Chapter 20: Unexpected Encounters at Home

That night, he lay in bed.

With his right hand, he petted the little bulldog by his side, while Xiao Yu held his phone in his left, debating whether to call Mu Qingwu.

The bulldog was none other than Kara, an eight-year-old dog.

After all, humans have feelings—and Kara was the one he had rescued in the first place.

One had to admit, dogs could be extraordinarily loyal at times.

His mother adored Kara like her own son, yet Kara was closest to him.

Every night, Kara stayed by his side while he slept.

After dialing the number, the call was connected.

“What’s up?”

Mu Qingwu’s voice came through, laced with curiosity.

“Come over to my place tomorrow.”

Without wasting time, Xiao Yu declared, “My parents want to meet you!”

Mu Qingwu fell silent.

“Hey, hey, hey—don’t tell me you’re just going to ditch us after I helped you out?”

Xiao Yu felt a bit irritated, thinking, I’ve helped you out. You can’t just do this!

“Alright, give me a minute. What time?”

Mu Qingwu replied.

Xiao Yu frowned and teased, “Hesitating so long? Not happy with it?”

“No.”

Mu Qingwu laughed lightly, “I have a client tomorrow, so we’ll have to reschedule.”

“…”

After a brief pause, Xiao Yu added, “Thanks!”

“Thanks for what? You helped me out,” she countered.

Mu Qingwu chuckled softly, “Besides, you’re like the little brother I just got acquainted with.”

Xiao Yu was confused.

Since when did I agree to be your little brother? Did I ever consent to that?

“Uh, just go easy on the… extravagance.”

Xiao Yu hinted, “Afraid of scaring my parents,”

even though he wasn’t quite sure what Mu Qingwu had planned.

A fancy car, a villa, and that air of refined elegance said a lot.

His parents were ordinary people, and Mu Qingwu arriving dressed to the nines might make them uncomfortable.

“Got it.”

Surprisingly agreeable, Mu Qingwu asked, “Anything else?”

“That’s all.”

The call ended between the two.

Xiao Yu stared at his phone, dumbfounded for a moment.

Sister?

Little brother?

Shaking his head in a tangle of thoughts, he drifted off to sleep…

……

The next day at noon.

Xiao Yu stood outside the residential complex as he spotted Mu Qingwu stepping out of a taxi.

She was dressed plainly, her makeup-free face natural and unadorned.

Just ordinary jeans and a down jacket,

yet somehow, she carried an air of refined grace.

Is this what they call a transformation where style transcends the material?

Xiao Yu found himself increasingly attracted to this ‘sister.’

She was so sensible.

If your request was reasonable, she would never refuse—and she was very obedient.

Seeing the two gift boxes in Mu Qingwu’s palm made Xiao Yu’s face flush.

He remembered that when he met her mother, he hadn’t brought anything.

Reaching out, he accepted the two boxes, his eyes betraying a hint of embarrassment as he said, “Sis, thanks.”

The way he naturally said ‘Sis’ felt right.

“Mm.”

Mu Qingwu’s normally composed, icy features instantly softened; her eyes sparkled and her lips turned rosy as the aloof and dignified woman transformed into a bewitching beauty. She slipped her hand into Xiao Yu’s and whispered, “Are your parents watching?”

What a clever woman.

After all, that’s what lends a woman her charm.

Day after day, that cold, noble demeanor wasn’t cute at all.

“Mm.”

Xiao Yu laughed and explained, “Our building faces the complex’s entrance. If they weren’t watching, something odd would be afoot.”

“Ha.”

Mu Qingwu chuckled lightly, “Let’s go.”

Xiao Yu took Mu Qingwu’s hand, grabbed their things, and headed home…

At home, the couple standing by the floor-to-ceiling window were utterly stunned.

Could that be their son’s girlfriend?

Why… is she so gorgeous!

They had mentally braced themselves for her arrival.

After all, a 28-year-old woman—what more could they expect?

But she was nothing like what they had envisioned.

Their son’s girlfriend looked more like a refined lady from bygone days.

Was it just their imagination?!

……

“Mom, Dad, I’m home.”

Xiao Yu opened the door and ushered Mu Qingwu inside.

There was no need to call out—his parents had been waiting by the door all along.

“Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”

Upon seeing Xiao Yu’s parents, Mu Qingwu’s fair, delicate face flushed with a shy, enchanting glow.

Both Liu Yunqing and Xiao Shenguo were stunned by the sight of this ethereal beauty.

They couldn’t help but wonder—what kind of luck had their son been having?

“Quick, come on in!”

Liu Yunqing beamed with delight as he grasped Mu Qingwu’s hand and glared at his son, “Stop just standing there—grab the slippers.”

Xiao Yu almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He obediently squatted to fetch the slippers for Mu Qingwu.

Liu Yunqing then took her small hand and led her away, leaving father and son aside.

“Well done, son!”

Xiao Shenguo looked at Xiao Yu with a smirk, “You’ve got a touch of my own flair—your taste isn’t too shabby.”

“Hmph!”

Xiao Yu sneered, “Dad, spare us the praise. You know what my mom’s like—your taste… is beyond discussion!”

“Ah, well…” Xiao Shenguo forced a laugh.

He thought to himself, As if I’d be happy about it. If only your mom hadn’t done… oh, never mind the past!

Once the family sat in the living room, father and son faded into the background.

Liu Yunqing chatted animatedly with Mu Qingwu, clearly overjoyed.

Mu Qingwu’s usual cool and reserved demeanor had melted away into a gentle, obedient charm.

“Alright then!”

Xiao Shenguo whispered to his son, “After all these years, it’s the first time I’ve seen your mom light up like a child.”

Xiao Yu could only remain speechless.

Alright?

If my mom finds out that Mu Qingwu and I are just a fake couple…

He felt a sudden knot tighten in his chest, his scalp tingling.

A quick self-assessment led him to a dismal conclusion:

It was all doomed!