Chen Feng listened to Yu Xiaohui’s call with her mother-in-law from the side, feeling a bit awkward inside.

After all, Yu Xiaohui has two kids, and they’re not very old, needing their mother’s care.

When she hung up the phone, Chen Feng couldn’t help but say, "You don’t have to stay here for a few more days; I can handle the jewelry store business myself."

Yu Xiaohui rolled her eyes and said, "You think I don’t want to go back and take care of the two kids? Actually, that’s just an excuse. My two kids have been raised by their grandparents since they were little and aren’t very close to me as their mom. Even if I leave for a few months, they won’t miss me much. It’s only these days that I’ve been with them every day, getting a bit closer, but it’s not to the point where I absolutely have to be with them.

When my mother-in-law calls and asks me to go back and take care of the kids, it’s not because the kids miss me and want me back, but because she herself doesn’t want me hanging around outside, lest I get involved with some man. They just hope I stay a widow for their son all my life, never to remarry."

Upon hearing this deeper reason, Chen Feng felt much more at ease inside.

Otherwise, if it were really her two kids clamoring for their mom, and yet the mom was having fun with him, her lover, and not going back, it would seem heartless of the two of them.

Chen Feng remarked on the matter, "If there’s no suitable person, staying single isn’t a bad thing either."

Yu Xiaohui looked at him and asked, "Do you also hope that I stay a widow all my life?"

Chen Feng laughed and said, "With us like this, do you think it’s staying a widow?"

Yu Xiaohui listened and blushed slightly, leaning directly into his arms, tilting her head to look at him, and said playfully, "Will you stay with me like this forever?"

Chen Feng said frankly, "I can’t stay with you every day, only occasionally. Especially since we are now living in different places, even meeting each other is difficult, let alone staying with you."

Yu Xiaohui said plaintively, "I also want to move back to Xiu Zhou as soon as possible, but my in-laws keep using the excuse that the kids can’t bear for me to leave so that I stay in Lu City. Besides, I am also a bit reluctant to be away from them for too long. I think I’ll wait until my daughter is ready for elementary school, then transfer her to a school in Xiu Zhou and settle down there."

"When does your daughter start elementary school?" Chen Feng asked with slight concern.

"In two years, which will come soon enough. The schools in Xiu Zhou are better than here. I’ll first transfer my older daughter over, and when my son is ready for elementary school, I’ll take him there too. It’s likely my kids and I will settle in Xiu Zhou in the future."

Chen Feng didn’t offer any opinion on her plan since it’s her family affair. After all, he is at most her lover, not her partner, and has no need or right to intervene in her family matters.

Yu Xiaohui asked again, "If I move with the kids to be your neighbors in the future, you wouldn’t mind, would you?"

Inside, Chen Feng did mind a little, especially thinking about her two kids often visiting his place; it didn’t feel right.

If her kids turned out to be little troublemakers, it would feel even worse. Luckily, it’s still two years away.

Two years later, who knows what will happen to him, or if he’ll still be around.

So, Chen Feng didn’t continue being blunt; he had enough emotional intelligence to say, "Of course, I don’t mind."

With the answer she was happy with, Yu Xiaohui smiled and gave Chen Feng a peck on the cheek, her face full of bliss as she rested her head on him.

Just as Yu Xiaohui was enjoying their time together, Chen Feng’s phone rang again.

This time it was a call from Guo Mengyao, which he directly declined, since Yu Xiaohui was right beside him, and even without speakerphone, being so close, she could hear.

But then Guo Mengyao called again, and Chen Feng couldn’t refuse; otherwise, she might just show up at his place.

He lowered the phone’s volume before answering.

"What is it?" Chen Feng asked calmly.

"Why did you hang up on me earlier?" Guo Mengyao asked with some anger.

"I accidentally pressed the wrong button."

This reason was barely acceptable to Guo Mengyao, and her anger faded as she asked, "Where are you now?"

"What’s up?" Chen Feng countered.

"I want to invite you to a late-night snack."

It wasn’t even 10 p.m. yet, a bit early for a late-night snack.

Of course, Guo Mengyao’s main purpose wasn’t the snack, but something else.

Chen Feng felt the slight soreness in his lower back and honestly replied, "I’m already lying down to sleep; maybe another time."

"It’s not even ten yet, what are you sleeping for? Get over to my relative’s stew shop, I’ll treat you to sea cucumber."

Chen Feng was amazed. Last time, after how he treated her, she was furious, and now not much later, she’s reaching out to him again.

Even offering sea cucumber, just how eager could she be?

"I’m really tired today and don’t want to go; how about tomorrow evening?"

Chen Feng was being truthful; he did feel tired now.

"Why are you being so indecisive? I told you to come; are you a man or not?"

Chen Feng could only vent with a "Damn."

At this point, whether intentionally or not, Yu Xiaohui suddenly asked, "Who called? Is it a friend inviting you out to play?"

On the other end, Guo Mengyao evidently heard and, after a brief silence, said coldly, full of jealousy, "No wonder, already with a woman, I see. Who is it? From the voice, it doesn’t seem like someone I know. Did you find someone new?"

Chen Feng looked down at Yu Xiaohui, seeing her innocent face, and casually said into the phone, "A middle school classmate, you wouldn’t know her, but I’ve mentioned you to her."

"Oh, so she knows about us?"

"Yeah."

"So is she just missing a screw, or after your money? Surely she’s at your age too, possibly married or divorced, right? Don’t tell me she’s married?"

Guo Mengyao’s words carried an obvious edge.

Chen Feng didn’t visit his hometown often, and for it to be her exclusive time, now with someone competing, she was obviously displeased.

"What are you talking about? She sat in front of me in middle school, like you. And she’s single now."

Hearing this, Guo Mengyao felt more discontent and sarcastically said, "At her age, still single? Divorced, probably?"

Chen Feng frowned and scolded, "Why do you ask so much? Anyway, we’re single, and she’s single."

"Exactly how many classmates have you been involved with? Middle school, high school, maybe university too, or even elementary?"

Chen Feng thought, definitely not elementary, but there was one in university, one each from middle school, high school, and university—quite balanced and reasonable.

"Okay. You knew from the start I’m someone who likes to flirt. If you can’t accept it, we can just part ways peacefully."