Chapter 309 - 307: Visiting as a Fake Boyfriend

"Yang Xun, can we meet at five?"

Yue Feifei’s voice came through the phone, tinged with a mix of urgency and anticipation.

"That early?" Yang Xun checked the time. It was already past three; things were cutting it a bit close.

"It’s my mom. Ever since she heard I threw water in my blind date’s face and cussed him out, she’s been lecturing me non-stop. She was even crying on the phone. I told her I already had a boyfriend, and now she insists on meeting you at five," Yue Feifei said, letting out a helpless, bitter laugh.

"Alright, let me go get ready. I’ll head over as fast as I can." Even as he spoke, Yang Xun was already heading outside and getting into his car.

Hearing this, Yue Feifei breathed a sigh of relief, her tone noticeably lighter. "I’ll send you the address. Don’t worry about bringing any expensive gifts; it’s the thought that counts."

"I can’t do that. It’s my first time visiting, so I have to show my sincerity. I can’t embarrass you," Yang Xun said with a smile.

"I definitely asked the right person for help. You’re so dedicated." Yue Feifei was genuinely touched. She was completely at her wit’s end with her mother and couldn’t trust anyone else, so she had no choice but to beg Yang Xun for help.

"What does your mom usually like?"

"Her..." Yue Feifei thought for a moment, a trace of resignation in her voice. "She doesn’t have any particular hobbies other than gardening. She has a bunch of potted plants in the yard. A few of them she’s kept for years, tending to them like absolute treasures."

"Alright, got it."

After hanging up, Yang Xun let Yang Cai and Sun Rao know he was heading out, then drove to a nearby large shopping mall. He browsed around and eventually bought a top-quality potted Clivia from a flower shop, along with some health supplements and fresh fruit. Only then did he drive toward the address Yue Feifei had sent him.

Yue Feifei’s home was located in an ordinary residential complex in the old district. The community wasn’t large, but the landscaping was nice, giving off a tranquil and peaceful vibe.

Yang Xun parked his car downstairs and carried the gifts up the stairs. Standing at the entrance, he raised his hand and knocked twice on the door.

The door opened quickly. Yue Feifei’s outfit was a stark contrast to her usual style; surprisingly, she exuded a gentle, demure aura. Seeing Yang Xun carrying a massive pile of items, a hint of amusement flashed through her upturned almond eyes.

"With you sucking up to my mom like this, it’s going to be genuinely hard for me to find a real boyfriend in the future," she whispered.

"Well, I couldn’t exactly show up empty-handed like some bleached-blond delinquent, could I?" Yang Xun teased, turning sideways to step inside.

Just as he changed into a pair of slippers, an expectant voice drifted over from inside the house. "Feifei, is your boyfriend here?"

Yang Xun followed the sound and saw a woman in her early fifties walking over from the living room. She wore a simple, unadorned blouse, her hair neatly pulled back into a bun. Her facial features were gentle, and traces of Yue Feifei’s likeness could still be seen in her brow. However, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and on her forehead marked the passage of time, and her complexion carried the dullness of years of hard work.

When she saw Yang Xun, she visibly paused and looked him up and down before a satisfied smile bloomed on her face. "You must be Feifei’s boyfriend! What a handsome young man! Hurry, come in and have a seat!"

"Hello, Mrs. Yue." Yang Xun placed the Clivia and supplements on the table, his tone natural. "Feifei mentioned you enjoy gardening, so I brought over a Clivia for you. I hope you like it."

Guo Xiumei’s eyes instantly lit up when she saw the potted Clivia. She lowered her head to carefully inspect the leaves and the pot, unable to resist reaching out to gently stroke the thick, fleshy foliage. Her smile became noticeably more genuine.

"This is in such fantastic condition! How long has it been growing? The leaves are so thick and glossy, and the roots are so sturdy. It’s way better than the ones I have!"

"I picked it up at the flower market. I don’t know much about plants, but it looked very vibrant," Yang Xun said with a smile.

He glanced around the house. The living room wasn’t large, but it was spotless and tidy. A plate of freshly cut fruit sat on the coffee table next to a pot of freshly brewed tea. Guo Xiumei carefully placed the potted Clivia on the flower stand out on the balcony before returning to sit on the sofa, her eyes never leaving Yang Xun.

"Yang, right? Feifei mentioned you’re a doctor? Where do you practice?"

"At a private clinic. I specialize mainly in traditional Chinese medicine," Yang Xun replied without changing his expression. He and Yue Feifei had coordinated this backstory in advance. After all, "bathhouse masseur" wasn’t exactly an appropriate profession to announce.

"Chinese medicine is wonderful!" Upon hearing it was traditional Chinese medicine, the smile on Guo Xiumei’s face deepened into something even more authentic. "Good Chinese medicine doctors are rare these days. Usually, only the older generation has any real skill. For you to be practicing it at such a young age—you’ve got a bright future ahead of you!"

As she spoke, a trace of wistful emotion entered her eyes. "Feifei’s father passed away early. All I’ve ever hoped for is that she finds someone reliable—someone who will cherish and take care of her. Then, I can finally rest easy."

Sitting beside them, Yue Feifei let out a sigh of exasperation. "Mom, you’ve said that eight hundred times. It’s his first time here; don’t scare him away."

"You silly girl, you aren’t even married yet and you’re already taking Yang’s side," Guo Xiumei laughed, waving her hand as she stood up. "You two chat for a bit. I’ll go to the kitchen and bring the food out. You’ll get to taste my cooking today."

Soon, the dining table was covered in delicious dishes. It was clear that Guo Xiumei had put a lot of effort into the meal.

"Yang, do you drink? It’s rare for us to have a guest over; have a glass with me," Guo Xiumei offered with a smile.

"I drove here, Mrs. Yue, so I can’t drink," Yang Xun replied, waving his hands repeatedly.

As soon as he spoke, Guo Xiumei’s face fell into sorrow, her eyes instantly turning red. Yang Xun and Yue Feifei exchanged a glance, completely bewildered.

"I brewed this plum wine myself. Feifei’s father loved it. We used to share a drink and chat from time to time. Now that he’s gone, I don’t want to drink alone. This wine usually just sits around collecting dust. Since you’re here today, please, just have a couple of glasses with me."

With that, Guo Xiumei poured Yang Xun a glass, looking at him with expectant eyes.

Yang Xun’s heart immediately softened; he had always been susceptible to gentle persuasion, though stubbornly resistant to force. Besides, Yue Feifei’s mother truly deserved sympathy. Having lost her husband at a young age, she had raised her daughter all by herself without ever remarrying. It certainly couldn’t have been easy.

He thought about it for a second and decided he might as well have a drink with his "mother-in-law" and just call a designated driver for the ride back later.

"Alright, I’ll toast to you. Wishing you good health and that everything goes your way." Yang Xun agreed readily. He raised his glass, clinked it against Guo Xiumei’s, and tossed it back in one gulp.

"Good, good, good!" Guo Xiumei beamed with joy, and the two of them began trading toasts.

In truth, Yang Xun didn’t particularly enjoy drinking. However, the plum wine was sweet and tart, and the alcohol content didn’t seem too strong. It tasted a bit like juice, and before he knew it, he had drank a little too much.

After dinner, Guo Xiumei stood up to clear the table. She turned to Yue Feifei. "Feifei, take Yang to your room to sit and chat for a bit. I’ll take care of the dishes."

Yue Feifei nodded and led Yang Xun into her bedroom.

The room wasn’t large, but it was exceptionally clean, lingering with a sweet fragrance that uniquely belonged to her.