. If you want to cuddle, come back at night!”
Jiang Lai looked at her sister-in-law lying beside her and slowly sat up. Her gaze landed briefly on Yingyu before she hurriedly looked away as if she had been burned.
Chi Yingyu looked stunning right now. Her exquisite body was draped in a black lace nightgown that barely covered the essentials. Her long hair was scattered over her shoulders, and her smile under the golden afternoon sun was bright and enchanting.
Jiang Lai had abandoned many of her boundaries and principles during this time, but from beginning to end, she had never actively touched Chi Yingyu. She had always been the passive recipient; on this one point, she wanted to hold her ground.
“Leyi is probably awake. The clothes you’re wearing are too dangerous.”
Seeing how “scared” her brother-in-law looked, the smile on Chi Yingyu’s face grew even more brilliant. This feeling of being sneaky and secretive made it feel like they were having an affair—but how could it actually be that dangerous?
“Brother-in-law, Leyi went out to play today. Until she comes back tonight, the whole house is our private world.”
Chi Yingyu was like a charming little succubus now, gently hugging Jiang Lai from behind. Her tone was full of playfulness. “Are you afraid to look at me now? You didn’t close your eyes once yesterday.”
“The lights were off yesterday. It’s so bright now… wouldn’t I see everything?”
“Then see it. It’s not like I won’t let you look. If I didn’t want you to see, why would I wear clothes like this?”
Chi Yingyu was pushing her luck further every day, constantly forcing Jiang Lai to cede her boundaries. Although the two had never taken that final step, she had already “tasted” everything there was to know about her brother-in-law. Now, it was time for Jiang Lai to take the initiative.
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