Chapter 8: The Captivating Lin Xi
Chapter 8: The Captivating Lin Xi
A rich fragrance, unique to a beautiful mature woman, wafted from Mom. I snapped out of my daze and instinctively tried to shrink back.
"Why are you hiding?" Mom furrowed her brows, her tone turning slightly cold.
"Mom, what are you doing?" I gave a sheepish laugh, my heart thumping like a drum.
"Come here." Mom reached out and pinched my ear, her tone brooking no argument.
Normally, Mom was gentle and elegant, but she hadn't reached a high-ranking position and taken command of a massive vessel like the Chiyue Group through a mild temperament alone.
She was resolute and vigorous in everything she did. Whether in life or at work, she showed no mercy to anyone or anything that failed to satisfy her—and I was no exception.
If I truly made her angry, I would inevitably be given the cold shoulder.
"Mom, what is this for? It hurts." I had no choice but to lean toward her, following the pressure of her hand.
Without a word, Mom buried her lovely face against my chest and took a deep breath.
My body went stiff. I didn't dare move an inch. My gaze fell upon her slender waist, and I suddenly felt a surge of impulse to pull her into my arms.
Mom’s figure was truly incredible. Among all the women I had ever seen, hers was the most perfect and provocative: her breasts were full, firm, and upright; her waist was as slender as a wasp's; and her hips were lush and rounded, making one ache to reach out and knead them.
Her legs were straight, long, and soul-stirring. One could truly admire them for a hundred years and never grow tired of it.
"Mom... what’s wrong?" My arm hovered over her jade-like back, suppressing the urge to embrace her. I forced a half-joking tone. "We’ve only been apart for a few hours. Do you really miss your son that much?"
Mom lifted her head from my chest. Her face was expressionless, perhaps even a little displeased.
I watched her slender fingers brush back and forth against the steering wheel. My heart was in my throat, wondering if she had smelled something she shouldn't have.
"Do you usually use floral water?" Mom asked softly.
"No..." I let out a forced chuckle.
"Then why is the scent of floral water so strong on you?" Mom’s beautiful eyes stared at me without blinking, her gaze like a blade stabbing straight into my heart.
I prided myself on having a strong psychological constitution, but in front of Mom, who had spent years maneuvering through the business world, I was still outmatched.
"That... well, aren't there a lot of mosquitoes lately? My seatmate had some floral water, so I sprayed a bit on." I looked straight ahead, avoiding her gaze.
Mom clearly sensed my guilt. A long silence followed.
"Why is your heart beating so fast?" she suddenly asked.
"Ah... is it?" I touched my chest. "Maybe it's because Mom is too beautiful? After all, with such a great beauty leaning on me, who wouldn't be nervous?"
Mom didn't seem even slightly pleased by my compliment.
I stole a glance at her. She was pressing her red lips tightly together, a faint shadow of gloom lingering on her fair, lovely face.
The congested traffic began to move slowly, and the Mercedes-Benz crawled forward along the road.
A weight settled in my chest, and I lost the desire to joke around.
Mom tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Lin Yuan, you must study hard at school, do you understand?"
I gave a muffled grunt of affirmation. My mind raced for a long time, still unsure if she had discovered my secret affair with Chu Ning.
After weighing my options, I decided to test the waters. "Mom, what’s the matter? I feel like you’re... a bit strange today."
"It’s nothing."
The Mercedes-Benz began to pick up speed.
"It’s just that a voice I heard this afternoon sounded very much like yours."
"Really?" I put on a look of total confusion. "Who was it? You should introduce us when we get back so I can meet him."
Mom gave me a meaningful look. "Perhaps... the two of you already know each other."
"Haha, then that would be quite a coincidence."
Talking with Mom felt like sitting on a bed of needles.
She kept her face taut and stern; anyone could see the displeasure written all over her.
I tried to change the subject. "Lin Xi should be getting out of school today too, right?"
Mom’s voice was cold. "Didn't we drop her off together on her first day? I remember we took this exact road. Did you forget so quickly?"
"No, no, of course not."
Mom was acting like she’d swallowed gunpowder, completely lacking her usual gentle personality.
I suddenly remembered a famous line: You cold, heartless person.
The thought made me stifle a laugh, and a snort escaped me.
"You’re still laughing!" Mom raised her hand and gave me a light slap. "Did you listen to a word I just said?"
"I listened, I listened! Study hard and make progress every day!" I quickly repeated the mantra.
The slap didn't hurt at all, but it allowed me to breathe a long sigh of relief.
Mom’s words carried a deeper meaning: "I hope you don't let me down."
"Don't you worry, Mom!" I deployed the ultimate subject-changing technique. "I’m not like your daughter, Lin Xi. How could I possibly disappoint you?..."
Lin Xi was my little sister. We were twins, both sixteen years old. The difference was that she had just started her first year of high school, while I was already in my third year, pushing toward the college entrance exams.
Lin Xi attended Wanghai Girls' High School, an institution that only accepted female students.
The school was famous for its strict education and discipline. Furthermore, it didn't allow day students; students were only permitted to go home once a month.
Lin Xi’s grades weren't exactly bad, but they weren't great either.
Mom had deliberated for a long time before finally deciding to send her to that school, hoping her academic performance would improve.
"Mom, wait in the car. I’ll go get her." I opened the car door and stepped out.
"I'll go with you." Mom parked the Mercedes by the curb and walked toward the gates of the girls' high school with me.
Not long ago, Mom had sent Lin Xi there despite her fierce protests. I could only imagine how much the little girl hated Mom right now.
The school entrance was also crowded with cars. People flowed like a tide, mostly high school girls in the prime of their youth. Their green or budding bodies were hidden beneath oversized school uniforms, obscuring the beauty of their youth from view.
Before long, a pretty figure caught my eye. It was my sister, Lin Xi.
It could be said that she had inherited all of Mom’s best traits. Her face was fair and exquisite, though still slightly youthful. Her large eyes were like pools of spring water, her nose was high-bridged, and her mouth was small. Her features were quite similar to mine, though her facial lines were softer and smoother, while mine were more defined and rugged.
She was tall, much taller than other girls her age. At only sixteen, her figure was already curvaceous—with a pert chest, rounded hips, a willow waist, and long legs. Even the baggy school uniform couldn't hide her graceful silhouette. She was a bona fide little beauty.
"Brother!" Upon seeing me, her face lit up with obvious joy. She came running toward Mom and me, her high ponytail bouncing with every step, vibrant and full of youthful energy.
As she neared us, she hesitated for a split second before throwing herself into my arms.
"Oh? Why are you crying?" I looked at my sister in my arms, her eyes brimming with tears and her face full of grievance. While I teased her, I couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
Heaven only knew how my pampered sister had endured a whole month in this girls' school.
I tightened my hold around the girl's slender waist, using my other hand to wipe away her tears before pinching her nose. "Is this really you, Lin Xi? You’re actually crying?"
"Don't laugh at me!" She snapped at me and bit my shoulder. She refused to lift her head from my chest, her tears falling uncontrollably.
She felt noticeably thinner than she had a month ago. I patted her waist. "Stop crying. Didn't you always claim to be my older sister? You don't look much like an older sister right now."
In the past, we would bicker constantly. She often used the excuse that the one born first was the younger sibling to claim she was my "older sister" to outsiders.
Her eyes were red, with teardrops still hanging from the corners.
I coaxed her softly, "Stop crying. Aren't you afraid of embarrassing yourself if your classmates see you?"
"Let them see." She sniffled, looking adorable and charming.
With a little beauty in my arms and a great beauty standing beside me, I had become the sole focus of attention in front of the school gates.
"Alright, go say hello to Mom. She hasn't seen you in a month; she’s been nagging me about you every single day." I gently stroked her back.
"Hmph." Lin Xi gave a soft snort. She looked up from my chest and whispered, "I don't want to talk to her."
I laughed in spite of myself. A month had passed, and she was still angry with Mom. This girl certainly knew how to hold a grudge.
Mom didn't seem to mind and simply smiled. She patted Lin Xi’s head, took the backpack from her shoulder, and started walking toward the car.
"Let’s go!" I took my sister’s small hand and led her to the vehicle.
"Brother, sit in the back with me." When we reached the car door, she tugged at my hand, trying to pull me into her silent protest against Mom.
"Okay."
Lin Xi was as willful as a child, and as it happened, I was a brother who doted on her excessively, granting her every request.
Once I was settled in, she didn't stay still. She climbed into my lap, sitting sideways across my thighs with her face pressed against my chest and her arms wrapped intimately around my waist.
Smelling her youthful scent and feeling the touch of her supple, elastic buttocks against me, my throat went dry. It felt as though a cat was scratching at my heart.
"What are you doing? Have you gone crazy? Why are you being so clingy?" I tickled her waist, trying to ease the internal awkwardness.
At that moment, Mom’s cold voice drifted back from the front seat:
"Lin Xi, get off your brother's lap!"