The scrutinizing gaze of her son in the rearview mirror made her feel uneasy, and fine beads of sweat appeared on the back of her neck. 'That brat, why won't he take the easy way out?'
“You’re my mom. How can I let you take a taxi home by yourself so late at night? If Qingyao and the others find out, they’ll definitely give me a good scolding.”
Lu Qingzhou deliberately emphasized his words, a smile playing on his lips, adopting the demeanor of a dutiful son.
Zhang Ruoshui straightened her back instantly, revealing all her years of authority: "You brat, you don't even listen to your mother anymore. Don't worry, Qingyao and the others won't say anything. Put me down right now."
But the car continued speeding towards home. As she watched the receding street scene, she felt as panicked as a drowning person unable to grasp a piece of driftwood.
"Mom, are you afraid we'll ask you about your relationship with Uncle Chen?"
Leng Yue suddenly turned around, her bright eyes filled with cunning.
These words were like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating ripples all around.
Zhang Ruoshui sighed inwardly, but remained calm: "What nonsense are you talking about? Old Chen and I are just old classmates. It's not like it's anything shameful."
But her reddened ear tips betrayed her guilty conscience, and her fingers unconsciously rubbed the hem of her clothes, making deep wrinkles in the fabric.
"Oh ho, you're my mom. I know your personality all too well. Tell me honestly, is that old man pursuing you?"
Lu Qingzhou's voice was unusually deep, and his gaze in the rearview mirror was three parts teasing and seven parts serious.
He actually cared about his mother's happiness more than anyone else, but he didn't know how to express it gently.
Leng Yue simply turned her whole body around and leaned against the back of the seat like a spoiled kitten: "Mom, just say it. We're all family. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
Curiosity gleamed in her eyes, but she was secretly observing Lu Qingzhou's reaction, plotting how to make this "interrogation" more interesting.
Zhang Ruoshui felt extremely uncomfortable looking at Leng Yue's cunning eyes and at Lu Qingzhou's occasional glances in the rearview mirror.
A mental struggle raged within him: 'It seems I can't escape it today. They'll find out eventually anyway; it's just a matter of time. Rather than hiding it, I might as well be open and honest. I've lived most of my life; do you think I'll be manipulated by these youngsters?'
Finally, she took a deep breath and dropped her pretense: "Old Chen is indeed pursuing me, but I haven't agreed to be with him."
As soon as he finished speaking,
Leng Yue's eyes lit up immediately. Like a nimble squirrel, she climbed directly from the passenger seat to the back seat and tightly hugged Zhang Ruoshui's arm: "Really? Mom, can you tell me more about it?"
Warm breath brushed against Zhang Ruoshui's neck, carrying the intimacy unique to family members.
Zhang Ruoshui looked at her quirky daughter-in-law, feeling both amused and exasperated. She poked Leng Yue's forehead, feigning anger, and said, "You little rascal, why are you so curious about adult matters?" But she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips; the warmth of being cared for by her junior quietly filled her heart.
"Mom, I'm your daughter-in-law now, just say it, otherwise I'm so itchy inside, it's really unbearable."
Leng Yue shook her arm, her coquettish tone trailing off.
She stole a glance at Lu Qingzhou and saw that his ears were perked up, and couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
Zhang Ruoshui laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, didn't I just say that Old Chen is indeed pursuing me?"
Leng Yue nodded: "I know that, but didn't you also say that you didn't agree? Why didn't you agree?"
“He’s pursuing me, how could I possibly agree so easily? I still need to observe him. What if he’s just after a fleeting romance, trying to make up for a regret from back then? Wouldn’t I be at a huge loss?”
Zhang Ruoshui spoke casually, but a sly glint flashed in his eyes.
Leng Yue nodded slightly, a sly glint in her eyes: "Mom is right. We shouldn't agree so easily. We should wait and see how Uncle Chen behaves before making a decision."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly turned her head, staring intently at Lu Qingzhou, a wicked smile playing on her lips, her tone sarcastic: "Don't be like me, accepting all sorts of gifts from certain people, and then falling into a trap without even realizing it."
The tone of his voice seemed to carry a sweet undertone, a mixture of reproach and playful teasing.
In the rearview mirror, Lu Qingzhou's ear tips instantly flushed red, like clouds dyed red by the setting sun.
His hand gripping the steering wheel jerked suddenly, causing the car to veer slightly off the road. Startled, he quickly steadied the car.
This scene made the two people in the back seat laugh so hard they almost fell over.
Although Leng Yue's words were self-deprecating, Lu Qingzhou secretly remembered them and realized that he should put some thought into creating a little surprise for them.
The air inside the car finally relaxed, warmed by the warmth of family affection.
Zhang Ruoshui naturally sensed the slight resentment towards her son in Leng Yue's words, and was secretly delighted, as this was the perfect opportunity to change the subject.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and she couldn't help but chuckle softly, teasing Leng Yue as she continued, "Yueyue, you didn't receive a gift from that kid? You're really missing out! He has to make it up to you. Dates, meals, movies, exhibitions—whatever you want to do or eat, he has to take you through it all. Otherwise, I'll feel really bad for you!"
As she spoke, she secretly rejoiced, thinking that she could finally escape the embarrassment of being questioned.
Leng Yue's eyes lit up. She felt that Zhang Ruoshui's words made perfect sense, and she clapped her hands excitedly, saying, "Mom is right. A date, dinner, a movie, and then a hotel room. That would be perfect."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ruoshui's eyes widened in shock, and she exclaimed inwardly, "My goodness! What kind of outrageous words are these? Is this something an old woman like me should hear?"
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