Chapter 7
Against all odds, after their grand kissing performance, Yang Yue and Fu Shu vanished without a trace, as if they had never returned. Liang Xusheng checked the peephole and the hallway, but they were gone.
“Stop looking,” Lu Xun said calmly. “They probably left to avoid making things awkward.”
Liang Xusheng closed the door, understanding their reaction. They must have been shocked. He chuckled, imagining Fu Shu’s astonishment, then turned to Lu Xun, scowling. “You’re a pretty good kisser, aren’t you?!” He wiped his mouth vigorously.
Lu Xun remained impassive, glancing at his lips.
Liang Xusheng bristled at his nonchalant gaze, wiping his mouth again, harder this time. He couldn’t stand it.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Lu Xun said.
Liang Xusheng finally stopped wiping. “I should go,” he declared. “My mom will probably call me soon.” He figured both mothers needed time to process the “shock” before confronting them. “Let’s each brace for the storm.”
Little did he know, as Yang Yue and Fu Shu rode the elevator down, the shock wore off, replaced by barely suppressed grins. Why didn’t I think of Xusheng as a daughter-in-law before?, Yang Yue mused.
Lu Xun!, Fu Shu thought. It’s Lu Xun! I’ve always adored him!
Outwardly, they maintained a facade of awkward silence and concern. “This is so awkward,” Yang Yue said, pretending to be embarrassed.
Fu Shu mirrored her expression, as if their sons’ kiss was a major social catastrophe. Each assumed the other was genuinely distressed.
She must be struggling with the idea of a son-in-law instead of a daughter-in-law, Yang Yue thought.
She must be disappointed that it’s Xusheng, who’s not as successful as Lu Xun, Fu Shu thought.
They both sighed inwardly, but their smiles kept creeping back.
Xusheng! It’s Xusheng!, Yang Yue thought gleefully.
My dreams of a wedding are finally coming true!, Fu Shu rejoiced.
They exchanged glances, both trying to suppress their smiles. “You go first,” Yang Yue urged.
“No, you,” Fu Shu insisted.
Finally, Yang Yue couldn’t contain her laughter, and Fu Shu’s smile widened. They both burst out laughing.
“It’s all Lu Xun’s fault,” Yang Yue said, referring to Lu Xun initiating the kiss.
“No, no, it’s Xusheng’s fault,” Fu Shu countered, blaming Liang Xusheng for going to their house.
Yang Yue grabbed Fu Shu’s hand. “Don’t worry, Lu Xun will take responsibility.”
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking the same thing I am?” Fu Shu blurted out.
They looked at each other, realizing their shared joy.
“We’re going to be in-laws!” Yang Yue exclaimed, squeezing Fu Shu’s hand.
“I can’t believe it!” Fu Shu squealed, jumping up and down.
They linked arms, happier than any newly engaged couple. “Let’s go celebrate and leave the young ones to their kissing,” Yang Yue suggested.
Oblivious to this, Liang Xusheng worried about his mother’s reaction. “Do you think our moms will stop being friends because of this?” he asked Lu Xun in the car.
“I doubt it,” Lu Xun replied calmly.
“I hope so,” Liang Xusheng said, still anxious. “They both liked each other so much. I hope they can accept us being together.”
“We’ll see,” Lu Xun said.
Liang Xusheng wiped his mouth again, then scowled at Lu Xun. “Next time, could you at least give me a heads-up? And maybe kiss a little softer?”
Lu Xun raised an eyebrow. “There’s going to be a next time?”
“Get lost!” Liang Xusheng shuddered. Kissing a guy was so disgusting. He felt nauseated just thinking about it.
“When do you think they’ll talk to us?” he asked.
“Your mom might take a while. My mom, probably tonight,” Lu Xun predicted.
“Do you think she’ll hit you?”
“Probably not.”
Back at his studio, Liang Xusheng waited for news from Lu Xun. He messaged him: [Your mom hasn’t contacted you yet?]
Lu Xun: [No.]
Liang Xusheng: [? What’s going on?] It was already past 9 pm.
Unbeknownst to them, Yang Yue and Fu Shu were too busy celebrating. They were at a bar, comparing notes and showing each other what they had prepared for their future daughter/son-in-law: Fu Shu showed Yang Yue her savings account balance, and Yang Yue showed Fu Shu a video of Lu Xun’s large apartment, intended for his future spouse. They were so happy they drank more than usual, returning home late.
Neither Liang Xusheng nor Lu Xun received any “summons” that night.
At home, Fu Shu told Liang Jing about the kiss, and Yang Yue told Lu Zhang.
“What?!” Liang Jing exclaimed.
“Huh?!” Lu Zhang gasped.
“I can finally sleep soundly,” Fu Shu said, tipsy and smiling. “Xusheng did well. He found someone I like. Lu Xun is such a good catch.”
Yang Yue, slightly drunk, was equally delighted. “Why didn’t I think of Xusheng before? We could have saved ourselves so many years of waiting!”
The next day, Liang Xusheng went about his business, waiting for his mother’s call. Nothing. He asked Lu Xun; Lu Xun hadn’t heard from his mother either.
“Let’s wait. It’s coming,” Liang Xusheng said.
But the third, fourth, and fifth days passed with no contact.
Liang Xusheng: ???
He sent Lu Xun a voice message. “Oh no, do you think they’re so angry they’re cutting us off?”
He couldn’t stand the suspense any longer. He messaged his father, subtly inquiring about Fu Shu’s mood.
Liang Jing replied: [Good. Very good.]
Liang Xusheng: Huh? That wasn’t right.
Liang Xusheng: [Dear Daddy, did Mommy say anything?]
Liang Jing: [One million per piece of information.]
Liang Xusheng: […]
Liang Xusheng: [I’m adopted, aren’t I?]
Liang Jing: [No, you came free with a purchase of tea.]
Liang Xusheng: [Picture of a sad puppy hanging itself]
Liang Jing finally relented: [If you want to know how your mom is doing, come home and see for yourself.]
Liang Xusheng: [Picture of a soldier saluting]
He went home, bracing himself for his mother’s fury and the dreaded feather duster. But as he entered, Fu Shu, wearing a face mask, greeted him cheerfully. “Son, you’re back!”
Liang Xusheng: Huh?
“I didn’t know you were coming, so I didn’t buy your favorite groceries,” Fu Shu said, coming over to him. “What do you want to eat? I’ll go buy it.” She added, “Is Lu Xun coming? Ask him if he’s free for dinner tonight.”
Liang Xusheng: ? Something was definitely wrong. Was this some kind of reverse psychology? She had seen them kissing, right? He wished his father was home so he could ask him.
His phone buzzed. It was Lu Xun: [My mom contacted me.]
Liang Xusheng: !!! Red alert! Red alert!
Meanwhile, Lu Xun arrived home to an equally unexpected cheerful welcome. However, Yang Yue brought up the kiss, saying, [I never expected this. I just thought you and Xusheng were close friends. Now we’re going to be family!]
Lu Xun was surprised by her reaction.
Yang Yue continued: [I called you back to discuss something. Since you and Xusheng are together now, shouldn’t we start thinking about the wedding? I was thinking, your apartment is ready, shouldn’t we start furnishing it?]
“Mom?” Lu Xun raised an eyebrow, astonished. This wasn’t how the script was supposed to go. Weren’t they supposed to object initially?
Yang Yue’s smile widened. She was overjoyed at the thought of Lu Xun marrying Xusheng. “By the way,” she asked, “when did you and Xusheng…?” She didn’t finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Lu Xun, recalling their rehearsed story, replied without hesitation, “We were so stressed about the blind dates that we went drinking one night, got drunk, and slept together.”
Yang Yue’s eyes widened. They slept together?! She stood up abruptly. “Then you have to take responsibility and get married soon!”
HELP I LOVE THESE MOMS