"Tap, tap, tap, tap..."
The crisp, sharp sound of high heels striking the floor echoed through the school hallway. As the footsteps drew nearer, my heart pounded faster and faster. I was all too familiar with such an imposing stride.
A moment later, a stunningly beautiful woman in a black office suit and skirt entered the room. She had an exquisite, fair-skinned oval face, with long, jet-black hair pinned up at the back. Her slender, almond-shaped eyes, slightly upturned at the outer corners, were paired with delicate willow-leaf brows, a charming nose, and lips the color of red bean paste. Her bright eyes held a deep, sharp gleam, radiating the unique sensual charm of a mature woman.
She carried a Prada handbag and wore a fitted blazer with a deep V-neck, revealing a white blouse underneath. Her waist was slender, her chest full and rounded. Below, she wore a black straight skirt, flesh-toned stockings, and black pointed-toe stilettos. Her hips were perky, and her legs were shapely and long, exuding the intellect and efficiency of a professional woman.
Her name was Zheng Yiyun, and she was... my mother.
With a frosty expression, Mom walked straight toward me as soon as she entered the room. Without a word, she swung her handbag and aimed it right at my head.
I quickly ducked and raised my arms to shield myself. The homeroom teacher hurriedly stepped between us, trying to mediate. "Mrs. Ling, Mrs. Ling, please calm down, don't be angry..."
Reaching over the teacher's shoulder, Mom kept hitting me with her bag. It didn't hurt much, but it was terrifying.
It seemed Mom was truly furious.
...
An hour later, sitting in the car, Mom gripped the steering wheel with both hands, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically. She didn't say a word, but the oppressive atmosphere only made me more nervous.
After holding back for what felt like forever, I finally couldn't take it anymore and blurted out, "Hey, your car... it was just washed, right? It smells nice, just like you."
Mom didn't respond, just glanced sideways at me with an expressionless face. I forced an awkward smile and lowered my head. "Mom, I'm sorry, I really am."
Mom immediately denied it. "No, no, no, you're not wrong. I'm the one who's wrong. As a mother, I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place. I should've gritted my teeth and gotten rid of you."
I grinned cheekily. "Well, you might've gotten rid of my older brother or sister instead, and I'd just be your younger sister."
Mom frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about? Tell me, what were you and that little girl Lu Yiyi doing hiding in the storage room?"
I hung my head and mumbled, "Nothing, really. We were playing hide-and-seek, and we just happened to hide in the same spot."
"Ling Xiaodong, you sure know how to spin a tale. You're both in your final year of high school, and you're still playing hide-and-seek? Do you really expect me to believe that?"
"Well, believe it or not," I muttered.
"What?"
"I mean, isn't retro trendy these days? You went disco dancing with Auntie Rong not too long ago, didn't you?"
"Retro my foot."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're a department manager, after all. Shouldn't you watch your language?"
"Watch my language? I'm showing restraint by not slapping you across the face." Mom let out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead wearily. "Why did I have to give birth to something like you? You're going to be the death of me."
I tilted my body and rested my head on her arm, grinning cheekily as I sang, "Only a mother is the best in the world, a child with a mother is like a treasure. Once I nestle into my mother's embrace, I turn into a silly goose."
Mom gave me a hard smack on the head and pushed me upright. She stared at me with a stern expression, and I stared back. After holding it in for a while, she suddenly burst out laughing but quickly composed herself, scolding me sharply, "You're never serious, always fooling around. What kind of attitude is that?"
"How am I not serious? I'm being perfectly serious. Look at the severe gender imbalance nowadays—so many older single men can't find a partner. Uncle Liu from the building next door is almost forty and still single. If I start dating now, I might even get married right after high school, and you could be holding your grandchild before I even finish college. Just think—you could be a grandma in your forties, enjoying the joys of family life. Ask your friends if they're jealous."
"Oh, my goodness," Mom covered her face and shook her head gently. "The more you talk, the scarier it gets. If you keep going, I'll be collecting my pension and dancing in the square with the other old folks in the neighborhood."
"Hey, that doesn't sound so bad. You could drag Dad along, haul a boombox over there, crank the volume all the way up, and become the square dance queen, the elderly disco diva. Come on, draw a dragon on the left, and on your right, draw a rainbow. Come on, draw a rainbow on the left, and on your right, draw another dragon." I sang while waving my arms around.
Mom gave me a sidelong glance for a long moment before muttering, "I really should give you a good spanking."
The car started and turned down a couple of streets. I noticed we weren't heading home and asked, "This isn't the way home. Where are we going?"
"Beibei's school is on break today. We're picking her up."
"She still needs picking up? She's old enough to get home on her own."
Mom turned and glared at me. "And how old are you, still calling your parents to school? You have the nerve to criticize others."
"I'm the eldest son of the family, destined to inherit the family business. I require your undivided attention and effort. As for her, the second child, just let her roam free."
Mom snapped, "If you keep chattering nonsense, I'll kick you out of the car and make you walk home!"
I quickly shut my mouth and turned my head away.
After a long silence, my curiosity got the better of me. I cautiously turned back and asked, "Mom, why aren't you talking much today? Why aren't you scolding me like you usually do?"
"What, you feel uncomfortable if I don't scold you?"
"Not exactly, it's just… I'm a little curious. Usually, if I make even a small mistake, you'd say, 'Ling Xiaodong, are you itching for a spanking? Ling Xiaodong, do you want a beating? Ling Xiaodong, turn your butt around!'"
Mom's eyebrows shot up. "Ling Xiaodong, do you want a beating? Let me tell you, I'm already annoyed. There's a pile of things at work, and you're still causing trouble. Do you think my life is too easy?"
"Well, if something's bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can offer some advice and help ease your worries."
"The biggest help you can give me is to shut up and stop talking."
"See, see? You get worked up so easily. Anyone would think you're hitting menopause early."
Mom honked the horn twice in frustration, probably making the car ahead think they'd encountered a road rage incident, as it quickly swerved aside.
Mom wouldn't let me speak anymore, but after a while, she couldn't help asking, "Tell me the truth—did you and Lu Yiyi actually... do it?"
"Do what?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You think I don't know about those magazines hidden under your bed?"
"No, I'm still a kid. Don't look at us innocent boys and girls through your adult, desire-filled eyes."
"Then what did you mean earlier when you said I might become a grandma soon?"
"I was just joking with you. How could someone as young and sexy as you become a grandma?"
"Stop with the flattery. I'm warning you—if you dare to get someone pregnant, I'll make sure you disappear."
"Come on, how could that happen? We're not kids anymore. We take all the necessary precautions. Unless we bought counterfeit products, there's no way anything would go wrong."
Mom froze for a moment, then turned to glare at me. I realized I'd let something slip and slapped my mouth a few times, panicking. "Mom, that's not fair—you tricked me into saying that!"
"What did I trick you into? You were the one blabbering on and on."
"Fine, I won't say another word. I'll be mute, okay?"
I wanted to drop the subject, but Mom wasn't having it. It was like she'd found my weak spot, and she pressed on, "What did you mean just now? Did you and Lu Yiyi... do it?"
I covered my mouth and turned away, refusing to speak.
Mom grabbed my shoulder and shook me hard. "Talk! Don't pretend to be mute!"
I pointed ahead. "Watch the road! You're driving. If you don't follow traffic rules, the police will give you a ticket."
"Tell me clearly—what did you mean? Did you and Lu Yiyi... do it?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Happy now?" I snapped, sitting up straight. "What else do you want to hear? Want me to give you all the details?"
Mom was caught off guard by my question. She stared blankly for a long moment before slapping me on the head in frustration. "You think you're in the right? You think you've brought honor to the Ling family? You're in your senior year of high school, about to take the college entrance exams. Instead of focusing on your studies, you're spending all your time thinking about this stuff. How can your grades possibly be good?"
"My grades are fine. I'm always in the top ten in my class."
"Well... if you put in a little more effort, you could be in the top ten in your grade."
"But I asked you before if you were against me dating, and you said you weren't."
"I... I wasn't against it, but I didn't mean for you to... do it so soon."
"You didn't say that earlier. Now the rice is cooked—what do you want me to do about it?"
"Oh, so it's all my fault now?"
"Well, you don't have to blame yourself." I grinned foolishly.
"You little jerk!" Mom started cursing in anger.
"Well, you're the jerk's mom." When it comes to arguing, I've never been afraid of anyone, including Mom. Unfortunately...
Mom slapped the back of my head again.
Rubbing the sore spot, I protested, "Every time you can't win an argument, you resort to hitting. That's just blatant hegemony and imperialism."
"I'm your mother, so I can be a hegemonist, I can be an imperialist, so what? When I start calling you 'Dad,' then you can be a hegemonist toward me too." She glanced at me, saw me rolling my eyes, and said, "Not convinced, huh? No allowance for you this month."
"Convinced, convinced, convinced," I quickly nodded with a forced smile, then changed the subject. "Oh! I just noticed, did you... did you... wash your face this morning? Am I right? Just tell me, am I right?"
"Nonsense, who doesn't wash their face in the morning?"
"But this time, it's different from usual. You must have washed it extra carefully today. And your makeup—it's so unique, so elegant, understated yet luxurious. You dressed up so carefully, didn't you? Meeting someone? Got a date?"
"I'm meeting a client."
"Don't be shy. As your child, I'm very open-minded. I don't mind if my parents have affairs."
"Ugh! I'll have an affair with your head. You..." Mom paused for a moment. "Wait, no, don't change the subject. We're not done talking about your business yet."
Seeing that we were almost at my sister's school, I smiled and said, "We're almost there, almost there. This kind of talk isn't suitable for kids. Bei Bei will be getting in the car soon, and it wouldn't be good for her to hear."
"You actually care about what's appropriate? I've never met anyone as shameless as you." Mom pulled the car over to the side of the road, leaned against the window, rested her forehead in her hand, and let out a long sigh.
I grinned. "Thick skin leads to a long life; thin skin won't get you anywhere."
Mom couldn't help but laugh and scold at the same time. "You and your slick tongue—you should join Deyun Club. Since you never stop talking, why don't you just go on stage and perform?"
I chuckled. "You know what? If I practiced for a couple of months and stood on that stage..." I patted my chest and gave a confident thumbs-up. "I'd be a seasoned artist."
Mom scoffed. "When it comes to shamelessness, you're definitely a seasoned artist."
She leaned against the window, and I stole a glance at her out of the corner of my eye. Honestly, Mom is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in real life. Even though she's nearly forty, she keeps her figure in great shape—soft curves, a full yet graceful body. No matter what she wears, her chest always looks perfectly rounded, especially when she's in loungewear at home.
Mom has a classic hourglass waist. Because she exercises regularly, she hasn't let herself go like some middle-aged women. Her waist is so slim it's almost unbelievable.
Her hips are round, full, and perky—sensual and fleshy, wrapped in a pencil skirt like a plump, juicy peach, yet never giving off a bulky vibe.
Because of her job, Mom always wears suits, stockings, and high heels. It's really, really sexy.
Even though I'm still in high school, I'm a seasoned stocking enthusiast. I often steal Mom's stockings for my girlfriend to wear, then pin her down on the bed and go at it. But strangely, no matter how she wears them or what color or style they are, it never feels the same as when they're on Mom.
Even though I often sneak peeks at Mom, I don't have an Oedipus complex. It's just the impulse of a healthy young man, a desire and pursuit of beautiful things.
Sure, I've secretly taken Mom's stockings and used them while masturbating, but that's as far as it goes. I've never wanted to do anything to Mom herself.
Sigh... if only she weren't my mom, that would be perfect. I wouldn't mind her age at all.
Just as my mind was wandering, my sister came out of school. After waving goodbye to her classmates, she opened the car door, stuffed her suitcase inside, and bent down to get in.
I glanced at her through the rearview mirror. She had perfectly inherited our mother's best features—a fair and delicate oval face, a playful ponytail, exquisite facial features, and smooth skin without a single trace of acne.
Her figure was slender and tall, standing half a head taller than girls her age. Her chest had already begun to develop, and her little bottom was nicely rounded.
Her name is Ling Xiaobei, she's fifteen years old, a freshman at a private high school, and her grades are pretty decent.
Since there's only a two-year age gap between us, we don't have the kind of loving sibling relationship you see in movies or novels. Our lives are filled with sarcasm, arguments, and scheming.
Looking into the rearview mirror, I said with a smile, "Hey, Ghost Foot Seven, school's out?"
Mom scolded, "Don't call her by that nickname, it sounds awful."
My sister didn't mind. She took off her backpack and tossed it onto the seat beside her, grinning as she said, "Psycho, I heard you got into trouble again and had your parents called to school."
Mom got anxious, glaring back and forth between us. "Is what I say not good enough anymore? If you keep using nicknames, neither of you will get dinner tonight."
My sister whispered, "Whatever, I'm on a diet anyway."
"If you diet any more, you'll fly away," I teased.
"Flying away would be even better, then I wouldn't have to see your face every day. Annoying~!"
"Beep..."
Mom pressed the car horn hard and snapped, "Both of you shut up! Are you two roosters? You start fighting the moment you see each other."
My sister leaned forward and whispered, "Mom, I really am born in the Year of the Rooster."
I quickly chimed in, "I can confirm, she really is born in the Year of the Rooster."
Mom took a deep breath, leaned back heavily in her seat, covered her eyes with the back of her left hand, and didn't speak for a long time. Her right hand clenched into a fist, trembling slightly.
I turned and scolded my sister, "See, see? It's all your fault for making Mom so angry. Who told you to be born in the Year of the Rooster?"
My sister pouted at me. "What's wrong with being born in the Year of the Rooster? You're the one who made Mom angry. You're the troublemaker in our family—not only ugly but also annoying."
I immediately retorted, "Where am I ugly, huh? I inherited our parents' excellent genes. How dare you say I'm ugly? Who do you think you're looking down on?"
My sister stared at me. "Ling Xiaodong, I've always wondered—we don't look alike at all. Are you really my biological brother? Maybe you were switched at the hospital." She turned and tugged at Mom's sleeve. "Mom, did you accidentally switch babies at the hospital back then? Did you? Did you?"
"No, no, no!" Mom said impatiently. "Your brother looks exactly like your dad. If he's not my and your dad's biological son, whose is he? Yours?"
I jumped in to scold her, "See, see? You've made Mom so angry. Oh, you unfilial daughter."
Mom sighed, torn between laughter and tears. "I'm begging you, my dear lord and lady, can you please be quiet? I'm already stressed enough from work every day, and I still have to take care of you two. Tell me, why did I even give birth to you two?"
My sister leaned in and kissed Mom on the cheek, smiling as she said, "Mom, don't be angry. Love you."
I quickly leaned in and gave Mom a kiss on the cheek, grinning cheekily as I said, "Mom, I love you too."
My sister huffed, "Always copying others, no originality at all."
Mom pushed my face aside and said, "Alright, alright, I love you both. I love you even more if you can be quiet for a while."
Since my sister hadn't been home for almost half a month, Mom took us out for a big meal. It wasn't until we got home that we remembered Dad was alone and had forgotten to make him dinner.
But lately, he's been obsessed with online mahjong and even forgot about eating himself. He didn't even call to check in.
Mom confiscated my phone, took away my laptop, and even packed away all the comics I had collected, saying I needed to focus on studying and wouldn't get them back until after the college entrance exams.
I pretended to cry, knelt down, and clung to Mom's sheer-stockinged legs, but it was useless. Mom was stone-hearted and unmoved.
Through the long night, I had no choice but to pass the time by studying.
Since it was the weekend, I slept in the next day. When I got up, only my sister and Dad were eating.
I asked, "Where's Mom?"
Dad was holding his phone, eating while reading messages, as if he hadn't heard. My sister didn't even glance at me and said, "She got a call this morning and left in a hurry."
"She left? I was hoping she could give me a ride." I sat down as I spoke, grabbing a fried dough stick and stuffing it into my mouth.
My sister frowned, looking at me with disgust. "Can't you be a bit more civilized? Brush your teeth before eating."
I lifted my pajama top, scratched an itch on my waist, chewed a few times, and said, "Isn't it better to brush after eating?"
"You're just swallowing all the bacteria. Disgusting." My sister picked up her bowl and moved to sit farther away from me.
Just then, Dad's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, looked up at the two of us, and got up to go back to his bedroom.
My sister stared at the bedroom door for a moment, then whispered to me, "Don't you think Dad's been acting mysterious lately?"
"Dad's always been mysterious. When I was little, I used to think he was a secret agent like 007," I said carelessly.
"I'm not joking. I'm serious," my sister glared at me.
I looked up at her. "What do you mean then?"
"I don't know. I'm asking you."
"How would I know? You're being weird." Suddenly remembering something, I smiled and said to her, "Good sister, lend me your phone."
"No," she refused flatly.
"Just for a bit. I'll only make one call. Please, my dear sister." I put aside my pride, clasped my hands together, and begged.
"Ask Dad for his phone."
"Dad's been in his room for ages and hasn't come out. I need it now. Just lend it to me for one call, and I'll give it right back." As I spoke, I reached for it, but I was too slow—my sister had already hidden it behind her back.
I chased after her, and she quickly stood up, taking two steps back before sitting on the sofa, holding her phone with both hands behind her back.
I went over to grab it, and she kicked at me, causing her to lose balance and fall onto the sofa. I took advantage and pressed down on her, reaching under her to snatch the phone.
My sister struggled even more frantically.
We were tangled together, skin against skin. Having just woken up, we were both wearing thin pajamas. Through the fabric, I could faintly feel the warmth of youthful bodies, and my nose was filled with the scent of morning mingled with a girl's natural fragrance.
Just as we were playfully wrestling, my dad came out. He paused and asked, "What are you two doing?"
My sister craned her neck and shouted loudly, "Dad, help! He's being a pervert~!"
I looked up and said, "I wanted to borrow her phone, but she wouldn't let me."
Dad frowned and scolded sternly, "How old are you? Don't you know there should be boundaries between boys and girls? You're not acting properly at all."
I got up reluctantly, grabbing my sister's small hand and pulling her up along with me.
My sister straightened her clothes and pouted at me. "You don't act like an older brother at all." With that, she handed over the phone. I took it and turned to walk toward the bedroom.
I called Lu Yiyi and invited her over to study. In reality, of course, I wanted to continue what we hadn't finished yesterday.
Being interrupted and holding it in all day was really unbearable.