Chapter 92: Innocence?
When she got home, it was already New Year's Eve, but as usual, the only person there was her mother.
Chen Cheng's father was a restaurant chef, and in the service industry, it was hard to get holidays off, festive seasons were always the busiest times.
But honestly, she was kind of happy that he wasn’t home. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to hear her parents arguing and fighting during the holiday.
"You're back?"
Her mom was sitting on the couch watching a TV drama. She glanced up briefly at her daughter, who had just come home from school.
"Wear your slippers. It’s freezing, don’t let your feet get cold."
"Mm." Chen Cheng, not really used to it, reluctantly slipped on her slippers and hurried toward her room, her voice filled with grumbling.
"I’m gonna shower and do my homework. There’s so much to do over the break."
"Wait a second."
She paused in confusion, turning back to look at her mom.
"Let’s go out tomorrow? It's almost New Year, let’s buy you some new clothes."
Shopping for clothes?
Chen Cheng hated shopping in physical stores, but she hated going out with her mom to shop even more. She had no freedom to pick what she wanted, it was like being a walking mannequin.
She frowned, clearly not thrilled. "I already have plenty of clothes. Besides, I can just buy stuff online, it’s cheaper too."
"Online shopping isn’t always the right fit, and returning things is a hassle." Her mother said with a smile. "It’s New Year’s! Let me dress you up nicely. You’ll look beautiful."
"We’ll see. I’ve got too much homework, I might not have time."
Chen Cheng dashed into her room, kicked off her socks, and carelessly tossed them into a corner. But before she could get too comfortable, she heard her mom shout from the living room.
"Don’t throw your socks everywhere!"
Her mom hadn’t even seen what Chen Cheng was doing, yet somehow, she knew.
"Ugh, fine!"
Grumbling, Chen Cheng picked up her socks, tossed them into the laundry sink on the balcony, along with her school uniform. Then, she grabbed a random set of pajamas and hurried into the bathroom to shower.
She used to finish showering in just ten minutes, but now? It took at least half an hour.
Conditioner, body lotion, lip balm for the winter, moisturizer, hydrating serum… She had to do it all, or else her skin would get dry and flaky.
"This year is almost over, huh..."
She mumbled to herself as she scrubbed with her bath sponge.
Next year, she would probably end up at a mediocre private university. She would get a summer job, buy her first laptop, and publish her first novel online. Even earned money from it for the first time.
Even though she’d only had 2,000 followers when she launched, in the end, only 200 actually subscribed. Most of her earnings came from the full-attendance bonus…
She still remembered crying in her dorm room because she had forgotten to update and lost her bonus. Back then, even a few hundred yuan felt like the end of the world.
But now?
Now, she was a girl.
She hadn’t been spending her time secretly writing novels, and her life was going to be different.
"Kinda weird not having fans hyping me up anymore..."
But… she didn’t really need that validation anymore. She didn’t have to escape into writing for emotional support. If she really needed compliments, An Yuan could praise her until she blushed. And even without dressing up, people would still tell her she was pretty wherever she went.
After showering, she went straight back to her room and started doing homework non-stop.
She wanted to finish it as soon as possible so she could actually enjoy the two-day holiday.
"Chengcheng~"
Lost in her work, she had no idea how much time had passed until her mother knocked gently on the door, poking her head in with a plate of fruit.
"Have some fruit."
"Okay."
"I’m going out to play mahjong with the aunties tonight."
"Again?" Chen Cheng didn’t even look up, afraid that her mom would see the grin tugging at her lips. She tried to sound unimpressed. "What time will you be back?"
"All night! If I win, I’ll take you shopping tomorrow. If my friend wins, she’ll buy clothes for you instead."
…The way she said it, it almost sounded like they were already in-laws.
Chen Cheng responded half-heartedly. "Oh."
"Alright, I’m heading out now," her mom said, still a little worried. "Don't go out so late at night, okay?"
"Mm, got it."
But now, Chen Cheng couldn’t focus on her homework anymore. She kept listening for any sounds outside, occasionally snacking on apple slices while sneakily peeking at the door.
Finally, she heard the sound of the front door closing as her mom left.
Chen Cheng jumped up from her chair, cheering, "Oh yeah! I’m free!"
She didn’t need to go out, but she could always invite An Yuan over!
She quickly typed, "An Yuan! My mom just left! Come over!"
Less than a minute later, she got a reply.
"Auntie is at my place, chatting with my mom."
"Oh… okay~"
"Looks like they’re setting up for mahjong… they even brought out the table."
Wait! What?! The boss is guarding the door?!
Chen Cheng’s eye twitched as she sat cross-legged on the bed, frowning slightly.
Honestly, her mom already assumed she and An Yuan were a thing… Even if she found out he was visiting, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Her only warning had been:
"Just don’t come home crying with a big belly."
Hey! Like that would ever happen!
Chen Cheng had never even considered anything like that! With her traditional views, that was something that only happened after marriage!
She typed confidently:
"We’re completely innocent! What’s there to be scared of? Just act normal!"
An Yuan froze for a second when he read her message. Before, maybe they could still say they were innocent… but now? They had already kissed. Could they still call that “innocent”?
"Just be confident! Don’t act guilty!"
"Alright, alright. I’m just worried your mom will say something to you."
An Yuan stretched lazily, put down his pen and notebook, grabbed his coat, wrapped a gray scarf around his neck, and headed to the bathroom to fix his appearance.
Just as he was adjusting his collar in the mirror, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
"An Yuan, are you going on a date or something? Why are you dressing up so nicely?"
Chen Cheng's mother appeared behind An Yuan, her expression a mix of a smile and something else.
"Uh…" An Yuan’s face froze, and he scrambled to come up with an excuse. "No, I was just… going downstairs to buy some snacks."
"Oh, really?"
"Y-Yeah, and maybe bring some for Chen Cheng too?" He carefully observed his future mother-in-law’s expression.
Her face darkened, making his heart skip a beat.
"Take your homework up there too and help her study," she sighed. "You’re good at school. What’s gonna happen if you two end up at different universities? You’ll be apart for three or four years..."
An Yuan instantly relaxed. "Got it!"
"And don’t bully my Chengcheng."
"Don’t worry, I won’t!"
Just then, his mom’s voice called out from the living room:
"Xiuying! Stop chatting and come play already!"
"Coming!"
An Yuan’s mom, Chen Cheng’s mom, and two of their regular mahjong friends were now gathered around the automatic mahjong table, the tiles clattering as they shuffled. The TV was playing a New Year’s Eve gala, adding to the lively atmosphere.
And as always, the mahjong squad was gossiping about their kids.
"You two becoming in-laws wouldn’t be so bad, right? Keep it in the family~"
"Juan, don’t tell me you’ve had your eye on Chengcheng all this time? You’re always sending things to Xiuying’s house."
"What? How could I interfere in my kid’s love life?"
"Hey, but An Yuan is so tall… Can Chengcheng handle that?"
"Come on, don’t be ridiculous. According to Chengcheng, An Yuan hasn’t even touched her yet, just held hands."
"Hah! Doesn't your son need to see a doctor? Have you taken him to get circumcised?"
A burst of suppressed laughter erupted from the mahjong table.
Meanwhile, An Yuan silently walked past the living room, carrying a bag full of homework, completely ignoring the group of middle-aged women talking nonsense. He headed straight for the door.
Why did you have to say everything out loud! How come Chen Cheng and I didn't know you two were planning to be family? And wasn’t marriage a little too far off?!