Chapter 246: Chapter 158: The Passcode to Li Zhi’s House
As usual, Shen Yuan pushed open the door and habitually called out, "Mom, I’m home!"
Then, his gaze fell upon the living room sofa. Zhang Yuyan was sitting there, looking at him with a blank expression.
A sycophantic smile immediately appeared on Shen Yuan’s face. He hurried over to the sofa and said, trying to butter her up, "Mom, I’m back!"
The corners of Zhang Yuyan’s mouth lifted slightly, forming a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. She said, "Having dinner took you this long? You didn’t even reply to my texts?"
Shen Yuan’s heart sank, but he kept the smile on his face and explained, "I was doing homework. I got so into it that I forgot to let you know."
Zhang Yuyan scoffed, clearly unconvinced by his explanation. Her eyes landed on his empty shoulders. "Doing homework? Where’s your schoolbag?"
Shen Yuan’s heart tightened. He had just realized he’d left his schoolbag in Li Bao’s study.
However, he didn’t show the slightest hint of panic. Instead, he said nonchalantly, "Oh, I forgot it at Li Zhi’s house. It’s fine, I’m going back tomorrow anyway."
Zhang Yuyan shot him a glare and warned, "You had better have been studying."
Shen Yuan bristled at her words. He drew himself up straight and retorted indignantly, "Hey! Ms. Zhang Yuyan, let’s get one thing straight. Your son is now someone who can score a 650!"
The corners of Zhang Yuyan’s mouth quirked up. She nodded and said, "Yes, yes, yes, you can score a 650 now, very impressive. Alright, alright, I’ll take your word for it that you went to Li Zhi’s house to do homework."
Hearing this, Shen Yuan’s lip twitched. He grumbled in dissatisfaction, "What do you mean, ’take your word for it’? It’s the truth."
With that, he turned and headed for his bedroom without a backward glance. "Mom," he said as he walked, "I’m going to bed. It’s getting late, so you should get some rest too."
Zhang Yuyan watched his retreating back and waved a hand dismissively. "I know, I know. Don’t you worry about me. I’m off tomorrow."
After a brief pause, she added, "And besides, I don’t have to do homework."
Hearing this, Shen Yuan stomped back to his room in a huff.
I mean, with a mom like that, how could Shen Yuan ever go through a rebellious phase?
You try to be a rebel, and your mom out-rebels you.
And when his mom rebelled, his dad would dote on her. If he rebelled, all he’d get was a tag-team beatdown from both of them.
Zhang Yuyan stood at the doorway, her gaze fixed on Shen Yuan’s back as he entered his bedroom. Only after he had completely vanished from sight did she slowly rise and walk with light steps back to her own room.
As soon as she entered the room, Zhang Yuyan saw Old Shen sprawled comfortably on the bed, phone in hand, completely engrossed in a game.
She couldn’t help but frown. She walked quickly to the side of the bed and said to Old Shen, "Your son went to Li Zhi’s house and only just got back."
Hearing his wife’s voice, Old Shen leisurely lifted his head and glanced at her before answering nonchalantly, "Oh? So? Is there a problem? Don’t you like that Li Zhi kid?"
Zhang Yuyan nodded, but still said worriedly, "Liking her is one thing, but if the two of them are dating now, won’t it affect their studies? I’m not worried about Shen Yuan’s academics—his grades are what they are, after all. I’m just worried he’ll affect Li Zhi’s."
If Shen Yuan had been there to hear his mother’s words, he probably would have been unable to resist saying, "Thanks so much, Mom. I really appreciate you being so concerned about me."
Old Shen, however, didn’t see it that way. He retorted with a smile, "But from the looks of it, Shen Yuan’s studies haven’t suffered. Plus, that Li Zhi kid’s grades are impeccable. Isn’t that a good thing?"
Zhang Yuyan fell silent for a moment. It seemed she thought Old Shen had a point.
Seeing his chance, Old Shen pressed his advantage, "Maybe our boy Shen Yuan is studying hard precisely for Li Zhi’s sake. If you go and disturb him now, it might do more harm than good."
Zhang Yuyan shot Old Shen a fierce glare. "Go ahead, keep indulging him!"
Old Shen retorted with a look of exasperation, "What do you mean, *I’m* indulging him? You’re the one who adores Li Zhi!"
At that, Zhang Yuyan turned her head away in a huff and ignored her husband, muttering, "I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping! Hurry up and put down that stupid phone!"
But Old Shen wouldn’t let it go, teasing her intentionally, "Oh? So you know it’s a stupid phone, do you?"
Zhang Yuyan had no intention of humoring him and simply burrowed under the covers.
Meanwhile, in Shen Yuan’s room, two small cats were curiously watching him as he lay sprawled on his bed.
Shen Yuan suddenly flipped onto his back. He raised his right hand, which curved suggestively in the warm light, his fingers closing around an invisible shape as if pulled by unseen strings.
After a moment, Shen Yuan suddenly looked up and said gently to the cats, "San Geng, Naonao, did you know? Daddy held hands with Mommy today!"
With that, he rolled over gleefully and continued, "And what’s more, your mommy was the one who let me hold her hand!"
The words were barely out of his mouth when a smile spread across his face. "Your mommy was a little shy at first, you know!"
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, by the way, if your mommy comes over, you won’t have a place to sleep. Would you guys mind sleeping on the floor?"
San Geng, Naonao: ?
Shen Yuan slowly placed his hand over his heart. Lying there on his bed, he felt as if he were back on the carpet in Li Zhi’s bedroom.
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