According to my dad, she should be the daughter of his colleague.
If that was the case, then this girl must be here for me. But why did she always stand so far away, just watching me without saying a word? What did she want? It was kind of creepy.
After dinner, my dad was sitting on the sofa watching TV. While my mom was cleaning up, I sat down beside him and whispered, "Dad, last month you mentioned going to your colleague's house to discuss her daughter's college entrance exam, right?"
My dad froze for a moment, his expression tightening as he looked at me suspiciously. "Why are you asking about that?"
"I'm just curious. That girl—what's her name? Do I know her?"
"How would you know my colleague's daughter?"
After hesitating for a moment, I cautiously asked, "Dad, that day at noon, I saw you on the street with a young girl, arm in arm, shopping together. Was that girl the daughter of your colleague you mentioned?"
My dad was visibly startled. After a brief pause, he nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, that's right. She's my colleague's daughter. I took her to buy study materials that afternoon."
I felt a bit puzzled. My dad was usually laid-back and hands-off—he hadn't even worried about my own college entrance exam. Why would he accompany a colleague's daughter to buy study materials?
After a moment of silence, my dad asked quietly, "Does your mom know about this?"
"No." I paused, then cheekily asked, "Are you afraid Mom will find out?"
"What do I have to be afraid of? I... I'm not afraid of anything. It's just that your mom tends to be suspicious, and I don't want her to misunderstand. It's better to avoid trouble, so let's not tell her."
"Ah~! Alright, I won't tell Mom. But... Daddy, this month's allowance... is a bit over budget." I grinned at him, and he immediately understood what I meant. He scolded me in a low voice, "You don't learn the good stuff, just spend all day thinking about this. How much?"
I held up two fingers. My dad said, "I'll leave it behind the TV tomorrow morning. Go get it yourself." He couldn't resist adding, "Spend it wisely. Don't be so extravagant all the time. Our family's money doesn't grow on trees."
"Yes, yes, it doesn't grow on trees—it's dug out of the ground. I'm always thrifty and frugal."
Just then, my mom came out of the kitchen. The two of us sat up straight like thieves caught red-handed, pretending to watch TV as if nothing had happened.
Mom glanced at us, flicked my head with her finger, then crooked her finger, signaling me to follow her.
Dad gave me a look, and I gave him a thumbs-up to reassure him.
Following Mom, I entered her bedroom.
She closed the door with her back and stared straight at me.
Suddenly, I had a bad feeling and said with a silly smile, "Mom, I just remembered I have a set of papers to finish. I should hurry back to my room and do them."
Mom narrowed her slender phoenix eyes. She didn't speak or move aside, just stared at me for a long time until my scalp was almost tingling. Then she slowly said, "Let me ask you, did you steal my stockings again?"
My mind buzzed, and I quickly played dumb. "Huh? What? What did I take?"
"My stockings! You didn't take them?"
"No, I don't even know what you're talking about."
"Say that again." Mom glared at me.
"I really didn't, I really didn't take them. What would I do with your stockings?" I pretended to be at a loss.
Mom nodded and sneered, "You won't admit it until you see the coffin, will you?"
"I... why would I see a coffin for no reason?" I was growing more and more nervous.
Mom glared at me. "I just bought three pairs of stockings last week, and one pair went missing in the blink of an eye. Beibei hasn't been back during this time. Come on, analyze it for me. Who's the most likely suspect? It couldn't be your dad, could it?"
"Maybe... the house was burgled? Or maybe it's a pervert who specifically steals women's underwear?" I was so nervous I started talking nonsense.
"I think you're that pervert."
I chuckled foolishly. "You're joking. How could your son, who's so outstanding, be a pervert?"
"How should I know! A perfectly good son, how did he become a pervert?" Mom grew a bit anxious, then let out a long sigh, calming herself. She asked softly, "Tell me the truth, did you take them or not? If you tell the truth, I promise I won't hit you."
Although Mom has a fiery temper, one thing about her is commendable: she's honest and keeps her word. If she says she won't hit you, she absolutely won't.
But settling scores later is inevitable.
At this point, I could see Mom already had the answer in her mind. The facts were right there, and whether I admitted it or not didn't really matter. I might as well be straightforward.
"Yes... I took them... one pair."
"One pair?" Mom narrowed her eyes and stared at me.
"One... two... three pairs."
"What did you take them for?"
"Um... I gave them to Yiyi."
"You think your mom is a fool."
Mom, after all, has been through it all and definitely knows why I stole her stockings. But even though I knew she was fully aware, I couldn't admit it out loud—it was just too embarrassing.
Fortunately, Mom didn't press further. She walked over to the dressing table and sat down, beckoning me to come closer. Then, with a serious expression, she asked, "Tell me the truth. Besides stealing my stockings, have you ever stolen other people's things outside? Or... done anything inappropriate?"
I quickly raised my hand and swore, "No, absolutely not. I can guarantee you, one hundred percent not. Your son knows his limits. If I took your things, it would at most be a family dispute—you'd get angry and give me a beating. But taking other people's things outside is a crime, and that would land me in jail."
"Huh! You've thought this through quite clearly," Mom said with a bitter smile. "All that cleverness of yours is wasted on this. You're always stirring up trouble. If only you put a little effort into your studies, you'd save me so much worry."
"Yes, yes, I promise I'll study hard and make sure you don't have to worry."
"Go back to your room. Remember what I just said—think it over carefully. If there's a next time, I'll beat your butt until it's black and blue."
Leaving my parents' bedroom, I let out a long sigh of relief. I was drenched in cold sweat, and my heart was still pounding wildly.
Mom's meaning was clear—she knew what I'd been up to, but she'd spared my dignity by not spelling it out.
And she must have known that I understood perfectly well, which is why she added that warning at the end.
Back in my room, I took out a pair of black sheer pantyhose from a small box hidden at the bottom of my bookshelf drawer. I gently rubbed them against my face. These were Mom's worn pantyhose from half a month ago, tossed into the laundry basket before she could wash them. I'd hesitated for a long time before mustering the courage to steal them, and I'd been on edge ever since.
It seemed I really couldn't keep stealing Mom's pantyhose for that purpose anymore. This pair of her worn black sheer pantyhose would be my final treasure, and I had to cherish it dearly.
Over the next few days, that girl didn't show up at the school gate again. I tried to subtly ask Dad about her, but he seemed reluctant to talk about it and even told me to stay away from her.
Though I didn't know what that little girl was up to, I figured the matter was over.
Until one weekend afternoon, when I made plans with Lu Yiyi to go to the bookstore together—of course, sneaking out behind our mothers' backs.
Our homes weren't far apart, but she insisted I take the bus and go around in a loop, then meet her at the bookstore entrance.
The bus stop was quite crowded. As I idly waited for the No. 6 bus, someone suddenly stood beside me. I instinctively glanced over and saw a pretty young girl.
She had two braids tied up like boxing braids, wearing a loose sports jacket on top and baggy jeans below. Her small, palm-sized face was lightly made up, with big, bright eyes and long, curved eyelashes that blinked as she stared at me, her expression dazed and innocent, like a helpless and pitiful little animal.
It was the daughter of Dad's colleague.
She stared at me, and I looked back at her. After a moment of silence, I grinned and said, "Hey, beautiful, do you have a crush on me?"
She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, looking at me blankly, and asked in return, "Who are you?" Her voice was light and pleasant, soft and sweet with a hint of huskiness, giving off a bit of an anime vibe—cute and charming.
"You don't know me?" I chuckled. "I'm the handsome big brother."
She rolled her eyes and ignored me. Unbothered, I pressed on with a smile, "Don't I look familiar? Haven't we met somewhere before? Oh, now I remember."
I put on an expression of sudden realization. "Does your dad work at the Water Resources Bureau?"
"Yeah, my dad works there."
"That explains it!" I clapped my hands. "My dad works there too. We must have met before. What's your name?"
She glanced at me but didn't say anything. I didn't mind, feeling the bus was about to arrive, so I smiled and asked, "Where are you headed, beautiful?"
"Where are you going?" she shot back.
"I'm going to Xinhua Bookstore."
"I'm going there too."
"Hey, what a coincidence!"
Just then, Bus No. 6 pulled into the station, and we followed the crowd onto the bus. Bus No. 6 was a popular route, so it was pretty crowded. Getting on in the middle section, having a place to stand was already lucky—forget about a seat.
I squeezed into the middle section of the bus with the girl. It was packed, shoulder to shoulder, but not quite sardine-can level.
Although I'd just called it a coincidence, deep down, I didn't really believe it. This girl was definitely here for me, but I couldn't figure out why just yet.
"Is there something you need from me?" I probed. "Are you in some kind of trouble and need my help?"
She looked at me but stayed silent.
I continued, "Whatever it is, just say it. Don't hold back. I love helping people, especially pretty girls."
She still didn't speak. Looking at her delicate face, something suddenly dawned on me. "How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Same age as my sister. Wait, are you taking the college entrance exam this year?"
Her eyes shifted, looking a bit confused, clearly not understanding what I meant.
Just then, the bus stopped. A few people got off, and a few more got on. The passenger in front of me changed from an elderly woman to a young woman in a floral dress with black leggings.
My gaze instinctively drifted toward her thighs. They couldn't compare to my mom's, but they still had a certain charm.
I stared for a moment before suddenly remembering the girl beside me. I turned to see her looking right at me—she must have seen everything I'd just done.
I smiled, trying to hide my embarrassment. Her gaze slowly shifted downward, moving from me to the woman's legs, then back to my face. She blinked, looking confused and innocent.
Suddenly, she grabbed my right wrist and slowly lifted it. I had no idea what she was doing and was about to speak when she guided my hand and pressed it against the woman's thigh.
The woman let out a sharp gasp, turned, and glared at me. I stared back, bewildered and unsure what to do. Then she slapped me across the face.
...
I was taken to the police station by righteous passengers who accused me of being a bus pervert.
I'll admit to being a pervert, but calling me a bus pervert is just insulting and a personal attack.
How could a sensible kid like me do something so sleazy in public? I was clearly framed.
Unfortunately, neither the enthusiastic passengers nor the police officers at the station would listen to my explanation. They were outraged, all accusing me in unison: "How dare you, at such a young age, harass a woman on the bus? What will you be like when you grow up?"
The young woman whose thigh I had touched was especially furious, kicking and hitting me, frantically scratching at my face.
I knew she was the victim, so I wasn't angry, but I was a victim too! The most infuriating part was that little girl who framed me and then vanished without a trace.
They had originally planned to have the school leadership come to pick me up, but after I pleaded with tears and snot, explaining that I was about to take the college entrance exam, they finally agreed to only notify my parents.
Actually, aside from my mom, there was someone else more suitable to come to the police station to get me out, but this matter was a bit embarrassing, and I didn't want her to know.
Unfortunately, things have a way of working out like this—what you fear most always seems to happen.
Sitting in the interrogation room at the police station, I anxiously tapped my heels, imagining how furious my mom would be when she arrived. The worst part was that I couldn't even explain this situation clearly to her.
Just then, I heard a man's voice outside the room say, "Sister Rong is back."
Immediately, a spirited and clear woman's voice replied, "I'm back. This guy drank too much and beat his wife again. Brought him in to sober up."
A slurred man's voice mumbled, "I… I… didn't, didn't hit anyone. Officer… Officer A… Auntie, I was just… just joking around with my wife."
"Who's your auntie? Hey, hey, where do you think you're going? Stay in this room."
A drunken middle-aged man was pushed into the room. The one pushing him was a female police officer around forty years old, dressed in a navy-blue police uniform. She had an oval face, a ponytail, and stood about 1.7 meters tall. Though she was middle-aged, she was quite slender, with sharp eyes and an imposing presence.
I knew her all too well. I never expected to run into her here. Afraid she might recognize me, I quickly turned my body to the side, lowered my head, and covered my face.
The female officer took two steps away but suddenly stopped, turned back to the doorway, and leaned in to look at me.
"Ling Xiaodong?"
Seeing there was no way to hide it, I looked up and smiled. "Auntie Rong, what a coincidence! When did you start working here? Weren't you at the Chengguan District Police Station?"
She was Lu Yiyi's mother, my future mother-in-law, Shen Rong.
"I transferred here six months ago," Auntie Rong said, dressed in her police uniform with her hands in her pants pockets, looking me up and down. "What are you doing here?"
"I…" I stood up, struck a pose, and tried to act calm. "I came to see you."
Of course, she didn't believe me. She stared at me for a moment, then turned her head and called out, "Zhao Xiaojun, come here for a second."
"What's up?" A young male police officer walked to the doorway.
Auntie Rong pointed at me and asked, "What's his situation?"
The male officer glanced at me and said with a laugh, "Him? Haha, he was molesting a woman on the bus, touching her thigh, and got caught red-handed."
I quickly defended myself, "I've been wronged! I was framed!"
Auntie Rong frowned and asked me, "So, did you touch her thigh or not?"
"I… I did touch it. But… it's not what you think…" I stumbled over my words.
"But what?" Auntie Rong glared at me sternly.
I scratched my head, unsure how to explain it to her. I had already spent a long time trying to clarify things, but no one believed me. In the end, I just started making things up: "I was just a body subjected to a force. There was another body applying the force, and it pushed my hand onto that older sister's leg. So, I'm also a victim. The real perpetrator is the body applying the force."
"And where is that body applying the force?"
"I don't know."
"Nonsense." Aunt Rong shot me a glance and turned to leave. I hadn't wanted her to find out about this, but now that she knew, it would be best if she could help me resolve it.
I hurried to catch up with her at the door and called out, "Aunt Rong."
Aunt Rong turned and glared at me sternly. "There's no Aunt Rong here."
"Officer Auntie," I quickly corrected myself, seeing her expression darken. "Officer Sister."
"What is it?"
I put on a flattering smile. "You're my elder, you've watched me grow up, so you're practically my guardian. I have a favor to ask—could you please tell them not to notify my mom just yet? Could you take me home instead?"
Aunt Rong scoffed. "Oh, so you're afraid your mom will find out? Weren't you claiming to be innocent?"
"I am innocent, but my mom doesn't distinguish right from wrong. If she comes, she'll definitely beat me up without even asking for an explanation."
"Serves you right, always causing trouble." Aunt Rong tilted her head slightly, giving me a sidelong glance. "I haven't even settled the score with you about Yiyi yet."
I was terrified she'd bring that up and didn't dare say another word.
About half an hour later, the sound of high heels clicking sharply against the floor echoed down the hallway—crisp, clear, and full of momentum. I shuddered, thinking, "She's here, she's here."
Before I could react, my mom strode in.
She was still dressed in her office attire: a gray suit dress, black velvet tights, and black pointed-toe high heels. It seemed she had come straight from work.
From the moment she entered, Mom glared at me angrily. Stomping over in her high heels, she swung her purse and struck me right in the face, shouting furiously, "Ling Xiaodong, what kind of trouble have you gotten into this time?"
I quickly covered my head and tried to explain, "Mom, listen to me, it's really a misunderstanding! Just hear me out first!"
Mom didn't listen to a word of my explanation, chasing me around in circles to hit me. Aunt Rong stood by the door, hands in her pockets, watching the two of us with an amused, half-smiling expression.
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