However, raising Lin Baor from childhood had molded Gan Mengzhu into a mature, sexy woman. She exuded the aura of a confident older sister and was the very model of a virtuous wife and good mother.

As Xia Liang walked to the dining table, Gan Mengzhu ladled a bowl of soup for him.

He took a sip, a broad smile spreading across his face. All joking aside, this tastes incredible!

Just then, Lin Baor came storming in from the living room. She glanced at Xia Liang, then at her mother who was enjoying her soup.

"Mom, how could you? I want some too."

Gan Mengzhu shot her a look. "If you want some, get it yourself. You're a grown woman. Are you not ashamed to still have your mother do everything for you?"

No sooner had she spoken than she noticed Xia Liang's bowl was empty. She hurriedly took it from him and went to fill it with rice.

In that moment, Lin Baor felt her world collapse. She remembered a time when her mother doted on her just like that. But now, she could only pick up her own bowl and serve herself.

Throughout the meal, Xia Liang ate with great relish while Gan Mengzhu continuously placed more food on his plate. Lin Baor was beside herself with rage, her eyes glaring daggers at him.

「…」

After dinner, Xia Liang stood up. "Let's go, Mengzhu. How about a walk?"

"Okay." Gan Mengzhu stood up happily and linked her arm through his.

As they reached the door, she remembered something.

"Bao'er, wash the dishes later. Your Uncle Xia and I are going shopping. Don't you dare slack off, or you can forget about next week's allowance."

Only then did Gan Mengzhu turn back to Xia Liang. "Let's go, dear."

"Mhm."

And just like that, they left.

Watching the door swing shut, Lin Baor felt dizzy.

Oh my god! What kind of mother leaves her daughter at home to do dishes while she goes on a date with a man? So unfair! Wash the dishes? I wouldn't be caught dead washing dishes. It's just about the money, right? Money… which I don't actually have.

Lin Baor felt her empty wallet, then silently picked up a dishcloth.

「…」

He drove to the commercial district, where he bought Gan Mengzhu several beautiful outfits, cosmetics, and jewelry. Of course, he also picked up some more… adventurous apparel. In the past, Gan Mengzhu had always focused on taking care of her daughter. While she maintained her appearance, she never truly went all out to dress up.

When it came to his woman, Xia Liang was quite generous. After the shopping spree, Gan Mengzhu's charm skyrocketed.

After returning to Tranquil Apartments, Gan Mengzhu gave Xia Liang a kiss. "Dear, have a seat. I'm going to put these things away, then I'll be right back to keep you company."

Her voice was tender, laced with an alluring hint that made one's heart race.

"Sure, go ahead."

Xia Liang nodded, and Gan Mengzhu headed into her room.

The next second, Lin Baor crept out of her own room, her face a mask of anger.

"You're Xia Liang, right? Let me tell you something! Don't even think about toying with my mother's heart. I advise you to get out of here, and fast," Lin Baor said, pointing at him with self-righteous conviction.

Xia Liang frowned. So disrespectful! This girl… Oh, forget it. Why argue with a child?

He shook his head. "Bao'er, your mom and I are truly in love. Don't make a scene, or you'll just get another scolding."

Hearing Xia Liang call her Bao'er, Lin Baor's face instantly turned bright red. That was a nickname only her mother ever used.

"You bastard, don't you dare call me Bao'er! You have no right to use that name. You should know your place."

Hearing her daughter's raised voice, Gan Mengzhu came out of the bedroom dressed in her new clothes, her expression serious.

"Bao'er, is that any way to speak to your Uncle Xia? That's not how I raised you. I'm with him now, which makes him your stepfather. You will respect him!"

At her mother's words, Lin Baor rushed forward, grabbing Gan Mengzhu's clothes. "Mom! I don't want him! What gives him the right to be my stepfather!" she whined.

But Gan Mengzhu was completely unmoved. "That's enough. This is my business, so you will stay out of it."

Seeing Lin Baor's head droop, her tone softened slightly. "Don't say things like that again. I know this is a little hard for you to accept right now, but you need to get used to it."

Although her mother's voice was gentle, her tone was firm and final. Lin Baor knew it was useless to argue. Unable to stand the sight of Xia Liang and her mother being all lovey-dovey, she retreated to her room early.

The two were now embracing on the sofa.

Xia Liang smiled. "Honey, do the clothes we bought this afternoon fit okay?"

Gan Mengzhu looked puzzled. "They all fit perfectly. Didn't we try them on in the store?"

Xia Liang raised his eyebrows slyly. "That was this afternoon. It's evening now. You should try them on again. Let me see how they look!"

The hint was unmistakable. Gan Mengzhu naturally understood what he meant. Even though she was thirty, yesterday had been her first time, and she still felt a little shy.

Seeing her cheeks flush, Xia Liang rubbed his temples, wondering if he was being too forward, especially with her daughter in the next room. Just as he was about to tell her to forget it, Gan Mengzhu leaned close and whispered in his ear, "We'll have to be quiet later. We don't want your daughter to hear."

An invitation like that was impossible to misunderstand.

"No problem!"

With that, Xia Liang slipped his arms under her, lifting her into a princess carry and taking her to the bedroom. They began to "try on" the new clothes they had bought that afternoon. Different outfits gave off different vibes. They went through five or six of them over the course of the night, only stopping when Gan Mengzhu was completely exhausted.

「The next morning」

Gan Mengzhu was in the kitchen making breakfast when Xia Liang was jolted awake by a knocking at his door.

He propped himself up, confused. "Bao'er? What is it this early in the morning?"

An exasperated voice shouted from the other side of the door. "Damn it, Xia Liang, are you a pig?! Get up! My mom sent me to call you for breakfast."

Xia Liang wasn't bothered. One step at a time. I'll win her over eventually.

Seeing that Xia Liang was ignoring her, Lin Baor gritted her teeth in frustration, deciding not to speak to him either. But then, a thought struck her.

"By the way, what exactly were you and my mom doing last night? All that, 'Oh, that one's nice,' and, 'That one looks great!' Are you sick in the head, trying on clothes in the middle of the night?"

Trying on clothes? A strange smile crept onto Xia Liang's lips. It seemed keeping quiet had paid off; the girl hadn't suspected a thing.

"That's right, just trying on clothes. Your mom and I picked out a few things yesterday, and they look pretty good. You want to try them on?" Xia Liang's face was full of mischief.

Lin Baor rolled her eyes. "Get lost! Who wants your crappy clothes? I wouldn't be caught dead in that cheap junk!"

Xia Liang shrugged. "Fine, suit yourself. I'm going to get breakfast."

He walked right past her and out the door. Seeing this, Lin Baor fumed.

"Honestly, Mom… it's not like she's never bought clothes before. Why get so excited? Shouting so loudly... she's nuts!" she muttered to herself.

After a moment, curiosity got the better of her, and Lin Baor tiptoed toward her mother's room. She opened the wardrobe and froze.

Several outfits with novel and unique designs met her eyes.

What the—?! This…

In that instant, Lin Baor understood everything.

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