Darkness surrounded Xu Wang as he drifted in unconsciousness, his body dragged toward the depths of the Yang Cn’s sanctum. The st thing he remembered was Yang Wei’s ominous words and the suffocating pressure of his aura. But now, something else invaded his senses—a voice, distant yet familiar.

  "Xu Wang..."

  The voice echoed softly, drawing him from the void.

  Then—wetness.

  A strange, warm sensation traced along his cheek. His brows furrowed, confusion breaking through his unconscious state. His eyes fluttered open, and what he saw made him jolt upright.

  A girl was licking his face.

  “Wang Li?! What are you doing?!” Xu Wang shouted, pushing her away.

  Wang Li smirked, tilting her head pyfully. Her crimson eyes gleamed with mischief. "Nothing~ You just looked so tasty while you were sleeping." Her voice carried a teasing, seductive edge.

  Before Xu Wang could respond, a voice called out from downstairs.

  “Wang Li, is he awake?”

  Wang Li turned toward the staircase and responded casually, “Yes, Auntie.”

  Xu Wang blinked. Auntie?

  Then, another voice followed—one that sent a chill down his spine.

  “Or should I say… Mother?”

  Xu Wang's entire body stiffened. He quickly interrupted, standing up from his bed. “We’ll be te for school!”

  A Normal Morning?

  Wang Li giggled before leaving the room. As she descended the stairs, Xu Wang ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the strange atmosphere. He quickly started changing into his school uniform.

  Downstairs, his mother, Xu Mei, was waiting in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. She turned toward Wang Li with a knowing smile.

  “Is he awake?” she asked.

  Wang Li nodded enthusiastically. “Yup! I woke him up.”

  Xu Mei chuckled. “Oh really? Then when should I expect my first grandchild?”

  Wang Li's eyes sparkled with amusement. “That depends on Xu Wang~” she replied teasingly.

  At that moment, Xu Wang walked down the stairs, rubbing his temples. He had a feeling he had missed something important. Without a word, he sat at the dining table and began eating. Wang Li, as always, sat across from him.

  A Question of the Future

  As they ate, Xu Mei suddenly turned toward Xu Wang with a gentle expression.

  “Darling, I want to ask you something.”

  Xu Wang swallowed his food and responded, “Yes, Mom?”

  Xu Mei smiled. “You’ll be graduating this year, right?”

  Xu Wang nodded. “Yeah.”

  She continued, “And Wang Li is also a brilliant student. She’s even the student council president.”

  Xu Wang gave another absent-minded nod. “Nhm.”

  His mother then turned toward Wang Li and nodded her head approvingly.

  Without missing a beat, Wang Li leaned forward with a grin. “So, when are we getting married?”

  Xu Wang choked on his food, coughing violently. “W-What are you saying?!”

  Wang Li suddenly burst into mock tears, dramatically throwing herself into Xu Mei’s arms.

  “After taking advantage of my body, now you want to abandon me?! Sniff sniff~”

  Xu Wang nearly fell out of his chair. “W-What do you mean ‘taking advantage’?! I never touched you that way!”

  Wang Li pouted, her eyes filled with fake sorrow. “What about my first kiss? Ever since childhood, you’ve always been my husband! Oh, Mother, save me! Your cruel son is abandoning me!”

  Xu Mei pced a hand over her chest, dramatically wiping away an invisible tear.

  “It’s okay, my dear Wang Li. He is also rude to his mother sometimes... sniff sniff...”

  Xu Wang groaned, rubbing his forehead. “If you two are done with your soap opera, Wang Li, we’re going to be te. You are the student council president, remember? Today is our first day of our final year.”

  With a victorious smirk, Wang Li grabbed her backpack and followed Xu Wang toward the door.

  A Son’s Duty

  Just as Xu Wang reached for the door handle, Xu Mei spoke up.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  Xu Wang paused, then sighed. Turning back, he walked toward his mother and gave her a warm hug, pcing a soft kiss on her cheek.

  “Bye, Mom.”

  Xu Mei smiled, patting his head.

  Suddenly, Wang Li crossed her arms and pouted.

  “What about me?”

  Xu Wang turned toward her, completely unfazed. “There’s nothing for you.”

  Wang Li gasped, her betrayal absolute. She sulked all the way out the door.

  A Mother's Thoughts

  As the door closed, Xu Mei let out a soft sigh, watching them leave.

  “Hubby, our son has grown up so much…” she murmured. Then her lips curled into a small pout. “But why did you have to leave for work so early? Hmph… Someone is going to get an earful tonight.”

  She shook her head fondly before returning to her morning routine.

  To Be Continued…..