Sheng Mumu was confused after receiving the message.
What did "wait for him" mean?
Wait for him to come back from Singapore?
The food was already cold.
"Don't get distracted, why are you playing with your phone again?" Feng Yaoqin nudged her with her arm, "You young people, always clinging to your phones, I don't know what's so fun about it."
Sheng Mumu's thoughts returned and she lied smoothly, "I'm using the memo app to write down the steps so I remember, you can't rely on just your memory, right mom?"
Feng Yaoqin looked at her suspiciously, with a skeptical expression, but didn't say any more.
Fifteen minutes later.
Feng Yaoqin was explaining to Sheng Mumu how to slice the beef along the grain when sounds came from the front door.
"Cousin—" Qiao Li was the first to notice Qi Mo, and called out in surprise, eyes widening.
The handsome man with deep-set eyes lightly nodded his chin in response.
Taking long strides, he headed straight for the kitchen.
Hearing the noise, Feng Yaoqin poked her head out to look.
Seeing her son, her face lit up, revealing the ordinary mother in her.
She spoke happily but reprimandingly:
"Didn't Manager Zhang say you wouldn't be back in the capital for a few more days? How come you're back so late? Did you just get off the plane? Aren't you tired?"
Although the two were not related by blood, after so many years together, their relationship was no different from a real mother and son.
In front of others Qi Mo was a taciturn and cold businessman.
But in front of Feng Yaoqin, although he was still sparing with his words, his cold, chiselled features softened with rare warmth.
Even his tone of voice became gentle and mellow.
"I finished up early so I came back ahead of schedule."
As he spoke, he slowly walked over to Sheng Mumu's side.
Naturally he wrapped his arm around her slender waist, tied with an apron.
Standing side by side, he said to Feng Yaoqin:
"Mom, you just got back from vacation, don't tire yourself cooking. Get some rest early."
Hearing this, Feng Yaoqin raised her voice and said,
"What's tiring about making a few dishes? Back when we didn't live in such a big house, I made breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks every day. You wouldn't have grown so tall and strong otherwise."
She smiled and her tone hinted at seeking credit, "Isn't that right?"
Qi Mo's lips curved up slightly, his smile gentle, "Yes mom, you're right, but it's getting late today."
As he finished speaking, he slowly turned his head to look at Sheng Mumu.
She happened to glance up, suddenly meeting his wine-blurred gaze.
The next second, he leaned down slightly.
The cold, crisp aroma of alcohol wafted over.
The man's long, slender fingers moved to her lower back, gave a light tug, and undid her apron.
Taking advantage of the alcohol, Qi Mo acted boldly beyond his usual restraint.
After removing her apron, his large hand rested on the back of her neck, massaging lightly.
Like a caring husband concerned for his wife, asking if she was tired from learning to cook.
Qi Mo's eyes smoldered as he gazed at her, his voice low and hoarse:
"Are you tired?"
Sheng Mumu's radar went "buzz".
A tingling sensation spread from her neck to her scalp.
Wow, not bad. She almost forgot what she was supposed to do.
Receiving his signal, Sheng Mumu instantly smiled, shook her head, and clung to his arm coquettishly, responding in a playful tone:
"Not one bit, I'm so happy to be learning from mom."
Qi Mo's body stiffened.
The faint buzz from the alcohol amplified his senses.
He could clearly feel the soft, delicate hands circling his arm.
She was very close, her light floral perfume teasing his nose.
A sudden desire to tease her flashed through his mind.
He swallowed, the corner of his lips slowly curving up mischievously, "Since you want to learn, I'll join you."
Sheng Mumu's smile froze on her face.
The hand gripping Qi Mo's arm unconsciously squeezed tighter.
Her eyes reminded him - I'm lying! Don't tell me you can't read between the lines?
The man's muscular arm didn't budge.
The corners of his eyes lifted ever so slightly as he feigned ignorance, "Hmm?"
Sheng Mumu slowly loosened her grip and took a deep breath.
She understood completely now.
What else could she not get?
This sly man.
And to think she believed he came to rescue her.
Turns out he just wanted to freeload dinner after seeing the message.
Feng Yaoqin couldn't see the undercurrents passing between them and thought her son and daughter-in-law were being lovey-dovey. She frowned and coughed.
Just as she was about to say something, the knife in her hand was suddenly snatched away and placed on the counter.
It was Qiao Li who took Feng Yaoqin's knife.
Qiao Li pulled Feng Yaoqin's arm, "Auntie, it's late, why not listen to cousin and not cook tonight? I still want to hear about all the fun things that happened on your trip. Oh, is Korean food really delicious?"
Hearing this, Feng Yaoqin tipped her head back, brows knitting together, "Don't believe everything you see online, everything there tastes like kimchi, it's not delicious at all. Let me tell you, the tastiest is still—"
Seeing that auntie had started chattering, Qiao Li quickly shot a look at cousin and his wife, signaling them to slip away quickly.
Qi Mo understood Qiao Li's intention but still politely told his mother, "Mom, Mumu and I are heading back now, rest early."
Feng Yaoqin realized, "Oh wait, I just finished cutting the beef."
Qiao Li dragged Feng Yaoqin upstairs, "It's so late, cousin must have eaten already so don't worry about him. Auntie, did you have ice cream in Turkey?"
Feng Yaoqin seemed to recall some infuriating memory, gesturing animatedly, "Turkish ice cream? Don't even mention it, can you believe how they trick people, Li Li don't you think..."
Qiao Li smiled, eyes curving into crescents. With his hands behind his back he waved twice at his cousin and cousin's wife, saying bye-bye.
Seeing Feng Yaoqin get distracted by Qiao Li again, Qi Mo chuckled. Voice lowered, he said to the woman beside him:
"Let's go home."
Sheng Mumu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Realizing he had been teasing her earlier, she glared at him.
The man was amused rather than angry, the flickering light in his deep eyes full of mirth. Still smiling, he held out his arm to her.
Sheng Mumu secretly rolled her eyes where only he could see. She looped her arm around the rich dad's arm.
In her heart she snarked:
Men.
No matter their age.
They all love these childish tricks.
So immature.
