Chapter 520: Your Dad Is Kissing My Mom

At 8 p. m. in Chongqing, the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius, and even at night, it was unbearably humid.

Not to mention places like Hongyadong.

Yet even so, during summer vacation, this place remained packed with crowds, a sea of people.

In Li Luo's memory, and in later years' promotional material, the scene here was hailed as cyberpunk come to life.

Especially the staggered heights between narrow alleys—step out of one alley, look down, and you see a tangle of winding streets and ancient buildings, yet adorned with modern commercial services and content.

Ignoring the fatigue of climbing up and down, walking through such an environment was indeed a unique, extraordinary experience.

Just as Li Luo and Xu Youyu walked hand in hand through an alley, eating ice cream, another bustling alley saw Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing walking together.

After getting separated from the group, they confirmed their daughter's safety, set aside their worries for now, exchanged a glance, and smiled knowingly.

"Opportunities like this are rare," Yuan Wanqing pulled down her mask and smiled at Ying Zhicheng.

Ying Zhicheng, seeing this, reached out and pulled her mask back up: "Better to be cautious, just in case."

To be honest, there's still a big difference between a star on and off stage.

After all, on camera, they're always meticulously made up and lit, making their facial contours much more pronounced.

In private, without makeup, ordinary people rarely recognize them at a glance—maybe just think the person looks somewhat like a certain celebrity.

But here, with so many people around, Ying Zhicheng felt it was better to play it safe.

"Got it," Yuan Wanqing had no objection; having become a star meant dealing with such inconveniences.

After putting her mask back on, she took the initiative to hold Ying Zhicheng's hand, and the two strolled through Hongyadong's alleys.

Only when they wanted to take photos did Yuan Wanqing secretly remove her mask, snap the picture, then quickly put it back on.

Amid the massive crowd, the two of them were like drops of water—utterly unremarkable.

But to Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng nearby, they were as clear as fireflies in the dark.

After all, they were their own father and mother—Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng could recognize them from their silhouettes at a glance, mask or no mask.

"They're holding hands," Yan Zhusheng said, staring at the two figures ahead, her face expressionless.

"Yuan Auntie reached out first," Ying Chanxi bit her lip; seeing this, some inexplicable fire surged in her chest, and her feet moved involuntarily toward them.

But the next second, she felt her wrist pulled tight.

She turned her head and saw Yan Zhusheng still standing in place, silently gripping her hand, stopping her from advancing.

"Zhusheng, what do you mean?" Ying Chanxi narrowed her eyes, took a deep breath, and couldn't help asking.

"What do you want to do, Xixi?" Yan Zhusheng tilted her head slightly, her face still expressionless, and asked in return.

"Of course I want to find out what's going on between them!" Ying Chanxi yanked her hand free but didn't immediately move toward them—instead, she clenched her fists and pressed her lips tightly together.

"What's going on… need you ask?" Yan Zhusheng said calmly. "When you held hands with Li Luo, what were you thinking? They're thinking the same thing."

"You…" Ying Chanxi fell silent, stunned in place for a long moment, then stammered belatedly, "But… but… he's my dad, and she's your mom…"

"But they're both single now. Even if they really get together, it doesn't seem like a problem, does it?" Yan Zhusheng paused, then pressed further. "Or do you think my mom isn't good enough for your dad?"

"I—I didn't mean that…" Ying Chanxi had no retort against Yan Zhusheng's words, yet her heart felt suffocatingly tight; she bit her lip hard.

Logically speaking, Yuan Wanqing certainly wasn't unworthy of Ying Zhicheng.

But Ying Chanxi didn't want a stepmother at all.

She always felt her mother, Yan Ruqing, held an irreplaceable place in her heart—and Ying Zhicheng surely felt the same.

How could her father… allow another woman to take Yan Ruqing's place?

Faced with this reality, Ying Chanxi couldn't accept it for the moment.

"Zhusheng… don't you find it strange?" Ying Chanxi thought hard, trying a different angle. "Why would they… do this?"

"My mom is beautiful," Yan Zhusheng blinked. "Isn't it normal for Uncle Ying to fall for her?"

"No way!" Ying Chanxi couldn't help retorting. "There are plenty of beautiful people. Dad works at a film company—he's seen countless beautiful women."

"But Uncle Ying has been my mom's agent since long ago," Yan Zhusheng said. "These past two years, with Uncle Ying and Li Luo's help, my mom made a successful comeback. It's only natural they grew close over time."

"But it definitely wasn't my dad who made the first move," Ying Chanxi gritted her teeth, still unwilling to believe her own father would flirt or date Yuan Wanqing.

"So you mean…" Yan Zhusheng narrowed her eyes, "my mom seduced Uncle Ying?"

"Not exactly… it's just… maybe Yuan Auntie fell for my dad first…" Ying Chanxi turned her head away from Yan Zhusheng's gaze but refused to yield mentally, adding instinctively, "Just like you did with Li Luo…"

"Do you have a problem with me?" Yan Zhusheng seized on the new point, pursed her lips. "Do you hate me, Xixi?"

"I don't…" Ying Chanxi kept her head turned, not daring to look into Yan Zhusheng's direct gaze.

The next second, Yan Zhusheng reached out with both hands, cupped Ying Chanxi's face, forcing her to meet her eyes.

"So you think I actively seduced Li Luo and stole him away from you?"

Yan Zhusheng usually spoke bluntly, but never before had she been this direct—like a sharp blade piercing straight into Ying Chanxi's heart, sending a chill down her spine.

"But does this kind of thing have a first-come, first-served rule?" Yan Zhusheng said firmly. "Just because you lived with Li Luo for over ten years, should other girls who are drawn to him, who fall for him, just stand by helplessly while you keep him all to yourself?"

"I already said I didn't…" Ying Chanxi struggled, shaking off Yan Zhusheng's hands. "Stop talking about this—we're not discussing this now…"

"It's the same issue," Yan Zhusheng looked toward the two figures near a stall, preparing to buy snacks, then asked, "My mom came later—does that mean she has no right? Even if Uncle Ying is single now?"

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi struggled to breathe, her chest rising and falling heavily; she felt momentarily breathless.

Her mind was a mess; she didn't know what she was thinking.

But the next second, Yan Zhusheng pulled her away.

Yan Zhusheng dragged Ying Chanxi out of the alley.

Meanwhile, Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing, having bought snacks, turned into another alley.

The two girls followed closely behind them, trailing their steps through Hongyadong.

Ying Chanxi's gaze never left the two figures ahead.

She watched Yuan Wanqing pick up a snack, feed a bite to Ying Zhicheng, then take a bite herself—exactly like how they, the four of them, had behaved with Li Luo.

And Ying Zhicheng had his arm around Yuan Wanqing's slender waist, a faint smile on his face.

In Ying Chanxi's memory, Ying Zhicheng was usually serious and rarely smiled like this—it was truly a heartfelt laugh.

But it felt like countless tiny thorns piercing her heart, leaving her with an indescribable ache.

It was as if another precious thing of hers was being stolen away by someone else.

First it was Li Luo, now it was Ying Zhicheng…

The two most important men in her life had both been…

Thinking of this, Ying Chanxi couldn't help turning to look at Yan Zhusheng, biting her lip in resentment.

Yan Zhusheng noticed her gaze but raised a finger toward the front, expressionless: "Your dad's kissing my mom—this time, it was Ying Uncle who initiated it."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi whipped her head around, eyes wide, and saw Ying Zhicheng kissing Yuan Wanqing.

After he kissed her for a while, Yuan Wanqing gently pushed him away, put her mask back on, and gave him a reproachful glance.

In that moment, Ying Chanxi was struck as if by lightning, standing frozen, unable to accept what she saw.

Please… collect 6…9…Books…!

But Yan Zhusheng showed no reaction, merely watching the scene with calm indifference.

"Aren't you upset?" Ying Chanxi turned to Yan Zhusheng again, unable to hold back her question: "Aunt Yuan doing this…"

"Why should I be upset?" Yan Zhusheng turned to ask in return.

"After all…" Ying Chanxi didn't know how to begin, at a loss for words.

But Yan Zhusheng shook her head: "I never met my father after I was born—your situation might be different."

"I was raised solely by my mother."

"If she finds someone she loves, I don't see a problem."

Watching Yan Zhusheng's calm demeanor, Ying Chanxi suddenly felt a flicker of doubt: "Zhusheng… you didn't already know… before, did you?"

Hearing Ying Chanxi's suspicion, Yan Zhusheng instinctively shook her head, then hesitated, and finally gave a slight nod, whispering: "I didn't know before, but I did have some suspicions."

"Why suspect?" Ying Chanxi pressed. "How long ago?"

"Maybe since last year?" Yan Zhusheng wasn't sure, hesitating. "I've seen Ying Uncle show up at my house several times—even though he said it was work-related, what business needed to be discussed at my house?"

Ying Chanxi fell silent, unable to speak.

With Yan Zhusheng's reminder, she recalled: once, when she'd gone with Li Luo and Yan Zhusheng to record a song, she'd opened the door and seen Ying Zhicheng just taking off his shoes, preparing to leave.

Back then, she hadn't thought much of it—but now, recalling it alongside what she'd just seen, she reached a chilling conclusion.

Her father had probably been close to Aunt Yuan since at least last year—or even earlier.

Yet Ying Zhicheng had never mentioned it to her.

Seeing Ying Chanxi's silence, Yan Zhusheng pointed again toward the front: "They're leaving again—should we follow?"

Ying Chanxi watched Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing's backs vanish around the alley corner, then finally shook her head, choosing not to follow.

…

At around nine p. m., the group met at Jiefangbei, then headed toward the hotel.

Li Luo looked at Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng, noticing their gloom, and asked: "Are you too hot? Let's go back and turn on the air conditioning."

"Mm." Ying Chanxi nodded lightly, said little to Li Luo, and quietly fell in step behind the others, leaning against him.

In that moment, her previously chaotic heart settled—like a leaf drifting aimlessly in midair, finally finding its place.

But when she saw Yan Zhusheng also sidle up beside Li Luo, her lips puffed out again.

Back at the hotel, Ying Chanxi took a shower first, then dried her hair.

Yan Zhusheng, whose hair was longer, usually washed it only every few days; she quickly finished her shower, stepped out, changed into clean clothes, and waved to Ying Chanxi.

"What is it?" Ying Chanxi asked, puzzled.

"I want to find out what kind of relationship my mom and your dad really have."

"It's just that kind of relationship…" Ying Chanxi's mood darkened at the mention of it. "Can you not bring this up?"

"I want to know if they'll sleep in the same bed tonight," Yan Zhusheng said seriously.

Ying Chanxi: "…"

Seeing Yan Zhusheng's earnest expression, Ying Chanxi didn't know what to say—but her curiosity was instantly stirred.

A few minutes later, the two arrived on the hotel's ninth floor and found rooms 907 and 908.

The two rooms faced each other—907 was Yuan Wanqing's, 908 was Ying Zhicheng's.

Yan Zhusheng checked her phone: it was already ten p. m.

Unfortunately, the hotel rooms had excellent soundproofing; standing at the door, they heard nothing.

So Yan Zhusheng walked to 907's door, exchanged a glance with Ying Chanxi, then raised her hand and knocked.

Knock-knock-knock.

The hotel door was thick, the sound heavy and dull.

Yan Zhusheng knocked several times—no response from inside.

"P-Perhaps Aunt Yuan got hungry and went out for late-night snacks?" Ying Chanxi turned to look at the opposite door, 908, and, imagining what might be happening inside, hastily added.

But Yan Zhusheng opened her phone and showed it to Ying Chanxi.

【Yan Zhusheng】: Mom, Li Luo took us out for snacks—do you and Uncle Ying want to come?

【Yuan Wanqing】: Huh? No thanks, I've already showered. I'm exhausted from today's sightseeing—I'm going to sleep.

"P-Perhaps Aunt Yuan fell asleep and didn't hear you knock?" Ying Chanxi bit her lip.

But Yan Zhusheng pointed to the timestamp on the chat—it had been sent only three minutes ago.

Now Ying Chanxi was utterly speechless.

She didn't dare knock on 908's door. After a long silence, she turned away and walked quickly from the place.

(End of Chapter)