"Shiwen, I didn't deceive you, did I?"
"How do you know about these things... huh... huh..."
A handsome young boy, breath hitched and cheeks slightly flushed, watches two fleshy figures intertwined on the computer screen. Beads of sweat start to surface on his forehead.
He turns to question the other boy leaning against the computer table next to him.
This boy, looking even more charming, has fair skin, slanting robust eyebrows, and sharp, dark eyes beneath them. His thin lips and defined facial structure give him an elegant appearance, complemented by his rosy lips and pearly white teeth.
The boy, with his charming appearance, smirks mischievously at Zhou Shiwen across the table and says, "You don't need to worry about how I know these things. Just remember our bet."
"But..."
The mention of this makes Zhou Shiwen's expression turn awkward.
Yang Haoran, noticing Zhou Shiwen's discomfort—which he had anticipated—quickly seizes the moment to remind him, "We agreed, Shiwen. I show you porn, and you help me out."
"You better not go back on your word; I, Yang Haoran, can't stand that."
"But... cheating on exams... isn't that bad?" Zhou Shiwen frowns, his gaze lowered and unable to meet the other's, his voice dropping lower.
At that moment, he deeply regrets agreeing to Yang Haoran's request to help him cheat on the exam. After all, they've been good friends since childhood, and now they even share a desk. He couldn't outright refuse, so he suggested that if Haoran showed him these adult films, he would help, hoping Haoran would back off.
Seeing Shiwen still hesitant, Haoran lets out a sigh, the disappointment on his face just right, "Fine, I've already braced myself for the beating from my mom."
He slumps on the bed, his tone low, "I promised my mom that if I fail this exam, she'll cut off my allowance and lock me up for summer tutoring."
"Did Aunt Liu really say that?" Shiwen asks, his brow furrowed.
"We've played together since we were kids. Don't you know my mom? She's just like an old witch." Haoran grimaces with a bitter smile, revealing his genuine emotions.
"Why would I ask you if I didn't have to? I know you're good at studies. But even though I've failed so many exams, have I ever asked you to help me cheat?"
"I tell you, the old witch is dead serious this time. I had no other option but to ask for your help."
Hearing Haoran say this, Shiwen still believes that cheating on an exam is wrong, but he can't ignore their long-standing friendship. So, he grits his teeth, "Fine! Haoran, I'll help you. But remember, only this once."
Seeing Shiwen agree, a smile spreads across Haoran's face, his usual nonchalant attitude returning, "Good, good! Just this once."
With that, he mischievously gestures towards the computer screen, "Do you want to keep watching?"
Shiwen's face reddens instantly, he stutters, "I... I... don't... need to... watch anymore."
He had initially suggested watching these adult films as a joke, never expecting Haoran to take it seriously.
For the first time, watching such a film, the adolescent's hormones are in an uproar, his body heating up, visibly affected.
Even though Shiwen says he doesn't want to watch anymore, his eyes are sneakily glued to the computer screen.
On the screen, a middle-aged man is in bed, holding a naked woman with snow-white skin, passionately gyrating his hips.
Haoran notices Shiwen's covert glances, chuckles, and teases, "If you want to watch, just watch. There's no one else here."
"Click, click, click, click..."
At this time, the sound of high heels striking the floor echoes from the hallway outside, clear and resonant. Yang Haoran listens intently for a few moments, the sound growing closer. He's all too familiar with these commanding footsteps that fill even the house's walkways.
"Hurry, hurry..."
Shock suddenly etches across Zhou Haoran's face. In a frantic flurry, he haphazardly clicks the mouse, but in his haste, fails to hit the shutdown button after several attempts.
Zhou Shiwen panics too; he knows Aunt Liu has arrived.
"Mmm... ahh... mmm..."
Outside the door, Liu Ruoxi's face hardens as she hears the inappropriate sounds emanating from her son's room.
She knows her son is sneaking a peek at those kinds of videos again. Ever since she caught him last time, she was furious and punished him severely with a duster. But in what felt like no time at all, he was sneakily repeating his misdeeds.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Liu Ruoxi's eyebrows furrow as she suppresses her anger and knocks on the door, determined to administer a stern lesson this time around.
After the knock, Yang Haoran finally shuts down his computer, feeling a twinge of anxiety. He wonders if his mother heard anything.
"Haoran, open the door!" A familiar voice comes from outside the door, its tone icy. Yang Haoran starts, his face turning pale instantly. "What...what should we do?"
Zhou Shiwen panics as well.
After a brief silence, Yang Haoran pats Zhou Shiwen on the shoulder, a grim smile creeping across his face: "You go first when she comes in, don't worry about me."
"How can I do that?" Zhou Shiwen quickly shakes his head. He can't just abandon his childhood friend in a crisis and escape blame-free, especially as it was him who wanted to watch those things in the first place, albeit as a joke.
"What are you thinking?" Yang Haoran gives a bitter smile. "If you don't leave, do you want to watch me get thrashed by the old witch? How am I supposed to save face then?"
"We agreed when we were kids, I'm the boss! You listen to me."
Having said this, and seeing Zhou Shiwen about to argue further, Yang Haoran gives him a pat on the shoulder, then turns to open the door.
Standing outside the door is a woman dressed in a black professional suit, her face like a frosty winter morning.
She is incredibly beautiful with a delicate, fair oval face. Her black hair is neatly coiled at the back of her head, accentuating her slim phoenix eyes. Her elegantly arched brows, dainty nose, and red lips give her an allure uniquely associated with a mature woman.
Dressed in a form-fitting suit, a deep V neckline reveals a white shirt underneath. Her waist is slender and her chest round and full. She wears a black pencil skirt, flesh-coloured stockings, and black stilettos high heels. Her hips are firm and her legs long and shapely, displaying the intellect and efficiency of a career woman.
Yang Haoran is familiar with this outfit. Clearly, his mother has just come home from the office.
It was precisely because there was no one at home that he dared to invite Zhou Shiwen to watch porn videos, but he never expected her to return home suddenly. He was utterly unprepared.
"Who is this beautiful lady?"
Yang Haoran manages a forced smile on his face, speaking in a dramatic tone, "Oh, so it's my beautiful and kind mother. Mother, what can I do for you?"
"Step aside!" Liu Ruoxi, noticing her son's flippant demeanour, doesn't hide her displeasure and speaks with an icy tone.
Startled, Yang Haoran quickly steps aside, bowing slightly in an ingratiating manner, "Please come in, mother."
Upon entering the room, Liu Ruoxi quickly spots Zhou Shiwen standing by the computer desk, his face tense, and his hands fidgeting awkwardly.
She frowns slightly but doesn't treat her best friend's son kindly either, her voice ice-cold: "Shiwen, you go out first. I need to have a word with my son."
Zhou Shiwen, who had originally planned to muster his courage and stand by his friend, felt as if a cold bucket of water was poured on his bravado under Liu Ruoxi's icy gaze. His courage evaporated.
Nervously nodding, he doesn't dare say a word. He picks up his backpack from the bed and hastily exits the room, shooting Yang Haoran a look that screamed 'good luck' before he leaves.
"Darn it!" Yang Haoran thought, exasperated. He had just seen his good friend Zhou Shiwen, who had been urging them to shoulder the trouble together, sneak away in a hurry. Shiwen didn't dare make a peep, leaving Haoran internally cursing ten thousand times.
"At least say something before you go, I'll respect you as a real man," Haoran muttered to himself.
Ignoring the situation, Liu Ruoxi calmly walked over to sit at her son's bedside and said indifferently, "Close the door."
"Of course, Mother," Haoran responded, closing the door as he was told. He tiptoed over to his mother's side, naturally climbed onto the bed, and began gently massaging her shoulders as he cheerfully asked, "Mother, why did you come home so early today? Are you tired? Let me massage your shoulders and help you relax."
"Hmph!" Liu Ruoxi responded coldly to her son's flattery, "Your courage seems to be growing."
With a sarcastic smile on her face, Liu Ruoxi continued, "Hmm... I think you're asking for trouble. Is it that three days without punishment and you start messing around? The school even called me about you skipping class. How could I not come home?"
Hearing this, Haoran quickly increased his massage pace and replied in a flattering manner, "Mother, what are you saying? I just missed you so much that I couldn't help myself and came home early from school to see you. How can you call that skipping class?"
"Alright, quite the silver tongue you have there," Liu Ruoxi said with a cold laugh. "So, what were you looking at in your room just now?"
"I... I wasn't looking at anything. I was studying with Shiwen," Haoran quickly responded, aware that his mother likely knew the truth but unwilling to admit it.
Hastily changing the subject, he said, "Mother, after tirelessly studying day and night, I am confident I'll pass the upcoming exams. Please don't worry, I will surely give you a satisfactory result."
"Heh..." With a cold smirk, Liu Ruoxi gave a skeptical look. She, as a mother, knew her son's virture all too well to believe any narratives of 'round-the-clock hard work and intense study'.
Upon hearing his mother's scornful laughter, Yang Haoran's embarrassment flared up, and he momentarily stopped in his actions. He was well aware that his words lacked credibility.
"Why have you stopped? Are you asking for a reprimand?" she queried.
"Alright, mother dear," he conceded.
Hastily, Yang Haoran resumed massaging his mother's shoulders. He was no novice in this regard - having taken pains to learn the technique. After much practice, he had mastered the art of applying the perfect amount of pressure, knowing exactly where to strike to bring comfort.
Liu Ruoxi's eyes softened somewhat. The ingratiating attentions of her son weren't without effect. His efforts brought a certain relaxation to her body, alleviating some of her annoyance, but it was not enough. Not yet.