Chapter 30 - Step-Mom, Have You Thought About the Future?

Chapter 30: Step-Mom, Have You Thought About the Future?“Chun Jiao? Is that your real name?”

“Chun Jiao! A delicate flower in spring, huh!”

“Mmm~”

After accidentally revealing her real name in a moment of excitement, Chun Jiao initially felt a bit uneasy. But under the allure of financial gain, her discomfort melted away in seconds.

“Master, you’re amazing! You guessed it right away!” she said, her tone more natural, as if the word “Master” had already become second nature.

“We’ve talked for so long, but I haven’t danced for you yet. How about I perform a dance for you now?”

Cao Shaoyang leaned back against his headboard in a relaxed manner. As dynamic music played from the speakers on Chun Jiao’s side, he quietly enjoyed the performance.

Particularly when Chun Jiao turned sideways or gave her back to the camera, the unique “battle-damaged” skinny jeans she wore created an entirely different visual allure. These snug jeans, already a challenge to wear, accentuated her figure perfectly. But with the added rips and tears, the view could only be described as “stunning!”

When the dance ended, Chun Jiao, slightly out of breath, returned to her seat.

“.. Master, how did you like Chun Jiao’s dance? Did you enjoy it?”

“Not bad! I liked it a lot. The jeans were great too—don’t throw them away; keep them as a memento.”

Chun Jiao readily agreed. “Okay, Master!”

“Are you home alone? Won’t playing music so loudly disturb anyone?”

This question, which might reveal more about her personal life, didn’t make Chun Jiao hesitate. Perhaps in her mind, the distance between her and Cao Shaoyang—likely being in different cities—made it safe to share.

“Master, I’m living with my daughter, but she stays at her school dorm most of the time and rarely comes home. So, it’s just me here right now.”

“Just you?” Cao Shaoyang licked his lips in excitement upon hearing her confirmation, even though he had already guessed as much.

“If you’re alone at home, why don’t we play another little game?”

“What kind of game?” Chun Jiao tilted her head curiously.

“How about taking a walk outside?”

The excitement in Cao Shaoyang’s voice was unmistakable as he proposed the idea. He could hardly believe he was about to personally experience the thrill of such a commanding role, something he had only watched from a distance in the past.

The excitement wasn’t just his alone; Chun Jiao, the other participant in this unusual scenario, also felt it. Initially hesitant, she ultimately gave in to Cao Shaoyang’s financial persuasion. Wrapping a sports jacket around her waist and holding a selfie stick in one hand, she stepped out of her home.

For nearly an hour, Cao Shaoyang reveled in his role as the “commander,” thoroughly enjoying the experience. Meanwhile, Chun Jiao returned home with unsteady steps, utterly exhausted. Unable to keep her balance, she collapsed onto the floor the moment she stepped inside. Searᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

If there was any regret about the evening, it was that they didn’t get to see the grand finale they had initially agreed upon. Chun Jiao was too drained to fulfill the promise and had to postpone it for another time.

In just a short time, Cao Shaoyang had spent ¥20,000, but he felt it was worth every penny for the joy he had gained. Adding this to the ¥20,000 he had sent to Yu Na earlier and the few hundred he spent dining with An Yu Wei, his total expenses for the day rounded to about ¥40,000.

Tomorrow, he imagined, would bring even more rewards.

Ending the video call with Chun Jiao, Cao Shaoyang found himself too energized to sleep. After pacing for a bit, he slipped on his slippers and knocked on his stepmother’s door.

With his stepmom’s permission, Cao Shaoyang pushed open the door to find her facing the computer, holding a drawing tablet. Her hands were busy—one sketching while the other skillfully toggled between various shortcuts, her fingers dancing across the keys.

He didn’t interrupt her. Instead, he sat cross-legged on her bed, watching as the image on the screen evolved. What began as a few simple strokes gradually took shape under her hand, becoming full, vibrant, and lifelike.

After a moment of silent observation, Cao Shaoyang broke the quiet. “Stepmom, do you really love drawing?”

Liu Xiaofei didn’t turn around, nor did her hands stop moving. “Of course! Back in the day, your stepmom graduated from an art academy. It wasn’t one of those famous schools, but if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have studied it. I love the feeling of creating worlds and characters with my own hands.”

As she spoke, the corners of her mouth lifted in a genuine smile—a reflection of her happiness.

Cao Shaoyang stared in awe. He had never seen his stepmom so confident, so full of life.

Watching her express herself so freely and passionately, he quietly made a decision in his heart.

“Stepmom,” he asked, “have you thought about what you’ll do after I finish the college entrance exams and go off to university?”