Zhang Ruoshu breathed a sigh of relief.
Her expression softened immediately. "I won't stop you from dating, but you need to maintain boundaries. You know what should and shouldn't be done. I trust you won't disappoint me, right?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded.
After nodding, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Xu Xiuwen felt embarrassed thinking about what had just happened in the bathroom.
After hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "I'm sorry, Aunt Zhang, I didn't mean to intrude in the bathroom earlier. I didn't know you were in there."
Hearing Xu Xiuwen mention what happened, Zhang Ruoshu blushed.
She said sternly, "What happened was an accident. I don't blame you, and I won't tell anyone. You mustn't tell anyone either. Just pretend it never happened."
Xu Xiuwen nodded immediately.
Zhang Ruoshu added, "You also need to forget about it completely."
Xu Xiuwen noticed her tone was a bit unnatural and looked up at her.
He saw that Aunt Zhang's face was already flushed, indicating she was also embarrassed but trying to appear calm.
Seeing him secretly observing her, Zhang Ruoshu's heart tightened, and she immediately scolded, "What are you sneaking looks at?"
Xu Xiuwen quickly denied, "Aunt Zhang, I wasn't looking."
Zhang Ruoshu stared at him for a full half-minute before snorting coldly and saying, "I always thought you were an honest kid, but I guess not... Anyway, hurry up and go to the bathroom."
Xu Xiuwen left the master bedroom and headed to the bathroom.
He was still thinking about what Aunt Zhang had said earlier.
What was she going to say before she stopped herself?
Xu Xiuwen couldn't figure it out.
He entered the bathroom, lowered his pants, and was about to relieve himself when he remembered he had forgotten to close the door earlier.
He could only imagine how Aunt Zhang must have seen his behavior in the bedroom.
Only now did he understand what Aunt Zhang's unfinished sentence meant.
Aunt Zhang was his elder, had watched him grow up, and might very well become his mother-in-law in the future.
Thinking about his behavior in front of his future mother-in-law, Xu Xiuwen's face reddened with embarrassment.
This time, he had really embarrassed himself.
But he couldn't be blamed; it was a normal biological reaction. He couldn't just cut it off!
After finishing, he turned and headed back to Xiao Youran's room.
Passing by the master bedroom, Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but glance at the tightly closed door.
Images from earlier flashed through his mind.
Aunt Zhang had a really great figure, even better than he had imagined.
Most women at her age would be content just not losing their shape, but Aunt Zhang had maintained herself exceptionally well.
It must be a natural gift.
Ugh, ugh, ugh!
How could he be thinking about Aunt Zhang's body?
Realizing his mistake, Xu Xiuwen shook his head to dispel the images.
Standing at Xiao Youran's bedroom door, he composed himself and then pushed the door open.
Entering the room, Xu Xiuwen's first glance was at Xiao Youran on the bed.
She was already awake.
With drowsy eyes, she smiled at him, "Xiao Xu, I thought you had left."
Xu Xiuwen explained, "I just went to the bathroom."
He paused for a second and continued, "Youran, your mom is back."
"What?" Xiao Youran was startled and immediately opened her eyes wide. "Why is my mom back?"
She sat up quickly and said anxiously, "No, you need to leave."
Xu Xiuwen reassured her, "There's no need. Aunt Zhang already knows I stayed over."
"What did my mom say? Is she very angry?" Xiao Youran asked nervously.
"She's a bit upset, but it's fine. I explained everything."
Xu Xiuwen certainly wouldn't tell Xiao Youran about the accident that just happened in the bathroom.
If he told Xiao Youran that he had seen her mother naked, who knows how Xiao Youran would react.
Better to avoid trouble.
Xiao Youran sighed with relief.
Xu Xiuwen continued, "It's getting late. I'll go back and get ready first. Once you've packed your luggage, I'll come to pick you up."
Xiao Youran nodded.
Xu Xiuwen then started to get dressed.
Xiao Youran got out of bed and neatly folded the quilt, placing it properly.
Xu Xiuwen had just finished dressing.
He headed outside, and Xiao Youran walked him to the door.
As they passed the master bedroom, Xu Xiuwen couldn't resist glancing at the tightly closed door.
Aunt Zhang should be inside now. I wonder what she's doing.
After changing his shoes, Xu Xiuwen opened the door to leave.
"Wait!" Xiao Youran called out to him.
Xu Xiuwen turned around and saw Xiao Youran handing him a folding umbrella.
Xu Xiuwen took the umbrella.
He turned and hugged Xiao Youran, kissed her on the forehead, then waved and left.
After seeing Xu Xiuwen off, Xiao Youran was about to return to her room when the master bedroom door opened.
Zhang Ruoshu walked out.
"Mom," Xiao Youran called.
Zhang Ruoshu looked calm and asked, "Did Xiao Xu leave?"
Xiao Youran nodded.
Zhang Ruoshu seemed to sigh with relief.
She immediately asked, "Be honest with me, did you two do that last night?"
Xiao Youran pouted, "Mom, what are you talking about!"
"Answer me!" Zhang Ruoshu's tone was very serious.
"Of course not." Xiao Youran pouted, "Mom, how could you think that of me?"
Zhang Ruoshu was completely relieved.
But she was still unhappy, "I don't care if you're dating Xiao Xu, but you two are still young. Some things are not appropriate for now. You're an adult, I hope you understand the importance of self-respect and self-love."
Xiao Youran did not argue with her mother, obediently nodded, "I know."
Zhang Ruoshu nodded, "You start school today, have you packed?"
Xiao Youran shook her head, "Not yet, I'll do it now. By the way, Mom, why are you back so early? I thought you wouldn't be back until at least this afternoon."
Zhang Ruoshu explained, "It's your first day of school after the New Year, how could I not come back early?"
Xiao Youran smiled happily.
She held Zhang Ruoshu's arm and said, "Mom, you're the best."
…
It was raining quite heavily today.
Xu Xiuwen opened his umbrella, walked to his car, then drove home.
After returning home, Xu Xiuwen took a shower and changed into clean clothes.
He sat on the sofa in the living room, waiting for Xiao Youran to finish packing so he could pick her up.
He took out his phone and saw many text messages.
Some were from Ning Wanqiu, some from his classmates.
Ning Wanqiu had sent two messages, one last night and one this morning.
The first one asked why he wasn't home.
The second one asked why he didn't come home all night.
Xu Xiuwen sent a message to his mother, telling her he slept over at a classmate's house last night and that he was home now and would head to school soon.
Ning Wanqiu might have been in class, as she didn't reply.
Xu Xiuwen looked through other messages.
There were texts from Cheng Lu, An Shishi, and Tang Weiwei.
Cheng Lu's message said she was taking a train this morning and would arrive at school in the afternoon.
Xu Xiuwen immediately replied, "I'll pick you up at the station this afternoon."
An Shishi's message said she was already back at school, and had cleaned and tidied up the apartment at Jiangning Huayuan with no traces of any "battle," so he didn't need to worry.
An Shishi indeed evoked sympathy.
Even knowing she was doing this to please him, who wouldn't like it?
Xu Xiuwen replied, "So well-behaved? What reward do you want?"
Tang Weiwei's message informed him she would arrive at Jinling South Station tomorrow afternoon.
Xu Xiuwen didn't want to show favoritism, so he sent a similar message saying he would pick her up at the station tomorrow afternoon.
Cheng Lu quickly replied, "Pig, you'll see me this afternoon, aren't you happy?"
"Of course I'm happy. I've missed you to death. When we meet, I want to hold you and kiss you for three hours."
"I won't let you kiss me, you pervert!"
...
An Shishi's text message: "I don't need rewards, I just want my husband to have time to accompany me and talk to me, that's enough."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment. He had to go pick up Cheng Lu this afternoon and didn't have time to accompany An Shishi.
He typed, his head lowered, "Wait for me at Jiangning Huayuan tonight, I'll come to accompany you."
"Really? That's great! I'll prepare a surprise for my husband."
"What surprise?" Xu Xiuwen was now eagerly anticipating.
"Secret!"
...