“I… How have I changed?” Su Mo’s heart tightened.
“You never used to call me ‘Little Aunt’ so insistently before.” Ye Wei pinched her chin, wearing a thoughtful expression as she finally swallowed the food in her mouth.
Su Mo was baffled and replied vaguely, “But you are my little aunt.”
“Mmm, not bad. It really is good for kids to go out and experience the world—you’ve become much more polite now.” Ye Wei put on a grown-up air, seemingly pleased with his attitude and tone.
Something’s off. Definitely off!
Su Mo sensed that the relationship between this aunt and niece wasn’t just “good”—there had to be more to it.
While eating, he quickly sent a message to Ye Qingyi: “Your little aunt is tough to deal with! She said, ‘You never used to call me Little Aunt like this before.’ Spill it—what’s the hidden backstory here? I need the unlock code.”
Ye Qingyi: “She’s already there? Hehe, as expected, my little aunt still dotes on me the most.”
Ye Qingyi: “Oh right, I almost forgot to tell you. We once made an agreement establishing a special rule: ‘Aunt and niece in public, sisters in private.’ ~u003d(๑• ₃ •๑)”
Su Mo: “Huh?! w(ﾟДﾟ)w”
Ye Qingyi: “Remember to help me maintain my status, okay? Can’t let her take advantage.”
Su Mo: “She’s your aunt—wouldn’t that just be her rightful position? 【helpless】”
Ye Qingyi: “But she’s younger than me…”
Su Mo burst out laughing. Just as he was about to reply, he caught sight of Ye Wei’s shocked expression: “Qingyi, you’re in love!”
With that, she put down her chopsticks and pounced at him like a wolf, eager to “investigate.” Her pretty face was practically glowing with gossipy excitement.
Su Mo sidestepped easily, quickly stuffing his phone into his pocket with a “Whatcha gonna do about it?” look.
He figured—since Qingyi had asked him to help maintain her status—he shouldn’t back down. This little girl needed to be taught a lesson, especially after he’d called her “Little Aunt” a few times. Revenge was in order.
“Qingyi, let me see!” Ye Wei’s eyes sparkled like stars.
“What’s a little kid like you doing meddling in adult business?” Su Mo naturally refused, holding a hand against her approaching face to keep her at bay.
“You’re not an adult either!”
“But I’m older than you.”
“Ye Qingyi, I’m your aunt!”
“I’m older than you!”
“If you don’t let me see, I’ll tell Qingyu that you’re dating someone!”
“I’m older than— Who said I’m in love? I was just chatting with a friend.” Su Mo retorted irritably.
His face turned red as he spoke, as if he were embarrassed…
“But you were smiling so weirdly just now, and your face is all red.” She suddenly pointed at his face.
Su Mo froze, touching his cheek in confusion. Why do girls’ faces turn red so easily?
Trying to change the subject, he pointed at the food on the table. “Let’s eat first. It’ll get cold and won’t taste as good.”
Ye Wei suddenly stopped fussing. Instead, she grabbed his hand and swung it back and forth, whining, “Good sister, I’m just curious! Let me see, just one glance, okay? Pleaaase?”
Her voice was so sweet it nearly melted Su Mo’s heart. If she’d said “Good brother” instead of “Good sister,” he might’ve caved in a moment of weakness.
Clearing his throat, he feigned composure. “Eat first.”
“Will you let me see after?” Ye Wei blinked adorably.
“We’ll talk after.” Su Mo brushed her off and began shoveling food into his mouth.
Not getting her way, Ye Wei lost her appetite and just poked at her food with her chopsticks.
Su Mo frowned slightly but pretended not to notice. “Whoever finishes last does the dishes.”
With that, he suddenly sped up.
Ye Wei glanced at him repeatedly, but seeing he wasn’t paying her any attention, she finally started eating. However, upon noticing Su Mo’s nearly empty bowl, she cried out, “You cheated!”
Su Mo ignored her. (chewing)
In the end, Su Mo was the one who washed the dishes—because he hadn’t expected the little girl to unleash such a fierce eating spurt.
He even felt a little ashamed. Damn this competitive spirit!
After dinner.
The two sat on the sofa watching TV—“Protect the Forest, It’s the Bears’ Duty!”—while chatting about what had happened during their time apart.
Mostly, Ye Wei did the talking while Su Mo listened, taking the opportunity to learn more about the other members of the Ye family.
At 10 p.m., Ye Qingyi sent a transfer of 10,000 yuan with a note: “Expenses are higher over there. Keep some money on you just in case.”
Su Mo felt an inexplicable discomfort but accepted it. For the first time, he began toying with the idea of earning some money himself.
Even though he was Ye Qingyi now, that didn’t justify spending someone else’s money. The thought always left him with an unpleasant feeling of being a freeloader…
Yeah, a man needs money to feel secure.
Back in the bedroom, lying on the spacious bed, he pondered how to make some cash.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Ye Wei—wearing an adorable pink pajama set—squeezed under the covers with him.
“What are you doing?” Su Mo instinctively scooted away.
“Sleeping with you! It’s been so long since we last slept together.” Ye Wei giggled happily.
“You’re too old to be sleeping with me.” Su Mo refused firmly, but Ye Wei clung to his arm like a suction cup, refusing to let go. With no other choice, he reluctantly gave in—on the condition that they signed a “Non-Aggression Pact.”
The so-called “Non-Aggression Pact” meant: Neither party shall cross boundaries while sleeping.
At first, she behaved. But the moment she fell asleep, she became restless—wrapping her arms around Su Mo’s neck and throwing a leg over him with such practiced ease that he was “captured” before he could react.
It took a Herculean effort to break free. Resigned, he wandered off to the second-floor training room.
As usual, he ran through a few cycles of the “Jade-Cultivation Technique” until his body grew warm, then stopped.
He tested every piece of training equipment in the room, confirming how effective they were, before taking out the newly acquired “Tetanus Blade” and swinging it around.
The massive size and heavy weight weren’t exactly suited for a girl’s physique, but Ye Qingyi’s body was exceptional. Wielding it not only felt natural but also gave off a uniquely heroic charm.
“Huff… so heavy.” After just thirty seconds, he was too exhausted to stand straight—but inwardly, he was ecstatic.
This was practically his dream weapon. Aside from being a little “rusty,” it had almost no flaws.
Hmm?
A thought struck him, and he turned his gaze to the white jade ring.
“Who says I’m broke? That pile of bronze armor and war blades would definitely fetch a fortune—rare items like these are priceless.” A smirk curled on his lips as he caught the scent of opportunity.
Looks like I’m about to be rich!