Chapter 59: Shedding Skin.

Restaurant

“Aunt Yu, welcome back! All sorted, right? I told you my baby would help,” Yan Qingxin said with a bright smile.

Since agreeing to pose as Yu Baiwei’s boyfriend, Qingxin had stopped hiding her affectionate nickname for Lu Zhao in front of her.

Yu Baiwei glanced at Lu Zhao. “Yeah, huge help.”

Lu Zhao met her eyes briefly before looking away.

He couldn’t wrap his head around it—how had Yu Baiwei changed so suddenly? Was it really that scene from last night that shook her?

Was that even right?

“Baby, what’s wrong? Something on your mind?” Qingxin noticed his pensive look and grabbed his hand.

Her familiar warmth brought a sliver of comfort.

“Nothing, let’s go. How about I cook you something nice tonight?”

“Ooh, yes, please!”

Distracted by the promise of a feast, Qingxin dropped her questions, eagerly anticipating dinner.

Yu Baiwei watched their clasped hands, a flicker of envy in her eyes, quickly replaced by an odd satisfaction.

They stopped to buy ingredients on the way back.

Lu Zhao kept his distance from Yu Baiwei, intentionally or not.

Maybe it was last night’s dream or that look, but something about her felt off.

He sensed danger—not the oppressive kind from her earlier threats, but a visceral, predatory vibe that could swallow him whole.

Not good…

After dinner, he was cleaning dishes in the kitchen, with Yu Baiwei helping.

He’d wanted Qingxin to join, but Yu Baiwei volunteered, and he had no reason to refuse.

The kitchen was quiet, save for the sound of running water, clinking dishes, and Qingxin’s phone videos echoing from the living room.

Lu Zhao cautiously observed the woman beside him.

He hadn’t noticed before, but Yu Baiwei was half a head taller than him.

“Looking at what?” she asked suddenly, not turning.

“…Nothing, just realized you’re pretty tall, Miss Yu.”

“Hm, I guess. Yan Ruyue’s taller.”

Hiss… why bring her up now? Taking a jab at me?

“Haha… yeah, I guess,” he replied awkwardly.

As he dried his hands, Yu Baiwei leaned close, her loose hair brushing his ear.

Startled, he stepped back, confused. “Miss Yu, you…”

Before he could finish, she grabbed the back of his head and kissed him, her lips pressing hard against his.

Damn, I knew something was wrong with her!

She gripped one of his hands; he pushed with the other, but how could he overpower her?

With Qingxin just outside, he didn’t dare make a scene.

What’s with you all? Is this what elders do?

He couldn’t fathom how this once-normal woman had changed so drastically.

Is it me? Am I the problem?

Lu Zhao was speechless, even doubting himself.

Their lips parted, foreheads touching, eyes locked.

“What… what are you doing!” he hissed through gritted teeth.

Yu Baiwei’s lips curved into a seductive smile. “What? I’m wondering that too. You didn’t refuse, did you?”

Huh? What kind of logic is that? No refusal means it’s fine?

With our strength difference, how could I refuse? Is that even human reasoning?

Her words choked him, and she continued, “Last night, too. If you really wanted to refuse, you wouldn’t have pretended to sleep.”

Pretended… to sleep?

Yu Baiwei didn’t notice his confusion, her cheeks flushing. “Don’t play dumb. Last night was so intense, my legs went weak. If you weren’t faking, how didn’t you wake up?”

Last night… wasn’t a dream?

It hit him. No wonder her look this morning, no wonder she felt off.

How could it feel right after all that?

“No… listen, I was exhausted. I really didn’t know.”

Her face darkened. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not as good as her? You felt nothing? I didn’t even wake you?”

Lu Zhao’s jaw dropped, stunned.

Hold on, sister, listen to yourself! And keep it down—Qingxin might hear!

As if reading his mind, her grim expression turned to a sly smile. “What? Scared Qingxin will hear? Don’t worry, I’m not that reckless.”

Lu Zhao’s mouth twitched. Heh, you believe that? I sure don’t.

“Lu Zhao.” She pinched his chin, their lips a millimeter apart. “I don’t want Qingxin upset, but… you’ll keep me company. You don’t care, right?”

“…”

Yu Baiwei didn’t love Lu Zhao—just a bit of fondness.

Last night’s shock from Yan Ruyue added something else to that fondness.

She can do it, why can’t I?

A twisted sense of comparison took root, centered on Lu Zhao.

If she claimed him, marked him with her colors, could she catch up to that woman?

Lu Zhao misjudged her. Yu Baiwei’s laziness and messiness didn’t mean she lacked her mother’s domineering streak.

It had just been suppressed.

A fake engagement, a shocking scene, awakened her buried pride… and years of pent-up resentment.

Even if it meant dirty tactics, she’d get what she wanted!

Yu Baiwei left the kitchen, leaving Lu Zhao frozen, his sluggish brain struggling to process.

Hearing the women’s laughter from the living room, he wondered if her behavior was a hallucination.

You never really know someone…

The last time he’d thought this was about Zhao Rong.

“No wonder they’re friends—what a tag-team!”

Leaning against the sink, brows furrowed, Lu Zhao was at a loss.

Move away? Maybe, but Yu Baiwei could easily track him down.

With Qingxin in the picture, finding his new address would be a breeze.

The only solution was to distance himself from Qingxin and her circle.

“Tch… how did it come to this?”