With Chu Ge's "permission," Shu Lulu was overjoyed, almost wanting to make a victory gesture to celebrate.

Of course, she only thought about it without actually doing it. Otherwise, the little opportunity she had fought hard for would surely vanish in an instant.

Entering Chu Ge's home didn't mean she could really live there.

With tears glistening on her face, Shu Lulu sniffled pitifully and said, "Thank you, uncle," shrugging her shoulders as she stepped into Chu Ge's house.

Once inside, Shu Lulu took off her large bag and started washing an apple in the kitchen under the running tap.

She did this first to make herself look like a good little girl, hoping to earn more sympathy from Chu Ge, increasing her chances of being allowed to stay.

Secondly, and most importantly, she did it to use the apple's scent to completely remove the smell of chili seeds from her hands to prevent Chu Ge from discovering her ploy.

It must be said, Shu Lulu really used quite a bit of cleverness to stay. If she applied the same efforts in her studies, going to a top university wouldn't be difficult for her.

After closing the door, Chu Ge turned to see Shu Lulu peeling the apple with a fruit knife, feeling a headache.

Should he let her stay? Who knows if she'd really be that well-behaved.

Send her away? Though his words sounded firm earlier, he found himself softened when he thought it over.

After all, in his eyes, Shu Lulu was just a child. After visiting the haunted house and experiencing such a shock yesterday, it was natural for her to be afraid to spend the night alone at home.

While Chu Ge pondered on the sofa, Shu Lulu had already peeled the apple and cut it into slices, placing them on a plate and bringing them to Chu Ge. She had even inserted some toothpicks she had brought specifically.

"Uncle, have some apple."

Like an old-time maid, Shu Lulu stood in front of Chu Ge with a plate of apple slices, her face still streaked with tears, looking pitiful as she spoke.

"You think a few pieces of apple can bribe me?"

Chu Ge didn't reach for the apple, pondering internally, while taking out a pack of cigarettes from his bag. As he drew one out, Shu Lulu quickly switched the plate into her left hand, retrieved a lighter swiftly from her pocket with her right hand, and "click" ignited the flame.

"I'll light the cigarette for you, uncle."

Chu Ge frowned, "You smoke too?"

Shu Lulu hurriedly shook her head, "No, no."

"Then why do you carry a lighter?"

"For you, uncle. I was afraid you'd want to smoke and wouldn't have a lighter around, so I prepared one for you."

Only then did Chu Ge let Shu Lulu light his cigarette, feeling somewhat speechless, as Shu Lulu really seemed to think things through for him.

Seeing Shu Lulu lift the plate of apples with both hands again, Chu Ge exhaled some smoke and said, "Put the apples aside, I want to ask you something."

Shu Lulu obediently nodded, placing the plate on the dining table, and stood opposite Chu Ge again.

"Did your mother know you ran out here in the middle of the night?"

Shu Lulu shook her head, "I was too scared earlier, I haven't told her yet."

"You're really giving your mother a hard time, aren't you? Well then, give her a call; if she agrees with you staying here tonight, I'll let you stay. If she disagrees, I'll send you home right away."

Chu Ge in saying this, essentially was indirectly asking Shu Lulu to go home.

Though he hadn't experienced maternal love himself, he didn't believe there could be a mother who would allow her newly high school graduated daughter to stay at a single man's home.

He felt a bit soft-hearted, yet thought it was more appropriate for Shu Lulu to go home. If she really stayed here, it wouldn't be right for a single man and woman.

Hearing this, Shu Lulu instantly became nervous. Despite her mother Luo Suyun having modern thoughts, she was still unsure if Luo Suyun would agree to this.

"Uncle..."

Shu Lulu just began to plead when Chu Ge interrupted her, decisively saying, "No stalling. Either call your mother now, or I'll send you home immediately, choose one."

Feeling helpless, Shu Lulu reluctantly reached for her phone. Before she could dial, Chu Ge's voice was in her ear again.

"Put it on speaker. Let me hear your mother's voice. Don't try any tricks."

Shu Lulu felt even more helpless, her face sour, her lips pouting, nodding her head. She just couldn't understand; if it were any other guy, they'd be overjoyed with a girl showing up willingly. But why was Chu Ge so eager to kick her out?

Despite her helplessness, Shu Lulu had no choice but to dial Luo Suyun's number using the speaker mode.

After a moment of ringback tone, Luo Suyun's voice came through the phone, "Hu! Pure sequence! Lulu? Speak quickly, I'm playing mahjong."

Chu Ge looked at Shu Lulu, his face full of black lines, indicating she should get to the point.

Shu Lulu braced herself and said, "Mom, I'm at Uncle's house. I'm scared to stay home alone tonight, I want to stay at Uncle's. Originally, I didn't want to tell you, worried you'd be concerned, but Uncle insists you must agree. What do you think?"

"Hmm? You two are together?"

"Yeah, he's right next to me, even told me to call you on speaker, saying if you agree, he'll let me stay. If you don't, he'll send me home immediately. We both heard your mahjong shout crystal clear."

There was a silence of one or two seconds on the other end. Chu Ge could almost imagine Luo Suyun blinking in surprise.

Then came Luo Suyun's slightly conflicted voice, "Uh... Mr. Chu, sorry, sorry, is this exactly what my daughter said?"

Chu Ge adjusted his voice slightly and mumbled a vague "yeah."

"Then could you please take care of my daughter? Thank you, I'll visit you when I get back."

Hearing Luo Suyun say this, Chu Ge's forehead was covered in more black lines, practically choking him with surprise. He could hardly believe that Luo Suyun agreed!

Despite seeing Shu Lulu dial that "queen's" number and hearing Luo Suyun's voice clearly, he still found it hard to accept.

Is this how a mother behaves? Have things gone wrong?

Unlike Chu Ge's shock, Shu Lulu was over the moon, saying, "That's settled, queen is mighty, win a lot for us," before hanging up.

In fact, Luo Suyun does not disregard her daughter. She simply deeply trusts her daughter's mention of the uncle's character.

In her view, since this "uncle" could be so righteous in helping her daughter before, it suggests he's a sincere and reliable person, like a hero.

After all, they actually don't have much of a connection, merely getting acquainted while taking the bus. That "uncle" could lend a hand when needed, which is truly commendable and he's beyond reproach.

Moreover, given that it was the "uncle" who strongly urged her daughter to make the call, if it were any other man, he'd be secretly delighted. How could he make such a request?

From that perspective, the image of the "uncle" suddenly elevated in Luo Suyun's heart.

If initially she filled with disdain and resentment towards this "uncle," after hearing of his glorious deeds from her daughter, her feelings shifted to curiosity and gratitude. And after receiving this call, her feelings transformed into admiration and awe.

Even if you take ten thousand steps back, what if this "uncle" truly couldn't resist temptation and something happened between him and her daughter? It's not a big deal.

After all, her daughter is already eighteen, dating is quite normal. If she can be with such a responsible man, it's a happiness for her daughter.

Emotions are indeed mysterious. In today's society, true love can occur between same sexes. A few years' age difference with the "uncle" is nothing to fret about.

Even if her daughter can't ultimately be with the "uncle," it merely shows they had fate without fortune. There's no one to blame. Instead of obstructing, it's better to let things take their course, at least leaving her daughter a beautiful memory.

She herself is a woman, and she went through seventeen or eighteen years herself. Naturally, she understands the principle of "young women can't be held back" and knows it's futile to attempt to control.

"Uncle, you heard it, my mom entrusted me to you. Now you can't kick me out!"

Shu Lulu shot a triumphant look at the still dazed Chu Ge, humming a tune while pulling out things from her big backpack—face wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, and placed them in the bathroom.

Observing the excited Shu Lulu, Chu Ge rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless though the words are already out, no way to back out now.

Snuffing the cigarette in the ashtray, Chu Ge glared angrily, saying, "Stay if you want, if you're not afraid I'll become a beast and gobble you up, stay."

Shu Lulu put her toiletries next to Chu Ge's, turned her head, chuckled playfully and said, "Then eat me, I never said you couldn't."

She intended to do something to catch Chu Ge's eye, but then thought better of it. Considering Chu Ge always treated her as a little kid, going too far might have him kick her out, resulting in joy turned to sorrow. She pulled at her shoulder's clothing slightly, noticing Chu Ge's frown had him quickly retract her hand.

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