"Oh shit!What the hell are you doing?" Tie Wan, who had been sleeping soundly, was suddenly jolted awake when someone pulled off her blanket. Naturally, her mood turned foul. After all, she knew there was only one man in the house, so her tone was anything but polite.
Yet, as she rubbed her bleary eyes and realized it was her mother standing before her, she panicked. "Mom, it's you? I didn't know…"
Hu Yue knew her daughter's frustration wasn't directed at her, but this only made her angrier. If Tie Wan could act like this, it only showed how little she cared for the young man outside. How could that be?
"If it had been someone else, would you have reacted like this?" her mother demanded with a stern expression.
"No… no, of course not." Seeing her mother truly angry, Tie Wan didn't dare talk back.
"Tell me, do you always treat that young man out there like this?"
"You mean…" Tie Wan suddenly realized she had nearly forgotten about the guy waiting outside. Seeing her mother's stern face, she carefully asked, "Did he do something to anger you? If so, I'll go and deal with him right now."
"Who are you planning to 'deal with'?" Hu Yue's face darkened further, her daughter's brashness surprising her.
"Who else but…" Noticing her mother's displeased look, Tie Wan stopped herself and instinctively moved slightly inward on the bed.
"You, young lady… it's my fault for spoiling you too much," Hu Yue sighed, her voice filled with disappointment.
"What's going on, Mom? I haven't done anything wrong," Tie Wan murmured, her tone softening as her initial defiance faded.
"Dare you say that! Go apologize to him right now. And from now on, treat him with more respect—stop acting like such a princess."
"What! Apologize to him? Not a chance!" Tie Wan's mouth twisted in defiance. Apologize to that guy? Over her dead body! Did he even deserve it?
"Will you go or not?" Hu Yue's tone hardened. "If you don't, I won't consider you my daughter anymore!"
"Fine—I'll go, all right?" Faced with her mother's ire, Tie Wan had no choice but to yield, sulking as she imagined the nonsense that guy must have spun to win her mother's favor. No doubt, he'd badmouthed her too. Seething with resentment, she set off to face him.
"Wait!" her mother called out, just in time.
"Now what?" Despite her frustration, Tie Wan dared not show a trace of it on her face.
"Are you about to start a fight or something? Don't go scaring him now. Smile… is that so difficult? A gentle smile, no teeth, just a slight curve of the lips. Yes, like that. All right, you may go."
"Sorry," Tie Wan muttered begrudgingly as she faced Xiang Ri in the living room.
"N-no need…" Xiang Ri stammered, though inwardly thrilled, maintaining a frightened expression.
Watching Xiang Ri's supposedly fearful look, Hu Yue's mind conjured up an image of her daughter bullying him, yet he hadn't walked away. That he endured this and still liked her daughter spoke volumes about him. Good men like this were rare nowadays.
Eager to encourage the "young couple's" bond, Hu Yue took on a mediating role. "All right, you two. From now on, stick together, respect each other, and don't quarrel over trivial things." She cast a warm, approving smile at Xiang Ri, while her gaze at her daughter was a strict, warning glare.
"What? Us? Mom, are you mistaken? We…" Tie Wan stammered in disbelief, ready to argue.
Her mother cut her off immediately. "Silence! If Xiang suffers any more mistreatment from you, don't blame me for disowning you as my daughter!"
"Mom—" Tie Wan whined, attempting to sound endearing.
"Don't call me that! Look at Xiang. He's excellent in his studies, helps you with household chores, and here you are, refusing to settle down. And about that police job—it's best if you quit it. Stay home or find some other work; there's no need for a girl to be involved in such a dangerous profession."
"No way!" Tie Wan instantly forgot about her mother's matchmaking earlier. Becoming a police officer was her greatest dream, something she would never give up on.
Seeing Hu Yue's growing frustration, Xiang Ri seized the chance to step in, gently coaxing her, "Auntie, if Tie Wan enjoys her work, perhaps it's best to let her pursue it, as long as it's what she truly wants…"
Tie Wan, however, couldn't bear to let him continue. Pointing at his face, she snapped, "What do you mean, 'Tie Wan'? Who gave you the right to call me that? Damn it! If it weren't for you, I—"
"Enough!" Hu Yue's face darkened as her daughter disregarded her words. "Do you even respect me as your mother? Xiang here only wants what's best for you. Just look at yourself—utterly unladylike. I'm ashamed to even mention it." Hu Yue's harsh words brought tears to Tie Wan's eyes.
Surprised to see her displaying such vulnerability, Xiang Ri felt a twinge of pity and softly pleaded, "Auntie, she knows she was wrong…"
Hu Yue looked at Xiang Ri, her tone softening, though tinged with mild reproach. "You spoil her too much—she'll think she can get away with anything." Hearing Tie Wan's quiet sobs, Hu Yue sensed it was time to leave. "All right, I have some matters to attend to. I shouldn't interfere too much in young people's affairs; handle things wisely." With that, she opened the door and left.
The moment her mother stepped out, Tie Wan gritted her teeth and glared at Xiang Ri. "Just what on earth did you tell her?"
"What do you think, my dear Lulu?" Xiang Ri replied, amused, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"What? What did you just call me? I'll kill you!" Furious and mortified, Tie Wan lunged at him.
The short distance and Xiang Ri's lack of defenses caused them to tumble onto the sofa, fortunately without injury.
In the scuffle, both their clothes became slightly disheveled.
Xiang Ri's sharp eyes instantly noticed her shoulder was exposed, revealing a white strap underneath. Swallowing hard, he moved to pull her collar just a bit more, hoping for a better view.
Just then, the door abruptly opened—it was Hu Yue again. "One more thing I forgot to—" Her words trailed off as she took in the scene: the two of them tangled on the sofa, Xiang on top, their clothes askew. Startled, they both looked at her with expressions frozen in shock.
"Oh, don't mind me… carry on!" Hu Yue awkwardly withdrew, muttering under her breath as she exited.