Su Xiu had just returned home from her evening shift at the school and hadn't even had time to shower or change when the phone rang.
"Liwu, answer the phone!" Su Xiu called out.
"It must be Sister Xueru calling again," Chen Liwu said with a grin. "She's been calling all day to check on Yingying's studies!"
He rarely had the leisure to wait at home for his wife to finish work. The Port Xiu Nightclub in Haihong District was running smoothly, and the Killer brothers were practically guaranteed to retrieve the Jade Pendant and silence any witnesses.
Now, he took his time admiring his wife's uniform: her black hair was loosely coiled atop her head, and her voluptuous figure was draped in an expensive coffee-brown teacher's suit.
Su Xiu's skirt had a side slit that revealed her entire slender leg, encased in flesh toned stockings that reached her upper thigh. As she walked, the slit opened and closed, revealing the delicate lace-trimmed stocking band clinging tightly to her soft thigh.
Lower down, Su Xiu wore pale blue strappy sandals with high heels. The delicate straps wrapped around her feet, accentuating their graceful shape. Her ten toes, neatly manicured, peeked out from the tips of the sandals, their pale surfaces painted with shimmering pink nail polish.
"Sister Xueru, I just got back from school. Is Yingying asleep yet?" Su Xiu asked, holding her phone in one hand while rubbing her aching ankle with the other. Four classes during the day and two at night—standing all day was truly exhausting.
"She's taking a bath right now! Xiu, teaching must be so tiring. With our family's wealth, you could easily stay home and enjoy life as a housewife. But I know you can't stand being idle. You're just like me—we both hate having to rely on men! Hehe! Oh, please! As a teacher, you're far more admirable than I am!" Chen Xueru chuckled coquettishly.
"Sister, as the police chief, you maintain peace and order in our city—you're the true heroine, a woman of valor!" Su Xiu winked playfully at her husband, Chen Liwu. She always flattered Chen Xueru, knowing her sister-in-law loved being seen as a heroic figure. Keeping Chen Xueru on her good side was a foolproof way to keep her husband in check.
She added sweetly, "Sister Xueru, Liwu's been out carousing every night. You need to keep an eye on him for me! I can't control him!"
Chen Liwu overheard his wife complaining to his sister, he rose and sat beside Su Xiu. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist and playfully threatened to pinch her delicate neck, startling her into a flurry of pleading gestures. She pointed at the phone, signaling that Chen Xueru was listening and warning him to behave.
"Liwu manages such a vast operation; it's inevitable he'll associate with some questionable characters," Chen Xueru teased. "It's all just for show. Deep down, he still adores you! If he dares to become a villain, I'll become Lady Justice herself! Don't worry, I know my brother well. There are countless beauties at the nightclubs, but none can compare to you!"
"Sister Xueru, you're flattering me again," Su Xiu replied, her heart fluttering with joy. She didn't forget to return the compliment to her sister-in-law. "Everyone knows you're the most renowned beauty in Pallet City! Otherwise, how could Brother-in-law be so utterly devoted to you? After winning the election for Legislative Councilor, he'll now back you in glory!"
"Alright, alright, let's stop flattering each other," Chen Xueru said, eager to steer the conversation away from her husband. "How's Yingying's studies going lately? Is she doing well?"
"Yingying is doing wonderfully!" Su Xiu replied with a cheerful laugh. "She's excelling in her studies, her grades are consistently high, and she's behaving perfectly. Plus, we get along so well—she's even closer to me than Xue'er is!"
"Liwu mentioned earlier that Xue'er was already asleep," Chen Xueru chuckled. "It's been ages since I've seen her. Why don't you all come over this weekend? My brother, sister-in-law, and eldest sister called the other day, suggesting we all spend our summer vacation back in Kyoto to escape the heat. It's been so long since you've been back to the Chen family home, hasn't it?"
"That sounds lovely! Yingying and Xue'er haven't been back to the Chen family home in Kyoto for years. Xue'er always goes to bed so early—she's not nearly as diligent as Yingying. She's constantly pestering me to let her go play with Yingying, but I'm worried she'll distract her from her studies..." Su Xiu said.
"Let's relax together this weekend!" Chen Xueru paused, then asked softly, "Xiu, has Yingying been acting strangely at school lately? This girl used to spend half the morning just getting ready, singing happily one minute, giggling to herself the next, then checking her reflection, and spraying perfume. I suspect she might be in a relationship."
"A relationship? I doubt it," Su Xiu glanced at her husband, Chen Liwu, before cautiously replying. "Yingying has been spending more time with a male classmate lately, but she's always been open about it, telling me in advance. They say it's for tutoring and academic discussions, and they share interests in music and art. They're just friends."
"A male classmate? What kind of boy is he? Do you know him?" Chen Xueru pressed, her concern growing as her suspicions seemed to be confirmed. She couldn't allow her daughter to fall into the trap of young love in her second year of high school.
"Oh, I know him well. His name is Su Chen."
"Su Chen." Chen Xueru's heart skipped a beat at the name. What a cruel twist of fate!
"He's a second-year student now. I taught him in his first year—he was an excellent student, very quick-witted. His grades seem to have dropped significantly recently, but with his intelligence, he'll definitely catch up in his third year. Yingying and Xue'er both have excellent grades, and this young man has a good character too—handsome, straightforward, gentle, and polite. He's a really good boy. The only thing is, I've never seen his parents come to school. But from what I remember, he's quite cheerful and self-reliant." Su Xiu chose her words carefully.
"However, I've never met his parents. Sister Xueru, it's perfectly normal for high school students to have relationships, especially since Pallet City No. 1 High School has had a severe gender imbalance in recent years, with far more girls than boys. Now, 'childhood sweethearts' are becoming popular again. They're still just high school students, so we shouldn't immediately label their relationships as 'early love'—that could easily damage their self-esteem."
"I understand, Xiu. Don't worry, I won't scold Yingying. As a police officer, I always rely on evidence," Chen Xueru said with a forced smile. "You need to keep a close eye on her for me. If that little minx really gets caught up in early romance, I won't forgive you! Get some sleep now!" She never imagined that brat would end up targeting her precious daughter. Karma truly had a way of catching up. Still, it had been years since she'd last seen that rascal.
"Don't worry, Sister Xueru! How could I, as her aunt, let my niece get involved in early romance without intervening?" Su Xiu replied with a smile. "I'll keep a close watch on her. Good night, Sister!" She had no idea about the complex emotions swirling in her sister-in-law's heart on the other end of the line.
"What's wrong? Does Sister suspect Yingying is involved with someone? What kind of boy would dare to capture our Yingying's heart? Should I send someone to cripple him?" Chen Liwu said as he clenched his fist.
They have a son, Chen Qiang twenty and their daughter, Chen Xue, was seventeen. Even after years of marriage.
Just as they were about to chat some, the phone rang.
Chen Liwu pulled phone impatiently. "Hello? Who is it? What? Say that again! You bastard, I'm coming right now!" His face darkened, his brow furrowing into a scowl.
***
Pallet City, Chen Family Villa.
Chen Xueru stood before the bathroom mirror, gazing at her naked body. At forty, she possessed a stunningly mature and flawless physique—the kind that naturally maintained its peak condition without the need for strenuous exercise. Her skin remained smooth and supple. Her long, dark hair cascaded freely, and her unadorned face revealed a natural, breathtakingly mature beauty.
This face, refined by the passage of time, far surpassed the artificially enhanced looks of teenage girls who relied on makeup for beauty. The confidence and allure radiating from her weren't the result of lipstick or eyeshadow; they emanated from within, permeating every inch of her being. Her full breasts are still perky as twenty years ago. Below, her vividly pink cunt nestled amidst a dark, lush thicket of pubic hair, flourishing between her legs like the final, exquisite stroke of a masterpiece. Her mature, tall, voluptuous, and curvaceous figure shifted poses before the mirror, each stance worthy of becoming a timeless, awe-inspiring work of art.
Chen Xueru emerged from the bathroom, drying her hair. She gently pushed open Yingying's bedroom door and saw her daughter lying in bed, reading a book.
"Stop reading and go to sleep. You'll ruin your eyes," Chen Xueru said. Without solid evidence, she refused to jump to conclusions about her precious daughter's early romance. Such accusations would damage Yingying's self-esteem far more than the relationship itself. Besides, since that rascal Su Chen was involved, she needed to tread carefully.
"Okay, Mom. Dad's waiting for you. You two should get some rest too!" Yingying winked playfully at her mother.
"You little busybody!" Chen Xueru's cheeks flushed inexplicably. These kids these days! They act like they know everything, even joking with adults at such a young age!
Just as she was about to close the door, Yingying called out again, "Mom!"
"What is it now?"
"You're so beautiful. Hehe!" Yingying teased with a mischievous grin.
"You little brat! That's enough nonsense. Go to sleep!" Chen Xueru scolded playfully, closing the door with a smile.
She slipped into a pink silk slip dress hanging on the rack and walked out of the bathroom. Zhang Zhichun was leaning against the headboard, still poring over documents. She turned to check the door was locked. Zhang Zhichun, around forty-five years old, exuded a scholarly air.
"Can't you ever finish work? Must you work even in bed?" Chen Xueru said angrily.
"Yes, I have to manage the Snow Pure Group Corporation's business, fulfill my duties as an Legislative Councilor, and attend a conference in City hall tomorrow. I feel like I'm stretched too thin!" Zhang Zhichun sighed without looking up.
"Only now you realize you're stretched too thin?" Chen Xueru said as she climbed into bed.
"Zhichun, it's been so long since we've..." She tilted her head back to look at him, her voice filled with longing, testing, and perhaps a hint of pleading.
Zhang Zhichun lowered his gaze to meet his wife's eyes, without setting aside his work he said.
"Xueru, I've been so busy and exhausted lately. Let's wait until this period passes, okay?"
"Zhichun, you have said this same line since ten years ago...?" Chen Xueru murmured.
"Xueru, you're really like a ravenous wolf these days!"
"Well, if you don't come home more often, I have no choice but to..." Chen Xueru caught herself, realizing she'd almost revealed too much.
"No choice but to what?"
"Nothing, nothing at all!" Chen Xueru blushed, embarrassed.
He had once been immensely grateful to have married such a beautiful and sensual woman, especially when she wore her police uniform—a skirt suit, stockings, and high heels—the sight filled him with an overwhelming desire.
But as time passed, the body and passion that had once burned within him gradually faded, just as her uniform lost its initial allure. Xueru remained the same Xueru, but he was no longer the Zhichun of old. Men change easily, especially when it comes to their physical desires.
"Xueru, let's sleep. I'm really exhausted these past few days," Zhang Zhichun said, his voice lacking enthusiasm.
"Yes, good night!" Chen Xueru said as she also turn her back and lay in a comfortable position.
"Just take care of yourself these next few days," Zhang Zhichun said, as he put aside his documents to sleep. He felt a sense of relief, knowing that despite his wife's prime age for sexual desire, she hadn't succumbed to temptation and strayed.