Urban System: Beautiful lady, I really didn't steal your black stockings!

Zhang Cuiting glanced at Cheng Zhe and saw that his eyes were open and his smile was genuine, but the intimacy in his words made her feel uneasy.

It was as if they sensed something was wrong, but dared not think about it too deeply.

"This is so awkward! What if Xiao Cheng really..."

She shook her head inwardly, convinced she was overthinking things. She was already this old, a middle-aged woman.

How could she possibly attract a young, promising, and handsome man like Cheng Zhe? He was only being polite because of Ya Ya.

Thinking this, Zhang Cuiting's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and her breathing became a little erratic.

Feeling utterly ashamed of her unrealistic speculation, she quickly lowered her head, avoiding Cheng Zhe's gaze.

Cheng Zhe was unaware of her complex thoughts; his praise just now was indeed from the heart.

He had always been inexplicably curious about mature women like Zhang Cuiting, who possessed a gentle and graceful charm and had accumulated the elegance of time. After all, this was the first time he had come into close contact with a stranger of that age.

Without saying anything more, he picked up Zhang Cuiting's luggage bag and headed towards the guest room.

Cheng Zhe deftly placed the duffel bag next to the wardrobe, then helped take out the clothes inside one by one, folded them neatly, and put them back into the wardrobe. His movements were meticulous and steady.

Zhang Cuiting followed behind him, watching his busy figure, her eyes full of praise: "Xiao Cheng, you've really worked hard. You're so young, yet you're so capable and efficient. You're much more reliable than our Ya Ya."

As she spoke, she turned to look at her daughter, who was squatting in front of the television in the living room, frowning as she tried to figure out how to change the channel, and sighed softly.

Ya Ya is so big now, yet she's still so clumsy and careless, never giving anyone a moment's peace of mind.

"Auntie, you're too kind. It's nothing." Cheng Zhe finished tidying up, dusted off his hands, turned around, and had a gentle smile on his face.

Zhang Cuiting stepped forward again and sincerely thanked her, saying, "No matter what, I have to thank you for taking me in and taking such good care of me. I will remember this kindness."

"Once I find a job and settle down, I'll move out immediately and won't bother you for too long."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhe did not respond. Instead, he turned and walked to the coffee table in the living room, taking out a thick envelope from the drawer.

He walked back and handed the envelope to Zhang Cuiting: "Auntie, there's some money in here, please take it and use it first."

When Zhang Cuiting saw the bulging envelope, her pupils contracted sharply, and she took a half-step back in shock, waving her hands repeatedly, "This...this is too much, no, no, I can't accept it!"

"I've already troubled you enough, how can I take your money? I... I really can't accept it."

She stammered as she looked at Cheng Zhe, at a loss for what to do.

This sum of money looks substantial; how could she accept such a generous gift from a junior for no reason?

Without saying a word, Cheng Zhe shoved the envelope into her hand, and then his palm covered hers, gently holding the hand that was holding the envelope.

His palm was warm and strong, carrying the body heat of a young man, which made Zhang Cuiting stiffen.

"Auntie, you can have it." Cheng Zhe's voice softened even more.

"I know you're not doing well right now. This amount of money isn't much, but you can pay me back once you find a job."

"Besides, given my relationship with Ya Ya, you don't need to be polite with me."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on a stray strand of hair that had fallen across her cheek. He subconsciously raised his hand and gently tucked the strand of hair behind her ear.

This sudden overstepping of boundaries made Zhang Cuiting feel as if she had been struck by lightning, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

She suddenly raised her head and stared into Cheng Zhe's eyes, which held no reverence for an elder, but rather a hint of curiosity and inquiry.

All Zhang Cuiting could hear was the sound of her own rapid breathing.

The man in front of her is clearly her daughter's friend, but he doesn't treat her like an elder at all. What is he thinking?

Cheng Zhe didn't look away; instead, he slowly raised his hand and gently touched her hair.

Zhang Cuiting trembled again. Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word. Her body seemed to be frozen in place.

Cheng Zhe's gaze was fixed on her face, his eyes focused, as if he wanted to clearly remember every wrinkle on her face.

The two stared at each other in silence, an unusual atmosphere filling the air.

Suddenly, Cheng Zhe gently pinched her cheek with his thumb, a gesture that carried a hint of intimacy.

Zhang Cuiting was shocked, her eyes wide with disbelief! He actually dared to pinch her face?

Just then, Zhao Ya's clear voice came from the living room: "Ah Zhe, quickly show me how to use this TV!"

These words instantly broke the awkward atmosphere between the two.

Cheng Zhe withdrew his hand and turned to walk towards the living room.

Zhang Cuiting's mind was in turmoil, feeling utterly outrageous: He was her daughter's boyfriend, and he actually... he actually pinched her face?

She looked down at the thick envelope in her hand, a thousand words stuck in her throat, yet she didn't know what to say.

Zhang Cuiting sighed and forced herself to put those messy thoughts out of her mind.

I took out my phone, opened a job search app, and started seriously contacting potential employers. The most important thing right now is to settle down.

The next morning, Cheng Zhe had just stepped out of his bedroom when he was dazzled by a figure at the kitchen doorway.

Zhang Cuiting was wearing a gray business suit, paired with black stockings and stiletto heels.

She was wearing an apron and bending down to prepare breakfast.

Zhang Cuiting looked up when she heard footsteps and saw Cheng Zhe. She instinctively wanted to greet him.

But then his transgressions from yesterday flashed through her mind, and the words that were on the tip of her tongue caught in her throat. She couldn't speak, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Cheng Zhe's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly stepped forward, his tone full of surprise: "Hello, Auntie, why are you dressed so beautifully today?"

Zhang Cuiting avoided his gaze somewhat awkwardly and said softly, "I was contacted about a job yesterday, and they want me to go for an interview today."

"Mainly because I'm a bit older and haven't worked for many years, I was a little scared, so I dressed formally in the hopes of leaving a good impression on the interviewer."

Cheng Zhe looked her up and down, then chuckled and teased, "Auntie, your aura is just too captivating!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cuiting quickly waved her hand and awkwardly retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm already so old, it's good enough if I can get a job smoothly."

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to have mustered up her courage and suddenly looked up at Cheng Zhe, asking, "Is Auntie dressed appropriately today?"

Cheng Zhe spoke almost instinctively, his tone direct and enthusiastic: "She's more than just elegant, she's absolutely mesmerizing! Even prettier than Zhao Ya!"

These unvarnished words made Zhang Cuiting's cheeks flush red instantly, and even her ears felt hot.

She simply wanted to ask if she still had any charm in the eyes of a young man like Cheng Zhe at her age.

But I never expected him to be so direct, saying that he was even prettier than my daughter.