She held the phone closer to her face, inspecting.
"He is so hot."
"RIN!"
Mei finally caught up, grabbed her by the arm and snatched the phone back.
Without hesitation, she reached up and pulled Rinâs ear.
"OwâOWâHEY!"
"Stay out of things that are not your business!"
Rin winced, trying to pry her hand away.
"Okay, okay, damnâ!"
Meanwhile, at the head of the table Renzhi had been watching everything unfold quietly.
His brow lifted slightly.
"...A boyfriend?"
The room stilled again as Mei froze.
There was no escaping it now.
She sighed softly while straightening up. "...Yeah."
"Donât make a big deal out of it, Dad. Iâm over eighteen."
Renzhi opened his mouth but before he could speak, Lianhuaâs gaze met his.
Without saying a word, she passed a silent message that said be gentle.
Renzhi was known for being hotheaded but Lianhua had always been able to put him on a leash. He was madly in love with his wife so he would never go against her wishes.
Renzhi exhaled lightly while leaning back.
"...Alright."
His tone softened. "You are eighteen... but you still need to be careful."
Mei crossed her arms slightly.
"I know," she stated before adding quicklyâ
"Heâs not some random guy."
Renzhiâs eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
"Heâs Momâs personal fitness coach."
This revelation caught his attention causing Renzhi to slowly turn to Lianhua.
"...That true?"
Lianhua nodded calmly.
"Yes."
"And heâs good at what he does."
Renzhi blinked.
"...Why am I the last one hearing about this?"
Lianhua gave him a small look.
"Because youâd make a fuss out of it."
Renzhi opened his mouth before closing it again.
"Fair."
He leaned back slightly, processing.
"...Hmm... well... in that case..."
He glanced at Mei.
"At least invite him over."
Mei frowned immediately.
"...Why?"
"To meet him properly," Renzhi said simply. "Build a relationship."
Mei raised an eyebrow.
"Or interrogate him like the others?"
Renzhi waved his hand quickly.
"No, noânothing like that."
He leaned forward slightly with a sincere look. "I promise."
Mei studied him with a suspicious look. "...You said that last time and then scared the other one away with your awakened power."
"That was different."
"How?"
Renzhi hesitated.
"...He deserved it."
Rin snorted from the side while Eric smirked slightly.
"Typical dad."
Lianhua sighed softly and Mei shook her head.
"Youâre not doing that again."
"I wonât."
"I swear."
Mei stared at him for a few seconds longer before groaning. "...Fine."
"But if you start anythingâ"
"I wonât."
She pointed at him.
"I mean it."
"I know."
She leaned back into her seat while crossing her arms.
"...Iâll invite him."
Rin immediately perked up again.
"Ooooh! Dinner with the hot boyfriendâthis is going to be interesting."
"Rin."
"Okay, okay."
However, her grin didnât fade and across the table, Renzhi leaned back slowly with a thoughtful look.
~ Thursday~
West stretched his body, rolling his shoulders as he stood in front of the mirror in clean fitness outfit.
He was heading to Renzhiâs residence again ad this time, he already knew what he intended to do...
West smirked slightly.
"...Finally, time to complete this one month quest."
He grabbed his phone and suddenly paused with his brows furrowing.
There were more notifications from the same unknown number.
~ Son, please help me ~
~ Theyâre after me ~
~ Youâre the only one who can ~
~ Please... ~
~ I donât have much time ~
~ Son ~
~ Please answer me ~
West stared at the screen as his playful mood from earlier vanished.
His expression hardened slightly at the persistence of this so called prank.
His fingers hovered over the screen as he typed.
"...Who the hell is this?"
He had already confirmed his father was fine so why "son"?
Westâs eyes narrowed but he didnât press send immediately.
His thumb hovered briefly before he finally tapped send.
A reply came almost instantly.
~ Your mother ~
For a moment, West froze in place unmoving.
Something complicated and buried deep beneath years of indifference, resentment... and quiet longing he had long since trained himself to ignore, flickered across his face.
"...Yeah right."
His fingers moved again as he typed faster this time.
~ Donât ever message this number again. ~
After tapping send, he block it instantly.
West exhaled slowly, tossing the phone onto the table as if it had suddenly become meaningless.
"Thereâs no way..."
His voice was low and almost dismissive.
His mother? After all these years?
That woman had walked out of his life without a single glance back, a call, a message or even a whisper of concern...
He had waited for so long but that version of him didnât exist anymore.
"...Prankster."
That was the only explanation and to him it made sense.
â
West arrived at Renzhiâs residence about forty minutes later and the gates opened smoothly.
As expected, Mei was at work while Rin and Eric were at school.
Renzhi was away at the Dragon Fang base which left just one person at home as usual, if one didnât count the silent, ever-present maids who moved like shadows through the mansion.
West stepped inside and a maid bowed slightly.
"Madam is waiting in the fitness room."
West nodded with a smile and went ahead.
â
The personal fitness room as usual was expansive and filled with high-end equipment that looked barely used... until recently.
Lianhua stood near the center waiting but today, she wasnât dressed like usual.
West paused for half a second as he stepped in because she was dressed in a much tighter and revealing outfit.
Short athletic shorts hugged her lower body perfectly, leaving her toned legs and smooth, fair skin completely exposed. Her top clung closely to her figure, outlining every natural curve in a way that felt... intentional.
Westâs gaze lingered for just a fraction longer than usual.
"...Damn."
The words slipped out of his mouth without resistance.
âAsians are a blessing from God...â he voiced internally.
Lianhua noticed his lingering gaze and a satisfied smile bloomed across her face.
"Something wrong?" she questioned with a light tone.