"Why is my mother calling me?"

Ling Shuangxue frowned slightly as she closed the car window.

The city lights flashed past outside as they drove down the highway.

She accepted the call and put it on speaker.

Almost immediately, Qin Ruobing’s voice came through.

"Where are you right now?"

Ling Shuangxue leaned back in her seat.

"Heading to Shen Tian’s house. I can’t exactly go home after everything that’s happened."

"Oh?"

Qin Ruobing’s voice immediately became more interested.

"Shen Tian’s house?"

At that very moment, Qin Ruobing was relaxing inside a bathtub in her newly rented apartment.

A small yellow rubber duck floated beside her.

Steam rose from the water as she lazily rested her head against the edge of the tub.

A smile slowly appeared on her lips.

"Why don’t you two visit my new apartment first? I’ll send you the address."

Ling Shuangxue immediately looked suspicious.

"At this hour?"

Honestly, she wanted some alone time with Shen Tian.

Today had been exhausting.

She just wanted to relax with him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

And maybe have some "fun" time...

Unfortunately, Qin Ruobing had no intention of letting that happen.

Instantly, her tone became pitiful.

Cute.

Helpless.

"But I’m scared... What if that evil man comes after me? I’m all alone... I’m just a weak woman..."

Ling Shuangxue rolled her eyes.

"Mom, you literally just divorced him. You should be celebrating."

Qin Ruobing ignored that.

"What if he breaks down my door? What if he kidnaps me? What if he tries to force me back?"

Ling Shuangxue pinched the bridge of her nose.

She already knew exactly what was happening.

Her mother was lonely.

And probably bored.

"...Fine, just send me the address."

The moment those words came out, Qin Ruobing’s smile widened.

"Love you, daughter."

The call immediately ended.

A second later, the address arrived.

Ling Shuangxue stared at her phone before sighing.

Then she looked toward Shen Tian.

"We’re making a detour."

Shen Tian glanced over briefly.

Then he chuckled.

"Your mother’s place?"

Ling Shuangxue nodded.

"She claims she’s scared."

Shen Tian looked back toward the road.

"I don’t believe that for a second."

Neither did Ling Shuangxue.

The two exchanged a look.

Then simultaneously arrived at the same conclusion.

Qin Ruobing was absolutely up to something.

. . .

"Welcome, welcome!"

Qin Ruobing greeted them at the door wearing nothing but a thin bathrobe that barely concealed her curvy figure. Her hair was still slightly wet, and the faint scent of shampoo drifted through the air.

The moment Ling Shuangxue saw her, her face turned red.

"Mom!"

She immediately began pushing Qin Ruobing backward.

"Why aren’t you dressed?! You could’ve told me you weren’t ready!"

What Ling Shuangxue didn’t know was that Qin Ruobing had intentionally been waiting for them like this the entire time.

"Oh my~"

Qin Ruobing covered her mouth shyly before turning around.

"I’ll go change."

As she walked away, her hips swayed on purpose.

Shen Tian quietly let out a whistle.

"Sorry about that..." Ling Shuangxue sighed helplessly. "My family is so embarrassing."

Shen Tian casually walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge before grabbing himself a beer.

"Honestly, I don’t mind it."

Then he lowered his voice.

"In fact, I highly recommend it."

"What did you say?" Ling Shuangxue narrowed her eyes suspiciously while grabbing a drink for herself.

"Nothing."

Shen Tian grinned before lightly pinching her waist.

"I was just thinking about your body."

"You pervert..."

Ling Shuangxue blushed before lightly hitting him with her free hand.

"Maybe after my mother goes to sleep..."

Before the two could continue flirting, Qin Ruobing returned.

This time, she had changed into loose pajamas that somehow still outlined her mature figure perfectly.

"Are you two hungry?" She asked with a smile. "I still have some leftover pizza. It’s pretty late already."

"That’s perfect," Shen Tian replied as he sat down at the table.

Ling Shuangxue nodded in agreement before taking the seat beside him.

Qin Ruobing began heating the pizza while casually chatting with them.

A few minutes later, Shen Tian finished his beer.

"I’ll grab you another one," Ling Shuangxue said as she started to stand.

But Qin Ruobing quickly stopped her.

"No, no, let me do it. You’re both guests tonight."

She walked over to the fridge, grabbed another beer, and opened it before heading to the table.

But just as she reached Shen Tian...

"Ah!"

Qin Ruobing suddenly stumbled forward.

Beer splashed all over Shen Tian’s shirt.

"Oh my, I’m so sorry," she said while lightly tapping her head with her tongue sticking out playfully. "I accidentally tripped."

Ling Shuangxue immediately stood up.

"I’ll go get a towel!"

Shen Tian looked down at his soaked clothes before shrugging casually.

"It’s fine."

Ling Shuangxue quickly returned with a towel before kneeling beside Shen Tian and gently wiping the beer from his shirt.

But it was already soaked through.

"This isn’t helping at all..." she muttered helplessly.

Qin Ruobing crossed her arms beneath her chest before speaking casually.

"Why don’t you go take a shower first? I’ll wash your clothes for you."

"Good idea."

Shen Tian honestly didn’t want to spend the rest of the night smelling like alcohol, so he stood up and headed toward the bathroom.

"I-I can help wash your back..."

Ling Shuangxue’s voice grew quieter and quieter near the end of the sentence, her face completely red from embarrassment after saying something like that in front of her own mother.

Truthfully, she just wanted some alone time with Shen Tian.

"..." But before Shen Tian could even respond...

Qin Ruobing gently placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

"Don’t worry about it, dear. It’s already almost midnight. You should get some rest."

Ling Shuangxue glanced at the clock.

11:57 PM.

A small yawn escaped her lips almost immediately afterward.

Still...

For some reason, she felt like her own mother was intentionally getting in the way.

Was she overthinking it?

Probably.

And honestly, trying to flirt with Shen Tian while staying under her mother’s roof did feel a little too bold.

"...You’re right," Ling Shuangxue finally admitted reluctantly. "Shen Tian, I’ll be in the guest room."

As Shen Tian closed the door, he replied, "Alright, I’ll be a little bit."

Ling Shuangxue disappeared down the hallway and entered the guest room.

Qin Ruobing slowly turned her gaze toward the bathroom door.

The sound of running water echoed faintly from inside.

A playful smile gradually appeared on her lips.

Qin Ruobing then made a beeline for the bathroom.

------------

(Author Note: IMPORTANT!) The special event is still ongoing, and many Chapters are ready to be released!

Support with Power Stones, Golden Tickets, and Gifts (Gifts and Golden Tickets count as x2) to get more Chapters. Super Gifts (like Magic Castle) = +10 Chapters!

Thank you all for the support!