When Jiang Mo saw Su Yunjin, her first thought was, oh no, we're toast.
If she hadn't controlled herself, she would have let out a sound like a squeaky chicken toy.
She scrambled out of Gu Ye's arms and, not paying attention, bumped right into his chin.
Not even bothering with his pained grimace, Jiang Mo stood up straight, head bowed like a student who'd done something wrong. "Auntie, you're here."
Su Yunjin slowly walked into the living room. "Oh, I just had some free time and thought I'd drop by to see how Xiao Ye was doing, check on his new place."
As she spoke, she secretly sized up the two of them. The scene she had just witnessed made it perfectly clear they were dating.
Well, well, look at this second son of mine, all grown up and sneaking around with a girlfriend.
He didn't breathe a word about it.
And these two kids, what do you call it? Right, childhood sweethearts.
Gu Ye, still holding his chin, asked, "Mom, what are you doing here? And since when did you have my passcode?"
"You silly boy, I've been here since you bought the place," Su Yunjin chided. "I was just concerned about you. But now it seems someone else is looking after you, so maybe I won't bother coming as much."
"Xiao Mo, don't just stand there, have a seat. Oh dear, look at this situation. Had I known, I wouldn't have come."
So awkward.
Jiang Mo sat down, her hands and feet feeling awkwardly out of place. She kind of wanted to vanish into thin air.
No need to think up excuses now. After all, Auntie Su was nothing like the easygoing, oblivious Uncle Li.
Su Yunjin smiled warmly. "How long have you two been together?"
"Not very long," Jiang Mo said, pursing her lips, feeling a bit nervous. Even though Grandpa Gu knew and approved,
she wasn't sure how Su Yunjin and Gu Guofeng felt about it.
"Oh, I see," Su Yunjin nodded. "Do your parents know?"
Jiang Mo shook her head. "They don't. We haven't told them yet."
Su Yunjin raised an eyebrow. So, it seemed she was the first to get the scoop.
Gu Ye couldn't take it anymore. "Mom, everything's fine here. Maybe if you're not busy, you should head back."
She hadn't even warmed the sofa cushion and had just discovered her second son's secret romance. Leave? Not a chance.
"Son, you wouldn't want your relationship to become public knowledge right now, would you?"
Gu Ye felt a pang of frustration, completely cornered by his mom.
Su Yunjin cleared her throat and stated her position. "Xiao Mo, I have no objections to you two dating. I fully support it, and I'll keep your secret."
"If this rascal dares to bully you, you tell me, and I'll deal with him."
"But let me ask one more nosy question. Are you two living together now?"
No wonder this kid wanted to move out. If she hadn't dropped by today, they'd still be keeping her in the dark.
"We're not living together! I just came over to help take care of a kitten he found," Jiang Mo hurriedly explained.
Only then did Su Yunjin glance at the little furball on the floor.
"Oh, this kitten... is quite black. I'm going to use the restroom. Later, let's go out. My treat for dinner."
After Su Yunjin left, Jiang Mo let out a sigh of relief and glared at Gu Ye. "It's all your fault for fooling around earlier."
She had a bad feeling that before long, everyone would know.
"My fault, I take the blame," Gu Ye said. "But look, she didn't object, right?"
"Actually, I'm more worried about how Aunt Wang and Uncle Li will react."
Jiang Mo teased him with his own past words. "Didn't you say you got along best with my mom? Losing your confidence?"
"Getting along is one thing, but willingly handing over the family treasure is another," Gu Ye clicked his tongue. "I'm somewhat confident about Aunt Wang, but Uncle Li is harder to read."
Jiang Mo choked back her words. Should she tell him? It seemed Old Li didn't have the best impression of him.
As they were whispering to each other, Su Yunjin returned from the bathroom and announced with a wave of her hand, "Let's go! I'm taking you two out today. I'm paying."
Just like that, Jiang Mo and Gu Ye were dragged out for a shopping spree at the mall.
Jiang Mo ended up with several new items. She tried to refuse, but Su Yunjin gave her no chance.
"Just take them," Gu Ye said. "They look really good on you."
"Xiao Ye's right, you do look great in them," Su Yunjin agreed.
Jiang Mo had no choice but to accept. "Thank you, Auntie."
After shopping, Su Yunjin treated them to a meal. In high spirits, she returned home.
Gu Baotian saw her good mood. "What's the happy occasion? You seem delighted."
Su Yunjin almost blurted it out but remembered her promise to keep the kids' secret.
After all, she was the first to know.
"Nothing major. Just heard some gossip at dinner about a certain male celebrity. They say he's dating his childhood sweetheart."
She thought her hint was obvious enough. If the old man couldn't guess, it wasn't her fault.
"What's there to be happy about someone else's relationship? Did it help your digestion?" Gu Baotian didn't get it at all.
He didn't guess anything else and certainly didn't realize their secret was almost half-public by now.
Well, that was a waste of breath. The old man had zero sense for these things.
Su Yunjin turned her head and saw Wang Xia. Why did she suddenly feel a twinge of guilt?
