The air suddenly went quiet.
Only the "shrill" moaning from the TV could be heard.
At this moment, besides feeling awkward, Sun Zhe was also quite troubled. The scenes on the TV were so stimulating that his Yang Qi began to stir again, resulting in another reaction.
Zhu Yan sneaked a glance at the large tent that had quickly formed in Sun Zhe's pants. Her neck turned red, but she pretended to be calm as she hurriedly walked over and unplugged the TV, solving the problem at its source.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she threw the remote onto the coffee table and muttered, "This stupid remote. I'm going to throw you out sooner or later!"
Sun Zhe scratched his head, also feigning composure as if nothing had happened. "Maybe the batteries are low," he said awkwardly.
His comment only made the atmosphere more awkward.
Zhu Yan's beautiful, alluring face turned as red as a ripe apple. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into. I'm such an idiot! she berated herself.
Since Ye Qiao almost never touched the living room TV, Zhu Yan had taken the opportunity last night, while Ye Qiao was out, to secretly watch a racy movie she had downloaded.
Watching on the big screen was far more stimulating than on her phone; it was enough to make anyone's head spin.
While watching, she used a toy to satisfy herself. When a wave of passion crested, her mind went blank, and she forgot to close the video player, only turning off the TV screen.
"Um… you shouldn't watch things that aren't for kids, Ah Zhe. Just play on your phone for a bit. Auntie is going to go cook."
Zhu Yan forced herself to remain calm and not show her embarrassment. After saying her piece, she practically fled to the kitchen.
Sun Zhe watched her retreating figure, his heart in turmoil. I'm already twenty-five. Isn't calling it 'not for kids' a little inappropriate?
He scratched his head and decided not to dwell on it, pulling out his old, shabby phone to pass the time.
His grandfather had bought him this phone, a domestic Huawei, years ago when he was still alive.
Now, other than being a bit laggy, it had no trouble playing a movie or two.
As he played on his phone, drowsiness gradually overcame him, and he drifted off to sleep on the sofa. The truth was, he hadn't slept well after all the chaos the previous night.
「Meanwhile.」
Zhu Yan peeked out from the kitchen. Seeing that Sun Zhe was asleep, she went to her room to get a blanket for him.
As she was covering him with the blanket, she couldn't help but let her gaze linger on his crotch for a long moment, her imagination running wild.
She reluctantly returned to the kitchen only when a pang of moral unease snapped her out of it.
「Time passed slowly.」
Sun Zhe was woken by Ye Qiao. It was already noon.
Looking at the blanket draped over him, which carried a unique, fragrant scent, he felt a warmth spread through his heart.
Having grown up with only his grandfather, he had never been cared for with such attention to detail.
After so long in the dark, even a sliver of light feels blindingly bright.
But when he thought of his father, who had abandoned this mother and daughter and run off from his debts, he felt a surge of guilt on top of his anger.
I am Sun Wei's son. That's an unchangeable fact, he thought. Now that he's run off and left his debts, it's up to his son to repay them. I'll take care of this debt, and I'll protect this mother and daughter until he gets back.
"Sun Zhe, what are you spacing out for? It's time to eat."
Ye Qiao's sweet voice suddenly broke him from his thoughts.
Sun Zhe came to his senses and smiled at her.
Just then, Zhu Yan emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of egg and seaweed soup. "Qiaoqiao," she said sternly, "who taught you to be so familiar? You should call him Brother!"
Hearing this, Ye Qiao stuck her pink tongue out at her mother before calling Sun Zhe "Brother." She then skipped happily to the dining table.
"Mom, what did you make today?"
Zhu Yan suddenly noticed that Ye Qiao was walking strangely. "What's wrong with your leg?" she asked with concern.
"It's nothing. Last night... I just tripped and fell down the stairs."
As she spoke, she snuck a glance at Sun Zhe. It's all because of that huge thing of yours! she thought.
Zhu Yan had made three dishes and a soup—all simple, home-cooked fare.
During the meal, Zhu Yan suddenly said, "Ah Zhe, for the next few days, you can sleep in Qiaoqiao's room for now."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Sun Zhe and Ye Qiao both looked at her at the same time.
Sun Zhe quickly protested, "There's no need, Auntie. I can just sleep on the sofa."
Zhu Yan's expression turned serious. "Absolutely not. This is your home. How could we let you sleep on the sofa?"
"Also, you should call me Stepmom!"
Sun Zhe scratched his head, embarrassed. "Stepmom," he called out haltingly.
Zhu Yan smiled in response, then turned to Ye Qiao. In a tone that brooked no argument, she said, "Qiaoqiao, go tidy up your room later and move in with me."
Ye Qiao looked reluctant, but she still nodded.
In this family, Zhu Yan's word was law; she was like a queen in power.
Watching his sensible new "sister," Sun Zhe felt a pang in his heart.
Zhu Yan explained to Sun Zhe, "We have two other rooms, but they're both filled with clutter and don't have beds. I just ordered a bed online. Once it arrives in a few days, I'll help you clear out a room."
Sun Zhe nodded. "Thank you... Thank you, Stepmom."
"Silly child, we're family. There's no need for thanks."
Sun Zhe smiled, a warm feeling spreading through him. He changed the subject. "By the way, Stepmom, I'd like to find a job. I'm a grown man; I can't just freeload at home."
He added, "I don't have many skills, just some medical knowledge. I used to help treat people in the village. Do you know if there are any suitable jobs for me?"
Zhu Yan placed a large piece of braised pork in his bowl. She had grown very fond of this sensible young man. "Don't rush to find a job," she said with a gentle smile. "You just arrived in Yang City, so rest for a few days. Mom also needs some time to help you look."
"Qiaoqiao is free right now, so have her show you around Yang City tomorrow and get you familiar with the area."
With that, she took out her phone. "Qiaoqiao, Mom is transferring two thousand yuan to you. Take your brother out tomorrow."
Ye Qiao quickly refused. "No need, Mom. I have money."
Zhu Yan's expression shifted. "Where did you get money?"
Realizing she had let it slip, Ye Qiao's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly explained, "I earned it by teaching my classmate's little sister piano. Her mom gave it to me."
Hearing that the money came from a clean source, Zhu Yan relaxed and didn't press the matter.
Ye Qiao sneaked a glance at Sun Zhe, her heart pounding with lingering fear.
Actually, I earned this money from Sun Zhe last night. Five thousand yuan in total! The thought of spending it back on him already feels so weird.
「In the blink of an eye.」
Night fell.
After chatting with Zhu Yan and Ye Qiao for a while, Sun Zhe went to his room early to rest.
Ye Qiao's room wasn't large, but it was beautifully decorated. This really isn't a room for a man, Sun Zhe thought.
He also saw many musical instruments in the room that Ye Qiao hadn't moved out.
Qiaoqiao must be a music student. I have to earn money quickly so she can go back to school, Sun Zhe silently vowed. He reached out, turned off the light, and quickly drifted into dreamland.
The minutes ticked by.
At around one in the morning, a noise next to him suddenly woke Sun Zhe up. He groggily opened his eyes and reached out, but the next moment, he snatched his hand back as if he'd been electrocuted.
I just grabbed something soft!
He was instantly wide awake, his mind reeling.
A faint, sweet fragrance wafted into his nose, making him realize there was a woman beside him. And from the scent... it's Ye Qiao!