On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

Under Chen Xi's sincerity and gentle treatment.

Su Yuqing also felt the feeling of her mother by her side when she saw Chen Xi. Since she hadn't experienced this feeling for a long time, she couldn't help but subconsciously move closer to Chen Xi, like a little animal seeking warmth.

Chen Xi naturally stretched out his arm for her to rest her head on, and gently patted her shoulder with his other hand, as if coaxing a young child.

Soon Su Yuqing yawned, but because she was still chatting with Chen Xi, she didn't dare to sleep.

"I'm a little sleepy, I should go to bed. Tomorrow, Auntie will show off my skills and make my signature breakfast for you." Chen Xi keenly noticed Su Yuqing's state and, to avoid embarrassing her, simply said that she was sleepy.

Her voice had a hypnotic power, making Su Yuqing's eyelids even heavier.

"Okay, goodnight, Auntie." Su Yuqing closed her eyes and snuggled up to Chen Xi.

The faint, reassuring fragrance emanating from Chen Xi lingered around my nose, and I could hear her soft breathing.

This was the first time in a long time, apart from Chen Mo, that she felt so secure, warm, and safe in another person's arms.

The gloom of the past seemed to be completely dispelled by the warm night, leaving only a full and heavy warmth in my heart.

She quickly fell into a deep sleep, enveloped in this long-lost sense of security, a sweet smile still lingering on her lips.

As Chen Xi listened to the girl's even and long breaths and felt her completely relaxed dependence, his heart was filled with affection and satisfaction.

She gently smoothed Su Yuqing's hair and smiled silently.

She really liked this "daughter-in-law" more and more the more she looked at her.

As for Chen Mo's possible expression when he sees the two of them appearing together like mother and daughter tomorrow morning... well, that would be quite interesting.

With a touch of pride and anticipation, Chen Xi gradually drifted off to sleep.

……

The next morning, the morning light shone gently through the sheer curtains onto Su Yuqing's peaceful sleeping face.

Her long eyelashes cast small shadows under her eyes, and her breathing was even and long, like a child who had finally found a safe haven and let down all her guard, nestled beside Chen Xi and fell into a deep sleep.

Chen Xi had actually been awake for a while. She turned to the side and looked at Su Yuqing with an almost loving gaze.

The girl was fast asleep, her cheeks still flushed with a rosy glow, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she were having a sweet dream.

Chen Xi's heart softened like a pool of spring water. She carefully and gently brushed away a stray strand of hair from Su Yuqing's cheek with her fingertips, afraid of disturbing her peaceful sleep.

Just then, Su Yuqing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and after a while, she slowly opened her eyes.

The initial confusion upon waking was instantly dispelled by Chen Xi's magnified face, which was adorned with a gentle smile.

Memories flooded back; the intimacy and warm embrace of the previous night warmed her heart, but then a sense of shyness and distance in front of an elder crept into her mind. She subconsciously wanted to move away a little, but Chen Xi's arm gently encircled her.

"Awake?" Chen Xi's voice carried the languor of early morning, yet remained gentle and pleasant. "Did you sleep well?"

"Ah... good morning, Auntie." Su Yuqing's voice was still a little soft and sweet, with a nasal tone from just waking up, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. "I slept... very well."

She never imagined that she could sleep so peacefully and soundly next to her "future mother-in-law." This feeling of being completely accepted and cared for melted a little bit of the frozen corner deep in her heart.

"That's good! Wait here, Auntie will show you my skills and let you taste my cooking!" Chen Xi sat up with renewed energy, and nimbly threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Her movements were full of cheerful energy, instantly dispelling the last trace of sleepiness in the early morning.

After the two finished washing up and changing into comfortable home clothes, they almost bumped into Chen Mo, who was standing at the door with a curious and inquisitive look on his face, as soon as they opened the door.

Chen Mo had clearly been "lingering" outside the door for a while, and his ear was probably pressed against the door, trying to discern the sounds inside.

Caught red-handed, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, but he was quickly drawn to the scene before him.

Su Yuqing saw her mother, Chen Xi, affectionately putting her arm around Su Yuqing's shoulder as they walked out of the room, chatting and laughing.

Su Yuqing's face held an expression of closeness he had never seen before, a mixture of shyness and dependence. Her gaze toward her mother was bright and warm, even carrying a hint of the filial piety a daughter has for her mother.

This scene... is quite shocking!
Chen Mo blinked, momentarily unable to process what was happening.

He had anticipated that his mother and Su Yuqing might get along well, but he never expected that their relationship would progress so rapidly in just one night, to the point of being "as close as mother and daughter".
My mom's skills as a "social terrorist" are simply unfathomable!

"You brat, standing here like a doorman?" Chen Xi raised an eyebrow, teasing him deliberately. "Trying to eavesdrop on our private conversation? Tsk tsk tsk, your awareness is not good."

"Who's eavesdropping! Wait, how did it become mother and daughter?" Chen Mo immediately retorted, his eyes involuntarily glancing at Su Yuqing.

When Su Yuqing met his gaze, her face flushed even more. She lowered her head slightly, but a smile she couldn't hide lingered on her lips.

She subconsciously moved closer to Chen Xi, a small gesture that made Chen Mo feel inexplicably sour. For a moment, she was a little dazed, unsure whether the sour feeling was because she felt her seat had been taken by her mother, or because she felt Su Yuqing had taken the seat next to her mother.
"Hmph, I knew you wouldn't dare." Chen Xi snorted smugly and pulled Su Yuqing towards the kitchen. "Qingqing, come on, help Auntie with the cooking. You know, Momo, that brat, usually doesn't have the privilege of me cooking for him. Auntie is doing this because of you. Let that silly boy stay by himself."

Su Yuqing glanced at Chen Mo, then immediately and obediently followed him.

Watching his mother and Su Yuqing walk into the kitchen in perfect unison, one skillfully tying on an apron and starting to rummage through the refrigerator, while the other obediently handed him things and washed vegetables, creating a harmonious scene of "mother and daughter cooking together," Chen Mo was completely left out in the living room.

He stood there, watching the two busy figures in the kitchen, listening to his mother's hearty laughter and Su Yuqing's occasional soft-spoken responses, and the clattering of pots and pans amidst the smoke and fire. A strange, warm, and fulfilling feeling slowly filled his chest.

This feeling was even more profound than when he had Su Yuqing all to himself, as if a missing piece of the puzzle had been perfectly put back in place.

Is this...the feeling of home? Complete, lively, full of love, carrying the warmest human warmth.

Rescuing Su Yuqing was his primary motivation for returning, but his greatest desire was also for his family to be reunited in happiness. (End of Chapter)