"Mo Mo, you're back? How was your day?"

The moment Li Mo stepped through the door, Mom had already prepared a late-night snack. Spotting her, Mom called out while carrying the dishes out from the kitchen.

"I just want to live on another planet."

Li Mo, her face etched with exhaustion, tossed her schoolbag aside and collapsed onto the sofa. She stared blankly at the ceiling, muttering incomprehensible words under her breath.

"What are you doing? That posture is so unladylike."

Mom walked over and *slap*—gave Li Mo’s uniform-clad leg a light smack. It barely hurt, but Li Mo obediently lowered her legs from the armrest, pouted, and turned to face the backrest, showing her displeasure.

"You’re a girl now, after all. You can’t be careless about these little details like a boy. What if you accidentally flash some pervert out there?"

"I don’t wear skirts anyway. How could I flash anyone?"

The sulking girl muttered darkly.

But it seemed to trigger something in Mom. She flashed a sly smile. "Oh, you never know. Wait right here."

"Huh?"

A bad feeling struck Li Mo. She jumped up immediately, abandoning her snack, and darted toward her room while Mom was distracted.

"Mo Mo, where do you think you’re running off to?"

She hadn’t even reached the door when a hand with irresistible force clamped down on her shoulder.

"M-Ms. Wang, I just remembered an exam tomorrow. I should sleep early."

"Hmph. I never saw you this eager before. And you haven’t touched my lovingly made snack."

Mom’s smile radiated dark energy. Li Mo felt no warmth—only a chill down her spine. "Then... I’ll go eat it..."

"What’s the rush? Try on these clothes first."

"C-Clothes...?"

She knew it!

But she couldn’t resist. Though she used to be tough, after the surgery and months of bed rest, her strength had plummeted. Besides, it was her mom—she could only submit and be dragged to the bed.

"Take off that ugly uniform."

"I... I’m cold..."

She fidgeted awkwardly.

"Take it off? Or lose your allowance until graduation."

"Fine... but you go out first..."

Poor Li Mo never imagined being threatened by her mom to strip.

"Hmm, seems you lack awareness. We’re both women, and I’m your mom. Let me see you! Hurry!"

"No! Don’t touch me! Aaah!!!"

...

...

"Holy crap, what’s going on in there?!"

Tang Zhe, lagging far behind Li Mo, finally reached the apartment. Passing Li Mo’s door, a girl’s scream erupted from inside, startling him to a halt.

Not Mrs. Wang’s voice, nor Li Mo’s usual soft tone—just an ordinary young girl’s.

This was Li Mo’s place, right?

As far as he knew, only Li Mo and his mom lived here. His dad, due to his job, traveled constantly, rarely staying long.

After all these years, their marriage was still rock-solid—truly fairy-tale love.

He even felt envious for his perpetually single mom.

Wait, why was he sidetracked? Why was there a girl’s voice here?

Visiting relatives?

It couldn’t be because of that guy...

He hadn’t visited Aunt Wang next door yet and had planned to greet her now, but this made it awkward.

*Click.*

Just then, his own apartment door swung open.

His mom, phone in hand, strode out excitedly toward Li Mo’s place, oblivious to him until he called out.

"A-Zhe? Mo Mo’s been back ages. Why so late? Didn’t you walk together?"

Mo Mo? Holy crap, that nickname gave Tang Zhe goosebumps. "I walked slowly. He seemed annoyed with me—I don’t know why."

"You must’ve bullied someone... Anyway, it’s your fault. Go home and reflect!"

"Seriously, this double standard—who’s your son? Holy crap, don’t kick my butt!"

Tang Yunmeng’s face darkened. She raised a foot to kick him back—Mrs. Wang had mentioned playing pajama dress-up with her daughter, and she was eager to join. She couldn’t let him ruin it.

But before she could shoo him away, Wang Jiawen opened the door, ready to let her in.

Instead, she locked eyes with Tang Zhe in an awkward stare.

"A-Aunt Wang, long time no see."

Wang Jiawen looked unchanged from three years ago; Tang Zhe recognized her instantly. But with his butt still smarting, he greeted her awkwardly.

"A-Zhe, you’re back..."

But Aunt Wang’s face held no usual warmth—only pure awkwardness.

Like she’d bumped into him at the worst moment, wanting him gone but fearing misunderstanding.

An awkward smile.

"Stop blocking the doorway. Your mom and I have important business. Go do homework!"

Tang Yunmeng yanked Tang Zhe away by force. At that exact moment, Li Mo burst out, her face flushed with fury and shyness, clad in an extremely pink nightgown. "If you bring anyone else to mess with me again, I’ll never forgive you!"

"Holy crap! Who was that?!"

All Tang Zhe saw was a flash of pink—but he knew that room was Li Mo’s.

"What’s it to you? Get inside now!"

With one final shove, Tang Yunmeng tossed Tang Zhe into his apartment and slammed the door. Faintly, he heard her mutter about dealing with him later. He’d planned to open the door again but instantly chickened out.

"Who’s your real son again..."

Tang Zhe sighed—he was used to it. His mom had always adored Li Mo, but luckily Li Mo had never returned the affection, so young Tang Zhe hadn’t been jealous.

But speaking of Li Mo, had he secretly brought a girlfriend home? Why else would a girl be in his room? Too weird.

Wait—another possibility. Knowing that family, maybe...

That "girl" was actually Li Mo himself.

How could Li Mo have a girlfriend? Tang Zhe would sooner believe that guy had been cross-dressing just now!