Chapter 56

Lu Tingchao initially thought the driver and bodyguards sent by Mo Lingnan were just saying it casually. To his surprise, when he finished packing and went downstairs to leave, the driver and bodyguards actually stuck right with him.

Lu Doudou had already gone to school, and aside from the new live-in nanny hired by Mo Lingnan, only Lu Tingchao and the few people in front of him were left, standing around awkwardly.

Lu Tingchao was at a loss for words: "...I grew up in North City. I’m just going out for a bit, not even shopping. You really don’t need to follow me."

The driver and bodyguards shook their heads in unison: "Sorry, Mr. Lu, we have to follow Mr. Mo’s arrangements."

Lu Tingchao was fed up.

Given Lu Tingchao’s personality, he rarely gets irritable, but perhaps because he had been confined for too long in Hong Kong, since returning, he found himself really disliking the feeling of being kept locked up at home.

What’s more, he didn’t want to call Mo Lingnan at this moment.

After thinking for a while, Lu Tingchao nodded: "Fine, then take me to an internet cafe. I want to play games somewhere with good internet speed."

*

Perhaps after first clearing it with Mo Lingnan, the driver and bodyguards took Lu Tingchao to a seemingly upscale internet cafe.

It was still the middle of the day, and there were very few people in the internet cafe.

Lu Tingchao went in, booked a private room, ordered some snacks and drinks, and before slipping inside, said to the bodyguards: "Just wait for me at the door. I’m going to get some serious gaming in."

There were no outsiders around, which was what Mo Lingnan wanted, so the two bodyguards didn’t refuse and stood guard on either side of the door.

Lu Tingchao connected to the computer and shot Chi Yu a message: "Is signing the contract online okay? I can’t make it over now."

Chi Yu: "?"

Without Zhuang Ji around, Chi Yu spoke much more casually: "You break a leg or something?"

Lu Tingchao hammered out a reply: "Mo Lingnan won’t let me go out to work. Seems like he hired bodyguards and a driver to watch me. I doubt they’ll take me to your place."

Chi Yu: "..."

Chi Yu was completely lost for words: "Can’t you just find someone stable?"

Chi Yu continued his attack: "Back then, I had no idea what you were even fighting about with Zhuang Ji. Then you cycled through several others in a row. Who are you even with now?"

Lu Tingchao shot back unapologetically: "Anyway, I don’t want to be with this one either."

Chi Yu: "..."

Lu Tingchao: "I’m planning to find an excuse to move out."

Chi Yu: "..."

Chi Yu sent a facepalm emoji.

Lu Tingchao felt like the person he was talking to now finally resembled his old self again and asked excitedly: "Brother Yu, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? What's with the attitude?"

Chi Yu: "..."

The person on the other end didn’t reply further. A few seconds later, a PDF file was sent over.

A message from Chi Yu followed: "Check it. If everything looks good, I’ll send an online document for you to sign."

Lu Tingchao’s approach was to sign contracts without reading it, very straightforward: "OK, send it over!"

Chi Yu: "? Aren’t you going to carefully review the program details?"

Lu Tingchao was equally puzzled: "But didn’t you say this show is pretty good? Good money for minimal work—I like that."

Chi Yu: "..."

Chi Yu gave up trying to communicate with someone who never reads anything: "Forget it, just sign it."

Lu Tingchao’s identification and other documents were already on file with his former company, so the process moved quickly. In just a few minutes, a contract with a freshly stamped seal was ready.

Chi Yu had a meeting soon and didn’t have much time to continue messing around with Lu Tingchao. He reminded him: "The entry time is this weekend. Once you’re there, they’ll probably give you time to get acclimated. Find time to pack your luggage. I’ll send someone to pick you up then."

After a moment’s thought, Chi Yu added: "Don’t bring too much luggage. You shouldn’t show up the Best Actress and Best Actor winners—it wouldn’t look good."

Lu Tingchao brushed it off: "I know, I know. Don’t worry, I never like bringing luggage when I go out!"

Chi Yu: "..."

That was actually true.

Probably pampered by Grandpa Lu since childhood and later by Zhuang Ji, Lu Tingchao never developed the ability to pack luggage for trips. At most, he’d bring a bag.

His habit was to buy whatever he needed immediately. If he couldn’t find it, he’d go to another store—even buying out entire luxury stores wasn’t uncommon for him.

In short, he was lazy, self-indulgent, extravagant, and all about instant gratification.

These countless flaws were openly and constantly on full display 24/7 in Lu Tingchao.

Chi Yu also found it hard to imagine what the outcome would be if these flaws were played out on camera.

But this was already a resource personally chosen by Zhuang Ji and couldn’t be changed.

Chi Yu sighed: "Also, since you’re planning to break things off with that guy... Mo Lingnan, if you’re going to make the break, do it in the next couple of days. Filming starts on Sunday. Don’t leave any drama for people to talk about."

"Yeah, alright."

Lu Tingchao nodded.

Chi Yu was a little surprised: "So straightforward?"

Lu Tingchao said with a perfectly reasonable explanation: "We’re not compatible anyway, so no sense dragging it out. Ending it early is better for both of us."

Chi Yu threw out casually: "What about Zhuang Ji?"

Lu Tingchao scratched his head, playing a web-based mini-game while thinking it over: "Not sure. Probably not compatible either."

Chi Yu: "Why?"

Lu Tingchao answered very honestly: "I mean, I’ve always thought that if two people are really right for each other, they shouldn’t break up."

Chi Yu: "..."

For a moment, Chi Yu couldn’t respond to that.

Sometimes he felt Lu Tingchao was a walking disaster, but other times it seemed like Lu Tingchao had a point.

If two people were truly compatible...

"Hey, by the way, Brother Yu."

Lu Tingchao was seriously playing Gold Miner, clattering loudly on the keyboard, and took a moment to type a line to Chi Yu: "Is it very trendy to ship couples nowadays?"

Chi Yu replied: "Fei Xiuqi has already left the industry, give it up."

Lu Tingchao’s bright eyes gleamed mischievously, glinting: "Then are there any new young heartthrobs suitable for CP hype? I’ve found that hyping CPs is really an easy way to get popular!"

Chi Yu: "…"

After leaving and coming back, Chi Yu noticed that Lu Tingchao had changed quite a bit compared to before.

In the past, he was comfortably low-key and obscure.

Now, he seemed to have some drive to get ahead.

Only, he still didn’t want to take any detours, only seeking shortcuts.

Chi Yu replied: "Nobody suitable, wait until you get on the reality show to see. These days, lay low and don’t cause any more trouble. It’s best if you don’t even go out."

Lu Tingchao was very obedient in such matters: "Got it, I’ll go back to wrap things up and then move back to my own place, the one Guo Guo knows."

Chi Yu also knew about Lu Tingchao’s place, and knew it was left to him by Grandpa Lu.

Leaving the big villa where he lived with Zhuang Ji, then leaving Mo Lingnan’s pricey downtown apartment inside the Second Ring Road, which was in a prime location…

Chi Yu realized that sometimes, he couldn’t understand what Lu Tingchao was doing.

Yet, Lu Tingchao seemed like he was charmed—no matter what he did, there was always someone willing to have his back no matter what.

It’s crazy.

*

The intense summer heat in Beicheng was something Lu Tingchao extremely disliked. When he was in school during this season, he would either just skip school altogether.

Or wait until the sun set and get a ride home on Zhuang Ji’s bicycle.

But it was still hot.

Still the awful heat he hated.

Lu Tingchao left his beloved Gold Miner game and went to the front desk to pay, only to be told that his tab had already been settled.

Confused, he stepped away from the front desk and asked the driver and bodyguards: "Did you pay for me?"

The driver and bodyguards looked at each other: "Mr. Lu, no."

Lu Tingchao: "Huh?"

That was really strange.

People who’ve been in the entertainment industry for long seem to develop a sense for cameras, but Lu Tingchao hadn’t felt anyone secretly photographing him just now.

Or was someone else following?

Lu Tingchao spooked himself, breaking into a cold sweat. He immediately didn’t dare to play anymore and hurried back to the car: "Home, home, no more playing!"

*

Although he had already decided to break up, Lu Tingchao was actually not very good at breaking up.

The reason was that basically every breakup was caused by his own actions. Throughout Lu Tingchao’s years playing the field, he had never been dumped.

But even though he initiated every breakup, Lu Tingchao still wasn’t very professional at it.

Because Lu Tingchao could never find a really good reason.

After the series of events in Hong Kong, Lu Tingchao had thoroughly learned his lesson and decided to come up with a solid excuse that wouldn’t backfire.

What would be good?

Lu Tingchao pondered all the way home, and on the way, he made sure to hit the luxury stores in the central pedestrian street downtown. He returned home with armloads of shopping bags carried by two bodyguards.

Of course, he used Mo Lingnan’s card to pay.

Lu Tingchao had no guilt or second thoughts about this. He was still very troubled, and this trouble weighed on him—until he returned to Mo Lingnan’s place and Auntie Wang opened the door for him.

Huh?

Lu Tingchao saw an unfamiliar middle-aged woman sitting in the spacious living room.

The comics and snacks that Lu Tingchao had casually scattered all over the living room table had been cleared away at some point, replaced by a pot of seemingly brand-new potted asparagus fern.

The sofa cover had been changed too, no longer the creamy yellow that Lu Tingchao liked, but back to the original gray.

The cushion Lu Tingchao usually liked to lie on and play beside the sofa was also gone.

Lu Tingchao looked at the woman and blinked.

Auntie Wang, probably afraid of an awkward atmosphere, quickly walked over and whispered in Lu Tingchao’s ear: "Mr. Lu, this is Mr. Mo’s mother. She was discharged from the hospital a few days ago and said she wanted to come over for a visit."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh…"

Lu Tingchao clicked his tongue: "Just a visit?"

Auntie Wang hesitated, dropping her voice even lower: "...She might stay for a while."

Lu Tingchao’s eyes lit up: "That’s great!"

Auntie Wang: "?"

Lu Tingchao ignored Auntie Wang, changed into slippers, and clacked into the living room in his slippers. He didn’t take Mo Lingnan’s mother’s seat but plopped down cross-legged on the floor opposite the sofa.

All Lu Tingchao's stuff that was originally on the table had disappeared.

Lu Tingchao dug around for a while but found nothing, so he turned and pulled out a bottle of Wahaha from the TV stand's bottom drawer to drink.

It was summer, and Lu Tingchao was wearing very little. The marks and traces left on his body were plainly visible to the woman across from him.

Before long, the woman across spoke first: "Are you the one Xiao Nan brought back?"

Lu Tingchao chugged the Wahaha quickly, then turned to fish out a pack of jelly. His reply was quite straightforward: "Which one would that be?"

The woman frowned: "Xiao Nan is keeping you here now?"

Lu Tingchao: "...You could put it that way."

The woman didn’t speak immediately. After a moment, she said: "I hear you have a child too?"

Lu Tingchao nodded: "Mmhmm, that's right, ma'am."

The woman’s face darkened further. She watched Lu Tingchao slurp the jelly and narrowed her eyes: "I am Mo Lingnan’s mother."

Lu Tingchao finished the small pack of jelly.

There was no helping it; Mo Lingnan thought these jellies had artificial coloring and wouldn’t buy the large packs for him.

Lu Tingchao set down the jelly cup and leaned politely against the coffee table.

The cushion on his side was low, while the sofa where Mo Lingnan’s Mom sat was higher.

So Lu Tingchao looked up at her.

Apart from Zhuang Ji’s mother, this was the first time Lu Tingchao had spent time with another person in a motherly role.

It’s just that Zhuang Ji’s mother had never much liked him since he was a child.

From the looks of it, Mo Lingnan’s Mom in front of him didn’t seem to like him much either.

Lu Tingchao suddenly felt a bit sad, but fortunately, he had done a lot of emotional groundwork over the past twenty-some years of his life, so the sadness only lasted a few seconds.

Lu Tingchao reached for his water cup and cradled it in both hands, saying softly, "Hello, Auntie."

Mo Lingnan’s Mom’s way of speaking was different from Zhuang Ji’s mom’s.

Zhuang Ji’s mom’s tone was always very condescending, with the air of a high-society woman.

Mo Lingnan’s Mom, on the other hand, seemed more like an ordinary parent; at least her tone wasn't as aggressive.

She even poured half a cup of water into Lu Tingchao’s cup before speaking: "Before, Xiao Nan was doing so well in the team, then suddenly he quit and switched careers. I was puzzled for a long time."

Mo Lingnan’s Mom paused, then added, "Later, I found out it was because of you."

Lu Tingchao opened his mouth: "Ah..."

Lu Tingchao felt it was a bit hard to explain: "Um, Auntie Mo..."

"My surname is Shu, you can call me Aunt Shu."

The woman's tone was calm and unhurried, and she smiled at Lu Tingchao. "At the time, his job was a stable 'iron rice bowl'. His father died early, so I really didn't approve of him going into business."

Lu Tingchao gripped his cup tightly and took a sip: "And then?"

Aunt Shu shook her head: "I couldn't talk him out of it. When the company was first starting out, it was really tough. It only got better gradually later on."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh..."

"Later, his business became more and more successful, and more and more people introduced him to girlfriends."

Aunt Shu looked at Lu Tingchao. "That's when I found out he started this company just to have enough money to support you."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Well—

That—

That's... kind of embarrassing.

Lu Tingchao scratched his head.

Aunt Shu asked: "How long have you two been together?"

Lu Tingchao: "Not long?"

Aunt Shu: "So what are your plans? Do you intend to be with him long-term?"

Lu Tingchao looked up at the woman in front of him.

She had grown somewhat old.

Probably because she didn't maintain herself as frequently or get cosmetics procedures like Zhuang Ji’s mom, her wrinkles were already visible along the lines of her skin, her temples were graying, and her eyes held a clouded look of appraising and disappointment.

So this is what a mother is like.

Lu Tingchao's hands were burned by the hot water in the cup. He instinctively loosened his grip and asked, "I heard you were just discharged from the hospital recently?"

Aunt Shu looked down at Lu Tingchao and nodded: "Yes, my breast cancer recurred. I had chemotherapy for a while."

Lu Tingchao murmured a soft "oh": "Then I wish you a speedy recovery."

"What about your mother?"

Aunt Shu asked, "You look very young; your mother should be quite young too."

Aunt Shu added: "Living long-term in someone else's home, your mother would worry about you."

Lu Tingchao didn't speak.

He took a sip of the scalding water from his Mickey Mouse cup. The burning sensation flowed from his throat down into his gut, leaving a metallic taste in its wake.

Lu Tingchao said: "Mm."

Aunt Shu: "Don't misunderstand; I'm not trying to kick you out."

Aunt Shu topped off Lu Tingchao's cup with another half-glass, the white steam rising in wisps: "You're Xiao Nan's own choice. I don't mean to stand in your way; I'm just a little worried."

Lu Tingchao finally gave a small smile: "I know, Aunt Shu."

Aunt Shu: "You..."

The door to the apartment opened from the outside.

Mo Lingnan was dressed in a silver-gray designer suit, holding a chocolate strawberry cake in an exquisite box.

The diamond tie clip on his tie was one Lu Tingchao had picked out for him that very morning, and it gleamed under the entryway light.

Mo Lingnan didn't look into the room at first but casually handed his coat to the housekeeper who came forward, his voice unusually gentle and deep: "Chaobao, come get something to eat."

Lu Tingchao responded but didn't get up.

Only then did Mo Lingnan see the person sitting on the sofa: "Mom? What are you doing here today?"

"I was getting restless at home these past couple of days, so I came to see you both."

Aunt Shu stood up and walked over, taking the coat from the housekeeper to hang it up, then patted the wrinkles on Mo Lingnan's shoulder. "What would you like to eat tonight? Mom will make something for you and Xiao Lu."

Mo Lingnan supported Aunt Shu and said helplessly, "Don't overexert yourself. You just got out of the hospital. When I visited you yesterday, the doctor said you need more rest. Why are you running around? Have a seat."

Lu Tingchao discreetly shifted aside, got up, and slipped away cat-like as he went to the entrance to fetch the chocolate strawberry cake Mo Lingnan had brought back.

It was a new product from a recently opened trendy bakery in the east of the city. Lu Tingchao had had his eye on it for a long time but hadn't had the chance to try it.

And the chocolate-covered strawberry was their most popular variety.

Lu Tingchao licked his lips and sneakily carried the cake box toward the stairs, ready to go upstairs and share it with Lu Doudou.

He had only taken a couple of steps when Mo Lingnan called out, "Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao turned around, "Huh?"

Mo Lingnan said, "Let's save the cake for tomorrow. Mom is here, so let's have dinner together later."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao put the cake back. "Okay."

In the end, dinner was prepared by the nanny. Mo Lingnan personally selected a few dishes and reminded her again, "Keep it light, less oil and salt, and no chili in any of the dishes."

Lu Tingchao sat gloomily to the side without saying a word.

About an hour later, Mrs. Zhang brought Lu Doudou home.

Although it was Lu Doudou’s first time meeting Mo Lingnan’s mother, the child had been tagging along with Lu Tingchao since he was little and showed no sign of nervousness.

He politely greeted Mo Lingnan’s mother and even received a red envelope from her as a welcome gift.

Aunt Shu seemed to like Lu Doudou quite a bit, letting him sit next to her during dinner.

After a few bites, Aunt Shu said, "Xiao Nan, Xiao Lu’s kid is already so grown. When are you going to give me a grandchild? I’ll help raise them."

Lu Tingchao had no interest in the table full of chili-free dishes and didn’t even feel like picking up his chopsticks.

But out of respect for Aunt Shu, he spent the whole dinner picking at the food, burying it under the rice in his bowl, and then picking some more.

Lu Tingchao’s tastes had been completely spoiled—he really could go without eating a single bite if the food didn’t suit him.

Eventually, even Lu Doudou noticed and gently tugged at Lu Tingchao’s sleeve.

Lu Tingchao leaned down closer to Lu Doudou.

Lu Doudou whispered into his ear, "Chao Chao, I’ll treat you to barbecue later with my pocket money."

Lu Tingchao was instantly overjoyed. "Okay!"

He hugged Lu Doudou and gave him a big kiss, then shamelessly whispered back, "Then I want grilled seafood—two king crabs!"

Lu Doudou: "..."

Lu Doudou lowered his head and quietly went back to eating.

Mo Lingnan didn’t respond to Aunt Shu’s comment about having children, and she didn’t press further. Instead, she turned to Lu Tingchao and Lu Doudou and said kindly, "Xiao Lu, does having you and Doudou eat bland dishes with an old lady like me not suit your taste?"

The rice in front of Lu Tingchao was still a full bowl.

He instinctively glanced at Mo Lingnan.

Just as he was about to answer, Mo Lingnan spoke first, "It’s fine, Mom. He doesn’t like these dishes. I’ll make something else for him later."

Mo Lingnan had always been a good cook, with a few signature dishes that Lu Tingchao loved.

Whenever he had time and Lu Tingchao was being picky, Mo Lingnan would cook for him personally.

But Aunt Shu clearly wasn’t too happy about this. "You’re going to cook for Xiao Lu again later?"

She glanced at Lu Tingchao, then looked away, patting Mo Lingnan’s arm with her thin, dry hand. "Xiao Nan, you’ve been working all day. How about... if Xiao Lu has something he wants to eat, I’ll make it for him."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Even someone as thick-skinned and slow as Lu Tingchao could sense what Mo Lingnan’s mother meant.

"No need, Aunt Shu," Lu Tingchao waved his hand, pulling Lu Doudou—who had also finished eating—into his arms. "I usually don’t eat much at night anyway. I’m watching my figure."

Lu Tingchao stood up from his chair, carrying Lu Doudou with him, and pushed his bowl and chopsticks aside. "Aunt Shu, I’m full. I’m going upstairs now, okay?"

Lu Doudou didn’t glance back at Mo Lingnan or Aunt Shu, obediently following Lu Tingchao upstairs.

Fortunately, the strawberry cake Mo Lingnan had brought back was still in Lu Doudou’s room.

Going out for barbecue tonight was probably off the table for now, so Lu Tingchao opened the cake, cut it, and gave the smaller half to Lu Doudou, keeping the larger half for himself.

Having been toughened up since childhood, Lu Doudou didn’t complain at all.

The two of them sat cross-legged on the carpet, happily eating cake, and neither brought up the awkwardness from downstairs.

After a while, Lu Doudou put down his plate and said in his young voice, "Chao Chao, can I start school early too?"

Lu Tingchao licked the cream off the corner of his mouth. "Huh? What time do you want to go to school?"

Lu Doudou sighed. "No, Chao Chao, I mean, can I start elementary school early?"

Lu Tingchao paused, fork in hand, looking surprised. "I guess so..."

Lu Doudou said, "I’ve already finished learning all the kindergarten stuff at my school in Hong Kong. Chao Chao, let’s go to elementary school."

Lu Tingchao had been a certified slacker in school his whole life and had never experienced the world of top students.

He bit his fork hesitantly. "Are you sure?"

Lu Doudou nodded. "Yeah."

Lu Tingchao let out a long sigh. "Alright, after we move, I’ll get you enrolled."

Lu Doudou didn’t seem surprised at all about moving. He snuggled into Lu Tingchao’s arms, wrapping himself softly around Lu Tingchao’s leg. "Chao Chao, when are we moving?"

Lu Tingchao: "Hmm, probably in the next few days."

Lu Doudou asked, "Are we moving back to the old place?"

Lu Tingchao patted Lu Doudou’s head. "Yeah, the conditions might not be as good as here."

Lu Doudou said, "It’s okay, Chao Chao. I like it there."

He hugged Lu Tingchao tighter. "It’s our own home."

By the time Lu Tingchao had coaxed Lu Doudou to sleep and left the room, it was almost midnight.

The whole house was quiet. Aside from the glow-in-the-dark pendulum clock swaying in the living room, everyone else was clearly asleep.

*

Probably because he’d eaten too much cake, Lu Tingchao felt uncomfortably sick to his stomach.

So he didn’t return to his room immediately either. Tiptoeing across the living room in his slippers, he first grabbed a can of chilled soda from the kitchen fridge, then, like a thief, he was digging through his former snack cabinet, rustling around for mo yu shuang.

Mo Lingnan had always been very indulgent toward Lu Tingzhao—the entire apartment was his domain, and he could leave his things wherever he wanted. But after Auntie Shu’s afternoon cleaning and tidying, Lu Tingzhao could no longer find his mo yu shuang.

Lu Tingzhao: "…"

So annoying.

Just as Lu Tingzhao was peering, preparing to search a few more cabinets, a pair of strong hands wrapped around his waist from behind, pulling him backward into another man’s embrace.

"What are you doing?"

The man’s voice was low and gravelly in the night, as if imbued with the night's particular mood. "I’ve been waiting for you in the room for so long."

Lu Tingzhao struggled a bit but couldn’t break free, instantly feeling irritated.

He was actually very familiar with this kind of irritation. Whenever he grew tired of a person or weary of a relationship, this irritation would seep into every moment of his emotions.

This was probably what people called being a player.

Unfortunately, Lu Tingzhao had never been able to change this about himself.

He made to set his soda can down on the nearby dining table, but he was still trapped in the man’s embrace.

Mo Lingnan’s hand gripped his slender, trim waist, and Lu Tingzhao’s legs went weak. The canned soda in his hand slipped, rolling off the table and onto the marble floor with a heavy thud.

Lu Tingzhao flinched, instinctively shrinking into Mo Lingnan’s arms. It took him a moment to snap out of it. "I didn’t mean to. Your mom doesn’t have a heart condition, does she?"

Mo Lingnan lifted Lu Tingzhao, turned, and sat him on the dining table, leaning over him. "Really not on purpose?" he asked hoarsely.

Lu Tingzhao: "…Really not. My hand just slipped."

Mo Lingnan lifted Lu Tingzhao’s chin and kissed him.

It was a long, lingering kiss, one that felt almost agonizing to Lu Tingzhao.

His feet dangled in the air, struggling uselessly, while he remained firmly held in Mo Lingnan’s embrace, swallowed by the night.

"Mmm…"

After a while, Lu Tingzhao finally got his breath back in Mo Lingnan’s arms. Irritated, he pushed the man beside him. "Let me down."

Mo Lingnan held him steady and kissed him again. "Not letting go."

He wrapped his arms around Lu Tingzhao’s waist, pulling them even closer. "Why didn’t you come back to the bedroom?"

Lu Tingzhao turned his face away. "I was putting Doudou to bed."

Mo Lingnan rested his head on Lu Tingzhao’s shoulder. "Did you not eat enough tonight? I didn’t know Mom would suddenly come over. I’m sorry."

Lu Tingzhao paused, then shook his head. "It’s fine."

He really didn’t mind—or rather, what bothered him wasn’t Mo Lingnan’s mother.

The night made lovers feel even more entwined.

Mo Lingnan held Lu Tingzhao’s waist, kissing him softly from his forehead to the tip of his nose. "Do you want me to make you some midnight snack?"

Lu Tingzhao was already getting drowsy. "No need."

Mo Lingnan asked gently, "Are you angry?"

Lu Tingzhao: "…Really not."

After saying this, Lu Tingzhao suddenly remembered something and said to Mo Lingnan, "Oh, right. Auntie Wang said your mom is going to stay here for a while."

"Mm."

Mo Lingnan fell silent for a few seconds before nodding. He hugged Lu Tingzhao, brushed his lips against Lu Tingzhao’s ear, and then spoke. "She just got out of the hospital. I originally hired a caregiver for her in Xicheng to check on her every day."

Mo Lingnan continued, "But she hasn’t been doing well lately and wanted to stay here for a bit. Is that okay?"

"Of course!"

Lu Tingzhao’s bright, dazzling eyes seemed to glimmer in the darkness as he nodded readily. "This is your home, and she’s your mom. It’s completely normal."

Mo Lingnan seemed to relax. "I was worried you wouldn’t get along with her."

He pulled Lu Tingzhao into his arms. "She’s quite set in her ways. She’s had a hard time since my dad passed away. Sometimes she might say things that upset you. I apologize on her behalf. Chaochao, don’t be angry, okay?"

Lu Tingzhao was completely agreeable. "No problem. Mo Lingnan, don’t worry!"

The floor-to-ceiling window in the open-plan living room faced the moon.

Moonlight spilled in, enveloping the two embracing figures in the dining area and illuminating Lu Tingzhao’s arrestingly beautiful, almost ethereal face.

And now, this person was in his arms.

Mo Lingnan’s breathing grew labored. He lifted Lu Tingzhao like a doll, holding him under the arms, and pressed him against the floor-to-ceiling window.

The moon shone even brighter.

Lu Tingzhao hadn’t gained much weight since returning from Hong Kong. His slender, delicate frame was trapped between the man and the glass, hardly able to budge.

After struggling fruitlessly a few times, Lu Tingzhao finally snapped. "Mo Lingnan, I want to sleep. Are you sick?"

"I am sick."

Mo Lingnan grabbed Lu Tingzhao’s thrashing hands and pressed them against the glass behind him. "Only Chaochao can cure me."

His other hand cupped Lu Tingzhao’s cheek, forcing his lips parted. "Will my Chaobao save me?"

Lu Tingzhao: "…"

Slender, delicate fingers left faint trails as they slipped down the glass.

Trapped on the verge of losing control, Lu Tingzhao’s voice, laced with a whimper, was barely a whisper in the pale moonlight. "No, Mo Lingnan, no… Your mom is still—"

Mo Lingnan cut him off with a kiss. "Then my Chaobao will have to be quiet."

Lu Tingchao shook his head fiercely: "No..."

In the darkness.

The sound of footsteps suddenly reached their ears, as if the person had arrived at an inopportune moment, or as if they had been waiting for a long time.

"You two—"

Accompanied by a somewhat weathered voice, the living room lights clicked on with a "snap."

In that instant, the moonlight shrank back like a shadow and retreated.

Only the blazing indoor light remained, bathing the two of them.

Lu Tingchao was still held in Mo Lingnan's arms, his clothes half-removed, looking utterly disheveled.

Aunt Shu also seemed startled by the scene before her the moment the lights turned on, her expression genuinely aghast: "You, you two..."

Aunt Shu took a step back, her whole body trembling unsteadily as she leaned against the wall: "You two..."

Mo Lingnan had no choice but to immediately release Lu Tingchao, not even having time to fix his clothes, and quickly strode over to support Aunt Shu.

"Mom, weren’t you sleeping? Why are you out now?"

Mo Lingnan’s voice still carried a hint of hoarseness, forcibly suppressed as he helped Aunt Shu sit down on a chair and poured her a glass of hot water. "Drink some water."

Aunt Shu took the water from her son, after a pause, before speaking: "I was thinking that Xiao Lu didn’t eat well tonight, so I wanted to see what ingredients were in the kitchen to make him a meal he’d like tomorrow morning."

She glanced at Mo Lingnan again: "You two... Sigh..."

Lu Tingchao had already fixed his clothes and stood up.

He instinctively glanced back and saw his reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window.

Compared to their youth, he was taller, more beautiful, and braver than before.

Lu Tingchao fastened the last button and walked past Mo Lingnan and Aunt Shu.

Halfway there, as he passed by Mo Lingnan.

Lu Tingchao paused for a moment, glanced at Aunt Shu, then at Mo Lingnan.

Lu Tingchao smiled and said to Mo Lingnan: "Auntie doesn’t seem well, Lingnan. You should keep her company tonight. I’ll go back and rest first."

*

Lu Tingchao slept unusually well that night, despite it being one that should have been tense.

He didn’t even know when Mo Lingnan returned or when he left the next morning.

These past couple of days, Mo Lingnan’s company was preparing for a new product launch. Rumor had it that they were releasing a high-end custom jewelry collection as part of an evergreen marketing series. As for how luxurious it would be, there were only speculations, with no concrete information leaked.

But Lu Tingchao wasn’t particularly interested.

He had gained a lot in life and lost just as much. Most importantly—he was no longer interested in Mo Lingnan as a person.

Lu Tingchao slept until 11 a.m.

Lu Doudou had already left for school.

Lu Tingchao took his time dressing and tidied up before pushing open his bedroom door and, unsurprisingly, seeing Mo Lingnan’s mother waiting for him in the living room.

"Auntie Shu, good morning."

Lu Tingchao smiled cheekily as he sat down across from Mo Lingnan’s mother, picking up his and Mo Lingnan’s matching Mickey Mouse mug as usual. "What kind of water are you planning to scald me with today?"

The room went silent.

Perhaps every mother has her ultimate limit when it comes to tolerating her treasured son’s outrageous behavior.

Aunt Shu stared at Lu Tingchao for nearly ten minutes before asking her first question of the day: "Do you love my son?"

Lu Tingchao finally found a bottle of Wahaha he had previously stored in the snack cabinet, tucked away in the most inconspicuous spot under the table.

His fair hand fished out the Wahaha from under the table. Unable to find a straw, he bit a hole in the seal.

Lu Tingchao took a satisfied sip and looked up: "What is love?"

Aunt Shu’s expression was frighteningly grim: "Your current living expenses—food, clothing, shelter—are all provided by Xiao Nan, isn’t that right?"

Lu Tingchao laughed.

"You’re wrong, Auntie Shu."

Lu Tingchao finished the bottle of Wahaha with relish. "It’s not just my current living expenses—it’s all of my living expenses."

Lu Tingchao said: "Even without Mo Lingnan, there would be a line of men waiting to pay for my food, clothing, and shelter. Auntie Shu, do you understand?"

Aunt Shu choked on her words, unable to speak for a long time, her face pale with anger.

"Don’t be angry."

Seeing her like this, Lu Tingchao suppressed the irritation in his heart and refrained from venting further. "Your little tricks are all games I’ve already played."

Lu Tingchao said: "You just want me to break up with Mo Lingnan, don’t you?"

Aunt Shu was already quite frail.

Perhaps long-term illness had drained the vitality from her body, or perhaps the endless burden of life had weighed her down.

After a long silence.

Aunt Shu’s withered hand grasped Lu Tingchao’s soft, pale one: "Xiao Lu, please, I’m begging you—leave Xiao Nan, alright?"

That dry, withered hand felt like a bundle of dry sticks, gripping Lu Tingchao painfully.

Leaving behind bruised finger marks.

So this is what a mother’s hand feels like.

Lu Tingchao was lost in thought for a moment.

Aunt Shu, thinking he was unwilling to agree, grabbed his hand with both of hers: "I don’t have much to offer, but Xiao Nan is my pride. Xiao Lu, please don’t ruin him. Let him go, let him live a normal life..."

Wan tears dripped one by one from the wrinkles on Aunt Shu’s face: "I’m begging you, Xiao Lu. Whatever you want, just tell me..."

"Alright."

Lu Tingchao said suddenly.

Aunt Shu froze, as if she hadn’t heard him clearly, or as if she were an old record player stuck on pause: "...Xiao Lu?"

Lu Tingchao smiled and said, "Okay, it's okay, Auntie Shu."

Lu Tingchao cautiously reached out and lightly, secretly touched the hand Auntie Shu had gripping his wrist with his fingertips.

It was a rough, warm hand, filled with reckless courage.

Lu Tingchao pulled back his hand.

"Auntie Shu, don't worry anymore."

Lu Tingchao placed his hands behind his back. "I've pretty much packed up. I can move this morning."