《The Road to a Divine Harem Starting with a Stepmom Companion》 Chapter 1 - Morning Chaos Chapter 1: Morning Chaos [Author¡¯s Note: Chapter 3 underwent repeated reviews and edits. For some sections, let your imagination fill in the gaps¡ªI¡¯ve done my best. Also, if anyone knows of a less-than-perfect AI drawing tool, drop a rmendation in thements. Please skip overly ¡°serious¡± ones that turn voluptuous figures into a B-cup. It doesn¡¯t have to be perfect, but the results should be decent. If I can¡¯t find one, I¡¯ll have to ¡°borrow¡± a couple of images for now.] ¡°Shaoyang!¡± ¡°Get up for breakfast!¡± ¡°Shaoyang! Shaoyang!¡± The persistent calls woke Cao Shaoyang from his warm and cozy slumber. Thud. Thud. Thud. The sound of footsteps grew louder and more distinct. Click! The door opened. Cao Shaoyang peeked his head out from under the covers and saw a beautiful woman in her thirties standing there. She wore a white silk nightgown, her fair neck and rounded shoulders fully exposed. The fabric was so smooth and delicate that, as she pushed the door open, one of the straps slipped off her shoulder, revealing even more of her already scantily covered chest. The view was dazzling, leaving him momentarily dazed. But the real highlight wasn¡¯t just her exposed skin¡ªit was the unmistakable prominence beneath the fabric. It was clear she hadn¡¯t bothered with any undergarments today. Squinting, Cao Shaoyang pretended to be groggy while carefully admiring the scene. His eyes drank in the beauty before him, and his mouth didn¡¯t remain idle either. ¡°Got it, stepmom!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get up in a bit, just head out for now.¡± ¡°Get up now! Yesterday, I trusted the same excuse, and what happened? The moment I left, you went back to sleep and ended up beingte for your morning ss.¡± With that, the woman walked closer, reaching for his nket. Her movement startled Cao Shaoyang awake. Before she could grab the nket, he gripped it tightly and quickly pleaded. ¡°Stepmom, I mean it this time! Once you leave, I¡¯ll get up right away. I swear I won¡¯t fall back asleep. Please, just go!¡± ¡°Then get up now!¡± She crossed her arms and nced at the strap that had slipped down her shoulder but made no attempt to adjust it. Her sharp gaze locked onto him, making his situatioplicated. Being a young man, morning saluteswere almost routine, and after being subjected to this visual assaultfirst thing in the morning, things were bound to get out of control. He had already curled his legs up under the covers, knowing that the thin nket wouldn¡¯t do much to conceal the situation otherwise. While his rtionship with his stepmother was good, he wasn¡¯t nearly bold enough to tantly aim and firein her presence! She seemed to notice his hesitation and, mistaking it for another attempt to stall, decided not to fall for it. Over the years, this routine had yed out countless times. But this time, things were different. With only two months until his college entrance exams, his future was at stake. For Liu Xiaofei, his stepmother, every second of study time counted. Despite his privileged background, she firmly believed he should still strive for a good university. After all, with her husband gone for two years now, Cao Shaoyang only had her¡ªa stepmother who wasn¡¯t even rted by blood. She felt obligated to honor herte husband¡¯s trust in her and ensure Shaoyang stayed on track. With that thought in mind, her eyes narrowed. In a lightning-quick motion, she yanked the nket off the bed. Whoosh! The lightweight cover flew up andnded over Shaoyang¡¯s face. She had expected to see him curled upzily, but the reality left her stunned. What she saw were his lean, muscr legs, a sharply defined set of abs, and¡ªmost noticeably¡ªa very prominent gpolestanding tall. Her cheeks flushed red as she quickly averted her gaze, though she couldn¡¯t resist sneaking a few more nces before he reacted. She couldn¡¯t help but think, This boy¡¯s grown up so much¡­ yet still as clueless as a spring chicken. Liu Xiaofei took a deep breath, standing tall as her full, curvaceous figure stiffened in response to the scene. Her long, shapely legs instinctively pressed together beneath her flowing nightgown. Shaoyang, momentarily stunned by her sneak attack, froze. But with the nket now covering his face, he felt emboldened enough to regain hisposure. Instinctively, Cao Shaoyang wagged his head and tail in greeting before feigning a startled reaction. He clumsily scrambled to pull the nket back over himself, his hands and feet working in an exaggerated hurry. Only he knew the real purpose behind the dy and his deliberate movements. [The phrase ¡°wagged his head and tail in greeting¡± suggests a yful or casual acknowledgment, like a dog¡¯s friendly gesture, showing he is aware of someone¡¯s presence.] Liu Xiaofei, who had been discreetly watching from the corner of her eye, finally spoke again after noticing that Shaoyang had sessfully covered himself. Though she maintained a casual tone, she was clearly flustered. ¡°When did you develop this habit? Hurry up, get dressed, ande out for breakfast.¡± Without waiting for a response, she turned around. Her steps were unsteady as she walked out of the room, her alluring figure swaying noticeably. Click! The door closed behind her, leaving Shaoyang alone. Now that she was gone, Shaoyang dropped the act entirely. Throwing off the nket, he nced down with an appreciative smirk. It wasn¡¯t a ¡°40-meter-long saber,¡± but 20? Definitely. Don¡¯t ask how he knew¡ªhe measured it with a tape himself. With such impressive assetsand a youthful body, his second chance at life didn¡¯t seem wasted at all. That¡¯s right¡ªCao Shaoyang wasn¡¯t just any ordinary teenager; he was someone who had both reincarnated and transmigrated. He had traveled to a parallel world that was 90% simr to his original one and found himself reborn as a high school senior in 2018. Specifically, he woke up 53 days before the college entrance exams. In his previous life, he¡¯d been a man in his thirties. Most of what he¡¯d learned had long been forgotten, and he hadn¡¯t even gone through college entrance exams himself. Now, he was thrust into what felt like an insane hell mode challenge: preparing for one of the most grueling academic tests in the world. Under normal circumstances, he might as well have thrown in the towel with a bitterugh, resigned to retaking the test next year¡ªor simply relying on histe father¡¯s inheritance to live a life of indulgence. But fate¡ªor perhaps some cosmic Bureau of Transmigration¡ªhad taken pity on him. Not only had it granted him this second chance at life, but it had also given him a golden cheat. [The Godly Tycoon Harem System] The system¡¯s name said it all, really. To put it simply: if he wanted to be a godly tycoon, all he had to do was build a harem. The system wasn¡¯t particrly intelligent. It had no sophisticated features¡ªjust a simple interface, some notifications, and a basic mall. Its functionality was also straightforward: whenever Shaoyang spent money on women¡ªwhether he knew them or not¡ªthe system would randomly multiply the amount spent and deposit it into a special system-linked bank card. The bnce of this card could be checked through the system¡¯s interface, and he could withdraw the money into his personal ount at any time. Now, isn¡¯t that a ridiculously overpowered ability? But that wasn¡¯t even the most game-breaking feature. The real treasurey in the system¡¯s mall. Chapter 2 - The Egg Beside Stepmoms Feet Chapter 2: The Egg Beside Stepmom¡¯s Feet The System Mall Panel Host Physical Stats:Overall score: 8 (Normal human score: 10). [Boundless Energy]:Newbie benefit, price 10,000. (Caution: may cause severe exhaustion as a side effect. Buying together with [Titanium Alloy Kidneys]negates side effects.) 0/1 [Titanium Alloy Kidneys]:Newbie benefit, price 10,000. (0/1) [Custom Benefit]:Full set of 2018 college entrance exam papers, price 100 (Purchased/Sold Out). [Emergency Assistance]:1 million. (Passive/Active: Automatically activates in life-threatening emergencies or can be purchased actively to restore body functions.) [Body Part Enhancement Gift Box]:1 million. (Choose and enhance body parts within reasonable limits ording to your preferences.) [Full Body Strengthening]:Starts at 10 million per point; upgrades avable at higher tiers: 50 million, 100 million, 500 million, 1 billion, 10 billion. [Buy Lifespan]:1 billion per year. [Beauty Enhancement Injection]:500,000. [Breast Enhancement Injection]:500,000. [Buttock Enhancement Injection]:500,000. [Waist Slimming Injection]:500,000. [Fat-Burning Injection]:500,000. [Body Strengthening Injection]:1 million. [Lifespan]:1 billion per year. [Function Expansion]:(Click to browse options). The functionality was undeniably powerful. Forget the ability to buy additional years of life¡ªsomething that would drive any wealthy person insane. For now, Shaoyang didn¡¯t need to worry about extending his lifespan. After all, he was in the prime of youth. What truly felt like a lifesaver was the practically free college entrance exam papers. As someone who had transmigrated into this world, he inherited the original owner¡¯s memories, but fully digesting three years of high school education wasn¡¯t something he could manage in a short time. The system¡¯s thoughtful gift¡ªaplete set of exam papers¡ªwas nothing short of a godsend. As for how the original host had passed away and left him with this body, it could only be summed up in one phrase: If you don¡¯t court disaster, disaster won¡¯t find you. The young man, full of youthful energy, had lived with a beautiful woman unrted to him by blood for nearly three years. Although he knew she was technically histe father¡¯s fianc¨¦e and had stayed unmarried out of consideration for him, the proximity was bound to stir trouble. Otherwise, how could it be that his ¡°stepmom¡± had apanied him for all three years of high school? Shaoyang¡¯s stepmother and his father were only one step¡ªa marriage certificate¡ªaway from formalizing their rtionship. Then tragedy struck. His father passed away in a car ident during a business trip, severing the familial bond between the young man and his stepmom. Despite having no obligation to stay, she chose to remain, caring for the boy for nearly two years. Raised without a mother¡¯s love, the original body couldn¡¯t help but develop feelings for the alluring and kind woman who had lived under the same roof with him for so long. Driven by those feelings, the young man secretly purchased a mysterious pill from an anonymous source. Wanting to ensure the pill was authentic and wouldn¡¯t backfire at a critical moment, he decided to test it on himself first. It worked¡ªa little too well. The drug¡¯s potency left himatose, paving the way for Shaoyang¡¯s soul to take over. Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t wrap his head around what his namesake was thinking at the time. With an inheritance worth over 100 million in cash, plus additional business assets, what kind of woman couldn¡¯t he pursue legitimately? Why resort to such a reckless act? From a more mature perspective, Shaoyang noted that during their three years together, the stepmom had always been subtly affectionate toward the original body. After his father¡¯s death, their ambiguous rtionship seemed to hang by a thread¡ªone thinyer of paper away from breaking through. Even just today, her choice of outfit spoke volumes. The way she casually wore revealing clothing, likece-trimmed lingerie, wasn¡¯t a rare urrence. Not to mention, she had been fully dedicated to her role as his studypanion, relying solely on Shaoyang¡¯s father¡¯s inheritance and her own savings for financial support. If the boy had been just a bit bolder, everything that could or couldn¡¯t happen would already have urred, leaving no room for me to step in. Too bad! A single wrong move, and the game was lost. Not that the current beneficiary wouldin¡ªafter all, the twist in fate worked out entirely in his favor. Heh. Shaoyang rummaged through the messy bedding until he found his boxers crumpled in the corner. He slid them on, remembering how he¡¯d grabbed them after a midnight bathroom trip. As for the previous pair? Their fate was sealed by the vivid dreams of the night, leaving them to be cleaned by his stepmom. No wonder the body¡¯s original owner had failed so miserably. Even with everythingid bare, he couldn¡¯t take the leap. Now, as the fortunate inheritor, Shaoyang decided it was only right to fulfill those lingering wishes. After dressing quickly, he folded the nket into a neat¡ªalbeit clumsy¡ªsquare and headed out. ¨C At breakfast, tension filled the air. Neither Shaoyang nor Liu Xiaofei spoke. Shaoyang kept up his act, ying the role of a shy, innocent boy. It had only been a few days since he arrived in this world, and he wasn¡¯t ready to break character just yet. Liu Xiaofei, however, was visibly struggling. ¨C Over the years of living together, their rtionship had grown closer, especially after her fianc¨¦¡¯s death. She unconsciously began treating the boy as her emotional anchor. Every month, Shaoyang transferredrge sums to her ount for living expenses, along with regr allowances. To her, he was far more attentive than herte fianc¨¦ had ever been. She noticed the lingering gazes, the increasingly bold gestures. Though she maintained boundaries, she also flirted with them through her outfits and yful behavior. She knew the day woulde when those boundaries would be tested. But not before the exams. She had resolved not to let anything distract him at this critical time. ¨C That morning, however, her resolve wavered. The boy¡¯s spirited two jumps had been impossible to ignore, leaving her mind in chaos. Even now, halfway through her ss of milk, her mouth remained dry, and her thoughts kept wandering. Her legs pressed tightly together beneath the table, shifting slightly as a heat rose within her. She recalled Shaoyang¡¯s recent boldness. Was this morning¡¯s disy another test? She was stunned by the boy¡¯s natural talents,unlike anything she had ever imagined. ¨C The silence was abruptly broken by a series of faint noises. Clink!¡ªan egg tapping the table. Plop!¡ªthe egg dropping to the floor. Tap!¡ªher crystal sandal being nudged, not from the outside but from the inside. ¨C Before Liu Xiaofei could react, Shaoyang¡¯s voice cut in, smooth and quick. ¡°An egg fell under the table. Stepmom, I¡¯ll grab it!¡± In a sh, he disappeared under the table, leaving her stunned. Chapter 3 - Wanda Plaza Chapter 3: Wanda za Buzz! A tingling sensation surged straight from the tailbone to the crown of the head. Liu Xiaofei, sitting there, froze, stiff with tension. But then she thought about her tightly pressed legs under the table.If Shaoyang noticed, would he misunderstand and think she was wary of him? Would it hurt his already cautious and fragile efforts to connect? After hesitating for a few seconds, Shaoyang still hadn¡¯t retrieved the egg from under the table. Concerned about hurting his sensitive feelings, Liu Xiaofei gingerly parted her legs slightly. The boiled egg wasn¡¯t far from her, but the narrow space under the table wasn¡¯t ideal for her tall 1.8-meter frame. She had to move carefully and slowly. Right at the time when he was about to hook the egg and save it into his hand, a snow-white leg with a little coolness crossed the tip of his nose, and his original rhythmic breathing was interrupted by this sudden change. He tilted his head slightly to observe the sudden change. His breath hitched. ¡°Hiss!¡± Returning to his seat and cing the retrieved egg into his mouth, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t shake the image of Liu Xiaofei¡¯s bold ck-and-white attire. Her style was daring, not just in clothing but also in actions. When he finished eating and was about to leave, Liu Xiaofei seemed to muster her courage. She finally spoke, ¡°Shaoyang, for now, your college entrance exams are the most important. It¡¯s not that you¡¯re forbidden from thinking about certain things or exploring them, but this isn¡¯t the right time. The priority now is preparing for the exams. Everything else can wait, okay?¡± His movement paused, his eyes darting thoughtfully. Was there a hidden meaning in her words? Could it mean he¡¯d have freedom after the exams? Silently, hemented the misfortune of the original owner of this body. Just a bit more¡­ so close! But who was Cao Shaoyang? A man with a god-tier system. Building a harem and winning hearts was his mission. There was no way he¡¯d let a woman lead him by the nose. Based on Liu Xiaofei¡¯s attitude over the past few days and her actions this morning¡ªespecially how she opened the door to guests, seemingly inviting trouble¡ªhe had pieced together a clear understanding. If he didn¡¯t want to be controlled, he¡¯d need to take the initiative. Without giving her a chance to continue her long-winded persuasion, he stepped forward assertively, wrapping his arms around her to silence her objections. A long silence followed. ¡°Little Mom, I think you¡¯re wrong,¡± he finally said. ¡°Wrong? How so?¡± Liu Xiaofei, panting slightly, her eyes now shimmering with an unceable emotion, asked. ¡°This kind of long-term, repressive study routine doesn¡¯t make the feelings disappear. On the contrary, the more you suppress them, the stronger the impact. A restless mind could actually hinder study effectiveness.¡± ¡°Boom!¡± Cao Shaoyang mimicked an explosion with his hands, even adding sound effects. ¡°Isn¡¯t there an old saying? It¡¯s better to channel than to block. I think after so much suppression, it¡¯s time to release some tension. It might even lead to better results!¡± ¡°Little Mom, you wouldn¡¯t want me to implode from all this pressure and mess up my review sessions, would you?¡± The mention of his grades immediately put Liu Xiaofei on edge. She silently berated herself. Why hadn¡¯t she thought of this? After all, Shaoyang was still just a young man. It was impressive that he¡¯d held back for this long. If his natural instincts were repressed to the breaking point in this critical period, the consequences would be devastating¡ªnot something she wanted to see. ¡°Then what do you suggest? How about a dredging method?¡± Liu Xiaofei nervously asked in a soft voice what Cao Shaoyang thought they should do. As he leaned down to whisper in her ear, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t hide the sly, triumphant grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°No way!¡± ¡°Little Mom~ you don¡¯t want¡­¡± ¡°Five days? Two days! Four days? Three days! Deal!¡± Before she could protest further, ignoring her exasperated re, he mischievously gave a yful squeeze to the soft curve bottom of her. Laughing loudly, he grabbed his backpack from the entryway and dashed out the door. Cao Shaoyang¡¯s rented apartment was in an upscale neighborhood near his school, with only one unit per floor. Though his family¡¯s wealth could have easily bought the ce, it was rented instead since he¡¯d only need it for the three years of high school. After his college entrance exams, they¡¯d move on, making a purchase unnecessary. Still smirking from his small victory, Cao Shaoyang pressed the elevator button. Once at school, the day blended into a rhythm of back-to-back intense review sessions, leaving little sense of time. Eventually, the bell rang for the end of the school day. Cao Shaoyang¡¯s ss wasn¡¯t one of the elite, high-pressure cram sses. Most students there weren¡¯t aiming for top-tier universities like 211 or 985 schools, so the overall stress level was more manageable. Evening self-study was optional. [985 and 211 means ¡°world first ss university¡°] Having eagerly anticipated this moment all day, Cao Shaoyang naturally chose to skip the evening session. Over the past three years, the original Cao Shaoyang had kept a low profile and hadn¡¯t formed close friendships. Now, during these final days, even the less studious ssmates avoided disturbing others¡¯ study time. Interactions among students were minimal. Despite being widely recognized as the most handsome boy in their senior year, Cao Shaoyang wasn¡¯t approached much. This was partly because he made an effort to stay out of everyone¡¯s way. After all, it was the original Cao Shaoyang who was close to these ssmates, not the current him, a reincarnated soul. Moreover, with the college entrance exams drawing near, everyone would soon go their separate ways. There likely wouldn¡¯t be anysting connections, so he saw no value in maintaining superficial rtionships. With his light backpack slung over his shoulder, he strolled out of the school gate under the watchful gaze of the security guard. Although the school was only a few hundred meters from his apartment, Cao Shaoyang decided not to go straight home. After walking some distance, he gged down a taxi by the roadside. Instead of sitting in the front seat, he opened the back door and climbed in. The driver nced at him, noting his student uniform, and asked, ¡°Where to, young man?¡± Cao Shaoyang pulled out his phone, unlocked it with a fingerprint scan, and gave the driver a polite smile before replying. ¡°To Wanda za in the city center, please.¡± [Wanda za is a multi-functionalplex in China thatbines retail, leisure, hotels, and residential into a single business district.] After giving the address, he lowered his head and began fiddling with his phone. Seeing that Cao Shaoyang wasn¡¯t in the mood for conversation, the driver didn¡¯t press further. Flipping his ¡°vacant¡± sign, he hit the gas and drove off. Cao Shaoyang wasn¡¯t trying to act aloof, he simply had preparations to make. Using a restaurant review app, he scrolled through the ratings of upscale Western dining establishments, nning his next move. Chapter 4 - The Young Womans Baby Face with Big Breasts Chapter 4: The Young Woman¡¯s Baby Face with Big Breasts Tonight promised to be a restless and eventful night. Even with low emotional intelligence, returning empty-handed wasn¡¯t an option. Life requires a touch of ceremony. Money wasn¡¯t an issue, especially with a seemingly endless supply thanks to the ¡°golden finger.¡± Spending money only seemed to bring more benefits. Small but thoughtful surprises like this would surely lead to even greater surprises tonight. Why choose a Western restaurant? Because a candlelit dinner fits best with the ambiance of Western cuisine. A Chinese-style candlelit dinner feels overly formal. In the cultural context of Xia Country, the only true candlelit dinner might be the meal on one¡¯s wedding night¡ªunique and unparalleled, embodying traditional Chinese romance. [Xia County or Xiaxian (simplified Chinese: ÏÄÏØ; traditional Chinese: ÏÄ¿h; pinyin: Xi¨¤ Xi¨¤n) is a county in the southwest of Shanxi province, People¡¯s Republic of China, bordering Henan province to the southeast.] Although the thought of recreating such a scene was tempting, it wasn¡¯t the right time. First, time was too short. Second, the rtionship hadn¡¯t reached that stage. Attempting it now might backfire. After muchparison, Cao Shaoyang settled on a restaurant with modest ratings but the highest number of positive reviews. He called to book a candlelit dinner package based on his estimated return time. The price: 9,999 yuan. No deposit required. All the tableware was brand new. He also spent a five-figure sum on a so-called French Bordeaux estate wine. Whether it was genuine or not, he wasn¡¯t sure. But as long as it wasn¡¯t an 1982 Lafite, it was unlikely to be counterfeit at this price point. Not that it mattered¡ªhe couldn¡¯t tell good wine from bad anyway. To him, all red wines tasted more or less the same. The same went for white liquor; he couldn¡¯t distinguish quality. But none of that mattered. What he cared about was the atmosphere. When asked if he needed a waiter present, Cao Shaoyang declined. A third wheel would only be inconvenient. Ending the call, he noticed the driver ncing at him repeatedly through the rearview mirror. Sensing the imminent flood of questions, Cao Shaoyang kept his mouth shut, pretending not to notice. He suspected even a brief exchange of eye contact would prompt the driver to start talking. Fortunately, they were nearing Wanda za. Choosing a less crowded spot, he got out of the car decisively. Sure enough, before he had walked far, the driver¡¯s voice rang out from the car behind him: ¡°Comrades! Guess what I just experienced?¡± ¡°I had a young high schooler in my car who booked a candlelit dinner worth nearly 10,000 yuan, plus a bottle of wine costing tens of thousands!¡± ¡°Kids these days, unbelievable! Spending tens of thousands without a second thought¡ªwhat kind of family is this kid from?¡± Cao Shaoyang chuckled and shook his head. As expected, the driver couldn¡¯t hold back his curiosity, gossiping before he¡¯d even walked a few steps. Wanda za hadn¡¯t changed muchpared to his previous life¡ªarge,prehensive mall filled with high-end brands. Reaching the jewelry floor, he began browsing store by store, deliberately avoiding the most famous brands. Choosing a gift is an art¡ªwhat to give depends on the rtionship. For tonight¡¯s gift to his stepmother, it shouldn¡¯t be too extravagant. A thoughtful gesture suited their rtionship better; an overly expensive gift might create distance. Expensive gifts were more appropriate for women who actively sought wealth. Tonight¡¯s gift needed to feel just right. Perhaps because of his student uniform or his habit of browsing without buying, the shop assistants¡¯ introductions were rather perfunctory. Not that he cared¡ªhe was equally half-hearted in his interest. After visiting several stores, he finally stopped in front of one he hadn¡¯t even noticed the name of, nor recognized its logo. The reason? He¡¯d spotted a gift that caught his eye. However, something was blocking his view, making it hard to see clearly. What caught his attention was a pendant: two intertwined hearts with a small, bright green jade stone suspended at their intersection. Unfortunately, directly in front of it was a massive ¡°obstacle¡±¡ªa pair of prominent curves. It felt inappropriate to lean in for a closer look. He looked up to ask the clerk to bring the pendant closer. And then he froze. What a sight! Large, white, and deeply entuated. The cleavage, propped up perfectly by her bra, created an irresistible allure, making him almost want to dive into that mesmerizing valley. sticity was out of the question, but soft? That was for sure. The only question was, how soft? Maybe his gaze was too intense. The ample chest before him shifted back a few steps, and then a sweet voice rang out. ¡°Excuse me, ssmate?¡± Huh~? It was only at that moment that Cao Shaoyang snapped out of it. Heposed himself, pretending to be calm, and looked up. That¡¯s when he clearly saw the person in front of him. She had neat, shoulder-length short hair, delicate arched eyebrows, eyes not overly narrow, and a nose that wasn¡¯t particrly high or sharp but still charming. Her lips, slightly upturned from what must have been a professional habit, were painted with a subtle red lipstick¡ªjust the right shade for her. But none of that was the main point. The focus was her doll-like features and her aura of vulnerability that made her seem easy to bully¡ªa ssic ¡°baby-faced voluptuous beauty.¡± Typically, when people think of a baby-faced beauty with a full figure, they imagine a petite, cute, and yful young girl. However, the woman in front of him was the grown-up, mature version of this archetype. She looked over thirty, stood about 170 cm tall, and had a strikingly curvaceous figure. She exuded a vibe that should have been that of a confident, queen-like woman, yet she had a face that seemed na?ve and soft. This contrast was incredible! The striking disparity was captivating. Faced with such a starkly contrasting, voluptuous yet innocent-looking woman, Cao Shaoyang admitted to himself that his DNA stirred, triggering primal instincts. However, he concealed it well. Apart from his initial unblinking stare, his demeanor quickly transformed into that of a pure and innocent boy with clear, unassuming eyes. He shifted his gaze and politely said, ¡°Hello, miss. Could you help me take a look at this pendant?¡± An Yu Wei discreetly observed the student in front of her. Although he masked it well, she had noticed his initial intense gaze on her ample chest. Tsk, tsk, tsk! These kids today¡ªthey sure are something. The boy even knew how to hide it well! Still, being looked at didn¡¯t hurt, as long as she could make the sale. Whatever her thoughts, An Yu Wei didn¡¯t let it show. Her hands moved swiftly as she opened the disy case, reaching inside to retrieve the pendant Cao Shaoyang had asked about. She bent over to reach in. From Cao Shaoyang¡¯s perspective, her ck professional dimensional breasts were spread out on top of the transparent ss counter As she leaned forward, the more she bent, the more her figure was emphasized, creating a deep, new cleavage line that was prominently disyed. He instinctively touched his nose, hoping that his youthful, hormonal body¡ª18 years of abstinence¡ªwouldn¡¯t embarrass him by overreacting and having a nosebleed right there! Fortunately, his worst fears didn¡¯t materialize. His dignity remained intact. Chapter 5 - Buying for My Girlfriend Chapter 5: Buying for My Girlfriend Beautiful sights always pass in an instant. Once the pendant was taken out, the soft snowy mounds it rested on were no longer visible. ¡°Hiss!¡± This woman was amazing! With her proportions, if he buried his ¡°extraordinary talent¡± in there, would it disappear entirely? Cao Shaoyang felt an urge to get to know this charming ¡°auntie.¡± An Yu Wei ced the pendant on a mannequin neck and slid it toward Cao Shaoyang. ¡°Little brother, you can take a closer look yourself,¡± she said sweetly, pulling him back to reality. ¡°Mm, thank you.¡± He had already thought the pendant looked beautiful through the disy case. Now that it was up close, it matched his tastes even more. An Yu Wei brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and enthusiastically described the pendant¡¯s material and symbolism. Then, with an air of nonchnce, she asked, ¡°Little brother, are you nning to give this to someone?¡± Cao Shaoyang replied casually, ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, and I like it. I¡¯m nning to give it to my girlfriend.¡± ¡°Giggle! Little brother, you¡¯re quite the romantic, huh? So young, and you already have a girlfriend. She must feel lucky to have such a handsome and thoughtful boyfriend.¡± Cao Shaoyang smiled warmly. ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°But,¡± An Yu Wei said thoughtfully, ¡°I feel like this ne might not suit a young girl your age. It¡¯s a piece that requires a certain maturity to bring out its unique charm.¡± She gestured toward a nearby disy. ¡°We have some jewelry more suitable for young girls. Would you like to take a look?¡± ¡°Oh? Really?¡± Cao Shaoyang responded absentmindedly, but his gaze never left the pendant in front of him. He was very satisfied. This was it. He had already made up his mind in his heart. Even so, he politely shifted his attention to the pieces she was rmending. Most were simple tinum designs without too much embellishment. While they were understated and elegant, they had a yful charm that suited young girls. He nced at them briefly but lost interest quickly. After all, he wasn¡¯t really buying for a young girl. The pendant was meant for his stepmom, and given her age and demeanor, the one he had chosen suited her perfectly. Still, he appreciated the saleswoman¡¯s thoughtfulness. The pieces she rmended were all reasonably priced, mostly a few hundred yuan. The most expensive one barely crossed 1,000 yuan. In contrast, the pendant he had set his sights on was priced at 12,888 yuan, likely because of the jade centerpiece. She probably assumed a young guy like him wouldn¡¯t have much pocket money and didn¡¯t want to embarrass him by suggesting something expensive. This ¡°sisterly auntie¡± was quite considerate! ¡°Thanks,¡± Cao Shaoyang said, ¡°but these pieces don¡¯t really match my girlfriend.¡± An Yu Wei tilted her head and asked curiously, ¡°They don¡¯t? Then let me rmend a few more options.¡± She turned to grab some other jewelry but was stopped by Cao Shaoyang. ¡°Thank you, sister, but my girlfriend is a bit older, so the youthful styles you¡¯re showing don¡¯t really suit her. Maybe you could rmend something else?¡± ¡°Older?¡± An Yu Wei blinked, caught off guard. The first thought that popped into her mind was a scene of a wealthy older woman spoiling a young ¡°boy toy.¡± [senior rich woman adopting a young little puppy] When Cao Shaoyang saw the strange look in her eyes, he immediately knew she had misunderstood. He quickly added, ¡°Yes, 35¡ªabout the same age as you, I think.¡± Although not quite the 50-something wealthy auntie she had imagined, the age gap of over a decade still surprised An Yu Wei. She hadn¡¯t expected this handsome young man to be into ¡°older women.¡± His unique preference left her feeling a bit flustered. The memory of his earlier, unblinking gaze at her chest shed in her mind, and she couldn¡¯t help but blush. What a unique taste this young man had. Snapping herself out of her wandering thoughts, she refocused on her task. ¡°Ah, oh!My apologies. Then let me rmend a few more options for you,¡± An Yu Wei said. ¡°But if your girlfriend is in the same age range as me, the pendant you picked out is indeed quite suitable.¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯ll go with that one. But if there are others I like, I¡¯ll buy those as well.¡± An Yu Wei¡¯s mouth opened slightly in surprise as she stared at the young man. That was a five-figure pendant, and he bought it so casually. Were students these days really this wealthy? Despite her surprise, the thought of her soon-to-be-earnedmission¡ªand possibly even more from additional sales¡ªfilled An Yu Wei with excitement. This time, she didn¡¯t worry about saving him money or whether he could afford it. Her eyes shifted toward the store¡¯s other high-end pieces, all priced in the five-figure range. If she could close another big sale like this¡­ Chapter 6 - Such a Beautiful Aunt Chapter 6: Such a Beautiful Aunt An Yu Wei swiftly picked out a few pieces of jewelry that she thought suited her, grabbing them all from the counter in one go. Cao Shaoyang, on the other hand, enjoyed the feast for his eyes. At first, her movements were quick and efficient. But after their eyes identally met while he was admiring her, her pace noticeably slowed. Regardless of whether the jewelry was in the inner or outer part of the disy case, even the ones that could be picked up with a simple reach became an opportunity for her chest to linger on the counter for a few extra seconds before she retrieved them. When An Yu Wei had finallyid all the selected jewelry in front of him, Cao Shaoyang¡¯s lips curved into a meaningful smile. Interesting. There¡¯s potential! Time was tight. After all, he still needed to get hometer for a candlelight dinner with his stepmother. There wasn¡¯t much room for ying games. Let¡¯s keep it simple. ¡°What¡¯s your name, sister?¡± he asked. An Yu Wei pursed her lips, her heart inexplicably pounding like a drum. ¡°My surname is An, and my name is Yu Wei. And what should I call you, little brother?¡± Hmm, I just asked for her surname, and she even volunteered her full name. Interesting. Cao Shaoyang followed her lead, introducing himself in the same manner. ¡°My surname is Cao, first name Shaoyang. You can just call me Shaoyang, sister.¡± ¡°An Yu Wei¡­ Yu Wei. What a beautiful name¡ªit has a poetic ring to it.¡± The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. ¡°Thank you, little brother Shaoyang, for thepliment. Since I¡¯m older than you, you can call me Sister An.¡± She handed him a delicate gold ne to examine. It was made of pure gold, the chain thin but elegant. As they exchanged the ne, her soft finger brushed lightly against his palm. Cao Shaoyang, not exactly a seasoned yer, felt his heartbeat quicken noticeably. But wealth was courage for a man, and with his current worth, he felt bold enough to suppress his excitement and speak up. ¡°This might sound a bit forward, but rather than calling you Sister An, I¡¯d prefer to call you Aunt Yu Wei. Would that be okay?¡± An Yu Wei¡¯s breath hitched. She unconsciously straightened her posture and crossed her legs tightly, her thoughts racing: Here ites. Did I really attract the attention of a ¡°little wolf cub¡±? Calling me aunt¡ªso he does have a thing for mature women, just as I guessed. She recalled her unhappy marriage and her body, long devoid of anyfort, to the point where her cycles had be irregr. A ¡°little wolf cub,¡± huh? Maybe I¡¯m the one getting lucky here. With that thought, An Yu Wei lightly bit her plump lips with her pearly white teeth. ¡°Gosh, little brother, that¡¯s such a peculiar request. But¡­ I don¡¯t mind!¡± She winked yfully at him. Relief washed over Cao Shaoyang. After all, he was a beginner at this, apart from his semi-sessful efforts with his stepmother back home. This was his first time actively hitting on a voluptuous, mature beauty like her. [voluptous: one with huge breasts] It was a good start. A self-confidence that had been trampled in his past life began to rebound. This seemed like a mutual interest situation, but the real question was whether it would develop further. Cao Shaoyang had been single in his previous life, and the original owner of his current life also had no experience in rtionships. But even if he had never tasted pork, he had seen pigs run before. For most women, if you¡¯re unsure how to interact with them, just spend money. Throwing money at the problem is the most forgiving way to deepen a connection. With a shy smile, he responded to her. ¡°Then I¡¯ll call you Aunt Yu Wei, but you can call me Shaoyang or just ¡®little brother.¡¯ Just don¡¯t add the word ¡®little¡¯ in front of it!¡± Cao Shaoyang pretended to say it in all seriousness. An Yu Wei, feigning ignorance, asked curiously, ¡°Why can¡¯t I call you ¡®little brother¡¯? Auntie is at least one full zodiac cycle older than your girlfriend!¡± Cao Shaoyang nced around the shop. At this hour, there were only a few scattered customers, none too close to where they were. He gestured with his hand for her toe closer. Obediently, An Yu Wei leaned in, bringing her ear near him. Looking at her delicate, translucent pink earlobe, Cao Shaoyang intentionally leaned even closer to ensure she heard him clearly. ¡°Because¡­ I may only be 18 this year, but in reality, I¡¯m much more mature than 18.¡± After finishing, Cao Shaoyang tactfully pulled back, putting some space between them. He had noticed that Auntie had instinctively shivered just a moment ago. Being the considerate person he was, he chose to step back, sparing her from any potential embarrassment. What a great guy he was! He picked up the gold ne An Yu Wei had introduced with great enthusiasm earlier. It gleamed brilliantly, a dazzling piece with an equally dazzling price tag. The ne wasn¡¯t very heavy, priced at 8,888 yuan. Its valuey not in the mere grams of gold it contained, but in its exquisite craftsmanship. ¡°Aunt Yu Wei! This gold ne looks pretty good. It seems nice at first nce, but who knows how it actually looks when worn?¡± ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, with such a great figure. Why don¡¯t you try it on so I can see how it looks?¡± Chapter 7 - The Bouquet in Hand Chapter 7: The Bouquet in Hand For An Yu Wei, earning money still held the highest priority. When it came to her job, she was meticulous and professional. She sped the ne around her neck, fastening the sp at the back. As she released her arms, the gold ne gleamed against her snow-white neck. However, there was a slight imperfection¡ªit wasn¡¯t properly centered, with part of the ne resting slightly askew on her ample chest. ¡°How does it look?¡± An Yu Wei tilted her head back slightly, showing off her neck to let Cao Shaoyang evaluate the effect. Cao Shaoyang, acting on impulse, reached over the counter with his index finger and gently nudged the pendant that was lying against her chest. Swish! The pendant instantly disappeared into the snowy valley. Straightening his posture, he nodded in satisfaction.It looked much better this way. An Yu Wei nced down, noticing that the pendant was now hidden, leaving only a thin chain visible around her neck. She had intentionally left the pendant visible, and now it was gone. She instinctively reached to retrieve the pendant from its new resting ce, but Cao Shaoyang stopped her. ¡°Auntie, there¡¯s no need to take it out. I think it looks perfect just like this.¡± ¡°R-really?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Cao Shaoyang confirmed, nodding with mock seriousness. ¡°Haha,just kidding. But Auntie, you¡¯re so beautiful¡ªyou¡¯d look good in anything.¡± ¡°It really suits you!¡± ttered, An Yu Wei picked up a mirror to inspect her reflection. Although the pendant was no longer visible, she knew its beauty was still there, hidden, which made her appreciate it even more. ¡°What do you think, Auntie?¡± ¡°It¡¯s very beautiful!¡± ¡°But my opinion doesn¡¯t matter much¡ªit¡¯s your opinion that counts, Shaoyang. After all, you¡¯re the one buying this as a gift.¡± Cao Shaoyang pulled out his Huawei smartphone from his pocket. ¡°As long as you think it¡¯s beautiful, that¡¯s what matters, Auntie.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take the ne I chose earlier. Please wrap it for me. As for the one you¡¯re wearing, Auntie, consider it a gift from me. I¡¯ll pay for it.¡± ¡°What?¡± An Yu Wei gasped, genuinely shocked. She covered her small mouth with her hand, almost eximing aloud. Hurriedly, she grabbed his hand to stop him from scanning the QR code to pay. Lowering her voice, she said, ¡°Little brother, even if you¡¯re wealthy, you can¡¯t spend money so carelessly! Your parents worked hard to earn it. If you really like me, just pay for the ne you picked earlier. As for the one I¡¯m wearing, let¡¯s leave it.¡± Cao Shaoyang gently patted her hand, which she had willingly ced over his. ¡°Thank you for your kind concern, Auntie. But for me, this isn¡¯t a lot of money. Please ept it.¡± ¡°However, if it makes you ufortable, how about¡­ adding me on WeChat?¡± At this moment, Cao Shaoyang¡¯s true intentions became clear. Everything he had done before was leading up to this moment. In his inexperienced mind, if she epted his gift and added him on WeChat, it would mean his efforts had seeded, wouldn¡¯t it? An Yu Wei hadn¡¯t expected to encounter such a young, wealthy, and handsome guy today. When the young man gave her a gift and then asked for her WeChat, An Yu Wei, as someone experienced, immediately recognized that he had ulterior motives. But¡­ how could she refuse? A handsome young ¡°little wolf cub,¡± rich and willing to spend generously¡ªwho wouldn¡¯t be tempted? shing a radiant smile, her already sweet voice grew even sweeter as she replied, ¡°Sure! Auntie will scan your code.¡± After adding him as a contact, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of triumph. Married women like An Yu Wei had their charms¡ªthey were straightforward, didn¡¯t y coy, and most importantly, responded quickly. Her WeChat username was ¡°Night Rain, Cool Breeze¡±, and her profile picture was a simple one of a real-life puppy. It was likely her private ount. After adding her, they exchanged a few brief messages before Cao Shaoyang decided it was time to leave. He had more pressing matters to attend to today, so this new acquaintance could wait. He made a casual hand gesture signaling ¡°catch upter¡± to An Yu Wei and left the store without hesitation. Hailing a taxi on the street, he headed to the flower shop where he had pre-ordered a bouquet of fresh roses and a small bag of fresh rose petals. When Cao Shaoyang arrived downstairs at his apartmentplex, he noticed a modified RV parked outside. It seemed to be for catering, likely for the setup he had arranged earlier. He couldn¡¯t help but admire the impressive setup. ¡°Wow, talk about top-tier service,¡± he thought. Instead of heading straight up, he first boarded the RV to inspect the preparations made by the catering and decorating staff. Satisfied with what he saw, he smiled in approval. After setting down the bouquet of roses, Cao Shaoyang called his stepmother via WeChat voice chat. ¡°Hello? Shaoyang!¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be at school for evening self-study at this hour? Why are you calling me now? Did something happen?¡± Hearing the gentle concern in her voice, a silly smile spread across Cao Shaoyang¡¯s face. Chapter 8 - Does Stepmom Like It? Chapter 8: Does Stepmom Like It? ¡°It¡¯s nothing major, stepmom,¡± Cao Shaoyang said yfully over WeChat. ¡°I just suddenly had a craving for strawberries. If I wait until after evening self-study, I probably won¡¯t find any fresh ones. So, I had to reach out to my dear stepmom for help.¡± ¡°You little foodie! Wait a bit, I¡¯ll head down to the fresh fruit shop in the neighborhood to check if they still have strawberries. You just focus on your studies at school, okay?¡± ¡°Got it, stepmom.¡± As he replied, an inexplicable warmth welled up in Cao Shaoyang¡¯s chest, even making his nose tingle. In his past life as an orphan, he had never experienced this kind of indulgent care¡ªwhere a simple request would prompt someone to rush around for him. This feels so good! For this kindness, he resolved to repay his stepmom well. It wasn¡¯t long before he saw her stepping out of the building, holding a small white handbag. Though the temperature in April was still a bit chilly, she wore white sneakers and tight-fitting jeans that perfectly outlined her beautiful hip line. A beige turtleneck sweater hugged her figure,yered with a matching beige trench coat. She walked briskly past the parked RV, not even sparing it a nce. Watching her hurried steps, Cao Shaoyang chuckled. Her outfit was a bit unconventional¡ªit was obvious she had thrown on whatever was convenient. Though her effort was for his sake, he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on sentimentality now. With time pressing, he had to use this window of opportunity, while she was out buying strawberries, to finish setting up the house. After confirming she was far enough away, Cao Shaoyang waved to the catering and decoration staff, who had been waiting in the RV. Together, they hurried into the elevator, carrying decorations and supplies. Thankfully, their apartment was on the third floor, so the staff didn¡¯t have to spend too long in transit, saving precious time. Once the setup wasplete, Cao Shaoyang handed each staff member a 100-yuan red envelope as thanks. They left in high spirits. By now, time was running short. His stepmom could return any moment. Grabbing the small bag of fresh rose petals prepared by the florist, he opened her bedroom door. The sight before him was¡­ unexpected. In the soft lighting, a delicate silk garment, so translucent it was almost ethereal, hung over the balcony rail. Hiss! The sheer fabric left nothing to the imagination. For a moment, Cao Shaoyang felt like a believer in light, thoroughly convinced of its purity. Then his gazended on something else¡ªhis missing boxer shorts fromst night. I¡¯ve seen too much. His stepmom¡¯s bedroom was spotless and impably organized. She had always been a clean freak, keeping their 300-square-meter apartment in pristine condition despite handling all the cleaning herself. Taking out the rose petals, Cao Shaoyang arranged them into a heart shape on her neatly made bed. He scattered the remaining petals artfully across the rest of the mattress and throughout the room. Why use her bedroom and not his? That was a no-brainer¡ªit was about creating an atmosphere, a sense of romance and charm. Stepping out, he left her room lights on and returned to his own. After changing into a clean, sharp outfit, he checked himself in the mirror. ¡°Not bad,¡± he said, satisfied. A handsome, energetic young man stared back at him. He turned off the lights in his bedroom and the living room, then sat at the dining table he had carefully prepared, waiting for his stepmom to return. Beside himy an extra-long box of matches, typically used for lighting cigars. The room was utterly silent, so quiet that even the sound of a pin dropping would have been clear. Until¡­ Click. The sound of the door opening broke the stillness. Who else could it be but the one person he¡¯d been waiting for¡ªhis beloved stepmom? Strike! The match red to life in Cao Shaoyang¡¯s hand, and he lit the candle at the center of the dining table. The flickering me brought a warm glow to the otherwise dark room, casting soft shadows. Thud! Thud! Thud! He turned toward the doorway, where his stepmom stood frozen. Both hands covered her mouth, her expression one of pure astonishment. At her feety two boxes of strawberries, their contents spilling onto the floor. After a brief nce, Cao Shaoyang shifted his gaze away from the scattered fruit and back to her. He broke into a wide smile, spreading his arms as he walked toward her. ¡°Stepmom! Wee home!¡± By the time he had wrapped her in his embrace, she still hadn¡¯t recovered from her surprise. Her eyes stayed locked on him, filled with emotion as he approached step by step. Cao Shaoyang leaned down and ced a soft kiss on her forehead, whispering tenderly, ¡°Stepmom!¡± She didn¡¯t say much but instinctively stood on her tiptoes. Her face turned bright red, as if she were gasping for air. Nestled in the arms of Cao Shaoyang¡ªwho was over a dozen years younger than her¡ªshe trembled slightly. ¡°Shaoyang, did you prepare all of this?¡± Although she already knew the answer, Liu Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but ask. She wanted to hear it directly from him. ¡°Yes,¡± he replied simply. ¡°Do you like it, stepmom?¡± Liu Xiaofei shyly lowered her head, her voice soft but clear. ¡°I like it¡­ very much.¡± Chapter 9 - Shaoyang! Stepmom is Tired! Chapter 9: Shaoyang! Stepmom is Tired! ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°The strawberries I bought for you fell on the floor!¡± As she spoke, Shaoyang¡¯s stepmom bent down to pick up the strawberries she had dropped. But before she could, Cao Shaoyang stopped her. ¡°Stepmom, you should go wash your hands. I¡¯ll clean this up,¡± he said gently, nudging her away from the doorway. ¡°Alright!¡± Liu Xiaofei didn¡¯t argue over such a trivial matter. However, instead of heading straight to the bathroom, she walked toward her bedroom first. Seeing this, Cao Shaoyang quickly called after her, ¡°Stepmom! You don¡¯t need to go back to your room. Just washing your hands is enough.¡± Liu Xiaofei nced at the candlelit dinner, its soft glow enhancing the atmosphere and the beautifully prepared meal. She turned to Cao Shaoyang, her voice warm, ¡°Since Shaoyang went through so much trouble to prepare this candlelight dinner for me, I should dress appropriately for the asion.¡± She smiled, a mix of gratitude and tenderness, leaving Cao Shaoyang momentarily dazed. When she reached her bedroom door and opened it, she paused briefly and gave Cao Shaoyang, still lost in thought, a meaningful look. Smiling softly, she said nothing and stepped into her room, closing the door behind her. It wasn¡¯t until the sound of the door shutting that Cao Shaoyang snapped out of his *reverie. He rubbed his forehead, muttering to himself, ¡°Great, she figured it out.¡± [*a state of being pleasantlylost in one¡¯s thoughts; a daydream.] Time ticked by slowly as Cao Shaoyang waited in anticipation. How long has she been in there? What will she look like when shees out?He couldn¡¯t help but feel both nervous and excited. Suddenly, there was a soft click. It wasn¡¯t his stepmom yet, but a beam of light spilling from the slightly open bedroom door. Momentster, she emerged. Her long hair was elegantly pinned up, and she wore a stunning evening gown. The soft makeup entuated her delicate features. Her diamond earrings sparkled,plementing the understated allure of her red lip gloss. Around her neck was a matching diamond ne, which subtly enhanced her already alluring bosom. The fitted gown hugged her curves, emphasizing her graceful figure, while the high slit revealed a pair of long, shapely legs with each step. Her crystal heels shimmered, and her polished nails glowed with a delicate pink hue. At that moment, Cao Shaoyang truly believed in the existence of light. Liu Xiaofei gently nudged his shoulder, her tone teasing, ¡°Am I really that stunning?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the most beautiful person in my heart, Stepmom,¡± Cao Shaoyang replied earnestly. ¡°Such a smooth talker,¡± she said, her voice sweet yet yful. Cao Shaoyang pulled out her chair and gestured for her to sit. He poured the red wine into their sses. In the warm glow of the candlelight, they smiled andughed, sharing ss after ss. With her cheeks flushed a rosy hue, Liu Xiaofei gazed at Cao Shaoyang with a dreamy expression. Out of nowhere, she murmured softly, ¡°Shaoyang.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± he responded, leaning slightly forward. ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± she said with a faint smile. The living room fell silent, with only a solitary candle flickering in the dim light. In the bedroom, on a bed adorned with fresh flowers, Cao Shaoyang carefully helped Liu Xiaofei put on the pendant ne he had prepared for her. The candlelight flickered and swayed, asionally making faint crackling sounds. A spring breeze crept through a slightly open window, causing the mes to tremble as if they might extinguish. Yet, after each gust, the candle stubbornly continued to burn, its resilience unwavering in the quiet of the night. As dawn broke and a faint glow spread across the sky, the candle finally burned out, as ifpleting its mission. With itsst flicker, it surrendered peacefully to the new day. ¡ª¨C Sometimes, one can¡¯t help but admire a woman¡¯s endurance and her ability to recover quickly. At some point during the night, Cao Shaoyang was awakened by his stepmom¡¯s urgent voice. He opened his drowsy eyes to see her, dressed in a silk nightgown, gently pushing him, trying to wake him up faster. Noticing that he was awake, Liu Xiaofei spoke hurriedly, ¡°Shaoyang, get up quickly! If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll really bete for morning study!¡± Cao Shaoyang buried his face into his pillow, taking a deep breath. The faint fragrance left behind by his stepmom was intoxicating, filling him with a sense of contentment. Thankfully, he had the foresightst night to rece their pillows with new ones, preserving this lingering scent. Although he wanted to stay in bed a little longer, the difort from his position forced him to climb out of the covers obediently. After getting up, he nced back at the messy bed that bore the signs of his stepmom¡¯s restless night. It was fortunate that she wasn¡¯t around¡ªotherwise, her face would have turned bright red with embarrassment. Without venturing far, he headed to her bathroom and took a quick, refreshing shower using her bath products. When he reached the dining table, he noticed the burned-out candle stubs, reminding him that he had forgotten to extinguish themst night. Thankfully, there hadn¡¯t been a tablecloth on the table, or it could have been dangerous. In the open kitchen, Liu Xiaofei was bustling around, preparing breakfast with lively efficiency. Cao Shaoyang approached her from behind and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Chapter 10 - Choosing a University Chapter 10: Choosing a University ¡°Thank you, Stepmom, for working so hard to personally cook me breakfast every morning,¡± Cao Shaoyang said sincerely. ¡°If you know how hard I work, then stop getting in my way! It¡¯s your fault¡ªkeeping me up until almost dawn! With such little sleep, where are you finding the energy to study?¡± Liu Xiaofei retorted, exasperation and a hint of embarrassment in her voice. She turned her head toward Cao Shaoyang, who still had his arms wrapped around her. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just skip today? I can call in for you and let you rest at home. You can go back to school tomorrow,¡± she suggested. Cao Shaoyang leaned in and kissed her cheek,ughing. ¡°It¡¯s fine! I¡¯m young¡ªjust a little rest, and I¡¯m good to go.¡± Liu Xiaofei rolled her eyes. ¡°Easy for you to say! Did you forget the amount of physical activityst night?!¡± As she spoke, her face flushed, and she looked down shyly. ¡°It¡¯s your fault for not holding back yesterday!¡± ¡°Rx,¡± Cao Shaoyang said with a chuckle, patting her gently on the stomach. ¡°You know how strong I am. One sleepless night is nothing. Honestly, I could go another¡ª¡± ¡°Stop saying nonsense!¡± she interrupted quickly, her voice flustered. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s up to you. But remember, we agreed: no distractions for the next few days. Focus on your studies and prepare for the college entrance exams.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am! Your wish is mymand, my dearest Stepmom!¡± Cao Shaoyang replied yfully, feigning an exaggerated bow. After finishing breakfast at a leisurely pace, he arrived at school just as morning self-study was already in session. Walking into the ssroom, his tardiness didn¡¯t attract much attention. Most of his ssmates were engrossed in their review materials or furiously solving practice questions. Immersed in their studies, they didn¡¯t even notice another student entering. Cao Shaoyang sat at his desk and ced his backpack down. Leaning slightly toward his deskmate, Xu Shaohua, he whispered, ¡°Shaohua, has the homeroom teachere by yet?¡± [A homeroom teacher is a teacher who is responsible for a specific group of students, usually for administrative and organizational purposes, rather than for teaching a specific subject.] Only then did Xu Shaohua look up from the practice paper he was working on. After a moment of thought, he replied, ¡°I don¡¯t think so. At least, I haven¡¯t seen hime in.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Cao Shaoyang said, relieved. Not every high schooler has the fortune of having a beautiful homeroom teacher. In his case, their teacher was a middle-aged man in his forties. Though Cao Shaoyang¡¯s grades had never been ster, he was consistently above average, so the homeroom teacher paid close attention to students like him who showed potential. Unlike students at the bottom of the ss, who were mostly ignored as long as they didn¡¯t disturb others, Cao Shaoyang was under constant scrutiny. ¡°Another monotonous day of boring revision,¡±he thought with a sigh, even as his hand reached for an English textbook. In this role, he had to blend in. Although he had already purchased the actual exam papers for this year¡¯s college entrance exams through the system and obtained the correct answers, practically guaranteeing his sess, appearances still mattered. He flipped open the English book, but his gaze was unfocused. At that moment, Cao Shaoyang was reviewing the results of his efforts from the system¡¯s interface. System Log: Reward Calction: Total spending yesterday: £¤62,053. Received random 8x cashback bonus. Total cashback earned: £¤796,424, credited to system bnce. Isn¡¯t this reward interface beautifully simple?Cao Shaoyang thought smugly. When Cao Shaoyang first bonded with the system, it used to calcte cashback rewards in real-time. Every time he spent money on a woman, a reward notification would pop up¡ªeven something as trivial as buying a drink for a female ssmate would trigger a cashback alert. It quickly became irritating. After some experimentation, Cao Shaoyang discovered that the system had a setting to disable real-time notifications and instead umte cashback rewards daily. This change made things much more convenient for him. Although this method slightly reduced his overall earnings, he didn¡¯t mind. He wasn¡¯t in desperate need of cash flow¡ªafter all, he had over a hundred million yuan in his ount. Having such wealth gave him unparalleled freedom. He no longer had the patience to calcte daily ie meticulously, nor did he need to. What had been exciting at first quickly became routine and dull. Hiding behind an English textbook, Cao Shaoyang discreetly pulled out his Huawei phone, unlocked it, opened the UC Browser, and began searching Baidu for reviews of various universities. [Baidu Browser is a free web browser developed by Baidu for Windows and mobile devices.] Despite having the system¡¯s guarantees for his uing college entrance exams, he had no intention of applying to prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University, Peking University, or any 985 or 211 universities. He knew his own limitations¡ªacademic rigor wasn¡¯t his strength. With the God-Level Systemsecuring his financial future, he didn¡¯t need to put unnecessary pressure on himself. Attending an arts university and coasting through three years of college seemed like a much better idea. After several days of research andparison, he had narrowed down his options. Of all the universities, Shanghai¡¯s top-ranked arts school stood out as the most promising. While Cao Shaoyang wanted aid-back experience, he couldn¡¯t ignore the demographic factor¡ªif the campuscked beautiful women, those three years would feel wasted. Shanghai Arts University, one of the top two arts institutions in the country alongside Beijing Film Academy, offered a promising bnce. He was confident it would have no shortage of attractive students. His decision was made: he would apply for the photography program, a field perfectly suited to his interests and future ns. If not for his indifference toward drinking, he might have even considered the wine-tasting major, often dubbed the ultimate ¡°cker¡¯s program,¡± where attending ss meant indulging in small amounts of alcohol. Chapter 11 - Stepmom: Not Hungry, Just a Bit Bloated Chapter 11: Stepmom: Not Hungry, Just a Bit Bloated Ding!Cao Shaoyang automatically added a mental sound effect as his phone¡¯s WeChat notification popped up. He opened WeChat. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill](pinyin: Ò¹Óê΢Á¹) The first thing he saw was several unread stickers fromst night, ending with a dynamic ¡°Go to bed early¡± sticker. Following that was the newest message. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] Good morning! (Peeking Cat JPG) [Wei Wu the Great](pinyin: κÎä´óµÛ) Good morning, Aunt Yu Wei! (Patting Cat¡¯s Head JPG) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] I haven¡¯t thanked you yet for the gift you gave me yesterday. Here¡¯s a big thanks to my little brother for the present. (Bow of Thanks JPG) [Wei Wu the Great] So, Auntie, how do you n to thank me? (Curious JPG) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] Little brother, how do you want me to thank you? (Shy JPG) [Wei Wu the Great] Well, in that case, I might make a very outrageous request! (Cheeky JPG) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] (Shy JPG) Go ahead, little brother. Whatever the request, I¡¯ll ept it. [Wei Wu the Great] Alright, then stop calling yourself ¡°sister¡± when chatting with me. From now on, call yourself ¡°auntie.¡± I prefer that! (Sneaky Laugh JPG) And didn¡¯t I already tell you not to call me little brother? I¡¯m not little at all. Call me that again, and I¡¯ll scare you senseless! (Angry JPG) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] (Sweaty JPG) Okay, okay! But I don¡¯t believe it¡ªprove it! [Wei Wu the Great] (Angry JPG) You¡¯ll see how amazing I am when I get the chance. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] So when will you have the chance to show me, little brother? [Wei Wu the Great] (Smack, Smack, Spanking JPG) [Wei Wu the Great] Just you wait! [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] Who¡¯s afraid of who?! Knock! Knock!The sound of a desk being tapped. Cao Shaoyang internally wailed, It¡¯s over! Sure enough, when he looked up, the Chinese teacher was standing right at his desk. ¡°Hand it over!¡± Cao Shaoyang¡­ swiftly locked his screen with one click. Caught red-handed, he had no choice but to obediently hand over his phone. ¡°Come to the podium after ss to get it,¡± the teacher said, taking Cao Shaoyang¡¯s phone back to the podium. Fortunately, this wasn¡¯t the homeroom teacher, confiscated phones were usually returned after ss. If it had been the homeroom teacher, he wouldn¡¯t have gotten it back until after school. After ss, Cao Shaoyang retrieved his phone. Checking the chat log, there were already a few new messages from An Yu Wei. But his phone had already been confiscated by then. He quickly replied. [Wei Wu the Great] Got caught ying with my phone in ss just now. (Defeated JPG) The reply came immediately. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] (ps Desk Laughing JPG) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill] I forgot little brother is still a student. Alright, Auntie won¡¯t bother you while you study. (Head Pat JPG) [Wei Wu the Great] Yeah, I can only sneak around during the day. The next ss is the homeroom teacher¡¯s. If I get caught again, it¡¯ll be disastrous. (Scared JPG) After a few more quick exchanges, Cao Shaoyang put his phone away as the ss bell rang. Attentive Listening JPG! Time flies when immersed in review. Cao Shaoyang felt no pressure about the college entrance exams¡ªhe only needed to focus on studying. Before he knew it, the weekend had arrived. That morning, he hugged his stepmom, Liu Xiaofei, who had tried to get up early to make him breakfast. Instead, he pulled her back into bed for another round of cozy sleep. ¡°Stepmom! I¡¯m hungry. Let¡¯s have lunch!¡± Liu Xiaofei shot a re at thezy Cao Shaoyang and teased him, ¡°Letting you starve might not be a bad idea, you little glutton!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± she added, patting her stomach. ¡°Just feeling a bit bloated. I don¡¯t want to eat.¡± ¡°Stepmom~!¡± Cao Shaoyang groaned dramatically, gazing at her with pitiful eyes as she started dressing. ¡°Would you really let me go hungry?¡± His voice was so sorrowful and melodious it could tug at anyone¡¯s heartstrings. ¡°Hmph!¡± Liu Xiaofei snorted, leaving Cao Shaoyang with only the click-ckof her high heels as she walked away, her figure graceful and captivating. Her legs, already long and shapely, were even more stunning in high heels. Unfortunately, all the stockings in the house had been torn. Although Liu Xiaofei was usually frugal, she refused to wear damaged stockings. Yet with a few days offort, she had grown indulgent, forgetting her thrifty ways. Poor form! The bedroom door was left ajar, so Cao Shaoyang could easily hear the faint clinking of dishes outside. At the dining table, two cups of hot milk delivered earlier sat untouched near Cao Shaoyang. ¡°Stepmom, you gave me both sses of milk. Aren¡¯t you drinking any?¡± Liu Xiaofei rolled her eyes at him, making the motion look elegant. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not feeling great today. Just looking at it makes me feel bloated.¡± ¡°Heh heh!¡±Cao Shaoyang chuckled mischievously, saying nothing more as he picked up both sses and downed them in one go. It was pre-ordered milk¡ªwasting it wasn¡¯t an option. Plus, wasn¡¯t there a saying about replenishing your body with what you consume? Originally, Cao Shaoyang had nned to spend his day off going out with his stepmom. However, Liu Xiaofei declined, iming she felt unwell and needed rest. She also suggested Cao Shaoyang take advantage of the rare break to rx at home. But who was Cao Shaoyang to let that stop him? Chapter 12 - This is My Relatives Child Chapter 12: This is My Rtive¡¯s Child He was a man blessed with the ¡°God-tier Harem System.¡± Tired? That¡¯s impossible for him! As the saying goes, ¡°Your body is the capital of revolution,¡± and his capital was limitless. Since his stepmom wasn¡¯t nning to go out, Cao Shaoyang decided to venture out on his own. He figured it was the perfect opportunity to deepen his connection with Aunt An Yu Wei, who had been chatting with him warmly. He recalled the nightly ¡°rewards¡± Aunt Yu Wei had been sending him on WeChat recently: selfies in ck stockings, white stockings, jeans, business suits, and low-cut tops that left little to the imagination. A wave of mischievous heat rose within him. Heading downstairs, he called for a taxi and messaged Aunt Yu Wei while waiting. [¡°Hey, Aunt Yu Wei, are you working today?¡±]. [¡°Yes, of course! What else would us hardworking folks be doing?¡±]. Sensing her mild frustration, Cao Shaoyang chuckled. [¡°Instead of working, you coulde out and have some fun!¡±]. On the other end, Aunt Yu Wei scrunched her cute little nose. [¡°Hmph!No work means no money. Are you going topensate me for it?¡±]. Without hesitation, Cao Shaoyang replied, [¡°Of course! I¡¯ll double it for you, Auntie. So, are you free to meet today?¡±]. [¡°What?!¡±]Aunt Yu Wei, initially joking, didn¡¯t expect such a straightforward response. [¡°I was kidding! Can¡¯t you tell? How could I possibly ask forpensation from you?¡±]. [¡°Today¡¯s Sunday. Looks like you¡¯re free!¡±]he teased. Cao Shaoyangughed lightly. [¡°Exactly, it¡¯s Sunday. I couldn¡¯t wait toe find you!¡±]. [¡°Hehehe!¡±]Aunt Yu Wei¡¯s soft, melodiousughter came through the call. [¡°Did you miss me, or are you up to no good?¡±]. Although their chats had been casual at first, Aunt Yu Wei¡¯s yful, seductive nature gradually surfaced. She¡¯d often tease him with suggestivements or even send him daring selfies, especially when she learned he was still in school and couldn¡¯t visit her easily. Sometimes, she¡¯d send such photos even during his sses, catching him off guard with her unpredictable antics. If he had to worry about college entrance exams, she might have caused his grades to plummet. Luckily, he didn¡¯t need to stress about that, partly because he let her think he wasn¡¯t a senior in high school. Cao Shaoyang hailed a taxi and got in. [¡°Auntie, if you say things like that, I¡¯ll be hurt. Of course, I miss both you and your fun side!¡±]. [¡°You little rascal!¡±]. [¡°Wait for me, Auntie. Take some time off, dress up nicely, and call me back when you¡¯re ready.¡±]. Sitting in the back seat, he closed the car door and replied, [¡°No need to go through all that trouble. I¡¯ll be at Wanda za soon. Just wait for me there.¡±]. [¡°What? You¡¯reing here? I¡¯m still in my work uniform. It¡¯s not convenient to hang out like this. How about you wait for a bit? I¡¯ll go home and change.¡±]. Hearing that Aunt Yu Wei was in her work uniform, Cao Shaoyang perked up, pretending to be surprised. [¡°Oh no, that might not work! I¡¯m in a cab and will be at Wanda soon.¡±]. [¡°A uniform is still clothing, right? You look great in it! Besides, I¡¯ve seen your uniform before. It doesn¡¯t even have a logo. Who¡¯s going to know it¡¯s a work uniform?¡±]. [¡°Ah, but it¡¯s still inconvenient! My rented apartment is close by. I just need a little time.¡±]. Catching sight of a red light at the intersection, Cao Shaoyang shamelessly lied, [¡°I¡¯ll be there any second! You might not even make it out of Wanda za before I arrive.¡±]. [¡°Hmph!Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to, you little devil.¡±]. Despite her words, her tone was shy. [¡°You win. Where should I wait for you?¡±]. [¡°Just take leave and wait for me at the store. I¡¯ll find you there.¡±]. There was a brief pause on the other end as Aunt Yu Wei considered the scene of a handsome young man picking her up from work. Finally, she relented. [¡°Fine. I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±]. [¡°Mm! Bye-bye!¡±] [¡°Bye! See you soon.¡±]. The driver nced at the boy in the back seat, who had just ended his WeChat voice chat, and started a casual conversation. ¡°Kid, your aunt sure treats you well. Skipping work just to hang out with you! Where are you headed? Want me to wait after you pick her up and take you both somewhere else?¡± Cao Shaoyang was speechless. This driver was really business-savvy, trying to get more fares wherever he could. Although the driver was enthusiastic, Cao Shaoyang politely declined. The man¡¯s eagerness was a bit too much for him to handle. After repeatedly iming he¡¯d arrive soon, it still took over 20 minutes before Cao Shaoyang finally paid the fare and stepped out of the cab. When he spotted Aunt An Yu Wei again, she was still her usual adorable, doll-faced self, with her captivating charm and a figure that could stop traffic. But now, under the curious gazes of her colleagues, her face carried a slight pout, making her look even more like a ¡°bun-face.¡± Maintaining a warm and familiar demeanor, she naturally looped her arm around Cao Shaoyang¡¯s and smiled. ¡°This is my rtive¡¯s child who came to pick me up. Ladies, I¡¯m heading off now. See you tomorrow!¡± Chapter 13 - Don鈥檛 Rip My Buttons Off Chapter 13: Don¡¯t Rip My Buttons Off This borate lie¡ªif I weren¡¯t the supposed ¡°rtive¡¯s kid¡± myself, I might have believed it. Fortunately, I wasn¡¯t wearing my school uniform today, the one that clearly identified me, so no one recognized that I¡¯d been here a few days ago buying jewelry. ¡°Men¡¯s promises are just lies! Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d be here any minute? This is what you call ¡®any minute¡¯? It¡¯s been almost half an hour¡ªenough time for me to make a round trip!¡± ¡°Heh heh!¡± Cao Shaoyang yed dumb with a sheepish grin. ¡°But hey, Auntie, aren¡¯t you stretching the truth too? Since when did I be your rtive¡¯s kid?¡± An Yu Wei tightened her grip on his arm, yfully winking at him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t like it?¡± Cao Shaoyang squinted in enjoyment, though his arm was starting to ache. Carrying such ¡°heavy essories¡± was bound to tire him out. He flexed his sore arm, only to be yfully punched by the cheeky auntie. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± As they headed toward the esctor, Cao Shaoyang chuckled, ¡°What? I can¡¯t even stretch my aching arm a little?¡± Leaning close to his ear, An Yu Wei whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know why your arm¡¯s sore. Acting all innocent, are we?¡± ¡°And stop moving so much. It¡¯s too tight, and it hurts! Don¡¯t go ripping my buttons off!¡± Cao Shaoyang froze. Tight? Hurting? Buttons? Oh no. The realization hit him hard. He stole a nce, unable to suppress his astonishment. Even restrained, her impressive figure was impossible to hide. If set free¡­ well, he couldn¡¯t even imagine. ¡°What are you staring at?¡± She yfully thumped his chest with her fist again. Cao Shaoyang motioned for her to lean closer and whispered, ¡°Just calcting how many kids your grain storagecould raise!¡± Dirty jokes have consequences¡ªCao Shaoyang found himself on the receiving end of a flurry of punches. ¡°Ugh!A dog¡¯s mouth can¡¯t spit ivory. You¡¯re no kid, but your mind is full of nonsense!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how many kids it could raise, but feeding you would be no problem. How about calling me ¡®Mom¡¯? Mommy will take care of you!¡± Damn! Here she goes again! No one couldpete with this auntie¡¯s experience¡ªstepping on the gas on this metaphorical highway.The intense momentum left him utterly defeated. Please, Auntie, hit the brakes! At this rate, I¡¯m going to pass out! Admitting defeat, Cao Shaoyang hastily changed the subject. In public, he could only let her have the upper hand for a bit. ¡°Ahem! Anyway, did you have lunch yet, Auntie?¡± Seeing that he¡¯d backed down, An Yu Wei smirked triumphantly but knew not to push too far. ¡°Not yet!¡± ¡°What do you feel like eating?¡± Although he¡¯d just had a meal, sharing another with this gorgeous auntie wasn¡¯t a problem. ¡°Hot pot! Haven¡¯t had it in a while¡ªI¡¯m craving it.¡± ¡°Sounds good. How about Haido?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± An Yu Wei hugged his arm even tighter, visibly delighted. She was thrilled. It had been so long since she¡¯d felt this kind of excitement, like being on a date. Who would¡¯ve thought she¡¯d rediscover this sweet, romantic feeling with a high schooler so much younger than her? This is wonderful. Fortunately, there was a Haido nearby. After a short walk, they arrived. They each ordered their favorite dishes, and while waiting for the food, Cao Shaoyang went to the condiment station to mix himself a dipping sauce. When Cao Shaoyang returned to the table, he noticed Auntie An Yu Wei was already back. Strangely, though, she had only brought a bowl of in sesame paste with nothing added. ¡°Auntie, aren¡¯t you going to add any other ingredients to your sesame paste?¡± he asked, puzzled. An Yu Wei tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled teasingly. ¡°Auntie is doing this for your own good. Just in sesame paste is enough.¡± Cao Shaoyang:??? What does she mean? I don¡¯t get it. Though confused, he decided to follow her lead and switched to in sesame paste himself. Hot pot, with its bold vors, can create issues for two people eating different seasonings, especially when things get a bit intimate. This was one of the small bits of practical knowledge Cao Shaoyang knew. The broth they chose was a light mushroom soup base. However, despite her im of wanting hot pot, all the dishes An Yu Wei ordered were mild and light. The two spent over an hour at lunch, but most of that time was spent chatting rather than eating. Bottle after bottle of green soda disappeared as they talked, learning more about each other. At one point, Cao Shaoyang identally let slip that he was a senior in high school. This earned him a lengthy lecture from Auntie An Yu Wei. In return, he learned more about her. She was currently single, having been through an unhappy marriage. Her ex-husband, insecure and overly controlling, kept a tight watch on her due to her striking looks and figure. After their marriage, he rarely allowed her to go out or work. Despite working 12-hour shifts at a factory on the outskirts, her ex-husband¡¯s ie¡ªwhile decent¡ªwasn¡¯t enough to provide a worry-free life. Meanwhile, she was confined to being a full-time housewife. P.S (Note from the author): Brothers, I fell into a trap. Someone rmended an app to me, and I went to Baidu to download it. Since the app was in English, I found a Chinese version that had a few matching letters in the name. Big mistake. I downloaded it, got an unlimited image generation membership, and¡­ MMP! Each image takes 10 minutes to generate. There¡¯s a ton of restrictions, and it ignored the reference images I uploaded. Even after setting character simrity to 100%, the results wereughable. I wanted a Chinese face, but it gave me a European-style one. I even tried to make the chest size bigger, but the output was like an ID photo. Anyway, rant over. This ¡°photo¡± has a smaller chest than expected, so bear with me, dear readers! Chapter 14 - Almost Smothered by a Sneak Attack Chapter 14: Almost Smothered by a Sneak Attack Her ex-husband worked alternating day and night shifts, leaving them with little time tomunicate. Gradually, the sweetness of their rtionship from their dating days faded. Conversations between them dwindled. At some point, her ex-husband beganining that she, staying home all day, was useless while spending so much money. He often emphasized how hard he worked to support the household. When she suggested getting a job to help with expenses, he repeatedly refused, shutting her down every time. Their home, once warm and cozy, became a ce of constant arguments. Her ex-husband, a piece of work himself, managed to charm a young woman at his electronics factory despite being married. Leaning on his position as the breadwinner, he grew bolder. Even when caught cheating by his wife, he dared to suggest they live in harmony with his mistress. She reached her breaking point. After pping him hard, she dered, ¡°With that measly sry of just over 8,000 yuan a month, what makes you think you¡¯re entitled to support a mistress? When you can afford to relieve me of financial stress, go ahead and find one¡ªor ten! I won¡¯t even blink. But do you have the capability? Do you?¡± Enraged, her ex-husband retaliated by hitting her. This incident woke her up. After finding a stable job for herself, she decisively divorced him. Thanks to her stunning looks and figure, she attracted customers at her jewelry sales job, turning her charm into impressivemissions that upgraded her lifestyle. She even managed to rent a ce near the upscale Wanda za. She often joked with Cao Shaoyang about how she lured middle-aged and elderly men into buying jewelry. Her ¡°strategy¡± was straightforward: she treated them like fish in a pond. But instead of long-term breeding, she¡¯d reel them in and quickly strike. For those with intentions beyond shopping, she yed along just enough, hinting that spending money might lead somewhere. Her act gave them the impression that being generous with her could pay off. After a few rounds, when they lost patience, she¡¯dy it out, ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re not a good match!¡± Though it didn¡¯t win her loyal customers, there was no shortage of new fish biting the bait. As for her rtionship with Cao Shaoyang, it was purely driven by attraction. His good looks and youth intrigued her. Life hadn¡¯t treated her kindly, and she felt her years slipping by. Determined to seize the moment, Aunt An Yu Wei wanted to enjoy the thrill of dating a younger man. Alcohol has its moments. It can make people spill truths¡ªor lies¡ªthat they wouldn¡¯t dare share otherwise. Without it, he wouldn¡¯t have learned so much about Aunt An Yu Wei today. As they left, she clung tightly to his arm, most of her weight leaning on him. Her lips moved, savoring the mint candy she had stuffed into his pocket earlier, iming it freshened her breath. To be fair, the cool sensation was refreshing. The evening breeze outside made her lean on him even more. ¡°Auntie, are you really drunk from just this little wine? I was nning to take you to the amusement park this afternoon!¡± An Yu Wei opened her slightly hazy eyes, nced at the bustling street, and shook her head weakly. Her voice was faint, ¡°I feel so dizzy! But I don¡¯t want to miss spending time with you, Shaoyang. How about you take Auntie home first? I¡¯ll take a nap, and once I¡¯m sober, we¡¯ll go out to y. Sound good?¡± She added a touch of yfulness to her tone. ¡°Alright then! Auntie, where¡¯s your rented ce? I¡¯ll help you back.¡± ¡°Mm!¡± An Yu Wei mumbled softly, her voice muffled and indistinct. She was clearly drunk. Sigh.¡°There goes my n for a fun day at the amusement park, bonding together, sneaking in some hugs and maybe even a little kiss. Looks like that¡¯s not happening,¡± Cao Shaoyang thought. Though he felt a twinge of disappointment, seeing how tipsy she was, nearly falling asleep, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to push her further. He hadn¡¯t expected Aunt An to have endured such an unhappy marriage, and the thought of it made him feel sorry for her. With her slurred and halting directions, they finally made their way to her rented apartment after multiple stops and starts. Her ce was in an ordinary residentialplex, nothing fancy, and it didn¡¯t even have an elevator. Cao Shaoyang had no choice but to support the drunken An Yu Wei as they climbed the stairs floor by floor. The climb was challenging, but when they reached the fifth floor¡ªalso the top floor¡ªhe felt no urge toin. An Yu Wei, barely able to support her weight, had leaned on himpletely for the journey up. And throughout, the experience was¡­ let¡¯s say, ¡°eventful.¡± Thankfully, his lung capacity was up to the task; otherwise, he might have suffocated from the unexpected face-to-face attacksthat happened more than once during their ascent. Breathing heavily, mouth wide open to gulp in air, he managed to get her all the way upstairs. Chapter 15 - The Dehydrated Aunt Chapter 15: The Dehydrated Aunt An Yu Wei was so uncooperative on thest flight of stairs that Cao Shaoyang had no choice but to practically carry her upright, his arm around her waist, as he hauled her up. He let out a long, warm breath. ¡°Phew!Auntie, we¡¯re home!¡± For some reason¡ªperhaps the awkward position¡ªhe felt her body shudder. ¡°Auntie, wake up. We¡¯re home now. Open the door so you can sleep inside.¡± An Yu Wei blinked her bleary eyes open, murmuring, ¡°Home? The code is¡­¡± She recited the numbers, and with a soft click,the door unlocked. Cao Shaoyang pushed it open and helped her inside. The apartment wasn¡¯trge, maybe just over 90 square meters, but its simpleyout gave off a clean and airy vibe. The door to her bedroom was slightly ajar, making it easy to spot. Supporting the now nearly-limp An Yu Wei, who was practically draped over him, he guided her to the edge of the bed. Before he could do anything else, An Yu Wei cracked her sleepy eyes open. Seeing the bed right in front of her, she let a barely-there smile tug at her lips. ¡°Sleep time!¡± she eximed, throwing herself onto the bed without a care for who¡ªor what¡ªwas in her way. She took Cao Shaoyang with her in one motion. Cao Shaoyang: Ack! I can¡¯t breathe! What do I do?! He tried to open his mouth to call out, but no sound came out. ¡°Ah!¡± An Yu Wei gasped, realizing she¡¯d ttened him beneath her. She scrambled up, only to see the poor boy sprawled out awkwardly, stunned from the impact. Giggling, she teased, ¡°Oh dear, little brother, what were you trying to do under Auntie?¡± ¡°Did it hurt? Look at you, lying there with your mouth open and eyes wide¡ªit must¡¯ve been painful!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t cry, okay? Auntie will make it all better. How about I feed you?¡± By now, if Cao Shaoyang hadn¡¯t realized he was being teased, he¡¯d truly be a fool. ¡°Alright, you mischievous auntie! You¡¯re messing with me? Let¡¯s see how I deal with you!¡± ¡­ But he had overestimated her¡ªor maybe underestimated. It wasn¡¯t his own abilities he misjudged, it was An Yu Wei¡¯s. She put on a show of being a seasoned expert, confidently mming the metaphorical elerator and jumping into high gear. Yet it turned out her so-called experience was nothing but a facade. In truth, she panicked the moment anything risky happened. Her confidence crumbled into flustered squeals and tightly shut eyes, proving her nerves were nowhere near as tough as her act. And now? He nced at her unconscious form sprawled on the bed. Whether it was severe dehydration or the alcohol hitting her too hard, she¡¯d passed out cold. For a moment, he panicked, almost convinced he¡¯d identally done something terrible¡ªuntil he noticed her steady breathing. Still, there was a silver lining. Everyone knows that with certain¡­ proportions, aesthetic appeal often takes a hit. But somehow, he¡¯d struck gold. Auntie was a treasure, with her elegant features enhanced by wless makeup. If she hadn¡¯t been so deeply asleep, Cao Shaoyang might have stayed a bit longer. Gently, he traced her delicate facial features, then picked up the scattered clothes on the floor and tidied them up. Before leaving, he ced a ss of cool boiled water on her nightstand and left a note under the cup: ¡°Here¡¯s some water. Don¡¯t cook dinner tonight; I¡¯ve ordered food for you. It should arrive around 6:30. Rest up, you silly auntie who tries too hard but can¡¯t handle it. Let¡¯s chat on WeChatter. P.S. Auntie, you wet the bed! Haha, just kidding.¡± Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t leave immediately. He sat on the sofa in the living room, using his phone to order meals from several restaurants, scheduling their delivery times. Meanwhile, he found a fresh set of bedding and reced the damp sheets on Auntie¡¯s bed. With the chilly April weather, sleeping on a wet bed could easily lead to a cold, especially since there was no floor heating, and the air conditioner didn¡¯t seem to work well. After tidying up the ce, he finally left. He didn¡¯t leave any cash or gifts¡ªnothing material. Besides the wealth of insights Auntie had shared, he left nothing behind. Sometimes, leaving nothing could also reflect a close bond. There was no rush, rtionships and life improvements could be handled gradually over time. Since it was still early after leaving, Cao Shaoyang decided not to head home right away. He hailed another cab and headed to a nearby bathhouse. With a sigh, he muttered to himself, ¡°Not having my own car is really inconvenient.¡± Although he could drive in his previous life and had a driver¡¯s license, this life was different. He didn¡¯t even have time to think about learning to drive or taking the test until after the college entrance exam. Even if he had a license now, he didn¡¯t n to buy a car locally. Sitting on over a hundred million in cash, he hadn¡¯t even considered buying a house, let alone a car. Based on the trends from his previous timeline, the real estate market in 2018 had already peaked. Investing in property wasn¡¯t worth it, and buying a house for himself would be a guaranteed loss. He figured he¡¯d wait until after the exams and move to a major city like Shanghai. There, properties costing tens of millions were the norm. Spoiling a few younger girls¡ªor charming aunties¡ªwith gifts like apartments would be a win-win investment. ¡°Good resources should be spent wisely,¡± he thought with determination. The cash he had now was his starting capital for making a ssh in Shanghai after the exams. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 16 - A Surprise at the Bathhouse Chapter 16: A Surprise at the Bathhouse Cao Shaoyang could foresee that he might never return to his old home. That city-center apartment, untouched for years, could stay as a nostalgic keepsake. Any real estate investments needed to happen in a big city. He also had a n to convince his stepmother to move to Shanghai with him. However, he had to be cautious during this period. At the very least, he couldn¡¯t let her find out he was getting involved with new women before they grew closer emotionally. A sudden heartbreak might lead her to leave after his college entrance exams. That meant any traces of unfamiliar scents on him had to be eliminated. No shortcuts here: he opted for the full-service package at 1,288 yuan. Swapping into a freshly unwrapped bathrobe, he handed over his clothes to an attendant for washing and drying. His only responsibility was to enjoy the experience. Despite his busy study schedule, he always took at least one bath a day and didn¡¯t feel particrly dirty. But lying on the table as the attendant scrubbed away, he closed his eyes, enduring what felt like torture. If he couldn¡¯t see it, it didn¡¯t exist¡ªright? After being thoroughly exfoliated, polished with salt and milk treatments, and steamed in a sauna, he emerged feeling refreshed and energized. His skin felt so smooth that even the fleeting memory of Auntie An Yu Wei¡¯s softest parts couldn¡¯tpare. The premium package wasn¡¯t just about the basics, it came with extras. He headed upstairs to the second floor¡ªVIP treatment. Instead of amunal area, he was guided to a private roomplete with a wardrobe, TV, bathroom, and, bizarrely, aputer. ¡°Whoes to a bathhouse just to use aputer?¡± he wondered aloud. As he reclined on the bed, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Come in!¡± A woman walked in, not particrly beautiful, with a somewhat t figure. But her demeanor exudedpetence. She was a no-nonsense type, a true onee-san. [The phrase ¡°She was a no-nonsense type, a true onee-san¡± conveys that she had a mature, responsible, and perhaps slightly authoritative demeanor, simr to how an older sister (onee-san in Japanese) might behave.] ¡°Good evening, sir. Is this your first time at our bathhouse? Your package includes a massage. Do you have a preferred therapist? If not, I can call them in so you can choose.¡± Cao Shaoyang nced at his phone. After unlocking it, he checked his WeChat¡ªno messages from his stepmother or An Yu Wei. Satisfied, he set the phone down and gestured toward the door. ¡°This is my first time, so I¡¯m not familiar with anyone here. Go ahead, bring them in.¡± ¡°Understood, sir!¡± The onee-sanstepped to the door, motioning for the therapists outside toe in. [pinyin: (¤ªŠ—¤µ¤ó) onee-sanmeans ¡°elder sister¡°] Cao Shaoyang sat cross-legged on the bed, evaluating the lineup with an air of imperial indifference, like an emperor choosing his consorts. However, he felt a tinge of disappointment. Some were pretty but not stunning, others had good figures but unremarkable faces. It was always either one or the other¡ªnone hit his sweet spot. As his expectations dropped, he decided to settle on someone with a decent figure. Then, thest person entered the room. This one was different. She stood out from the younger therapists, clearly older¡ªat least 40, likely older than his stepmother. A genuine auntie. But what captivated him wasn¡¯t just her age. Despite being in her forties, her full, well-shaped bust strained against her tailored uniform. It wasn¡¯t overlyrge but was remarkably firm, with a deep cleavage that contrasted sharply with the looser forms of the others. She was impably toned. Her ck pencil skirt highlighted her curvy, perky figure, paired with long legs wrapped in ck stockings. Although her face bore the marks of time, it was easy to tell she must have been a beauty in her youth. Even now, she carried a mature elegance¡ªa charm honed by the years. She was, without a doubt, the epitome of a ssic mature woman. This hit Cao Shaoyang¡¯s deeply ingrained need for maternal love, a longing that had persisted across both his lives. After his stepmother and Auntie An Yu Wei, his DNA stirred once more. Still, he couldn¡¯t let himself appear overly eager. Feigning surprise, he turned to the leading onee-sanand asked, ¡°Do you really have therapists this¡­ mature at your bathhouse?¡± ¡°Is this one of those ¡®strictly professional¡¯ ces with a clean reputation?¡± The onee-sanraised her eyebrows at the young man who had jumped straight to the 1,288-yuan package¡ªa clear sign of a promising customer. She immediately beganining about how the bathhouse had older therapists on staff. Worse, she pointed out, even a ce like theirs, which was a mix of standard and slightly risqu¨¦ services, had limits. But money often loosened restrictions. If a VIP customer wanted something more intimate, arrangements weren¡¯t out of the question. [risque means slightly indecent and liable to shock, especially by being sexually suggestive.] She grumbled about how Yu Na, the mature therapist, had likely secured her job through connections. In critical moments, she felt Yu Na¡¯s presence held the bathhouse back. As the onee-sanhesitated to rify, Cao Shaoyang smoothly continued without missing a beat. ¡°Well, having someone strictly professional suits me just fine. I¡¯m still young, and this kind of respectable establishment is exactly what I need.¡± Her exnation died on her lips as she forced a polite smile. ¡°Of course, sir. We pride ourselves on our professionalism.¡± ¡°Thest therapist toe in¡ªthat auntie¡ªmust be the best at her craft to still work here at her age, right?¡± Cao Shaoyang added with a sly grin. ¡°I¡¯ll choose her. All these younger beauties are too attractive. At my age, with my youthful vigor, I might not be able to control myself around them.¡± Author¡¯s Note: P.S.: Big thanks to my amazing readers for the tips, flowers, and votes for more updates! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 17 - Auntie, Let Me Wipe That for You Chapter 17: Auntie, Let Me Wipe That for You Although she wasn¡¯t the one chosen, thepliments from such a young and handsome man left even the technicians who weren¡¯t selected feeling happy as they left. After all, the front desk had mentioned that someone this young, casually spending over a thousand yuan for a bath, clearly wasn¡¯t short on money. And being so handsome? Even if they weren¡¯t chosen, saying a few nice words or letting the client take advantage of them a bit might justnd them a lucrative deal or a big membershipmission. As the young technicians left one by one, each couldn¡¯t help but nce enviously at Yu Na when they passed by her. The head attendant, a poised and confident woman, also let out an involuntary sigh of relief. She had initially worried that Yu Na, being an older technician, might be rejected outright. Instead, the situation turned around unexpectedly¡ªthey¡¯d encountered a client looking for a simple bath and skilled service. The head attendant had full confidence in Yu Na¡¯s massage skills. If her skills weren¡¯t excellent, no matter whose connection got her this job, she wouldn¡¯t havested here and would¡¯ve been let go long ago. With a professional smile, the head attendant said, ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you any further, sir.¡± Before leaving, she discreetly gave Yu Na a knowing nce. The message was clear: This client is a big spender. Do your best to sell him thergest membership package possible! Yu Na returned the nce with equal understanding, silentlymunicating that she got the message. After the head attendant closed the door to the private room, only Cao Shaoyang and Yu Na remained. Following the procedure, Yu Na stepped in front of Cao Shaoyang and bowed deeply. ¡°Good evening, sir. I am Technician 58, Yu Na. It¡¯s a pleasure to serve you.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Cao Shaoyang responded with a satisfied hum. As she straightened up, a few strands of her long hair fell softly across her face. To Cao Shaoyang, her mature charm added a touch of allure, further boosting his satisfaction. ¡°Sir, let me start with a foot massage for you,¡± she said. Her voice wasn¡¯t particrly distinct, but it carried a gentle, soft quality that was both soothing and clear. ¡°This is my first time getting a massage. Just follow your usual procedure,¡± Cao Shaoyang replied. ¡°Of course! Would you prefer to have it done on the bed or over at the sofa?¡± ¡°I rmend starting on the sofa. Once the foot massage isplete, we can move to the bed for a full-body massage to rx your muscles. How does that sound?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Cao Shaoyang agreed readily, moving to the long sofa in the room. He wasn¡¯t naive¡ªfoot massages were best done on a sofa. Lying on the bed would mean staring nkly at the ceiling, while sitting on the sofa allowed for a much better view. ¡°Auntie Yu Na, is it okay if I call you that?¡± Yu Na looked up with a gentle smile. ¡°Of course.¡± Her hands didn¡¯t stop as she spoke. She picked up a silky cloth, carefully lifted Cao Shaoyang¡¯s foot, ced it on herp, and began to gently wipe it clean. Feeling the exquisite touch on his sole, Cao Shaoyang closed his eyes, thoroughly enjoying the sensation. ¡°Auntie Yu Na, how old are you? You seem at least two cycles older than me,¡± he teased. ¡°Well, you¡¯re right. Auntie is 44 this year. And you, sir? You don¡¯t seem like a high schooler.¡± ¡°Ha, Auntie, your eyes are sharp. I¡¯m 18, in my senior year.¡± Yu Na feigned surprise. ¡°Oh my! I didn¡¯t expect you to be such a bright young man with a great future ahead.¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°Come on, Auntie, don¡¯t say that. I¡¯m not that ambitious. And please, drop the formalities,¡± he said, grinning. ¡°My name is Cao Shaoyang. You can call me Xiao Cao or just Shaoyang.¡± Yu Na chuckled. ¡°Then I¡¯ll call you Shaoyang.¡± ¡°See, Auntie, you¡¯re doing it again with the formal tone,¡± Cao Shaoyang teased. This time, Yu Na¡¯s smile was more genuine. ¡°It¡¯s a habit from work. Hard to break.¡± Cao Shaoyang chuckled. ¡°So, Auntie, you must have been in this line of work for quite a while, right?¡± Yu Na smiled again, though this time there was a trace of bitterness in her expression. ¡°Actually, not that long. I only worked in this field for a few years when I was younger. Recently, I picked it back up again.¡± Cao Shaoyang looked surprised. ¡°Oh, so you haven¡¯t always been doing this?¡± Her smile turned more somber. ¡°If life were easier, who would want toe back to this line of work at my age?¡± Sensing her mood, Cao Shaoyang followed up gently. ¡°So, Auntie, what made you return to this job?¡± As she continued the foot care, Yu Na replied with a sigh, ¡°It¡¯s all because of money.¡± While enjoying her skilled touch and the delightful sensations from his feet, Cao Shaoyang asked, ¡°Are you really short on money, Auntie?¡± ¡°Short on money? Oh, definitely. My family is still buried under hundreds of thousands in debt.¡± Cao Shaoyang stared at her, surprised. ¡°How did you end up owing so much money, Auntie?¡± ¡°This debt isn¡¯t even mine.¡± Plop! Shaoyang felt a cool sensation on the top of his foot. Looking down, he noticed that Yu Na seemed to be crying. Instead of wiping her tears, she quickly started cleaning the water drops on Shaoyang¡¯s foot. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t control myself. Let me wipe that for you.¡± Chapter 18 - Auntie, Let鈥檚 Add Each Other on WeChat Chapter 18: Auntie, Let¡¯s Add Each Other on WeChat Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t overreact. He waited patiently until the mature auntie finished wiping away the small traces of her tears from his foot. Then, he sat up, grabbed two tissues from the table beside the sofa, and handed them to her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om He briefly wondered why the private room was stocked with tissues¡ªseveral packs were scattered across the sofa, bedside table, window sill, and bathroom. He decided not to overthink it and just used them. After wiping her tears, Yu Na gave him a slightly awkward smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for losing control of my emotions and ruining your mood. To make it up to you, let me add an extra hour to your session. How about that?¡± Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t mind the extra money, but he appreciated her gesture of apology. He nodded in agreement. Besides, he wasn¡¯t nning to stay for the entire package anyway, so the additional time didn¡¯t matter. ¡°Auntie, whatever you think is best.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll let the head attendant know when I step outter. I¡¯ll add another hour for you,¡± Yu Na replied. Cao Shaoyang shifted the conversation. ¡°That¡¯s fine, but Auntie, tell me more about that debt of yours. If it wasn¡¯t yours to begin with, why are you working so hard to pay it off? Maybe I can help.¡± As the conversation unfolded, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he had stumbled upon a familiar narrative: a gambling-addicted father, a frail mother, a young sibling, and a broken woman struggling to hold everything together. The temte was all toomon. Every troubled woman seemed to share some variation of this backstory. However, Yu Na¡¯s version appeared to have its own twists. He couldn¡¯t help but guess it might be tragic, though whether it was true or not, he wasn¡¯t sure. Still, with his wealth and his system backing him, any money spent on women was an investment that would yield even greater returns. Yu Na seemed to have regained herposure. Her voice was steady now, though still tinged with sadness. ¡°The debt was actually from my son. He borrowed money from an online loan tform, nning to use it to tide over our family business. The idea was to repay it quickly once things picked up. But right after he invested the loan money, he was in a car ident and passed away.¡± She paused for a moment, her eyes clouded with sorrow. ¡°With him gone, the business¡¯s cash flow copsed. We lost everything we had saved, and even the 300,000-yuan loan disappeared into thin air.¡± Cao Shaoyang frowned. ¡°But Auntie, the debt wasn¡¯t yours. Since your son was the borrower and he¡¯s no longer here, shouldn¡¯t that debt be written off as bad?¡± Yu Na sighed deeply and exined, ¡°You¡¯re right in theory, but reality doesn¡¯t work like that. It was just bad luck. The loanpany my son borrowed from is a local one.¡± ¡°They came straight to our house, demanding repayment. They harassed us constantly, making our lives unbearable. It¡¯s just me, my daughter-inw, and her little one. We couldn¡¯t afford to provoke them. What else could we do but start repaying bit by bit?¡± She continued, ¡°Luckily, they didn¡¯t want to escte things. They agreed to let us settle the debt in installments¡ªas long as we pay every month, they¡¯ll leave us alone. With interest, the total repayment is now 350,000 yuan.¡± ¡°My daughter-inw works tirelessly, day and night, to make ends meet. I couldn¡¯t just watch her struggle alone, so I decided to find a job and revive the skills I had when I was younger.¡± Hearing her story, Cao Shaoyang felt a deep pang of sympathy. He couldn¡¯t offer muchfort but said empathetically, ¡°Auntie, that¡¯s just¡­ really bad luck.¡± Yu Na gave a mncholic smile. ¡°Who could disagree?¡± ¡°So, Auntie, how much of the debt have you repaid so far? And how much is left?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve paid off over 100,000 yuan so far, and there¡¯s about 200,000 left to go,¡± Yu Na exined. ¡°My daughter-inw earns a little over 10,000 yuan a month. After covering the mortgage, she uses the remaining money for household expenses and the child¡¯s needs. I make around 10,000 yuan a month too, and on good months, I can earn as much as 20,000. If we keep pushing ourselves, we should be able to clear the debt in just over a year.¡± Cao Shaoyang felt deeply moved. What an inspiring story! He thought to himself: If this is a fake sob story meant to scam me, I wouldn¡¯t mind losing a little money¡ªit¡¯d be like paying tuition for a life lesson. But if it¡¯s true, this could be the perfect opportunity for me to step in at just the right time. With that thought, he decided to act. ¡°Auntie, you¡¯re amazing! To fill such a big hole just with your own hard work¡ªit¡¯s incredible.¡± ¡°But it must be exhausting, right?¡± he added, looking at her with a mix of admiration and sympathy. Yu Na continued her massage as she spoke, ¡°There¡¯s nothing amazing about it. Of course, it¡¯s tiring, but when you owe someone money, you¡¯ve got to pay it back. No one¡¯s money grows on trees. If I have the ability to repay it, it¡¯s better to get it done and have peace of mind.¡± Cao Shaoyang gave her a big thumbs-up. ¡°Auntie, you¡¯re on another level. Truly admirable!¡± Yu Na chuckled softly. ¡°Oh, stop it! You¡¯re making fun of me now, aren¡¯t you?¡± He quickly replied with a serious expression, ¡°Not at all! I mean it. I genuinely admire you.¡± ¡°Since we¡¯ve met, it feels like fate. Auntie, how about we add each other on WeChat?¡± Yu Na hesitated, thinking it over. ¡°My phone is outside¡ªI didn¡¯t bring it in here.¡± Cao Shaoyang¡¯s eyes lit up. There¡¯s a chance! Chapter 19 - Auntie Understands, You Can鈥檛 Control It Either Chapter 19: Auntie Understands, You Can¡¯t Control It Either ¡°Auntie, could you bring your phone in? Or is there a rule here about not carrying phones while working?¡± Auntie shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that. It¡¯s just inconvenient to have my phone on me while helping clients rx with a massage, so I leave it outside.¡± ¡°Alright then, wait a moment. I¡¯ll go out and bring the phone in.¡± Cao Shaoyang smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you, Auntie.¡± With his response, Auntie temporarily set aside her task, stood up, and stepped out to retrieve her phone. In the private room, Cao Shaoyang fiddled with his own phone as he waited, asionally checking for new messages. Meanwhile, Auntie, on her way back with her phone, was intercepted by a few idle masseuses. A well-proportioned young masseuse was the first to speak. ¡°Auntie Yu, how¡¯s it going in there? Are they ready to sign up for a membership? A few thousand, or tens of thousands?¡± Yu Na smiled at the inquisitive young woman, who looked ready to dive into gossip. ¡°Not yet! It¡¯s too soon¡ªI haven¡¯t even started rmending anything.¡± ¡°Then why did youe out to get your phone?¡± another masseuse asked curiously. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. He wanted my WeChat, but I didn¡¯t have my phone with me, so I came out to grab it.¡± ¡°Oh~¡± the first masseuse teased. ¡°Looks like this one¡¯s in the bag. He even wants your WeChat. Auntie Yu, seems like you¡¯ve got yourself another VIP client.¡± ¡°Jealous! Good clients like that are rare¡ªyoung, handsome, and rich. Auntie Yu, if you sign a big deal, you¡¯ve got to treat us to a meal!¡± Yu Na looked at the teasing young women with a gentle smile, her eyes filled with maternal warmth. She replied cheerfully, ¡°Of course, Auntie will treat you all to a feast when the timees.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a promise then! Good luck, Auntie Yu. Go seal that big deal!¡± Yu Na chuckled and waved them off. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough chatting. My client¡¯s still waiting inside.¡± Amid their whispered encouragements, Yu Na returned to Cao Shaoyang¡¯s private room. ¡°You¡¯re back, Auntie.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± They exchanged WeChat information. ¡°¡®Blooming Wealth¡¯? Auntie, this must be your personal ount, right?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t the name sound old-fashioned?¡± Cao Shaoyang hesitated. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah, it¡¯s a bit dated.¡± Yu Naughed. ¡°But it fits someone of my age, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Does it? A beautiful woman like you should have a more meaningful name. Why pick something like Blooming Wealth? It¡¯s somon¡ªsearch it online, and you¡¯ll find tons. Even your profile picture, that pale pink flower, feels overly traditional.¡± ¡°You caught me. I picked it on purpose. I got tired of people adding me on WeChat to harass me, so I chose this name to fend them off. And it worked! Ever since I changed it, I¡¯ve had almost no unwanted messages.¡± Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t help but give her a thumbs-up. ¡°Auntie, that¡¯s brilliant!¡± Yu Na chuckled, her demeanor yfully mischievous. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± The massage session passed quickly amidst their casual chatter. The energy of youth truly knows no bounds. Even though Cao Shaoyang had just finished a ¡°battle¡± at Aunt An Yu Wei¡¯s ce, the asional intimate contact with the mature aunt during the massage naturally elicited a physical reaction from him. The loose, lightweight clothing provided by the spa offered little concealment, and Yu Na, seated directly across from him, couldn¡¯t help but notice. Masseuses were ustomed to such situations, but Yu Na¡¯s cheeks still flushed involuntarily. After all, her clients were mostly women. Male clients rarely chose someone her age, usually preferring young, attractive masseuses.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Even though male clients asionally came in, they were rare¡ªshe might encounter only a few in an entire month, and even then, they usually came with their wives and children. Such awkward situations were almost nonexistent for her these days, something she had only dealt with in her youth. It was that past experience that allowed her to maintain aposed expression while continuing to serve Cao Shaoyang. Earlier, as he reclined on the sofa, the position had offered some semnce of concealment. But once the foot massage ended and it was time to move to the bed for a full-body rxation massage, the situation changed as soon as Cao Shaoyang stood up. Feigning a shy and embarrassed demeanor, Cao Shaoyang apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Auntie. I really can¡¯t help it. You¡¯re just so attractive.¡± Yu Na¡¯s gaze faltered slightly. While she wasn¡¯t inexperienced in dealing with people, this was the first time she¡¯d encountered someone like this young man. It had been many years since she¡¯d faced such a situation, and her skin had grown thinner with age. Still, the thought of being admired by someone so young brought a flicker of joy and pride to her heart, despite her efforts to appear unaffected. Feigning calm, she replied, ¡°It¡¯s alright! This kind of thing ispletely normal. Even you can¡¯t control it, and Auntie understands.¡± Chapter 20 - "Auntie, I Might Just Bite You!" Chapter 20: ¡°Auntie, I Might Just Bite You!¡± Cao Shaoyang scratched his head and gave an awkwardugh. ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s continue,¡± said the mature Auntie. ¡°Okay!¡± Typically, the procedure required Cao Shaoyang to start with a prone position for the massage. However, given his current state, lying on his stomach didn¡¯t seem suitable. After consulting with the mature Auntie, they decided to start with the front instead. Lying on the bed, his head rested on a soft pillow. Yu Na¡¯s ck stockings emphasized the graceful curves of her already slender legs, making them appear even more round and elongated. The tight pencil skirt she wore clung even tighter as she removed her heels and knelt on the bed, entuating her enticing figure. While Auntie Yu Na was mentally preparing herself for the task, Cao Shaoyang picked up his phone from the bedside and opened her WeChat profile. Clicking on the little ¡°+¡± icon beside the input box, he selected ¡°Transfer.¡± He entered the amount: 10,000, then his password, and tapped ¡°Transfer.¡± Ding-dong! The sound of a notification chimed, indicating Yu Na¡¯s message alert. ¡°Auntie, I think your phone just buzzed. Did you get a message?¡± Cao Shaoyang asked casually. ¡°Maybe,¡± Yu Na replied. ¡°Who would message me at this time? Hold on, Shaoyang, let me check.¡± ¡°Sure, Auntie!¡± Yu Na opened her WeChat and immediately noticed a prominent red ¡°+1¡± notification at the top of her chat list. It indicated a transfer. ¡°Who is Wei Wu the Great? And why did they send me money?¡± she thought. A momentter, she realized who it was¡ªit could only be the young man beside her who had just added her on WeChat! When she opened the chat, the sight of a five-figure transfer startled her. Instead of epting it, Yu Na put her phone down and turned to the young man reclining beside her. ¡°Sir, what is the meaning of this?¡± She no longer referred to him as ¡°Little Brother Shaoyang,¡± a clear sign that she was upset. But Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t panic. He knew a direct transfer of 10,000 yuan might provoke suspicion or even anger, making her think his intentions weren¡¯t pure. At her age, Yu Na was bound to have her guard up. Even though his intentions weren¡¯t entirely innocent, Cao Shaoyang had no intention of making them obvious. Besides, he knew her current financial struggles. The 10,000 yuan was significant given her family¡¯s situation. He didn¡¯t believe she wouldn¡¯t be tempted¡ªshe likely just needed an excuse to ept it withoutpromising her dignity. He gave her a reassuring smile. ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t overthink it! There¡¯s a special reason for this.¡± Lowering his gaze slightly, he gestured toward his own predicament. ¡°See? This uncooperative little guy has caused you quite a bit of inconvenience. I feel bad about it and thought I¡¯d offer you a bit ofpensation for the trouble. Plus, it¡¯s my way of helping you out a little.¡± ¡°I swear I mean nothing else by it!¡± he added, raising his hand as if making a solemn vow. Something in his words seemed to touch Yu Na¡ªor perhaps she simply needed a way to gracefully step back. Before he could say more, she yfully smacked his thigh. ¡°You cheeky boy, who told you to make random vows like that? Don¡¯t say such nonsense!¡± Her tone softened, though. ¡°I appreciate your kindness, but I can¡¯t ept this money.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need topensate me for something like this. What you¡¯re experiencing is perfectly normal. And as for my debts, Auntie will earn the money to repay them herself. You don¡¯t need to worry about me.¡± Cao Shaoyang chuckled sheepishly. ¡°Auntie, you¡¯re the best!¡± Ding-dong! Another notification chimed. The sound came from right beside her, prompting Yu Na to nce back at the chat with Wei Wu the Great. Seeing another 10,000-yuan transfer highlighted in red, Yu Na raised her head and said, ¡°What are you doing, kid? Having money doesn¡¯t mean you can waste it like this.¡± Cao Shaoyang replied, ¡°I know you mean well, Auntie, but since you¡¯re so kind, I can¡¯t bear to see you endure any hardships.¡± As he spoke, he suddenly leaned forward, half sitting up, and snatched Yu Na¡¯s phone. In quick session, he tapped to ept the transfer, locked the screen, and stuffed the phone under his pillow¡ªall in one smooth motion, leaving Yu Na no time to react. It wasn¡¯t until her phone disappeared beneath the pillow that Yu Na realized what had happened. She yfully scolded, ¡°Hey! What are you doing, snatching my phone like that? Did you just ept the transfer?¡± ¡°Give me the phone back so I can return the money to you!¡± Cao Shaoyang firmly shook his head, crossing his arms defiantly. ¡°Nope! The money¡¯s epted, and I¡¯m not giving you the chance to refuse. You can forget about it!¡± ¡°Give it back!¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°No!¡± ¡°Give it to me, or I¡¯ll take it by force!¡± ¡°I said no! If you¡¯re so bold,e and take it!¡± ¡°Alright, don¡¯t me me for not holding back,¡± Yu Na said with a mischievous glint. She threw herself onto the bed, reaching under the pillow for her phone. Cao Shaoyang resisted fiercely, and the two ended up tangled in a yful struggle. With her initial advantage and her position above him, Yu Na managed to gain the upper hand. Now, her long legs, wrapped in ck stockings, straddled either side of Cao Shaoyang¡¯s body. Her full, rounded hips pressed down against his chiseled abs, while her tight pencil skirt stretched taut with the effort. Her ck zer was slightly disheveled, revealing a generous expanse of her fair, ample chest, which hovered just above Cao Shaoyang¡¯s head. Her hands dug under the pillow, almost reaching her phone. Panicking, Cao Shaoyang blurted out a warning. ¡°Auntie, if you keep grabbing, I¡¯ll bite you!¡± Yu Na chuckled. ¡°What are you, a little puppy? You think I¡¯m scared of you? Go ahead and bite if you dare!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t grab it, Auntie! I¡¯m serious¡ªI¡¯ll really bite!¡± ¡°Then bite me!¡± she teased. Chapter 21 - Hello Auntie, Auntie Smells Nice Chapter 21: Hello Auntie, Auntie Smells Nice ¡°Mmhm! Ouch!¡± A loud cry of pain, thick with nasal tone, burst from the lips of the mature woman. She immediately sat up, abandoning her attempt to grab the phone. ¡°You¡¯re like a little puppy! You actually bit me!¡± she said, irritated. Cao Shaoyang smirked, his mischievous grin triumphant. ¡°Auntie, I warned you several times. You kept trying to take it from me, and besides, you told me to bite you. So, this isn¡¯t my fault.¡± ¡°You¡ªugh! You¡¯ll be the death of me. Do you even care about money? There was so much of it!¡± ¡°Alright, Auntie, just take the money. I told you I¡¯m giving it to you, so don¡¯t argue. Honestly, it¡¯s no big deal to me. This amount of money doesn¡¯t even matter; I¡¯m seriously rich,¡± he said, casually cing his hands on either side of her legs, d in ck stockings, which were straddling his body. It was only when Cao Shaoyang¡¯s hands settled on her thighs that Yu Na realized her awkward position¡ªshe was straddling the boy¡¯s stomach. She froze halfway between sitting and standing. Looking down, she realized howpromising the situation was and dared neither to sit fully nor press down. The awkwardness prompted Yu Na to try to get up immediately, but Cao Shaoyang¡¯s firm grip on her thighs stopped her. She struggled but couldn¡¯t get free. Giving up, she decided to just let it go and changed the subject. ¡°So, how much money do you actually have? To not even blink at 10,000, no 20,000? Looks like you¡¯re just burning cash.¡± Cao Shaoyang chuckled. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you exactly how much. What if you kidnap me? But yeah, a few thousand bucks is like a drizzle to me.¡± Yu Na swatted his hands off her thighs. ¡°Fine, don¡¯t tell me. You think I¡¯d kidnap you? For what? Your money or your¡ª¡± She paused and red at him. ¡°¡ªyour virtue?¡± Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t give up, his hands persistently creeping back. ¡°Obviously, I¡¯m worried you¡¯d take my virtue.¡± Yu Na let out an exasperated huff. ¡°Pfft!I think it¡¯s you who¡¯s plotting to steal mine, you little rascal!¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°Uh-oh, has Auntie figured me out?¡± ¡°Enough with your nonsense, kid. Aren¡¯t you here for a massage? Are you going to take it or not?¡± Yu Na gave him a light punch on the chest, embarrassed. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m taking it. I can¡¯t waste my money. I need to enjoy Auntie¡¯s massage skills to the fullest,¡± Cao Shaoyang teased. ¡°Then let go of me already! How am I supposed to massage you like this?¡± She gestured towards her legs, which were still trapped by his hands. Despite being scolded, Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t let go. Raising an eyebrow, he said, ¡°Who says you can¡¯t massage me like this? Auntie, just bear with it a little.¡± Yu Na, utterly exasperated, rolled her eyes at him. But instead of arguing further, she sighed and bent over to start massaging his head. Cao Shaoyang closed his eyes in enjoyment, though he only squinted slightly, unwilling to waste the view. After finishing the head massage, Yu Na moved on to his arms. She had barely finished when he shamelessly insisted on a leg massage, making her shift positions awkwardly to begin working on his leg muscles. Cao Shaoyang ced his hands lightly on her waist to help steady her. ¡°Auntie, aren¡¯t you curious about the vow I mentioned earlier?¡± Yu Na¡¯sbored breaths revealed her difort. The position was taking a toll on her. ¡°Not curious at all,¡± she said curtly. ¡°Are you sure? Not even a little?¡± he pressed. Behind her, Yu Na rolled her eyes again. Fine. She¡¯d humor her little sugar daddy. ¡°Alright, fine. I¡¯m curious. What kind of vow were you nning to make?¡± Although the topic shift was abrupt, as long as the conversation could keep going, who cared about a clumsy segue? ¡°Alright, Auntie, listen carefully.¡± ¡°Swear to God, if I have the slightest bad idea of hitting on you auntie, then let auntie be my girlfriend.¡± ¡°Ouch! Why are you pinching me?¡± Cao Shaoyang yelped, rubbing his thigh where he had just received a sharp w-like pinch. ¡°Hmph! I knew your thoughts weren¡¯t pure! You want me to be your girlfriend? I¡¯m old enough to be your mother. I¡¯m not young or beautiful anymore, and you¡¯re still okay with that?¡± ¡°Auntie, what do you mean, ¡®not young or beautiful¡¯? You¡¯re at the peak of your charm!¡± ¡°Ha, is that so? What nonsense are you spouting from the inte now?¡± ¡°There¡¯s this saying online!¡± ¡°What saying?¡± Beingplimented, especially on her looks, made any woman happy. The mature Auntie, no exception, willingly yed along. ¡°Here it goes: When young, one fails to see the charm of older women, Mistakenly idolizing the young as treasures. When young, one misses the sweetness of living off love, Mistakenly chasing fleeting youth instead. Auntie is wonderful, Auntie smells nice, Auntie, you¡¯re the ray of light in my darkness!¡± Cao Shaoyang¡¯s yful rhyme immediately made Auntieugh, though her cheeks flushed a rosy red after theughter faded. ¡°These are the profound lessons of life that people onlye to understand after many missteps into middle or old age. Look at me, Auntie, I¡¯ve already grasped this truth at such a young age. I¡¯ve saved myself at least twenty years of wandering the wrong path!¡± PS: Thanks to the big boss for the encouragement with a monthly vote! Chapter 22 - The Live Massage Lesson Between Master and Apprentice Chapter 22: The Live Massage Lesson Between Master and Apprentice ¡°Where do you get all these strange ideas? So young, yet already thinking about living off someone else. Auntie doesn¡¯t have any soft meals for you to eat!¡± Cao Shaoyang lightly patted the mature woman¡¯s full thighs, applying just enough pressure to make her stop her massage. She turned around to face him directly. See, this is the charm of mature women¡ªthey get it. With a surprised gasp from Auntie, Cao Shaoyang wrapped his arms around her thighs, partially sitting up and leaning against the wall behind him. Their faces were now so close they were nearly touching. Lowering his voice, he said, ¡°Even if I can¡¯t live off you, Auntie, I can let you live off me instead!¡± ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t you want to try this soft meal I¡¯m offering?¡± Facing each other so closely, Yu Na could feel the warmth of his breath, just as he could probably feel hers. Her heart pounded like a drum. She shifted uneasily, her body squirming slightly, but soon stilled, too embarrassed to move further. Her gaze, initially meeting his, began to dart away before she finally dropped her head, murmuring a soft ¡°Mhm.¡± Cao Shaoyang felt a surge of triumph¡ªmission aplished. Gently lifting her chin with two fingers, he nced at her slightly dry but irresistibly alluring lips. Seizing the moment, he leaned in, not letting such a good opportunity slip away. After their first intimate encounter, the nature of the paid massage took a sharp turn. ¡°Auntie, you¡¯ve always been the one giving massages. Have you ever experienced what it feels like to be on the receiving end?¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t, have you?¡± ¡°Well, this is a perfect opportunity! I¡¯ve never given a massage before, so it¡¯s a first for both of us. I¡¯ll learn a new skill, and you can teach me¡ªyou¡¯re the master, I¡¯m the apprentice. I¡¯ll help you rx while learning the ropes.¡± Yu Na, now lying face down on the bed with her back turned to Cao Shaoyang, had her figure on full disy. Even in this position, the curves under her fitted skirt were impossible to ignore. Boldly, Cao Shaoyang straddled the junction of her lower back and hips, though he made sure not to put his full weight on her. Rubbing his hands together as if warming up, he was about to start when he encountered his first hurdle. ¡°Auntie, you need to take off your jacket; it¡¯s in the way.¡± Amused, Yu Na yed along, removing the troublesome jacket to reveal smooth, fragrant shoulders and a thin ck bra beneath her zer.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om Following her instructions, Cao Shaoyang began massaging her back. ¡°Don¡¯t let your hands wander,¡± Yu Na warned. ¡°Stop here; don¡¯t go any lower. Below this point isn¡¯t a spa service¡ªit¡¯s a bathhouse special!¡± ¡°Auntie, can we change positions? If we continue like this, my skirt is going to stretch out. Do you still want me to wear it?¡± ¡°Legs! Focus on the legs! Haven¡¯t you forgotten about the calf massage? Oh great, now it¡¯s not the skirt but the stockings that are ruined.¡± ¡°Alright, enough. Get up already. I knew from the start you weren¡¯t cut out for learning massage. Just lie down and let me handle it!¡± Satisfied and having indulged his mischief, Cao Shaoyang dly epted her suggestion and obedientlyy back on the bed. When he experienced a back-walking massage for the first time, a groan of pleasure escaped his lips. If only he¡¯d known how amazing back-walking felt, he¡¯d have asked for it from the start¡ªit was truly delightful. As he felt her light, alternating pressure, sometimes firm, sometimes gentle, he let out a contented sigh. The small feet dancing across his back brought him pure bliss. The simple massage session ended, and Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t ask the mature Auntie to continue with the next steps. After all, massaging someone is tiring, and he could see a fineyer of sweat on her forehead. Theyy together as he held her close, chatting for a while. During their conversation, he asked her to help him with a small favor¡ªto relieve some of his stress. As time slipped away and it grewte, he asked her to help him take another shower in the bathroom, given that he had worked up a sweat earlier. ¡°Auntie, it¡¯s gettingte. I should head out. Let¡¯s stay in touch on WeChat,¡± he said. ¡°What? You¡¯re leaving already?¡± Yu Na asked in surprise. ¡°There are still so many items left to do!¡± Cao Shaoyang wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace, and kissed her on the forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll skip the rest of the items. It¡¯s time for me to go home. Just meeting you, Auntie, made this trip worthwhile.¡± ¡°Should I get a membership card here?¡± he joked yfully. She lightly punched him on the chest. ¡°You¡¯ve already given me so much money¡ªwhy bother with a membership? Just to earn a littlemission? You said you¡¯re heading home, so don¡¯t waste time and get going.¡± ¡°Before I leave, Auntie, how about you kiss me? It¡¯s always me making the first move. This time, you take the initiative, okay?¡± Yu Na¡¯s cheeks flushed, but after a brief hesitation, she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Satisfied, Cao Shaoyang left with a smile. ¡°Ah, mature women really are the best. Once the rtionship clicks, they¡¯re rxed and genuine¡ªno pretense,¡± he thought to himself. During the taxi ride home, he sent a message on WeChat message to Auntie An Yu Wei, but there was still no response.It seemed like she was truly exhausted today. Chapter 23 - Entertaining Stepmom with Cheerful Antics Chapter 23: Entertaining Stepmom with Cheerful Anticsn/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om He returned safely to his cozy home, shared with his stepmom. Compared to other women, his stepmom held a far more significant ce in his heart. That¡¯s why Cao Shaoyang unhesitatingly left the two new acquaintances behind and rushed home to be with her. Having left the house at 10 a.m., he arrived back at 5:30 p.m. The sun hadn¡¯t set yet. Opening the door, he saw his stepmom, dressed casually in a rxed outfit with an apron, busy in their open kitchen. Cao Shaoyang beamed widely and called out as he walked in, ¡°Stepmom, I knew you¡¯d already be making dinner at this time. You¡¯re the best! Having a stepmom like you is like having a treasure. Love you!¡± Liu Xiaofei shot him a yful re. ¡°ttery will get you nowhere. You must be tired from being out all day. Take off your shoes, lie on the couch, and rx for a bit. y with your phone if you like. Dinner isn¡¯t ready yet. If you¡¯re hungry, there¡¯s some fresh cake I made today in the fridge. You know where it is¡ªhelp yourself.¡± ¡°Got it, stepmom!¡± he replied cheerfully. What others might find nagging felt like the warmth of home to Cao Shaoyang. He happily grabbed a box of strawberry-vored cake from the fridge and devoured it before even reaching the couch. Tossing the empty box into the trash, he shouted over apliment about the cake to his stepmom. After lounging on the couch for only a moment, he suddenly sat up straight. ¡°Oh no! I forgot to freshen up,¡± he thought.¡°I smell like the scented lotion from earlier¡ªif I can smell it, so can she. Better deal with this before it raises questions.¡± With that, he approached his stepmom, hovering nearby under the guise of offering help, though his ¡°help¡± was more of a hindrance. She nearly chased him out of the kitchen with a spat in mock annoyance. When she didn¡¯t address his smell, Cao Shaoyang decided to bring it up himself. ¡°Stepmom, can¡¯t you smell the sweet, milky scent on me?¡± Without looking up, she replied casually, ¡°I can smell it.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious where it came from?¡± he pressed. This time, she turned to face him, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. ¡°You think I wouldn¡¯t recognize the milk-scented lotion from a spa?¡± Though her remark carried a hint of disdain, Cao Shaoyang quickly gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°Stepmom, you¡¯re amazing! You figured it out instantly.¡± He continued, ¡°Let me tell you, I found an absolute gem today! It was my first time visiting a bathhouse, and it¡¯s so different from bathing at home. Afterward, my skin felt so smooth, like I could slide five meters across the floor if I tried!¡± Initially indifferent to his excitement, Liu Xiaofei couldn¡¯t suppress augh at his dramatic analogy. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? Sliding five meters? Did the spa attendantsther you with oil or wax you like furniture?¡± she teased. Feigning indignation, Cao Shaoyang rolled up his sleeves and struck aically determined pose. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me, do you, stepmom?¡± She smiled faintly, saying nothing, but her expression conveyed all the disbelief she needed. Cao Shaoyang decided to put on a show. Stripping down to his boxers, he announced, ¡°Fine, stepmom, watch me prove it!¡± Taking a few steps back, he prepared to ¡°slide¡± across the floor. ¡°Shaoyang, stop! Stop right there!¡± she cried, rmed. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously doing this, are you? Fine, I believe you! Please, don¡¯t hurt yourself on the wooden floor.¡± Cao Shaoyang knew she cared too much to let him go through with it. Grateful for the excuse to stop, he relented. Taking her hand, he pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. ¡°I knew you¡¯d believe me, stepmom.¡± Then he grinned mischievously. ¡°When are you free? Let¡¯s go to the bathhouse together. I¡¯ll scrub your back!¡± ¡°Heh heh!¡± Liu Xiaofei, as Shaoyang¡¯s stepmom, easily saw through his intentions. ¡°What kind of dream are you chasing? Men¡¯s and women¡¯s baths are separate. Your little scheme is doomed to fail.¡± While Liu Xiaofei busied herself preparing dinner, Cao Shaoyang stuck close to her like a shadow, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and trailing her every move. ¡°But that¡¯s different, stepmom! We could always book the whole ce, right?¡± ¡°Then not only could I scrub your back, but I could also give you a massage!¡± He painted an idyllic picture for her, but his ambitious n came crashing down midway, as Liu Xiaofei firmly shot it down. ¡°No way! Do you have any idea how much it costs to book a bathhouse? Even if you have money to spare, you can¡¯t just spend it like that.¡± ¡°Either way, I absolutely won¡¯t agree to such a waste of money.¡± Cao Shaoyang licked his dry lips and conceded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to you, stepmom. But what should I do if I just want to experience bathing together with you?¡± Out of excuses, his true intentions wereid bare! Chapter 24 - Stepmom鈥檚 Illustration Deadline Approaches Chapter 24: Stepmom¡¯s Illustration Deadline Approaches Liu Xiaofei¡¯s hand froze midair as she reached for the greens. After a moment of hesitation, she began cleaning them, one leaf at a time, but her distraction was obvious. She nearly shredded the delicate greens in her hands. After a pause, she lowered her head and spoke softly, ¡°The house has a bathroom, doesn¡¯t it? Why waste money on that? If you really want to¡­ we could, at home.¡± ¡°Really, Stepmom?¡± Overjoyed, Cao Shaoyang scooped her up and spun her around, nting a firm kiss on her lips. ¡°It¡¯s a deal! No take-backs!¡± This marked another breakthrough in his rtionship with her. Though things between them had be increasingly intimate, Liu Xiaofei still upheld her principles in certain areas. For instance, the idea of bathing together had always been off-limits. She had strictly adhered to their arrangement of using the bathroom separately, for reasons he couldn¡¯t quite understand. But today, atst, he glimpsed hope for unlocking this elusive achievement. Victory was near. Sensing his excitement, Liu Xiaofei grew concerned that his enthusiasm might disrupt her cooking. She also worried about his stamina¡ªafter a restless night and a busy morning, she feared overexertion might impact his health or focus on studies. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve promised you. But remember our agreement: three days. Don¡¯t even think about it before then,¡± she said firmly. ¡°Now go entertain yourself. I need to finish making dinner.¡± Recognizing her resolve, Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t push further. He reasoned that their agreement would onlyst until the college entrance exams, and with just 50 days to go, he could endure it. Resting his head on the sofa armrest, he absentmindedly opened the TikTok app, the perfect time-killer. Though each video onlysted a few minutes, the endless scrolling could devour hours. Before he knew it, hours would vanish in a haze of mindlessughter, leaving him wondering what he had aplished. Browsing the ¡°Nearby¡± section, he watched video after video of strangers, secretly hoping for a serendipitous neighborly encounter. ¡°Wow! Look at those long, slender legs!¡± ¡°Whoa, this one¡¯s great too. What a figure! And working out? Deadly!¡± ¡°This one¡¯s even better¡ªcurvy with a great posture.¡± ¡°An ancient costume beauty with perfect music¡ªbrilliant!¡± ¡°Wait, who¡¯s this uncle? Blocked! Scroll away!¡± He scowled. ¡°What kind of algorithm is this? Rmending nonsense. Thumbs down!¡± The stream of beautiful, sultry women held his attention until he noticed someone familiar. ¡°Wait a second¡­¡± He squinted, feeling a vague recognition. Clicking into her profile, he scrolled through her videos, each clip intensifying the feeling of familiarity. Finally, it clicked¡ªshe was his upstairs neighbor! A woman who had moved in within the past year, likely another mother apanying her child for studies. They had crossed paths a few times in the elevator. In person, she had struck him as a modest beauty¡ªdelicate but not remarkable. However, her TikTok videos transformed her into a mature, morous figure. Enhanced by filters and revealing outfits, her online persona felt worlds apart from her real-life self. ¡°Are those real?¡± he muttered, noting her seemingly amplified curves. ¡°The filters alone make her look like apletely different person.¡± Amused, he clicked ¡°Follow.¡± Supporting a neighbor¡¯s side hustle seemed harmless enough. Before long, Liu Xiaofei called him to the dinner table. He hadn¡¯t spent much time scrolling, as she had been busy cooking since his return. Over dinner, they made small talk. Cao Shaoyang even suggested opening a bottle of red wine to set the mood. After all, a slightly tipsy Liu Xiaofei always became irresistibly warm and lively. Though tonight¡¯s agreement meant nothing more could happen, he would have been content just to see the delicate blush on her cheeks. But she declined the wine. After dinner, he helped clear the table and put the dishes in the automatic dishwasher. Returning to his phone, he resumed scrolling while Liu Xiaofei finished tidying up. She approached him from behind the sofa and tapped the backrest. ¡°Shaoyang, I need to head back to my room to work. My illustration project¡¯s deadline is approaching, and I¡¯m not finished yet. I have to pull an all-nighter.¡± ¡°Keep yourself entertained for a while, then head to bed early. You have to get up early for morning sses at school tomorrow.¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 25 - The Passionate Dance of the Neighborly Tutor Mom Chapter 25: The Passionate Dance of the Neighborly Tutor Mom Illustrations! That¡¯s right! Although the stepmom was a full-time caregiver who stayed at home to support him, she also had her own source of ie. She took frencemissions online, creating original artwork for clients. What started as a hobby has turned into a fairly lucrative side gig. When she got busy with her work, Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t want to disturb her. After watching short videos on the couch for a while, he turned off the living room lights and headed to his bedroom. Having just returned from the bathhouse and already taken several showers that day, he skipped his usual pre-bedtime wash. He undressed, got into bed, and picked up his phone to check his messages on WeChat. Sure enough, Aunt An Yu Wei had already sent him several messages. First, there was a photo of a tableden with delicious dishes, followed by a selfie of her posing beside the food. Below the photos were a few messages: [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:Thank you, Shaoyang, my sweet little brother, for preparing this lovely dinner for me. You¡¯re so thoughtful! [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:Auntie loves you! (Image attached) [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:But why didn¡¯t you wake me before you left? [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill:This feast is too much for me to finish alone. I¡¯d love for you to keep mepany next time! [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:What do you think of this outfit? (Images attached) When Shaoyang opened the pictures and zoomed in, his breathing became noticeably heavier. The first image showed a maid outfit modeled on a curvy figure. The second image featured fluffy cat ear headbands and a coiled cat tail essory. Normally, Shaoyang wouldn¡¯t be this flustered, but Aunt An knew him too well. The suggestiveness of the maid outfit far outdid the yful essories. The so-called maid outfit barely qualified¡ªit was skimpy enough to fall into the ranks of erotic clothing. Shaoyang wondered how such a design even passed moderation. The outfit was reduced to mere scraps of fabric strategically ced, with fluffy trim seemingly the only thing holding it together. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]: Do you think the maid outfit looks nice? Auntie just ordered it. Next time youe over for dinner, I¡¯ll wear it for you! [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:But there¡¯s a slight problem¡ªthe store doesn¡¯t carry sizesrge enough for Auntie, so I had to get the biggest one they had. I¡¯m not sure if it will fit¡­ Attached was another selfie¡ªthis one more provocative, with her hands strategically covering her upper body. If circumstances allowed, Shaoyang would have flown to her side immediately. He hadn¡¯t expected Aunt An to be so yful and daring. She was indeed a certified ¡°expert,¡± though her execution could use some refinement. Still, this yful awkwardness was part of her charm. Not everyone could master such bold moves, after all. [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:I¡¯m so full! But now I¡¯m feeling really sleepy. It¡¯s all your fault for exhausting me earlier. No naughty chats tonight¡ªI need my rest to recover. Next time, I¡¯ll definitely have you wrapped around my finger! [Night Rain¡¯s Gentle Chill]:You haven¡¯t replied, so I guess you¡¯re busy. Auntie can¡¯t stay awake any longer. Sweet dreams in advance, my dear! Looking at her messages, Shaoyang felt a pang of regret. It was such a pity¡ªhe had missed this ¡°departure¡± and the chance to board. Though he knew Aunt An had likely gone to sleep, he still replied with a goodnight emoji before closing their chat. Then he opened another conversation. [Blooming Wealth]:Did you make it home safely, Shaoyang? Let Auntie know when you do! [Wei Wu the Great]:¡¯ Kiss for Auntie Yu! I¡¯m home and just finished eating. He waited a while but didn¡¯t receive a reply. Auntie Yu Na must have put her phone aside and gone back to work. Even though neither aunt was free to chat, Shaoyang didn¡¯t feel disappointed. He opened TikTok again and started scrolling through short videos. As he scrolled, a live stream popped up on his screen. He almost swiped past it but instinctively went back to take another look. Upon closer inspection, his guess was right¡ªthe live streamer was none other than the neighborly tutor mom he had just followed earlier that evening. He tapped into the live stream. On screen, she was dancing to the rhythm of the music, performing a high-energy self-choreographed routine. Her strapless white top highlighted her impressive curves, with her prominent cleavage making a striking impression. She paired it with tight-fitting denim jeans¡ªso tight that they must have been a struggle to put on. The jeans entuated her long, slender legs and shapely hips, clinging so closely to her skin that no noticeable lines or marks were visible. It was clear¡ªshe was either not wearing anything underneath or had on something as minimal as a thong.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om She danced passionately in high-heeled sandals, fully captivating the live audience with her energy and allure. Chapter 26 - Xin Chun Jiao Cries Chapter 26: Xin Chun Jiao Cries The live stream had a modest audience of just over 200 viewers, perhaps because it had only recently started. Typically, dance live streams attractrge crowds, especially if the host is attractive, has a great figure, and performs eye-catching moves. Such streams are mas for eager viewers, so having only 200 viewers seemed pitiful. While it was better than streams with only a few dozen viewers, this number was unimpressive for the dance category. Cao Shaoyang knew the host in real life¡ªher looks were more of a modest, girl-next-door type. But with the live stream¡¯s beautification filters, her on-screen appearance had been elevated significantly, and her curvy figure was undeniably striking. Her streaming alias, [Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk,]certainly hinted at her confidence in her assets. After finishing an energetic dance routine, Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk leaned toward the camera, her hand coyly covering her chest. Panting lightly, she greeted the viewers. ¡°Wee, everyone! This is my first live stream. If you like me, please give me a follow, send me some hearts, or show your love with a little gift if you think my dance was good.¡± She added yfully, ¡°Little hearts and poprity votes are true love! A hot air balloon lets you request a dance, a rocket earns you my WeChat, and a private jet means I¡¯ll log off and meet you in person!¡± Her cheeky plea for gifts instantly brought life to the chat. Though the audience was small, the stream of virtual gifts started to flow rapidly. The productivity of the fans was impressive! Cao Shaoyang nced at the chat, filled withments praising the streamer¡¯s beauty and her dancing skills. Gifts ranging from a single coin to tens of coins were consistently rolling in. However, the excitement onlysted while the host stayed close to the camera, readingments. When she took a break to chat with the viewers, the flow of gifts slowed down. Initially, Cao Shaoyang only intended to drop in out of curiosity. After all, he remembered her as just a moderately attractive neighbor. But as he watched, her figure caught his attention, rekindling the mood sparked earlier by Aunt An Yu Wei¡¯s provocative photos. Her appeal,bined with the bonus of being the ¡°neighborly tutor mom,¡± piqued his interest. Since his rebirth, Cao Shaoyang had changed all his social media usernames to ¡°Wei Wu the Great.¡± He clicked on the gift menu. Suddenly, the stream exploded with a special effect: a rocketunch animation filled the screen. The virtual rocket soared upward and burst with a loud boom, lighting up the entire live stream room. After a moment of stunned silence, the chat erupted. Messages like ¡°The host just got a rocket gift! You¡¯re about to take off!¡±filled the screen, along with the asional sourment from jealous viewers. Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. Xin Chun Jiao never expected such a grand gesture on her very first day of streaming. The requests for gifts were phrases she¡¯d picked up from watching other streamers, and while she had hoped for a big spender to send a rocket, she hadn¡¯t imagined it would happen so soon. While she was still reeling with excitement, the stream¡¯s viewer count rapidly climbed, as more users joined to chase the bonus gifts triggered by the rocket effect. Ignoring the flurry ofments begging for favors or sponsorships, Cao Shaoyang¡¯s rocket made his username prominently visible in the chat. He typed a message: [Wei Wu the Great]:¡°One rocket gets your WeChat, and a private jet takes you offline for a meetup¡ªare these offers real?¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Seeing the message from her benefactor, Xin Chun Jiao quickly snapped out of her daze. She couldn¡¯t afford to ignore her big spender¡ªthis was her bread and butter. She responded promptly, [¡°Thank you, Wei Wu the Great, for the rocket gift! I¡¯ll DM you my WeChat now¡ªplease add me! As for the private jet, although this is my first stream and I borrowed that line from other streamers, I always keep my word!¡±]. [¡°A private jet, and the streamer logs off immediately.¡±]. Using the direct message feature, the streamer Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milksent her WeChat ID to her top supporter. On his end, Cao Shaoyang received the message, switched TikTok to the background, opened WeChat, and sent a friend request. The request was epted almost instantly. The streamer messaged first: [¡°Is this Wei Wu the Great?¡±]. In truth, when she approved the request, Xin Chun Jiao had already confirmed that it was her top supporter¡ªhis username matched exactly. Cao Shaoyang replied curtly: [¡°Yes.¡±]. He followed up with another message: [¡°Check the stream.¡±]. When he had earlier asked if a private jet would truly take her offline, Xin Chun Jiao had felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Was the top supporter just joking, or was he serious? Obediently, she looked back at her live stream, and what she saw stunned her. Another extravagant gift effect¡ªthe private jet animation¡ªfilled the screen, signaling the massive donation. Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk,known in real life as Xin Chun Jiao, was overwhelmed. Clutching her chest, tears streamed down her face as she broke down in pure astonishment and joy, moved by the generosity of her benefactor. Chapter 27 - The Neighborly Tutor Mom Who Hides Her Depths Chapter 27: The Neighborly Tutor Mom Who Hides Her Depths Happiness arrived too suddenly, catching Xin Chun Jiao off guard. However,bining the message her ¡°big brother¡± sent earlier on WeChat with his current actions, Xin Chun Jiao, though excited, quickly grasped his intentions. She calmed her racing thoughts, though her lips couldn¡¯t suppress the delighted smile. [¡°Friends, my apologies! Big brother just gifted me a private jet in the stream, so I have to keep my word. That means today¡¯s stream ends here,¡±]she said, her voice light and cheerful. [¡°Friends, see you in the next stream!¡±]. [¡°To all the neers who like the host, don¡¯t forget to follow. That¡¯s it for now. Ending the stream, bye!¡±]. [¡°Wow, she¡¯s serious about ending the stream! Giving up all this traffic¡ªis she crazy?¡±]someonemented.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om [¡°Maybe the crazy one is you,¡±]another retorted. [¡°Which is more important, traffic or the big brother? Lose the traffic, and the big brother can bring it back. Lose the big brother, and it¡¯s game over.¡±]. [¡°So frustrating! Another good cabbage taken by the rich. The host is ending the stream to hang out with him. Who knows how many poses she¡¯ll have to strike tonight?¡±]. [¡°Ha, the ways of the rich¡­ Forget it.¡±]. [¡°Stop sour-graping. If the big brother were still here, would you dare talk like this? Trash!¡±]. [¡°Are we about to have a fight? I¡¯m excited! Let¡¯s go; I¡¯m ready for the drama.¡±]. But the brewing argument fizzled out. Meanwhile, Xin Chun Jiao, who had been stalling on ending the stream to gain more followers, noticed the escting tension in the chat. Before the fight could erupt, she decisively hit the ¡°end stream¡± button, cutting everyone off. The screen simply disyed a message: The live stream has ended. ¡ª [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: Big brother, I¡¯ve ended the stream as you asked. ¡¯ [Wei Wu The Great]:Is this your personal WeChat? [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: ¡­ Well, I do use this ount regrly. [Wei Wu The Great]: So, it¡¯s not personal. But that¡¯s fine. You said I could pick you up after the stream. Now that it¡¯s over, how should I go about picking you up? On the other end of the phone, Xin Chun Jiao curled up in her gaming chair, clutching her phone. Her delicate toes curled nervously as she read the message. Her heart raced. What did big brother mean by this? Did he want to meet her in person? She wasn¡¯t mentally prepared for that! The flirtatious words she¡¯d said during the stream were just that¡ªwords. She hadn¡¯t expected him to take it so seriously.Now it seemed like he was hinting at a meeting. What should she do? Wait, she could ask for his location first. If they weren¡¯t in the same city, it would be perfect. If, by bad luck, he was in the same city, she could lie and say they weren¡¯t, avoiding the meeting altogether. With this n in mind, Xin Chun Jiao quickly typed a response: [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: Big brother, which city are you in? [Wei Wu The Great]: Why are you asking? Are you nning to say we¡¯re not in the same city no matter where I am, so you can avoid meeting me? Xin Chun Jiao¡¯s face froze in embarrassment. Though her little scheme had been exposed, she refused to admit it. [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: Big brother, how could you think of me like that? I¡¯m not that kind of person! Poor me~ ¡¯ [Wei Wu The Great]: Who knows? But if we can¡¯t meet in person, shouldn¡¯t youpensate me in some other way? ¡¯ On the other end, Xin Chun Jiao softly huffed. As expected, he¡¯s up to no good. Although she was fully aware of his intentions, she knew how to handle him. With big brother, a little coaxing was necessary. [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: Well, how would you like me topensate you, big brother? How about I send you a few selfies? ¡¯ Cao Shaoyang raised an eyebrow in amusement. Not bad, she¡¯s quick to understand. [Wei Wu The Great]: Selfies? Sure. Send a few over, and I¡¯ll see if they¡¯re satisfactory. If they please me, there will be a generous reward. Xin Chun Jiao initially nned to send a few casual selfies, but when she saw the phrase ¡°generous reward¡±in his message, she reconsidered. After carefully selecting from her gallery, she chose a few photos that she felt were just right¡ªrevealing enough to highlight her enticing figure without showing her full face. Then, she sent them to her big brother. [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]:[Image], [Image], [Image]¡­ She sent five or six photos in total, then waited quietly for his response. Cao Shaoyang opened the images one by one, examining them closely. This neighborly tutor mom is truly full of surprises. Her figure is excellent.However, sending just these photos to satisfy him? That felt a bit naive. [Wei Wu The Great]: Just this? No face reveal? These kinds of selfies are pretty dull. I could find simr ones¡ªbetter dressed or less dressed, even more provocative poses¡ªwith a simple search at night. This isn¡¯t enough to please me. He smirked and typed again. [Wei Wu The Great]: Think carefully. I¡¯ll give you one more chance. If you can make me happy, I¡¯ll send you a 1,000 yuan red envelope. Chapter 28 - The Neighborly Tutor Mom Who Wants to Be Sponsored Chapter 28: The Neighborly Tutor Mom Who Wants to Be Sponsored [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]:Big brother! This is already the best I¡¯ve got on my phone. I can send you a selfie with my face, but let me be honest¡ªmy livestreams use beauty filters. In real life, I¡¯m not as pretty as I look on stream. [Wei Wu The Great]:I know, but I don¡¯t care. If you don¡¯t send me a selfie that satisfies me, the 1,000-yuan red envelope will be gone. And if you¡¯re out of photos, you can always take new ones. ¡¯ ¡°Ugh!¡± Xin Chun Jiao groaned in frustration. She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing the easy 1,000 yuan, yet she didn¡¯t have any photos that might satisfy him. Did this mean she had to take fresh ones? But how far would she need to go to meet big brother¡¯s expectations? This wasn¡¯t just about a single 1,000-yuan payment. It was about the potential for many more in the future. Her eyes scanned her outfit. Dressed like this, she knew there was no way the photos would please him. But¡­ what if she made some adjustments? Determined, Xin Chun Jiao gritted her teeth and decided to go all out.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om First, she struggled to take off her jeans. Then, with a bold move, she grabbed a pair of scissors and cut a ¡°window¡± in the back of the jeans, right over her rear. Next, she picked out acy, see-through thong and put it on. After carefully slipping back into her newly ¡°modified¡± skinny jeans, she tossed aside her strapless white top. With one arm partially covering herself and the other holding a selfie stick at full length, she climbed onto her bed. Posing in various provocative positions, the sound of her phone camera clicking filled the room. When she finished, Xin Chun Jiao couldn¡¯t even bring herself to look at the photos. She closed her eyes and quickly sent all of them without a second thought. [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: Big brother, I¡¯ve done my best. This is as far as I can go. If you¡¯re still not satisfied, I don¡¯t know what else I can do! ¡¯ A few momentster, Cao Shaoyang¡¯s phone began to buzz incessantly. He opened the messages and was stunned. ¡°Wow! She really didn¡¯t hold back!¡± he thought as he clicked on the first photo. The image showed her jeans unzipped, one side clinging to her hips and the other slipping down, revealing smooth, pale skin framed bycy edges. The jeans, now with an artful ¡°battle damage¡± style, looked so striking that he might have thought these were high-end boudoir photos taken at a professional studio. As he scrolled through photo after photo, Cao Shaoyang finally felt satisfied. Without hesitation, he sent her a 2,000-yuan transfer. [Wei Wu The Great]:Excellent! I¡¯m very pleased. Here¡¯s the promised red envelope, plus a bonus as your reward. Xin Chun Jiao gleefully epted the payment, feeling overjoyed. Just a few selfies had earned her such a handsome sum¡ªher efforts had been worth it. [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]:Ahhh! Big brother, I love you! Cao Shaoyang replied with a smug emoji of someone smirking. [Wei Wu The Great]: Pathetic. This small amount and you¡¯re already content? [MilkCow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk]: What else could I want? ¡¯ Cao Shaoyang¡¯s eyes sparkled mischievously as a grin spread across his face. [Wei Wu The Great]: Your dancing really has an effect on people. Here¡¯s an idea¡ªhow about a private video chat? You can livestream your dancing, but only for me. Consider it a private session. How does 10,000 yuan sound? Xin Chun Jiao felt like today was her lucky day. First, the generous tipping from big brother during her livestream. Then, 2,000 yuan for just a few selfies. And now, he wanted a private dance session for 10,000 yuan! She felt like she was about to faint from happiness. Although her husband wasn¡¯t short on money, shewas. Her rtionship with her husband was already fractured. If not for their child, they would have divorced long ago. Now, her husband had built a new life with his mistress, leaving her behind. Under the guise of providing for their child¡¯s education, he had rented her arge apartment near the school, essentially banishing her from the family home. Every month, she received only the living expenses transferred on time. It was clear to Xin Chun Jiao that the day her childpleted the college entrance exams would also mark the official end of her marriage, when she and her husband would finalize their divorce. Due to their prenuptial agreement, most of their assets would not belong to her after the divorce. Although her husband had promised to give her a share of the family property after two years of tutoring their child, she couldn¡¯t rely on that vague promise. She had to n ahead and find an alternative path for herself, preparing for the future two years down the line. After much deliberation, she chose livestreaming as her backup n. Today, after finally summoning the resolve to start her first stream, she encountered such a generous big brother. How could this not make Xin Chun Jiao¡¯s heart overflow with joy? She hade to terms with it¡ªwasn¡¯t it just that kind of thing? Instead of staying in that household, working tirelessly for free and being treated like a servant, why not use it to secure a better life for herself? Let alone offering private streams for big brother, now that she had seen just a glimpse of his financial strength, Xin Chun Jiao thought to herself: if big brother outright proposed to sponsor her, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate for even a second to agree. Chapter 29 - A New Feeling Called "Training" Chapter 29: A New Feeling Called ¡°Training¡± [Wei Wu The Great:]Transferred £¤10,000. [Wei Wu The Great:]Will you ept it? Within seconds of sending the transfer, the status changed to ¡°Received.¡± [Milk Cow Doesn¡¯t Drink Milk:]Of course, I¡¯ll ept it! Big Brother, give me a moment. I¡¯ll change clothes and start a private livestream for you. Seeing that she intended to change clothes, Cao Shaoyang quickly typed a reply. [Wei Wu The Great:]Change? No need to change. Just wear what you had on in your selfies earlier¡ªit¡¯s perfect. Xin Chun Jiao sent a shy emoji in response. [¡°Well¡­ alright!¡±] A few secondster, a new video call request popped up. Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t ept it immediately. Instead, he carefully stuck a piece of tape over his phone¡¯s camera, plugged in his earphones, and put them on before connecting. The video opened to reveal the same room setup from her livestream earlier, with the angle almost unchanged. On the screen was a petite and delicate young woman, not as morous as in the livestream with filters but still naturally charming. She leaned closer to the camera, carefully studying it before speaking. ¡°Is the video connected? Big Brother, why can¡¯t I see your side of the screen?¡± Cao Shaoyang lowered his voice and replied, ¡°I turned off my camera. That¡¯s why you can¡¯t see me.¡± ¡°Oh! Alright,¡± Xin Chun Jiao said, sounding a little disappointed. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of the generous big brother who supported her so much, but it seemed he wasn¡¯t giving her that chance. Still, she couldn¡¯t help but feel happier upon hearing his voice¡ªit sounded young, despite being deliberately lowered. Knowing her big brother wasn¡¯t much older than her made her even more delighted.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°What kind of dance do you want to see, Big Brother?¡± she asked sweetly. Although Cao Shaoyang¡¯s room had good sound instion when the door was closed, he still lowered his voice out of caution, worried that his stepmother might overhear. ¡°Hmm? From the way you ask, do you know how to dance in other styles too?¡± ¡°Of course, Big Brother! In real life, I¡¯m a dance teacher. I know many types of dance. Just tell me what kind of dance you¡¯d like to see.¡± Cao Shaoyang thought for a moment before responding. ¡°All those formal dances are too proper. Why don¡¯t you stick to the style from today¡¯s livestream? I¡¯d like to see something a little more¡­ unconventional.¡± Xin Chun Jiao giggled, covering her mouth. ¡°How unconventional do you want it, Big Brother?¡± ¡°As unconventional as possible,¡± Cao Shaoyang replied slyly. ¡°Eww~!¡± Xin Chun Jiao made a mock-disgusted face on the screen. ¡°Big Brother, you¡¯re not asking me to do a striptease, are you? No way! Naughty things are forbidden!¡± She crossed her arms in front of her chest in a ¡°no entry¡± gesture, creating a dramatic squeeze that almost made her curves spill out. Cao Shaoyang chuckled mischievously. ¡°Well, not saying it¡¯s impossible, but let¡¯s save that forter.¡± ¡°Also,¡± he added, ¡°stop calling me Big Brother. It feels weird. Change it to something else.¡± ¡°What should I call you then? Do you have any preferences? Wei Wu the Great? Wei Wu Bro? Emperor Bro? Big Thigh Bro? Boss? Master? Or¡­¡± she trailed off, giving a yful pause before adding with a cheeky smile, ¡°Daddy?¡± The earlier suggestions were somewhat decent, but theter ones became increasingly brazen, culminating in her calling him ¡°Daddy.¡± Cao Shaoyang took a sharp breath. If he were a decade or so older, he might not have been able to withstand that yful ¡°Daddy¡±! Cough! Clearing his throat, he feignedposure and said, ¡°The earlier suggestionsck creativity, and thest one is too over-the-top. We should keep things bnced and positive.¡± ¡°Let¡¯spromise. When you¡¯re livestreaming to arge audience, call me ¡®Emperor Bro.¡¯ When it¡¯s just the two of us, call me ¡®Master.¡¯¡± Humans are creatures that learn and grow. Take Cao Shaoyang, for example. Just a few days ago, as a shy virgin, he wouldn¡¯t have dared to act so boldly. Yet now, he could calmly ask a petite young woman to call him ¡°Master¡± without batting an eye. ¡°Huh?¡± Xin Chun Jiao was caught off guard by his boldness. She had only meant it as a joke, but to her surprise, he took it seriously. At least he didn¡¯t ask her to call him ¡°Daddy,¡± which would have been unbearably awkward. While ¡°Master¡± was still embarrassing, it was just within her limits of eptance. After hesitating for a moment, Xin Chun Jiao finally whispered, ¡°Master!¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s more like it!¡± Cao Shaoyangughed, a sly and self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t make you change how you address me for nothing. I¡¯ve sent you a ¡®renaming fee.¡¯ Check your ount.¡± As he spoke, Cao Shaoyang briefly exited the video chat and sent her a £¤1,000 red packet. The moment she received it, Xin Chun Jiao lit up with joy. ¡°Master! Daddy! Chun Jiao loves you to death!¡± She leaned close to the camera and nted a yful kiss toward the screen. ¡°Mwah!¡± Daddy?He chuckled internally. Despite the slight awkwardness of the moment, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t help but feel a newfound satisfaction¡ªa sense of joy he could only describe as the thrill of ¡°guiding¡± someone. ¡ª¡ª P.S. To my dear readers: Please show your support with some feedback¡ªflowers, ratings, monthly tickets¡ªwhatever you can spare! I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s up with the urging-to-update system; even though I¡¯ve been updating on time, it hasn¡¯t been showing up on the backend. Maybe there¡¯s an issue with how I¡¯m posting. Chapter 30 - Step-Mom, Have You Thought About the Future? Chapter 30: Step-Mom, Have You Thought About the Future? ¡°Chun Jiao? Is that your real name?¡± ¡°Chun Jiao! A delicate flower in spring, huh!¡± ¡°Mmm~¡± After identally revealing her real name in a moment of excitement, Chun Jiao initially felt a bit uneasy. But under the allure of financial gain, her difort melted away in seconds. ¡°Master, you¡¯re amazing! You guessed it right away!¡± she said, her tone more natural, as if the word ¡°Master¡± had already be second nature. ¡°We¡¯ve talked for so long, but I haven¡¯t danced for you yet. How about I perform a dance for you now?¡± Cao Shaoyang leaned back against his headboard in a rxed manner. As dynamic music yed from the speakers on Chun Jiao¡¯s side, he quietly enjoyed the performance. Particrly when Chun Jiao turned sideways or gave her back to the camera, the unique ¡°battle-damaged¡± skinny jeans she wore created an entirely different visual allure. These snug jeans, already a challenge to wear, entuated her figure perfectly. But with the added rips and tears, the view could only be described as ¡°stunning!¡± When the dance ended, Chun Jiao, slightly out of breath, returned to her seat. ¡°Huff... Master, how did you like Chun Jiao¡¯s dance? Did you enjoy it?¡± ¡°Not bad! I liked it a lot. The jeans were great too¡ªdon¡¯t throw them away; keep them as a memento.¡± Chun Jiao readily agreed. ¡°Okay, Master!¡± ¡°Are you home alone? Won¡¯t ying music so loudly disturb anyone?¡± This question, which might reveal more about her personal life, didn¡¯t make Chun Jiao hesitate. Perhaps in her mind, the distance between her and Cao Shaoyang¡ªlikely being in different cities¡ªmade it safe to share.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°Master, I¡¯m living with my daughter, but she stays at her school dorm most of the time and rarelyes home. So, it¡¯s just me here right now.¡± ¡°Just you?¡± Cao Shaoyang licked his lips in excitement upon hearing her confirmation, even though he had already guessed as much. ¡°If you¡¯re alone at home, why don¡¯t we y another little game?¡± ¡°What kind of game?¡± Chun Jiao tilted her head curiously. ¡°How about taking a walk outside?¡± The excitement in Cao Shaoyang¡¯s voice was unmistakable as he proposed the idea. He could hardly believe he was about to personally experience the thrill of such amanding role, something he had only watched from a distance in the past. The excitement wasn¡¯t just his alone; Chun Jiao, the other participant in this unusual scenario, also felt it. Initially hesitant, she ultimately gave in to Cao Shaoyang¡¯s financial persuasion. Wrapping a sports jacket around her waist and holding a selfie stick in one hand, she stepped out of her home. For nearly an hour, Cao Shaoyang reveled in his role as the mander,¡± thoroughly enjoying the experience. Meanwhile, Chun Jiao returned home with unsteady steps, utterly exhausted. Unable to keep her bnce, she copsed onto the floor the moment she stepped inside. If there was any regret about the evening, it was that they didn¡¯t get to see the grand finale they had initially agreed upon. Chun Jiao was too drained to fulfill the promise and had to postpone it for another time. In just a short time, Cao Shaoyang had spent £¤20,000, but he felt it was worth every penny for the joy he had gained. Adding this to the £¤20,000 he had sent to Yu Na earlier and the few hundred he spent dining with An Yu Wei, his total expenses for the day rounded to about £¤40,000. Tomorrow, he imagined, would bring even more rewards. Ending the video call with Chun Jiao, Cao Shaoyang found himself too energized to sleep. After pacing for a bit, he slipped on his slippers and knocked on his stepmother¡¯s door. With his stepmom¡¯s permission, Cao Shaoyang pushed open the door to find her facing theputer, holding a drawing tablet. Her hands were busy¡ªone sketching while the other skillfully toggled between various shortcuts, her fingers dancing across the keys. He didn¡¯t interrupt her. Instead, he sat cross-legged on her bed, watching as the image on the screen evolved. What began as a few simple strokes gradually took shape under her hand, bing full, vibrant, and lifelike. After a moment of silent observation, Cao Shaoyang broke the quiet. ¡°Stepmom, do you really love drawing?¡± Liu Xiaofei didn¡¯t turn around, nor did her hands stop moving. ¡°Of course! Back in the day, your stepmom graduated from an art academy. It wasn¡¯t one of those famous schools, but if I didn¡¯t love it, I wouldn¡¯t have studied it. I love the feeling of creating worlds and characters with my own hands.¡± As she spoke, the corners of her mouth lifted in a genuine smile¡ªa reflection of her happiness. Cao Shaoyang stared in awe. He had never seen his stepmom so confident, so full of life. Watching her express herself so freely and passionately, he quietly made a decision in his heart. ¡°Stepmom,¡± he asked, ¡°have you thought about what you¡¯ll do after I finish the college entrance exams and go off to university?¡± Chapter 31 - Striking Odd Poses, Doing Strange Things Chapter 31: Striking Odd Poses, Doing Strange Things The rhythmic tapping sound of the drawing tablet stopped abruptly and didn¡¯t resume. Liu Xiaofei was puzzled by Shaoyang¡¯s sudden question. She wasn¡¯t sure what he meant by it, but she knew it was something that required careful thought. Initially, her n was to apany Shaoyang through his college entrance exams, see him off to university, and then move on. She had intended to find a new job, start fresh, and perhaps meet someone she liked¡ªor someone who liked her¡ªand rebuild a family. However, as she spent more time with Shaoyang, those thoughts gradually faded. Especially after their rtionship recently took a more profound turn, she hadpletely abandoned her initial ns. But Shaoyang¡¯s unexpected question tonight left her conflicted. Rationally, she knew she should leave. Shaoyang would have a life of his own, one that might even be better without her involvement. Yet emotionally, she couldn¡¯t bear to part from him. Moreover, she didn¡¯t fully understand Shaoyang¡¯s intentions in bringing up this topic.Was he implying dissatisfaction with her? As Liu Xiaofei wrestled with her thoughts, Cao Shaoyang broke the silence. ¡°It seems that Xiao Ma hasn¡¯t made up her mind about this yet. How about listening to my suggestion?¡± he said. Liu Xiaofei didn¡¯t know how to respond, so she decided to hear him out. Perhaps his words would reveal his attitude toward her. ¡°Shaoyang, go ahead. Xiao Ma is listening.¡± Cao Shaoyang gently took her hand, noticing it felt a little cold. ¡°Since you haven¡¯t decided yet, why note with me after my college entrance exams?¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om ¡°When I go to university, Xiao Ma, you can do whatever you enjoy. If you want to work, you can find a good job. If not, you can arrange your time freely¡ªtravel across the country, admire its breathtakingndscapes, or focus on painting. You can live as you please.¡± ¡°For the past three years, you¡¯ve centered your life around me. When we move to a new city together, it¡¯ll finally be time for you to rx and develop your own passions.¡± ¡°What do you think of my proposal, Xiao Ma?¡± Cao Shaoyang¡¯s words deeply moved Liu Xiaofei. The future he painted for her was alluring. She didn¡¯t question it or foolishly suggest that she could travel on her own without him. Both of them understood the true reason. A weary bird needs a nest to return to¡ªa home where it can rest in peace. By taking her along, Shaoyang was giving her a new home. Reassured, Liu Xiaofei felt that her biggest unresolved dilemma had been perfectly resolved. She smiled¡ªa smile of relief. ¡°Alright, Xiao Ma will follow Shaoyang¡¯s lead.¡± ¡°But!¡± The warm atmosphere suddenly shifted. ¡°If Shaoyang wants to take Xiao Ma to a better city for a better life, then there¡¯s no room for cking off now! Only by getting into a good university can all those ns you shared with Xiao Mae true.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want your college entrance exam results to be mediocre, forcing you to attend some small-town university where Xiao Ma would have to share a pitiful life with you in a remote county, right?¡± Oh, what a reversal! Liu Xiaofei had turned Shaoyang¡¯s own rhetoric back on him, like a well-aimed boomerang. The very words he once used to pressure her were now being skillfully thrown back at him. Cao Shaoyang chuckled confidently. ¡°Challenge epted!¡± ¡°Xiao Ma, rest assured. The college entrance exams are no big deal to me. Just wait to move to the Magic City with me!¡± Xiao Ma tilted her head in confusion. ¡°Why the Magic City? Are you really that confident?¡± ¡°Confidence is a given! As for why the Magic City, I¡¯ve already decided¡ªI¡¯m applying to the photography program at the University of Magic City.¡± Xiao Ma gave Cao Shaoyang an encouraging look. ¡°Then you¡¯ll need to work hard. The University of Magic City isn¡¯t easy to get into. So¡­ you know what you need to do, right?¡± Cao Shaoyang instantly slumped, looking defeated. Deep down, he understood Xiao Ma¡¯s doubt. After all, based on his previous self¡¯s academic performance, which was merely average in the ss, applying to an elite arts program at the University of Magic City without having even taken the specialized arts exam would indeed be a long shot. By pure ability, he admitted he didn¡¯t stand a chance. But! He had his secret weapon. Cao Shaoyang stormed off with determination. Just wait¡ªwhen the exam resultse out, he¡¯d give Xiao Ma the shock of her life. That night, Cao Shaoyang slept soundly. What he didn¡¯t know was that, on the same night, two womeny restless because of him, unable to sleep. At home, the young woman Xin Chun Jiao had returned after a whirlwind evening. After recovering from her initial exhaustion, she took a shower. Emerging in a bathrobe, she felt inexplicably uneasy, as though a fiery restlessness burned within her, refusing to let her settle. Lying in bed, she couldn¡¯t stop her mind from reying the night¡¯s events. In a secluded, dark corner, she had obediently followed her master¡¯s instructions, striking various poses and performing one strange act after another. Chapter 32 - Tasks Assigned by the Master Chapter 32: Tasks Assigned by the Master She couldn¡¯t understand what had gone through her mind at that moment. Thinking back to the embarrassing things she had done so obediently and submissively, she could hardly recognize herself. The restless me in her heart grew wilder each time she recalled those awkward and shameful moments. That fiery agitation urged her forward, filling her with an eager anticipation for the next encounter. In a cozy, lived-in apartment spanning just over 90 square meters, the city settled into its quiet night. A young boy slept soundly in one room. Under the warm glow of a deskmp, a young mother was typing away on herptop, finishing up a reportte into the night. Meanwhile, in another room, an older woman tossed and turned, unable to sleep. As the day¡¯s busyness gave way to the night¡¯s stillness, Yu Na couldn¡¯t help but revisit her strange experience from earlier. Picking up her phone¡ªagain, for what felt like the umpteenth time¡ªshe stared at the tworge WeChat transfers in her chat window. Though they had been sent under the guise of pensation,¡± Yu Na, now in her middle age, knew better than to believe it was just that. Even though nothing significant had happened between her and the young boy she had met for the first time earlier that day, apart from helping him mend something with her handiwork, her intuition told her he had his sights set on her. She thought about the 200,000 yuan in debt hanging over her family. Even though her current ie meant she could pay it off within a year, the debt remained a constant weight on her household, creating an atmosphere of anxiety and unease. Her eyes returned to the two transfers in her WeChat app, each for tens of thousands. Could money reallye this easily? Should she ept this gift,den with implications? Yu Na was deeply torn. The next morning, regardless of how uneasy others might have felt the night before, Cao Shaoyang woke up refreshed. The events of the previous day had left him in high spirits, and with such a lighthearted mood, he had slept exceptionally well. He even woke up early, without needing Xiao Ma toe in and call him. After breakfast, dressed in his school uniform, Cao Shaoyang slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to school for his morning study session. Meanwhile, Xiao Ma, after finishing her chores, returned to her room to continue working on her nearly overdue artmissions. Walking to school, Cao Shaoyang couldn¡¯t help but think about his newest little panion,¡± the neighbor¡¯s stay-at-home mom. The thought brightened his mood even more. What might Xiao Chun Jiao be doing right now? Was she still sleeping at home? What task should he assign to her today? Should he have her wear lingerie under a trench coat and go out shopping? No, that wouldn¡¯t work! Not only would such a bold task be too much for her to handle right away, but based on their video chats, it was clear that Xiao Chun Jiaodidn¡¯t even own such items. After all, she had essentially been cast out of her former life and had moved near her daughter¡¯s school under the guise of supporting her education. Her household was bare, with only herself and her daughter, who was rarely home, too focused on her studies to notice much. There¡¯d be no reason for Xiao Chun Jiao to own anything meant to please the man who was about to leave her. It would be better to start with something simpler. After all, building eptance is a gradual process. In the end, Cao Shaoyang decided on a straightforward task for Xiao Chun Jiao. He sent it to her through WeChat. [Wei Wu the Great]: Xiao Chun Jiao! Here¡¯s your new task for today¡ªwear a long dress without any underwear and head out to work like that! [Wei Wu the Great]:Of course, as your master, I care about yourfort. If you feel too self-conscious about being overly prominent,you can use adhesive bandages. However, I¡¯ll need to personally inspect and approve them first. [Wei Wu the Great]: Also, I¡¯ll evaluate your performance and reward you ordingly. Xiao Chunjiu, do your best! No response came. She was likely still asleep, which wasn¡¯t surprising. Not everyone needed to wake up at the crack of dawn like a stressed-out senior preparing for college entrance exams. It was just past 6 a.m. Even among the working ss, few were up and about this early. After assigning Xiao Chun Jiao her task, Cao Shaoyang tucked his phone into his backpack. He didn¡¯t bother messaging Aunt An Yu Wei; he didn¡¯t want to disturb her sleep. He knew she¡¯d reach out to him on her own once she woke up. Besides, Aunt An Yu Wei and Xiao Chun Jiao had different ¡°roles¡± in his life, and naturally, the way he treated them varied ordingly. As Cao Shaoyang entered the school grounds, he prepared for another day of pretending to study hard while secretly cking off. He also realized that with the college entrance exams approaching, he truly didn¡¯t have the time or energy to ¡°expand his harem.¡± Time was simply too tight. Around 7 a.m., just as his first ss began, Xiao Chun Jiao sent him a message to check in. Following that were several selfies. To his surprise, Xiao Chunjiu disyed an exceptional level of obedience. In fact, he had significantly underestimated her willingness toply. Not only did she wlesslyplete the task he had assigned, but she had also learned to take the initiative. Along with photos of herself in a floor-length dress, adhering to the ¡°bare beneath¡± directive, she sent an additional set after arriving at her dance studio. One of these showed her in a tight yoga outfit, which vividly emphasized her form, leaving nothing to the imagination.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Chapter 33 - The Battlefield of High School Seniors Chapter 33: The Battlefield of High School Seniors Though conversations weren¡¯t frequent, they remained consistent. With the mature aunt, he initiated most chats. Once they grew familiar, she started using her work breaks to reply, keeping their interactions alive. Aunt An Yu Wei, the main force behind these chats, would respond almost instantly whenever he messaged her. Between sses, his break time was entirely divided among the three women, leaving no room for new recruits. Time flew by, split between home, school, and weekends spent apanying his stepmother or Aunt An Yu Wei on outings. Even Aunt Yu Na had joined thete-night ¡°explicit¡± chat sessions with him, just like An Yuwei. Although they hadn¡¯t met in person since that initial encounter, their conversations on WeChat had grown increasingly intimate. She even started sending him selfies tailored to his requests. As for Xiao Chun Jiao, his ¡°little ve,¡± her training had progressed rapidly. Late-night outings showcasing her stunning figure had be routine. He fully supported her live-streaming career, knowing the allure of a goddess admired under the spotlight bing someone submissive to his everymand was irresistible. However, he carefully concealed his identity. Xiao Chun Jiao still believed he was miles away, unaware of their true proximity. Cao Shaoyang nned a grand revtion for after his college entrance exams¡ªa surprise that might alsoe with a shock. As the exams approached, the atmosphere at his high school grew increasingly intense, particrly for the seniors. Ten days! Five days! Three days! Two days! One day! Finally, the moment arrived. Tomorrow marked the pivotal day for countless senior students across Xia Country¡ªa turning point in their lives. Breakfast that morning was a testament to his stepmother¡¯s dedication. She had prepared a meticulously thought-out meal, filled with familiar dishes to ensure he wouldn¡¯t risk an upset stomach during the exams. In recent days, she¡¯d obsessively scoured online forums for advice, checking and re-checking foodbinations to avoid any dietary mishaps. Even dubious posts from obscure ¡°experts¡± would prompt her to revise the menu entirely. Sometimes, Cao Shaoyang wondered if the exams were a test of his abilities or his stepmother¡¯s endurance. While he felt no pressure, her nerves were stretched to their limits, like a bowstring pulled taut, leaving no room for error or oversight. Aunt An Yu Wei had also shifted gears in the past few days, abandoning her usual risqu¨¦ banter. Instead, her messages were filled with concern, advice to stay calm, and motivational quotes she¡¯d likely found online. He almost thought she was transitioning into a career as a life coach. Aunt Yu Na, unaware of his high school status, believed he was a young working adult. He hadn¡¯t mentioned his exams, only that he had something important to focus on. Understandingly, she refrained from initiating conversations. Meanwhile, Xiao Chun Jiao, oblivious to his student life, remained a source of light-hearted distraction. Though their chats were brief, he made time to assign her daily tasks and check her progress. She was his one sanctuary of rxation amidst the intense environment.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om After breakfast, prepared under his stepmother¡¯s watchful eye, she insisted on escorting him to the exam venue. She had booked a taxi driven by a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience and a spotless record. As the car sped towards the test center, Cao Shaoyang was left reflecting on the contrasting worlds he juggled and the challenges yet toe. Inside the taxi, both his stepmother and the driver tried their best to create a rxed atmosphere. They avoided discussing anything that might stress Cao Shaoyang, ensuring he entered the exam hall with a calm and positive mindset. The experienced driver, with 15 years on the road, demonstrated exceptional skill. While the presence of traffic police maintaining order contributed to the smooth ride, the driver¡¯s steady handling ensured Cao Shaoyang felt no jolts or bumps along the way. Even braking was subtle¡ªhe lightly tapped the brakes well in advance of each turn or stoplight, guiding the car smoothly through every intersection and red light. Third High School! As the driver wished him luck, Cao Shaoyang and his stepmother stepped out of the car. The fare had already been paid the day before. The first thing Cao Shaoyang noticed was the sight of parents lined up on both sides of the school gate. The short path leading to the entrance was clear of bystanders, reserved for police officers maintaining order and parents apanying their children to the exam. Parents who had already dropped off their children moved to the sidelines, blending into the waiting crowd with quiet discipline. The scene at the gate, along with the imposing presence of the school itself, struck a chord with him. This¡ªthis was the battlefield where he and his peers would fight for their future over the next three days. After saying goodbye to his stepmother, Cao Shaoyang walked through the school gates alone, stepping firmly into the life-defining arena of high school seniors. Chapter 34 - Slipping into Stepmoms Bathroom Chapter 34: Slipping into Stepmom¡¯s Bathroomn/?/vel/b//in dot c//om Cao Shaoyang took out his pre-prepared exam supplies and checked them again meticulously: Exam admission ticket. ID card. Pens, a 2B pencil, eraser, ruler, scratch paper, and a non-programmable calctor. He even nced at the mechanical watch on his wrist. 8:53 a.m. ¡ª Seven minutes left until the exam began. Time was flying. Finally, the bell marking the start of the exam rang, and the proctors began distributing the papers. The first subject, unsurprisingly, was Chinese. As the exam papernded on his desk, a mischievous smirk spread across Cao Shaoyang¡¯s face. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle internally, wondering what expression Xiao Chun Jiao would make when she saw the task he¡¯d set for her today:pleting two of her daughter¡¯s mock exam papers. ¡°Joy shared is joy doubled.¡± ¡ª- June 7: Morning: Chinese. Afternoon: Mathematics. June 8: Morning: History. Afternoon: Foreign Language. June 9: Morning: Geography. Afternoon: Politics. ¡ª- As the final biology paper was handed in, the grueling three-year journey of high school finally reached its conclusion. Walking out of the exam hall under the warm glow of the sunset, Cao Shaoyang immediately spotted the one person who had worried about him most for the past three days. Approaching his stepmom, he broke into a broad grin and hugged her tightly. At that moment, the action didn¡¯t seem out of ce. Around them, countless other students were also embracing their families, either out of excitement or nervous relief. His stepmom, Liu Xiaofei, returned the hug, her smile beaming with pride. Leaning closer to her ear, Cao Shaoyang whispered mischievously, ¡°Stepmom, tonight I want to see you in a cheongsam with white stockings.¡± The unexpected tease nearly made her knees buckle. She twisted his waist slightly in mock annoyance, silently scolding him for ruining such a heartfelt moment with his yful remark. But after all, the exams were over. It was time to rx. ¡°Fine,¡± she replied softly. ¡°Consider it a reward for doing well.¡± Then she added with a sly grin of her own, ¡°But we¡¯re almost out of¡­ supplies at home. Stop by the supermarket on the way back to restock.¡± Cao Shaoyang let out a triumphant cheer, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and twirled her around in delight. ¡°Ah! Put me down!¡± Liu Xiaofei giggled, yfully smacking his shoulder. ¡°People are watching!¡± But Cao Shaoyang paid no mind to the curious onlookers and spun her a few more times before setting her down. ¡°Why worry, Stepmom?¡± he said with a grin. ¡°See? Everyone¡¯s just looking at us with admiration and blessings!¡± Liu Xiaofei hesitantly nced around and noticed the approving smiles from other parents. Some even gave them a thumbs-up. Relieved, she straightened her posture, holding her head high like a proud swan. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡±she thought. ¡°This is my well-raised son!¡± ¡ª- It was gettingte, and Cao Shaoyang didn¡¯t want his stepmom to be burdened with cooking dinner at home. They found a nearby restaurant and enjoyed a simple yet hearty meal. Before leaving, Cao Shaoyang even packed an unopened bottle of red wine, the memory of his stepmom¡¯s rxed state after theirst shared drink vivid in his mind. Tonight was a perfect asion to open another bottle and celebrate. ¡ª- Returning to their rented apartment, Cao Shaoyang first escorted his stepmom home before heading to the nearby supermarket. He grabbed some snacks and nuts and, passing by a small shelf at the checkout counter, noticed a box of *Okamoto 001. [*Premium Lubricated Natural Latex Condoms, Thinnest Condoms, Vegan-Friendly, No Latex Odor.] Without hesitation, he scanned the payment code and added it to his purchase. ¡ª¨C When he opened the door to their apartment, he didn¡¯t see Liu Xiaofei. Cao Shaoyang ced the bags he was carrying on the coffee table in the living room and began looking around. He first checked the shared bathroom but didn¡¯t find his stepmom. Then, he opened the door to her bedroom, only to discover it empty as well. However, the soft sound of water trickling reached his ears. Following the sound, Cao Shaoyang¡¯s gazended on the frosted ss of the ensuite bathroom in her room. Behind the blurred surface, he could make out a faint, graceful silhouette moving within. Even though the frosted ss obscured any clear details, the hazy allure was tantalizing, captivating him like a starving wolf spotting prey. ¡°Stepmom! You¡¯re taking a shower?¡± he called out. ¡°Yes,¡± Liu Xiaofei replied from inside. ¡°Since you finished your examste and came hometer than usual, I decided to quickly rinse off. I¡¯ll be done soon.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re bored, just y on your phone for a bit,¡± she added. Instead of leaving, Cao Shaoyang quietly shut the door to her room. Instead of returning to the living room, he walked over to the bathroom door where she was showering. Sheepishly, he called out again, ¡°You know, Stepmom, now that you mention it, I realize I haven¡¯t showered in a while either. Instead of finding another time to washter and wasting time, why don¡¯t I just join you now? It¡¯ll even save water!¡± Without waiting for a response, he quickly shed his clothes. The door wasn¡¯t locked from the inside, and with a swift pull, it opened. Before Liu Xiaofei could react, Cao Shaoyang slipped into the bathroom,pletely bare. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!