Chapter 123: Auntie's Inquiry

Xie Jian glared with fury, but could only vent his frustration from the outside.

"If you have something to discuss, just discuss it! Why lock the door?"
"Sister-in-law, let me in!"
"Is there something you’re hiding?"
"What on earth are you two doing?"
"In the middle of the night, a man and a woman alone..."

Xie Jian kept shouting at the door, his words becoming increasingly unhinged. Zeng Xiaofan was about to retort when Lin Yuru suddenly flung the door open. Xie Jian immediately beamed, "Sister-in-law..."

Before he could finish, Lin Yuru splashed the contents of a ladle right onto his face. With a wet splat, the liquid hit him, smelling faintly of urine. He gasped, his tongue catching a drop—it was salty!

As Xie Jian stood there in a daze, he realized Lin Yuru was standing there, holding a chamber pot in one hand and a ladle in the other, glaring at him with seething rage.

"Wait... Sister-in-law...?"
"Why... why are you throwing urine at me?"

Lin Yuru put her hands on her hips and snapped, "Didn't you want to drink it? I told you to stop pestering me! It’s not even dark yet and you’re already at it. Are you some kind of ghost? What is your problem? I tried to be nice, but you wouldn't listen. Now you’ve got it—fresh and hot. Are you satisfied?"

She raised the ladle to splash him again, and Xie Jian hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no... I’m going, I’m going! I just wanted to chat, that’s all! I was just worried about you being home alone..."

"Get lost!"

Lin Yuru barked again, and Xie Jian retreated, glancing back every few steps, clearly unwilling to leave.

The scene left Zeng Xiaofan stunned. He knew Aunt Yuru had a fiery temper, but he hadn't realized it was this intense. He had heard of people throwing urine during heated quarrels, but he never expected to witness it in real life—and fresh, at that.

What made it even more surreal was that Aunt Yuru was actually quite beautiful, with soft features, an oval face, and a curvaceous, full figure. Though slightly plump, she was tall, with a lush, alluring charm. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed such a beautiful woman could behave so fiercely.

With Xie Jian finally gone, Lin Yuru noticed Zeng Xiaofan staring at her. She immediately set down the chamber pot and ladle, instantly switching to a warm, welcoming smile.

"Haha... Xiaofan, sorry you had to see that. Don't worry, I won't throw that on you! That old fool is just too rotten; I had no choice..."

Zeng Xiaofan could guess why. Xie Jian clearly hadn't given up on his indecent designs on her. Zeng Xiaofan decided to play dumb and asked with a simple smile, "Auntie, what did you want to see me about? If you have something to say, just say it. It’s late, and it’s true that people might gossip about us being alone together."

"Pah! We aren't doing anything wrong, so why fear gossip? An upright person has nothing to hide! Unless you have some thoughts about your aunt in your heart, that is!"

"No, no... How could I? I wouldn't dare..."

"That’s right. Stop worrying and come inside."

Lin Yuru swayed her graceful hips as she headed back into the house. With no other choice, Zeng Xiaofan followed. Inside, the place was small but meticulously tidy, with a narcissus flower in a glass bottle on the table. It was clear she was someone who loved life, which only made her fierce behavior all the more puzzling to him. The furniture was sparse and clearly aged. Though clean, the house showed signs of poverty; it seemed nothing new had been added for years.

Zeng Xiaofan scanned the room, and Lin Yuru picked up a large steamed bun from the table and offered it to him. "Care for a bite?"

Her tone was casual, but her gaze was peculiar. When she held the bun out, she made a point of presenting it to him. Zeng Xiaofan didn't understand, so he waved it off. "No thanks, Auntie. I already ate at Auntie Yao’s place. She made me dumplings. They were delicious!"

Lin Yuru’s lips curled into a slight smile as she looked into his eyes. "Oh? I’m sure your Auntie Yao’s dumplings are good. But her dumplings have her flavor, and my buns have mine. How will you know if mine are any good if you don't try them?"

She waved the snow-white bun in front of him again. Zeng Xiaofan felt something was off but couldn't quite put his finger on it. He frowned slightly and said, "Auntie... just tell me what’s on your mind. Don't speak in riddles. You don't really look like you’re just inviting me to eat a bun..."

Lin Yuru smiled, her face flushing as she looked down. "Ahem... don't you find this... familiar?"

"Familiar?" Zeng Xiaofan muttered. He looked closely at the bun in her hand. Suddenly, his heart gave a violent jolt. His face turned beet red, and he began to stammer. "Wh-what do you mean? I don't... it’s just a bun, aren't they all the same? What’s there to be familiar with?"

Seeing his reaction, Lin Yuru’s face burned even brighter. She was mostly certain now, but she pressed on. "This bun... doesn't it look like what you saw in the fruit shed... of mine..."

"Enough!" Zeng Xiaofan slammed the table and stood up, unable to meet her eyes. He frowned deeply. "Auntie... please, stop!"

Lin Yuru’s face turned the color of liver. She whispered indignantly, "I knew it... you brat... when I asked you before, you said you didn't see anything... It turns out you saw everything! You know everything!"

Realizing the truth was out, Zeng Xiaofan felt so awkward he wanted to dig a hole in the ground. "Ahem... look... I really didn't mean to... I was just passing by with Lini to pick some fruit. Who knew you’d bring a man there... I was afraid of interrupting, so I hid. I never expected you to... face my direction... Honestly, it was a complete accident..."