Chapter 272, She’s not an outsider (second update)

The youth’s face turned slightly indignant upon hearing the words.

Here we go again.

He shrugged off Alei’s hand, radiating an air of gloom as he walked back reluctantly.

Passing through the extended corridor, the light from the living room spilled onto the steps at the doorway, casting mottled shadows.

Suddenly, the youth halted, a flicker of resistance in his eyes.

"Young Master, the lady is inside."

From behind, Alei offered a reminder, only to receive a cold look from the youth.

"No need for your reminder, I know."

He dragged his feet into the living room, where the scent of rose tea filled the air, a fragrance he found particularly detestable.

"What, tired of hiding in corners?"

A gentle voice came through, tinted with a hint of displeasure.

The woman sat on the sofa, her beautifully curved figure outlined by a custom-made cheongsam, her posture erect, exuding aristocracy and grace with every move.

Seeing the youth enter, her fingertips paused on the tea lid, her imposing gaze shooting straight at him.

"Mo Chen, do you think a one-month grounding is too lenient?"

The youth lowered his head, pursing his dry lips.

"Mom, I want to go out, I don’t want to stay at home."

Being grounded was what he hated most in life; it was no fun at home.

Mo Yu’s brows knitted slightly, "Go out, where do you want to go?"

"Just around," Mo Chen replied, his voice lacking conviction.

Upon hearing this, Mo Yu’s expression chilled, and she set down her teacup forcefully.

"Bang—"

"Is it just going around, or is it to see that dead girl?"

Did he really think his little schemes were unknown to her?

Last time he almost lost his life sneaking out when she wasn’t paying attention, and still he learned nothing from a month of grounding.

The words "dead girl" seemed to strike a nerve with the youth, and Mo Chen lifted his head, his eyes darkening, "She’s not a dead girl."

"Mo Chen, watch your tone," Mo Yu scolded coldly, "I am your birth mother, yet you dare speak to me like this over an outsider? Where have your manners and upbringing gone?"

"She’s not an outsider," Mo Chen insisted, his face stern, speaking deliberately, "She’s my sister."

At his words, Mo Yu stood up abruptly, rebuking him fiercely, "She’s not."

"Your only sister is Mo Su; only she is your sister. That dead girl is not worthy."

The extreme reaction caught Mo Chen off guard.

"Mom, you..."

Seeing his astonished expression, Mo Yu realized she had overreacted and took a deep breath, her expression softening slightly.

Circling the coffee table, she approached him.

As she reached out her hand, Mo Chen instinctively stepped back.

Mo Yu’s hand hovered in mid-air, her face showing discomfort.

Her eyes darkened as she looked up, her face breaking into a gentle smile, "Mo Chen, I didn’t mean to scare you just now, let’s not talk about it, okay?"

She extended her arm to take his, drawing him toward the couch, "I was discussing your university with your dad the other day. Do you want to study here, or go abroad to Y-country?"

Mo Chen sat on the couch, his head down, murmuring, "I want to go to Beisen University in the capital."

Before he finished speaking, the smile froze on Mo Yu’s lips.

The restrained anger in her eyes resurfaced, and after a moment, she pressed down her rage and said, "Must you always oppose me?"

She couldn’t fathom what was so good about that dead girl that he remained so infatuated, never seeing him show such fondness for his own sister.

"Mom, she’s really nice, why do you always react so bitterly every time she’s mentioned?" Mo Chen furrowed his brows, asking in confusion.