The evening rush hour at the gym always hit right after work. As a professional trainer, Chen Xiang usually got home late.

Today was rare—she left early. Her husband was working overtime, so she took a taxi back alone.

Truth was, she quite liked this blended family.

Her daughter Li Yuxin was bright, sweet, and aced every exam—Chen Xiang’s greatest pride.

Her second husband, Yutianqiao, was quiet but they got along smoothly, never clashing.

Except for his son, Yumo…

*Sigh.*

Just thinking of him made her exhale heavily.

Honestly? Chen Xiang had never warmed to Yumo.

It wasn’t always like this. Back when they first met, she’d tried hard to be a good stepmom—reaching out to the boy still grieving his mother’s death. Back then, Yuxin adored him too. Everything seemed perfect.

Then, about five years ago, Yuxin suddenly grew distant from Yumo.

At first, Chen Xiang thought it was just sibling squabbles. But when she pressed her daughter for reasons, Yuxin gave vague answers—as if hiding something. Chen Xiang knew her child too well. Whenever Yumo’s name came up, that lively spark in Yuxin’s eyes dimmed into something like… resistance. It wasn’t normal.

Only after relentless questioning did Yuxin finally whisper: *“I never want to play with Gege again.”*

*“What happened? Did he yell at you?”*

*“No…”*

*“Bullied you? Hit you? That can’t be—”*

*“No… he… he…”*

Yuxin fell silent after that. No matter how much Chen Xiang asked, she just shook her head.

Dread coiled in Chen Xiang’s gut.

Yumo was twelve then—old enough to be curious about sex. Yuxin was just a fragile ten-year-old. Seeing her daughter’s fear… it was impossible not to imagine the worst.

She confronted Yumo immediately, but he acted like nothing had happened.

She took Yuxin to the hospital. The exam showed no signs of physical abuse. No evidence of assault.

Relief washed over her—briefly. But Yuxin’s coldness toward her brother deepened. She refused to explain why. Doubt festered.

Chen Xiang tried forcing a talk between the kids. It failed. Yuxin clammed up. Yumo played innocent.

Should she tell her husband? Baseless suspicion might fracture their marriage. In the end, she let it drop.

But the seed of distrust had taken root.

*“Something unspeakable must have happened back then.”* The thought burrowed deep, making her wary of Yumo. And wariness bred distance. Years passed. Their “mother-son” bond withered to polite nods in hallways. She didn’t even know his favorite foods… or if she was supposed to care.

Come to think of it, the most words she’d exchanged with him in two years was that day Yuxin fell ill—when she’d screamed at him for coming home bruised from a fight. His furious, storm-like retort had genuinely terrified her.

*(Am I failing as a stepmom? But… how do I even talk to him?)*

Lost in thought, Chen Xiang headed to her bedroom to change (door unlocked).

Silently, Yumo slipped in behind her.

*“Hello.”*

*“Ah!?”*

She jumped. He’d never sought her out like this. His voice cutting through the dim, quiet room felt like a horror movie jump-scare.

Yumo wore his usual frumpy home clothes. Thick glasses hid his eyes. Messy bangs cast twisted shadows across his face as he stepped closer—radiating unsettling pressure.

*“Sorry to bother you. How have you been lately?”* he asked.

*“…Fine. Fewer fights from you would be nicer.”*

*“I sincerely apologize. My suspension is punishment enough. I’m reflecting deeply.”*

He bowed low. His earnestness should’ve been comforting. Instead, it felt unnervingly formal.

*“Why that look?”*

*“Nothing. Just… surprised.”*

Chen Xiang smoothed her well-kept hair, flustered.

*“You never talk to me first. Or apologize. Your father already scolded you. I won’t add to it. Just… don’t fight again.”*

*“I promise.”*

Yumo’s tone stayed steady. He didn’t leave. Instead, his gaze swept over her body—slow, deliberate.

Her unblemished silhouette.

That slender waist.

Long legs sculpted with just enough muscle.

At over forty, her trainer’s discipline kept her body as tight as a twenty-year-old’s. Her best advertisement.

Now, that advertisement was being devoured by Yumo’s stare.

*“You have an amazing figure.”*

*(Eeek!?!?)*

Instinct made her cover herself. But Yumo lunged forward—a head taller, looming over her. *Holy crap…!*

*“W-why say that out of nowhere?!”*

*“Father’s truly blessed. I envy him.”*

*“…Thanks?”*

*“I’ve always thought so. Better than any girl at school.”*

*“Uh…………”*

Fear prickled Chen Xiang’s skin. *This kid… has he been corrupted? Even his stepmom isn’t safe…?* She had to assert adult authority—shut down these twisted thoughts—

*“I’d love to seal you in wax. Mount you. Preserve you forever.”*

*(??????????)*

What kind of serial killer line was that!? She’d thought he was just hormonal—turns out he fantasized about something far darker???

*“They say when preservatives were first invented, a foreign woman overdosed trying to stay young. Her body never rotted after she died. But you… you’d never need that. Haha.”*

*Too creepy!* Why was he spewing horror stories at his stepmom?! *No way!!!!*

*“For someone as beautiful as you… I have a gift.”*

Only then did Chen Xiang notice Yumo had been hiding something behind his back. Her heart dropped. *He’s not pulling out a weapon, is he? No—don’t be paranoid. It’s fine. Definitely—*

*“A small token from a son to his mother.”*

Yumo revealed a gleaming kitchen knife.

A bow tied neatly to its handle.

Chen Xiang snapped.

*“KYAAAAH!!! W-what are you doing?! Stay back!!!”*

*“I just wanted to give you a present!?”*

…

…

…

…

*“Uh… I get it now. So…”*

Chen Xiang sat on the bed, rubbing her throbbing temples.

*“You heard me complaining two days ago about my dull knife making chopping hard… so you bought me a new one?”*

*“Yes. Fresh from the store.”*

*“And all that flattery? The gift? Just to get me… to help your female classmate lose weight??”*

*“This is a once-in-a-lifetime plea.”*

*“This is so sudden! Who is she to you? Why go this far? Are you dating?!”*

*“She’s overweight but kindhearted. When the school questioned me, she testified for me. Without her… a one-month suspension wouldn’t have been enough.”*

*“I see… so she saved you?”*

*“Yes. But yesterday, bullies injured her face. The trauma made her drop out. I want to help her. Repay her. She agreed. That’s all.”*

*“Hmm… your reason’s valid. But it’s still too abrupt. I’m not sure…”*

*“Can’t you do it?”*

*“Don’t underestimate professionals. I’m well-known in fitness circles. My classes are packed with women wanting to slim down.”*

*“Then it’s about money? Your rates must be steep.”*

*“Not really. But gyms have rules. If I gave free sessions to every relative’s friend, chaos would follow. I already bent rules giving Yuxin a free membership.”*

*“Can’t you bend them once more… for your son?”*

*“Even if you say that…”*

*“Or will you throw away your last chance to be a real stepmother?”*

*“…………Huh?”*

Yumo’s sudden shift in tone stunned her.

*“All these years, I’ve never asked you for anything. You’ve never truly given me anything either. Only unreasonable distance.”*

*“This…”*

*“This is a chance. For both of us. To build trust. Clear misunderstandings. Make this house feel like a home. Father would approve.”*

*“I suppose…”*

*“And isn’t helping a kind, broken girl regain confidence a good deed? If colleagues ask, just explain. No one would cruelly question it.”*

*“Mm…………”*

Chen Xiang fell silent.

*(This kid…)*

He seemed so quiet. Yet here he was—logical, emotional, even guilt-tripping her. How could she refuse now?

*“Fine! I’ll do it! But listen—my job’s just teaching. Her success depends on her willpower. If she quits and fails, don’t blame me!”*

*“Naturally. I’ll keep her motivated.”*

*“And you two are suspended, but studies come first! Don’t forget you’re students!”*

*“That’s already handled.”*