194: So sweet

The only regret Xu Zimo had was… Tang Xinyao wasn't wearing Balenciaga stockings.

But, that wasn't bad either.

The slightly wiggling toes beneath her skirt gave one a feeling of… “Are your feet still hurting?”

Xu Zimo suddenly asked.

Tang Xinyao quickly glanced towards the kitchen. Her parents didn't seem to have heard, and as she breathed a sigh of relief, she muttered in a low voice, “It’s none of your business.”

Her tone was full of resentment.

Perhaps even she couldn't quite explain what she was resenting.

“How can it be none of my business?”

Xu Zimo suddenly became serious and earnest. Just as Tang Xinyao thought he was about to say something caring, she heard him say, “Quick, stick them out, let me see.”

As he spoke, he made a move to grab one of her feet.

Tang Xinyao was so startled her face lost all color, and she quickly hid her toes back under her skirt.

She couldn't even imagine what would happen if her mother saw such a scene.

As she tensed up, she noticed the faint smile at the corner of Xu Zimo's mouth.

Oh, you!

Tang Xinyao then realized she had been tricked, and she glared fiercely at Xu Zimo, fuming.

“You're going too far!”

She scolded him in a hushed voice.

The curve of Xu Zimo's lips became more pronounced, but he pretended not to understand: “What are you saying? I'm just concerned about you, worried it might affect your classes tomorrow.”

He was quite nostalgic for yesterday's touch.

However, such opportunities were clearly rare.

It could only happen if Tang Xinyao sprained her ankle… then again, never mind.

Whether it was serious or not, it definitely hurt.

Just then, Chen Yaqin walked out of the kitchen, smiling as she said, “What are you two chatting about, looking so happy?”

Tang Xinyao's face flushed, and she quickly said, “N-nothing… just casual talk.”

Chen Yaqin looked at them suspiciously but didn't ask further. Instead, she placed the washed and cut fruit on the coffee table in front of Xu Zimo.

“Zimo, have some fruit first to tide you over.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Hearing Xu Zimo's address to her mother, Tang Xinyao felt a momentary daze. For some reason, her cheeks flushed again.

A young girl's thoughts are just that strange.

After Chen Yaqin left, Xu Zimo softly said, “Don't be angry, it's a big deal. I'll ice it for you again later.”

Tang Xinyao's heart inexplicably stirred, but she still said stubbornly, “Who wants you to ice it?”

Yet, her eyes revealed a hint of… anticipation?

She quite enjoyed Xu Zimo's concern for her.

Especially yesterday when she sprained her ankle, the look of distress in Xu Zimo's eyes, and later… him carrying her.

That feeling… was truly wonderful.

Tang Xinyao even missed the feeling of being held and leaning into his embrace.

So, her eyes trembled slightly, and when she glanced at Xu Zimo, that subtle gaze was like the surface of a lake under the moonlight.

Extremely captivating.

Hiss!

She was only eighteen, yet already so enchanting.

Xu Zimo's throat moved, and he took a bite of watermelon.

So sweet!

Before long, dinner was ready. Xu Zimo went to the dining table, but Tang Xinyao, still on the sofa, was in an excellent mood.

Even Chen Yaqin noticed the change in her younger daughter.

What was going on?

Of course, she didn't overthink it.

Because she had seen the affection between Xu Zimo and Tang Xinyi.

But then her eyes suddenly narrowed, and she walked towards Tang Xinyao.

Immediately, Tang Xinyao panicked.

No way.

Did Mom discover something?

She was so nervous she almost suffocated, but then she heard her mother say, “Did you ask your Brother-in-law to buy you things again?”

Even on their first meeting, Xu Zimo had bought Tang Xinyao a fruit set, which cost tens of thousands of yuan.

Now, although her eldest daughter had given them a lot of living expenses, Chen Yaqin hadn't squandered it. It was all used to improve their quality of life.

She hadn't even bought herself any clothes.

“Ah?”

Tang Xinyao was stunned.

“Ah what?”

Chen Yaqin glared, don't think she hadn't seen those things in her younger daughter's room.

In her opinion, her younger daughter must have begged Xu Zimo to go out and buy them.

So many… she really didn't know how much money it cost.

“You're still a student now, your focus should be on your studies…”

Although Tang Xinyao usually found her mother's nagging annoying, this time, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, she hadn't been discovered.

She even felt a little lucky.

“Mom, buying a few things is nothing.”

Xu Zimo, from the dining table, chimed in to help: “You two should also get some new clothes. If you're short on money, just tell me.”

Look at that.

Where could you find a Son-in-law like this?!

Chen Yaqin beamed with joy and said, “We have plenty of clothes, we can't even wear them all…”

Although she didn't wear designer brands, the bracelet on her hand was valuable, and now they traveled everywhere in a bentley!

They simply didn't need those flashy things.

“Mom, you can't think that way. If my elders saw it, they'd think I was stingy for not buying you two any clothes.”

Xu Zimo's words left Chen Yaqin at a loss for how to refuse.

“Another day, I'll ask Tang Xinyi to take you both shopping to get some new clothes.”

“You child, you really are…”

Chen Yaqin was a little moved.

This Son-in-law, he was truly too thoughtful.

If they missed him, it would be impossible to find another one so good.

Fortunately, her eldest daughter and he had a stable relationship now. If it were still as awkward as it was at the beginning… Chen Yaqin glanced at Tang Xinyao on the sofa.

Anyway, she didn't just have one daughter.

This one, though a bit naive and younger, should also be… passable, right?

“I'm going back to my room!”

Tang Xinyao said, then took her things and walked upstairs.

After all, she was still afraid of being discovered by her parents… After dinner, Xu Zimo wanted to clean up himself, but Chen Yaqin forcefully pulled him to sit on the sofa.

No choice.

He couldn't win.

Xu Zimo and Tang Rong sat at the tea table chatting. During this time, his phone kept ringing non-stop.

He looked.

They were all from his Younger Sister-in-law, who had already returned to her room.

Seeing him replying to messages, Tang Rong thought he was busy with work. When Xu Zimo spoke to him, he even said, “You go ahead and handle your own matters.”

Cough.

Xu Zimo actually felt a little guilty.

This was, after all, in front of his Father-in-law.

He looked at the messages.

Although they were all emojis, Xu Zimo knew… his Younger Sister-in-law was getting impatient.

Was she afraid her sister would come back?

It was already past seven in the evening, indeed not early.

“Dad, then I'll go back to my room to handle some things.”

“Okay, you go do your work.”

His Father-in-law was truly understanding.

When he reached the second floor, Xu Zimo deliberately opened and then closed the door, making a sound, before quietly heading to the third floor.

He had originally intended to knock.

His palm had just rested on the door when it simply opened.

Inside the room, only the bedside lamp was on, and Tang Xinyao was hiding under the covers.