Chapter 58: A Mother’s Secret and a Daughter’s Return

In the cozy warmth of their home, Xia Wei was diligently cleaning.

Just then, the distinct sound of a key turning in the lock made Xia Wei’s eyes light up, and she instinctively headed towards the door.

Yet, upon seeing Aunt Xia, the young woman’s smile vanished.

She let out a soft huff, turned her head away, and spoke with a sarcastic edge.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our family’s busiest person, finally gracing us with her presence?”

Observing Xia Wei’s chilly demeanor, Aunt Xia naturally understood that the young woman was upset about her month-long absence.

With a slight tremble of her crimson lips, Aunt Xia expressed her guilt.

“Xia Wei, I’m so sorry…”

Although Xia Wei had initially been furious, the sight of her mother’s contrite gaze extinguished all her anger.

“Mom, from now on, if you’re going somewhere, can’t you at least tell me first? Just leaving like that is too much! What if you get tricked by bad people? What if they trick you into some remote mountain gully to have their babies or something…”

Xia Wei lectured her, hands on her hips, like a miniature adult.

Aunt Xia, meanwhile, nodded like a child caught in a transgression, for she truly had been at fault this time, having been imprisoned and severely ‘bullied’ by that scoundrel.

Despite Aunt Xia’s month-long disappearance, the messages Bai Hao had sent from her phone were, in fact, insufficient to deceive Xia Wei.

However, Xia Wei had long suspected her mother harbored secrets, and coupled with the previous incident of the shadow’s disappearance, she was convinced the world had changed, that supernatural entities truly existed.

Therefore, regarding Aunt Xia’s sudden departure, Xia Wei simply assumed her mother was off doing something significant, yet chose not to disclose it, weaving a benevolent lie to reassure her daughter.

“Xia Wei, Mom promises never to leave without a word again.”

Aunt Xia raised a hand in solemn pledge, her apology utterly sincere.

Xia Wei let out a soft huff, accepting that the matter was finally settled.

Yet, as the young woman scrutinized her mother, who had been absent for a month, she noticed some subtle changes.

Feeling a touch uncomfortable under her daughter’s intense gaze, Aunt Xia hesitated.

“What is it, Xia Wei? Why are you staring at Mom like that?”

Xia Wei narrowed her eyes, a hint of surprise in her expression.

“Mom, what on earth have you been eating this past month? Your figure is even more amazing now, those scoundrel men must absolutely adore it.”

Aunt Xia froze at her words, then glanced down, only to realize she couldn’t even see her own feet.

A flash of bashfulness crossed her eyes as she shot the young woman a playful glare.

“You impudent child, now you’re making fun of me!”

Aunt Xia was, of course, well aware of what her daughter was referring to; after all, it was her own body.

Yet, what could she do? That scoundrel husband of hers loved to “play ball” every night, even boasting about his “dribbling skills”…

To make amends with her daughter, Aunt Xia had specially prepared all of Xia Wei’s favorite dishes that evening.

However, as the mother and daughter shared a warm meal, Aunt Xia found her thoughts drifting.

She had just remembered that her scoundrel husband would be arriving that night, but how could she possibly tell her daughter about such a thing?

Although they already knew each other, having him stay overnight, late in the evening, would be impossible to explain away, no matter how she tried.

Aunt Xia certainly couldn’t just tell Xia Wei, ‘Mommy has already been tamed by the young man and has become an obedient…’

The thought alone sent a shiver through Aunt Xia.

No, Xia Wei absolutely could not know about this.

Xia Wei, still oblivious to her mother’s unusual state, rose from the table after dinner.

“Mom, I’m going to do my practice tests now. Call me if you need anything.”

Aunt Xia nodded, her voice soft.

“Don’t study too late, okay? Make sure you get enough sleep.”

Xia Wei nodded and retreated to her room.

***

Almost the very moment the young woman entered her room, a knock echoed at the front door, startling Aunt Xia profoundly.

Fearing her daughter might hear, she rushed to open it.

In her haste, the clumsy aunt stumbled and fell right at the doorstep! Nevertheless, she quickly rose to a kneeling position and reached out to open the door.

Thus, what greeted Bai Hao’s eyes was the alluring sight of the mature and beautiful Aunt Xia kneeling at the entrance, opening the door for him—a truly provocative scene that made him want to scoop her up and “hey-ho hey-ho”…

The young man tilted his head and chuckled softly.

“Aunt Xia, I know you’re very happy to see me, but there’s no need to go to such lengths.”

Aunt Xia’s face flushed crimson.

She was about to offer an explanation when the young man continued.

“However, since Aunt Xia is so enthusiastic, it would be rude of me not to accept. Come on, help your husband here change his shoes.”

Aunt Xia’s crimson lips parted slightly at his words.

Yet, meeting the young man’s undeniable gaze, she obediently nodded and, maintaining that alluring posture, began to change his shoes—truly the picture of a virtuous wife.

As soon as his shoes were changed, Aunt Xia had barely risen when the young man pulled her into his embrace.

“Aunt Xia, were you and Xia Wei just eating? You didn’t even wait for me. You deserve a punishment.”

No sooner had he spoken than Aunt Xia felt a slap on her bottom, eliciting a soft, pained moan from her, her voice utterly seductive.

“No, darling, I was wrong. Let’s be quieter, Xia Wei is still in her room.”

Aunt Xia pleaded softly.

Bai Hao raised an eyebrow at her words.

“So, Aunt Xia, you still haven’t told Xia Wei about our relationship?”

Aunt Xia shook her head, her face etched with shame.

“I… I don’t know how to tell her. Darling, please give me a little more time, I beg you~”

If Xia Wei were to discover that her ex-boyfriend had secretly married her own mother, Aunt Xia couldn’t even begin to imagine the repercussions.

Xia Wei might even sever their mother-daughter relationship, a prospect Aunt Xia found utterly unacceptable.

Hearing the seductive, honeyed whispers of the beautiful woman in his arms, Bai Hao’s desire immediately flared.

She truly was a temptress, constantly alluring him.

A thought then struck him: if their relationship remained a secret from Xia Wei, it would be quite thrilling, wouldn’t it? Sneaking around, a hint of illicit romance?

With this in mind, Bai Hao readily agreed, though he added a condition.

“I can give Aunt Xia a little more time, but tonight, I want to see you in a maid outfit. I’ve already brought the clothes.”

Aunt Xia’s pretty face instantly flushed crimson at his words, yet she dared not refuse, only nodding shyly.

Seeing this, Bai Hao felt an immense surge of satisfaction.

He immediately scooped up the captivating beauty in a princess carry and moved to the sofa, where his hands began to wander naughtily.

“Aunt Xia, be quiet now, Xia Wei is still in her room, after all.”

Aunt Xia bit her crimson lip and hummed in assent, then, mortified, buried her face in the sofa, awaiting the young man’s mischief…

Just then, a sound emanated from the bedroom door, instantly draining the color from Aunt Xia’s face.

She frantically pushed at the young man, her face a mask of panic.

“Xia Wei is coming out! What do we do?”

Bai Hao sighed at her words.

‘What a silly aunt.’

“Aunt Xia, have you forgotten that I am a ghost (TL Note: ‘Gui’ in Chinese folklore refers to ghosts or spirits, often possessing supernatural abilities beyond the perception of ordinary humans.)?”

As he spoke, the young man’s figure inexplicably turned transparent, vanishing completely!

Aunt Xia, however, understood that he was still there, simply invisible to the human eye.