Chapter 84
Click—Saturday, early morning.
Downstairs, the door to Auntie Chen's room opened. The older woman was already up, tidying and starting breakfast. When she stepped out, she was surprised to see Ye Lan seated at the dining table, worry etched on her face, still in her nightgown and cradling a steaming cup of coffee.
"Miss, you're up early today?" Auntie Chen asked, pausing.
Ye Lan propped her cheek in one hand, a few loose strands of hair slipping through her fingers. She glanced at Auntie Chen. "Morning, Auntie Chen."
"Sothing on your mind?"
"No... just couldn't sleep." She took a slow sip of coffee.
Auntie Chen smiled and moved to the kitchen. "All right, then. I'll get breakfast ready and finish the cleaning afterward."
"Thanks."
Ye Lan answered absently, eyes distant, thoughts circling the events of the previous night. She had seen her daughter slip out of Yan Huan's room well past midnight, carrying sothing Ye Lan couldn't quite identify. Was it an innocent rendezvous, or—
She had let Shiyu keep her dignity, pretending not to notice the girl's careful secrecy. Yet the more Ye Lan replayed the scene, the stranger it felt. If Shiyu and Xiao Huan were involved, why would she need the guest-room key?
Ye Lan shook her head and gulped another mouthful of coffee. Paranoia, she told herself. Shiyu might be eccentric, but surely not reckless.
The sizzle of oil and the hum of the range hood filled the kitchen while she sat in silence.
Tap-tap-tap—light footsteps approached. Ye Lan turned to see ow-chan trotting in, tail high, bright eyes fixed on her.
"ow~"
The little black cat lted so of the chill from her nerves. Ye Lan reached out to ruffle the soft fur. "Morning, ow-chan."
"ow~"
"Good kitty."
"Morning, Auntie Ye," ca a drowsy voice. Where the cat was, Yan Huan could not be far behind.
Ye Lan looked up to see the handso boy stifle a yawn as he carried a bundle of dirty clothes toward the laundry room.
"Morning, Xiao Huan."
He smiled, disappeared into the laundry room, and returned empty-handed to drop into a chair with another yawn.
"Sleep badly?" Ye Lan asked.
Yan Huan rubbed his shoulder, puzzled. "A bit. Woke up feeling more tired than when I went to bed—don't know why."
Tired? Ye Lan studied his face, searching for any tell.
"Breakfast's ready," Auntie Chen announced, setting out toasted bread, jam, fried eggs, and steaming banana milk. Yan Huan thanked her and began to eat.
While his attention was on his plate, Ye Lan asked casually, "Do you usually lock your door at night?"
Yan Huan looked embarrassed. "Yeah, old habit from the South District. You learn to bolt the door there."
Confird—he locks his door. Ye Lan nodded, sipped her banana milk, then asked, "What do you think of Shiyu sis?"
"What do you an?"
He t her gaze, considered, then answered with a smile, "She's amazing—seems to know everything. Just... not very expressive, doesn't smile much. And—maybe it's just —sotis her stare is a little scary."
"Scary?"
"Mmm." He chose his words carefully. "Her eyes can feel... intimidating."
Ye Lan blinked, then gave a small, sad nod. "Shiyu isn't good with people. Half the ti I don't know what's on her mind either."
In those few sentences Ye Lan had learned three things:
1. Xiao Huan locks his door.
2. He rembers nothing of last night.
3. There's no romance between him and Shiyu.
Which left one question: what had her daughter really been doing? The re possibilities tightened like a fist around her heart.
She said nothing more, barely touched her breakfast, and finished only her milk and coffee.
Auntie Chen began the housework; Yan Huan went upstairs to rest; Ye Lan stayed in the living room playing with ow-chan. Shiyu usually slept in on weekends—eight o'clock was still too early for her.
Watching the black cat roll over and show its belly, Ye Lan's worries eased a fraction. She sat on the sofa, absent-mindedly teasing the cat with a leaf plucked from a potted plant.
"ow~"
ow-chan glanced at her, bored, then darted toward the laundry room. Ye Lan's gaze drifted as she kept waving the improvised toy.
Thud!
The sound from the laundry room snapped her back. She sighed, rose, and walked over. "ow-chan, what mischief now?"
"ow~"
At the doorway she found the hamper overturned, dirty clothes scattered, and the cat pawing at sothing among them.
"Naughty kitty, you knocked Brother's clothes on the floor."
"ow~"
As she bent to scoop up the plump cat, her eye caught an odd patch on a collar—sothing that didn't belong.
Frowning, she lifted the garnt. Her fingers probed the inside seam.
There, hidden in the lining, were three tiny embroidered characters: Ye Shiyu.
Ye Lan's eyes widened; an icy chill shot down her spine.
"ow~"
She set that shirt aside and grabbed another. Monts later she found the sa discreet stitching in an equally hidden corner—her daughter's na again.
Seeing that, Ye Lan finally closed her eyes as if her heart had died.
After pinching the garnt in silence for a long mont, she rose with a dark face, turned, and walked out of the laundry room.
"Auntie Chen!"
"Eh? Miss, what's wrong?"
On the second floor, Auntie Chen—who had been cleaning—stuck her head out. Hearing Ye Lan's voice from downstairs, she replied.
"In a mont I'll have the driver co and take you to the supermarket to buy a few things. Take your ti picking a water dispenser—get the best one."
Auntie Chen opened her mouth, about to say that soone else could handle this.
But she faintly sensed the flat calm in Ye Lan's tone had been laced with a crack of thunder. It was the sound of Ye Lan in full fury.
"Got it, Miss."
She nodded, abandoned the cleaning, and turned to head down.
"Also, have Xiao Huan co out for a mont."
"Hey, Xiao Huan!"
Downstairs, Ye Lan rubbed her temples, fingers tapping on her phone as if coordinating with subordinates.
"Auntie Ye, what's up?"
The boy who had visited only yesterday ca over, puzzled, causing Ye Lan's typing to pause.
She looked at Yan Huan—clueless, apparently still in the dark—and opened her mouth, then offered an apologetic smile.
"Xiao Huan... Auntie and Sis Shiyu have sothing on this week. The driver will be here soon. You and Auntie Chen wait outside; after he drops her off he'll take you back to the South District."
"Ah..." Yan Huan blinked. "All right, Auntie Ye. I'll go pack my things."
"Sorry, Xiao Huan. Next ti you co, I'll pick you up myself."
Watching Yan Huan pack, cradle ow-chan, say goodbye at the door, and leave, Ye Lan's smile slowly faded.
She stared at the freshly poured glass of banana milk, lost in thought.
She sat quietly in the dining room until, more than ten minutes later, footsteps echoed on the spiral staircase.
Tap, tap.
Wearing an everyday dress, Ye Shiyu descended, slightly startled by the mansion's hush.
Her mother sat in silence at the dining table, giving only the back of her head.
The air itself seed to press down on Ye Shiyu; a sense of foreboding tightened her lips.
"Morning, Mom."
"Mm."
Ye Lan rubbed her temples, motioning toward the toasted bread on the table. "Co eat breakfast."
"Okay." Ye Shiyu sat, glanced around the quiet room, and asked, "Where's Auntie Chen?"
"Shopping."
Seconds passed. Ye Shiyu tried again. "And Xiao Huan? Still asleep?"
"."
At that, Ye Lan lifted her head, frowning at her daughter.
One look was enough—the slice of bread slipped from Ye Shiyu's fingers and fell onto her plate.
Ye Lan spoke softly. "I sent Xiao Huan away. He's back in the South District."
"Why—" "You tell why."
Ye Lan's brow knitted tighter as she pulled the clothes Yan Huan had forgotten from the chair and tossed them onto the table.
"Explain to why Xiao Huan's shirt has your na embroidered on it?"
Ye Shiyu's eyes widened; a wave of guilt surged inside her.
"I—"
Ye Lan's frown deepened. She drew a slow breath, steadying herself.
"I've cleared everyone out. No one else will hear. It's just us mother and daughter now—so talk. Why?"
Ye Shiyu still couldn't speak; as she tried to avoid her mother's gaze, Ye Lan slapped the table.
Crack!
"Look at and explain!"
The sudden bang made Ye Shiyu flinch. Pale, she t her mother's eyes, veins bulging on Ye Lan's forehead.
Her lips trembled, but no full sentence ca out.
"Mom, I just..."
Ye Lan didn't interrupt, yet Ye Shiyu still couldn't explain.
That silence only fueled Ye Lan's rage.
"Last night you never left the house. You took the key and opened Xiao Huan's door—what were you doing in his room at that hour?"
"I—"
Again, nothing.
"I saw you myself. You carried a suitcase inside. It's still in your room, isn't it? If you won't talk, I'll go up and see what's inside."
Face cold, Ye Lan stood and started for the stairs.
Ye Shiyu panicked.
White-faced, she grabbed her mother's hand. "Mom—"
"Let go!"
If her mother saw what was in that case and told Xiao Huan—
The thought sent panic racing through her.
Tears welled; droplets spilled as Ye Lan's barrage broke her.
"Mom, I—"
Furious, Ye Lan shook her hand free. "Speak, or I'm going up myself!"
"...It's... it's male-enhancent pills, and so... adult toys for guys."
Ye Lan's mind went blank.
She'd braced for sothing inappropriate, but this—
This?
And while Xiao Huan was asleep...
No wonder he'd said he felt tired...
"Kneel."
Ye Shiyu looked at her mother; Ye Lan's face was cold, but her eyes were red.
The sharp glare buckled Ye Shiyu's legs.
"I said kneel—didn't you hear , Ye Shiyu?!"
Tears streaming, Ye Lan strode to the laundry room and returned with a coat hanger.
"I've given you everything you asked for all these years, never daring to neglect you. I knew you were possessive, yet I never blad you.
"Because I'm the one who owes you. If I'd handled things with your father better, you wouldn't have beco like this.
"And the result? This! You've turned into nothing short of a pervert!"
At Ye Lan's choked sobs, Ye Shiyu tried to speak, but pain flared across her back.
Crack!
The hanger struck; Ye Shiyu gasped.
Ye Lan hadn't held back.
Her own tears fell.
"Mom—"
Yet Ye Lan didn't soften; the pain in her heart matched the welts on her daughter's skin.
She wiped her tears, glaring at the girl before her, and shouted,
"Your godmother's been gone for years, and she left you this one child in Linn. I thought bringing him here would let look after him and cheer you up—so I brought him ho.
"He managed to take care of himself for years in that chaotic South District, yet the one place he finally calls ho, the only place he can relax, the person he calls Older Sister—she violated him.
"How am I supposed to explain this to your godmother? How do I explain it to Xiao Huan? How do I explain it to every elder in the family?!"
With each word another clothes-hanger cracked across Ye Shiyu's back. The pain jerked the phone from her fingers; it hit the floor and a corner of the screen spider-webbed into shards.
The violet vortex never flashed again. The phone flickered once, then died.
Ye Shiyu didn't dare fight back. Tears streaked her cheeks as she turned to Ye Lan, who was weeping too.
"Mom..."
"Ye Shiyu, what exactly is inside your head? Mush? Why would you do this?"
Only mother and daughter remained in the living room, the ruined phone between them, and Ye Shiyu—finally stripped of every mask—was the real Ye Shiyu.
She looked at Ye Lan, pressed her trembling lips together, and whispered,
"I-I just like Xiao Huan."
"Like?"
Ye Lan stared at her daughter in disbelief, waiting for more.
Through her tears Ye Shiyu confessed: her initial resentnt, the secret sches to drive Xiao Huan away—everything except the hypnosis.
She even told how Xiao Huan had sensed her rejection and chosen to leave.
"I just felt guilty... because it was the first ti—sob—the first ti anyone treated like that. But every ti I saw him smile at school, saw him laugh with other people, I-I..."
Ye Lan's brows knitted tighter. "So you did this to him?"
"I..."
"You like Xiao Huan? Don't make laugh. That's not liking."
She stepped forward, eting Ye Shiyu's eyes, each word falling like a hamr.
"You think of him as your possession. Your 'liking' isn't for a person—it's for a toy. Do you understand?!"
Ye Shiyu's eyes widened, disbelief swimming in her tears.
"Just because he didn't obey you, you dared to take advantage of him while he was unconscious.
"Your will matters, but his doesn't?
"Following only your desires and ignoring his— that's what you call liking?
"What you like is the Xiao Huan who once smiled at you, who was kind to you. Or do you prefer the lifeless, unresponsive doll you made of him that night?!"
Ye Shiyu's knees buckled; she sank from kneeling to sitting on her heels.
She stared at her mother, tears flowing faster until she was sobbing outright.
"Mom... I really don't know what to do."
Ye Lan's own heart twisted. She forced herself to stay calm, then spoke slowly.
"Xiao Huan showed you kindness and that made you like him.
"Even if you don't know what to do, can't you at least copy the kindness he showed you?
"Besides terrifying and hurting him, have you ever shown him any warmth, any goodness?"
She cupped Ye Shiyu's tear-soaked cheeks.
"Real liking isn't 'whatever I want.' And it sure as hell isn't satisfied by forcing his body.
"Before you talk about liking, you'd better figure out what the word actually ans."
Hot tears dripped from Ye Shiyu's face onto Ye Lan's palms. Ye Shiyu bowed her head, expression dark.
Ye Lan felt a pang of gratitude for Yu Lu. At least one child had turned out well without her having to teach every step.
She hardened her heart. If Ye Shiyu weren't her daughter, the police would already be here. While she still could, she had to be ruthless.
She lifted her gaze and spoke in a voice of steel.
"Ye Shiyu, starting today every extracurricular activity is cancelled. I'll have soone pick you up right after school.
"You are not to see Xiao Huan. No contact whatsoever.
"You know my thods—don't think I can't monitor every minute of your day at school.
"If you defy —"
Ye Lan's cold stare left no room for argunt.
"First offense, I tell Xiao Huan everything you did.
"Second offense, you transfer out of Yuanyue to another school in Linn.
"Third offense, I'll drop every duty I have and send you back to the holand myself."
Tears blurred Ye Shiyu's vision; she started to shake her head, but Ye Lan's grip was iron.
Right then Ye Lan was not the gentle mother but the iron-willed CEO of Linn.
"Cool your head and learn the difference between liking and possessiveness.
"Only when you understand that can we talk about anything else."
She stood to leave, then paused without turning around.
"I'm not so old-fashioned parent. If, after all this, you still genuinely like Xiao Huan and can pursue him in a healthy way—
"I'll support you both and solve every obstacle in your path."
Ye Shiyu blinked, tears hanging on her lashes, staring at her mother's retreating back.
Ye Lan dropped the twisted hanger on the floor; it clattered softly.
Only then did Ye Shiyu feel the stabbing pain across her back—bruises already blooming.
"Now," Ye Lan added, "rip every stitch you sewed onto Xiao Huan's clothes.
"Wash them clean and bring them to for inspection. I'll return them myself."
With that, she climbed the stairs, leaving a suffocating silence behind.
Ye Shiyu stayed kneeling, staring at the shattered phone, tears still falling.
After hearing her mother's words, she wondered—had she truly been wrong?
If forcing Xiao Huan through hypnosis was right, why had she panicked at the thought of him finding out?
In the end, what did she want?
The expressionless doll she had made of Xiao Huan, or the boy who had smiled at her that night?
She didn't know; she only stared at the broken screen.
Click-click-click~
Inside the room, a phantom black cat seed to enjoy the drama.
It turned its head and, in the next instant, materialized on the shoulder of the handso boy waiting outside the villa.
It whispered everything into Yan Huan's ear.
Yan Huan blinked, speechless for a second, then chuckled.
"Auntie Ye, truly a woman who can bend history itself!"
ow-chan tilted its head, swallowed the gossar Modifier fragnt it had retrieved, and said cheerfully,
"With Auntie Ye stepping in, Ye Shiyu's arc is closed. We can finally breathe."
Yet Yan Huan only smiled and shook his head.
Standing outside the gates, he watched the black electric tram glide closer and told the cat,
"It's not over yet."
"ow?"
He glanced at ow-chan's puzzled face.
"This is only step two of the plan."
"...Step two?"
Yan Huan nodded, offering no details. Instead he called to the elderly woman scrolling on her phone nearby.
"Auntie Chen, the tram's here."
"Oh."
Auntie Chen rose with a gentle smile.
She followed Yan Huan into the black electric car, and they drove off beyond the compound.
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