Chapter 24 - Stepmom’s Illustration Deadline Approaches

Chapter 24: Stepmom’s Illustration Deadline ApproachesLiu Xiaofei’s hand froze midair as she reached for the greens. After a moment of hesitation, she began cleaning them, one leaf at a time, but her distraction was obvious. She nearly shredded the delicate greens in her hands.

After a pause, she lowered her head and spoke softly, “The house has a bathroom, doesn’t it? Why waste money on that? If you really want to… we could, at home.”

“Really, Stepmom?”

Overjoyed, Cao Shaoyang scooped her up and spun her around, planting a firm kiss on her lips. “It’s a deal! No take-backs!”

This marked another breakthrough in his relationship with her. Though things between them had become increasingly intimate, Liu Xiaofei still upheld her principles in certain areas. For instance, the idea of bathing together had always been off-limits. She had strictly adhered to their arrangement of using the bathroom separately, for reasons he couldn’t quite understand.

But today, at last, he glimpsed hope for unlocking this elusive achievement.

Sensing his excitement, Liu Xiaofei grew concerned that his enthusiasm might disrupt her cooking. She also worried about his stamina—after a restless night and a busy morning, she feared overexertion might impact his health or focus on studies.

“Alright, I’ve promised you. But remember our agreement: three days. Don’t even think about it before then,” she said firmly. “Now go entertain yourself. I need to finish making dinner.”

Recognizing her resolve, Cao Shaoyang didn’t push further. He reasoned that their agreement would only last until the college entrance exams, and with just 50 days to go, he could endure it.

Resting his head on the sofa armrest, he absentmindedly opened the TikTok app, the perfect time-killer. Though each video only lasted a few minutes, the endless scrolling could devour hours. Before he knew it, hours would vanish in a haze of mindless laughter, leaving him wondering what he had accomplished.

Browsing the “Nearby” section, he watched video after video of strangers, secretly hoping for a serendipitous neighborly encounter.

“Wow! Look at those long, slender legs!”

“Whoa, this one’s great too. What a figure! And working out? Deadly!”

“This one’s even better—curvy with a great posture.”

“An ancient costume beauty with perfect music—brilliant!”

“Wait, who’s this uncle? Blocked! Scroll away!” He scowled. “What kind of algorithm is this? Recommending nonsense. Thumbs down!”

The stream of beautiful, sultry women held his attention until he noticed someone familiar.

“Wait a second…” He squinted, feeling a vague recognition. Clicking into her profile, he scrolled through her videos, each clip intensifying the feeling of familiarity.

Finally, it clicked—she was his upstairs neighbor! A woman who had moved in within the past year, likely another mother accompanying her child for studies. They had crossed paths a few times in the elevator.

In person, she had struck him as a modest beauty—delicate but not remarkable. However, her TikTok videos transformed her into a mature, glamorous figure. Enhanced by filters and revealing outfits, her online persona felt worlds apart from her real-life self.

“Are those real?” he muttered, noting her seemingly amplified curves. “The filters alone make her look like a completely different person.”

Amused, he clicked “Follow.” Supporting a neighbor’s side hustle seemed harmless enough.

Before long, Liu Xiaofei called him to the dinner table. He hadn’t spent much time scrolling, as she had been busy cooking since his return.

Over dinner, they made small talk. Cao Shaoyang even suggested opening a bottle of red wine to set the mood. After all, a slightly tipsy Liu Xiaofei always became irresistibly warm and lively.

Though tonight’s agreement meant nothing more could happen, he would have been content just to see the delicate blush on her cheeks. But she declined the wine.

After dinner, he helped clear the table and put the dishes in the automatic dishwasher. Returning to his phone, he resumed scrolling while Liu Xiaofei finished tidying up. Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She approached him from behind the sofa and tapped the backrest. “Shaoyang, I need to head back to my room to work. My illustration project’s deadline is approaching, and I’m not finished yet. I have to pull an all-nighter.”

“Keep yourself entertained for a while, then head to bed early. You have to get up early for morning classes at school tomorrow.”