Chapter 183 - 181: So You’re Not a Woman

Chapter 183: Chapter 181: So You’re Not a Woman

After Jiang Xia repeatedly warned his girlfriend not to run around inside, the two finally left, holding hands.

On the way, Lin Yanwan called Ji Wanqiu to tell her she was going to a friend’s house for the day. Upon hearing that Jiang Xia was with her, her mother readily gave her blessing.

"Why do I get the feeling that you’re the one who’s actually my mom’s son?" Lin Yanwan grumbled softly.

"Because Mom worries about you. She feels more at ease when I’m by your side," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"It’s when I’m with you that things are most likely to happen," she muttered under her breath. ’If my self-control hadn’t been strong enough today, I’d probably still be lying naked in bed while he had his way with me.’

The mere thought of those shameless positions made the tips of her ears start to burn.

"Huh?"

Jiang Xia gave her a quizzical look. ’She makes me sound like some kind of pervert. But honestly, if it weren’t for her occasional provocations, I have excellent self-control.’

"What should we buy to bring to your godmother’s house?" Lin Yanwan asked.

"Nothing too fancy. It’s just a normal visit, so some fruit, milk, or something similar will be fine." Jiang Xia thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, right. We can get a milk tea for Old Wang. He loves that stuff."

"Okay."

"By the way, do you think we should ask Shen Ying to come with us?" he suddenly asked.

"That... probably isn’t a good idea, is it?"

Lin Yanwan frowned slightly. The relationship between those two was a bit delicate right now. After all, Wang Ming used to have a crush on her, and though it was unrequited, he still got firmly friend-zoned.

This had also indirectly caused Wang Ming to pour all his energy into his career. If Li Weiya found out that Shen Ying was the girl who had rejected her son, what if things got unpleasant?

"If you don’t say anything and I don’t say anything, Godmother won’t know. Old Wang definitely isn’t going to make things awkward for himself by bringing it up. We can just treat it as an internal company get-together. Besides, Godmother is going to join our company in a few days anyway."

Lin Yanwan shook her head. "A woman’s intuition is very sharp. If those two are in the same room, the atmosphere is bound to be tense. It’ll be the kind of awkwardness you can spot a mile away. Think about it—Godmother has seen it all. How could she not pick up on it? She’d absolutely see the issue between them in a single glance, and with a little thought, she’d figure out who Shen Ying is. And don’t forget, your godmother is an exceptional woman. She wouldn’t necessarily like Shen Ying, especially not the girl who rejected her son. The first impression would be awful."

"That’s true. I didn’t think it through."

Jiang Xia couldn’t help but recall his past life. Li Weiya had never liked the girlfriend Wang Ming had back then and had urged him to break up with her several times. But the lovesick fool felt incredibly guilty for taking the girl’s virginity and was willing to do anything for her, no matter the cost.

As a result, the relationship between mother and son became incredibly strained for a time.

That is, until the incident where his girlfriend ran off with a rich sugar daddy. Wang Ming had a complete breakdown and was suddenly overwhelmed with guilt toward his mother.

Jiang Xia sighed helplessly. "I just feel like it’s not right for us to have a secret get-together and leave Shen Ying out. It’s like we’re isolating her."

"That’s why you’re not a woman."

Lin Yanwan chuckled. "Believe it or not, if you called her right now, she’d refuse on the spot. Going to the house of a guy you rejected and having to eat dinner with his mom? The mere thought is terrifying, don’t you think?"

"...You’re right. We won’t call her, then."

Jiang Xia fidgeted with his fingers. "But we can’t hide this forever. We’re all going to be colleagues, seeing each other every day."

"Darling, time heals all wounds. In another two months, they’ll probably be able to see each other and act normally."

"I hope so."

Holding hands, the two went to a fruit shop outside the residential complex. They bought a pound each of strawberries, mangoes, and grapes, and also picked up a case of milk. After Jiang Xia bought the milk tea, they took a taxi straight to Wang Ming’s complex.

Once they were downstairs, Jiang Xia called his best bro.

"Stop rushing me! The key animation for episode 15 isn’t done yet, but I’m close," Wang Ming said immediately.

Just from his voice, Jiang Xia knew he must still be drawing. He laughed and said, "No business talk today."

"Then why are you calling me?" Wang Ming asked, speechless.

"Is Aunt Li home?" Jiang Xia asked directly.

"Didn’t she go to sign the contract for you?"

"So she’s not home yet. No problem. We’re right outside your door. Open up, I’ve got a delivery for you."

Wang Ming: "???"

The line went dead. Skeptical, Wang Ming walked out of his bedroom. ’That guy actually has time to mess with me? Did he stop drawing his storyboards for the day or something?’

He leaned in to look through the peephole and saw two people standing outside. Sure enough, who else could it be but Lin Yanwan and Jiang Xia.

"Holy crap... He actually wasn’t lying!"

Wang Ming opened the door. Seeing the milk and fruit in their hands, he was completely bewildered. "You guys could have just come, why’d you bring so much stuff? What’s the special occasion? Is it my mom’s birthday? No, that’s not today."

Jiang Xia handed him the milk tea and grinned. "Don’t overthink it. We just came to freeload a meal. And we bought some fruit to help you get some vitamins. Look at you, you haven’t seen the sun in ages. You used to have a nice tan, and now you’re all pale."

Lin Yanwan covered her mouth and giggled.

Wang Ming was speechless. ’Why do his words have to be so grating?’

"I’ve always been fair-skinned, okay?"

"You want me to find an old picture of you to compare?"

"Fuck!"

Annoyed, Wang Ming flipped him the bird. ’Son of a bitch, this guy’s mouth is getting more and more obnoxious. He just loves to hit people where it hurts.’

"No need to change your shoes. My mom should be back in a bit." He took the fruit and put it on the coffee table, pouring them two glasses of water. "Just make yourselves at home. I’m going to finish up the last few storyboard panels and then I’ll be out."

With that, he ducked into his bedroom. Jiang Xia followed him, standing silently beside him to watch him draw. It was clear the kid’s drawing skills were getting better and better.

When he finished the last stroke, Jiang Xia placed a hand on his drawing paper and said with a smile, "Don’t work right now. Take a break. If you’re going to work overtime, at least wait until after we leave, right?"

"...How many of your storyboards are done?" Wang Ming asked, pursing his lips.

"It’s alright. I have just about enough to keep you guys busy," Jiang Xia said.

As the two were chatting idly, the front door suddenly opened.

Li Weiya came home carrying freshly bought groceries. She froze for a moment when she saw the girl sitting on the sofa, subconsciously thinking she’d walked into the wrong apartment. Her eyes swept over the interior decor—no, this was her home.

’Then who is this pretty girl? She looks a little familiar.’

"Hello, Aunt Li. I’m Lin Yanwan."

...

(Chapter 179 was under review yesterday but has been released today. For those who haven’t seen it, you can refresh the table of contents.)