Chapter 5: I’ll Agree to Anything, Within Reason
Li Qiang’s mother’s name was Qin Fei’Er.
Standing at the bathroom doorway, her angle prevented her from noticing Chenyang’s increasingly heated gaze. She only saw the side of his face and the luggage he was carrying.
She recalled that someone had arranged online to rent a room and asked, "Are you Xiaochen, here about the room?"
"Mom, he’s not—"
Hearing Lin Xiaowei try to deny it, Chenyang quickly cut in, "Auntie, it’s me!"
"I figured you’d be here soon. What perfect timing! Today is my son’s wedding day. I’ll be cooking in a bit, and you can join us for a celebratory drink."
With that, Qin Fei’Er stepped out of the bathroom, her long, fair legs carrying her forward.
She looked Chenyang up and down and said with a smile, "You sounded like a strapping young man on the phone. Seeing you now, you’re even more handsome than I imagined."
"Auntie, you flatter me."
Chenyang feigned modesty, his eyes discreetly stealing a few more glances at the voluptuous figure hidden beneath the bath towel.
He didn’t know Qin Fei’Er’s true age. ’If she’s really Li Qiang’s mother,’ he thought, ’she must be at least forty.’
But judging by her face and figure, she looked just like one of those beautiful young women in their early thirties.
It was hard to find any trace of time’s passage on her stunning face.
Her skin was fine and smooth, with a dewy glow.
And her magnificent figure hadn’t lost its shape at all, even after childbirth.
The thin, damp bath towel clung tightly to her body.
Her high, ample breasts, slender waist, and firm, shapely hips formed a perfect S-curve.
The towel could barely contain the fullness of her chest, and with every breath she took, it seemed her breasts might spill free at any moment.
Qin Fei’Er wasn’t just beautiful; she possessed a mature allure unique to a married woman that was exceptionally captivating. She was a stark contrast to Lin Xiaowei, who stood beside her.
Lin Xiaowei was pure and elegant, like a peony—fresh, but not ostentatious.
The enchanting and glamorous Qin Fei’Er, on the other hand, was like a rose in full, flamboyant bloom.
Chenyang secretly admired the two beauties, a fire kindling within him. ’I can’t wait for what’s to come, living here together!’
Lin Xiaowei, however, was dead set against Chenyang moving in.
For one, she was worried he would tell Qin Fei’Er and Li Qiang what had happened last night.
For another, she was afraid of what he might try to do to her in the house.
So, she seized a pause in their conversation and hurried over to Qin Fei’Er. "Mom, I understand wanting to get a tenant to help with the bills, but with Qiangqiang sick and bedridden, it’s just the two of us women at home. It doesn’t seem right to let a strange man move in."
Qin Fei’Er sighed. "I’ve already thought about that. Having a male tenant isn’t ideal, and the gossip wouldn’t be good. But you know Qiangqiang’s condition. We have to take him to the hospital every so often.
The two of us aren’t strong enough; just giving him a bath is a struggle. Imagine trying to carry him out of the house. It would be even harder."
"You’re looking for a male tenant to help take care of Qiangqiang?"
"Not to take care of him, no. But when things need doing, a man in the house is always stronger than us women, isn’t he?"
"But..."
Lin Xiaowei tried to object again, but before she could get the words out, Qin Fei’Er cut her off. "I know. Forcing you to marry Qiangqiang was already unfair, and now having a strange man in the house will be an adjustment.
But I promise you, this is all temporary. I’ve already contacted a doctor for Qiangqiang, and he should start recovering soon. The moment he does, I’ll have Xiaochen leave immediately."
"Mom..."
"Please, can you just do this for my sake?"
Seeing the helpless look on Qin Fei’Er’s face and the way her eyes were turning red, Lin Xiaowei’s resolve softened.
Then, Qin Fei’Er changed her tune. "Your job confirmation and your residency permit will be sorted out very soon. And on top of that, I’m planning to transfer the deed to this house into your name."
"Mom, you don’t have to say all that. Of course I’ll agree!"
’The only reason Lin Xiaowei had endured the humiliation of marrying a good-for-nothing like Li Qiang was for the residency permit and the job.’
’Getting a house out of the deal too? That made her even happier.’
’As for Chenyang moving in,’ she thought, ’as long as I’m careful, Qin Fei’Er and Li Qiang will never have to find out.’
COUGH COUGH COUGH...
Just then, the sound of coughing came from the adjacent room.
Qin Fei’Er said, "You go check on Qiangqiang. I’ll take Xiaochen to see his room."
"Okay."
Lin Xiaowei nodded slightly. As she brushed past Chenyang, she whispered, "I’m begging you, please don’t tell them about us."
"That depends on how you behave," Chenyang teased.
"I..."
"I was not happy with how you just acted. But, considering how hard you worked last night, I’ll let it slide. This time. And only this time."
"Okay. As long as you don’t say anything, I... I’ll be good. I promise."
"So how are you planning to be good?"
"As long as it’s not... too much, I’ll... I’ll agree to whatever you want."
"Good. Remember what you said."
Seeing Lin Xiaowei’s expression, a mix of bashfulness and barely-veiled desire, sent a fresh wave of heat through Chenyang.
"Xiaochen, I’ll take you to see the room."
"Okay, Auntie."
Chenyang tore his gaze away from Lin Xiaowei and fixed it on Qin Fei’Er, who was in front of him.
’A true stunner. So tempting, so voluptuous.’
’Watching her shapely hips sway as she walked,’ he thought, ’I can’t help but imagine pinching and squeezing them.’