"Darling, let me help you wash up." Chu Lingzhi followed him.
"No need!" Nangong Yichen immediately refused, turning around and pointing at her legs coldly. "Don't come in! Stay far away!"
"..." Chu Lingzhi stared at the closed door, her fragile heart shattering into pieces.
At that moment, she felt deeply hurt.
"Darling, he told me to stay far away from him." Chu Lingzhi looked at Chu Junyu with a wounded expression.
Right now, she needed Chu Junyu's comfort to heal the ache inside.
"Mom, he's mature for his age. If you bathe him, he'll feel embarrassed. He just told you to stand farther away, not to peek by the bathroom door—he didn't say to stay far from him entirely," Chu Junyu reassured her.
Nangong Yichen had indeed told her to keep her distance from the bathroom. The door was semi-transparent; though it couldn't show a clear figure, it still revealed a blurry silhouette. If she stood there too long, he'd feel shy.
"Still, seeing him like this makes me feel awful." Chu Lingzhi pouted.
"I feel awful too, but feelings take time to grow—they don't just appear overnight. You're still his biological mother; one day he'll accept you."
Chu Lingzhi pressed her lips together, looking at Chu Junyu. She suddenly wanted to cry but couldn't.
"You're still my darling—so considerate, obedient, and sensible."
Chu Junyu gave an adorable smile. "Mom, you taught me well. In this regard, Dad is far behind you."
"Right!" Chu Lingzhi agreed with him. "Both born from me, one takes after him and the other after me, yet their personalities are worlds apart. My darling is still the cutest and most charming, easy to love."
"Mom, the little old man is also lovable, handsome, and cute."
Chu Lingzhi thought for a moment, then nodded. "True, though you two look alike, I think he's more handsome and captivating."
"..." Chu Junyu rolled his eyes. Was he not handsome or captivating enough?
"By the way, what were you two talking about just now? Arms? What arms?" Chu Lingzhi walked over, curious about their earlier conversation. She wanted to delve deeper into Nangong Yichen's inner world.
Chu Junyu swiped his finger across the screen, closing the previous window. He smiled innocently, looking very naive. "Arms in a game—we were playing a game."
"Do you haggle over prices in games too?" Chu Lingzhi snatched the computer, but there was nothing on it.
"Of course. Equipment is expensive—sometimes a weapon or piece of gear costs more than your designer bag."
"If it's that expensive, why do you still play?"
"Dad's rich; we can afford it."
"You little rascal, are you planning to sleep with your brother tonight?"
"If he doesn't refuse, I'd be happy to." Chu Junyu laughed, his rosy cheeks incredibly cute.
Chu Lingzhi reached out and pinched him. "If only Yichen were as cheerful as you."
"He will be." Chu Junyu gave her a comforting smile. "Mom, don't overthink it. Go back to your room first. I want to..." He pointed at the bathroom. "Have a private chat with him."
"Alright, but don't bully your brother."
"Do I look like the kind of big brother who bullies others for no reason?"
...
Night fell, and the entire estate was ablaze with lights, like a paradise on earth.
Chu Lingzhi, who usually went to bed early, found herself sleepless tonight.
Her mind was tangled with thoughts of Nangong Yichen, making it easy to lose sleep.
Chu Junyu hadn't returned to his room yet; he was probably sleeping with Nangong Yichen tonight.
She got up and walked to the door of Nangong Yichen's room. Standing there for two minutes, she heard no movement inside.
They must be asleep by now.