{Chapter: 212 Jealous!}
Gui Qingtong stared intently at her mother, Mei Yuxian. She couldn't explain it, but there was a lingering sense that something was just… off. Mei Yuxian didn't appear any different at first glance—her tone was normal, her expression calm, and her posture elegant, just as always. Yet, the unease in Gui Qingtong's heart continued to grow with each passing second.
What was it? What exactly was different?
What Gui Qingtong didn't know was that Mei Yuxian hadn't even had time to properly wash up since morning. After the intense and passionate night she had shared with Lin Yuan, the scent of what had transpired still faintly clung to her skin. If it hadn't been for the skillful use of a strong perfume, the remnants of their physical intimacy might have been instantly detected.
The fragrance she wore masked most of it, blending sensual musk with floral notes, making it hard to identify anything specific. But to Gui Qingtong, there was something oddly familiar about the scent. She couldn't pinpoint it. It danced at the edge of her memory, teasing her, taunting her.
And then there was the nightdress.
Seeing her mother dressed in one of her own favorite pieces of sleepwear had struck Gui Qingtong as deeply strange. Mei Yuxian was always particular about her clothing choices—graceful, modest, and refined. Why would she suddenly wear something so revealing, so tight-fitting? And with two buttons missing?
Gui Qingtong's confusion finally led her to ask the question that had been bothering her.
"Mom… why are you wearing my clothes?" she asked, her voice laced with subtle suspicion.
The moment the words were spoken, Mei Yuxian's body momentarily stiffened. A tiny pause—almost imperceptible—passed before she responded. But she had already prepared herself for this kind of situation. She had thought about it carefully and rehearsed a few simple lies in her head. Calm and composed, she looked at her daughter and said with a soft chuckle, "I slipped and fell while going to the bathroom last night. My clothes got dirty, so I just grabbed the first thing I saw from your closet in the bathroom. I hope you don't mind. I'll give it back after breakfast."
Gui Qingtong blinked and quickly shook her head. "Oh, it's okay. It's just a nightdress. There are so many clothes at home anyway. You can keep it if you like it."
She smiled lightly, accepting the explanation on the surface. But a part of her still felt odd. Something didn't add up. The nightdress had been in the wardrobe of Lin Yuan's room, not in the bathroom. But perhaps her memory was off. Maybe someone had moved it. Still, it itched at the back of her mind like a persistent whisper.
Soon, the three of them sat down to have breakfast together.
Gui Qingtong had prepared the morning meal herself. It was simple, yet warm and inviting—fried eggs, soft noodles in broth, and a side of fresh fruit. Though it wasn't a grand spread, it had been made with care, and the aroma filled the dining area with a pleasant, honey scent.
Lin Yuan, after the long and exhaustive night of passion, dug in without hesitation. His appetite was strong, and he savored every bite, clearly enjoying the flavors.
Mei Yuxian, who had also experienced the physical demands of their wild night together, found herself equally famished. Her body was sore, her movements still a bit slow, but the warmth of the food helped ease her discomfort.
It was Gui Qingtong who seemed the most distracted.
She barely touched her food, poking the noodles with her chopsticks. Her eyes often wandered to Mei Yuxian, narrowing slightly as if trying to read something from her mother's expression. The way her mother sat today was slightly unusual—more careful, more reserved. And that dress… that nightdress clung to her curves, emphasizing her full figure. Even Gui Qingtong, as her daughter, couldn't help but admit her mother looked stunning.
And that made her even more uneasy.
She glanced at Lin Yuan, wondering if he had noticed.
But to her surprise—and great relief—Lin Yuan wasn't even looking. He remained completely focused on his food, not once letting his eyes wander toward Mei Yuxian's revealing attire.
Gui Qingtong's heart brightened a little.
'This is my mom,' she reminded herself. 'Not some other woman. Even if she's beautiful, it's not like she's going to try and steal Brother Lin Yuan from me.'
Still, jealousy—small and irrational as it was—prickled at her heart. She hated that she felt this way. It was wrong, wasn't it? But the thought came uninvited all the same.
She shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss the swirling doubts in her mind.
What she didn't realize was that Lin Yuan wasn't avoiding looking at Mei Yuxian because of any sense of restraint or modesty. He didn't look simply because there was nothing left to see—he had seen, touched, and experienced everything the night before, and again this very morning.
Meanwhile, Mei Yuxian could sense the shift in Gui Qingtong's gaze. Her daughter's scrutiny hadn't gone unnoticed, and she could feel the heat of it from across the table. But she kept her expression calm and composed, acting as though nothing had happened and there was absolutely nothing to be suspicious about.
Across the table, Lin Yuan did the same. His demeanor was relaxed, as if he had no idea what was going on in Gui Qingtong's head.
Yet deep inside, Mei Yuxian's heart was far from calm.
Sitting across from Lin Yuan, seeing the casual way he ate, the way he didn't glance at her even once, a complex wave of emotions welled up in her chest. A strange mixture of satisfaction, guilt, and excitement.
But both of them are not so calm in their hearts, especially Mei Yuxian.
Gui Qingtong was focused on her breakfast, diligently eating her bowl of steaming noodles. Her attention was completely occupied by the food in front of her, so she didn't notice the subtle under-the-table interaction occurring just a short distance away.
Unbeknownst to her, Lin Yuan's foot had quietly slipped forward and was now resting against Mei Yuxian's leg under the table.
Mei Yuxian, startled by the unexpected contact, gave Lin Yuan a quick glance filled with silent reproach. Her eyes clearly signaled him to behave himself and to not push things too far, especially not with Gui Qingtong sitting right across from them. The tension under the surface was like a drawn wire—thin and nearly invisible, but ready to snap.
Though she wanted to stop him outright, Mei Yuxian couldn't risk making any sudden movements or sounds. Any unusual behavior might immediately attract Gui Qingtong's attention. So she could only silently plead with her eyes, shifting her gaze toward Lin Yuan again and again, urging him to stop his mischief.
But Lin Yuan, of course, was not so easily controlled.
"Aah!" a small yelp escaped from Mei Yuxian.
Gui Qingtong immediately looked up from her bowl, eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "What happened, Mom?"
Mei Yuxian quickly forced a smile and covered her lips with the back of her hand. "Ah, nothing. The noodles were a bit too hot. I accidentally burned my tongue."
Gui Qingtong blinked and nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. "Oh, be careful next time," she said sweetly before returning to her noodles.
She didn't notice how flushed her mother's cheeks had become—soft pink blooming across her pale skin. Nor did she notice the faint shimmer in Mei Yuxian's eyes, or the way her gaze occasionally shifted back to Lin Yuan with a mixture of embarrassment and longing.
Mei Yuxian bit her lower lip slightly and stared at Lin Yuan with a silent, pleading expression. Her eyes, filled with softness and a trace of frustration, silently begged him to stop teasing her. Though the situation was exciting in a forbidden way, they were still walking a tightrope, and the risk of being discovered was far too high.
Seeing her reaction, Lin Yuan finally relented. He gave her a subtle, playful smile and slowly withdrew his foot. Although the moment had been amusing for him, he knew it wasn't the right time to take things further. There would be other opportunities.
After that, both he and Mei Yuxian hurriedly finished their meals. They both claimed to be full, even though they had only eaten a few more bites. It wasn't about the food anymore—it was about getting away before things escalated or Gui Qingtong started asking too many questions.
Once breakfast was done, Mei Yuxian called for the servants to clear the table. Then she turned to her daughter with a calm expression. "Qingtong, I need to go upstairs to discuss something with your Brother Lin Yuan. You should focus on your studies in the meantime, okay?"
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'll join you later. Study hard first."
Gui Qingtong, innocent and trusting as always, smiled and nodded obediently. "Alright. I'll do some reading. But Brother Lin Yuan, you have to come and play with me later!"
"I will," he replied with a soft chuckle, gently patting her head.
With that, Lin Yuan and Mei Yuxian took the elevator upstairs. The moment the elevator doors closed, a different atmosphere immediately settled between them. Their eyes met, and the tension that had built up during breakfast began to surface again.
Mei Yuxian, while still a bit nervous, couldn't hide her excitement either. But she still warned him softly, "Behave. Not here."
Once the elevator stopped on their floor, they quickly stepped out and entered Lin Yuan's guest room to clean up the traces of last night's intense affair. Mei Yuxian checked the bedsheets, removed any stray garments, and made sure everything looked normal in case someone else entered the room later.
After tidying up, she grabbed Lin Yuan's hand and led him quietly back to her bedroom.
As soon as the bedroom door closed behind them, she turned the lock with a soft click. The sound echoed slightly in the silence of the large room.
Her expression turned serious.
"Xiao Yuan, we really need to talk about Qingtong," she said, her voice a mix of concern and anxiety.
But Lin Yuan, always a step ahead and never flustered, simply smiled and leaned forward slightly. "Let's take a shower first. You don't know how much you smell right now."
Mei Yuxian's face flushed a deeper red. She bit her lip but nodded. "Okay…"
Though she had already become intimate with Lin Yuan, the idea of sharing a shower still made her feel shy. It was a private space she had always kept to herself, but now he was part of it—uninvited, yet irresistible.
Mei Yuxian's personal bathroom was located within her bedroom suite. It was elegant, designed with luxury and privacy in mind, and not accessible to anyone but her.
Under the gentle stream of hot water, Lin Yuan helped her wash, his touch deliberate but tender. He lathered the soap slowly, cleaning even the places she couldn't reach on her own. It was intimate in a different way—not rushed or wild, but gentle, affectionate.
There was nothing left to hide between them.
As she felt his touch along her back and shoulders, a soft, pleased sigh escaped her lips. Her heart beat faster, but not from panic. It was the thrill of something forbidden, yet deeply satisfying.
[Ding! Mei Yuxian favorability +2! Reward: 300 Counterattack Points!]
A mechanical chime echoed faintly in Lin Yuan's mind.
Afterward, Mei Yuxian helped Lin Yuan in return, carefully scrubbing his back and shoulders while the warm water poured down. Her hands moved slowly, deliberately, as if trying to memorize every inch of him.
While they were washing, her voice broke the silence.
"Xiao Yuan… about Qingtong…" she said, her voice soft but heavy with meaning. "She really likes you. She's very serious about it."
Lin Yuan looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment.
"She's not like the others," Mei Yuxian continued. "She trusts you deeply. I know she calls you Brother Lin Yuan, but it's more than that. I can see it in her eyes."
She paused, as if struggling to say what came next.
Mei Yuxian said: "Xiao Yuan, about you and Qingtong… What should you do with her? Qingtong likes you very much."
"Can you…"
*****
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